Property group鈥檚 restaurants and shops benefit from rise in overseas visitors

Property investment group Shaftesbury has reported a first-half profit of 拢122.7m for the six months ended 31 March 2010.

The group said it made 拢33m of acquisitions during the period in reponse to a 鈥檖rospering鈥 market in London鈥檚 West End. In the corresponding period last year Shaftesbury made a 拢160m loss.

Rental income increased 3.7% to 拢32.4 million.

John Manser, the group鈥檚 chairman said: 鈥淎lthough the outlook for the UK and European economies remains uncertain, London鈥檚 West End is prospering and is attracting increasing numbers of domestic and overseas visitors.鈥

鈥淐onsumer spending in our locations remains buoyant, which is reflected in strong demand for our shops and restaurants and historically low levels of voids throughout the portfolio.鈥