The Works.co.uk (AIM:WRKS) shares rose 9.6% to 59.2p after the group said pre-IFRS16 adjusted EBITDA for FY26 was about £14m, ahead of market expectations. The group finished FY26 with net cash of £3.6m, above market expectations of £2m.
Total revenue from continuing operations was approximately £260m, up 3.2% year on year, with like‑for‑like sales up 3.3% for the period and a 5.3% LFL gain in Q4 against BRC non‑food declines, reflecting the performance of the UK's leading specialist retailer of affordable, screen‑free activities for the whole family.
Product margin improved by 240 basis points and the group delivered a previously announced £2m cost reduction programme while implementing a new store‑focused trading model and closing its transactional website in March 2026, with approximately £2m of closure costs treated as adjusting items, with total adjusting items of £2.5m.
The group operated 508 stores at year end, a net five store increase versus FY25.
The group finished FY26 with net cash of £3.6m against market expectations of £2m and reported FY26 revenue including discontinued operations of £274m with pre‑IFRS16 Adjusted EBITDA including discontinued operations of £11.5m.
"Our outperformance against the broader high‑street underpins our plans for further growth," said Gavin Peck, Chief Executive.
The Works expects to announce its FY26 preliminary results on 23 July.
