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Company Registration number: 01233923

J.C. & R.H. Palmer Limited

Annual Report and Financial Statements

for the Year Ended 31 March 2025

 

J.C. & R.H. Palmer Limited

Contents

Company Information

1

Strategic Report

2 to 3

Directors' Report

4

Statement of Directors' Responsibilities

5

Independent Auditor's Report

6 to 9

Profit and Loss Account

10

Statement of Comprehensive Income

11

Balance Sheet

12

Statement of Changes in Equity

13

Statement of Cash Flows

14

Notes to the Financial Statements

15 to 30

 

J.C. & R.H. Palmer Limited

Company Information

Directors

A J C Palmer

E G Palmer Ramus

V A Jackson

Company secretary

V A Jackson

Registered office

Old Brewery
Bridport
Dorset
DT6 4JA

Auditors

Albert Goodman LLP Goodwood House
Blackbrook Park Avenue
Taunton
Somerset
TA1 2PX

 

J.C. & R.H. Palmer Limited

Strategic Report for the Year Ended 31 March 2025

The directors present their strategic report for the year ended 31 March 2025.

Principal activity

The principal activity of the company is the brewing, wholesaling and retailing of beer, wines, spirits, cider and mineral waters, together with property management.

Fair review of the business and future outlook

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

2025

2024

£000

£000

Sale of goods

7,668

7,761

Rental income

2,541

2,563

Operating profit

1,162

1,970

Net assets

28,808

28,094

Persistently poor weather in our key summer trading season led to a slight dip in turnover for the year to £10,209,228. For the current financial year to date we have seen an immediate uplift in turnover versus prior year thanks to much improved weather and a late Easter.

We are pleased that we continue to attract and retain talented licensees, as well as fantastically passionate and knowledgeable people into our brewery family. We are a business built on great pubs, great beer and great people.

The knowledge and expertise of our best licensees continues to be rewarded with positive like for like sales. We have also welcomed a number of new licensees in the past year, experienced as well as first time operators from across the country, all benefiting from expert personalised support from the brewery team that ensures each individual pub business owner is set for success.

Given the ever-increasing cost burden being placed on us all we are focused on helping our licensees mitigate these increases through sales growth as well as margin and cost control. At the brewery, we hire cautiously and invest in people for the long term. Salary and national insurance rises have therefore hit profitability, as have the increased cost of repairs and business rates. We remain focused on managing costs, being efficient and effective with our resources and growing the top line.

Our iconic brewery and award-winning ales have incredible character. The Free Trade business continues to thrive thanks to our great beers and brilliant brewery team always going above and beyond to support our customers. The ultimate compliment is customers increasing their trade with us and referring other operators, the team has been rewarded with both.

We had some excellent 230 year anniversary celebrations last year and our hugely successful Beer Festival will be back again in September of this year. Proceeds from each of these events and 10p a pint from seasonal ales goes into our recently re-launched Palmers Brewery Community Fund, along with a £10,000 brewery donation. Partnering with Crowdfunder has made our Community Fund more accessible than ever and ensures everyone locally can have their say in the causes that are important to them.

Trading conditions have been tough, however the company is resilient and remains well-placed to continue to adapt to changing political, economic and environmental circumstances. The regular and predictable income from our investment property portfolio adds stability and resilience to the company, having helped us weather the pandemic and now the cost headwinds.

 

J.C. & R.H. Palmer Limited

Strategic Report for the Year Ended 31 March 2025

Principal risks and uncertainties

Our business faces risks and uncertainties just as any other business does. Changes in economic fortune, or legislation can impact on the business. We have built in resilience to our operations to help us pre-empt and mitigate the full potential effect of these risks.

The key risk is inflation. Input costs are increasing in many cases significantly. While some of these can be offset through operational efficiencies most can only be recovered through product price increases. Whether our customer base who are facing their own pressures can carry this cost remains to be seen.

We recognise that the licensees who run our pubs are an integral part of our business and we have continued to implement strategies to retain and recruit excellent licenees in our estate. Similarly, we continue to invest in the physical estate, refurbishing our pubs to make them attractive family and food destinations. This is supported by ongoing investment at the brewery to be able to continue with our brewing of consistently good award-winning ales.


 

Approved by the Board on 1 August 2025 and signed on its behalf by:


A J C Palmer
Director


E G Palmer Ramus
Director

 
 

J.C. & R.H. Palmer Limited

Directors' Report for the Year Ended 31 March 2025

The directors present their report and the financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2025.

