The directors present the strategic report for the year ended 31 March 2023.
The Company's core activities remain in the middle to high class sector of the hospitality, hotel and restaurant trade, blended with a small amount of retail business.
Whilst the view of the Directors is that one of the Company's’ main strengths is excellent debtors and creditor control. This strict cash control is maintained by close contact with customers so that credit difficulties are avoided by early action.
Inflation pressures during FY23 have been challenging but the business has been able to adapt and manage these by high growth and maintaining service levels at an above industry average. Fixed energy contracts have provided new stability for on-going costs into FY24.
The Directors are running the business with a 'hands on approach' together with a smaller, but effective senior management team. Performance of the business is monitored by the gross profit margin, cash forecasts and debtor control.
The main KPI for the Company continues to be the gross profit margin and cash flow.
We measure our performance with analysis of our operating profit return on sales, absolute levels of overhead expenditure and cash generated from operating activities.
The team understands the values of our Company and being part of its future vision and success. The company will continue to monitor the performance of its employees, customers and suppliers and take action when that performance fails to meet the expected standards.
Key performance indicator 2023 2022
Turnover (£'000s) 14,971 11,731
Gross profit margin % 35.5% 36.8%
EBITDA (£'000s) 1,132 668
The business maintains a strong, balanced customer base and the inflationary costs have now passed. In the medium term, the Company will continue to strive to improve profitability by continuous improvement.
By order of the board
The directors present their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2023.
The results for the year are set out on page 7.
Ordinary dividends were paid amounting to £402,500. The directors do not recommend payment of a further dividend.
The directors who held office during the year and up to the date of signature of the financial statements were as follows:
In accordance with the company's articles, a resolution proposing that MHA Moore and Smalley be reappointed as auditor of the group will be put at a General Meeting.
This report has been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies entitled to the medium-sized companies exemption.
We have audited the financial statements of Althams Catering Butchers Limited (the 'parent company') and its subsidiaries (the 'group') for the year ended 31 March 2023 which comprise the group statement of income and retained earnings, the group balance sheet, the company balance sheet, the group 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.
Conclusions relating to going concern
In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that the directors' 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 directors 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 directors are 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
Except for the possible effects of the matter described in the basis for qualified opinion section of our report, in our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of our audit:
the information given in the strategic report and the directors' report for the financial year for which the financial statements are prepared is consistent with the financial statements; and
the strategic report and the directors' 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 directors' 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 directors' responsibilities statement, the directors are 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 directors determine 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 directors are 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 directors either intend to liquidate the parent company or to cease operations, or have 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:
Enquiries with management about any known or suspect instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations and fraud;
Challenging assumptions and judgements made by management in their significant accounting estimates, in particular in relation to rebates and provisions for the impairment of assets which requires an exercise of management judgement.
An evaluation of the risk of management override of controls and subsequent testing, including through testing journal entries and other adjustments for appropriateness;
An evaluation of the company's internal control environment; and
Reviewing board minutes and resolutions.
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:
Enquiries with management about any known or suspect instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations and fraud;
Challenging assumptions and judgements made by management in their significant accounting estimates, in particular in relation to rebates and provisions for the impairment of assets which requires an exercise of management judgement.
An evaluation of the risk of management override of controls and subsequent testing, including through testing journal entries and other adjustments for appropriateness;
An evaluation of the company's internal control environment; and
Reviewing board minutes and resolutions.
Because of the industry in which the company operates, we identified the following areas as those most likely to have a material impact on the financial statements: Health and safety, food safety regulations, employment law, and compliance with the Companies Act.
Owing to the inherent limitations of an audit, there is an unavoidable risk that some material misstatements in the financial statements may not be detected, even though the audit is properly planned and performed in accordance with the ISAs (UK). For instance, the further removed non-compliance is from the events and transactions reflected in the financial statements, the less likely the auditor is to become aware of it or to recognise the non-compliance.
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.
The profit and loss account has been prepared on the basis that all operations are continuing operations.
These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions relating to medium-sized groups.
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 £402,500 (2022 - £0 profit).
Althams Catering Butchers Limited (“the company”) is a private limited company domiciled and incorporated in England and Wales. The registered office is Northgate, White Lund Industrial Estate, Morecambe, LA3 3AY.
The group consists of Althams Catering Butchers Limited and its subsidiary.
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. The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below.
The company, as an individual entity, is a qualifying entity for the purposes of FRS 102, being the parent of a group that prepares publicly available consolidated financial statements which are intended to give a true and fair view of the assets, liabilities, financial position and profit or loss of the group. The company, as an individual entity, has taken advantage of exemptions from the following disclosure requirements for parent company information presented within these consolidated financial statements:
Section 7 ‘Statement of Cash Flows’ – Presentation of a statement of cash flow and related notes and disclosures;
Section 33 ‘Related Party Disclosures’ – Compensation for key management personnel.
