Company Registration No. 05319043 (England and Wales)
The County Hotel Canterbury Limited
Annual report and financial statements
for the period ended 31 December 2023
The County Hotel Canterbury Limited
Company information
Directors
Jeremy Hancock
Andrew Brownsword
Alessandra Brownsword-Matthews
David Matthews
John Badley
(Appointed 9 May 2023)
Secretary
Peter Tyrrell
Company number
05319043
Registered office
4 Queen Square
Bath
BA1 2HA
Independent auditors
Saffery LLP
St Catherine's Court
Berkeley Place
Clifton
Bristol
BS8 1BQ
Business address
30-33 High Street
Canterbury
Kent
CT1 2RX
The County Hotel Canterbury Limited
Contents
Page
Strategic report
1
Directors' report
2 - 3
Independent auditor's report
4 - 7
Statement of comprehensive income
8
Statement of financial position
9
Statement of changes in equity
10
Notes to the financial statements
11 - 20
The County Hotel Canterbury Limited
Strategic report
For the period ended 31 December 2023
1
The directors present the strategic report and financial statements for the period ended 31 December 2023.
Fair review of the business
The loss for the period, after taxation, amounted to £256,906 (period ended 1 January 2023: profit of £274,668) and will be transferred to reserves.
Net Assets at the end of the period were £10,838,598.
Dividends of £1,500,000 were paid in the period.
Principal risks and uncertainties
The company manages competitive trading risk by providing high quality services, consistent renewal of its properties and maintaining strong relationships with its customers and investing in the development and performance of highly professional service staff.
In line with the hotel and restaurant industry generally, the business is exposed to normal economic and market factors which ultimately reflect the strength of the economy and the strength of local conditions. This is affected by business usage and tourism as well as normal seasonal factors and weather conditions.
The directors believe the company is well placed to compete in the market despite challenging market conditions.
Development and performance
It is the company’s policy that payments to suppliers are made in accordance with those terms and conditions agreed between the company and its suppliers, provided that all trading terms and conditions have been complied with.
Key performance indicators
To enable review of performance and benchmarking within the group, many KPI’s are regularly used and an example of these would be: Average Room Rate, occupancy %, yield, food and beverage COS %, cost per occupied for room for certain room costs / payroll, wage cost %, utility cost per occupied room and EBITDA %.
Jeremy Hancock
Director
25 September 2024
The County Hotel Canterbury Limited
Directors' report
For the period ended 31 December 2023
2
The directors present their annual report and financial statements for the period ended 31 December 2023.
Principal activities
The principal activity of the company during the period was the provision of accommodation and restaurant services.
Results and dividends
The results for the period are set out on page 8.
Ordinary dividends were paid amounting to £1,500,000. The directors do not recommend payment of a further dividend.
Directors
The directors who held office during the period and up to the date of signature of the financial statements were as follows:
Jeremy Hancock
Andrew Brownsword
Stephanie Hocking
(Resigned 31 May 2023)
Peter Tyrrell
(Resigned 13 September 2024)
Alessandra Brownsword-Matthews
David Matthews
John Badley
(Appointed 9 May 2023)
Financial instruments
Liquidity risk
The company, along with its wider group, have significant cash resources to meet its financial obligations and has the ongoing support of its ultimate sole shareholder.
Interest rate risk
The company does not have borrowings and is not therefore exposed to interest rate risk.
Foreign currency risk
The company makes its sales and purchases in sterling and so is not exposed to foreign currency risk.
Credit risk
Credit risk is considered low for the company as credit terms are not provided to the majority of customers.
Auditor
Saffery LLP have expressed their willingness to continue in office.
The County Hotel Canterbury Limited
Directors' report (continued)
For the period ended 31 December 2023
3
Statement of directors' responsibilities
The directors are responsible for preparing the annual report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and regulations.
Company law requires the directors to prepare financial statements for each financial year. Under that law the directors have elected to prepare the financial statements in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice (United Kingdom Accounting Standards and applicable law).
Under company law the directors must not approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the company and of the profit or loss of the company for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the directors are required to:
select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
make judgements and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the company will continue in business.
The directors are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the company’s transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the company and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
Strategic Report s414C
The company has chosen in accordance with Companies Act 2006, s. 414C(11) to set out in the company's strategic report information required by Large and Medium-sized Companies and Groups (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008, Sch. 7 to be contained in the directors' report. It has done so in respect of the fair review of the business, principal risks and uncertainties and development and performance.
