| REGISTERED NUMBER: |
| STRATEGIC REPORT, REPORT OF THE DIRECTORS AND |
| FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
| FOR THE PERIOD 26 AUGUST 2023 TO 30 AUGUST 2024 |
| FOR |
| DOLCE LIMITED |
| REGISTERED NUMBER: |
| STRATEGIC REPORT, REPORT OF THE DIRECTORS AND |
| FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
| FOR THE PERIOD 26 AUGUST 2023 TO 30 AUGUST 2024 |
| FOR |
| DOLCE LIMITED |
| DOLCE LIMITED (REGISTERED NUMBER: 02470662) |
| CONTENTS OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
| for the Period 26 August 2023 to 30 August 2024 |
| Page |
| Company Information | 1 |
| Strategic Report | 2 |
| Report of the Directors | 9 |
| Report of the Independent Auditors | 11 |
| Statement of Comprehensive Income | 15 |
| Balance Sheet | 16 |
| Statement of Changes in Equity | 17 |
| Notes to the Financial Statements | 18 |
| DOLCE LIMITED |
| COMPANY INFORMATION |
| for the Period 26 August 2023 to 30 August 2024 |
| DIRECTORS: |
| SECRETARY: |
| REGISTERED OFFICE: |
| REGISTERED NUMBER: |
| INDEPENDENT AUDITORS: |
| Statutory Auditor |
| Chartered Accountants |
| Douglas Bank House |
| Wigan Lane |
| Wigan |
| Lancashire |
| WN1 2TB |
| DOLCE LIMITED (REGISTERED NUMBER: 02470662) |
| STRATEGIC REPORT |
| for the Period 26 August 2023 to 30 August 2024 |
| The directors present their strategic report for the period 26 August 2023 to 30 August 2024. Whilst the accounting period is slightly over one year, it represents a single academic year. |
| Review of Business |
| The company has increased its turnover this year by £7.6m (16%) to £53.5m. The directors consider this to be a solid and sustainable level of revenue growth, partially caused by increased pricing to reflect inflationary increases related to food and minimum wage but mainly by new contract wins. Turnover for the year to August 2025 is expected to climb further for similar reasons. |
| During the year we mobilised 58 new school contracts (£4.7m of turnover). This included 1 Multi Academy Trust (MAT), 1 independent school and 5 secondary schools. We invested £168k on mobilising new business on three to five year contracts. |
| During the year, the group was finally able to repay all remaining amounts due ahead of schedule in respect of the Coronavirus Business Interruption Scheme (CBILS) loan, during March 2024. |
| As at 31 August 2024 the pension scheme was an asset of £3.8m (surplus), a £1.1m movement on the prior year. A schedule of contributions was made by the actuaries, reducing employer contributions to nil until August 2026, with six-monthly reviews scheduled to determine whether this continues to be reasonable. |
| Financial Key Performance Indicators (KPI's) |
| FY 2024 | FY 2023 |
| Turnover | £53.5m | £45.9M |
| Gross Profit | £13.7m (25.6%) | £9.8m (21%) |
| Overheads | £10.0m | £8.5m |
| Operating Profit /(loss) | £3.7m | £888k |
| Net Assets | £7.3m | £4.7m |
| Employee Pension Funding FRS 102 Report | £3.8m surplus | £2.7m surplus |
| The £3.7m operating profit in the year is a £2.8m improvement on the previous year. A combination of operational efficiencies with meal-uptake and labour, rationalising a number of loss-making contracts and some one-off supply chain benefits were the primary causes for this. |
| As a result, gross margin % increased in the year to 25.6% from 20.4% the previous year. |
| Administrative expenses increased by £1.5m in the year, but the overall expenditure was similar as a % of sales than 2023 by (18.7% in 2024 v 18.5% in 2023). The gross margin % trend is not expected to continue upwards but should, after adjusting for one-off activity, stabilise at a level slightly below 2024's actual. With minimum wage, food inflation and, specific to 2025, a change in NI rates and thresholds, it is imperative that Dolce keeps a close eye on gross margin management as just one year can easily see double digit % cost increases. |
| Non- Financial Key Performance Indicators |
| The KPIs that underpin business performance are either financial / quantitative (F) or qualitative (Q) |
| Customer Churn (F): |
| At the start of the year 606 clients were in service. At the end of the year 620 clients were in service (a net growth of 14 clients) |
| Customer Satisfaction (Q): |
| The target customer satisfaction rating for 2023/2024 was 80%. |
| Customer satisfaction levels are monitored by a telephone call with each head teacher who completes a series of five questions about elements of our service - the same five questions are asked every year and so we can accurately monitor satisfaction and identify problem areas and remedy quickly. |
| 2023-2024 - 78% |
| 2022-2023 - 75% |
| 2021-2022 - 81% |
| 2020-2021 - 72% |
| 2019-2020 - N/A due to Covid |
| 2018-2019 - 82% |
| DOLCE LIMITED (REGISTERED NUMBER: 02470662) |
| STRATEGIC REPORT |
| for the Period 26 August 2023 to 30 August 2024 |
| PRINCIPAL RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES |
| Food supply disruption & inflation |
| Our food supply chain saw a major improvement in the financial year, with service levels from our main supplier above 98% for the first time since pre-Covid. The benefits of this, with fewer stock-outs, more stable pricing during the year and fewer substitutes to manage provided a much-needed lift to Dolce's operations. |
| Post year-end unfortunately saw 2024/2025 increases on menu staples such as potatoes, broccoli and cheese, with increases on those products and others being of such a scale the overall shopping basket rose by greater than 8% by November 2024. |
| Dolce works very closely with its main food supplier, including managing menus, stocking, logistics and the inevitable variations that happen due to harvests and availability of fresh produce. It has also worked closely with its supplier to switch from tele-sales ordering to EDI ordering during the year, for greater than 90% of its activity, to improve efficiency of ordering, account management and process. |
| Minimum Wage and Free School Meals |
| As at April 2024 the minimum wage increased by 9.8% to £11.44 (up £1.02 from £10.42 the previous year). |
| There was no increase in Government Free School Meals ("FSM") or Universal Infant Free School Meal ("UIFSM") funding, which remained at £2.53 per pupil. This is continuing the trend of Dolce being forced to ask schools for more money than they receive from the Government. |
| Government Funding |
| A recent announcement has indicated that the FSM & UIFSM meal rate will increase to £2.58, applicable for the entirety of the 2024/2025 academic year. At the time of writing there has been no announcement whether the rate will increase for the 2025/2026 academic year. LACA (Local Authority Caterers Association) have continued to lobby the government to maintain a healthy investment in the provision of UIFSM and FSM but as yet the scheme remains increasingly underfunded. |
| There has been increasing amounts of Government communications surrounding funding of meal provision via breakfast clubs but, at the time of writing, the extent of this is unclear. |
| The Directors are closely assessing the future impact that this lack of investment will have upon the school meals market and the quality of food provided across England & Wales. |
| Financial Risk Management |
