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Registration number: 01526461

Safeway Cars Limited

Annual Report and Financial Statements

for the Year Ended 31 December 2024

 

Safeway Cars Limited

Contents

Company Information

1

Strategic Report

2 to 3

Director's Report

4 to 5

Independent Auditor's Report

6 to 10

Profit and Loss Account

11

Balance Sheet

12

Statement of Changes in Equity

13

Notes to the Financial Statements

14 to 26

 

Safeway Cars Limited

Company Information

Director

Mr J Taylor

Company secretary

Mr D Royal

Registered office

Potter Street Service Station
Potter Street
Harlow
Essex
CM17 9AQ

Auditors

Sterling Grove Accountants Limited
Chartered Certified AccountantsFawley House
2 Regatta Place
Marlow Road
Bourne End
Buckinghamshire
SL8 5TD

 

Safeway Cars Limited

Strategic Report for the Year Ended 31 December 2024

The director presents his strategic report for the year ended 31 December 2024.

Principal activity

The principal activity of the company is a motor dealer.

Fair review of the business

Despite facing a challenging economic environment and the market disruption brought about by the introduction of the new ZEVD mandate in its first year, I am pleased to report another year of strong financial performance. Our profit before tax for 2024 stands at £749,816, slightly down from £811,259 in 2023, but still a solid result given the prevailing market conditions.

Looking at the performance breakdown, Stevenage, in its first full year operating under the new Global Store Concept, delivered an exceptional net profit of £498,820, a significant improvement over last year’s £444,542. Furthermore, Stevenage received high recognition at the Kia EV Excellence Awards, finishing in an impressive 2nd place and being Highly Commended for their outstanding performance. Meanwhile, Harlow generated a net profit of £250,996, which, while still a positive result, was slightly lower than the £366,717 achieved in 2023.

Our focus on expanding aftersales has proven successful, with net contributions from this sector rising by 8% year-on-year. In line with our growth strategy, we also invested in expanding our workshop capacity, adding two additional workshop bays to the Stevenage facility in December. These new bays will be operational starting in January 2025, further enhancing our ability to meet the increasing demand for aftersales services and support continued business growth.

The company's key financial and other performance indicators during the year were as follows:

Financial KPIs

Unit

2024

2023

Sales

£

51,203,370

42,456,744

Gross profit

%

3

4

Operating profit

£

992,073

980,531

 

Safeway Cars Limited

Strategic Report for the Year Ended 31 December 2024

Principal risks and uncertainties

Manufacturing supply of new and improved products
The company is reliant on new products from Kia. This exposes the company in a number of areas as the company is dependent on its manufacturing partner in respect of:
a) availability of new vehicle product
b) quality of new vehicle product
c) pricing of new vehicle product
The director is confident that future new products from Kia will continue to be competitively priced and of high quality and therefore consider that this “manufacturer risk” is minimal. It is, in any case, mitigated by other core business areas of the company, including used vehicle sales, parts sales and service work.

Economic downturn
The director believes the company is well placed to weather any future economic challenges. In response to this risk, senior management aim to keep abreast of economic conditions and will take appropriate action as required.

The company uses various financial instruments which include bank, financial institutions and stocking loans, cash and various items, such as consignment stock, trade debtors and trade creditors that arise directly from its operations. The main purpose of these financial instruments it to raise finance for the company’s operations. Their existence exposes the company to a number of financial risks.

The main risks arising from the financial instruments are interest rate risk, credit risk and liquidity risk. The director reviews and agrees policies for managing each of these risks which are summarised below:

Interest rate risk
The company finances its operations through a mixture of bank and other external borrowings. The company’s exposure to interest rate fluctuations on its borrowings is managed by the use of fixed and floating facilities.

Credit risk
The company’s principal financial assets are cash and trade debtors. The credit risk associated with cash is limited as the counterparties have high credit ratings assigned by the international credit rating agencies. The principal credit risk arises therefore from trade debtors. In order to manage credit risk, the director sets credit limits for customers based on a combination of payment history and third party credit references. Credit limits are reviewed by the finance department on a regular basis in conjunction with debt ageing and collection history.

Liquidity risk
The company seeks to manage risk by ensuring sufficient liquidity is available to meet foreseeable needs and to invest cash assets safely and profitably. The company’s policy throughout the period has been to achieve this objective through the day to day involvement of management in business decisions rather than through setting maximum or minimum liquidity ratios.

