Company registration number 06725389 (England and Wales)
NORTH WEST COFFEE LTD
ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
NORTH WEST COFFEE LTD
COMPANY INFORMATION
Directors
Mrs T A Vardy
Mr S M Vardy
Company number
06725389
Registered office
2nd Floor, Suite B
Garden Place
4-12 Victoria Street
Altrincham
United Kingdom
WA14 1ET
Auditor
Xeinadin Audit Limited
100 Barbirolli Square
Manchester
Greater Manchester
United Kingdom
M2 3BD
NORTH WEST COFFEE LTD
CONTENTS
Page
Strategic report
1 - 2
Directors' report
3 - 4
Independent auditor's report
5 - 7
Profit and loss account
8
Balance sheet
9
Statement of changes in equity
10
Notes to the financial statements
11 - 23
NORTH WEST COFFEE LTD
STRATEGIC REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
- 1 -
The directors present the strategic report for the year ended 31 December 2024.
Principal activity
The principal activity of the Group in the year under review was that of a coffee shop franchise.
Review of the business
The core activity of the Company is our Costa Coffee franchise. North West Coffee Limited is part of the Sim Trava Group. The activity of the Company represents the amalgamation of Sim Trava Limited, Sim Trava (North West) Limited and Sim Trava Coffee Limited comprising a total of 31 stores, all of which were hived up with effect from 1st January 2024.
A summary of the key financial information for the Company is presented below:
2024 2023 Increase
£’000 £’000
Turnover 15,201 15,530 -2.1%
EBITDA - store contribution 2,165 1,926 12.4%
As noted above, North West Coffee Limited is a component member of the Sim Trava Group and the above summary reflects the Company's contribution to the Group performance. A summary of the key financial information for the Group is presented below:
2024 2023 Increase
£’000 £’000
Turnover 25,427 25,932 -1.9%
Gross profit 16,423 15,984 2.7%
EBITDA 2,287 1,919 19.2%
Gross margin 64.59% 61.64%
Labour costs 34.97% 33.07%
The ongoing continued close working relationship with our Franchisor, Costa Coffee Ltd, has helped us achieve improvements in profitability in the current and previous year. This has been coupled with a continued focus on removing waste from the business operations at all levels. We again reviewed all our stores pricing levels and adjusted them appropriately to bring us closer to our main competitor pricing levels helping our turnover and profit %.
There were various factors that limited our ability to further increase our profitability such as the increase to the national Minimum Wage coupled with a reduction in consumer confidence and footfall contributing to a reduction in turnover. Fortunately this trend appears to have reversed in 2025.
We continue to look at operational improvements to improve profitability and increase sales and entered 2025 in a positive position to continue improving the Group’s financial performance.
Future developments
We continue to look at opportunities for organic and acquisitional growth. We are considering options to expand or relocate existing stores at end of leases whilst looking at opening stores in new locations.
Post balance sheet events
On 17th July 2025, the Group completed the acquisition of 21 stores from the QFM Group. In addition to this, there have been 2 further stores opened taking the total number of stores across the Sim Trava Group and its associated company to 80.
In July 2025, in support of this growth, the Group’s bankers agreed a new overall loan facility of £16.9m to consolidate the existing loans including a further £7.4m towards acquisitions and new store openings. The loans are amortised over 10 years.
NORTH WEST COFFEE LTD
STRATEGIC REPORT (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
- 2 -
Principal risks and uncertainties
The Directors acknowledge responsibilities for the systems and controls of the Group and continue to strengthen and develop those in place. The Group hold regular management meetings and quarterly board meetings in conjunction with the Group’s professional advisors where the principal risks and uncertainties are discussed.
The last years have identified circumstances beyond our control, most recently government policy adding further cost to our payroll bill with the employer national insurance increases. We are hopeful that appropriate support can be provided to the retail and leisure sector. Interest rates have remained relatively high at a time where we have invested heavily expanding the business.
The principal risks and uncertainties facing the Group that we are able to mitigate are broadly legislative and financial risks.
Legislative risk
The stores must comply with Health and Safety audits that are performed regularly, and the results of the compliance are monitored and discussed by the board. The audits are performed in compliance with Costa Coffee guidelines and the processes continually updated and improved. The company implemented new systems and procedures in 2018 to ensure compliance with the new Data Protection law changes that came in to force in May 2018.
