Luminar Group, which owns the Jam House in St Paul's Square, Birmingham, has reported a 12 per cent jump in full-year pre-tax pre-exceptional profit at £31.5 million.

The night club operator said revenue from continuing operations rose to £201.3 million from £197.6 million.

Care-free young clubbers "living more for today" would help it trade through the spending squeeze, said the group.

Luminar, which owns the Oceana, Lava & Ignite and Liquid chains, said: "While general consumer confidence has been falling, our target 18-30 age customers remain less susceptible to economic downturn.

"They live more for today, do not generally have mortgages, children or regular savings. These characteristics are even stronger amongst our core 18-24 age customers."

The company declared a final dividend of 13.95 pence per share, up 13.2 per cent. The dividend for the year will be 19.32 pence per share, against 17.20 pence.

The company said dancing division like-for-like sales rose 1.9 per cent in the first ten weeks of the new financial year, while branded dancing like-for-like sales increased 7.5 per cent.

Roll out of key brands continued with eight new venues and 15 refurbishments.

Central costs had been cut by £5.4 million, bringing the reduction to £8 million over two years.

Investment cost per square foot had significantly reduced – Oceana £103 and Liquid £99. Targets of £98 for Oceana and £88 for Liquid have been set.

Milton Keynes-based Luminar is the UK’s biggest nightclub operator with 2,000 employees and 100 venues, of which 52 are branded clubs.

The company has gained strength as other operators quit under pressure from legislative changes such as the smoking ban.

All but seven of Luminar’s clubs have smoking areas and every venue has scenting machines to tackle the odour of sweaty dancers.

The group is undertaking acquisitions, disposals and refurbishments aimed at leaving it with 74 branded clubs in a 110-strong estate by 2011, although it scaled back original opening plans to concentrate on "prime market towns" in March.

Chief executive Stephen Thomas reportedly held talks with the Royal Bank of Scotland’s private equity arm over a £250 million management buyout earlier this year. Luminar said "informal discussions" had taken place but there was no current intention to pursue such a deal.

Some analysts also remained nervous over prospects despite Luminar’s upbeat comments.

Investec Securities’ Matthew Gerard said: "Trading has remained robust, but we remain nervous on the impact of any UK consumer slowdown on a high footfall, high street, operationally gearing business."