The recent heatwave hammered Topps Tiles as tradesmen paused work to avoid soaring temperatures.

The tile and flooring chain said sales fell 1.8 per cent in the three months to June 27 and now expects underlying profits for the year to the end of September to be above £6.5million.

That would be a sharp fall from the previous year’s £9.2million, and the shares fell 5 per cent, or 1.8p, to 34p.

It said: ‘Whilst there is likely to be a catch-up over a six-month period, this is unlikely to come back fully in our financial year, which ends in September.’

The group has been slashing costs and in April announced 23 shops were being shut – 7 per cent of its 319-strong estate.