Exposure to liquidity and cashflow risk
The Directors aim to mitigate the liquidity and cashflow risk by managing its working capital effectively and through continuing to closely monitor the funding requirements of the Group and working with the Group’s bankers to ensure that these working capital requirements are met.
The Directors are constantly reviewing and forecasting the Group’s cash flow position for both the short and long term requirements to mitigate the risk to the Group of being unable to meet any of its financial obligations.
Mr S M Vardy
Director
26 September 2025
NORTH WEST COFFEE LTD
DIRECTORS' REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
- 3 -
The directors present their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2024.
Principal activities
The principal activity of the company continued to be that of operating franchisees of Costa Coffee outlets.
Results and dividends
The results for the year are set out on page 8.
No dividends will be distributed for the year ended 31st December 2024.
Directors
The directors who held office during the year and up to the date of signature of the financial statements were as follows:
Mrs T A Vardy
Mr S M Vardy
Auditor
In accordance with section 485 of the Companies Act 2006, Xeinadin Audit Limited will be proposed for reappointment.
Statement of directors' responsibilities
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; and
prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the company will continue in business.
The directors are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the company’s transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the company and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
Disclosure in the strategic report
The Company has chosen, in accordance with Section 414C(ii) of the Companies Act 2006, and as noted in this Directors' Report, to include certain matters in its Strategic Report that would otherwise be required to be disclosed in this Directors' Report, specifically in respect of the review of the business, post balance sheet events, proposed future developments and key risks to the business.
Statement of disclosure to auditor
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.
NORTH WEST COFFEE LTD
DIRECTORS' REPORT (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
- 4 -
Medium-sized companies exemption
This report has been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies entitled to the medium-sized companies exemption.
On behalf of the board
Mr S M Vardy
Director
26 September 2025
NORTH WEST COFFEE LTD
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT
TO THE MEMBERS OF NORTH WEST COFFEE LTD
- 5 -
Opinion
We have audited the financial statements of North West Coffee Ltd (the 'company') for the year ended 31 December 2024 which comprise the profit and loss account, 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 loss 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.
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 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 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.
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.
NORTH WEST COFFEE LTD
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT
TO THE MEMBERS OF NORTH WEST COFFEE LTD (CONTINUED)
- 6 -
Matters on which we are required to report by exception
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.
Responsibilities of directors
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.
Auditor's responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements
Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor's report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements.
The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud, is detailed below.
Identifying and assessing potential risks related to irregularities
In identifying and assessing risks of material misstatement in respect of irregularities including fraud and non-compliance with laws and regulations we have considered the following:
The nature of the industry and sector, control environment and business performance including the company's remuneration policies, bonus levels and performance targets;
Results of the enquiries of management about their own identification and assessment of the risks of irregularities;
Any matters we have identified having obtained and reviewed the company's documentation of their policies and procedures relating to:
identifying, evaluating and complying with laws and regulations and whether they were aware of any instances of noncompliance;
detecting and responding to the risks of fraud and whether they have knowledge of any actual, suspected or alleged fraud;
the internal controls established to mitigate risks of fraud or non-compliance with laws and regulations;
the matters discussed among the audit engagement team regarding how and where fraud might occur in the financial statements and any potential indicators of fraud.
As a result of these procedures, we considered the opportunities and incentives that may exist within the organisation for fraud and identified the greatest potential for fraud is the timing of recognition of income and going concern. In common with all audits under ISAs (UK), we are also required to perform specific procedures to respond to the risk of management override.
NORTH WEST COFFEE LTD
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT
TO THE MEMBERS OF NORTH WEST COFFEE LTD (CONTINUED)
- 7 -
We also obtained an understanding of the legal and regulatory frameworks that the company operates in, 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 key laws and regulations we considered in this context included UK Companies Act, environmental laws, employment law, health and safety, pensions legislation and tax legislation.
In addition, we considered provisions of other laws and regulations that do not have a direct effect on the financial statements but compliance with which may be fundamental to the company's ability to operate or to avoid a material penalty.
Audit response to risks identified
Our procedures to respond to risks identified included the following:
reviewing the financial statement disclosures and testing to supporting documentation to assess compliance with provisions of relevant laws and regulations described as having a direct effect on the financial statements;
enquiring of management concerning actual and potential litigation and claims;
performing analytical procedures to identify any unusual or unexpected relationships that may indicate risks of material misstatement due to fraud;
reading minutes of meetings of those charged with governance and reviewing correspondence with HMRC; and
in addressing the risk of fraud through management override of controls, testing the appropriateness of journal entries and other adjustments; assessing whether the judgements made in making accounting estimates are indicative of a potential bias; and evaluating the business rationale of any significant transactions that are unusual or outside the normal course of business.