Statement of disclosure to auditor
So far as each person who was a director at the date of approving this report is aware, there is no relevant audit information of which the company’s auditor is unaware. Additionally, the directors individually have taken all the necessary steps that they ought to have taken as directors in order to make themselves aware of all relevant audit information and to establish that the company’s auditor is aware of that information.
Medium-sized companies exemption
This report has been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies entitled to the medium-sized companies exemption.
On behalf of the board
Jeremy Hancock
Director
25 September 2024
The County Hotel Canterbury Limited
Independent auditor's report
To the members of The County Hotel Canterbury Limited
4
Opinion
We have audited the financial statements of The County Hotel Canterbury Limited (the 'company') for the period ended 31 December 2023 which comprise the statement of comprehensive income, the statement of financial position, the statement of changes in equity 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).
In our opinion the financial statements:
give a true and fair view of the state of the company's affairs as at 31 December 2023 and of its loss for the period then ended;
have been properly prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice; and
have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006.
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 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 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.
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.
The County Hotel Canterbury Limited
Independent auditor's report (continued)
To the members of The County Hotel Canterbury Limited
5
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 directors' report for the financial period 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.
Matters on which we are required to report by exception
In the light of the knowledge and understanding of the company and its 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, or returns adequate for our audit have not been received from branches not visited by us; or
the financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records and returns; or
certain disclosures of remuneration specified by law are not made; or
we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit.
Responsibilities of directors
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 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 company or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.
Auditor's responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements
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.
The County Hotel Canterbury Limited
Independent auditor's report (continued)
To the members of The County Hotel Canterbury Limited
6
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 specific procedures for this engagement and the extent to which these are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud are detailed below.
Identifying and assessing risks related to irregularities:
We assessed the susceptibility of the company’s financial statements to material misstatement and how fraud might occur, including through discussions with the directors, discussions within our audit team planning meeting, updating our record of internal controls and ensuring these controls operated as intended. We evaluated possible incentives and opportunities for fraudulent manipulation of the financial statements. We identified laws and regulations that are of significance in the context of the company by discussions with directors and by updating our understanding of the sector in which the company operates.
Laws and regulations of direct significance in the context of the company include The Companies Act 2006 and UK Tax legislation.
Audit response to risks identified
We considered the extent of compliance with these laws and regulations as part of our audit procedures on the related financial statement items including a review of financial statement disclosures. We reviewed the company's records of breaches of laws and regulations, minutes of meetings and correspondence with relevant authorities to identify potential material misstatements arising. We discussed the company's policies and procedures for compliance with laws and regulations with members of management responsible for compliance.
During the planning meeting with the audit team, the engagement partner drew attention to the key areas which might involve non-compliance with laws and regulations or fraud. We enquired of management whether they were aware of any instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations or knowledge of any actual, suspected or alleged fraud. We addressed the risk of fraud through management override of controls by testing the appropriateness of journal entries and identifying any significant transactions that were unusual or outside the normal course of business. We assessed whether judgements made in making accounting estimates gave rise to a possible indication of management bias. At the completion stage of the audit, the engagement partner’s review included ensuring that the team had approached their work with appropriate professional scepticism and thus the capacity to identify non-compliance with laws and regulations and fraud.
There are inherent limitations in the audit procedures described above and the further removed non-compliance with laws and regulations is from the events and transactions reflected in the financial statements, the less likely we would become aware of it. 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 or intentional 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.
The County Hotel Canterbury Limited
Independent auditor's report (continued)
To the members of The County Hotel Canterbury Limited
7
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.
Michael Strong
Senior Statutory Auditor
For and on behalf of Saffery LLP
26 September 2024
Chartered Accountants
Statutory Auditors
St Catherine's Court
Berkeley Place
Clifton
Bristol
BS8 1BQ
The County Hotel Canterbury Limited
Statement of comprehensive income
For the period ended 31 December 2023
8
Period ended 31 December 2023
Period ended 1 January 2023
Notes
£
£
Turnover
3
3,028,479
3,440,755
Cost of sales
(1,711,870)
(1,784,489)
Gross profit
1,316,609
1,656,266
Administrative expenses
(1,607,368)
(1,394,074)
Other operating income
3
6,000
Operating (loss)/profit
4
(290,759)
268,192
Interest receivable and similar income
6
33,853
6,476
(Loss)/profit before taxation
(256,906)
274,668
Tax on (loss)/profit
7
(Loss)/profit for the financial period
(256,906)
274,668
The income statement has been prepared on the basis that all operations are continuing operations.
