The directors present the strategic report for the year ended 31 December 2024.

The directors are satisfied with the performance of the group as shown in these financial statements. Despite a fall in profit before tax over the previous year, the group continues to aim to drive efficiencies across its cost base, with gross profit being maintained at a comfortable 47% (2023 - 50%).

The Directors are confident profitability will be maintained into the future and with increased investment returns are expected to increase. At the end of the year the net assets of the group totalled £23,274,137 (2023 - £22,484,312).

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

Turnover:         £15,890,025    (2023 - £16,812,475)

Gross profit margin:     47%         (2023 - 50%)

Profit before tax:        £1,029,608    (2023 - £2,231,176)

The company uses a number of non-financial key performance indicators to measure performance, the most prevalent being the annual Visit England assessment, the most recent of which scored Sealife Adventure at 87% and Adventure Island at 94% and therefore a gold standard attraction. Other indicators include the monitoring of stock levels and working capital within the company.

The principal risk to the business is in respect of health and safety of visitors to the attractions. This is managed by and mitigated through both internal training and regular external inspection visits. The main uncertainty to the groups trading activities is adverse weather conditions affecting the opening hours of the amusement park and the number of visitors. The directors consider that the other areas of operation do not give rise to any significant risks or uncertainties.

S172 STATEMENT

Under Section 172(1) of the Companies Act 2006, a director of a group must act in the way he or she considers, in good faith, would be most likely to promote the success of the group for the benefit of its members as a whole, and in doing so have regard (amongst other matters) to:

• the likely consequence of any decision in the long-term

• the interests of the group’s employees

• the need to foster the group’s business relationships with suppliers, customers and others

• the impact of the group’s operations on the community and the environment

• the desirability of the group maintaining a reputation for high standards of business conduct

• the need to act fairly as between members of the group.

The following disclosure describes how the Directors have had regard to the matters set out in Section 172(1)(a) to (f) and forms the Directors’ statement under section 414CZA of The Companies Act 2006.

The Directors consider, both individually and collectively, that we have acted in the way we consider, in good faith, would be most likely to promote the success of the group for the benefit of its members as a whole (having regard to the stakeholders and matters set out in section 172(1)(a-f) of the Companies Act 2006) in the decisions taken during the year ended 31 December 2024. We set out below how we have considered these matters in our decision making:

• The Long term – the Directors are always mindful of the long-term and the consequence of any decision on this time frame. Any surplus funds are reinvested into the group to ensure the customer experience is innovative and appealing, whilst ensuring the group brand is refreshed.

• Employees – We engage with our workforce to ensure that we are fostering an environment that they are happy to work in and that best supports their well-being.

• Business Relationships – The Directors are committed to fostering the group’s business relationships. The group is a customer facing and customer focussed organisation, seeking to deliver an excellent experience to everyone we serve.

• High standards of business conduct – Responsibility for setting the values and standards of the group sits with the Directors and the Directors expect high standards of business conduct.

• Community and Environment – We are mindful of the communities in which our customers live, as well as external factors and events, that can impact these communities. Considering such events and other challenges within our communities informs in which direction we can provide support and incentives within the community.

• Shareholders – The Directors are of the view that any action that better serves the group will better serve the Shareholders, improved performance providing more value for the group shareholders.

On behalf of the board

The directors present their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2024.

The principal activity of the company and group continued to be that of amusement park operations.

The results for the year are set out on page 10.

Ordinary dividends were paid amounting to £164,880. The directors do not recommend payment of a further dividend.

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

The group is exposed to various risks in relation to financial instruments. The main types of risks are liquidity risk and credit risk.

The group's risk management is coordinated by the Directors, and focuses on actively securing the group's short to medium-term cash flows by minimising the exposure to bad debts and ensuring availability of further funding.

Liquidity risk is that the group might be unable to meet its obligations as they fall due. The group manages its liquidity needs by monitoring forecast cash inflows and outflows due in day-to-day business for it's liabilities falling due.

Credit risk is the risk that a counterparty fails to discharge an obligation to the group. The group is exposed to this risk for various financial instruments, for example by granting loans and receivables to customers etc. The carrying amount of financial assets recorded in the financial statements, which is net of impairment losses, represents the group's maximum exposure to credit risk.

