REGISTERED NUMBER: 01602315 (England and Wales)

STRATEGIC REPORT, REPORT OF THE DIRECTORS AND

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

FOR

HAWTHORN THEATRICAL LIMITED

Page

Company Information

1

Strategic Report

2

to

3

Report of the Directors

4

to

5

Report of the Independent Auditors

6

to

8

Statement of Comprehensive Income

9

Statement of Financial Position

10

Statement of Changes in Equity

11

Statement of Cash Flows

12

Notes to the Statement of Cash Flows

13

Notes to the Financial Statements

14

to

23

DIRECTORS:

Mr M Hawthorn

Mr B E Erwin

Ms S Divkovic

Mr S K Bangar

REGISTERED OFFICE:

Union Business Park

Florence Way

Uxbridge

Middlesex

UB8 2LS

REGISTERED NUMBER:

01602315 (England and Wales)

AUDITORS:

Seymour Taylor Limited, Statutory Auditor

First Floor North

40 Oxford Road

High Wycombe

Buckinghamshire

HP11 2EE

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

REVIEW OF BUSINESS

The company's key financial and performance indicators during the period was as follows:

Year ended

Year ended

% Change

31.12.24

31.12.23

£'000

£'000

Turnover

18,021

18,154

-0.7%

Profit/(Loss) before taxation

(836

)

927

Shareholders' funds

13,614

14,187

-3%

During the year the company continued to provide the hire of audio visual equipment and services to customers in a number of different business sectors as well as overseas. 2024 was another year of revenue recovery combined with investment in team members and equipment. A number of clients' large events returned post-covid and we signed a number of longer term relationships with customers, including in our long term hire business with longer term touring hires arranged. The company is also supporting the wider operations of Encore with expertise as event complexity has increased since Covid and the Company is well placed to provide high levels of technical experience to support larger events occurring in venues where Encore has an existing contractual relationship.

The company is grateful for our team members' enthusiasm in helping customers deliver great events. We won work from new clients and strengthened relationships with existing clients through adaption to their needs.

The business ended 2024 with confidence and trading in 2025 has been pleasing to date.

PRINCIPAL RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES

The principal risks and uncertainties facing the company are as follows:

Competitor risks

The company has recognised competitive risks from alternative suppliers. The company seeks to differentiate itself from competitors, providing a premium service in addition to the supply of high quality equipment. The company constantly monitors its competitive offering and adjusts as challenges present themselves. The Company is investing in training and service excellence to monitor customer satisfaction to ensure we remain the provider of choice for our venue partners and customers.

Foreign currency

Intercompany balances held in foreign currency, especially US dollars and Euros, affect the company's performance. The company will closely monitor these risks and take action where required.

General economic uncertainty

As the global economy recovers from COVID related shutdowns, inflationary pressures and supply chain difficulties are a risk to the company's operations as the availability of people (both salaried and freelance) and equipment is constrained. As part of a global organisation, the company is working with other group companies to obtain and share resources and exploring other solutions to these risks.

Following the COVID-19 pandemic and the global increase in interest rates, the directors have given consideration to the company's operations, including its going concern status.

The directors have concluded that the company continues to be a going concern due to expected future trading levels and the funding support achieved by the ultimate parent company for its subsidiaries, which has confirmed its continuing support.

PRINCIPAL RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES

Emissions and energy consumption

Disclosure in respect of greenhouse gas emissions, energy consumption and energy efficiency has not been included within this report as the company does not exceed the thresholds to disclose.

SECTION 172(1) STATEMENT

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

The directors consider that customers, investors, suppliers and workforce are key stakeholders and are considered in key decisions.

Customers

Our corporate culture of Purpose, Mission and Values are focussed on delivering value for our Customers. We consider delivering for our customer requirements as key to continued success.

Investors

We create value for our investors by generating strong and sustainable results. We set out KPIs in our Strategic Report. We discuss key decisions in regular meetings with management. Our investors have considered the funding requirements of the business for capital expenditure when determining that no dividend be paid from the 2024 results.

Suppliers

Our suppliers are important to our business success and each supplier has a named relationship contact person within the business for communication when required. We maintain good relationships with a range of suppliers to ensure the availability and flexibility that our customers require.

Workforce

Our workforce deliver great results for our stakeholders and are considered in all key decisions. We are committed to training and workforce welfare and monitor both training hours and employee engagement regularly. We communicate regularly with our workforce including in Town Halls where all staff can ask questions to management and Directors.

Community

We consider the wider needs of the communities in which we operate through a commitment to minimising our impact on the environment, upholding excellent standards of business conduct and, where possible, supporting local communities in which we operate.