| The company is exposed to financial risks that include the effects of credit risk, liquidity risk, inflation risk and interest rate risk. The company has in place a risk management programme that seeks to limit the adverse effects on the financial performance of the company by monitoring levels of debt finance and the related finance costs. |
| Dolce's cash collection has improved significantly during the year, assisting in facilitating the settlement of the CBILS loan, and to ease cashflow concerns. |
| DOLCE LIMITED (REGISTERED NUMBER: 02470662) |
| STRATEGIC REPORT |
| for the Period 26 August 2023 to 30 August 2024 |
| SECTION 172(1) STATEMENT |
| The Directors are aware of their duties set out in section 172 of the Companies Act 2006 ("s172") to act in the way they consider, in good faith, would be most likely to promote the success of the Company under s172 and in doing so have regard (amongst other matters) to. |
| - The likely consequences of any decision in the long-term; |
| - The interests of the company's employees; |
| - The need to foster the company's business relationships with suppliers, customers, and others; |
| - The impact of the company's operations on the community and the environment; |
| - The desirability of the company maintaining a reputation for high standards of business conduct; |
| - The need to act fairly as between members of the company |
| The directors are committed to developing and maintaining a governance framework that is appropriate to the business and supports effective decision making coupled with robust oversight of risks and internal controls. |
| The directors have a duty to promote the success of the group, and this relies on strong relationships and support and the joint efforts of stakeholders, which includes garnering the opinions and considering the needs of each stakeholder and responding in a relevant way to meet each stakeholder group and their concerns. |
| The following details the above statement further and should be read in conjunction with the Statement of Corporate Governance Arrangements also: |
| ENGAGEMENT WITH EMPLOYEES |
| The Company adheres to, and is compliant with, all employment legislation, including national minimum wage, and ensures it treats all its employees fairly by maintaining a fair pay gap based on role and responsibilities. Equal opportunities are promoted with no bias or prejudice tolerated, and recruitment is focused on merit, encouraging applicants from a diverse background. |
| Disabled Employees |
| The company ensures full and fair consideration is given to employment applications made by disabled candidates. Employees who become disabled are provided with reasonable adjustment and necessary equipment that enables them to continue their employment. |
| DOLCE LIMITED (REGISTERED NUMBER: 02470662) |
| STRATEGIC REPORT |
| for the Period 26 August 2023 to 30 August 2024 |
| ENGAGEMENT WITH SUPPLIERS, CUSTOMERS AND OTHERS |
| Stakeholder Management |
| The company's executive management team are aware of their responsibilities to other key stakeholders and ensure that relationship management is always of the highest importance. |
| Regular customer interface is clearly at the top of this list, working with each school customer to optimise service levels, the provision of nutritious food within available budgets in a difficult funding environment. |
| There is also significant focus on food quality and supply, employee and union relationships, insurers, bankers, software providers, in particular in respect of the school management system and HR/Payroll systems and the group's pension advisors and trustees. |
| The business works closely with its key software supplier to integrate and communicate between end user, parents, school, kitchen, and Dolce head office. Ongoing development, feedback and continuous improvement is at the centre of this engagement. |
| Suppliers are treated fairly, honestly, and respectfully and there is a strong culture of collaborative partnerships with key providers, very much driven by board and executive conduct, behaviour, and influence. |
| Health & Safety |
| Health & safety (incorporating food hygiene, allergen management and risk management) are key areas of control for the business. As well as system driven controls for allergens and food hygiene the company employs a specific individual that manages health and safety. Their role is to keep other employees aware of legislation, changes to legislation, their roles and responsibilities with regards workplace management, manage training and limit employee and company exposure to situations that may arise. Incident levels are low and, as an objective third party measure, insurance claims are consistently low, resulting in low claim rebates. |
| Maintaining business conduct standards |
| We operate to a Food Safety Policy compiled in conjunction with Wigan Council's Primary Authority Trust that exceeds legislative food safety standards. We ensure rigorous hygiene practices, regular staff training and thorough quality control measures to guarantee the safety and excellence of our services. |
| We are committed to maintaining high standards of business conduct, as our ISO9001:2008 Quality Management Accreditation demonstrates. This certification and our annually reviewed Quality Policy ensure that all monitoring is documented, corrective actions are recorded, and solutions are tracked until we are confident that problems do not reoccur. Our commitment to continuous improvement and compliance with industry best practices reflects our dedication to providing safe, high-quality food to all our clients. |
| Termly audits are conducted to form part of a documented audit trail, focusing on the following: |
| Inspecting kitchens and food storage areas |
| Ensuring HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points) documents are completed |
| Observing catering teams to ensure adherence to standards |
| Reviewing customer care, portion sizes, food display, and cleanliness |
| We also track KPIs, including meal uptake, ingredient quality, and dish popularity, to ensure we continually improve the service. |
| DOLCE LIMITED (REGISTERED NUMBER: 02470662) |
| STRATEGIC REPORT |
| for the Period 26 August 2023 to 30 August 2024 |
| STATEMENT OF CORPORATE GOVERNANCE ARRANGEMENTS |
| As a privately owned company, Dolce Limited is not required to follow the UK Corporate Governance Code. It is however, committed to the highest standards of governance and corporate responsibility and has considered the Wates Corporate Governance Principles for large private companies which are summarised below and should be read in conjunction with the company's section 172(1) statement and wider strategic report: |
| Purpose and Leadership - the directors are responsible for ensuring the company's purpose, vision and values, which are communicated across the business through multiple mediums including the company's offices, operations managers and school environment |
| Board Composition - the composition of the board and executive leadership team is considered appropriate for the size and complexity of the businesses, with all members contributing a wide variety of experience. The Executive team and Board of directors meet at least termly, reporting on all aspects of the business in addition to monthly reporting coordinated by the Finance Director. Additional board meetings are held throughout the year to set strategy. |