The consolidated financial statements incorporate those of Althams Catering Butchers Limited and its subsidiary (an entity that the group controls through its power to govern the financial and operating policies so as to obtain economic benefits.
All financial statements are made up to 31 March 2023. 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.
Mrs. J. C. Altham & Sons (Morecambe) Limited has been included in the group financial statements using the purchase method of accounting. Accordingly, the group profit and loss account and statement of cash flows include the results and cash flows of Mrs. J. C. Altham & Sons (Morecambe) Limited for the year.
At the time of approving the financial statements, the directors have a reasonable expectation that the group 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.
Turnover represents amounts receivable for the provision of wholesale meat to customers net and trade discounts. Turnover is recognised on delivery of the goods provided to the extent that the company has a right to consideration arising from the performance of its contractual obligations. Turnover is substantially within one class of business and is within the United Kingdom.
Freehold land and assets in the course of construction are not depreciated.
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.
In the parent company financial statements, investments in subsidiaries 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.
At each reporting period end date, the group reviews the carrying amounts of its tangible 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).
Recoverable amount is the higher of fair value less costs to sell and value in use. If the recoverable amount of an asset is estimated to be less than its carrying amount, the carrying amount of the asset 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.
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.
Financial assets 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 and loans from fellow group companies 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.
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 costs of short-term employee benefits are recognised as a liability and an expense. 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.
Leases are classified as finance leases whenever the terms of the lease transfer substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership to the lessees. All other leases are classified as operating leases.
Assets held under finance leases are recognised as assets at the lower of the assets fair value at the date of inception and the present value of the minimum lease payments. The related liability is included in the balance sheet as a finance lease obligation. Lease payments are treated as consisting of capital and interest elements. The interest is charged to profit or loss so as to produce a constant periodic rate of interest on the remaining balance of the liability.
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.
Government grants receivable include income under the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) to reimburse the company of costs incurred in retaining staff who were furloughed due to the impact of closure due to COVID-19. CJRS grants are recognised to match the costs incurred by the company for the period claims are made.
In the application of the group’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.
An analysis of the group's turnover is as follows:
The average monthly number of persons employed by the group and company during the year was:
Their aggregate remuneration comprised:
The actual charge for the year can be reconciled to the expected charge for the year based on the profit or loss and the standard rate of tax as follows:
The carrying value of land included within freehold land and buildings comprises:
The net carrying value of tangible fixed assets includes the following in respect of assets held under finance leases or hire purchase contracts.
Freehold land and buildings with a carrying amount of £906,726 (2022: £934,442) have been pledged to secure borrowings of the group. The group is not allowed to pledge these assets as security for other borrowings or to sell them to another entity without the prior consent of the lender.
Details of the company's subsidiaries at 31 March 2023 are as follows:
Loans totalling £479,454 (2022: £523,420) are secured by way of National Westminster Bank Plc holding a legal charge over the land and buildings of the company and a debenture over all the assets of the company with the exception of the invoice financed trade receivables.
These loans are due to end in between two and five years. Interest is being charged on loans at 1.75% above the base rate per annum.
Included within bank loans are two CBIL loans totalling £500,000 (2022: £650,000). These are due to end within five years. Interest is being charged on loans at 3.96% above the base rate per annum.
Other creditors of £1,009,019 (2022: £989,400) relate to the invoice financing arrangement with Royal Bank of Scotland. This is secured by way of debenture over all the assets of the company.
Finance lease payments represent rentals payable by the company or group for certain items of plant and machinery. Leases include purchase options at the end of the lease period, and no restrictions are placed on the use of the assets. The average lease term is 5 years. All leases are on a fixed repayment basis and no arrangements have been entered into for contingent rental payments.
The leases are secured against the leased plant and machinery items.
Deferred tax assets and liabilities are offset where the group or company has a legally enforceable right to do so. The following is the analysis of the deferred tax balances (after offset) for financial reporting purposes:
The directors do not expect the net reversal of the deferred tax liability in the year beginning after the reporting period to be materially different from the movement shown in the current year.
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.
Included within other creditors at 31 March 2023 is £9,343 (2022: £7,822) in relation to pension contributions outstanding at the year end.
The subsidiary has provided a cross company guarantee to a financer of Althams Fine Foods Limited.
At 31 March 2023 the indebtedness of Althams Fine Foods Limited to this financer amounted to £26,310 (2022: £79,308).
Other than the above there were no contingent liabilities at 31 March 2023 or 31 March 2022.
Operating lease payments represent rentals payable by the company for motor vehicles. Leases of motor vehicles are negotiated for an average term of 3 years and rentals are fixed for the period.
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:
During the year the group entered into the following transactions with related parties:
No remuneration was paid to close family members of the directors of the company and its parent company.
The following amounts were outstanding at the reporting end date:
The following amounts were outstanding at the reporting end date:
In accordance with section 33.1A the parent company, Althams Catering Butchers Limited, is not required to disclose transactions with its subsidiary.