Approved and authorised by the director on 11 June 2025
 

.........................................
Mr J Taylor
Director

 

Safeway Cars Limited

Director's Report for the Year Ended 31 December 2024

The director presents his report and the financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2024.

Statement of directors' responsibilities

The director acknowledges his responsibilities for preparing the Annual Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and regulations.

Company law requires the director to prepare financial statements for each financial year. Under that law the director has 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 director must not approve the financial statements unless he is 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 director is required to:

select suitable accounting policies and apply them consistently;

make judgements and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent;

state whether applicable United Kingdom Accounting Standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and

prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the company will continue in business.

The director is 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 him to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. He is 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.

Director of the company

The director who held office during the year was as follows:

Mr J Taylor

Financial instruments

Objectives and policies

The company uses various financial instruments which include cash, trade debtors, trade creditors and amounts due by group undertakings that arise directly from its operations. The main purpose of these financial instruments is to raise finance for the company's operations. The exsistence of these financial instruments exposes the company to a number of financial risk, which are described in the strategic report.

Disclosure of information to the auditors

The director has taken 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. The director confirms that there is no relevant information that he knows of and of which he knows the auditors are unaware.

Reappointment of auditors

The auditors Sterling Grove Accountants Limited are deemed to be reappointed under section 487(2) of the Companies Act 2006.

 

Safeway Cars Limited

Director's Report for the Year Ended 31 December 2024

Approved and authorised by the director on 11 June 2025
 

.........................................
Mr J Taylor
Director

 

Safeway Cars Limited

Independent Auditor's Report to the Members of Safeway Cars Limited

Opinion

We have audited the financial statements of Safeway Cars Limited (the 'company') for the year ended 31 December 2024, which comprise the Profit and Loss Account, 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 31 December 2024 and of its profit for the year 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 auditor 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 director's use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate.

Based on the work we have performed, we have not identified any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the company's ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at least twelve months from when the original financial statements were authorised for issue.

Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the director with respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections of this report.

Other information

The director are responsible for the other information. The other information comprises the information included in the annual report, other than the financial statements and our auditor’s report 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 there is a material misstatement in the financial statements or a material misstatement of the other information. 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.

 

Safeway Cars Limited

Independent Auditor's Report to the Members of Safeway Cars Limited

Opinion on other matter 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 Director's Report for the financial year for which the financial statements are prepared is consistent with the financial statements; and

the Strategic Report and Director's Report have been prepared in accordance with applicable legal requirements.

Matters on which we are required to report by exception

In the light of our 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 and the Director's Report.

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 director's remuneration specified by law are not made; or

we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit.

Responsibilities of the director

As explained more fully in the Directors report, the director is responsible for the preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view, and for such internal control as the director determines is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.

In preparing the financial statements, the director is responsible for assessing the company's ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the director either intends to liquidate the company or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.

 

Safeway Cars Limited

Independent Auditor's Report to the Members of Safeway Cars Limited

Auditor 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.

As part of an audit in accordance with ISAs (UK), we exercise professional judgement and maintain professional scepticism throughout the audit. We also:

Identify and assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to fraud or error, design and perform audit procedures responsive to those risks, and obtain audit evidence that is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion. The risk of not detecting a material misstatement resulting from fraud is higher than for one resulting from error, as fraud may involve collusion, forgery, intentional omissions, misrepresentations, or the override of internal control.

Obtain an understanding of internal control relevant to the audit in order to design audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the company’s internal control.

Evaluate the appropriateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of accounting estimates and related disclosures made by the director.

Conclude on the appropriateness of the director's use of the going concern basis of accounting and, based on the audit evidence obtained, whether a material uncertainty exists related to events or conditions that may cast significant doubt on the company's ability to continue as a going concern. If we conclude that a material uncertainty exists, we are required to draw attention in our auditor’s report to the related disclosures in the financial statements or, if such disclosures are inadequate, to modify our opinion. Our conclusions are based on the audit evidence obtained up to the date of our auditor’s report. However, future events or conditions may cause the company to cease to continue as a going concern.

Evaluate the overall presentation, structure and content of the financial statements, including the disclosures, and whether the financial statements represent the underlying transactions and events in a manner that achieves fair presentation.

Obtain sufficient appropriate audit evidence regarding the financial information of the entities or business activities within the company to express an opinion on the financial statements. We are responsible for the direction, supervision and performance of the company audit. We remain solely responsible for our audit opinion.

