The director presents the strategic report for the year ended 31 December 2024.

The principal activity of the group during the period was growing berries for sale to retail customers, providing packing services, importing fruit for retail programmes and services in relation to fruit sales for other UK growers who require customer representation. This has created a vertically integrated supply chain for our customers and grower partners and enables the group to supply berries 52 weeks of the year to the UK retailers.

The group has been able to continue to grow its turnover with the 2024 accounts reporting a 23.3% increase to £175.4m (2023: £142.2m). Whilst the global economic factors that have impacted previous years have remained, the business has seen a slight increase in market conditions which, combined with a focus on efficiency, have seen the business achieve a profit before tax of £3.52m (2023: £3.19m). The British agricultural industry has continued to face intense pressure, with rising input costs compounded with challenging returns on goods produced, however the outlook moving forward shows potential for improved performance.

Sales prices for the following year have already started to increase and with a careful review of our costs and supply chain, the group is forecasting an improved performance next year. In spite of the challenging circumstances, the group has strengthened its customer focus upon service levels and reliability and also extended the UK growing season in line with our strategy to increase market share by collaboration – “growers working with growers”.

Operational risk

The growing of fruit is subject to the effect of weather and the availability of picking and packing staff. In an attempt to control these risks, growing occurs in a controlled glasshouse or a polytunnel environment. This risk is also mitigated by the group being able to grow and import fruit from numerous countries. This means that it has the resources to meet demand when weather impacts a certain region by procuring produce from elsewhere.

Furthermore, the group uses resources of very experienced technical and commercial people and has spread its production across multiple sites to minimise risk. The group’s family ethos produces excellent staff relationships, which in turn ensures that we are likely to suffer less than most farms within the current labour market shortages.

The group continues to successfully satisfy its customer requirements. The group manages the supply of its contracted UK production to closely match demand. During the year, the group has continued to invest in new plantings, research and development in both varieties and growing techniques. The group strategy to reinvest cash generated continues with all investments being thoroughly analysed before commitments are made to ensure an acceptable return on capital is achieved and that these investments are aligned to our customers' long-term requirements. The group continues to maintain good trading relationships with high quality overseas growers.

Financial key performance indicators

Financial KPIs include sales, gross margin, operating expenses, cash flow and EBITDA.

The above financial KPIs were in line with the expectations of the directors, with further improvement expected in the future.

Other key performance indicators

Non-financial KPIs include service levels, market share, employee return rates and carbon emissions.

Service levels, given the nature of the product, were considered to have remained at an appropriate level.

Under the Companies Act 2006 (CA 2006), directors have seven general duties to the company. One of these duties, commonly referred to as the ‘s172 duty’, is ‘to promote the success of the company’. Part 1 of that duty requires directors to do so ‘for the benefit of its members as a whole’, and in doing so, to have regard to the following six factors:

• the likely consequences of any decisions in the long term;

• the interests of the company’s employees;

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

• the impact of the company’s operations on the community and the environment;

• the reputation for a high standard of business conduct; and

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

The director reviews the performance of the business based upon both financial and non-financial KPIs on a regular basis, while forecasting into the future to aid business decisions. The director is constantly looking out for new business opportunities and assessing where improvements can be make in order to continue to meet customer expectations. Any potential decisions are thoroughly analysed in terms of both financial and other factors in order to assess viability in both the short and long term.

The group has over 1,500 staff during peak season and all employees are regularly consulted, in order to discuss matters of concern along with views on the group’s performance. There is two-way communication with employees via regular forums with senior management along with business updates provided in our company newsletter, sharing relevant information including health and safety, financial information and economic factors impacting group performance. Temporary accommodation is made available to seasonal workers with facilities such as communal areas, to facilitate a healthy working environment. Collective transport is provided for staff both between sites and to local amenities.

The group provides career development and training opportunities for all staff.

The director and other key management personnel regularly meet with both customers and key suppliers to ensure that strong relationships can be maintained and that the required levels of service are being met on both sides.

