The director presents the strategic report for the period ended 30 March 2022.
The principal activity of the group is operating Lebanese restaurants with the principal brands Maroush, Beirut Express, Ranoush Juice and Maroush Bakehouse.
The revenue of the group during 2022 increased by 49.4% to £15.4m (2021: £10.3m).
The results of the group for the period show a profit on ordinary activities before taxation of £1.8m (2021: Loss - £8.3m).
The business has demonstrated commendable revenue growth, recapturing lost grounds amid Covid 19 lockdowns and trade restrictions. It has established a strong presence in the competitive hospitality and real estate sectors, attracting a steady stream of customers and tenants. The management's commitment to quality service, strategic location selection, and consistent maintenance of its properties has been key to its positive reputation. However, ongoing market analysis and customer feedback are crucial to ensure the business remains relevant and adaptable in the ever-changing London landscape.
As with any business operating in the hospitality and real estate industries, there are several principal risks and uncertainties that need to be considered. Firstly, economic fluctuations and changes in consumer behavior could impact the demand for restaurants and properties, potentially affecting revenue and occupancy rates. Additionally, increasing competition, both from established brands and emerging players, poses a threat to market share. Regulatory changes, such as zoning laws or health and safety regulations, can also create uncertainties that require careful navigation. Lastly, unforeseen events like natural disasters or pandemics can disrupt operations and financial stability.
Looking ahead, the business is poised for exciting future developments. London's vibrant dining scene continues to evolve, and the business has the opportunity to capitalize on emerging trends and preferences. By conducting thorough market research and analyzing customer preferences, the business can strategically expand its restaurant offerings, introducing innovative concepts or cuisines to cater to evolving tastes. Embracing technology advancements, such as online reservation systems and digital marketing strategies, will enhance customer engagement and promote sustained growth. Overall, the business's future success lies in its ability to adapt to market dynamics, deliver exceptional experiences, and stay ahead of industry trends.
The directors use both financial and non-financial performance indicators to monitor the company's position.
The key financial performance indicators of the group are gross profit of £11m (2021: £7.7m), sales £15.4m (2021: £10.3m) and balance sheet with net current liabilities of £20.1m (2021: £43.3m).
The key non-financial performance indicators of the company are customer service and satisfaction, and stakeholder relationships.
The directors are of the belief that the monitoring of the above-mentioned indicators is an effective aspect of business performance review.
This statement sets out how the directors have approached and met their responsibilities under section 172 Companies Act 2006. The Group's values are consistent with the requirements under section 172 of the Companies Act. The directors will consider all relevant factors when taking any decision. The examples below illustrate some of the key items under section 172 that were considered by the directors during the year.
Likely consequence of any decision in the long term
There have been no major changes in the Group in the financial year. However, the long-term impacts of any decisions are discussed in detail by the directors, especially when considering the Group's strategy.
Interest of the Group's employees
The directors engage with their employees frequently. We conduct an annual conference where managers from each restaurant come together for a workshop to share their thoughts, feedback and feelings about working for Maroush Group. This is attended by members of the leadership team. There are also individual quarterly reviews with all Regional Operations Managers to talk through their restaurants and their people - this is facilitated and attended by members of the leadership team. Furthermore, the leadership team regularly visit the restaurants across the group to engage with all teams.
The People function of the business is accountable for optimising everything we do for our employees and all members of the Group, managing policies and procedures, all with a view of promoting and maintaining fairness and consistency across the whole business.
Foster business relationships with suppliers, customers and others
The Group has always been steadfast about the quality of the food served in the restaurants. To make this possible we have developed strong supplier relationships to ensure we can maintain these high standards and deliver a unique product experience. Working collaboratively gives us stability both in terms of product consistency and our input costs.
Impact of the Group's operations on the community and environment
The Group is committed to reducing the environmental impact of our operation. We are working closely with suppliers to minimise product movement. In restaurants we have expanded our recycling both front and back of house with further rollout planned in the next financial year.
We ensure that all of our used oil is collected, recycled and used as Biofuel. We have also focused on reducing single use plastics, with plans to replace items such as straws and children's toys with environmentally friendly alternatives. We continue to work on ensuring we keep up to speed with the latest development on packaging and applying best practice.
