WICKES owner Travis Perkins reported a fall in profits and warned there was “no clear indication” of when its markets might return to growth.

Pre-tax profits slipped by 11.1% to £180m in 2009, but Travis Perkins said it coped well in the recession as activity in the builders’ merchant market fell 30% from its peak in late 2008 to its low point in mid 2009.

Travis, which has 1,200 branches under brands including Wickes, Tile Giant and Keyline, said markets had stabilised, but added: “At this stage there is no clear indication of when our markets might return to growth.”