We communicate with those charged with governance regarding, among other matters, the planned scope and timing of the audit and significant audit findings, including any significant deficiencies in internal control that we identify during our audit.

 

Safeway Cars Limited

Independent Auditor's Report to the Members of Safeway Cars Limited

The extent to which the audit was considered capable of detecting irregularities including fraud

Irregularities, including fraud, are instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. We design procedures
in line with our responsibilities, outlined above, to detect material misstatements in respect of irregularities,
including fraud. The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud is
detailed below:

Our approach to identifying and assessing the risks of material misstatement in respect of irregularities, including fraud and non-compliance with laws and regulations, was as follows:
- 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 identified the laws and regulations applicable to the company through discussions with directors and other management, and from our commercial knowledge and experience of the design and consultancy sector;
- we focused on specific laws and regulations which we considered may have a direct material effect on the financial statements or the operations of the company, including the Companies Act 2006, taxation legislation and data protection, anti-bribery, employment, environmental and health and safety legislation;
- we assessed the extent of compliance with the laws and regulations identified above through making enquiries of management and inspecting legal correspondence; and
- identified laws and regulations were communicated within the audit team regularly and the team remained alert to instances of non-compliance throughout the audit.

We assessed the susceptibility of the company’s financial statements to material misstatement, including obtaining an understanding of how fraud might occur, by:
- making enquiries of management as to where they considered there was susceptibility to fraud, their knowledge of actual, suspected and alleged fraud; and
- considering the internal controls in place to mitigate risks of fraud and non-compliance with laws and regulations.

To address the risk of fraud through management bias and override of controls, we:
- performed analytical procedures to identify any unusual or unexpected relationships;
- tested journal entries to identify unusual transactions;
- assessed whether judgements and assumptions made in determining the accounting estimates set out in the accounting policies were indicative of potential bias; and
- investigated the rationale behind significant or unusual transactions.

In response to the risk of irregularities and non-compliance with laws and regulations, we designed procedures which included, but were not limited to:
- agreeing financial statement disclosures to underlying supporting documentation;
- reading the minutes of meetings of those charged with governance;
- enquiring of management as to actual and potential litigation and claims; and
- reviewing correspondence with HMRC, relevant regulators and the company's legal advisors.

There are inherent limitations in our audit procedures described above. The more removed that laws and regulations are from financial transactions, the less likely it is that we would become aware of non-compliance. Auditing standards also limit the audit procedures required to identify non-compliance with laws and regulations to enquiry of the directors and other management and the inspection of regulatory and legal correspondence, if any.

Material misstatements that arise due to fraud can be harder to detect than those that arise from error as they may involve deliberate concealment or collusion.

 

Safeway Cars Limited

Independent Auditor's Report to the Members of Safeway Cars Limited

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 auditor's report.

Use of our report

This report is made solely to the company’s members, as a body, in accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the company’s members those matters we are required to state to them in an auditor’s report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the company and the company’s members as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.

......................................
Gino Paolo Amasanti FCCA (Senior Statutory Auditor)
For and on behalf of Sterling Grove Accountants Limited, Statutory Auditor
 Fawley House
2 Regatta Place
Marlow Road
Bourne End
Buckinghamshire
SL8 5TD

11 June 2025

 

Safeway Cars Limited

Profit and Loss Account for the Year Ended 31 December 2024

Note

2024
£

2023
£

Turnover

3

51,203,370

42,456,744

Cost of sales

 

(49,690,667)

(40,941,372)

Gross profit

 

1,512,703

1,515,372

Administrative expenses

 

(1,444,970)

(1,212,573)

Other operating income

4

924,340

677,732

Operating profit

6

992,073

980,531

Interest payable and similar expenses

7

(242,257)

(169,272)

Profit before tax

 

749,816

811,259

Tax on profit

10

(99,331)

(197,085)

Profit for the financial year

 

650,485

614,174

The above results were derived from continuing operations.

The company has no recognised gains or losses for the year other than the results above.