The desirability of the Group maintaining a reputation for high standards of business conduct
As with fostering relationships with suppliers, customers and others, the maintenance of high standards of ethical conduct are very important in order to run a sustainable business.
The need to act fairly between members of the Group
Communications with shareholders are given high priority, Advisory board meetings take place at regular intervals. These are attended by members of the board and the shareholders. The monthly and year to date performance of the Group are presented and discussed, as well as the Group's strategy and long-term impact of any decision.
On behalf of the board
The director presents his annual report and financial statements for the period ended 30 March 2022.
The results for the period are set out on page 10.
No ordinary dividends were paid. The director does not recommend payment of a further dividend.
The director who held office during the period and up to the date of signature of the financial statements was as follows:
The group's policy is to consult and discuss with employees, through unions, staff councils and at meetings, matters likely to affect employees' interests.
Information about matters of concern to employees is given through information bulletins and reports which seek to achieve a common awareness on the part of all employees of the financial and economic factors affecting the group's performance.
There is no employee share scheme at present, but the directors are considering the introduction of such a scheme as a means of further encouraging the involvement of employees in the company's performance.
KLSA LLP were appointed as auditor to the group and in accordance with section 485 of the Companies Act 2006.
Whilst the overall group has consumed more than 40,000 kWh of energy in this reporting period, none of the individual subsidiaries are large as defined by the Companies Act. In preparing this group Director’s Report, we have taken advantage of the option to exclude any energy and carbon information relating to those subsidiaries.
As the parent entity has no trading activity, there is no energy and carbon information to be reported in respect of the parent entity.
We have audited the financial statements of Maroush Group Holdings Limited (the 'parent company') and its subsidiaries (the 'group') for the period ended 30 March 2022 which comprise the group profit and loss account, the group statement of comprehensive income, the group balance sheet, the company balance sheet, the group statement of changes in equity, the company statement of changes in equity, the group statement of cash flows, the company statement of cash flows and notes to the financial statements, including significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including Financial Reporting Standard 102 The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
Basis for opinion
We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditor's responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report. We are independent of the group and parent company in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements in the UK, including the FRC’s Ethical Standard, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.
Emphasis of Matter - Material uncertainty related to going concern
In forming our opinion of the financial statements, which is not qualified, we have considered the adequacy of the disclosure made in note 1.3 of the financial statements concerning the group's ability to continue as a going concern. The group incurred a net loss of £3,047,401 (2021: £7,573,818) during the year ended 30 March 2022 and, at that date, the group had net liabilities of £5,500,779 (2021: £5,108,878). These conditions along with the other matters explained in note 1.3 of the financial statements, indicate the existence of a material uncertainty which may cast significant doubt about the group's ability to continue as a going concern. The financial statements do not include the adjustments that would result if the group was unable to continue as a going concern. Our opinion is not modified in respect of this matter.
In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that the director's use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate.
Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the director with respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections of this report.
Conclusions relating to going concern
In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that the director's use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate.
Based on the work we have performed, we have not identified any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the group's and parent company’s ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at least twelve months from when the financial statements are authorised for issue.
Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the director with respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections of this report.
Other information
The other information comprises the information included in the annual report other than the financial statements and our auditor's report thereon. The director is responsible for the other information contained within the annual report. Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and, except to the extent otherwise explicitly stated in our report, we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon. Our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the course of the audit, or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether this gives rise to a material misstatement in the financial statements themselves. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact.
We have nothing to report in this regard.
Opinions on other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2006
In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of our audit:
the information given in the strategic report and the director's report for the financial period for which the financial statements are prepared is consistent with the financial statements; and
the strategic report and the director's report have been prepared in accordance with applicable legal requirements.
In the light of the knowledge and understanding of the group and the parent company and their environment obtained in the course of the audit, we have not identified material misstatements in the strategic report or the director's report.
We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which the Companies Act 2006 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion:
adequate accounting records have not been kept by the parent company, or returns adequate for our audit have not been received from branches not visited by us; or
the parent company financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records and returns; or
certain disclosures of directors' remuneration specified by law are not made; or
we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit.
As explained more fully in the director's responsibilities statement, the director is responsible for the preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view, and for such internal control as the director determines is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error. In preparing the financial statements, the director is responsible for assessing the parent company's ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the director either intends to liquidate the parent company or to cease operations, or has no realistic alternative but to do so.
Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor's report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements.
Irregularities, including fraud, are instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. We design procedures in line with our responsibilities, outlined above, to detect material misstatements in respect of irregularities, including fraud. The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud, is detailed below.
We also considered potential fraud drivers: including financial or other pressures, opportunity, override of controls and personal or corporate motivations. We considered the programmes and controls that the company has established to address risks identified, or that otherwise prevent, deter and detect fraud. Where the risk was considered to be higher, we performed audit procedures to address each identified fraud risk. These procedures included testing journals, evaluating the business rationale of significant transactions outside the normal course of business and validating the appropriateness of internal controls and significant accounting estimations based on our fraud risk criteria;
We assessed the susceptibility of the company’s financial statements to material misstatement, including obtaining an understanding of how fraud might occur, by:
making enquiries of management as to where they considered there was susceptibility to fraud, their knowledge of actual, suspected and alleged fraud; and
considering the internal controls in place to mitigate risks of fraud and non-compliance with laws and regulations.
To address the risk of fraud through management bias and override of controls, we:
performed analytical procedures to identify any unusual or unexpected relationships;
tested journal entries to identify unusual transactions;
assessed whether judgements and assumptions made in determining the accounting estimates set out in note 2 were indicative of potential bias; and
investigated the rationale behind significant or unusual transactions.
In response to the risk of irregularities and non-compliance with laws and regulations, we designed procedures which included, but were not limited to:
agreeing financial statement disclosures to underlying supporting documentation;
enquiring of management as to actual and potential litigation and claims.
We obtained understanding of the legal and regulatory frameworks that are applicable to the company and determined that the most significant are those related to the financial reporting framework, tax regulations in the jurisdictions in which the company operates.
Based on this understanding we designed our audit procedures to identify non-compliance with laws and regulations. Our procedures involved: making enquiries of management, those responsible for legal and compliance procedures and reviewing other correspondence.
We communicated identified fraud risks and non-compliance with laws and regulations with those charged with governance, throughout the audit team and remained alert to any indications throughout the audit.
There are inherent limitations in the audit procedures described above. We are less likely to become aware of instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations that are not closely related to events and transactions reflected in the financial statements. Also the risk of not detecting a material misstatement due to fraud is higher than the risk of not detecting one resulting from error, as fraud may involve deliberate concealment by, for example, forgery, misrepresentations or through collusion.
A further description of our responsibilities is available on the Financial Reporting Council’s website at: https://www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our auditor's report.
Use of our report
This report is made solely to the company’s members, as a body, in accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the company’s members those matters we are required to state to them in an auditor's report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the company and the company’s members as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.
As permitted by s408 Companies Act 2006, the company has not presented its own profit and loss account and related notes. The company’s profit for the year was £0 (2021 - £0 profit).
Maroush Group Holdings Limited (“the company”) is a private limited company domiciled and incorporated in England and Wales. The registered office is 5 Mcnicol Drive, London, England, NW10 7AJ.
The group consists of Maroush Group Holdings Limited and all of its subsidiaries.
The financial statements are presented for a period longer than one year. The reporting period covers the duration from the date of incorporation to 31 March 2023, the accounting reference date.
These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with FRS 102 “The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland” (“FRS 102”) and the requirements of the Companies Act 2006.
The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the company. Monetary amounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest £.
The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention, [modified to include the revaluation of freehold properties and to include investment properties and certain financial instruments at fair value]. The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below.
The consolidated group financial statements consist of the financial statements of the parent company Maroush Group Holdings Limited together with all entities controlled by the parent company (its subsidiaries) and the group’s share of its interests in joint ventures and associates.
All financial statements are made up to 30 March 2022. Where necessary, adjustments are made to the financial statements of subsidiaries to bring the accounting policies used into line with those used by other members of the group.
All intra-group transactions, balances and unrealised gains on transactions between group companies are eliminated on consolidation. Unrealised losses are also eliminated unless the transaction provides evidence of an impairment of the asset transferred.
Subsidiaries are consolidated in the group’s financial statements from the date that control commences until the date that control ceases.
The group is reliant on the continued financial support from its subsidiaries, in order to meet its obligations as they fall due. The group incurred a net loss of £3,047,401 (2021: £7,573,818) during the year ended 30 March 2022 and, at that date, the group had net liabilities of £5,500,779 (2021: £5,108,878). At the time of approving the financial statements, the directors have a reasonable expectation that the company, with the support of Mr. Abouzaki, has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus the directors continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements.