Directors of the company

The directors who held office during the year were as follows:

A J C Palmer

E G Palmer Ramus

E Newman (ceased 26 July 2024)

V A Jackson - Company secretary and director (appointed 26 July 2024)

Disclosure of information to the auditors

Each director has taken steps that they ought to have taken as a director in order to make themselves aware of any relevant audit information and to establish that the company's auditors are aware of that information. The directors confirm that there is no relevant information that they know of and of which they know the auditors are unaware.

Reappointment of auditors

The auditors Albert Goodman LLP are deemed to be reappointed under section 487(2) of the Companies Act 2006.

Financial instruments

Objectives and policies

The company manages its working capital to provide funds for both the continued upkeep of the existing portfolio and investment in new public houses.

Price risk, credit risk, liquidity risk and cash flow risk

Trade debtors are managed in respect of credit and cash flow risk by policies concerning the credit offered to customers and regular monitoring of amounts outstanding for both time and credit limits.

Trade and other creditors, including bank borrowings, liquidity risk is managed by ensuring sufficient funds are available to meet amounts due.

Future Developments

The future developments of the business are included within the strategic report.

Approved by the Board on 1 August 2025 and signed on its behalf by:


A J C Palmer
Director


E G Palmer Ramus
Director

 
 

J.C. & R.H. Palmer Limited

Statement of Directors' Responsibilities

The directors acknowledge their responsibilities for preparing the Annual Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and regulations.

Company law requires the directors to prepare financial statements for each financial year. Under that law the directors have elected to prepare the financial statements in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice (United Kingdom Accounting Standards and applicable law). Under company law the directors must not approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the company and of the profit or loss of the company for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the directors are required to:

select suitable accounting policies and 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 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.

 

J.C. & R.H. Palmer Limited

Independent Auditor's Report to the Members of J.C. & R.H. Palmer Limited

Opinion

We have audited the financial statements of J.C. & R.H. Palmer Limited (the 'company') for the year ended 31 March 2025, which comprise the Profit and Loss Account, Statement of Comprehensive Income, Balance Sheet, Statement of Changes in Equity, Statement of Cash Flows, 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 March 2025 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 directors with respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections of this report.

 

J.C. & R.H. Palmer Limited

Independent Auditor's Report to the Members of J.C. & R.H. Palmer Limited

Other information

The directors 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.

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 Directors' Report for the financial year for which the financial statements are prepared is consistent with the financial statements; and

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

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 Directors' Report.

Matters on which we are required to report by exception

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 5, the directors are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view, and for such internal control as the directors determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.

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

 

J.C. & R.H. Palmer Limited

Independent Auditor's Report to the Members of J.C. & R.H. Palmer 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.

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:

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

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 brewery 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, data protection, anti-bribery, employment, 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 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:

 

J.C. & R.H. Palmer Limited

Independent Auditor's Report to the Members of J.C. & R.H. Palmer Limited

agreeing financial statement disclosures to underlying supporting documentation; and

enquiring of management as to actual and potential litigation and claims.

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.

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.





Matthew Chandler FCA (Senior Statutory Auditor)
For and on behalf of Albert Goodman LLP, Statutory Auditor

Goodwood House
Blackbrook Park Avenue
Taunton
Somerset
TA1 2PX

4 August 2025

 

J.C. & R.H. Palmer Limited

Profit and Loss Account
for the Year Ended 31 March 2025

Note

2025
 £

2024
 £

Turnover

3

10,209,228

10,323,701

Cost of sales

 

(4,147,591)

(4,071,952)

Gross profit

 

6,061,637

6,251,749

Distribution costs

 

(501,768)

(420,087)

Administrative expenses

 

(4,398,366)

(3,861,348)

Operating profit

4

1,161,503

1,970,314

Fair value adjustment in respect of investment properties

 

-

940,182

Other interest receivable and similar income

5

99,268

122,564

Interest payable and similar charges

6

(427,543)

(296,776)

Profit/Loss on disposal of properties

 

-

65,000

Profit before tax

 

833,228

2,801,284

Taxation

10

(113,651)

(720,073)

Profit for the financial year

 

719,577

2,081,211

The above results were derived from continuing operations.

