SLIGHTLY higher profits were earned on increased turnover in first half trading at Friendly Hotels, the British hotel chain which paid £500,000 sterling in June to buy the Choice Hotels International master franchise for Britain and Ireland.

Interim pre tax profits edged forward £100,000 to £1.1 million on turnover up £700,000 at £18.4 million. Room occupancy improved from 57.5 to 60.3 per cent and average room rate achieved increased from £29.61 to £30.48.

The acquisition of the Choice Hotels franchise provided the opportunity to integrate the marketing and sales organisations for the Friendly and Choice hotels. Independently owned franchised Choice hotels in Ireland include two star "Comfort" hotels in Castlebar, Donegal, and Tralee and three star "Quality" hotels in Clonmel, Killiney, Killarney and Limerick. Friendly Hotels chairman Mr Harry Edwards said trading since June has been satisfactory indicating that the second half would, as usual, prove to be more profitable than the first half.