We also communicated relevant identified laws and regulations and potential fraud risks to all engagement team members remained alert to any indications of fraud or non-compliance with laws and regulations throughout the audit.
No instances of material non-compliance were identified. However, the likelihood of detecting irregularities, including fraud, is limited by the inherent difficulty in detecting irregularities, the effectiveness of the entity's controls, and the nature, timing and extent of the audit procedures performed. Irregularities that result from fraud might be inherently more difficult to detect than irregularities that result from error. As explained above, there is an unavoidable risk that material misstatements may not be detected, even though the audit has been planned and performed in accordance with ISAs (UK).
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.
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.
Michael Garrett BA FCA ATII (Senior Statutory Auditor)
For and on behalf of Xeinadin Audit Limited, Statutory Auditor
100 Barbirolli Square
Manchester
Greater Manchester
M2 3BD
United Kingdom
26 September 2025
NORTH WEST COFFEE LTD
PROFIT AND LOSS ACCOUNT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
- 8 -
2024
2023
Notes
£
£
Turnover
3
15,200,674
15,530,137
Cost of sales
(5,394,340)
(5,922,648)
Gross profit
9,806,334
9,607,489
Administrative expenses
(9,690,060)
(9,900,965)
Other operating income
38,187
Operating profit/(loss)
4
116,274
(255,289)
Interest receivable and similar income
6
2,930
Interest payable and similar expenses
7
(219,582)
(243,217)
Loss before taxation
(100,378)
(498,506)
Tax on loss
8
23,780
(51,489)
Loss for the financial year
(76,598)
(549,995)
The profit and loss account has been prepared on the basis that all operations are continuing operations.
NORTH WEST COFFEE LTD
BALANCE SHEET
AS AT
31 DECEMBER 2024
31 December 2024
- 9 -
2024
2023
Notes
£
£
£
£
Fixed assets
Intangible assets
9
39,925
52,882
Tangible assets
10
2,320,939
2,592,211
Investments
11
8
9
2,360,872
2,645,102
Current assets
Stocks
13
81,688
87,731
Debtors
14
1,058,339
1,197,491
Cash at bank and in hand
481,413
695,928
1,621,440
1,981,150
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
15
(5,141,463)
(3,593,900)
Net current liabilities
(3,520,023)
(1,612,750)
Total assets less current liabilities
(1,159,151)
1,032,352
Creditors: amounts falling due after more than one year
16
(7,905)
(2,082,085)
Provisions for liabilities
Deferred tax liability
18
464,737
505,462
(464,737)
(505,462)
Net liabilities
(1,631,793)
(1,555,195)
Capital and reserves
Called up share capital
20
106
106
Other reserves
60,200
60,200
Profit and loss reserves
(1,692,099)
(1,615,501)
Total equity
(1,631,793)
(1,555,195)
These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions relating to medium-sized companies.
The financial statements were approved by the board of directors and authorised for issue on 26 September 2025 and are signed on its behalf by:
Mr S M Vardy
Director
Company registration number 06725389 (England and Wales)
NORTH WEST COFFEE LTD
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
- 10 -
Share capital
Merger reserves
Profit and loss reserves
Total
£
£
£
£
Balance at 1 January 2023
106
-
(1,065,506)
(1,065,400)
Year ended 31 December 2023:
Loss and total comprehensive income
-
-
(549,995)
(549,995)
Other movements
-
60,200
-
60,200
Balance at 31 December 2023
106
60,200
(1,615,501)
(1,555,195)
Year ended 31 December 2024:
Loss and total comprehensive income
-
-
(76,598)
(76,598)
Balance at 31 December 2024
106
60,200
(1,692,099)
(1,631,793)
NORTH WEST COFFEE LTD
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
- 11 -
1
Accounting policies
Company information
North West Coffee Limited is a private company limited by shares, registered in England and Wales, registration number 6725389. The registered office is 2nd Floor Suite B, Garden Place 4 - 12 Victoria Street, Altrincham, Cheshire, WA14 1ET. The principal place of business is various stores across the North West of England.