The County Hotel Canterbury Limited
Statement of financial position
As at 31 December 2023
9
Period ended 31 December 2023
Period ended 1 January 2023
Notes
£
£
£
£
Fixed assets
Tangible assets
9
9,787,950
9,865,804
Current assets
Stocks
10
23,078
24,523
Debtors
11
133,307
115,662
Cash at bank and in hand
1,309,193
3,072,639
1,465,578
3,212,824
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
12
(414,930)
(483,124)
Net current assets
1,050,648
2,729,700
Net assets
10,838,598
12,595,504
Capital and reserves
Called up share capital
13
3,375,001
3,375,001
Share premium account
6,625,000
10,125,000
Other reserves
3,500,000
Profit and loss reserves
(2,661,403)
(904,497)
Total equity
10,838,598
12,595,504
The financial statements were approved by the board of directors and authorised for issue on 25 September 2024 and are signed on its behalf by:
Jeremy Hancock
Director
Company Registration No. 05319043
The County Hotel Canterbury Limited
Statement of changes in equity
For the period ended 31 December 2023
10
Share capital
Share premium account
Other reserves
Profit and loss reserves
Total
£
£
£
£
£
Balance at 3 January 2022
3,375,001
10,125,000
(1,179,165)
12,320,836
Period ended 1 January 2023:
Profit and total comprehensive income for the period
-
-
-
274,668
274,668
Balance at 1 January 2023
3,375,001
10,125,000
(904,497)
12,595,504
Period ended 31 December 2023:
Profit and total comprehensive income for the period
-
-
-
(256,906)
(256,906)
Dividends
8
-
-
-
(1,500,000)
(1,500,000)
Reduction of shares
13
(3,500,000)
-
-
(3,500,000)
Transfers
-
-
3,500,000
-
3,500,000
Balance at 31 December 2023
3,375,001
6,625,000
3,500,000
(2,661,403)
10,838,598
The County Hotel Canterbury Limited
Notes to the financial statements
For the period ended 31 December 2023
11
1
Accounting policies
Company information
The County Hotel Canterbury Limited is a private company limited by shares incorporated in England and Wales. The registered office is 4 Queen Square, Bath, BA1 2HA.
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.
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 £1.
The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention. The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below.
The financial statements of the company are drawn up to either a 52 or 53 week period each year which is in accordance with the company management accounts. This is in line with the Companies Act 2006 as the period end is never more than seven days before or after the year end date of 31 December each year.
The County Hotel Canterbury Limited constitutes a qualifying entity, as set out within FRS 102 Section 1 "Scope", due to it being a 100% subsidiary of Andrew Brownsword Hotels Limited, and is included within the consolidated accounts of that company, which can be located at Companies House.
As the company meets the criteria of a qualifying entity, it has taken advantage of the following exemptions available to it:
The requirements of Section 7 "Statement of Cash Flows" and Section 3 "Financial Statement Presentation" paragraph 3.17(d);
The requirements of Section 11 "Basic Financial Instruments" and Section 12 "Other Financial Instruments Issues" outlined in paragraph 1.12(c); and
The requirement of Section 33 "Related Party Disclosures" paragraph 33.7.
1.2
Going concern
At the time of approving the financial statements, the directors have a reasonable expectation that the company has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future, particularly given that the ultimate parent company, The Bath Priory Limited, is prepared to fully support the company. Thus the directors continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements.true
1.3
Turnover
Revenue is recognised to the extent that the company obtains the right to consideration in exchange for its performance. Revenue is measured at the fair value of the consideration received, excluding discounts, rebates, value added tax and other sales taxes or duty. The following criteria must be met before revenue is recognised:
Accommodation revenue is recognised when a room is occupied; food and beverage revenue is recognised when food and beverages are sold; sundry and other revenues, consisting of items such as room hire and car parking, are recognised at the point of sale.
1.4
Tangible fixed assets
Tangible fixed assets are initially measured at cost and subsequently measured at cost, net of depreciation and any impairment losses.
The County Hotel Canterbury Limited
Notes to the financial statements (continued)
For the period ended 31 December 2023
1
Accounting policies (continued)
12
Depreciation is recognised so as to write off the cost of assets less their residual values over their useful lives on the following bases:
Land and buildings freehold
Nil - 20% straight line
Land and buildings leasehold
Nil - 20% straight line
Plant and machinery
5 - 20% straight line
Fixtures, fittings & equipment
10 - 25% straight line
Computer equipment
25 - 33% straight line
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.