| Directors Responsibilities - the managing director and department heads making up the executive team take responsibility for the performance of the business under their control, including additional projects as required for strategic projects across the business |
| Opportunity and Risk - The directors scrutinise every aspect of the business constantly, with the experience and capability of board members and external advisors (including retired board members and shareholders) used to inform the statutory directors |
| Remuneration - the business uses incentive arrangements aligned to individuals and business performance for key staff to align with the company strategy, and plans to introduce more formal remuneration policies as it grows further in the near future, in line with the Wates principles. |
| Stakeholder Relationships and Engagement - the directors recognise the vital importance fostering effective stakeholder relationships with headteachers, pupils, school staff, suppliers and employees, and particularly emphasise this through school surveys annually and a constant investment in the customer service team, to inform where action is necessary to maintain and strengthen stakeholder relationships. |
| DOLCE LIMITED (REGISTERED NUMBER: 02470662) |
| STRATEGIC REPORT |
| for the Period 26 August 2023 to 30 August 2024 |
| STREAMLINED ENERGY AND CARBON REPORTING |
| GHG Emissions & Energy Use Data for 01/09/23 to 31/08/24 |
| Financial Year: 1st Sep - 31st Aug | Current Reporting Year - 2024 (UK & Offshore | ) |
| Gas (kWh) | 303,048 |
| Electricity (kWh) | 213,025 |
| Transportation (kWh) | 1,281,751 |
| Emissions from combustion of gas tCO2e (Scope 1) | 55.4 |
| Emissions from combustion of fuel for transport purposes, tCO2e (Scope 1) |
34.1 |
| Emissions from employee-owned vehicles where company is responsible for purchasing the fuel, tCO2e (Scope 3) |
276.7 |
| Emissions from purchased electricity, tCO2e (Scope 2, location-based) |
44.1 |
| Total gross CO2e based on above, tCO2e | 410.3 |
| Intensity ratio: tCO2e/SqFt (Combined area of 8,398 SqFt) |
0.049 |
| Energy Efficiency Action Between 01/09/23 to 31/08/24 |
| A drop / delivery cap on food delivery from the main supplier of 2 days per week on primary schools and 3 days per week on high schools has been implemented to reduce the carbon footprint. |
| At the Lowton site, LED lighting has been installed. A new efficient AC system has also been installed. |
| Calculation Methodology |
| Green Energy Consulting has assessed D3S Enterprise Limited Holding Co.'s GHG emissions in accordance with HM Government's 'Environmental Reporting Guidelines: Including streamlined energy and carbon reporting guidance', March 2019 update. In order to calculate emissions '2024 UK Government GHG Conversion Factors for Company Reporting' have been used. |
| For gas and electricity data, annual energy consumption in kWh, over the reporting period was converted to tCO2e using the above described GHG conversion factors. |
| Scope 3 transport data in the form of mileage claims was converted to tCO2e using the aforementioned conversion factors. Scope 1 transport data in the form of litres of fuel from fuel card spend was also converted to tCO2e using the aforementioned conversion factors |
| SECR Reporting Commentary |
| Dolce Ltd. consumed 1,797,824 kWh of energy, split between gas (303,084 kWh), electricity (213,025 kWh), and transport (1,281,751 kWh) equating to emissions of 410.3 tonnes of CO2 equivalent with scope 1 emissions accounting for 22% of emissions, scope 2 emissions accounting for 11%, and scope 3 emissions accounting for the remaining 67%. |
| An intensity ratio of 1.0 tCO2e per employee has been calculated based on a total combined area of 8,398 SqFt across all sites. |
| FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS |
| For the first time since Covid in 2020 the year had, comparatively speaking, a settled feel to its sales, operations, and finance functions. That the financial results began to mirror that of pre-Covid times, albeit on a much greater turnover level, is relieving, but is also testament to the resilience of Dolce's people, methods and systems. |
| The desire and expectation of the Directors to grow the business endures, and therefore the ongoing pursuit of continuous improvement and recruitment of high-calibre personnel remains a constant. |
| The launch of a new payroll and HR management system occurred during the latter part of the 2023/2024 year, and this has systemised much needed aspects of the company. |
| Competition continues to be fierce, but Dolce continues to be confident it has the people, systems and processes it needs to remain a major performer and innovator in the marketplace. |
| DOLCE LIMITED (REGISTERED NUMBER: 02470662) |
| STRATEGIC REPORT |
| for the Period 26 August 2023 to 30 August 2024 |
| GOING CONCERN |
| The UK Government is committed to keeping FSM in primary and secondary education, and UIFSM for key stage 1 pupils in primary schools, across the country. |
| In assessing the company's ability to continue as a going concern the directors have considered the ongoing performance to 2026. The strong financial performance and cash balances provide confidence that Dolce will continue to perform successfully and meet its financial obligations both in 2024/2025, but also in the 2025/2026 financial year. |
| The company therefore continues to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the financial accounts. |
| ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD: |
| DOLCE LIMITED (REGISTERED NUMBER: 02470662) |
| REPORT OF THE DIRECTORS |
| for the Period 26 August 2023 to 30 August 2024 |
| The directors present their report with the financial statements of the company for the period 26 August 2023 to 30 August 2024. |
| PRINCIPAL ACTIVITY |
| The principal activity of the company in the period under review was that of the provision of catering services to schools across the UK. |
| DIVIDENDS |
| Interim dividends totalling £ |
| The total distribution of dividends for the period ended 30 August 2024 will be £ |
| DIRECTORS |
| The directors shown below have held office during the whole of the period from 26 August 2023 to the date of this report. |
| Other changes in directors holding office are as follows: |
| DISCLOSURE IN THE STRATEGIC REPORT |
| The Streamlined Energy and Carbon Reporting Statement , S172(1) Statement and the Corporate Governance Statement can be found in the Strategic Report. |
| STATEMENT OF DIRECTORS' RESPONSIBILITIES |
| The directors are responsible for preparing the Strategic Report, the Report of the Directors 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), including Financial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland'. 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; |
| - | state whether applicable accounting standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; |
| - | 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. |
| DOLCE LIMITED (REGISTERED NUMBER: 02470662) |
| REPORT OF THE DIRECTORS |
| for the Period 26 August 2023 to 30 August 2024 |
| STATEMENT AS TO DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION TO AUDITORS |
| So far as the directors are aware, there is no relevant audit information (as defined by Section 418 of the Companies Act 2006) of which the company's auditors are unaware, and each director has taken all the steps that he ought to have taken as a director in order to make himself aware of any relevant audit information and to establish that the company's auditors are aware of that information. |
