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

Group turnover has increased in the financial period to £56.4m (2023 - £43.5m). Revenue was split between vehicle sales £50.1m (2023 - £38.7m) and after sales revenue of £6.3m (2023 - £4.8m).

The group reported pre-tax profits to 31 March 2025 of £174,007 (year ended December 2023 - £232,913)

During the year the company sold 2,384 retail vehicles (2023 – 1,872). Vehicle sales were split 1,096 new (2023 - 849) and 1,288 used (2023 – 948).

New vehicle sales were split between the manufacturers as follows: Nissan 281 (2023 - 198), Kia 416 (2023 - 278), Suzuki 156 (2023 - 153) and MG 243 (2023 – 220).

The directors are happy with the continued growth of the company with increased revenue across all dealerships and all departments.

During the period, Founder and Chairman Alistair Scrimgeour retired, with Alistair and his family selling their shares back to the company. The existing directors and operational management team supported by a loan from the Bank of Ireland, took over the ownership and operational control of the company. The Chairman's retirement pulled the succession plans into place to safeguard the future operations of the business and to continue with the growth ambitions of the 5 operating directors within the Highland market.

Although the company's first trading period in the hands of the new board saw the re-development of its main Kia building and head office facility, the complete rebranding of the organisation and some unexpected costs relating to the continual global price alignment of electric vehicles, we are pleased with the overall performance. Costs relating to the company buy back of shares and tax provisions relating to the property revaluation have distorted the net results, however Dicksons continues to hold a very strong position close to 25% of our T.I.V (Total Industry Volume) in our territory. With turnover in the period exceeding £56m, EBITDA of £795,454 and a pre tax net result in line with expectations of £174,007.

Political agenda surrounding the mix of ICE (internal combustion engine) and EV (Electric vehicles) with related franchise targets expecting to exceed 38% in line with the ZEV Mandate (Zero emission vehicle) by 2030 is continuing to confuse the buying public and creating uncertainty in the market. Electric vehicles are at the height of technological advancement and will inevitably be a preferred solution in automotive drive train, however the availability of charging points and consumer range anxiety remain a factor in consumer decision making.

In terms of monitoring the business performance, the key performance indicators are turnover, gross profit, and net profit. Additional departmental indicators are reviewed monthly.

As a Board of Directors, we are constantly looking at future proofing the business for the foreseeable future. We are constantly looking at opportunities that may arise in the local area, be this adding other franchises - we will always consider these.

On behalf of the board

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

The principal activity of the company and group continued to be that of the sale and repair of motor vehicles.

The results for the period are set out on page 8.

No ordinary dividends were paid. The directors do not recommend payment of a further dividend.

The directors who held office during the period and up to the date of signature of the financial statements were as follows:

The directors are responsible for preparing the Annual Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and regulations.

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

• select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;

• make judgements and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent;

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

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

The directors are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the group’s and company’s transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the group and 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 group and company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

The company has chosen in accordance with Companies Act 2006, s. 414C(11) to set out in the company's strategic report information required by Large and Medium-sized Companies and Groups (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008, Sch. 7 to be contained in the directors' report. It has done so in respect of future developments. true

So far as each person who was a director at the date of approving this report is aware, there is no relevant audit information of which the auditor of the company is unaware. Additionally, the directors individually have taken all the necessary steps that they ought to have taken as directors in order to make themselves aware of all relevant audit information and to establish that the auditor of the company is aware of that information.

We have audited the financial statements of Dicksons Of Forres Limited (the 'parent company') and its subsidiaries (the 'group') for the period ended 31 March 2025 which comprise the group profit and loss account, the group statement of comprehensive income, the group balance sheet, the company balance sheet, the group statement of changes in equity, the company statement of changes in equity, the group statement of cash flows, the company statement of cash flows and notes to the financial statements, including significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including Financial Reporting Standard 102 The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

In our opinion the financial statements:

• give a true and fair view of the state of the group's and the parent company's affairs as at 31 March 2025 and of the group's loss for the period then ended;

• have been properly prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice; and

• have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006.

Basis for opinion

We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditor's responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report. We are independent of the group and parent company in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements in the UK, including the FRC’s Ethical Standard, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.

Conclusions relating to going concern

In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that the directors' use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate.