In accordance with normal practice in the UK hotel industry, no depreciation is provided on the company's freehold property acquired at cost. It is the company's practice to maintain its property in a continual state of sound repair and to make improvements thereto from time to time. Accordingly, the directors consider that the life of the asset and residual value, based on the price prevailing at the time of acquisition, is such that its depreciation would be insignificant.
The company has undertaken a refurbishment to the property. This expenditure is split between work to the core of the building, with nil depreciation and work to building surfaces and services, with a finite useful economic life and depreciated at rates between 5% and 10% accordingly.
1.5
Impairment of fixed assets
At each reporting period end date, the company 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). 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.
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.
1.6
Stocks
Stocks comprise raw materials and finished goods which are food and beverages respectively. Stocks are stated at the lower of cost and estimated selling price less costs to complete and sell.
The County Hotel Canterbury Limited
Notes to the financial statements (continued)
For the period ended 31 December 2023
1
Accounting policies (continued)
13
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.
1.7
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.
1.8
Financial instruments
The company 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 company's statement of financial position 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, 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.
Impairment of financial assets
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.
Derecognition of financial assets
Financial assets are derecognised only when the contractual rights to the cash flows from the asset expire or are settled, or when the company 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.
The County Hotel Canterbury Limited
Notes to the financial statements (continued)
For the period ended 31 December 2023
1
Accounting policies (continued)
14
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 trade and other 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 receipts discounted at a market rate of interest.
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. Accounts payable are classified as 'creditors: amounts falling due within one year' if payment is due within one year or less. If not, they are presented as 'creditors: amounts falling due after more than one year'. Trade creditors are recognised initially at transaction price and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.
Financial liabilities classified as payable within one year are not amortised.
Derecognition of financial liabilities
Financial liabilities are derecognised when the company’s contractual obligations expire or are discharged or cancelled.
1.9
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.
1.10
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.
1.11
Retirement benefits
Contributions in respect of the company's defined contribution pension scheme are charged to the profit and loss account for the period in which they are payable to the scheme. Differences between contributions payable and contributions actually paid in the period are shown either as accruals or prepayments at the period end.
1.12
Leases
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 leases asset are consumed.
The County Hotel Canterbury Limited
Notes to the financial statements (continued)
For the period ended 31 December 2023
1
Accounting policies (continued)
15
1.13
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.
1.14
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
Critical accounting 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
Turnover and other revenue
An analysis of the company's turnover is as follows:
Period ended 31 December 2023
Period ended 1 January 2023
£
£
Turnover analysed by class of business
Hotel accommodation
2,032,857
2,318,057
Food and beverage
887,715
1,001,547
Sundry and other revenue
107,907
121,151
3,028,479
3,440,755
Period ended 31 December 2023
Period ended 1 January 2023
£
£
Other significant revenue
Other government grants
-
6,000
The County Hotel Canterbury Limited
Notes to the financial statements (continued)
For the period ended 31 December 2023
16
4
Operating (loss)/profit
Period ended 31 December 2023
Period ended 1 January 2023
Operating (loss)/profit for the period is stated after charging/(crediting):
£
£
Government grants received
-
(6,000)
Fees payable to the company's auditor for the audit of the company's financial statements
8,200
7,600
Depreciation of owned tangible fixed assets
120,768
122,876
Operating lease charges
4
-
5
Employees
The average monthly number of persons (including directors) employed by the company during the period was:
Period ended 31 December 2023
Period ended 1 January 2023
Number
Number
Employees
52
57
Their aggregate remuneration comprised:
Period ended 31 December 2023
Period ended 1 January 2023
£
£
Wages and salaries
1,120,538
1,194,033
Social security costs
86,015
92,474
Pension costs
16,582
15,609
1,223,135
1,302,116
6
Interest receivable and similar income
Period ended 31 December 2023
Period ended 1 January 2023
£
£
Interest income
Interest on bank deposits
33,853
6,476
The County Hotel Canterbury Limited
Notes to the financial statements (continued)
For the period ended 31 December 2023
17
7
Taxation
The actual charge for the period can be reconciled to the expected (credit)/charge for the period based on the profit or loss and the standard rate of tax as follows:
Period ended 31 December 2023
Period ended 1 January 2023
£
£
(Loss)/profit before taxation
(256,906)
274,668
Expected tax (credit)/charge based on the standard rate of corporation tax in the UK of 23.52% (Period ended 1 January 2023: 19.00%)
(60,424)
52,187
Tax effect of expenses that are not deductible in determining taxable profit
7,854
5,913
Change in unrecognised deferred tax assets
52,570
(64,738)
Group relief
6,638
Taxation charge for the period
-
-
The company has available trading losses carried forward of £479,564 (period ended 1 January 2023: £17,112).