| AUDITORS |
| The auditors, Fairhurst Audit Services Ltd, will be proposed for re-appointment at the forthcoming Annual General Meeting. |
| ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD: |
| REPORT OF THE INDEPENDENT AUDITORS TO THE MEMBERS OF |
| DOLCE LIMITED |
| Opinion |
| We have audited the financial statements of Dolce Limited (the 'company') for the period ended 30 August 2024 which comprise the Statement of Comprehensive Income, Balance Sheet, Statement of Changes in Equity and Notes to the Financial Statements, including a summary of 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 30 August 2024 and of its profit 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. |
| 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 Auditors' 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. |
| Other information |
| The directors are responsible for the other information. The other information comprises the information in the Strategic Report and the Report of the Directors, but does not include the financial statements and our Report of the Auditors thereon. |
| 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. |
| In connection with our audit of the financial statements, 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 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 the audit: |
| - | the information given in the Strategic Report and the Report of the Directors for the financial year for which the financial statements are prepared is consistent with the financial statements; and |
| - | the Strategic Report and the Report of the Directors have been prepared in accordance with applicable legal requirements. |
| REPORT OF THE INDEPENDENT AUDITORS TO THE MEMBERS OF |
| DOLCE LIMITED |
| 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 Report of the Directors. |
| We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters where 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 directors' 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 Statement of Directors' Responsibilities set out on page nine, 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 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. |
| REPORT OF THE INDEPENDENT AUDITORS TO THE MEMBERS OF |
| DOLCE LIMITED |
| Auditors' 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 a Report of the Auditors 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 extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud is detailed below: |
| Extent to which the audit was considered capable of detecting irregularities including fraud |
| We identify and assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to fraud or error, and then design and perform audit procedures responsive to those risks, including obtaining audit evidence that is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion. |
| However, it is the primary responsibility of management, with the oversight of those charged with governance, to |
| ensure that the entity's operations are conducted in accordance with the provisions of laws and regulations and for the prevention and detection of fraud. |
| In identifying and addressing risks of material misstatement in respect of irregularities, including fraud and |
| non-compliance with laws and regulations, our procedures included the following: |
| - The engagement partner ensured that the engagement team collectively had the appropriate competence, capabilities and skills to identify or recognise non-compliance with applicable laws and regulations; |
| - We obtained an understanding of laws and regulations that affect the company, focusing on those that had a direct effect on the financial statements or that had a fundamental effect on its operations. Key laws and regulations that we have identified included FRS 102, Companies Act 2006, Tax legislation, data protection, employment, |
| environmental, food hygiene (including allergen control) and health & safety legislation. |
| - We assessed the extent of compliance with the laws and regulations identified above through making enquiries of |
| management and inspecting accreditations and legal correspondence. |
| In assessing the susceptibility of the company's financial statements to material misstatement, including obtaining and understanding of how fraud might occur; |
| - We gained an understanding of the controls that management have in place to prevent and detect fraud. We enquired of management about any instances of fraud that had taken place during the year. |
| To address the risk of fraud through management bias and override of controls; |
| - We performed analytical procedures to identify any unusual or unexpected relationships; |
| - We tested journal entries to identify unusual transactions; and |
| - We assessed whether judgements and assumptions made in determining the accounting estimates were indicative of potential bias. |
| Due to the inherent limitations of an audit, there is an unavoidable risk that we may not have detected some material |
| misstatements in the financial statements, even though we have properly planned and performed our audit in accordance with auditing standards. For example, as with any audit, there remained a higher risk of non-detection of irregularities, as these may involve collusion, forgery, intentional omissions, misrepresentations, or the override of internal controls. We are not responsible for preventing fraud or non-compliance with laws and regulations and cannot be expected to detect all fraud and non-compliance with laws and regulations. |
| A further description of our responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements is located on the Financial Reporting Council's website at www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our Report of the Auditors. |
| REPORT OF THE INDEPENDENT AUDITORS TO THE MEMBERS OF |
| DOLCE LIMITED |
| 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 a Report of the Auditors 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. |
| for and on behalf of |
| Statutory Auditor |
| Chartered Accountants |
| Douglas Bank House |
| Wigan Lane |
| Wigan |
| Lancashire |
| WN1 2TB |
| DOLCE LIMITED (REGISTERED NUMBER: 02470662) |
| STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE |
| INCOME |
| for the Period 26 August 2023 to 30 August 2024 |
| Period | Period |
| 26/8/23 to 30/8/24 | 1/9/22 to 25/8/23 |
| Notes | £ | £ | £ |
| TURNOVER | 3 |
| Cost of sales |
| GROSS PROFIT |
| Administrative expenses |
| 3,700,962 | 888,159 |
| Income from fixed asset investments |
| Interest receivable and similar income |
| Other finance income | 22 |
| 221,430 | 93,431 |
| 3,922,392 | 981,590 |
| Interest payable and similar expenses | 5 |
| PROFIT BEFORE TAXATION | 6 |
| Tax on profit | 7 |
| PROFIT FOR THE FINANCIAL PERIOD |
| OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME |
| Remeasurement of defined benefit |
| obligation |
| Return on plan assets, excluding amounts |
| included in net interest on the |
| recognised defined benefit (liability) |
| asset | ( |
) |
| Income tax relating to components of other comprehensive income |
( |
) |
( |
) |
| OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME FOR THE PERIOD, NET OF INCOME TAX |
| TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE INCOME FOR THE PERIOD |
| DOLCE LIMITED (REGISTERED NUMBER: 02470662) |
| BALANCE SHEET |
| 30 August 2024 |
| 2024 | 2023 |
| Notes | £ | £ | £ |
| FIXED ASSETS |
| Intangible assets | 10 |
| Tangible assets | 11 |
| CURRENT ASSETS |
| Stocks | 12 |
| Debtors | 13 |
| Cash at bank and in hand |
| CREDITORS |
| Amounts falling due within one year | 14 |
| NET CURRENT ASSETS |
| TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES |
| CREDITORS |
| Amounts falling due after more than one year |
15 |
( |
) |
| PROVISIONS FOR LIABILITIES | 19 | ( |
) | ( |
) |
| PENSION ASSET | 22 |
| NET ASSETS |
| CAPITAL AND RESERVES |
| Called up share capital | 20 |
| Share premium | 21 |
| Retained earnings | 21 |
| SHAREHOLDERS' FUNDS |
| The financial statements were approved by the Board of Directors and authorised for issue on |
| DOLCE LIMITED (REGISTERED NUMBER: 02470662) |
| STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY |
| for the Period 26 August 2023 to 30 August 2024 |
| Called up |
| share | Retained | Share | Total |
| capital | earnings | premium | equity |
| £ | £ | £ | £ |
| Balance at 1 September 2022 |
| Changes in equity |
| Total comprehensive income | - | - |
| Balance at 25 August 2023 |
| Changes in equity |
| Dividends | - | ( |
) | - | ( |
) |
| Total comprehensive income | - | - |
| Balance at 30 August 2024 |
| DOLCE LIMITED (REGISTERED NUMBER: 02470662) |
| NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
| for the Period 26 August 2023 to 30 August 2024 |
| 1. | STATUTORY INFORMATION |
| Dolce Limited is a |
| The presentation currency of the financial statements is the Pound Sterling (£). |
| 2. | ACCOUNTING POLICIES |
| Basis of preparing the financial statements |
| Going Concern |
| The UK Government is committed to keeping FSM in primary and secondary education, and UIFSM for key stage 1 pupils in primary schools, across the country. |
| In assessing the company's ability to continue as a going concern the directors have considered the ongoing performance to 2026. The strong financial performance and cash balances provide confidence that Dolce will continue to perform successfully and meet its financial obligations both in 2024/2025, but also in the 2025/2026 financial year. |
| After reviewing the company's forecasts and projections, the directors have a reasonable expectation that the company has adequate resources to continue in operational existence and meet its debts for the foreseeable future not limited to a period of 12 months from the signing of these accounts. The company therefore continues to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the financial statements. |
| Accounting Reference Date |
| The accounting reference date of the Company is 31 August each year and, in accordance with section 390(3) of the Companies Act 2006, these accounts have been prepared for the financial year ended 30 August 2024. (2023 : 25 August 2023) |
| Financial Reporting Standard 102 - reduced disclosure exemptions |
| The company has taken advantage of the following disclosure exemptions in preparing these financial statements, as permitted by FRS 102 "The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland": |
| • | the requirements of Section 7 Statement of Cash Flows; |
| • | the requirement of paragraph 3.17(d); |
| • | the requirement of paragraph 33.7. |
| Related party exemption |
| The company has taken advantage of exemption, under the terms of Financial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland', not to disclose related party transactions with wholly owned subsidiaries within the group. |
| DOLCE LIMITED (REGISTERED NUMBER: 02470662) |
| NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued |
| for the Period 26 August 2023 to 30 August 2024 |
| 2. | ACCOUNTING POLICIES - continued |
| Critical accounting judgements and key sources of estimation uncertainty |
| Preparation of the financial statements requires management to make significant judgements and estimates. The items in the financial statements where these judgements and estimates have been made include: |
| Defined benefit pension scheme |
| The present value of the pension scheme defined benefit obligations depends on a number of factors that are determined on an actuarial basis using a variety of assumptions. The assumptions used in determining the net cost for pensions include the discount rate. Any changes in these assumptions, which are disclosed in note 20 will impact the carrying amount of the pension liability. Furthermore, a roll forward approach which projects results from the latest full actuarial valuations performed at 1 September 2021 has been used by the actuary in valuing the pensions net position at 31 August 2024. Any differences between the figures derived from the roll forward and approach and a full actuarial valuation would impact on the carrying amount of the pension obligations. |
| Provisions |
| Provisions are measured at the best estimate of the amount required to settle the obligation at the reporting date and should take into account the time value of money where material. The provision is then adjusted at each reporting date. The unwinding of any discount is included within finance costs. |
| Site consumables policy |
| The directors have reviewed the usage of, cost per school contract and monitoring practicality for small IT consumables such as touchscreens and have concluded that they are to be written off in the year the contract commences. All replacements are also to be written off when purchased. |
| Site on-boarding and maintenance costs |
| The directors have reviewed the costs of on-boarding new sites and have judged that it gives a true and fair view to spread these costs over the life of the initial contract. |
| Changes in accounting policies |
| During the year the directors have updated the accounting policies to reflect the commercial and operational finances of the business. The changes have resulted in a a prior year adjustment which is detailed in note xx. |
| The accounting policy changes have not resulted in a change to profit or reserves, but have been of presentational impact only. Details of which are noted within each individual policy statement. |
| Turnover |
| Turnover represents the net invoiced value of goods sold, excluding value added tax. |
| Client guaranteed income and profit shares are included as administration costs and are not netted off turnover. This change in accounting policy has been implemented as the directors believe these costs represent an administration cost of running the contract rather than a reduction in turnover. |
| Intangible assets |
| Intangible assets are initially measured at cost. After initial recognition, intangible assets are measured at cost less any accumulated amortisation and any accumulated impairment losses. |
| Tangible fixed assets |
| Plant and machinery | - |
| Fixtures and fittings | - |
| Motor vehicles | - |
| Computer equipment | - |
| Tangible fixed assets are recognised at cost less depreciation. |
| DOLCE LIMITED (REGISTERED NUMBER: 02470662) |
| NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued |
| for the Period 26 August 2023 to 30 August 2024 |
| 2. | ACCOUNTING POLICIES - continued |
| Stocks |
| Stocks are valued at the lower of cost and net realisable value, after making due allowance for obsolete and slow moving items. |