Key Decisions

During the year under review, these stakeholders and factors were included in the decision to renew the lease of the existing facility in Old Dalby. Maintaining continuity of location for our team members and the local community under a new long term lease was deemed in the best interests of our stakeholders.

During 2024, significant investment has continued to been made in training. This action was considered in the best long-term interests of our stakeholders. The business also made the decision to not pursue any new acquisition opportunities, again this being considered in the best long-term interests of our stakeholders.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD:

Mr S K Bangar - Director

30 September 2025

The directors of Hawthorn Theatrical Limited (the company) present their report and financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2024.

RESULTS

The company's net profit/(loss) for the year after taxation amounted to £(573,000) (2023: £584,000).

DIVIDENDS

No dividends will be distributed for the year ended 31 December 2024 (2023: £nil).

FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS

Our strategy of on-going investment in infrastructure, product development and expansion of existing markets is aimed at maintaining continuous growth and our balance sheet is adequately resourced to support this.

DIRECTORS

The directors shown below have held office during the whole of the period from 1 January 2024 to the date of this report.

Mr M Hawthorn

Mr B E Erwin

Other changes in directors holding office are as follows:

Ms S Divkovic - appointed 4 March 2024

Mr S K Bangar was appointed as a director after 31 December 2024 but prior to the date of this report.

Mr D W J McEwan ceased to be a director after 31 December 2024 but prior to the date of this report.

FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

Details in relation to the financial risk management objectives and policies are disclosed within the strategic report.

STATEMENT OF DIRECTORS' RESPONSIBILITIES

The directors are responsible for preparing the Strategic Report, the Report of the Directors and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and regulations.

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

-	select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;

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

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

The directors are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the company's transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the company and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

STATEMENT AS TO DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION TO AUDITORS

So far as the directors are aware, there is no relevant audit information (as defined by Section 418 of the Companies Act 2006) of which the company's auditors are unaware, and each director has taken all the steps that he or she ought to have taken as a director in order to make himself or herself aware of any relevant audit information and to establish that the company's auditors are aware of that information.

AUDITORS

The auditors, Seymour Taylor Limited, will be re-appointed in accordance with section 487(2) of the Companies Act 2006.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD:

Mr S K Bangar - Director

30 September 2025

Opinion

We have audited the financial statements of Hawthorn Theatrical Limited (the 'company') for the year ended 31 December 2024 which comprise the Statement of Comprehensive Income, Statement of Financial Position, Statement of Changes in Equity, Statement of Cash Flows and Notes to the Statement of Cash Flows, Notes to the Financial Statements, including a summary of 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.

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 Auditors' 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.

Other information

The directors are responsible for the other information. The other information comprises the information in the Strategic Report and the Report of the Directors, but does not include the financial statements and our Report of the Auditors thereon.

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.

In connection with our audit of the financial statements, 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 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 the audit:

-	the information given in the Strategic Report and the Report of the Directors for the financial year for which the financial statements are prepared is consistent with the financial statements; and

-	the Strategic Report and the Report of the Directors have been prepared in accordance with applicable legal requirements.

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 Report of the Directors.

We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters where 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 Statement of Directors' Responsibilities set out on page four, 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 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.

Auditors' 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 a Report of the Auditors 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.

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 considered the following:

- the nature of the industry and sector, control environment and business performance including the key drivers for directors' remuneration, bonus levels and performance targets;

- results of our enquiries of management about their own identification and assessment of the risks of irregularities;

- any matters we identified having made enquiries of management about 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. In common with all audits under ISAs (UK), we are also required to perform specific procedures to respond to the risk of management override.

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 the UK Companies Act and local 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.

Audit response to risks identified

As a result of performing the above, 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;

- obtained an understanding of provisions and held discussions with management to understand the basis of recognition or non-recognition of tax provisions; 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 and remained alert to any indications of fraud or noncompliance with laws and regulations throughout the audit.

A further description of our responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements is located on the Financial Reporting Council's website at www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our Report of the Auditors.

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 a Report of the Auditors 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.

