Company registration number 00540004 (England and Wales)
W.J.FRENCH & SON LIMITED
UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
PAGES FOR FILING WITH REGISTRAR
W.J.FRENCH & SON LIMITED
CONTENTS
Page
Balance sheet
1 - 2
Notes to the financial statements
3 - 9
W.J.FRENCH & SON LIMITED
BALANCE SHEET
AS AT
31 DECEMBER 2023
31 December 2023
- 1 -
2023
2022
Notes
£
£
£
£
Fixed assets
Intangible assets
4
421
546
Tangible assets
5
549,049
400,758
Investments
6
1,061,354
1,178,528
1,610,824
1,579,832
Current assets
Stocks
568,093
600,757
Debtors
7
28,145
20,458
Cash at bank and in hand
273,102
112,397
869,340
733,612
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
8
(71,613)
(54,567)
Net current assets
797,727
679,045
Total assets less current liabilities
2,408,551
2,258,877
Provisions for liabilities
(81,598)
(73,373)
Net assets
2,326,953
2,185,504
Capital and reserves
Called up share capital
7,358
7,358
Share premium account
9,425
9,425
Revaluation reserve
9
591,336
443,826
Profit and loss reserves
1,718,834
1,724,895
Total equity
2,326,953
2,185,504
W.J.FRENCH & SON LIMITED
BALANCE SHEET (CONTINUED)
AS AT
31 DECEMBER 2023
31 December 2023
- 2 -
The directors of the company have elected not to include a copy of the profit and loss account within the financial statements.true
For the financial year ended 31 December 2023 the company was entitled to exemption from audit under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.
The directors acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 with respect to accounting records and the preparation of financial statements.
The members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its financial statements for the year in question in accordance with section 476.
These financial statements have been prepared and delivered in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies regime.
The financial statements were approved by the board of directors and authorised for issue on 1 March 2024 and are signed on its behalf by:
Mrs C Osman
Director
Company Registration No. 00540004
W.J.FRENCH & SON LIMITED
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
- 3 -
1
Accounting policies
Company information
W.J.French & Son Limited is a private company limited by shares incorporated in England and Wales. The registered office is 40 Bedford Place, Southampton, SO15 2DG.
1.1
Accounting convention
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 as applicable to companies subject to the small companies regime. The disclosure requirements of section 1A of FRS 102 have been applied other than where additional disclosure is required to show a true and fair view.
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. The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below.
1.2
Turnover
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.
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.
1.3
Intangible fixed assets other than goodwill
Intangible assets acquired separately from a business are recognised at cost and are subsequently measured at cost less accumulated amortisation and accumulated impairment losses.
Amortisation is recognised so as to write off the cost or valuation of assets less their residual values over their useful lives on the following bases:
Development costs
23% Reducing Balance
1.4
Tangible fixed assets
Tangible fixed assets are initially measured at cost and subsequently measured at cost or valuation, net of depreciation and any impairment losses.
Depreciation is recognised so as to write off the cost or valuation of assets less their residual values over their useful lives on the following bases:
Freehold land and buildings
2% Straight Line
Plant and equipment
20% Reducing Balance
Fixtures and fittings
20% Reducing Balance
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 credited or charged to profit or loss.
W.J.FRENCH & SON LIMITED
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
1
Accounting policies
(Continued)
- 4 -
1.5
Fixed asset investments
Interests in subsidiaries, associates and jointly controlled entities are initially measured at cost and subsequently measured at cost less any accumulated impairment losses. The investments are assessed for impairment at each reporting date and any impairment losses or reversals of impairment losses are recognised immediately in profit or loss.
A subsidiary is an entity controlled by the company. 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 company considers that it has significant influence where it has the power to participate in the financial and operating decisions of the associate.
Entities in which the company has a long term interest and shares control under a contractual arrangement are classified as jointly controlled entities.
1.6
Impairment of fixed assets
At each reporting period end date, the company reviews the carrying amounts of its tangible and intangible assets. A provision is made for any impairment loss and taken to the profit and loss account.
1.7
Stocks
Stocks are stated at the lower of cost and estimated selling price less costs to complete and sell. Cost comprises direct materials and, where applicable, direct labour costs and those overheads that have been incurred in bringing the stocks to their present location and condition.
Stocks held for distribution at no or nominal consideration are measured at the lower of cost and replacement cost, adjusted where applicable for any loss of service potential.
At each reporting date, an assessment is made for impairment. Any excess of the carrying amount of stocks over its estimated selling price less costs to complete and sell is recognised as an impairment loss in profit or loss. Reversals of impairment losses are also recognised in profit or loss.
