Bristol-based BCE Holdings Plc reported a pre-tax loss for the six months to September 30 of ú157,000 on ú1.76m turnover compared with a loss of ú162,000 on sales of ú1.82m last time. With the acquisition of Software Creations Ltd and Rage Software Ltd before Christmas and the establishment of a Multimedia Division, the company said its profile has now changed. The current figures do not reflect the situation since the two acquisitions, a company spokesman said. Since these acquisitions, it has been actively developing its relationship with major games publishers in the US and Far East. It has signed an unconditional contract the sale of its three remaining arcades; one in Bristol and two in Gloucester. The sum of ú50,000 will result in a small loss in the figures. The arcades contributed losses of ú29,000 to the group for the half year. BCE Holdings points out that the chain of 10 amusement arcades it bought when it acquired Keabeech Ltd, which now trades as BCE Arcades Ltd, was consolidated from last August so the latest results include only a small contribution from this subsidiary. BCE Arcades Ltd’s subsequent trading has been in line with expectations and the vendors met their turnover for the period to the end of December. BCE (Distributors) Ltd, the pool and snooker distribution subsidiary, had a difficult first half and the benefits of additional working capital have still to be worked through. The BCE Group of companies is changing its year end from March to June and plans to release a second interim statement for the six months to March 31, which it said will more accurately reflect the improved trading prospects of the group. A change of name for the company would be a good idea too – the possibility for confusion with BCE Corp, the former Bell Canada Enterprises, is uncomfortably great. The directors are not recommending an interim dividend payment.