 

J.C. & R.H. Palmer Limited

Statement of Comprehensive Income
for the Year Ended 31 March 2025

2025
£

2024
£

Profit for the year

719,577

2,081,211

Total comprehensive income for the year

719,577

2,081,211

 

J.C. & R.H. Palmer Limited

(Registration number: 01233923)
Balance Sheet as at 31 March 2025

Note

2025
£

2024
£

Fixed assets

 

Tangible assets

12

17,790,120

17,849,550

Investment property

13

14,959,000

14,939,000

Other financial assets

14

30,712

30,712

 

32,779,832

32,819,262

Current assets

 

Stock

15

1,203,124

1,221,322

Debtors

16

1,268,845

1,169,406

Cash at bank and in hand

 

3,195,486

2,873,574

 

5,667,455

5,264,302

Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year

18

(1,823,606)

(1,617,269)

Net current assets

 

3,843,849

3,647,033

Total assets less current liabilities

 

36,623,681

36,466,295

Creditors: Amounts falling due after more than one year

18

(5,825,702)

(6,204,151)

Provisions for liabilities

19

(1,989,871)

(2,167,763)

Net assets

 

28,808,108

28,094,381

Capital and reserves

 

Called up share capital

691,232

691,232

Share premium reserve

80,215

80,215

Capital redemption reserve

308,768

308,768

Retained earnings

27,727,893

27,014,166

Shareholders' funds

 

28,808,108

28,094,381

Approved and authorised by the Board on 1 August 2025 and signed on its behalf by:
 


A J C Palmer
Director


E G Palmer Ramus
Director

 
 

J.C. & R.H. Palmer Limited

Statement of Changes in Equity
for the Year Ended 31 March 2025

Share capital
£

Share premium
£

Capital redemption reserve
£

Retained earnings
£

Total
£

At 1 April 2024

691,232

80,215

308,768

27,014,166

28,094,381

Profit for the year

-

-

-

719,577

719,577

Dividends

-

-

-

(5,850)

(5,850)

At 31 March 2025

691,232

80,215

308,768

27,727,893

28,808,108

Share capital
£

Share premium
£

Capital redemption reserve
£

Retained earnings
£

Total
£

At 1 April 2023

1,000,000

80,215

-

36,623,227

37,703,442

Profit for the year

-

-

-

2,081,211

2,081,211

Dividends

-

-

-

(5,850)

(5,850)

Purchase of own share capital

(308,768)

-

308,768

(11,684,422)

(11,684,422)

At 31 March 2024

691,232

80,215

308,768

27,014,166

28,094,381

 

J.C. & R.H. Palmer Limited

Statement of Cash Flows
for the Year Ended 31 March 2025

Note

2025
 £

2024
 £

Cash flows from operating activities

Profit for the year

 

719,577

2,081,211

Adjustments to cash flows from non-cash items

 

Depreciation and amortisation

4

346,484

353,951

Changes in fair value of investment property

13

-

(940,182)

Profit on disposal of tangible assets excluding properties

(21,670)

(70,270)

Finance income

5

(99,268)

(122,564)

Finance costs

6

427,543

296,776

Loss/(profit) on disposal of properties

 

-

(65,000)

Income tax expense

10

113,651

720,073

 

1,486,317

2,253,995

Working capital adjustments

 

Decrease in stock

15

18,198

134,467

Increase in trade and other debtors

16

(99,439)

(165,669)

(Decrease)/increase in trade and other creditors

18

(126,361)

15,974

Increase in deferred income, including government grants

 

19,497

-

Cash generated from operations

 

1,298,212

2,238,767

Income taxes paid

10

(571,791)

(318,086)

Net cash flow from operating activities

 

726,421

1,920,681

Cash flows from investing activities

 

Interest received

5

99,268

122,564

Acquisitions of tangible assets

(287,054)

(134,288)

Proceeds from sale of tangible assets

 

21,670

70,270

Proceeds from sale of investment properties

 

380,000

140,000

Net cash flows from investing activities

 

213,884

198,546

Cash flows from financing activities

 

Interest paid

6

(427,543)

(296,776)

Payments for purchase of own shares

21

-

(11,684,422)

Repayment of bank borrowing

 

(185,000)

-

Proceeds from other borrowing draw downs

20

-

6,000,000

Dividends paid

22

(5,850)

(5,850)

Net cash flows from financing activities

 

(618,393)

(5,987,048)

Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

 

321,912

(3,867,821)

Cash and cash equivalents at 1 April 2024

 

2,873,574

6,741,395

Cash and cash equivalents at 31 March 2025

17

3,195,486

2,873,574

 

J.C. & R.H. Palmer Limited

Notes to the Financial Statements
for the Year Ended 31 March 2025

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:
Old Brewery
Bridport
Dorset
DT6 4JA

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 UK and Republic of Ireland'.