 

Safeway Cars Limited

(Registration number: 01526461)
Balance Sheet as at 31 December 2024

Note

2024
£

2023
£

Fixed assets

 

Tangible assets

11

687,325

611,136

Current assets

 

Stocks

12

4,486,084

3,440,584

Debtors

13

1,228,134

640,635

Cash at bank and in hand

 

234,478

313,136

 

5,948,696

4,394,355

Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year

15

(5,907,168)

(4,472,845)

Net current assets/(liabilities)

 

41,528

(78,490)

Total assets less current liabilities

 

728,853

532,646

Creditors: Amounts falling due after more than one year

15

(41,667)

(141,667)

Provisions for liabilities

16

(152,013)

(131,291)

Net assets

 

535,173

259,688

Capital and reserves

 

Called up share capital

10,000

10,000

Retained earnings

525,173

249,688

Shareholders' funds

 

535,173

259,688

Approved and authorised by the director on 11 June 2025
 

.........................................
Mr J Taylor
Director

 

Safeway Cars Limited

Statement of Changes in Equity for the Year Ended 31 December 2024

Share capital
£

Retained earnings
£

Total
£

At 1 January 2024

10,000

249,688

259,688

Profit for the year

-

650,485

650,485

Dividends

-

(375,000)

(375,000)

At 31 December 2024

10,000

525,173

535,173

Share capital
£

Retained earnings
£

Total
£

At 1 January 2023

10,000

935,514

945,514

Profit for the year

-

614,174

614,174

Dividends

-

(1,300,000)

(1,300,000)

At 31 December 2023

10,000

249,688

259,688

 

Safeway Cars Limited

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2024

1

General information

The company is a private company limited by share capital, incorporated in England and Wales.

The address of its registered office is:
Potter Street Service Station
Potter Street
Harlow
Essex
CM17 9AQ

These financial statements were authorised for issue by the director on 11 June 2025.

2

Accounting policies

Summary of significant accounting policies and key accounting estimates

The principal accounting policies applied in the preparation of these financial statements are set out below. These policies have been consistently applied to all the years presented, unless otherwise stated.

Statement of compliance

These financial statements were prepared in accordance with Financial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland and the Companies Act 2006'.

Basis of preparation

These financial statements have been prepared using the historical cost convention except that as disclosed in the accounting policies certain items are shown at fair value.

Summary of 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 requirements of Section 3 Financial Statement Presentation paragraph 3.17(d);
- the requirements of Section 11 Financial Instruments paragraphs 11.42, 11.44 to 11.45, 11.47, 11.48(a)(iii), 11.48(a)(iv), 11.48(b) and 11.48(c);
- the requirements of Section 33 Related Party Disclosures paragraph 33.7..

Name of parent of group

These financial statements are consolidated in the financial statements of Ken Brown Motor Group Limited.

The financial statements of Ken Brown Motor Group Limited may be obtained from Companies House.

 

Safeway Cars Limited

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2024

Revenue recognition

Revenue is recognised to the extent that it is probable that the economic benefits will flow to the Company and the revenue can be reliably measured. Revenue is measured as the fair value of the consideration received or receivable, excluding discounts, rebates, value added tax and other sales taxes. The following criteria must also be met before revenue is recognised:

Sale of goods
Revenue from the sale of goods is recognised when all of the following conditions are satisfied:
- the Company has transferred the significant risks and rewards of ownership to the buyer;
- the Company retains neither continuing managerial involvement to the degree usually associated with ownership nor effective control over the goods sold;
- the amount of revenue can be measured reliably;
- it is probable that the Company will receive consideration due under the transaction; and
- the costs incurred or to be incurred in respect of the transaction can be measured reliably.

Rendering of services
Revenue from a contract to provide services is recognised in the period in which the services are provided in accordance with the stage of completion of the contract when all of the following conditions are satisfied:
- the amount of revenue can be measured reliably;
- it is probable that the Company will receive consideration due under the contract;
- the stage of completion of the contract at the end of the reporting period can be measured reliably; and
- the costs incurred and the costs to complete the contract can be measured reliably.

Target related income and other manufacturer support
Vehicle registration bonuses that are specific to a vehicle are offset against the vehicle purchase price and recognised in cost of sales.

Target related bonuses and other similar incomes are recognised in other operation income as performance criteria have to be met in order for the bonus to be earned.

Other bonuses such as but not limited to marketing contributions and salary support are recognised in other operating income.

Tax

The tax expense for the period comprises current and deferred tax. Tax is recognised in profit or loss, except that a change attributable to an item of income or expense recognised as other comprehensive income is also recognised directly in other comprehensive income.

