A return to normal weather patterns will be key to Bhs’ fortunes being revived, the company said this week.

The retailer, owned by Sir Philip Green, this week reported a 40 per cent fall in operating profit to£30.2 million in the year to March 29, on the back of a 2.9 per cent fall in like-for-likes. Sales were down 4 per cent in the past six weeks.

Chief operating officer Paul Coakley said unseasonable weather had hit business. “The big issue, going back 18 months, is that we haven’t had normal seasonal weather at any point.”

He said that despite the economic downturn, “customers are still coming into shops”. 33 stores have been refurbished and the retailer is going to wait until after Christmas before deciding whether to restart the programme.

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