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

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

Other information

The other information comprises the information included in the annual report other than the financial statements and our auditor's report thereon. The directors are responsible for the other information contained within the annual report. Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and, except to the extent otherwise explicitly stated in our report, we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon. Our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the course of the audit, or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether this gives rise to a material misstatement in the financial statements themselves. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact.

We have nothing to report in this regard.

Opinions on other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2006

In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of our audit:

• The information given in the strategic report and the directors' report for the financial period for which the financial statements are prepared is consistent with the financial statements; and

• The strategic report and the directors' report have been prepared in accordance with applicable legal requirements.

In the light of the knowledge and understanding of the group and the parent company and their environment obtained in the course of the audit, we have not identified material misstatements in the strategic report or the directors' report.

We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which the Companies Act 2006 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion:

• adequate accounting records have not been kept by the parent company, or returns adequate for our audit have not been received from branches not visited by us; or

• the parent company financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records and returns; or

• certain disclosures of directors' remuneration specified by law are not made; or

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

As explained more fully in the directors' responsibilities statement, the directors are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view, and for such internal control as the directors determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error. In preparing the financial statements, the directors are responsible for assessing the parent company's ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the directors either intend to liquidate the parent company or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.

Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor's report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements.

The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud, is detailed below.

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

We obtained an understanding of the legal and regulatory frameworks that are applicable to the group, focusing on provisions of those laws and regulations that had a direct effect on the determination of material amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. The most relevant frameworks we identified include:

• United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice

• Companies Act 2006

• Corporation tax legislation

• VAT legislation

• Health and safety

We gained an understanding of how the group is complying with these laws and regulations by making enquiries of management. We corroborated these enquiries through our review of external inspections, relevant correspondence with regulatory bodies and board meeting minutes.

We assessed the susceptibility of the group's financial statements to material misstatement, including how fraud might occur, by meeting with management to understand where it was considered there was susceptibility to fraud. This evaluation also considered how management were remunerated and whether this provided an incentive for fraudulent activity. We considered the overall control environment and how management oversee the implementation and operation of controls. In areas of the financial statements where risks were considered to be higher, we performed procedures to address each identified risk.

The following procedures were performed to provide reasonable assurance that the financial statements were free of material fraud or error:

• Reviewing minutes of meetings of those charged with governance.

• Reviewing the level of and reasoning behind the group's procurement of legal and professional services;

• Performing audit work procedures over the risk of management override of controls, including testing of journal entries, evaluating the business rationale of significant transactions outside the normal course of business and reviewing judgements made by management in their calculation of accounting estimates for potential management bias.

• Procedures to confirm the existence and completeness of revenue ensuring recognised in line with the group's accounting policies.

• Testing the basis for calculating the quantities and carrying value of work in progress, including a sample review of the purchase and sales invoices and to ensure management had correctly reported these assets at the lower of cost and net realisable value.

• Enquiries with management regarding the compliance with laws and regulations, including health and safety requirements.

Our audit procedures were designed to respond to the risk of material misstatements in the financial statements, recognising that the risk of not detecting a material misstatement due to fraud is higher than the risk of not detecting one resulting from error, as fraud may involve intentional concealment, forgery, collusion, omission or misrepresentation. There are inherent limitations in the audit procedures performed and the further removed non-compliance with laws and regulations is from the events and transactions reflected in the financial statements, the less likely we are to become aware of it.

A further description of our responsibilities is available on the Financial Reporting Council’s website at: https://www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our auditor's report.

Use of our report

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

These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions relating to medium-sized groups.

As permitted by s408 Companies Act 2006, the company has not presented its own profit and loss account and related notes. The company’s loss for the year was £288,239 (2023 - £165,311 profit).

These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions relating to medium-sized companies.

Dicksons Of Forres Limited (“the company”) is a private limited company domiciled and incorporated in Scotland. The registered office is 28-34 Carsegate Road, Telford Retail Park, Inverness, IV3 8EX.

The group consists of Dicksons Of Forres Limited and all of its subsidiaries.

These financial statements cover a 15 month period as the company has amended its accounting reference date from 31 December to 31 March to be in line with the financial year end and reflect a full year under the new management. Therefore, the comparative amounts presented in the financial statements (including the related notes) are not entirely comparable.

These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with FRS 102 “The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland” (“FRS 102”) and the requirements of the Companies Act 2006.

The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the company. Monetary amounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest £.

The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention, modified to include the revaluation of freehold properties to deemed cost, The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below.