Basis of preparation

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

Key sources of estimation uncertainty

The preparation of the financial statements requires management to make judgements, estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported for assets and liabilities as at the balance sheet date and the amounts reported for revenues and expenses during the year. However, the nature of estimation means that actual outcomes could differ from those estimates.

The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Any revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised if the revision only affects that period. If the revision affects both current and future periods then it is recognised in both the current and future periods.

The judgement that has had the most significant effect on amounts recognised in the financial statements is the revaluation of the investment properties. The company engages independent valuation specialists periodically to assist the directors in determining the fair value of these assets. The carrying amount is £14,959,000 (2024 - £14,939,000).

Turnover recognition

Turnover comprises amounts receivable for goods and services supplied and rents received net of VAT and trade discounts. Turnover is recognised on despatch of goods to customers and rental income is recognised in the period for which it is receivable.

 

J.C. & R.H. Palmer Limited

Notes to the Financial Statements
for the Year Ended 31 March 2025

Foreign currency transactions and balances

Transactions in foreign currencies are initially recorded at the functional currency rate prevailing at the
date of the transaction. Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are
retranslated into the respective functional currency of the entity at the rates prevailing on the reporting
period date. Non-monetary items carried at fair value that are denominated in foreign currencies are
retranslated at the rate on the date when the fair value is re-measured.

Non-monetary items measured in terms of historical cost in a foreign currency are not retranslated.

Tax

The tax expense for the period comprises current and deferred tax. Tax is recognised in the profit and loss account, 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 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.

Deferred income tax is recognised on temporary differences arising between the tax bases of assets and liabilities and their carrying amounts in the financial statements and on unused tax losses or tax credits in the Company. Deferred income tax is determined using tax rates and laws that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the reporting date that are expected to apply to the reversal of the timing difference.

The carrying amount of deferred tax assets are reviewed at each reporting date and a valuation allowance is set up against deferred tax assets so that the net carrying amount equals the highest amount that is more likely than not to be recovered based on current or future taxable profit.

Deferred tax liabilities are presented within provisions for liabilities. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are offset when there is a legally enforceable right to set off current tax assets against current tax liabilities and where the deferred tax assets and liabilities relate to income taxes levied by the same tax authority on the same taxable entity.

Tangible assets

Tangible assets are stated at cost, less accumulated depreciation and accumulated impairment losses.

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

 

J.C. & R.H. Palmer Limited

Notes to the Financial Statements
for the Year Ended 31 March 2025

Depreciation

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

Asset class

Depreciation method and rate

Buildings freehold

Straight line over 50 years

Land and buildings leasehold

Over the life of the lease in equal amounts

Plant and equipment

Straight line over 3 to 20 years

Motor vehicles

Straight line over 4 years

Investment property

Investment property is carried at fair value, determined by the directors using periodic valuations by external valuers combined with their knowledge of the local market and statistical market analysis and trends. Land classified as investment property is carried on the same basis, but determined by the directors. The valuers use observable market prices, adjusted if necessary for any difference in the nature, location or condition of the specific asset. Changes in fair value are recognised in profit or loss after operating profit.

Goodwill

Positive goodwill is capitalised, classified as an asset on the balance sheet and amortised on a straight line basis over its useful economic life. It is reviewed for impairment at the end of the first full financial year following the acquisition and in other periods if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable.

Amortisation

Amortisation is provided on intangible assets so as to write off the cost, less any estimated residual value, over their useful life as follows:

Asset class

Amortisation method and rate

Goodwill

Straight line over 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.

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.

Short term debtors are measured at transaction price, less any impairment. Loans receivable are initially measured at fair value net of transaction costs and subsequently at amortised cost using the effective interest method, less any impairment.

 

J.C. & R.H. Palmer Limited

Notes to the Financial Statements
for the Year Ended 31 March 2025

Stock

Stock is stated at the lower of cost and estimated selling price less costs to complete and sell. Cost is determined using the weighted average cost method. In the case of manufactured goods, cost comprises direct materials, direct labour and an appropriate proportion of manufacturing overheads.

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.

Trade creditors are recognised initially at the transaction price and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.