The group aims to ensure that the impact of its operations on the environment are reduced and strives to ensure that it implements sustainable farming practices. The group has invested in solar panels at its sites as it looks obtain more energy from renewable sources.

The current WB Chambers business was established over 70 years, with the current owner being the third generation of the family to run the farm. The director believes that the business has grown over this period, due to the high standards held in conducting business and there is a continuing desire to maintain and improve upon these standards.

On behalf of the board

The director presents his annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2024.

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

Ordinary dividends were paid amounting to £84,000. The director does not recommend payment of a further dividend.

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

The group produces regular cash flow forecasts to ensure both short-term and long-term financing is fully appropriate to the objectives of the group.

Over 90% of fruit sales are to leading UK supermarkets, either directly or via the marketing organisation Asplins. Therefore, the credit risk is considered to be minimised.

The group carries out research and development, which includes variety development, growing techniques and packing technology, in order to ensure our supply meets demand in an operation that is both environmentally friendly and sustainable.

The group is an equal opportunity employer, and its policy is to give full and fair consideration to applications for employment made by disabled persons, having regard to their aptitudes and abilities. We value integrity and respect to ensure focus on our drive to provide equality, diversity, and inclusion with our most valuable asset, our employees.

The group does not discriminate on the grounds of sex, sexual orientation, religion or belief, marital or civil partnership status, race or ethnic origin, colour, nationality, disability or age.

Under the Companies Act 2006 s.416(4), details are provided within the strategic report.

The directors and other key management personnel regularly meet with both customers and key suppliers to ensure that strong relationships can be maintained and that the required levels of service are being met on both sides.

There have been no significant events affecting the group since the year end.

The group intends to continue to expand upon its collaboration with other growers both in the UK and abroad. The group also continues to work on creating overseas production sites, whilst improving facilities at its current farming locations. This will enable the group to continue to meet customer expectations in providing high quality fruit year-round as well as continuing to increase market share.

The methodology used for this report was the Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Protocol Corporate Standard; and reporting follows the mandatory requirements of HM Government Environmental Reporting Guidelines including Streamlined Energy and Carbon Reporting guidance, March 2019.

All emissions were calculated using the DEFRA emissions factors for the corresponding year.

The Greenhouse Gas intensity of our operations for the year was 16.17tCO2e/£million of turnover.

Calculated as: (gas + transport + electricity emissions) / £ million of turnover.

Major investments in on-site solar that have contributed significantly to reducing electricity demand from the grid, producing over 4 million kWh.

A complete Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions inventory is compiled annually in line with the GHG Protocol to track our progress in managing GHG emissions.

Revision of the application of UK Government Conversion Factors has marginally altered the reported kWh for gas combustion compared with 2023.

Fuel consumed for transport shows a small change following the adoption of distinct conversion factors for White Diesel and Gas Oil used in farm vehicles.

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 director is responsible for preparing the Annual Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and regulations.

Company law requires the director to prepare financial statements for each financial year. Under that law the director has 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 director must not approve the financial statements unless he is 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 director is 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 director is 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. He is 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 W B C F Holdings Limited (the 'parent company') and its subsidiaries (the 'group') for the year ended 31 December 2024 which comprise the group profit and loss account, the group statement of comprehensive income, the group balance sheet, the company balance sheet, the group statement of changes in equity, the company statement of changes in equity, the group statement of cash flows, the company statement of cash flows and notes to the financial statements, including significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including Financial Reporting Standard 102 The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

In our opinion the financial statements:

• give a true and fair view of the state of the group's and the parent company's affairs as at 31 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 director's use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate.

Based on the work we have performed, we have not identified any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the 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 director 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 director is 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 director's report for the financial year for which the financial statements are prepared is consistent with the financial statements; and

• The strategic report and the director's 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 director's 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 director's responsibilities statement, the director is 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 director determines 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 director is 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 director either intends to liquidate the parent company or to cease operations, or has 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.