In the parent company financial statements, the cost of a business combination is the fair value at the acquisition date of the assets given, equity instruments issued and liabilities incurred or assumed, plus costs directly attributable to the business combination. The excess of the cost of a business combination over the fair value of the identifiable assets, liabilities and contingent liabilities acquired is recognised as goodwill. The cost of the combination includes the estimated amount of contingent consideration that is probable and can be measured reliably, and is adjusted for changes in contingent consideration after the acquisition date. Provisional fair values recognised for business combinations in previous periods are adjusted retrospectively for final fair values determined in the 12 months following the acquisition date. Investments in subsidiaries, joint ventures and associates are accounted for at cost less impairment.

Deferred tax is recognised on differences between the value of assets (other than goodwill) and liabilities recognised in a business combination accounted for using the purchase method and the amounts that can be deducted or assessed for tax, considering the manner in which the carrying amount of the asset or liability is expected to be recovered or settled. The deferred tax recognised is adjusted against goodwill or negative goodwill.

The consolidated group financial statements consist of the financial statements of the parent company Dicksons Of Forres Limited together with all entities controlled by the parent company (its subsidiaries) and the group’s share of its interests in joint ventures and associates.

All financial statements are made up to 31 March 2025. Where necessary, adjustments are made to the financial statements of subsidiaries to bring the accounting policies used into line with those used by other members of the group.

All intra-group transactions, balances and unrealised gains on transactions between group companies are eliminated on consolidation. Unrealised losses are also eliminated unless the transaction provides evidence of an impairment of the asset transferred.

Subsidiaries are consolidated in the group’s financial statements from the date that control commences until the date that control ceases.

At the time of approving the financial statements, the directors have a reasonable expectation that the group has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus the directors continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements.

Turnover is recognised at the fair value of the consideration received or receivable for goods and services provided in the normal course of business, and is shown net of VAT and other sales related taxes. The fair value of consideration takes into account trade discounts, settlement discounts and volume rebates.

When cash inflows are deferred and represent a financing arrangement, the fair value of the consideration is the present value of the future receipts. The difference between the fair value of the consideration and the nominal amount received is recognised as interest income.

The sale of motor vehicles are recognised when the significant risks and rewards of ownership have been transferred to the buyer. Sales of parts and accessories are recognised on delivery to the customer. Servicing and parts sales are recognised on completion of the agreed work. Service plan agreement income is recognised in full when payment is received as the plan is non-refundable.

Dividend income from investments is recognised when the shareholder's right to receive payment has been established.

Intangible assets acquired separately from a business are recognised at cost and are subsequently measured at cost less accumulated amortisation and accumulated impairment losses.

Intangible assets acquired on business combinations are recognised separately from goodwill at the acquisition date where it is probable that the expected future economic benefits that are attributable to the asset will flow to the entity and the fair value of the asset can be measured reliably; the intangible asset arises from contractual or other legal rights; and the intangible asset is separable from the entity.

Amortisation is recognised so as to write off the cost or valuation of assets less their residual values over their useful lives on the following bases:

Tangible fixed assets are initially measured at cost and subsequently measured at cost or valuation, net of depreciation and any impairment losses.

Freehold & Long leasehold property is included at a deemed cost based on market value at the date of transition to FRS 102 being 1 January 2014.

Depreciation is recognised so as to write off the cost or valuation of assets less their residual values over their useful lives on the following bases:

The gain or loss arising on the disposal of an asset is determined as the difference between the sale proceeds and the carrying value of the asset, and is recognised in the profit and loss account.

Equity investments are measured at fair value through profit or loss, except for those equity investments that are not publicly traded and whose fair value cannot otherwise be measured reliably, which are recognised at cost less impairment until a reliable measure of fair value becomes available.

In the parent company financial statements, investments in subsidiaries, associates and jointly controlled entities are initially measured at cost and subsequently measured at cost less any accumulated impairment losses.

A subsidiary is an entity controlled by the group. Control is the power to govern the financial and operating policies of the entity so as to obtain benefits from its activities.

At each reporting period end date, the group reviews the carrying amounts of its tangible and intangible assets to determine whether there is any indication that those assets have suffered an impairment loss. If any such indication exists, the recoverable amount of the asset is estimated in order to determine the extent of the impairment loss (if any). Where it is not possible to estimate the recoverable amount of an individual asset, the company estimates the recoverable amount of the cash-generating unit to which the asset belongs.