Other financial liabilities are initially measured at fair value, net of transaction costs and subsequently at amortised cost using the effective interest method.

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.

Reserves

Called up share capital represents the nominal value of shares that have been issued.

Share premium account includes any premiums received on the issue of share capital. Transaction costs associated with the issuing of shares are deducted from the share premium.

Capital redemption reserve represents the nominal value of shares purchased and cancelled by the company using its own distributable reserves.

Profit and loss account includes all current and prior period profits and losses.

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.

 

J.C. & R.H. Palmer Limited

Notes to the Financial Statements
for the Year Ended 31 March 2025

Defined contribution pension obligation

The company operates a defined contribution plan for its employees. A defined contribution plan is a pension plan under which the company pays fixed contributions into a separate entity. Once the contributions have been paid the company has no further payments obligations.

The contributions are recognised as an expense in the profit and loss account when they fall due. Amounts not paid are shown in accruals as a liability in the balance sheet. The assets of the plan are held separately from the company in independently administered funds.

Share capital

Ordinary shares are classified as equity. Equity instruments are measured at the fair value of the cash or other resources received or receivable, net of the direct costs of issuing the equity instruments. If payment is deferred and the time value of money is material, the initial measurement is on a present value basis.

3

Turnover

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

2025
£

2024
£

Sale of goods

7,667,911

7,761,144

Rental income

2,541,317

2,562,557

10,209,228

10,323,701

4

Operating profit

Arrived at after charging/(crediting)

2025
£

2024
£

Depreciation expense

346,484

353,951

Profit on disposal of property, plant and equipment

(21,670)

(70,270)

5

Other interest receivable and similar income

2025
£

2024
£

Interest income on bank deposits

99,268

122,564

6

Interest payable and similar expenses

2025
£

2024
£

Interest on bank overdrafts and borrowings

409,608

281,246

Interest expense on other finance liabilities

17,935

15,530

427,543

296,776

 

J.C. & R.H. Palmer Limited

Notes to the Financial Statements
for the Year Ended 31 March 2025

7

Staff costs

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

2025
£

2024
£

Wages and salaries

2,171,461

2,084,391

Social security costs

264,503

240,288

Pension costs, defined contribution scheme

124,969

111,982

Other employee expense

56,334

31,645

2,617,267

2,468,306

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

2025
No.

2024
No.

Production

11

9

Administration and support

25

26

Sales

8

7

Distribution

12

12

56

54

 

J.C. & R.H. Palmer Limited

Notes to the Financial Statements
for the Year Ended 31 March 2025

8

Directors' remuneration

The directors' remuneration for the year was as follows:

2025
£

2024
£

Remuneration

631,386

727,578

Contributions paid to money purchase schemes

31,007

52,831

662,393

780,409

During the year the number of directors who were receiving benefits and share incentives was as follows:

2025
No.

2024
No.

Accruing benefits under money purchase pension scheme

3

3

In respect of the highest paid director:

2025
£

2024
£

Remuneration

303,764

305,129

Company contributions to money purchase pension schemes

6,000

6,000

9

Auditors' remuneration

2025
£

2024
£

Audit of the financial statements

18,000

20,500


 

 

J.C. & R.H. Palmer Limited

Notes to the Financial Statements
for the Year Ended 31 March 2025

10

Taxation

Tax charged/(credited) in the profit and loss account

2025
£

2024
£

Current taxation

UK corporation tax

291,543

515,537

Deferred taxation

Arising from origination and reversal of timing differences

(177,892)

204,536

Tax expense in the income statement

113,651

720,073

The tax on profit before tax for the year is the same as the standard rate of corporation tax in the UK (2024 - the same as the standard rate of corporation tax in the UK) of 25% (2024 - 25%).

The differences are reconciled below:

2025
£

2024
£

Profit before tax

833,228

2,801,284

Corporation tax at standard rate

208,307

700,321

Effect of fair value adjustments

(98,274)

-

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

3,618

8,018

Tax decrease from effect of capital allowances and depreciation

-

(5,314)

Tax increase from capital gains

-

15,873

Tax increase from changes in tax provisions due to legislation

-

1,175

Total tax charge

113,651

720,073

 

