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

The company achieved an operating profit of £104,237 for the financial year, reflecting a resilient performance in the face of continuing economic challenges. The gross margin for the year was 40%, slightly down from 40.4% in 2023, yet still within acceptable parameters. The Board is satisfied with the overall financial results.

During the year, operating costs increased, influenced in part by the rise in the National Living Wage. However, only a small proportion of these increases were passed on to customers, as the company remains mindful of maintaining competitiveness both in pricing and in attracting and retaining skilled employees. The ongoing cost of living pressures continue to impact customer sentiment and spending patterns, contributing to a degree of market uncertainty.

The Directors actively monitor economic indicators such as inflation and interest rates and remain responsive to changes in the broader economic landscape.

The market environment remains stable, with the company continuing to serve independent retailers, workrooms, contract markets, and the growing home-working sector. Our core offering of extensive made-to-measure products, quality at competitive prices, and a strong customer service ethos continues to differentiate the business.

We have continued to broaden our portfolio of both customers and product ranges, with an emphasis on unique and innovative offerings. At the same time, we remain mindful of the need to rationalise older ranges, creating space for new market opportunities.

A key component of our unique selling proposition (USP) is our significant stockholding capacity, which ensures we can meet customer requirements swiftly and consistently. We continue to work closely with our supply partners to maintain stability and mitigate risks associated with ongoing global challenges, including the war in Ukraine and disruption to container transit times via the Suez Canal experienced in 2024.

As part of our logistics strategy, we have further diversified our carrier partnerships, allowing us to tailor delivery solutions by geography, freight size, and specialist service requirements, including premium deliveries.

A notable achievement during the year was the successful completion of our IT infrastructure upgrade and the redevelopment of our customer-facing digital platforms. This investment, delivered with minimal disruption to customers, reinforces our commitment to data security and ensures we are equipped to meet evolving customer expectations. Throughout the transition, customer numbers and average order values were maintained.

At the year-end, shareholders’ funds stood at £5,546,336 a decrease of £97,746 from the previous year. Current assets exceeded current liabilities by £3,249,104 (2023: £3,957,039), and the Directors consider the financial position of the company to be satisfactory. The company remains well-positioned to achieve its strategic objectives in the forthcoming year.

The principal uncertainties for the coming year are the disruption to global supply chains, coupled with global inflationary pressures which are being managed to ensure that prices remain competitive in the marketplace. The Directors continue to closely monitor both customer spending and consumer demand.

Sufficient liquidity is in place to manage any period of disruption, and a full cost review has been undertaken to ensure the business remains able to cope with any changes in demand from its customers.

The company finances its operations through a mixture of retained profits and where necessary to fund expansion or capital expenditure programmes through bank borrowings. Management’s objectives are to:

• Retain sufficient liquid funds to enable it to meet its day-to-day obligations as they fall due whilst maximising return on surplus funds, and

• Minimise the company’s exposure to fluctuating interest rates when seeking new borrowings, and

• Match the repayment schedule of any external borrowings or overdrafts with the expected future cashflows expected to arise from the company’s trading activities.

Where appropriate, funds are invested in sterling bank deposit accounts and borrowings are obtained from standard bank loan accounts and using debtors as security. The company seeks to limit its exposure to foreign currency fluctuations by ensuring sales and purchase invoices are raised in sterling where possible. Movements in exchange rates are monitored closely by the company and forward currency contracts are purchased to help mitigate the risk. Hedge accounting is not used by the company.

Future Developments

Looking ahead, the company remains committed to enhancing its market position by maintaining a clear focus on customer requirements. We continue to provide a comprehensive range of stock supported by the development of innovative products aligned to customer needs. Our ongoing investment in the Made to Measure service enables customers to improve efficiency in their operations.

The recently implemented IT platform supports these objectives by facilitating faster, more cost-effective processes and ensuring ease of engagement for customers. We also place significant emphasis on staff development through targeted training, enhanced product knowledge, and a strong focus on delivering service excellence.

The directors recognise that effective performance management is key to being a strong business. Progress is monitored by review of key financial indicators, including but not limited to:

Gross profit as a % of turnover - 40% (2023 40.4%)

Net Profit - £2,254 (2023 £255,674)

Net Asset Value - £5,546,336 (2023: £5,644,082)

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 during the year was the wholesale and distribution of a range of window furnishings.

