Christie Group, the property and finance specialist, has reported a big dip in interim operating profit from £1.94m to £345,000 on turnover up 13.6% to £18.5m. The drop in operating profits was largely due to the slowdown in the company's UK software business and investment in other areas.

The professional business services division was strengthened through specialist departments for leisure and development, investment and rating services.

Venners Computer Systems signed an exclusive contract during the period to supply the Vista ticketing solution, which enables ticket purchases over the internet. Spean Bridge cinemas had taken this up internationally.