The group has no significant concentrations of credit risk and has policies in place to ensure that sales of services are made to customers with an appropriate credit history.

Applications for employment by disabled persons are always fully considered, bearing in mind the aptitudes of the applicant concerned. In the event of members of staff becoming disabled, every effort is made to ensure that their employment within the group continues and that the appropriate training is arranged. It is the policy of the group that the training, career development and promotion of disabled persons should, as far as possible, be identical to that of other employees.

The company's policy is to consult and discuss with employees, through unions, staff councils and at meetings, matters likely to affect employees' interests.

Information about matters of concern to employees is given through information bulletins and reports which seek to achieve a common awareness on the part of all employees of the financial and economic factors affecting the company's performance.

There is no employee share scheme at present, but the directors are considering the introduction of such a scheme as a means of further encouraging the involvement of employees in the company's performance.

Customers and Suppliers

As stated in the S172 statement the Directors are committed to fostering the company’s business relationships. Continuous innovation allows the company to address the requirements of both suppliers and customers with focus on providing the right solution for all parties.

The auditor, Rickard Luckin Limited, is deemed to be reappointed under section 487(2) of the Companies Act 2006.

UK Energy use covers activities within Essex relating to Stockvale Limited, Stockvale Catering Limited, Miller Leisure Limited and Radio Essex Limited.

Associated Greenhouse gases have been calculated using the GHG Protocol Corporate Accounting and Reporting Standard.

As the parent company has not consumed more than 40,000 kWh of energy in this reporting period, it qualifies as a low energy user under these regulations and is not required to repot on its emissions, energy consumption or energy efficiency activities.

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.

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.

We have audited the financial statements of Stockvale Investments Limited (the 'parent company') and its subsidiaries (the 'group') for the year ended 31 December 2024 which comprise 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 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 December 2024 and of the group's 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'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 year 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 extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud, is detailed below.

We identified areas of laws and regulations that could reasonably be expected to have a material effect on the financial statements from our: general commercial and sector experience; through verbal and written communications with those charged with governance and other management and via inspection of the group’s regulatory and legal correspondence.

We discussed with those charged with governance and other management the policies and procedures regarding compliance with laws and regulations.

We communicated identified laws and regulations to our team and remained alert to any indicators of non-compliance throughout the audit, we also specifically considered where and how fraud may occur within the parent company and the group.

The potential effect of these laws and regulations on the financial statements varies considerably.

Firstly, the parent company and the group are subject to laws and regulations that directly affect the financial statements, including: the company's constitution, relevant financial reporting standards; company law; tax legislation and distributable profits legislation and we assess the extent of compliance with these laws and regulations as part of our procedures on the related financial statement items.

Secondly the parent company and the group is subject to many other laws and regulations where the consequences of non-compliance could have a material effect on the amounts or disclosures in the financial statements, for instance through the imposition of fines and penalties, or through losses arising from litigations. We identified the following areas as those most likely to have such an affect: employment legislation; health and safety legislation including ride health and safety certification; the regulatory requirements of the Food Standards Agency; the regulatory requirements of the animal welfare regulations and the BALAI directive; legislation relevant to the commercial property rental environment; the regulatory requirements of OFCOM and broadcasting regulations; UK data protection legislation; anti-bribery and anti-corruption legislation.

International Auditing Standards (UK) limit the required procedures to identify non-compliance with these laws and regulations, and no procedures over and above those already noted are required. These limited procedures did not identify any actual or suspected non-compliance with laws and regulations that could have a material impact on the financial statements.

In relation to fraud, we performed the following specific procedures in addition to those already noted:

• Challenging assumptions made by management in its significant accounting estimates in particular: depreciation, deferred taxation, investment valuation, deferred income and property valuation;

• Identifying and testing journal entries, in particular any entries posted with unusual nominal ledger account combinations, journal entries crediting cash or any revenue account;

• Performing analytical procedures to identify unexpected movements in account balances which may be indicative of fraud;

• Ensuring that testing undertaken on both the performance statement, and the Balance Sheet includes a number of items selected on a random basis.