The results for the year are set out on page 9.

Ordinary dividends were paid amounting to £100,000. 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 company agrees terms and conditions for its business transactions when orders for goods and services are placed, ensuring that suppliers are aware of the terms of payment and including the relevant terms in contract where appropriate. These arrangements are adhered to when making payments, subject to terms and conditions being met by the supplier.

The auditor, MHA, previously traded through the legal entity MacIntyre Hudson LLP. In response to regulatory changes, MacIntyre Hudson LLP ceased to hold an audit registration with the engagement transitioning to MHA Audit Services LLP.

MHA will be proposed for reappointment in accordance with section 485 of the Companies Act 2006.

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 and principle risks and uncertainties.

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 company’s auditor 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 company’s auditor is aware of that information.

This report has been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies entitled to the medium-sized companies exemption.

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 company and of the profit or loss of the company for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the directors are required to:

• select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;

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

• 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.

We have audited the financial statements of Hallis-Hudson Group Limited (the 'company') for the year ended 31 December 2024 which comprise the statement of comprehensive income, the balance sheet, the statement of changes in equity 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 company's affairs as at 31 December 2024 and of its profit for the year then ended;

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

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

Basis for opinion

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

Conclusions relating to going concern

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

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

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

Other information

The 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 company and its 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, 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.

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 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.

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 specific procedures for this engagement and the extent to which these are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud, is detailed below:

• Enquiry of management and those charged with governance around actual and potential litigation and claims;

• Enquiry of management and those charged with governance to identify any instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations;

• Performing audit work over the risk of management override of controls, including testing of journal entries and other adjustments for appropriateness, evaluating the business rationale of significant transactions outside the normal course of business and reviewing accounting estimates for bias;

• Performing testing on revenue to confirm completeness and appropriate recognition of sales in the period; and

• Reviewing financial statement disclosures and testing to supporting documentation to assess compliance with applicable laws and regulations.

Because of the inherent limitations of an audit, there is a risk that we will not detect all irregularities, including those leading to a material misstatement in the financial statements or non-compliance with regulation. This risk increases the more that compliance with a law or regulation is removed from the events and transactions reflected in the financial statements, as we will be less likely to become aware of instances of non-compliance. The risk is also greater regarding irregularities occurring due to fraud rather than error, as fraud involves intentional concealment, forgery, collusion, omission or misrepresentation.

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 member, 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 member 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 member 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.

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

Hallis-Hudson Group Limited is a private company limited by shares incorporated in England and Wales. The registered office is Unit B1 Red Scar Business Park, Longridge Road, Ribbleton, Preston, PR2 5NJ.

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. The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below.

This 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:

• 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.

The company has taken advantage of the exemption under section 402 of the Companies Act 2006 not to prepare consolidated accounts. The financial statements present information about the company as an individual entity and not about its group.

The financial statements of the company are consolidated in the financial statements of Harper Industries Limited. These consolidated financial statements are available from its registered office, Unit B1, Red Scar Business Park, Longridge Road. Ribbleton, Preston PR2 5NJ.

The company has taken advantage of the exemption under section 402 of the Companies Act 2006 not to prepare consolidated accounts. The financial statements present information about the company as an individual entity and not about its group.

The directors have considered the financial position of the company at 31 December 2024, management information to date and forecasts for a period of 12 months from the date of signing these financial statements. true

In light of these forecasts, they consider that the Company has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future.

At the time of approving the financial statements, the directors have a reasonable expectation that the company 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 represents amounts receivable for goods and services provided less returns and allowances, excluding valued added tax. Turnover is recognised on delivery of the goods.

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

Amortisation is recognised so as to write off the cost 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, net of depreciation and any impairment losses.

Depreciation is recognised so as to write off the cost 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 credited or charged to profit or loss.

Interests in subsidiaries are initially measured at cost and subsequently measured at cost less any accumulated impairment losses. The investments are assessed for impairment at each reporting date and any impairment losses or reversals of impairment losses are recognised immediately in profit or loss.

A subsidiary is an entity controlled by the company. 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 company 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.

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.

Stock is valued at the lower of cost and net realisable value, after making due allowances for obsolete and slow moving items.

Cost includes all direct expenditure.

Cash at bank and in hand are basic financial assets and include cash in hand and deposits held at call with banks.

