Ask predicts prosperous new year

Pizza-and-pasta restaurant chain Ask Central expects 2001 to be another good year.

The company said in a statement: "As the trading year draws to a close it is apparent that the company, which now has 104 restaurants, will have another successful year of sales and profits in line with our expectations."

Ask also announced the retirement from its board of non-executive director Phillip Kaye with immediate effect.

Kaye, 69, is the father of Ask’s founders, Sam and Adam Kaye. He will remain a consultant to the company.

Andrew Mark Fleet, 37, has been appointed non-executive director with effect from 1 January. He is a business consultant and has advised Ask on installing quality and control systems.