The carrying amount of the investments accounted for using the equity method is tested for impairment as a single asset. Any goodwill included in the carrying amount of the investment is not tested separately for impairment.

Recoverable amount is the higher of fair value less costs to sell and value in use. In assessing value in use, the estimated future cash flows are discounted to their present value using a pre-tax discount rate that reflects current market assessments of the time value of money and the risks specific to the asset for which the estimates of future cash flows have not been adjusted.

If the recoverable amount of an asset (or cash-generating unit) is estimated to be less than its carrying amount, the carrying amount of the asset (or cash-generating unit) is reduced to its recoverable amount. An impairment loss is recognised immediately in profit or loss, unless the relevant asset is carried at a revalued amount, in which case the impairment loss is treated as a revaluation decrease.

Recognised impairment losses are reversed if, and only if, the reasons for the impairment loss have ceased to apply. Where an impairment loss subsequently reverses, the carrying amount of the asset (or cash-generating unit) is increased to the revised estimate of its recoverable amount, but so that the increased carrying amount does not exceed the carrying amount that would have been determined had no impairment loss been recognised for the asset (or cash-generating unit) in prior years. A reversal of an impairment loss is recognised immediately in profit or loss, unless the relevant asset is carried at a revalued amount, in which case the reversal of the impairment loss is treated as a revaluation increase.

Stock and work in progress are stated at the lower of cost and estimated selling price less costs to complete and sell. Cost includes all costs incurred in bringing each product to its present location and conditions as follows:

Vehicle stock and parts/workshop supplies - purchase cost on a first in, first out basis.

Work in progress - cost of direct materials, direct labour and attributable overheads.

At each reporting date, an assessment is made for impairment. Any excess of the carrying amount of stocks over its estimated selling price less costs to complete and sell is recognised as an impairment loss in profit or loss. Reversals of impairment losses are also recognised in profit or loss.

Cash and cash equivalents are basic financial assets and include cash in hand, deposits held at call with banks, other short-term liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less, and bank overdrafts. Bank overdrafts are shown within borrowings in current liabilities.

The group has elected to apply the provisions of Section 11 ‘Basic Financial Instruments’ and Section 12 ‘Other Financial Instruments Issues’ of FRS 102 to all of its financial instruments.

Financial instruments are recognised in the group's balance sheet when the group becomes party to the contractual provisions of the instrument.

Financial assets and liabilities are offset and the net amounts presented in the financial statements when there is a legally enforceable right to set off the recognised amounts and there is an intention to settle on a net basis or to realise the asset and settle the liability simultaneously.

Basic financial assets, which include debtors and cash and bank balances, are initially measured at transaction price including transaction costs and are subsequently carried at amortised cost using the effective interest method unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the transaction is measured at the present value of the future receipts discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial assets classified as receivable within one year are not amortised.

Other financial assets, including investments in equity instruments which are not subsidiaries, associates or joint ventures, are initially measured at fair value, which is normally the transaction price. Such assets are subsequently carried at fair value and the changes in fair value are recognised in profit or loss, except that investments in equity instruments that are not publicly traded and whose fair values cannot be measured reliably are measured at cost less impairment.

Financial assets, other than those held at fair value through profit and loss, are assessed for indicators of impairment at each reporting end date.

Financial assets are impaired where there is objective evidence that, as a result of one or more events that occurred after the initial recognition of the financial asset, the estimated future cash flows have been affected. If an asset is impaired, the impairment loss is the difference between the carrying amount and the present value of the estimated cash flows discounted at the asset’s original effective interest rate. The impairment loss is recognised in profit or loss.

If there is a decrease in the impairment loss arising from an event occurring after the impairment was recognised, the impairment is reversed. The reversal is such that the current carrying amount does not exceed what the carrying amount would have been, had the impairment not previously been recognised. The impairment reversal is recognised in profit or loss.

Financial assets are derecognised only when the contractual rights to the cash flows from the asset expire or are settled, or when the group transfers the financial asset and substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership to another entity, or if some significant risks and rewards of ownership are retained but control of the asset has transferred to another party that is able to sell the asset in its entirety to an unrelated third party.

Financial liabilities and equity instruments are classified according to the substance of the contractual arrangements entered into. An equity instrument is any contract that evidences a residual interest in the assets of the group after deducting all of its liabilities.