The objectives of our audit include: to identify and assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements due to fraud or error; to obtain sufficient appropriate audit evidence regarding the assessed risks of material misstatement due to fraud or error; and to respond appropriately to those risks. Owing to the inherent limitations of an audit, there is an unavoidable risk that material misstatements in the financial statements may not be detected, even though the audit is properly planned and performed in accordance with the ISAs (UK).

In identifying and assessing risks of material misstatement in respect of irregularities, including fraud and non-compliance with laws and regulations, our procedures included the following:

• We obtained an understanding of the legal and regulatory frameworks applicable to the group, the parent company and the sector in which they operate. We determined that the following laws and regulations were most significant: Companies Act 2006, UK corporate tax laws, health and safety laws and food hygiene regulations.

• We obtained an understanding of how the group and parent company is complying with those legal and regulatory frameworks by making enquiries of management of the company. We corroborated our enquiries through our review of legal fees, associated papers and regulator correspondence, along with consideration of the results of our audit procedures for the group.

• We assessed the susceptibility of the group's and parent company's financial statements to material misstatement, including how fraud might occur. Audit procedures performed by the engagement team included:

  • Identifying and assessing the design-effectiveness of controls management has in place to prevent and detect fraud;

  • Understanding how those charged with governance considered and addressed the potential override of controls or other inappropriate influence over the financial reporting process;

  • Challenging assumptions and judgements made by management in its significant accounting estimates;

  • Identifying and testing journal entries, in particular any journal entries posted outside of the financial team; and

  • Assessing the extent of compliance with the relevant laws and regulations.

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 notes on pages 18 to 37 form part of these financial statements.

The notes on pages 18 to 37 form part of these financial statements.

The notes on pages 18 to 37 form part of these financial statements.

The notes on pages 18 to 37 form part of these financial statements.

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 £497,906 (2023 - £640,906 profit).

The notes on pages 18 to 37 form part of these financial statements.

The notes on pages 18 to 37 form part of these financial statements.

The notes on pages 18 to 37 form part of these financial statements.

The notes on pages 18 to 37 form part of these financial statements.

W B C F Holdings Limited (“the company”) is a private limited company domiciled and incorporated in England and Wales. The registered office is Oakdene Farm, Maidstone Road, Sutton Valance, Maidstone, Kent, ME17 3LS.

The group consists of W B C F Holdings 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. The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below.

The consolidated financial statements present the results of the company and its own subsidiaries as if they form a single entity. Intercompany transactions and balances between group companies are therefore eliminated in full.

Under the principles of merger accounting, the assets and liabilities of the subsidiaries are consolidated in the financial statements of the parent using the existing book values Therefore, the group has been treated as if it has always existed.

The consolidated group financial statements consist of the financial statements of the parent company W B C F Holdings 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 director has a reasonable expectation that the group has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus the director continues to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements.

Revenue is recognised to the extent that it is probable that the economic benefits will flow to the group and the revenue can be reliably measured. Revenue is measured as the fair value of the consideration received or receivable, excluding discounts, rebates, value added tax and other sales taxes. The following criteria must also be met before revenue is recognised:

Sale of goods (fruit sales)

Revenue from the sale of goods is recognised when all of the following conditions are satisfied:

• the group has transferred the significant risks and rewards of ownership to the buyer;

• the group retains neither continuing managerial involvement to the degree usually associated with ownership nor effective control over the goods sold;

• the amount of revenue can be measured reliably;

• it is probable that the group will receive the consideration due under the transaction; and

• the costs incurred or to be incurred in respect of the transaction can be measured reliably.

Rendering of services (packing and transportation services)

Revenue from a contract to provide services is recognised in the period in which the services are provided in accordance with the stage of completion of the contract when all of the following conditions are satisfied:

• the amount of revenue can be measured reliably;

• it is probable that the group will receive the consideration due under the contract;

• the stage of completion of the contract at the end of the reporting period can be measured reliably; and

• the costs incurred and the costs to complete the contract can be measured reliably.

Where goods have been sold to unrelated third parties outside the group and then sold back to the group, both the purchases and sales have been recognised by the entity.