The company 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 company's balance sheet when the company becomes party to the contractual provisions of the instrument.

Financial assets and liabilities are offset, with 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 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 company 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 company after deducting all of its liabilities.

Basic financial liabilities, including creditors, bank loans and loans from fellow group companies 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 company’s contractual obligations expire or are discharged or cancelled.

Equity instruments issued by the company 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 company.

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 company’s liability for current tax is calculated using tax rates that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the reporting end date.

Deferred tax is recognised in respect of all timing differences that have originated but not reversed at the balance sheet date where transactions or events have occurred at that date that will result in an obligation to pay more, or a right to pay less or to receive more tax.

Deferred tax assets in relation to excess of depreciation over taxation allowances and tax losses available are not recognised due to the future timescale over which they will be realised.

Deferred tax is measured on an undiscounted basis at the tax rates that are expected to apply in the periods in which timing differences arise, based on tax rates and laws enacted or substantively enacted at the balance sheet date.

The costs of short-term employee benefits are recognised as a liability and an expense.

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 income on a straight line basis over the term of the relevant lease.

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 company’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.

At each balance sheet date, management will review the stock listing and identify items that are considered to be obsolete based upon their knowledge of the products and the ageing of stock and expected sales in future periods. Balances considered to be obsolete are provided for.

At each balance sheet date, management undertake an assessment of the recoverability of trade

debtors based upon their knowledge of the customers, ageing of the balances outstanding and previous

write off history. Where necessary, an impairment is recorded as a doubtful debt. The actual level of

debt collected may differ from the estimated level of recovery.

At each balance sheet date, management will review the depreciation policy for fixed assets and based on their knowledge of the assets, determine if this is reasonable.

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

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

Their aggregate remuneration comprised:

The number of directors for whom retirement benefits are accruing under defined contribution schemes amounted to 5 (2023 - 6).

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:

The company has non-trading tax losses to carry forward of £34,934 (2023: £34,934) and trading tax losses to carry forward of £715,711 (2023: £335,108).

Tangible fixed assets with a carrying amount of £1,069,808 (2023: £1,119,055) have been pledged to secure borrowings of the company.

These financial statements are separate company financial statements for Hallis-Hudson Group Limited.

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

The subsidiary has been fully impaired in current and prior year. During the year, R S Design Consultants Limited, which was a subsidiary of Hallis-Hudson Group Limited, has been dissolved.

Stock with a carrying amount of £2,652,538 (2023: £2,531,357) have been pledged to secure borrowings of the company.

Included in other loans is an amount of £455,094 (2023 £396,686) which is secured by a debenture over the assets of the company.

Bank loans also include £333,333 (2023: £533,333) CBILS loan drawndown by the company. The repayment period starts 12 months from the date of first drawdown and will be repaid by monthly instalment over the proceeding 60 months. Interest will be charged at 3.99% above the Bank of England base rate from September 2021. The loan is secured by a personal guarantee limited to £100,000.

Finance lease obligations are secured on the assets to which they relate.

Finance lease payments represent rentals payable by the company for certain items of plant and machinery. Leases include purchase options at the end of the lease period, and no restrictions are placed on the use of the assets. The average lease term is 3 years. All leases are on a fixed repayment basis and no arrangements have been entered into for contingent rental payments.

The company operates a defined contribution pension scheme for all qualifying employees. The assets of the scheme are held separately from those of the company in an independently administered fund.

The company has one class of ordinary shares which carry full voting rights and full rights to receive dividends.

This class has full rights to distributions, firstly of the issue price of shares held and the balance pro rata on a return of assets on liquidation, capital reduction or otherwise pari passu with the other share class.

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

During the year the company entered into the following transactions with related parties:

The company has taken advantage of the exemption permitted under Section 33 'Related Party Disclosures' paragraph 33.1A from disclosing transactions with the parent, subsidiary and fellow subsidiary companies.

The company was under the control of Harper Industries Limited or the whole of the financial period and the previous financial year. Harper Industries Limited is the only undertaking that prepares group accounts including the financial statements of the company. Copies of the consolidated accounts are available from its registered Office, Unit B1 Red Scar Business Park, Preston, Lancashire, PR2 5NJ.

A prior period adjustment has been recorded to reallocate customer service charges (£803,741) as turnover. These were incorrectly credited to distribution costs in the previous year.