Basic financial liabilities, including creditors, bank loans, loans from fellow group companies and preference shares that are classified as debt, are initially recognised at transaction price unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the debt instrument is measured at the present value of the future payments discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial liabilities classified as payable within one year are not amortised.

Debt instruments are subsequently carried at amortised cost, using the effective interest rate method.

Trade creditors are obligations to pay for goods or services that have been acquired in the ordinary course of business from suppliers. Amounts payable are classified as current liabilities if payment is due within one year or less. If not, they are presented as non-current liabilities. Trade creditors are recognised initially at transaction price and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.

Derivatives, including interest rate swaps and forward foreign exchange contracts, are not basic financial instruments. Derivatives are initially recognised at fair value on the date a derivative contract is entered into and are subsequently re-measured at their fair value. Changes in the fair value of derivatives are recognised in profit or loss in finance costs or finance income as appropriate, unless hedge accounting is applied and the hedge is a cash flow hedge.

Debt instruments that do not meet the conditions in FRS 102 paragraph 11.9 are subsequently measured at fair value through profit or loss. Debt instruments may be designated as being measured at fair value through profit or loss to eliminate or reduce an accounting mismatch or if the instruments are measured and their performance evaluated on a fair value basis in accordance with a documented risk management or investment strategy.

Financial liabilities are derecognised when the group's contractual obligations expire or are discharged or cancelled.

Equity instruments issued by the group are recorded at the proceeds received, net of transaction costs. Dividends payable on equity instruments are recognised as liabilities once they are no longer at the discretion of the group.

The tax expense represents the sum of the tax currently payable and deferred tax.

The tax currently payable is based on taxable profit for the year. Taxable profit differs from net profit as reported in the profit and loss account because it excludes items of income or expense that are taxable or deductible in other years and it further excludes items that are never taxable or deductible. The group’s liability for current tax is calculated using tax rates that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the reporting end date.

Deferred tax liabilities are generally recognised for all timing differences and deferred tax assets are recognised to the extent that it is probable that they will be recovered against the reversal of deferred tax liabilities or other future taxable profits. Such assets and liabilities are not recognised if the timing difference arises from goodwill or from the initial recognition of other assets and liabilities in a transaction that affects neither the tax profit nor the accounting profit.

The costs of short-term employee benefits are recognised as a liability and an expense, unless those costs are required to be recognised as part of the cost of stock or fixed assets.

The cost of any unused holiday entitlement is recognised in the period in which the employee’s services are received.

Termination benefits are recognised immediately as an expense when the company is demonstrably committed to terminate the employment of an employee or to provide termination benefits.

Payments to defined contribution retirement benefit schemes are charged as an expense as they fall due.

Leases are classified as finance leases whenever the terms of the lease transfer substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership to the lessees. All other leases are classified as operating leases.

Assets held under finance leases are recognised as assets at the lower of the assets fair value at the date of inception and the present value of the minimum lease payments. The related liability is included in the balance sheet as a finance lease obligation. Lease payments are treated as consisting of capital and interest elements. The interest is charged to profit or loss so as to produce a constant periodic rate of interest on the remaining balance of the liability.

Rentals payable under operating leases, including any lease incentives received, are charged to profit or loss on a straight line basis over the term of the relevant lease except where another more systematic basis is more representative of the time pattern in which economic benefits from the leases asset are consumed.

In the application of the group’s accounting policies, the directors are required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions about the carrying amount of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors that are considered to be relevant. Actual results may differ from these estimates.

The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised where the revision affects only that period, or in the period of the revision and future periods where the revision affects both current and future periods.

The estimates and assumptions which have a significant risk of causing a material adjustment to the carrying amount of assets and liabilities are as follows.

Vehicle stock is valued at the lower of cost and net realisable value. This includes any provision for slow moving or obsolete stock. Calculation of such provisions requires judgements to be made on various aspects of stock based on a mixture of Glass's guide, used car pricing and technical information supplied by CAP Automotive Limited, and general experience and understanding of the motor trade. The carrying amount is £5,372,218 (2023 - £5,904,936).

Due to the company reorganisation and share buyback carried out in the year, there were exceptional non recurring legal and professional fees of £102,286.

Nissan provided funding for an upgrade to the Nissan showroom. There are performance related conditions in relation to this funding received and therefore this income is being recognised under the performance model.