8
Dividends
Period ended 31 December 2023
Period ended 1 January 2023
£
£
Final paid
1,500,000
The County Hotel Canterbury Limited
Notes to the financial statements (continued)
For the period ended 31 December 2023
18
9
Tangible fixed assets
Land and buildings freehold
Land and buildings leasehold
Plant and machinery
Fixtures, fittings & equipment
Computer equipment
Total
£
£
£
£
£
£
Cost
At 2 January 2023
13,130,869
200,000
1,209,827
1,288,146
221,476
16,050,318
Additions
25,564
1,980
4,600
10,770
42,914
At 31 December 2023
13,156,433
200,000
1,211,807
1,292,746
232,246
16,093,232
Depreciation and impairment
At 2 January 2023
3,775,307
946,614
1,251,769
210,824
6,184,514
Depreciation charged in the period
32,428
67,480
16,896
3,964
120,768
At 31 December 2023
3,807,735
1,014,094
1,268,665
214,788
6,305,282
Carrying amount
At 31 December 2023
9,348,698
200,000
197,713
24,081
17,458
9,787,950
At 1 January 2023
9,355,562
200,000
263,213
36,377
10,652
9,865,804
10
Stocks
Period ended 31 December 2023
Period ended 1 January 2023
£
£
Finished goods and goods for resale
23,078
24,523
11
Debtors
Period ended 31 December 2023
Period ended 1 January 2023
Amounts falling due within one year:
£
£
Trade debtors
31,131
3,688
Other debtors
3,481
4,128
Prepayments and accrued income
98,695
107,846
133,307
115,662
The County Hotel Canterbury Limited
Notes to the financial statements (continued)
For the period ended 31 December 2023
19
12
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
Period ended 31 December 2023
Period ended 1 January 2023
£
£
Trade creditors
71,806
90,318
Taxation and social security
93,084
109,419
Other creditors
99,206
118,690
Accruals and deferred income
150,834
164,697
414,930
483,124
13
Share capital
Period ended 31 December 2023
Period ended 1 January 2023
Period ended 31 December 2023
Period ended 1 January 2023
Ordinary share capital
Number
Number
£
£
Issued and fully paid
Ordinary shares of 25p each
13,500,004
13,500,004
3,375,001
3,375,001
Shares rank equally for voting purposes. On a show of hands, each member shall have one vote and on a poll each member shall have one vote per share held.
During the year a written resolution was passed to reduce the share premium by £3,500,000.
14
Retirement benefit schemes
Period ended 31 December 2023
Period ended 1 January 2023
Defined contribution schemes
£
£
Charge to profit or loss in respect of defined contribution schemes
16,582
15,609
The company operates a defined contribution pension scheme for all qualifying employees. The assets of the scheme are held separately from those of the company in an independently administered fund.
15
Operating lease commitments
Lessee
The total future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases are as follows:
not later than one year - £1
later than one year and not later than five years - £4
later than five years - £99
The County Hotel Canterbury Limited
Notes to the financial statements (continued)
For the period ended 31 December 2023
20
16
Ultimate controlling party
The Company's immediate parent company is Andrew Brownsword Hotels Limited, which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Bath Priory Limited.
The company's ultimate parent company is The Bath Priory Limited, which is incorporated in England and Wales. The ultimate controlling party is Alessandra Brownsword-Matthews, by virtue of her shareholding in the ultimate parent company.
17
Contingent assets
As at the date of signing the financial statements, the company is undergoing a claim against various financial institutions in relation to finance charges. Although settlement is considered probable, the expected settlement cannot be reliably estimated at this stage.
18
Related party transactions
No guarantees have been given or received.
The company has taken advantage of the exemption available in FRS 102 section 33 "Related Party Disclosures" whereby it has not disclosed transactions with the ultimate parent company or any wholly owned subsidiary undertaking of the group.
All balances due from or to the parent company and subsidiaries of the group are disclosed in note 11 and note 12.
Andrew Brownsword owns and controls Paxton & Whitfield Limited. During the period to 31 December 2023, Paxton & Whitfield Limited made sales of £1,900 (period ended 1 January 2023: £1,010) to The County Hotel Canterbury Limited. A balance of £47 (period ended 1 January 2023: £nil) was outstanding at the period end.
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