64% of members reported better sales for the period with only 15% seeing a reduction, while 57.4% reported higher year to date figures sales for the first half of the year.

Members are still securing new business for equipment supply, project design and installation work as well as maintenance and service support contracts 'despite political and economic uncertainty,' according to CEDA's director general, Adam Mason.

“In addition to the positive sales achieved by the majority of members, pleasing too was the number reporting an increase in margin," said Mason. "Enquiries received from the public sector remained fairly constant with the real private sector growth coming from hotels and restaurants.

"We remain in uncertain times but the positive culture that now permeates through CEDA and the membership is very much reflected in these results.”

CEDA represents over 100 companies with a combined turnover of more than £500 million.