J.C. & R.H. Palmer Limited

Notes to the Financial Statements
for the Year Ended 31 March 2025

11

Intangible assets

Goodwill
 £

Total
£

Cost or valuation

At 1 April 2024

314,999

314,999

At 31 March 2025

314,999

314,999

Amortisation

At 1 April 2024

314,999

314,999

At 31 March 2025

314,999

314,999

Carrying amount

At 31 March 2025

-

-

At 31 March 2024

-

-

 

J.C. & R.H. Palmer Limited

Notes to the Financial Statements
for the Year Ended 31 March 2025

12

Tangible assets

Land and buildings
£

Motor vehicles
 £

Plant and machinery
 £

Total
£

Cost or valuation

At 1 April 2024

17,877,115

618,314

7,287,092

25,782,521

Additions

-

145,956

141,098

287,054

Disposals

-

(60,470)

-

(60,470)

At 31 March 2025

17,877,115

703,800

7,428,190

26,009,105

Depreciation

At 1 April 2024

794,397

354,174

6,784,400

7,932,971

Charge for the year

48,973

113,550

183,961

346,484

Eliminated on disposal

-

(60,470)

-

(60,470)

At 31 March 2025

843,370

407,254

6,968,361

8,218,985

Carrying amount

At 31 March 2025

17,033,745

296,546

459,829

17,790,120

At 31 March 2024

17,082,718

264,140

502,692

17,849,550

Included within the net book value of land and buildings above is £17,032,412 (2024 - £17,081,332) in respect of freehold land and buildings and £1,333 (2024 - £1,386) in respect of long leasehold land and buildings.
 

Restriction on title and pledged as security

Freehold property with a carrying amount of £2,771,488 (2024 - £2,782,222) has been pledged as security for the bank facility. Other security details are provided in Note 20.

 

J.C. & R.H. Palmer Limited

Notes to the Financial Statements
for the Year Ended 31 March 2025

13

Investment properties

2025
 £

At 1 April 2024

14,939,000

Additions

400,000

Disposals

(380,000)

At 31 March 2025

14,959,000


Domestic and commercial investment properties, which are all freehold, were revalued to fair value at 31 March 2016 based on a valuation undertaken by professional valuers. Subsequent professional valuations have been undertaken, most recently in 2024 a sample of domestic investment properties was valued by Ian Vicary MRICS FISVA, of Vicary & Co, and all commercial investment properties were valued by Nigel Jones FRICS ACIArb, of Chesters Commercial. The valuers are independent with recent experience in the location and class of the investment property being valued. The directors have re-assessed the valuation of domestic and commercial property as at 31 March 2025 with reference to the professional valuations, their knowledge of the local market and statistical market analysis and trends.


The historical cost of the investment property is £3,043,909 (2024 - £2,845,048).

There are no restrictions on the realisability or remittance of income and proceeds of disposal from investment property.

14

Other financial assets (current and non-current)

Financial assets at fair value through profit and loss
£

Total
£

Non-current financial assets

Cost or valuation

At 1 April 2024

30,712

30,712

At 31 March 2025

30,712

30,712

Carrying amount

At 31 March 2025

30,712

30,712

 

J.C. & R.H. Palmer Limited

Notes to the Financial Statements
for the Year Ended 31 March 2025

15

Stock

2025
£

2024
£

Raw materials and consumables

47,733

55,040

Work in progress

26,538

20,987

Finished goods and goods for resale

1,128,853

1,145,295

1,203,124

1,221,322

16

Debtors

Current

2025
£

2024
£

Trade debtors

590,718

597,895

Other debtors

396,313

329,446

Prepayments

140,688

92,689

Accrued income

141,126

149,376

 

1,268,845

1,169,406

17

Cash and cash equivalents

2025
£

2024
£

Cash on hand

4,162

3,165

Cash at bank

3,191,324

2,870,409

3,195,486

2,873,574

 

J.C. & R.H. Palmer Limited

Notes to the Financial Statements
for the Year Ended 31 March 2025

18

Creditors

Note

2025
 £

2024
 £

Due within one year

 

Trade creditors

 

637,353

407,215

Social security and other taxes

 

122,980

236,381

Other creditors

 

466,239

102,381

Accruals and deferred income

 

191,741

370,751

Corporation tax

10

35,293

315,541

Bank borrowings

20

370,000

185,000

 

1,823,606

1,617,269

Due after one year

 

Loans and borrowings

20

5,453,400

5,823,400

Other non-current financial liabilities

 

372,302

380,751

 

5,825,702

6,204,151

19

Deferred tax and other provisions

Deferred tax
£

Total
£

At 1 April 2024

2,167,763

2,167,763

Provisions used

(177,892)