1.1
Accounting convention
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 have been prepared using the merger accounting method in accordance with FRS 102. This treatment has been applied to reflect the group reconstruction which resulted in the transfer of the trade and assets from another group company, as there has been no change in ultimate ownership or control.
Comparative figures have been presented on a consistent basis with the current period and reflect the results of the continuing trade, which was previously carried on in another group company. Although the legal entity was different, the trade, operations, and ownership remained unchanged.
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:
The financial statements of the company are consolidated in the financial statements of Sim Trava Group Limited. These consolidated financial statements are available from its registered office (4 - 12 Victoria Street, Altrincham, Cheshire, WA14 1ET).
Related party exemption
The company has taken advantage of exemption, under the terms of Financial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland', not to disclose related party transactions with wholly owned subsidiaries within the group.
NORTH WEST COFFEE LTD
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
1
Accounting policies
(Continued)
- 12 -
1.2
Going concern
The company is a member of the Sim Trava Group which operates a network of 48 Costa Coffee franchises in the North West. There is an associated company, Sim Trava (North East) Limited operating a network of 9 Costa Coffee franchises in the North East. Funding for all of the Group and associated company are provided through a central facility with the company’s bankers. During the year, the Sim Trava Group, has made a pre-tax loss of £264k (2023 - £821k) after charging depreciation and amortisation of £1,712k (2023 - £1,852k) resulting in an increase to the Group’s deficit on shareholders’ funds to £3,911k (2023 - £3,138k). Notwithstanding these accumulated losses, the Directors consider that it is appropriate to prepare the financial statements on a going concern basis taking into account the following matters :true
The accounts reflect a period of continuing development following the completion of the acquisition of 17 stores from Costa in 2022.
In July 2025, the Group completed an acquisition which included a further 21 stores. In addition to this, there have been 2 further stores opened taking the total number of stores across the Sim Trava Group and its associated company to 80.
The Directors have established an infrastructure to support the growth of the Group without significant requirement to increase the central administrative overhead despite the increased number of stores. The average central overhead per store will therefore reduce providing greater overall profitability.
In July 2025, in support of this growth, the Group’s bankers agreed a new overall loan facility of £16.9m to consolidate the existing loans including £7.4m towards acquisitions and new store openings. The loans are amortised over an extended period of 10 years thereby reducing the cash flow burden on the business.
The Group have made all loan repayments in accordance with the terms of the loan agreements.
The Directors maintain rolling cash flow forecasts taking account of these facilities and based on the current portfolio of Costa Coffee stores.
Based on these discussions, the Directors have updated their forecasts covering the period to 31st December 2026. On the basis of these forecasts, they consider that the Group can continue to operate within the facilities agreed with the bank and it is therefore appropriate to prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis. The financial statements do not include any adjustments that would result from the basis of preparation being inappropriate.
1.3
Turnover
Turnover represents amounts recognised by the company in respect of goods and services supplied, exclusive of value added tax and trade discounts.
Turnover principally consists of the sale of food and beverages related to the Costa Coffee franchise. These are recognised at the point of which the goods and services are provided.
1.4
Intangible fixed assets other than goodwill
Intangible assets are initially measured at cost. After initial recognition, intangible assets are measured at cost less any accumulated amortisation and any accumulated impairment loss.
Amortisation is calculated so as to write off the cost of an asset, less its estimated residual value, over the useful life of that asset as follows:
Franchise fees
10% - 20% straight line
NORTH WEST COFFEE LTD
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
1
Accounting policies
(Continued)
- 13 -
1.5
Tangible fixed assets
Tangible fixed assets are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and accumulated impairment losses.
Depreciation on tangible fixed assets are charged to the profit and loss so as to write off their value, over their estimated useful lives, using the following methods:
Leasehold improvements
10% straight line
Plant and equipment
20% - 33% straight line
Fixtures and fittings
10% - 20% straight line
At each reporting date, the Group reviews the carrying amounts of its tangible fixed assets to determine whether there is any indication that any items have suffered an impairment loss. If any such indication exists, the recoverable amount of an asset is estimated in order to determine the extent of the impairment loss. Where it is not possible to estimate the recoverable amount of the asset, the Group estimates the recoverable amount of the cash-generating unit to which the asset belongs.
If the recoverable amount of an asset is estimated to be less than its carrying amount, the carrying amount of the asset reduced to its recoverable amount. Impairment loss is recognised as an expense immediately.