The current income tax charge is calculated on the basis of tax rates and laws that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the reporting date in the countries where the company operates and generates taxable income.

 

Safeway Cars Limited

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2024

Deferred tax is recognised in respect of all timing differences between taxable profits and profits reported in the financial statements.

Unrelieved tax losses and other deferred tax assets are recognised when it is probable that they will be recovered against the reversal of deferred tax liabilities or other future taxable profits.

Deferred tax is measured using the tax rates and laws that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the reporting date and that are expected to apply to the reversal of the timing difference.

Tangible assets

Tangible assets are stated in the balance sheet at cost, less any subsequent accumulated depreciation and subsequent accumulated impairment losses.

The cost of tangible assets includes directly attributable incremental costs incurred in their acquisition and installation.

Depreciation

Depreciation is charged so as to write off the cost of assets, other than land and properties under construction over their estimated useful lives, as follows:

Asset class

Depreciation method and rate

Leasehold improvements

Over the lift of the lease or 3 to 5 years if shorter

Plant and machinery

3 to 5 years

Fixtures and fittings

3 to 5 years

Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash on hand and call deposits, and other short-term highly liquid investments that are readily convertible to a known amount of cash and are subject to an insignificant risk of change in value.

Trade debtors

Trade debtors are amounts due from customers for merchandise sold or services performed in the ordinary course of business.

Trade debtors are recognised initially at the transaction price. They are subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method, less provision for impairment. A provision for the impairment of trade debtors is established when there is objective evidence that the company will not be able to collect all amounts due according to the original terms of the receivables.

 

Safeway Cars Limited

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2024

Stocks

Stocks are valued at the lower of cost and net realisable value after making due allowance for obsolete and slow-moving stocks. Cost includes all direct costs and an appropriate proportion of fixed and variable overheads. Amounts owed in respect of stock included in the Balance Sheet is disclosed within trade creditors.

Under supply agreements with manufacturers, the company has access to ‘consignment stock’ during a consignment period. Where the nature of these supply agreements transfers risk and rewards to the company, which in substance gives the company control over the stock during the consignment period and liabilities in respect of holding costs, the company recognises these stocks in the Balance Sheet together with an equivalent liability.

Where supply agreements do not provide risks and rewards to the company until such time as legal title actually passes at the end of the consignment period, these stocks are not included in the Balance Sheet. Both the terms under which stocks are held and the financial commitment in respect of these stocks are disclosed in the notes to the financial statements.

At each balance sheet date, stocks are assessed for impairment. If stock is impaired the carrying amount is reduced to its selling price less costs to complete and sell. The impairment loss is recognised immediately in profit or loss.

Trade creditors

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 current liabilities if the company does not have an unconditional right, at the end of the reporting period, to defer settlement of the creditor for at least twelve months after the reporting date. If there is an unconditional right to defer settlement for at least twelve months after the reporting date, they are presented as non-current liabilities.

Borrowings

Interest-bearing borrowings are initially recorded at fair value, net of transaction costs. Interest-bearing borrowings are subsequently carried at amortised cost, with the difference between the proceeds, net of transaction costs, and the amount due on redemption being recognised as a charge to the profit and loss account over the period of the relevant borrowing.

Interest expense is recognised on the basis of the effective interest method and is included in interest payable and similar charges.

Borrowings are classified as current liabilities unless the company has an unconditional right to defer settlement of the liability for at least twelve months after the reporting date.

Leases

Leases in which substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership are retained by the lessor are classified as operating leases. Payments made under operating leases are charged to profit or loss on a straight-line basis over the period of the lease.

Share capital

Ordinary shares are classified as equity.

 

Safeway Cars Limited

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2024

Dividends

Dividend distribution to the company’s shareholders is recognised as a liability in the financial statements in the reporting period in which the dividends are declared.

Defined contribution pension obligation

A defined contribution plan is a pension plan under which fixed contributions are paid into a pension fund and the company has no legal or constructive obligation to pay further contributions even if the fund does not hold sufficient assets to pay all employees the benefits relating to employee service in the current and prior periods.

Contributions to defined contribution plans are recognised as employee benefit expense when they are due. If contribution payments exceed the contribution due for service, the excess is recognised as a prepayment.

