Nightclub operator Luminar has reported encouraging sales over Christmas, including a 3.1% rise in sales from continuing operations over the five weeks to 4 January.

The company said like-for-like sales from its dancing division, which houses its nightclubs, increased by 7.3% over the festive period.

"Our opening programme for 2006 [was] completed before Christmas with the new operations trading well and we have a strong pipeline of new sites for 2007/08," Luminar said in a statement.

In December, Luminar agreed to sell its Chicago Rock and Jumpin' Jaks bar chains in a £76.8m cash deal to focus on developing its main branded dancing venues, Oceana, Lava & Ignite and Liquid.

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By Daniel Thomas

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