| Financial instruments |
| The company only enters into basic financial instruments transactions that result in the recognition of financial assets and liabilities like trade and other debtors and creditors, loans from banks and other third parties, loans to related parties and investments in non-puttable ordinary shares. |
| Financial assets that are measured at cost and amortised cost are assessed at the end of each reporting period for objective evidence of impairment. If objective evidence of impairment is found, an impairment loss is recognised in the income and expenditure account. |
| For financial assets measured at amortised cost, the impairment loss is measured as the difference between an asset's carrying amount and the present value of estimated cash flows discounted at the asset's original effective interest rate. If a financial asset has a variable interest rate, the discount rate for measuring any impairment loss is the current effective interest rate determined under the contract. |
| For financial assets measured at cost less impairment, the impairment loss is measured as the difference between an asset's carrying amount and best estimate, which is an approximation of the amount that the group would receive for the asset if it were to be sold at the balance sheet date. |
| Financial assets and liabilities are offset and the net amount reported in the balance sheet when there is an 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. |
| Short term creditors are measured at the transaction price. Other financial liabilities, including bank loans, are measured initially at fair value, net of transaction costs, and are measured subsequently at amortised cost using the effective interest method. |
| Taxation |
| Taxation for the period comprises current and deferred tax. Tax is recognised in the Statement of Comprehensive Income, except to the extent that it relates to items recognised in other comprehensive income or directly in equity. |
| Current or deferred taxation assets and liabilities are not discounted. |
| Current tax is recognised at the amount of tax payable using the tax rates and laws that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the balance sheet date. |
| Deferred tax |
| Deferred tax is recognised in respect of all timing differences that have originated but not reversed at the balance sheet date. |
| Timing differences arise from the inclusion of income and expenses in tax assessments in periods different from those in which they are recognised in financial statements. Deferred tax is measured using tax rates and laws that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the period end and that are expected to apply to the reversal of the timing difference. |
| Unrelieved tax losses and other deferred tax assets are recognised only to the extent that it is probable that they will be recovered against the reversal of deferred tax liabilities or other future taxable profits. |
| A deferred tax asset / (liability is recognised on the pension scheme (deficit) / surplus when a deficit recovery or contribution holiday has been agreed by the scheme actuary. |
| DOLCE LIMITED (REGISTERED NUMBER: 02470662) |
| NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued |
| for the Period 26 August 2023 to 30 August 2024 |
| 2. | ACCOUNTING POLICIES - continued |
| Hire purchase and leasing commitments |
| Rentals paid under operating leases are charged to profit or loss on a straight line basis over the period of the lease. |
| Pension costs and other post-retirement benefits |
| When employees have rendered service to the company, short-term employee benefits to which the employees are entitled are recognised at the undiscounted amount expected to be paid in exchange for that service. |
| The company operates a defined benefit plan for the benefit of some of its employees (Dolce Limited Retirement Benefits Scheme). |
| Scheme assets are measured at fair values. Scheme liabilities are measured on an actuarial basis using the projected unit method and are discounted at appropriate high quality corporate bond rates. The net surplus or deficit is presented separately from other net assets on the balance sheet. A net surplus is recognised only to the extent that it is recoverable through reduced contributions in the future, in accordance with paragraph 28.22 of FRS 102. |
| The current and past service costs and costs from settlements and curtailments are included in either cost of sales or administration costs depending on the departmental split, previously all pension costs were recognised in administration costs. Interest on the scheme liabilities and the expected return on scheme assets are included in other finance costs within administrative expenses. Actuarial gains and losses are reported separately in the statement of comprehensive income. |
| The most recent formal funding valuation by the Scheme Actuary had an effective date of 1 September 2021. FRS 102 allows those results to be approximately updated to estimate Scheme liabilities / assets. |
| The assets of the Dolce Limited Retirement Benefits Scheme are invested and managed independently of the finances of the company. |
| The Dolce Limited Retirement Benefits Scheme is a funded scheme and the assets are held separately from those of the company in separate trustee administration funds. |
| Local Authority Defined Benefit Schemes |
| The company participates in several defined benefit scheme, with assets and liabilities held separately from those of the company in separate trustee administered funds. the company's contributions are affected by the surplus or deficit in the schemes; however, it is not possible to identify the company's share of the underlying assets and liabilities in the schemes on a consistent reasonable basis. Therefore, in accordance with FRS102 28.40A, the schemes are accounted for as if they were defined contribution schemes. |
| The above pension scheme charges are recognised in either cost of sales or administration costs depending on the departmental split, previously all pension costs were recognised in administration costs. |
| Defined Contribution Pension Schemes |
| The company operates a defined contribution pension scheme. Contributions payable to the company's pension scheme are charged to profit or loss in the period to which they relate. |
| The above pension scheme charges are recognised in either cost of sales or administration costs depending on the departmental split, previously all pension costs were recognised in administration costs. |
| Provisions and contingencies |
| A provision is recognised where there is a present obligation (either legal or constructive) as a result of a past event and where a transfer of economic benefits is probable to settle the obligation and the obligation can be reliably measured. |
| Contingent assets are not recognised until the flow of future benefits is virtually certain. |
| DOLCE LIMITED (REGISTERED NUMBER: 02470662) |
| NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued |
| for the Period 26 August 2023 to 30 August 2024 |
| 2. | ACCOUNTING POLICIES - continued |
| Supplier rebates |
| Supplier rebates are recognised when the rebate criteria has been met and receipt is probable. Supplier rebates are recognised as a credit to cost of sales. |
| Site consumables policy |