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:

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

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

In the parent company financial statements, investments in subsidiaries 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 unlisted group shares, whose market value can be reliably determined, are remeasured to market value at each balance sheet date. Gains and losses on remeasurement are recognised in the consolidated profit and loss account for the period. Where market value cannot be reliably determined, such investments are stated at historic 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.

Stocks held for distribution at no or nominal consideration are measured at the lower of cost and replacement cost, adjusted where applicable for any loss of service potential.

The cost of plants is spread over the cropping life of the plants.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

Foreign exchange gains and losses that relate to borrowings and cash and cash equivalents are presented in the consolidated profit and loss account within 'finance income or costs'. All other foreign exchange gains and losses are presented in profit or loss within 'other operating income'.

On consolidation, the results of overseas operations are translated into Sterling at rates approximating to those ruling when the transactions took place. All assets and liabilities of overseas operations are translated at the rate ruling at the reporting date. Exchange differences arising on translating the opening net assets at opening rate and the results of overseas operations at actual rate are recognised in other comprehensive income.

Finance costs

Finance costs are charged to profit or loss over the term of the debt using the effective interest method so that the amount charged is at a constant rate on the carrying amount. Issue costs are initially recognised as a reduction in the proceeds of the associated capital instrument.

Exceptional items

Exceptional items are transactions that fall within the ordinary activities of the group but are presented separately due to their size or incidence.

Dividends

Equity dividends are recognised when they become legally payable. Interim equity dividends are recognised when paid. Final equity dividends are recognised when approved by the shareholders at an annual general meeting.

In the application of the group’s accounting policies, the director is 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.

Tangible fixed assets are held at their cost less accumulated depreciation and impairment. Depreciation rates used are based upon the estimates of useful economic lives of assets made by management. The rates applied are set out within the accounting policies.

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

Their aggregate remuneration comprised:

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:

A change to the main UK Corporation Tax rate was substantively enacted for UK GAAP purposes on 24 May 2021. From 1 April 2023, the rate applicable to companies with taxable profits above £250,000 will be 25%. The rate applicable for companies with taxable profits below £50,000 will continue to be 19%, with marginal rate relief applying between these thresholds.

The directors are not aware of any factors which will impact future tax rates.

The net carrying value of tangible fixed assets includes the following in respect of assets held under finance leases or hire purchase contracts.

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

Bank loans and overdrafts are secured by legal charges over designated areas of land owned by the group as well as a floating charge over the undertakings of the group. Hire purchase liabilities are secured against the asset to which they relate.

The group makes use of invoice discounting arrangements which are secured by way of a fixed and floating charge over the relevant trade debtors.

The loans are held over a range of terms, with the last being repayable in 2035. Interest rates are a combination of 2% per annum over base rate and 3.39% and 6.12% per annum fixed.

Options to purchase are held on the assets under finance leases.

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

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

All shares have attached to them full voting, dividend and capital distribution (including on winding up) rights. They do not confer any rights of redemption.

Under merger accounting, the carrying values of the assets and liabilities of the parties to the combination are not adjusted to fair value on consolidation. The merger reserve is the difference between the consideration and the book value of the net assets acquired.

There is a cross guarantee for the loans held within the group over all the group entities.

A personal guarantee has been provided by the director and the other partners in a partnership of which they are a partner.

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

The remuneration of key management personnel is as follows.

During the year, the group provided goods and services of £2,810,139 (2023 - £933,478) to entities under common control. The group purchased goods of £1,330,324 (2023 - £894,231) from entities under common control. The group made payments on behalf of entities under common control of £54,133 (2023 - £56,133). The company has a agency agreement with an entity under common control which resulted in income of £1,680,542 and costs of £1,663,903. At the year end, £2,941,534 (2023 - £1,931,084) was owed by entities under common control and included in other debtors. Also at the year end, £146,034 (2023 - £14,786) was owed to entities under common control and included in other creditors. These amounts are unsecured, repayable upon demand and no guarantees have been received or provided.

The ultimate controlling party is T Chambers.