Financial instruments

Classification
The Company only enters into basic financial instrument 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 ordinary shares.
 Recognition and measurement
Financial assets are measured as 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 Statement of Income and Retained Earnings.
 Impairment
For financial assets measured at cost less impairment, the impairment loss is measured as the difference between an asset's carrying amount and the best estimate of the recoverable amount, which is an approximation of the amount that the Company would receive for the asset if it were to be sold at the balance sheet date.

Financial assets and liabilities are offset, with the net amounts presented in the financial statements, where 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.

3

Turnover

The analysis of the company's revenue for the year from continuing operations is as follows:

2024
 £

2023
 £

Sale of vehicles

48,724,089

40,132,520

Sale of parts, service and fuel

2,479,281

2,324,224

51,203,370

42,456,744

 

Safeway Cars Limited

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2024

4

Other operating income

The analysis of the company's other operating income for the year is as follows:

2024
 £

2023
 £

Commissions receivable

398,347

277,262

Dealer support and other bonuses

518,866

379,613

Sundry income

7,127

20,857

924,340

677,732

5

Other gains and losses

The analysis of the company's other gains and losses for the year is as follows:

2024
£

2023
£

Loss on disposal of Tangible assets

-

(7,588)

6

Operating profit

Arrived at after charging/(crediting)

2024
 £

2023
 £

Depreciation expense

108,558

74,155

Operating lease expense - property

251,250

125,082

Loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment

-

7,588

Auditor's remuneration - The audit of the company's annual accounts

17,500

18,750

Auditor's remuneration - Other services

2,243

-

7

Interest payable and similar expenses

2024
 £

2023
 £

Interest expense on other finance liabilities

242,257

169,272

 

Safeway Cars Limited

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2024

8

Staff costs

The aggregate payroll costs (including director's remuneration) were as follows:

2024
 £

2023
 £

Wages and salaries

1,403,687

1,339,561

Social security costs

215,560

195,224

Pension costs, defined contribution scheme

86,224

59,295

Other employee expense

13,311

10,391

1,718,782

1,604,471

The average number of persons employed by the company (including the director) during the year, analysed by category was as follows:

2024
No.

2023
No.

Administration and support

6

5

Sales

20

23

Parts and service

20

18

46

46

9

Director's remuneration

The director's remuneration for the year was as follows:

2024
 £

2023
 £

Remuneration

20,865

13,040

Contributions paid to money purchase schemes

42,500

-

63,365

13,040

 

Safeway Cars Limited

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2024

10

Taxation

Tax charged/(credited) in the income statement

2024
 £

2023
 £

Current taxation

UK corporation tax

78,609

156,639

Deferred taxation

Arising from origination and reversal of timing differences

20,722

40,446

Tax expense in the income statement

99,331

197,085

The tax on profit before tax for the year is the same as the standard rate of corporation tax in the UK (2023 - the same as the standard rate of corporation tax in the UK) of 25% (2023 - 23.5%).

The differences are reconciled below:

2024
£

2023
£

Profit before tax

749,816

811,259

Corporation tax at standard rate

187,454

190,646

Tax decrease from effect of capital allowances and depreciation

(19,946)

(37,422)

Tax increase from other short-term timing differences

20,722

40,446

Effect of expense not deductible in determining taxable profit (tax loss)

14,587

3,253

Tax decrease arising from group relief

(103,486)

-

Further item of tax increase

-

162

Total tax charge

99,331

197,085

 

Safeway Cars Limited

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2024

Deferred tax

Deferred tax assets and liabilities

2024

Asset
£

Liability
£

Difference between accumulated depreciation and capital allowances

-

153,232

Unpaid pension provision

1,218

-

1,218

153,232

2023

Asset
£

Liability
£

Difference between accumulated depreciation and capital allowances

-

133,287

Unpaid pension provision

1,995

-

1,995

133,287

11

Tangible assets

Land and buildings
£

Furniture, fittings and equipment
 £

Other tangible assets
£

Total
£

Cost or valuation

At 1 January 2024

531,964

6,831

209,705

748,500

Additions

100,270

-

84,477

184,747

At 31 December 2024

632,234

6,831

294,182

933,247

Depreciation

At 1 January 2024

51,692

467

85,205

137,364

Charge for the year

70,148

1,880

36,530

108,558

At 31 December 2024

121,840

2,347

121,735

245,922

Carrying amount

At 31 December 2024

510,394

4,484

172,447

687,325

At 31 December 2023

480,272

6,364

124,500

611,136

Included within the net book value of land and buildings above is £Nil (2023 - £Nil) in respect of freehold land and buildings and £510,394 (2023 - £480,272) in respect of long leasehold land and buildings.
 