1.6
Fixed asset investments
Interests in subsidiaries are initially measured at transaction price excluding transaction costs, and are subsequently measured at fair value at each reporting date. Transaction costs are expensed to profit or loss as incurred. Changes in fair value are recognised in other comprehensive income except to the extent that a gain reverses a loss previously recognised in profit or loss, or a loss exceeds the accumulated gains recognised in equity; such gains and loss are recognised 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.
1.7
Stocks
Stocks are measured at the lower of cost and estimated selling price less costs to complete and sell. Cost includes all costs of purchase, costs of conversion and other costs incurred in bringing the stock to its 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.
1.8
Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash at bank and in hand.
1.9
Financial instruments
Other financial assets
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.
NORTH WEST COFFEE LTD
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
1
Accounting policies
(Continued)
- 14 -
Impairment of financial assets
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.
Derecognition of financial assets
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.
Other financial liabilities
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.
Derecognition of financial liabilities
Financial liabilities are derecognised when the company’s contractual obligations expire or are discharged or cancelled.
1.10
Taxation
The tax expense represents the sum of the tax currently payable and deferred tax.
Current tax
Taxation for the period comprises current and deferred tax. Tax is recognised in the profit and loss account, except to the extent that it relates to items recognised in other comprehensive income or directly in equity.
Current or deferred taxation assets and liabilities are not discounted.
Current tax is recognised at the amount of tax payable using the tax rates and laws that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the balance sheet date.
NORTH WEST COFFEE LTD
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
1
Accounting policies
(Continued)
- 15 -
Deferred tax
Deferred tax is recognised in respect of all timing differences that have originated but not reversed at the balance sheet date.
Timing differences arise from the inclusion of income and expenses in tax assessments in periods different from those in which they are recognised in financial statements. Deferred tax is measured using tax rates and laws that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the period end and that are expected to apply to the reversal of the timing difference.
Unrelieved tax losses and other deferred tax assets are recognised only to the extent that it is probable that they will be recovered against the reversal of deferred tax liabilities or other future taxable profits.
1.11
Employee benefits
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.
1.12
Retirement benefits
Contributions to defined contribution plans are recognised as an expense in the period in which the related service is provided. Prepaid contributions are recognised as an asset to the extent that the prepayment will lead to a reduction in future payments or a cash refund.
1.13
Leases
Operating lease payments are recognised as an expense on a straight-line basis over the lease term, except where another systematic basis is more representative of the time pattern in which economic benefits from the leased asset are consumed. Contingent rentals arising under operating leases are recognised as an expense in the period in which they are incurred.
1.14
Trade and other debtors are initially recognised at fair value and thereafter stated at amortised cost using the effective interest method, less impairment losses for bad and doubtful debts except where the effect of discounting would be immaterial. In such cases, the trade debtors and other debtors are stated at cost less impairment losses for bad and doubtful debts.
1.15
Trade and other creditors
Trade and other creditors are initially recognised at fair value and thereafter stated at amortised cost using the effective interest method unless the effect of discounting would be immaterial, in which case they are stated at cost.
NORTH WEST COFFEE LTD
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
- 16 -
2
Judgements and key sources of estimation uncertainty
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.
Critical judgements
The preparation of the financial statements requires management to make judgements, estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported. These estimations and judgements are continually reviewed and are based on experience and other factors, including expectations of future events that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances.
The judgements (apart from those involving estimations) that management has made in the process of applying the entity's accounting policies and that have the most significant effect on the amounts recognised in the financial statements are as follows:
Tangible fixed assets
The directors assess the useful lives of tangible fixed assets. Expenditure on property improvements and associated fixtures as part of an initial store opening have an useful estimated life of ten years in line with the length of the lease. Plant and equipment is depreciated over five years. Whilst a refurbishment of each store is required after five years, it is not known at the outset what items will be although typically this is mainly plant and equipment. Any assets which are purchased as part of a refurbishment and then are depreciated over a useful life of five years which is the length of time remaining on the lease at the refurbishment date. The directors are able to make an assessment of the value of old or existing store items replaced as part of a refurbishment using their day to day involvement and knowledge of the business
Key sources of estimation uncertainty
Accounting estimates and assumptions are made concerning the future, and by their nature, will rarely equal the related actual outcome. The key assumptions and other sources of estimation uncertainty that have a significant risk of causing material adjustment to the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities within the next financial year are as follows:
Accruals for lease incentives
Incentives given at the point of signing a lease are accounted for and released over the lease term.