The financial statements do not include any adjustments that would result if the above support is withdrawn.
Turnover is recognised at the fair value of the consideration received or receivable for goods and services provided in the normal course of business, and is shown net of VAT and other sales related taxes. The fair value of consideration takes into account trade discounts, settlement discounts and volume rebates.
When cash inflows are deferred and represent a financing arrangement, the fair value of the consideration is the present value of the future receipts. The difference between the fair value of the consideration and the nominal amount received is recognised as interest income.
Revenue from the sale of goods is recognised when the significant risks and rewards of ownership of the goods have passed to the buyer (usually on dispatch of the goods), the amount of revenue can be measured reliably, it is probable that the economic benefits associated with the transaction will flow to the entity and the costs incurred or to be incurred in respect of the transaction can be measured reliably.
The gain or loss arising on the disposal of an asset is determined as the difference between the sale proceeds and the carrying value of the asset, and is recognised in the profit and loss account.
Equity investments are measured at fair value through profit or loss, except for those equity investments that are not publicly traded and whose fair value cannot otherwise be measured reliably, which are recognised at cost less impairment until a reliable measure of fair value becomes available.
In the parent company financial statements, investments in subsidiaries, associates and jointly controlled entities are initially measured at cost and subsequently measured at cost less any accumulated impairment losses.
A subsidiary is an entity controlled by the group. Control is the power to govern the financial and operating policies of the entity so as to obtain benefits from its activities.
An associate is an entity, being neither a subsidiary nor a joint venture, in which the company holds a long-term interest and where the company has significant influence. The group considers that it has significant influence where it has the power to participate in the financial and operating decisions of the associate.
Investments in associates are initially recognised at the transaction price (including transaction costs) and are subsequently adjusted to reflect the group’s share of the profit or loss, other comprehensive income and equity of the associate using the equity method. Any difference between the cost of acquisition and the share of the fair value of the net identifiable assets of the associate on acquisition is recognised as goodwill. Any unamortised balance of goodwill is included in the carrying value of the investment in associates.
Losses in excess of the carrying amount of an investment in an associate are recorded as a provision only when the company has incurred legal or constructive obligations or has made payments on behalf of the associate.
In the parent company financial statements, investments in associates are accounted for at cost less impairment.
Entities in which the group has a long term interest and shares control under a contractual arrangement are classified as jointly controlled entities.
At each reporting period end date, the group reviews the carrying amounts of its tangible and intangible assets to determine whether there is any indication that those assets have suffered an impairment loss. If any such indication exists, the recoverable amount of the asset is estimated in order to determine the extent of the impairment loss (if any). Where it is not possible to estimate the recoverable amount of an individual asset, the company estimates the recoverable amount of the cash-generating unit to which the asset belongs.
The carrying amount of the investments accounted for using the equity method is tested for impairment as a single asset. Any goodwill included in the carrying amount of the investment is not tested separately for impairment.
Recoverable amount is the higher of fair value less costs to sell and value in use. In assessing value in use, the estimated future cash flows are discounted to their present value using a pre-tax discount rate that reflects current market assessments of the time value of money and the risks specific to the asset for which the estimates of future cash flows have not been adjusted.
If the recoverable amount of an asset (or cash-generating unit) is estimated to be less than its carrying amount, the carrying amount of the asset (or cash-generating unit) is reduced to its recoverable amount. An impairment loss is recognised immediately in profit or loss, unless the relevant asset is carried at a revalued amount, in which case the impairment loss is treated as a revaluation decrease.
Recognised impairment losses are reversed if, and only if, the reasons for the impairment loss have ceased to apply. Where an impairment loss subsequently reverses, the carrying amount of the asset (or cash-generating unit) is increased to the revised estimate of its recoverable amount, but so that the increased carrying amount does not exceed the carrying amount that would have been determined had no impairment loss been recognised for the asset (or cash-generating unit) in prior years. A reversal of an impairment loss is recognised immediately in profit or loss, unless the relevant asset is carried at a revalued amount, in which case the reversal of the impairment loss is treated as a revaluation increase.