 

Safeway Cars Limited

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2024

12

Stocks

2024
 £

2023
 £

Vehicle stock

4,486,084

3,440,584

13

Debtors

Current

Note

2024
£

2023
£

Trade debtors

 

42,376

42,481

Amounts owed by group companies

21

626,283

149,841

Other debtors

 

444,505

350,000

Prepayments

 

114,970

98,313

   

1,228,134

640,635

14

Cash and cash equivalents

2024
 £

2023
 £

Cash at bank

234,478

313,136

15

Creditors

Note

2024
 £

2023
 £

Due within one year

 

Loans and borrowings

19

100,000

100,000

Trade creditors

 

4,988,322

3,727,087

Amounts due to group companies

21

-

1,301

Social security and other taxes

 

42,145

48,789

Outstanding defined contribution pension costs

 

8,932

7,981

Other payables

 

452,450

290,928

Accrued expenses

 

236,710

140,120

Corporation tax

10

78,609

156,639

 

5,907,168

4,472,845

Due after one year

 

Loans and borrowings

19

41,667

141,667

 

Safeway Cars Limited

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2024

16

Provisions for liabilities

Deferred tax
£

Total
£

At 1 January 2024

131,291

131,291

Increase (decrease) in existing provisions

20,722

20,722

At 31 December 2024

152,013

152,013

The deferred tax provison relates to differences between accumulated depreciation and capital allowances, and unpaid pension. The amount of the net deferred tax liability expected to reverse in 2025 is £27,000, relating to the reversal of existing timing differences on capital allowances and movement in the unpaid pension.

17

Pension and other schemes

Defined contribution pension scheme

The company operates a defined contribution pension scheme. The pension cost charge for the year represents contributions payable by the company to the scheme and amounted to £86,224 (2023 - £59,295).

Contributions totalling £8,932 (2023 - £7,981) were payable to the scheme at the end of the year and are included in creditors.

18

Share capital

Allotted, called up and fully paid shares

2024

2023

No.

£

No.

£

Ordinary of £1 each

10,000

10,000

10,000

10,000

       

Rights, preferences and restrictions

Ordinary shares have the following rights, preferences and restrictions:
Ordinary shares of £1 have full voting rights and rights to receive dividends and distributions (including on winding up).

 

Safeway Cars Limited

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2024

19

Loans and borrowings

2024
 £

2023
 £

Non-current loans and borrowings

Other borrowings

41,667

141,667

2024
 £

2023
 £

Current loans and borrowings

Other borrowings

100,000

100,000

Other borrowings

Hyundai Capital is denominated in £ with a nominal interest rate of 3.4%. The carrying amount at year end is £141,667 (2023 - £241,667).

The loan is secured by a fixed and floating charge over the assets of the company, this includes a negative pledge.

20

Obligations under leases and hire purchase contracts

Operating leases

The total of future minimum lease payments is as follows:

2024
£

2023
£

Not later than one year

267,500

260,000

Later than one year and not later than five years

1,087,917

1,040,000

Later than five years

97,500

736,667

1,452,917

2,036,667

The amount of non-cancellable operating lease payments recognised as an expense during the year was £251,250 (2023 - £125,082).

 

Safeway Cars Limited

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2024

21

Related party transactions

The company is a wholly owned subsidiary of a group that prepares publically avaliable consolidated financial statements, namely the group head by Ken Brown Motor Group Limited, so it has taken advantage of the exemption avaliable under Section 33.7 of the Financial Reporting Standard 102 to not disclose transactions with wholly owned group entities.

During the year, rent of £131,250 (2023 £161,081) was paid to PGMD Holdings Limited, a company under common directorship. At the year end, amounts of £nil were owed to PGMD Holdings Limited.

Expenditure with and payables to related parties

2024

Key management
£

Rendering of services

197,749

2023

Key management
£

Rendering of services

204,931

22

Parent and ultimate parent undertaking

The company's immediate parent is Now Investment Holdings Limited, incorporated in England & Wales.

 The ultimate parent is Ken Brown Motor Group Limited, incorporated in England & Wales.

 The most senior parent entity producing publicly available financial statements is Ken Brown Motor Group Limited. These financial statements are available upon request from 44-46 Potter Street, Harlow, England, CM17 9AQ.