3
Turnover and other revenue
2024
2023
£
£
Other revenue
Interest income
2,930
-
NORTH WEST COFFEE LTD
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
- 17 -
4
Operating profit/(loss)
2024
2023
Operating profit/(loss) for the year is stated after charging:
£
£
Fees payable to the company's auditor for the audit of the company's financial statements
15,750
13,100
Depreciation of owned tangible fixed assets
617,132
654,854
Loss on disposal of tangible fixed assets
33,230
17,850
Amortisation of intangible assets
15,957
18,764
Operating lease charges
1,179,744
1,356,352
5
Employees
The average monthly number of persons (including directors) employed by the company during the year was:
2024
2023
Number
Number
249
277
Their aggregate remuneration comprised:
2024
2023
£
£
Wages and salaries
4,312,050
4,159,185
Social security costs
254,727
236,810
Pension costs
62,806
59,533
4,629,583
4,455,528
6
Interest receivable and similar income
2024
2023
£
£
Interest income
Interest receivable from group companies
2,930
7
Interest payable and similar expenses
2024
2023
£
£
Interest on bank overdrafts and loans
594
-
Interest payable to group undertakings
218,988
243,217
219,582
243,217
NORTH WEST COFFEE LTD
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
- 18 -
8
Taxation
2024
2023
£
£
Current tax
UK corporation tax on profits for the current period
16,945
51,489
Deferred tax
Origination and reversal of timing differences
(40,725)
Total tax (credit)/charge
(23,780)
51,489
The actual (credit)/charge for the year can be reconciled to the expected credit for the year based on the profit or loss and the standard rate of tax as follows:
2024
2023
£
£
Loss before taxation
(100,378)
(498,506)
Expected tax credit based on the standard rate of corporation tax in the UK of 25.00% (2023: 23.50%)
(25,095)
(117,149)
Tax effect of expenses that are not deductible in determining taxable profit
(5,648)
Tax effect of utilisation of tax losses not previously recognised
(2,205)
Change in unrecognised deferred tax assets
(40,725)
51,489
Adjustments in respect of prior years
1,566
Group relief
94,740
Capital allowances
42,679
25,983
2,074
Taxation (credit)/charge for the year
(23,780)
51,489
NORTH WEST COFFEE LTD
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
- 19 -
9
Intangible fixed assets
Franchise fees
£
Cost
At 1 January 2024
271,151
Additions
3,000
At 31 December 2024
274,151
Amortisation and impairment
At 1 January 2024
218,269
Amortisation charged for the year
15,957
At 31 December 2024
234,226
Carrying amount
At 31 December 2024
39,925
At 31 December 2023
52,882
10
Tangible fixed assets
Leasehold improvements
Plant and equipment
Fixtures and fittings
Total
£
£
£
£
Cost
At 1 January 2024
3,820,101
2,160,531
2,416,460
8,397,092
Additions
267,081
113,010
380,091
Disposals
(126,663)
(9,376)
(84,818)
(220,857)
At 31 December 2024
3,960,519
2,264,165
2,331,642
8,556,326
Depreciation and impairment
At 1 January 2024
2,525,182
1,625,975
1,653,724
5,804,881
Depreciation charged in the year
263,819
197,602
155,711
617,132
Eliminated in respect of disposals
(108,831)
(8,673)
(69,122)
(186,626)
At 31 December 2024
2,680,170
1,814,904
1,740,313
6,235,387
Carrying amount
At 31 December 2024
1,280,349
449,261
591,329
2,320,939
At 31 December 2023
1,294,919
534,556
762,736
2,592,211
NORTH WEST COFFEE LTD
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
- 20 -
11
Fixed asset investments
2024
2023
Notes
£
£
Investments in subsidiaries
12
8
9
Movements in fixed asset investments
Shares in subsidiaries
£
Cost or valuation
At 1 January 2024
9
Disposals
(1)
At 31 December 2024
8
Carrying amount
At 31 December 2024
8
At 31 December 2023
9
12
Subsidiaries
Details of the company's subsidiaries at 31 December 2024 are as follows:
Name of undertaking
Registered office
Class of
% Held
shares held
Direct
Sim Trava Limited
2nd Floor Suite B, Garden Place 4
- 12 Victoria Street, Altrincham, Cheshire, WA14 1ET
Ordinary
100.00
Sim Trava Coffee Limited
2nd Floor Suite B, Garden Place 4
- 12 Victoria Street, Altrincham, Cheshire, WA14 1ET
Ordinary
100.00
Sim Trava (North West) Limited
2nd Floor Suite B, Garden Place 4
- 12 Victoria Street, Altrincham, Cheshire, WA14 1ET
Ordinary
100.00
13
Stocks
2024
2023
£
£