These procedures did not identify any actual or suspected fraudulent irregularity that could have a material impact on the financial statements.

Owing to the inherent limitations of an audit, there is an unavoidable risk that we may not have detected some material misstatements in the financial statements, even though we have properly planned and performed our audit in accordance with International Auditing Standards UK). For example, the further removed non-compliance with laws and regulations is from the events and transactions reflected in the financial statements, the less likely the procedures that we are required to undertake would identify it. In addition, as with any audit, there remains a high risk of non-detection of irregularities, as these might involve collusion, forgery, intentional omissions, misrepresentation, or the override of internal controls. We are not responsible for preventing non-compliance with laws and regulations or fraud, and cannot be expected to detect non-compliance with all laws and regulations or every incidence of fraud.

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.

The profit and loss account has been prepared on the basis that all operations are continuing operations.

As permitted by s408 Companies Act 2006, the company has not presented its own profit and loss account and related notes. The company’s profit for the year was £669,000 (2023 - £1,041,910 profit).

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

Stockvale Investments Limited (“the company”) is a private limited company domiciled and incorporated in England and Wales. The registered office is 1st Floor, 19 Clifftown Road, Southend-on-Sea, Essex, SS1 1AB. The company's principal place of business is Adventure Island, Sunken Gardens West, Eastern Esplanade, Southend-on-Sea, Essex, SS1 1EE.

The group consists of Stockvale Investments Limited and all of its subsidiaries.

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 and to include investment properties and certain financial instruments at fair value. The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below.

The company is a qualifying entity for the purposes of FRS 102, being a member of a group where the parent of that group prepares publicly available consolidated financial statements, including this company, which are intended to give a true and fair view of the assets, liabilities, financial position and profit or loss of the group. The company has therefore taken advantage of exemptions from the following disclosure requirements for parent company information presented within the consolidated financial statements:

• Section 7 ‘Statement of Cash Flows’: Presentation of a statement of cash flow and related notes and disclosures;

• Section 11 ‘Basic Financial Instruments’ and Section 12 ‘Other Financial Instrument Issues: Interest income/expense and net gains/losses for financial instruments not measured at fair value; basis of determining fair values; details of collateral, loan defaults or breaches, details of hedges, hedging fair value changes recognised in profit or loss and in other comprehensive income;

• Section 33 ‘Related Party Disclosures’: Compensation for key management personnel.

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 Stockvale Investments 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 December 2024. 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 and company have adequate resources to continue in operational existence for at least 12 months from the date of signing the financial statements. 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.

Revenue from daily tickets is recognised on purchase of the ticket as this is when the risks of ownership have passed to the buyer. Revenue from annual passes that entitle the customer to continued visits over a period of time is deferred and recognised over the period that the pass is valid. Retail revenue and similar commercial offerings are recognised at the point of sale.

Revenue from the provision of services is recognised as the service is provided.

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.

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:

Assets in the course of construction are not depreciated.

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.

Investment property, which is property held to earn rentals and/or for capital appreciation, is initially recognised at cost, which includes the purchase cost and any directly attributable expenditure. Subsequently it is measured at fair value at the reporting end date. Changes in fair value are recognised in profit or loss.

Property rented to a group entity is accounted for as tangible fixed assets.

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.

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.

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.

Stocks are stated at the lower of cost and estimated selling price less costs to complete and sell. Cost comprises direct materials and, where applicable, direct labour costs and those overheads that have been incurred in bringing the stocks to their present location and condition.

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 and loans from fellow group companies 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.

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 carrying amount of deferred tax assets is reviewed at each reporting end date and reduced to the extent that it is no longer probable that sufficient taxable profits will be available to allow all or part of the asset to be recovered. Deferred tax is calculated at the tax rates that are expected to apply in the period when the liability is settled or the asset is realised. Deferred tax is charged or credited in the profit and loss account, except when it relates to items charged or credited directly to equity, in which case the deferred tax is also dealt with in equity. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are offset if, and only if, there is a legally enforceable right to offset current tax assets and liabilities and the deferred tax assets and liabilities relate to taxes levied by the same tax authority.

