COMPUTER games retailer Game, which is to float on the London Stock Exchange next month, has revealed that its profits have soared more than ten-fold.

The firm, which has a store in Blackburn shopping centre, estimated it made a pre-tax profit of £7.1 million on a turnover of £77.6 million in the year to May 3 against £400,000 on £52.3 million during the previous 12 month period.

The announcement came as the company released its Pathfinder listing particulars. Dealings in Game are due to start at the beginning of June.

Game, which has 61 stores in the UK and four in the Irish Republic, employs around 540 staff. It recently announced plans to almost double the size of its chain to 120 within three years.

The float is expected to raise around £45 million, including £10 million to back the expansion programme.

Game, which was founded eight years ago with stores in Manchester and Birmingham, is expected to be valued at well in excess of £100 million.

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