(177,892)

At 31 March 2025

1,989,871

1,989,871

Deferred tax

Deferred tax assets and liabilities:

2025

Asset
£

Liability
£

Accelerated tax depreciation

-

18,028

Fair value of investment property

-

1,971,843

-

1,989,871

2024

Asset
£

Liability
£

Accelerated tax depreciation

-

260,427

Fair value of investment property

-

1,907,336

-

2,167,763

 

J.C. & R.H. Palmer Limited

Notes to the Financial Statements
for the Year Ended 31 March 2025

20

Loans and borrowings

Current loans and borrowings

2025
£

2024
£

Bank borrowings

370,000

185,000

Directors' current accounts

450,997

84,410

820,997

269,410

Non-current loans and borrowings

2025
£

2024
£

Bank borrowings

5,445,000

5,815,000

Other borrowings

8,400

8,400

5,453,400

5,823,400

Bank borrowings

The company has a £6m bank facility which was drawn down in August 2023 to part fund the share buyback along with its own cash reserves.

It is repayable in quarterly instalments of £92,500 commencing 31 December 2024, with a final balancing sum due on 11 August 2027.

Interest is charged at a variable rate of the UK base rate plus 1.6%. Interest is accrued and settled quarterly.

The facility is secured by way of a fixed charge over certain properties and a first fixed and floating charge over all assets of the company.

 

J.C. & R.H. Palmer Limited

Notes to the Financial Statements
for the Year Ended 31 March 2025

21

Share capital

Allotted, called up and fully paid shares

 

2025

2024

 

No.

£

No.

£

Ordinary shares of £1 each

511,232

511,232

511,232

511,232

3.25% cumulative preference shares of £1 each

180,000

180,000

180,000

180,000

 

691,232

691,232

691,232

691,232

Rights, preferences and restrictions

Ordinary shares have the following rights, preferences and restrictions:
The ordinary shares carry full voting, dividend and equity rights.
 

Preference shares have the following rights, preferences and restrictions:
The preference shares are non voting and command a fixed cumulative dividend of 3.25% per annum payable six monthly. These shares rank ahead of the equity shares in the event of a winding up. The preference shares have no redemption rights.
 

Share transactions
The company undertook a share buyback in the prior year. 188,768 ordinary shares and 120,000 preference shares were purchased for £11.5m and subsequently cancelled.

22

Dividends

Interim dividends paid

2025
£

2024
£

Interim dividend of £0.0325 per each 3.25% cumulative preference share

5,850

5,850

 

 

23

Commitments

Other financial commitments

The company has entered into an agreement to buyback shares in a number of tranches. Further details are within the related party transactions note.

The total amount of other financial commitments not provided in the financial statements was £5,500,000 (2024 - £5,500,000).

 

J.C. & R.H. Palmer Limited

Notes to the Financial Statements
for the Year Ended 31 March 2025

24

Contingent liabilities

The company has provided a guarantee to H M Revenue & Customs. The amount guaranteed is £180,000 (2024 - £180,000).

25

Related party transactions

Key management personnel
Key management personnel are considered to be the directors of the company. Disclosure of key management compensation is therefore within the directors' remuneration note.

Summary of transactions with key management
The company maintains unsecured current accounts with some of its directors that are payable on demand. Interest is charged at 5% over base and a total of £7,630 (2024 - £9,157) was paid to these directors.

The company acts as an agent for these directors, collecting rent and arranging repairs on privately owned properties. All these amounts are posted to the current accounts. During the year the company charged these directors a fee of £7,228 (2024 - £7,887) for these services.

During the year preference share dividends of £5,850 (2024 - £5,850) were paid to directors.

During the year, £400k of investment property was purchased from directors.

At the balance sheet date the amount due to these directors was £450,997 (2024 - £84,410). This is included within creditors and other borrowings.

Share buyback
The company entered into an agreement to purchase shares from one of the shareholders by way of five tranches. During the year ending 31 March 2024 the first tranche of 188,768 ordinary shares and 120,000 preference shares was purchased for consideration of £11,500,000. There were no futher transactions during the year ending 31 March 2025. The payment profile of the remaining tranches by the accounting year they are contracted to complete is below:

2026: £2,500,000
2027: £1,000,000
2028: £1,000,000
2029: £1,000,000

26

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 £124,969 (2024 - £111,982).