RETAILER Blacks Leisure plunged into the red after problems at its boardwear business offset steady trading from its camping and outdoor clothing shops.

May 30 2009 Huddersfield Daily Examiner

The company said it made losses of £6.8m before exceptional items in the year to February 28 compared with profits of £300,000 a year earlier.

Blacks said the boardwear business, comprising Freespirit and O’Neill stores and the UK wholesale operation of O’Neill, continued to underperform after losses widened to £7.8m from £3.3m.

The company has already rebranded eight of the 50 stores to its outdoor format amid plans for a structured exit from the market.