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EMMA POWELL | TEMPUS

Caterer SSP has hopes for the long haul

The Times

The rehabilitation of the former stock market darling SSP has proven painfully protracted, a product of the near halt in travel in the depths of the pandemic and three fundraisings conducted to survive the disruption.

But the Upper Crust and Caffè Ritazza owner is serving up more than just a post-Covid recovery story in an attempt to win back the market. Regaining trade from the return of air and rail passengers in greater numbers is one route for rebuilding profitability, but expansion into the vast North American airport catering market has the potential to sustain earnings growth over the long term.

A faster recovery in sales volumes and higher contribution from winning new contracts means revenue and adjusted earnings for this year are expected to