Finished goods and goods for resale
81,688
87,731
NORTH WEST COFFEE LTD
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
- 21 -
14
Debtors
2024
2023
Amounts falling due within one year:
£
£
Trade debtors
16,700
42,753
Corporation tax recoverable
68,488
Amounts owed by group undertakings
16,010
Amounts owed by companies under common control
53,898
Other debtors
757,580
768,628
Prepayments and accrued income
230,161
301,612
1,058,339
1,197,491
15
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
2024
2023
Notes
£
£
Bank loans
17
10,311
13,644
Trade creditors
1,214,995
1,279,236
Amounts owed to group undertakings
2,560,310
1,183,073
Amounts owed to companies under common control
6,500
49,742
Corporation tax
15,379
Other taxation and social security
430,492
422,372
Other creditors
19,596
Accruals and deferred income
903,476
626,237
5,141,463
3,593,900
16
Creditors: amounts falling due after more than one year
2024
2023
Notes
£
£
Bank loans and overdrafts
17
7,905
18,213
Amounts owed to group undertakings
1,750,000
Accruals and deferred income
313,872
7,905
2,082,085
17
Loans and overdrafts
2024
2023
£
£
Bank loans
18,216
31,857
Payable within one year
10,311
13,644
Payable after one year
7,905
18,213
NORTH WEST COFFEE LTD
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
- 22 -
18
Deferred taxation
The following are the major deferred tax liabilities and assets recognised by the company and movements thereon:
Liabilities
Liabilities
2024
2023
Balances:
£
£
Accelerated capital allowances
464,737
505,462
2024
Movements in the year:
£
Liability at 1 January 2024
505,462
Credit to profit or loss
(40,725)
Liability at 31 December 2024
464,737
19
Retirement benefit schemes
2024
2023
Defined contribution schemes
£
£
Charge to profit or loss in respect of defined contribution schemes
62,806
59,533
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.
20
Share capital
2024
2023
2024
2023
Ordinary share capital
Number
Number
£
£
Issued and fully paid
Ordinary shares of £1 each
106
106
106
106
21
Financial commitments, guarantees and contingent liabilities
The company is subject to an unlimited composite guarantee with its bankers. The guarantee secures the liabilities of Sim Trava Group Limited, Sim Trava Holdings Limited, Sim Trava Property Limited, Sim Trava Property Holdings Limited, Sim Trava Central Services Limited, Tilly's Coffee Limited, North West Coffee Limited, Sim Trava Limited, Sim Trava Coffee Limited, Sim Trava (North West) Limited and Sim Trava (North East) Limited. At 31 December 2024 the total amount of liabilities was £9,028,864 (2023 - £9,721,971).
NORTH WEST COFFEE LTD
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
- 23 -
22
Operating lease commitments
As lessee
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:
2024
2023
£
£
Within 1 year
1,055,935
1,154,603
Years 2-5
2,503,122
2,785,981
After 5 years
396,563
537,604
3,955,620
4,478,188
23
Events after the reporting date
On 17th July 2025, the Group completed the acquisition of 21 stores from the QFM Group. In addition to this, there have been 2 further stores opened taking the total number of stores across the Sim Trava Group and its associated company to 80.
In July 2025, in support of this growth, the Group’s bankers agreed a new overall loan facility of £16.9m to consolidate the existing loans including a further £7.4m towards acquisitions and new store openings. The loans are amortised over 10 years.
24
Directors' transactions
Included in debtors is an amount owed from a director, Mr S Vardy amounting to £522,082 (2023: £522,082). This balance relates to an interest free loan, repayable on demand.
25
Ultimate parent company
The ultimate controlling parties are Mr SM and Mrs TA Vardy, the directors of the ultimate parent company, Sim Trava Group Limited, by virtue of their controlling interest in that company.
The parent company of the largest and smallest group that includes the company and for which group financial statements are prepared is Sim Trava Group Limited. Copies of Sim Trava Group Limited financial statements can be obtained from the registered office at 2nd Floor, Suite B, Garden Place, 4-12 Victoria Street, Altrincham, WA14 1ET.
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