| The directors have reviewed the useage of, cost per school contract and monitoring practicality for small IT consumables such as touchscreens and have concluded that they are to be written off in the year the contract commences. All replacements are also to be written off when purchased. These costs are recognised within administration costs (previously direct costs) |
| Site on-boarding |
| These costs are spread across the life of the initial contract and recognised within administration costs. |
| Site maintenance |
| Site maintenance costs and company kitchen repairs are written off in the year that they occur and recognised within administration costs. |
| 3. | TURNOVER |
| The turnover and profit before taxation are attributable to the one principal activity of the company. |
| An analysis of turnover by class of business is given below: |
| Period | Period |
| 26/8/23 | 1/9/22 |
| to | to |
| 30/8/24 | 25/8/23 |
| £ | £ |
| An analysis of turnover by geographical market is given below: |
| Period | Period |
| 26/8/23 | 1/9/22 |
| to | to |
| 30/8/24 | 25/8/23 |
| £ | £ |
| United Kingdom |
| DOLCE LIMITED (REGISTERED NUMBER: 02470662) |
| NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued |
| for the Period 26 August 2023 to 30 August 2024 |
| 4. | EMPLOYEES AND DIRECTORS |
| Period | Period |
| 26/8/23 | 1/9/22 |
| to | to |
| 30/8/24 | 25/8/23 |
| £ | £ |
| Wages and salaries |
| Social security costs |
| Other pension costs |
| The average number of employees during the period was as follows: |
| Period | Period |
| 26/8/23 | 1/9/22 |
| to | to |
| 30/8/24 | 25/8/23 |
| Management | 14 | 13 |
| Administrative | 59 | 65 |
| Catering | 2,040 | 1,991 |
| Period | Period |
| 26/8/23 | 1/9/22 |
| to | to |
| 30/8/24 | 25/8/23 |
| £ | £ |
| Directors' remuneration |
| Directors' pension contributions to money purchase schemes |
| The number of directors to whom retirement benefits were accruing was as follows: |
| Money purchase schemes |
| Information regarding the highest paid director is as follows: |
| Period | Period |
| 26/8/23 | 1/9/22 |
| to | to |
| 30/8/24 | 25/8/23 |
| £ | £ |
| Emoluments etc |
| Pension contributions to money purchase schemes |
| 5. | INTEREST PAYABLE AND SIMILAR EXPENSES |
| Period | Period |
| 26/8/23 | 1/9/22 |
| to | to |
| 30/8/24 | 25/8/23 |
| £ | £ |
| Bank loan interest |
| DOLCE LIMITED (REGISTERED NUMBER: 02470662) |
| NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued |
| for the Period 26 August 2023 to 30 August 2024 |
| 6. | PROFIT BEFORE TAXATION |
| The profit is stated after charging/(crediting): |
| Period | Period |
| 26/8/23 | 1/9/22 |
| to | to |
| 30/8/24 | 25/8/23 |
| £ | £ |
| Hire of plant and machinery |
| Depreciation - owned assets |
| (Profit)/loss on disposal of fixed assets | ( |
) |
| Audit of the group and subsidiary companies |
| Taxation compliance services |
| Other non- audit services |
| 7. | TAXATION |
| Analysis of the tax charge |
| The tax charge on the profit for the period was as follows: |
| Period | Period |
| 26/8/23 | 1/9/22 |
| to | to |
| 30/8/24 | 25/8/23 |
| £ | £ |
| Current tax: |
| UK corporation tax |
| Deferred tax |
| Tax on profit |
| UK corporation tax has been charged at 25% (2023 - 25%). |
| DOLCE LIMITED (REGISTERED NUMBER: 02470662) |
| NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued |
| for the Period 26 August 2023 to 30 August 2024 |
| 7. | TAXATION - continued |
| Reconciliation of total tax charge included in profit and loss |
| The tax assessed for the period is higher than the standard rate of corporation tax in the UK. The difference is explained below: |
| Period | Period |
| 26/8/23 | 1/9/22 |
| to | to |
| 30/8/24 | 25/8/23 |
| £ | £ |
| Profit before tax |
| Profit multiplied by the standard rate of corporation tax in the UK of (2023 - |
| Effects of: |
| Expenses not deductible for tax purposes |
| Adjustments to tax charge in respect of previous periods | ( |
) |
| Adjustment for defined benefit pension scheme |
| Rounding | - | 35 |
| Amounts due to difference in deferred tax rate and current tax rate | ( |
) |
| Super deduction | ( |
) |
| Total tax charge | 1,048,574 | 265,535 |
| Tax effects relating to effects of other comprehensive income |
| 26/8/23 to 30/8/24 |
| Gross | Tax | Net |
| £ | £ | £ |
| Remeasurement of defined benefit |
| obligation | - | 11,000 |
| Return on plan assets, excluding amounts |
| included in net interest on the |
| recognised defined benefit (liability) |
| asset | ( |
) | 1,334,000 |
| 1,421,000 | (76,000 | ) | 1,345,000 |
| 1/9/22 to 25/8/23 |
| Gross | Tax | Net |
| £ | £ | £ |
| Remeasurement of defined benefit |
| obligation | ( |
) | 868,350 |
| Return on plan assets, excluding amounts |
| included in net interest on the |
| recognised defined benefit (liability) |
| asset | ( |
) | - | (240,000 | ) |
| 756,000 | (127,650 | ) | 628,350 |
| DOLCE LIMITED (REGISTERED NUMBER: 02470662) |
| NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued |
| for the Period 26 August 2023 to 30 August 2024 |
| 8. | DIVIDENDS |
| Period | Period |
| 26/8/23 | 1/9/22 |
| to | to |
| 30/8/24 | 25/8/23 |
| £ | £ |
| Ordinary shares of £1 each |
| Interim |
| 9. | PRIOR YEAR ADJUSTMENT |
| During the year the directors have updated the accounting policies by aligning some historic presentational practices to reflect the commercial and operational finances of the business. |
| The accounting policy changes have not resulted in a change to profit or reserves, but have been of presentational impact only. The changes have resulted in the following changes to the comparative year statement of comprehensive income only: |
| Movement | Restated | Original |
| £ | £ | £ |
| Turnover | 29,291 | 45,950,035 | 45,920,744 |
| Cost of Sales | 260,954 | 36,577,087 | 36,316,133 |
| Gross Profit | (231,663 | ) | 9,372,948 | 9,604,611 |
| Administrative expenses | 231,663 | 8,484,789 | 8,716,452 |
| 10. | INTANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS |
| Goodwill |
| £ |
| COST |
| At 26 August 2023 |
| and 30 August 2024 |
| AMORTISATION |
| At 26 August 2023 |
| and 30 August 2024 |
| NET BOOK VALUE |
| At 30 August 2024 |
| At 25 August 2023 |
| DOLCE LIMITED (REGISTERED NUMBER: 02470662) |
| NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued |
| for the Period 26 August 2023 to 30 August 2024 |
| 11. | TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS |
| Fixtures |
| Plant and | and | Motor | Computer |
| machinery | fittings | vehicles | equipment | Totals |
| £ | £ | £ | £ | £ |
| COST |
| At 26 August 2023 |
| Additions |
| Disposals | ( |
) | ( |
) | ( |
) | ( |
) | ( |
) |
| At 30 August 2024 |
| DEPRECIATION |
| At 26 August 2023 |
| Charge for period |
| Eliminated on disposal | ( |
) | ( |
) | ( |
) | ( |
) | ( |
) |
| At 30 August 2024 |
| NET BOOK VALUE |
| At 30 August 2024 |
| At 25 August 2023 |
| 12. | STOCKS |
| 2024 | 2023 |
| £ | £ |
| Stocks |
| 13. | DEBTORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR |
| 2024 | 2023 |
| £ | £ |
| Trade debtors |
| Amounts owed by group undertakings |
| Other debtors |
| Directors' current accounts | 7,240 | 12,751 |
| Tax |
| Prepayments |
| 14. | CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR |
| 2024 | 2023 |
| £ | £ |
| Bank loans and overdrafts (see note 16) |
| Trade creditors |
| Tax |
| Social security and other taxes |
| VAT | 1,018,578 | 1,353,720 |
