by Chris Price

John Lewis has announced profits of £201.2 million for last year.

The company's profit increased by £36.5 million or 22.2 per cent for the full year ending January 30, 2011.

It means every person who works for John Lewis will receive a partner bonus equivalent to 18 per cent of their salary.

The news means operating profits have returned to their levels before the start of the recession.

Gross sales for John Lewis department stores were £3.23bn, up 11.9 per cent or £342.5m. Like-for-like sales were up 10 per cent during the year.

There are two John Lewis stores in Kent - one in Bluewater and one in Tunbridge Wells.

Staff were told the news at 9.30am this morning, with the Bluewater chain gathering employees around the instore escalator for the announcement.

Managing director of Bluewater John Lewis, Karen Lord, said: "What a morning. There was an incredible cheer as everyone heard the bonus had gone up to 18 per cent.

"Everyone is now working out how they are going to spend it. There are weddings and holidays being planned already."

John Lewis Partnerhsip is the UK's largest employee co-operative, which means every person who works for the company is a co-owner in the business.

A proportion of profits are distributed equally to partners as the bonus and each partner, from the chairman to selling assistants, receive exactly the same percentage of their salary as a bonus.