The amount of grants recognised in the financial statements was £6,450 (2023 - £25,800).

The average monthly number of persons (including directors) employed by the group and company during the period was:

Their aggregate remuneration comprised:

The number of directors for whom retirement benefits are accruing under defined contribution schemes amounted to 5 (2023 - 2).

In the year £nil (2023 - £35,500) was paid to third parties for directors' services.

The tax rate in the year increased to 25% of all taxable profits over £50,000, taxable profits under £50,000 are taxed at 19%. In the 2022 financial year all taxable profits were taxed at 19%.

The actual charge for the period can be reconciled to the expected charge for the period based on the profit or loss and the standard rate of tax as follows:

The carrying value of land and buildings comprises:

Land and buildings with a carrying amount of £2,800,000 were revalued 8th November 2024 by Grant Stewart Chartered Surveyors & Estate Agents, independent valuers not connected with the company on the basis of market value. The valuation conforms to International Valuation Standards and was based on recent market transactions on arm's length terms for similar properties.

The revaluation surplus is disclosed in note 26.

Details of the company's subsidiaries at 31 March 2025 are as follows:

Included within vehicle stock is £334,255 (2023 - £269,794) of vehicles held on consignment stock. The consignment period is usually 180 days although in certain cases extensions are arranged. The stock becomes due for repayment on the earlier of stock being purchased or the expiry of the consignment period.

Stock is stated after provisions for impairment of £Nil (2023 - £Nil).

The Bank of Scotland PLC holds a floating charge over the company's assets and a negative pledge.

The Bank of Ireland have standard fixed security over the company's properties. The Bank of Ireland also have a bond and a floating charge over the company's assets and a negative pledge.

Other borrowings represent a stocking facility with ALD Automotive which is secured on the vehicles funded and is repayable on demand.

The following are the major deferred tax liabilities and assets recognised by the group and company, and movements thereon:

A defined contribution pension scheme is operated for all qualifying employees. The assets of the scheme are held separately from those of the group in an independently administered fund.

'B' Ordinary shares have the following rights, preferences and restrictions:

The 'B' Ordinary shares are entitled to one vote on a written resolution or on a poll (and on a show of hands one vote per member), each share is entitled pari passu to dividend payments or any other distribution; directors may declare dividends on one or more share class only, each share is entitled pari passu to participate in capital distribution on wind up. The shares are not redeemable.

'A' Ordinary share have the following rights, preferences and restrictions:

The 'A' Ordinary shares carry no voting rights, each share is entitled pari passu to dividend payments or any other distribution; directors may declare dividends on one share class only, each share is entitled pari passu to participate in capital distribution on wind up. The shares are not redeemable.

'C' Ordinary shares have the following rights, preferences and restrictions:

The 'C' Ordinary shares are entitled to one vote on a written resolution or on a poll (and show of hands one vote per member), each share is entitled pari passu to dividend payments or any other distribution; directors may declare dividends on one share class only, each share is entitled pari passu to participate in capital distribution on wind up. The shares are not redeemable.

Ordinary shares have the following rights, preferences and restrictions:

The Ordinary shares are entitled to one vote on a written resolution or on a poll (and show of hands one vote per member), each share is entitled pari passu to dividend payments or any other distribution; directors may declare dividends on one share class only, each share is entitled pari passu to participate in capital distribution on wind up. The shares are not redeemable.

During the year the company repurchased 30,058 of its own 'A', 'B' and 'C' ordinary £1 shares. The total consideration was £2,000,000, being £66.54 per share.

The capital redemption reserve arose on the purchase of shares by the company in previous years.

At the reporting end date the group had outstanding commitments for future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases, which fall due as follows:

The amount of non-cancellable operating lease payments recognised as an expense during the year was £63,434 (2023 - £45,990).

The remuneration of key management personnel is as follows.

During the period the group entered into the following transactions with related parties:

Dividends totalling £0 (2023 - £222,728) were paid in the period in respect of shares held by the company's directors.

The company's immediate and ultimate parent is Dicksons of Forres Limited, incorporated in Scotland with a registered office of 28-34 Carsegate Road, Telford Retail Park, Inverness, IV3 8EX. The company is included within the consolidated financial statements of Dicksons of Forres Limited. Copies of group consolidated accounts can be obtained from Dicksons of Forres Limited, 28-34 Carsegate Road, Telford Retail Park, Inverness, IV3 8EX.