1.8
Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents are basic financial assets and include cash in hand, deposits held at call with banks, other short-term liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less, and bank overdrafts. Bank overdrafts are shown within borrowings in current liabilities.
1.9
Financial instruments
The company only enters into Basic financial instrument transactions.
Financial instruments are recognised in the company's balance sheet when the company becomes party to the contractual provisions of the instrument.
Financial assets and liabilities are offset, with 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
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.
W.J.FRENCH & SON LIMITED
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
1
Accounting policies
(Continued)
- 5 -
Classification of financial liabilities
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 company after deducting all of its liabilities.
Basic financial 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.
1.10
Equity instruments
Equity instruments issued by the company 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 company.
1.11
Taxation
The tax expense represents the sum of the tax currently payable and deferred tax.
Current tax
The current tax liability is recognised for the tax payable on the taxable profit of the current and past periods. A current tax asset is recognised in respect of a tax loss that can be carried back to recover tax paid in a previous period.
Deferred tax
Deferred tax is recognised in respect of all timing differences between the recognition of income and expenses in the financial statements and their inclusion in the tax assessments.
Unrelieved tax losses and other 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.
The company's liability for current and deferred tax is calculated using tax rates that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the reporting end date.
1.12
Employee benefits
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.
1.13
Retirement benefits
Payments to defined contribution retirement benefit schemes are charged as an expense as they fall due.
1.14
Leases
Rental income from operating leases is recognised on a straight line basis over the term of the relevant lease. Initial direct costs incurred in negotiating and arranging an operating lease are added to the carrying amount of the leased asset and recognised on a straight line basis over the lease term.
W.J.FRENCH & SON LIMITED
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
1
Accounting policies
(Continued)
- 6 -
1.15
Government grants
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.
1.16
Foreign exchange
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.
2
Judgements and key sources of estimation uncertainty
In the application of the company’s accounting policies, the directors are 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.
3
Employees
The average monthly number of persons (including directors) employed by the company during the year was:
2023
2022
Number
Number
Total
19
20
W.J.FRENCH & SON LIMITED
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
- 7 -
4
Intangible fixed assets
Other
£
Cost
At 1 January 2023 and 31 December 2023
3,410
Amortisation and impairment
At 1 January 2023
2,864
Amortisation charged for the year
125
At 31 December 2023
2,989
Carrying amount
At 31 December 2023
421
At 31 December 2022
546
5
Tangible fixed assets
Land and buildings
Plant and machinery etc
Total
£
£
£
Cost or valuation
At 1 January 2023
492,000
81,190
573,190
Additions
5,800
5,800
Disposals
(4,908)
(4,908)
Revaluation
156,087
156,087
At 31 December 2023
648,087
82,082
730,169
Depreciation and impairment
At 1 January 2023
105,247
67,185
172,432
Depreciation charged in the year
9,840
3,206
13,046
Eliminated in respect of disposals
(4,358)
(4,358)
At 31 December 2023
115,087
66,033
181,120
Carrying amount
At 31 December 2023
533,000
16,049
549,049
At 31 December 2022
386,753
14,005
400,758
Land and buildings with a carrying amount of £417,913 were revalued at 10 September 2023 by Primmer Olds Uk Limited t/a Primmer Olds B.A.S.
If revalued assets were stated on a historical cost basis rather than a fair value basis, the total amounts included would have been as follows:
W.J.FRENCH & SON LIMITED
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
5
Tangible fixed assets
(Continued)
- 8 -
2023
2022
£
£
Cost
63,149
63,149
Accumulated depreciation
(14,774)
(13,619)
Carrying value
48,375
49,530
6
Fixed asset investments
2023
2022
£
£
Other investments other than loans
1,061,354
1,178,528
Movements in fixed asset investments
Investments
£
Cost or valuation
At 1 January 2023
1,178,528
Additions
90,041
Valuation changes
72,844
Transfers
(158,604)
Disposals
(121,455)
At 31 December 2023
1,061,354
Carrying amount
At 31 December 2023
1,061,354
At 31 December 2022
1,178,528
7
Debtors
2023
2022
Amounts falling due within one year:
£
£
Trade debtors
19,131
13,397
Other debtors
9,014
7,061
28,145
20,458
W.J.FRENCH & SON LIMITED
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
- 9 -
8
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
2023
2022
£
£
Trade creditors
19,540
22,670
Taxation and social security
19,601
15,811
Other creditors
32,472
16,086
71,613
54,567
9
Revaluation reserve
2023
2022
£
£
At the beginning of the year
443,826
452,403
Revaluation surplus arising in the year
156,087
Transfer to retained earnings
(8,577)
(8,577)
At the end of the year
591,336
443,826