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.

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 leased asset are consumed.

Rental income from operating leases is recognised on a straight line basis over the term of the relevant lease. Initial direct costs incurred in negotiating and arranging an operating lease are added to the carrying amount of the leased asset and recognised on a straight line basis over the lease term.

Transactions in currencies other than pounds sterling are recorded at the rates of exchange prevailing at the dates of the transactions. At each reporting end date, monetary assets and liabilities that are denominated in foreign currencies are retranslated at the rates prevailing on the reporting end date. Gains and losses arising on translation in the period are included in profit or loss.

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 following judgements (apart from those involving estimates) have had the most significant effect on amounts recognised in the financial statements.

Investment properties have been valued based on local property market trends and current rental yield.

The carrying values of unlisted investments are ascertained by having regard to their expected future income yield.

Depreciation has been calculated based on an estimate of the assets useful economic life.

Estimates for deferred income are based on the income known to relate to the period in question.

Deferred tax is based on the 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.

An analysis of the group's turnover is as follows:

The amortisation of intangible assets is included within administration expenses.

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

Their aggregate remuneration comprised:

The number of directors for whom retirement benefits are accruing under money purchase pension schemes amounted to 2 (2023 - 2).

Impairment tests have been carried out where appropriate and the following impairment losses have been recognised in profit or loss:

The impairment losses in respect of financial assets are recognised in other gains and losses in the profit and loss account.

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

Investment property comprises both commercial and residential leasehold and freehold properties. The fair value of the investment property has been arrived at by the directors using market evidence of transaction prices for similar properties and historic valuations performed by a number of third party chartered surveyors.

On 5 August 2024 the company disposed of its 51% investment in Stockvale foods Limited at cost.

Details of the company's subsidiaries at 31 December 2024 are as follows:

Registered office addresses (all UK unless otherwise indicated):

The investments in subsidiaries are all stated at cost.

The bank loan is secured by fixed and floating charges over the company's property and assets. The loan has a floating interest rate based on the Bank of England bank rate and is repayable over 5 years.

Unlimited guarantees have also been provided by two group subsidiaries in relation to the borrowings of the group. As at 31 December 2024 group borrowings totalled £1,860,080 (2023: £2,038,614).

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are offset where the group or company has a legally enforceable right to do so. The following is the analysis of the deferred tax balances (after offset) for financial reporting purposes:

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.

Each Ordinary £1 share holds equal voting rights and equal rights to dividends.

A group company has historically invested in film partnership schemes. In 2016 an advanced payment notice was received from HMRC which was subsequently paid. However there is still potential for additional interest to be raised on the advance payment, this interest is unquantifiable and therefore no provision has been included in the financial statements.

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:

Amounts contracted for but not provided in the financial statements:

The company is controlled by P A Miller MBE, for this and the preceding year, who owns 80% of the issued share capital.

As at 31 December 2024, there is an interest-free loan to a Director totalling £1,716,902 (2023: £1,697,055). At the year end, the full amount was outstanding and is included within other debtors.

As at 31 December 2024 amounts owed from companies under common control totalled £4,261,547 (2023: £4,288,917).

Key management personnel include the Directors and senior management team. Total key management personnel compensation was £686,211 (2023: £609,199).

Company

As at 31 December 2024, amounts owed from wholly owned group companies totalled £8,037 (2023: £nil). Amounts due to wholly owned group companies at the year-end totalled £8,474,032 (2023: £7,032,195).

As at 31 December 2024, costs incurred on behalf of non-wholly owned group companies totalled £1,584 (2023: £nil) and sales made to non-wholly owned group companies totalled £nil (2023: £900). At the balance sheet date, amounts owed from non-wholly owned group companies totalled £27,584 (2023: £26,000).

As at 31 December 2024, amounts due to non-wholly owned group companies totalled £1,134,449 (2023: £1,134,449).

As at 31 December 2024, the company incurred costs on behalf of companies under common control of £7,590 (2023: £nil) and received repayments of £6,051. At the balance sheet date, amounts owed from companies under common control totalled £806,244 (2023: £804,705).