The group has elected to apply the provisions of Section 11 ‘Basic Financial Instruments’ and Section 12 ‘Other Financial Instruments Issues’ of FRS 102 to all of its financial instruments.
Financial instruments are recognised in the group's balance sheet when the group becomes party to the contractual provisions of the instrument.
Financial assets and liabilities are offset and the net amounts presented in the financial statements when there is a legally enforceable right to set off the recognised amounts and there is an intention to settle on a net basis or to realise the asset and settle the liability simultaneously.
Basic financial assets, which include debtors and cash and bank balances, are initially measured at transaction price including transaction costs and are subsequently carried at amortised cost using the effective interest method unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the transaction is measured at the present value of the future receipts discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial assets classified as receivable within one year are not amortised.
Other financial assets, including investments in equity instruments which are not subsidiaries, associates or joint ventures, are initially measured at fair value, which is normally the transaction price. Such assets are subsequently carried at fair value and the changes in fair value are recognised in profit or loss, except that investments in equity instruments that are not publicly traded and whose fair values cannot be measured reliably are measured at cost less impairment.
Financial assets, other than those held at fair value through profit and loss, are assessed for indicators of impairment at each reporting end date.
Financial assets are impaired where there is objective evidence that, as a result of one or more events that occurred after the initial recognition of the financial asset, the estimated future cash flows have been affected. If an asset is impaired, the impairment loss is the difference between the carrying amount and the present value of the estimated cash flows discounted at the asset’s original effective interest rate. The impairment loss is recognised in profit or loss.
If there is a decrease in the impairment loss arising from an event occurring after the impairment was recognised, the impairment is reversed. The reversal is such that the current carrying amount does not exceed what the carrying amount would have been, had the impairment not previously been recognised. The impairment reversal is recognised in profit or loss.
Financial assets are derecognised only when the contractual rights to the cash flows from the asset expire or are settled, or when the group transfers the financial asset and substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership to another entity, or if some significant risks and rewards of ownership are retained but control of the asset has transferred to another party that is able to sell the asset in its entirety to an unrelated third party.
Financial liabilities and equity instruments are classified according to the substance of the contractual arrangements entered into. An equity instrument is any contract that evidences a residual interest in the assets of the group after deducting all of its liabilities.
Basic financial liabilities, including creditors, bank loans, loans from fellow group companies and preference shares that are classified as debt, are initially recognised at transaction price unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the debt instrument is measured at the present value of the future payments discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial liabilities classified as payable within one year are not amortised.
Debt instruments are subsequently carried at amortised cost, using the effective interest rate method.
Trade creditors are obligations to pay for goods or services that have been acquired in the ordinary course of business from suppliers. Amounts payable are classified as current liabilities if payment is due within one year or less. If not, they are presented as non-current liabilities. Trade creditors are recognised initially at transaction price and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.
Derivatives, including interest rate swaps and forward foreign exchange contracts, are not basic financial instruments. Derivatives are initially recognised at fair value on the date a derivative contract is entered into and are subsequently re-measured at their fair value. Changes in the fair value of derivatives are recognised in profit or loss in finance costs or finance income as appropriate, unless hedge accounting is applied and the hedge is a cash flow hedge.
Debt instruments that do not meet the conditions in FRS 102 paragraph 11.9 are subsequently measured at fair value through profit or loss. Debt instruments may be designated as being measured at fair value through profit or loss to eliminate or reduce an accounting mismatch or if the instruments are measured and their performance evaluated on a fair value basis in accordance with a documented risk management or investment strategy.
Financial liabilities are derecognised when the group's contractual obligations expire or are discharged or cancelled.
Equity instruments issued by the group are recorded at the proceeds received, net of transaction costs. Dividends payable on equity instruments are recognised as liabilities once they are no longer at the discretion of the group.
The tax expense represents the sum of the tax currently payable and deferred tax.
The tax currently payable is based on taxable profit for the year. Taxable profit differs from net profit as reported in the profit and loss account because it excludes items of income or expense that are taxable or deductible in other years and it further excludes items that are never taxable or deductible. The group’s liability for current tax is calculated using tax rates that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the reporting end date.
Deferred tax liabilities are generally recognised for all timing differences and deferred tax assets are recognised to the extent that it is probable that they will be recovered against the reversal of deferred tax liabilities or other future taxable profits. Such assets and liabilities are not recognised if the timing difference arises from goodwill or from the initial recognition of other assets and liabilities in a transaction that affects neither the tax profit nor the accounting profit.