| Other creditors |
| Accrued expenses |
| DOLCE LIMITED (REGISTERED NUMBER: 02470662) |
| NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued |
| for the Period 26 August 2023 to 30 August 2024 |
| 15. | CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE AFTER MORE THAN ONE YEAR |
| 2024 | 2023 |
| £ | £ |
| Bank loans (see note 16) |
| 16. | LOANS |
| An analysis of the maturity of loans is given below: |
| 2024 | 2023 |
| £ | £ |
| Amounts falling due within one year or on demand: |
| Bank loans |
| Amounts falling due between one and two years: |
| Bank loans - 1-2 years |
| Amounts falling due between two and five years: |
| Bank loans - 2-5 years |
| On the 6 March 2024 the CBIL was settled in full. |
| 17. | LEASING AGREEMENTS |
| Minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases fall due as follows: |
| 2024 | 2023 |
| £ | £ |
| Within one year |
| Between one and five years |
| During the year the company ceased occupation of one of the kitchen facilities and novated the lease to a third party. |
| 18. | SECURED DEBTS |
| The bank loan is a CBIL loan which is secured as a fixed charge over fixed assets and debtor balances of the company and a floating charge over all property, assets and rights not subject to the fixed charge. On the 6 March 2024 the CBIL was settled in full. The charge was satisfied on 29 July 2024. |
| 19. | PROVISIONS FOR LIABILITIES |
| 2024 | 2023 |
| £ | £ |
| Deferred tax |
| Accelerated capital allowances |
| Short term differences | ( |
) |
| Defined benefit pension surplus / deficit | 410,123 | 334,546 |
| Deferred tax asset due in one year | - | (94,038 | ) |
| 431,623 | 237,123 |
| DOLCE LIMITED (REGISTERED NUMBER: 02470662) |
| NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued |
| for the Period 26 August 2023 to 30 August 2024 |
| 19. | PROVISIONS FOR LIABILITIES - continued |
| Deferred |
| tax |
| £ |
| Balance at 26 August 2023 |
| Charge to profit and loss |
| account | 118,500 |
| Charge to other comprehensive |
| income | 76,000 |
| Balance at 30 August 2024 |
| 20. | CALLED UP SHARE CAPITAL |
| Allotted, issued and fully paid: |
| Number: | Class: | Nominal | 2024 | 2023 |
| value: | £ | £ |
| Ordinary | £1 | 105 | 105 |
| B Non Voting | £1 | 1 | 1 |
| C Non Voting | £1 | 1 | 1 |
| Non Voting | £1 | 1,050 | 1,050 |
| 1,157 | 1,157 |
| 21. | RESERVES |
| Retained | Share |
| earnings | premium | Totals |
| £ | £ | £ |
| At 26 August 2023 | 4,716,986 |
| Profit for the period |
| Dividends | ( |
) | ( |
) |
| Actuarial gain/(loss) relating to pension scheme |
1,421,000 |
- |
1,421,000 |
| Deferred tax movement relating to pension surplus |
(76,000 |
) |
- |
(76,000 |
) |
| At 30 August 2024 | 7,281,985 |
| DOLCE LIMITED (REGISTERED NUMBER: 02470662) |
| NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued |
| for the Period 26 August 2023 to 30 August 2024 |
| 22. | EMPLOYEE BENEFIT OBLIGATIONS |
| The amounts recognised in the balance sheet are as follows: |
| Defined benefit |
| pension plans |
| 2024 | 2023 |
| £ | £ |
| Present value of funded obligations | ( |
) | ( |
) |
| Fair value of plan assets |
| 3,837,000 | 2,737,000 |
| Present value of unfunded obligations |
| Surplus |
| Net asset |
| The scheme does not hold any direct employer related investments. |
| The amounts recognised in profit or loss are as follows: |
| Defined benefit |
| pension plans |
| 2024 | 2023 |
| £ | £ |
| Current service cost |
| Net interest from net defined benefit asset/liability |
(131,000 |
) |
(93,000 |
) |
| Past service cost |
| 321,000 | 570,000 |
| Actual return on plan assets |
| Changes in the present value of the defined benefit obligation are as follows: |
| Defined benefit |
| pension plans |
| 2024 | 2023 |
| £ | £ |
| Opening defined benefit obligation |
| Current service cost |
| Contributions by scheme participants |
| Interest cost |
| Benefits paid | ( |
) | ( |
) |
| Remeasurements: |
| Actuarial (gains)/losses from changes in financial assumptions |
(11,000 |
) |
(1,189,000 |
) |
| Remeasurement due to experience | - | 193,000 |
| DOLCE LIMITED (REGISTERED NUMBER: 02470662) |
| NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued |
| for the Period 26 August 2023 to 30 August 2024 |
| 22. | EMPLOYEE BENEFIT OBLIGATIONS - continued |
| Changes in the fair value of scheme assets are as follows: |
| Defined benefit |
| pension plans |
| 2024 | 2023 |
| £ | £ |
| Opening fair value of scheme assets |
| Contributions by employer |
| Contributions by scheme participants |
| Expected return | 452,000 | 372,000 |
| Benefits paid | (133,000 | ) | (181,000 | ) |
| Return on plan assets (excluding interest income) |
1,410,000 |
(240,000 |
) |
| The amounts recognised in other comprehensive income are as follows: |
| Defined benefit |
| pension plans |
| 2024 | 2023 |
| £ | £ |
| Actuarial (gains)/losses from changes in financial assumptions |
11,000 |
1,189,000 |
| Remeasurement due to experience | - | (193,000 | ) |
| Return on plan assets (excluding interest income) |
1,410,000 |
(240,000 |
) |
| 1,421,000 | 756,000 |
| The major categories of scheme assets as a percentage of total scheme assets are as follows: |
| Defined benefit |
| pension plans |
| 2024 | 2023 |
| Equities | 90.09% | 70.24% |
| Gilts | 9.70% | 5.77% |
| Cash | - | 1.58% |
| Other | - | 22.41% |
| 100.00% | 100.00% |
| Principal actuarial assumptions at the balance sheet date (expressed as weighted averages): |
| 2024 | 2023 |
| Discount rate |
| Future salary increases |
| Future pension increases - CARE |
| Future pension increases -Final Salary |
| Retail Price Inflation | 3.00% | 3.10% |
| Allowance for cash commutation | 75.00% | 75.00% |
| DOLCE LIMITED (REGISTERED NUMBER: 02470662) |
| NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued |
| for the Period 26 August 2023 to 30 August 2024 |
| 22. | - continued |
| Defined contribution scheme |
| 2024 | 2023 |
| £ | £ |
| Charge to profit or loss in respect of defined contribution schemes | 1,140,149 | 524,374 |
| This includes those contributions which relate to Local Authority multi-employer related schemes which are treated as defined contribution. |
| 23. | ULTIMATE PARENT COMPANY |
| D3S Enterprises Limited is regarded by the directors as being the company's ultimate parent company. |
| 24. | CONTINGENT LIABILITIES |
| During the year the company earned a one off online efficiency reward of £200,000 from its main supplier. This has been credited to purchase costs within supplier rebates. The rebate is contingent on the company maintaining a minimum 75% online order rate (rather than placing via telephone orders) for any 12 month rolling period up to the 31 August 2026. Should this rate drop below 75% the rebate would become refundable. |
| 25. | DIRECTORS' ADVANCES, CREDITS AND GUARANTEES |
| The following advances and credits to a director subsisted during the periods ended 30 August 2024 and 25 August 2023: |
| 2024 | 2023 |
| £ | £ |
| Balance outstanding at start of period |
| Amounts advanced |
| Amounts repaid | ( |
) | ( |
) |
| Amounts written off | - | - |
| Amounts waived | - | - |
| Balance outstanding at end of period |
| 26. | RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES |
| 2024 | 2023 |
| £ | £ |
| Purchases |
| Amount due to related party |
| 27. | ULTIMATE CONTROLLING PARTY |
| The company is under the control of the Curtis Family. |