The carrying amount of deferred tax assets is reviewed at each reporting end date and reduced to the extent that it is no longer probable that sufficient taxable profits will be available to allow all or part of the asset to be recovered. Deferred tax is calculated at the tax rates that are expected to apply in the period when the liability is settled or the asset is realised. Deferred tax is charged or credited in the profit and loss account, except when it relates to items charged or credited directly to equity, in which case the deferred tax is also dealt with in equity. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are offset if, and only if, there is a legally enforceable right to offset current tax assets and liabilities and the deferred tax assets and liabilities relate to taxes levied by the same tax authority.
The costs of short-term employee benefits are recognised as a liability and an expense, unless those costs are required to be recognised as part of the cost of stock or fixed assets.
The cost of any unused holiday entitlement is recognised in the period in which the employee’s services are received.
Termination benefits are recognised immediately as an expense when the company is demonstrably committed to terminate the employment of an employee or to provide termination benefits.
Payments to defined contribution retirement benefit schemes are charged as an expense as they fall due.
Rentals payable under operating leases, including any lease incentives received, are charged to profit or loss on a straight line basis over the term of the relevant lease except where another more systematic basis is more representative of the time pattern in which economic benefits from the leased asset are consumed.
Government grants are recognised at the fair value of the asset received or receivable when there is reasonable assurance that the grant conditions will be met and the grants will be received.
A grant that specifies performance conditions is recognised in income when the performance conditions are met. Where a grant does not specify performance conditions it is recognised in income when the proceeds are received or receivable. A grant received before the recognition criteria are satisfied is recognised as a liability.
Transactions in currencies other than pounds sterling are recorded at the rates of exchange prevailing at the dates of the transactions. At each reporting end date, monetary assets and liabilities that are denominated in foreign currencies are retranslated at the rates prevailing on the reporting end date. Gains and losses arising on translation in the period are included in profit or loss.
In the application of the group’s accounting policies, the director is required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions about the carrying amount of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors that are considered to be relevant. Actual results may differ from these estimates.
The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised where the revision affects only that period, or in the period of the revision and future periods where the revision affects both current and future periods.
The average monthly number of persons (including directors) employed by the group and company during the period was:
Their aggregate remuneration comprised:
The actual charge/(credit) for the period can be reconciled to the expected credit for the period based on the profit or loss and the standard rate of tax as follows:
The fair value of the investment properties has been arrived at on the basis of a valuation carried out in September 2022 by Adelaide Jones, Chartered Surveyors, who are not connected with the company. The valuation was made on an open market value basis by reference to market evidence of transaction prices for similar properties. In the opinion of the directors, the market value at the balance sheet date is not materially different to this valuation.
Details of the company's subsidiaries at 30 March 2022 are as follows:
* These companies are wholly owned subsidiaries of Maroush Group Limited.
** These companies are wholly owned subsidiaries of Abouzaki Properties Limited.
£45m of bank loan is secured by a fixed charge over the properties owned by the Group. The bank loan is subject to commercial rates of interest with quarterly capital repayments.
There is an unlimited corporate guarantee by Pollcrown Limited.
The other bank loan of £21m is unsecured and subject to commercial rates of interest.
The following are the major deferred tax liabilities and assets recognised by the group and company, and movements thereon:
A defined contribution pension scheme is operated for all qualifying employees. The assets of the scheme are held separately from those of the group in an independently administered fund.
At the reporting end date the group had outstanding commitments for future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases, which fall due as follows:
The ultimate controlling party is M Abouzaki.
Group and Company
Other than the transactions disclosed below, the company's other related party transactions were with wholly owned subsidiaries and so have not been disclosed.
Included in other creditors, is an amount due to a group of connected companies by virtue of common directors amounting to £708,217 (2021: £6,127).
Included in other debtors, is an amount due from a group of connected companies by virtue of common directors amounting to £30,777,125 (2021: £30,331,260).
During the year, wages and salaries totalling £203,543 (2021: £117,695) were paid to the directors and their family.
At the balance sheet date, the balances due to the directors and their family were £2,181,775 (2021: £2,166,044).These balances are interest free, unsecured and repayable on demand.