Elizabeth Horton FCA FCCA (Senior Statutory Auditor)

for and on behalf of Seymour Taylor Limited, Statutory Auditor

First Floor North

40 Oxford Road

High Wycombe

Buckinghamshire

HP11 2EE

30 September 2025

TURNOVER

3

18,021

18,154

Cost of sales

14,749

13,755

GROSS PROFIT

3,272

4,399

Administrative expenses

4,511

3,771

(1,239

)

628

Other operating income

5

19

OPERATING (LOSS)/PROFIT

5

(1,234

)

647

Interest receivable and similar income

400

280

(834

)

927

Interest payable and similar expenses

6

2

-

(LOSS)/PROFIT BEFORE TAXATION

(836

)

927

Tax on (loss)/profit

7

(263

)

343

(LOSS)/PROFIT FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR

(573

)

584

OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

-

-

TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE INCOME FOR THE YEAR

(573

)

584

FIXED ASSETS

Tangible assets

8

5,446

6,513

CURRENT ASSETS

Stocks

9

125

134

Debtors

10

10,278

11,378

Cash at bank

1,429

1,643

11,832

13,155

CREDITORS

Amounts falling due within one year

11

3,431

4,985

NET CURRENT ASSETS

8,401

8,170

TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES

13,847

14,683

PROVISIONS FOR LIABILITIES

13

233

496

NET ASSETS

13,614

14,187

CAPITAL AND RESERVES

Called up share capital

14

27

27

Share premium

15

4,183

4,183

Retained earnings

15

9,404

9,977

13,614

14,187

The financial statements were approved by the Board of Directors and authorised for issue on 30 September 2025 and were signed on its behalf by:

Mr S K Bangar - Director

Called up

share

Retained

Share

Total

capital

earnings

premium

equity

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

Balance at 1 January 2023

27

9,393

4,183

13,603

Changes in equity

Total comprehensive income

-

584

-

584

Balance at 31 December 2023

27

9,977

4,183

14,187

Changes in equity

Total comprehensive income

-

(573

)

-

(573

)

Balance at 31 December 2024

27

9,404

4,183

13,614

Cash flows from operating activities

Cash generated from operations

1

2,763

2,184

Interest paid

(2

)

-

Net cash from operating activities

2,761

2,184

Cash flows from investing activities

Purchase of tangible fixed assets

(1,829

)

(2,436

)

Sale of tangible fixed assets

18

-

Interest received

400

13

Net cash from investing activities

(1,411

)

(2,423

)

Cash flows from financing activities

Intercompany loans due to the company

(348

)

693

Intercompany loans due by the company

(1,216

)

-

Net cash from financing activities

(1,564

)

693

(Decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents

(214

)

454

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year

2

1,643

1,189

Cash and cash equivalents at end of year

2

1,429

1,643

1.	RECONCILIATION OF (LOSS)/PROFIT BEFORE TAXATION TO CASH GENERATED FROM OPERATIONS

2024

2023

£'000

£'000

(Loss)/profit before taxation

(836

)

927

Depreciation charges

2,878

2,253

Finance costs

2

-

Finance income

(400

)

(280

)

1,644

2,900

Decrease in stocks

9

101

Decrease/(increase) in trade and other debtors

1,448

(1,594

)

(Decrease)/increase in trade and other creditors

(338

)

777

Cash generated from operations

2,763

2,184

2.	CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

The amounts disclosed on the Statement of Cash Flows in respect of cash and cash equivalents are in respect of these Statement of Financial Position amounts:

Year ended 31 December 2024

31.12.24

1.1.24

£'000

£'000

Cash and cash equivalents

1,429

1,643

Year ended 31 December 2023

31.12.23

1.1.23

£'000

£'000

Cash and cash equivalents

1,643

1,189

3.	ANALYSIS OF CHANGES IN NET FUNDS

At 1.1.24

Cash flow

At 31.12.24

£'000

£'000

£'000

Net cash

Cash at bank

1,643

(214

)

1,429

1,643

(214

)

1,429

Total

1,643

(214

)

1,429

1.	STATUTORY INFORMATION

Hawthorn Theatrical Limited is a private company, limited by shares, registered in England and Wales. The company's registered office is Union Business Park, Florence Way, Uxbridge, Middlesex, UB8 2LS. The registered number is 01602315.

The principal activity of the company in the period under review was that of design and installation of temporary lighting, sound, video, rigging, staging, drapes and associated special effects for the commercial theatre market; ranging from corporate conferences, hospitality and exhibitions through to the domestic market of large scale weddings and parties and then to true theatre work and the entertainment industry, education, places of worship and theatre and amateur theatre customers.

The financial statements are presented in the currency of the primary economic environment in which the entity operates (its functional currency), as such, the results and statement of financial position are presented in Sterling (£'000). Monetary amounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest thousand unless otherwise stated.

The significant accounting policies applied in the preparation of these financial statements are set out below. These policies have been consistently applied to all years presented unless otherwise stated.

2.	ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of preparing the financial statements

These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with applicable United Kingdom accounting standards, including Financial Reporting Standard 102 - 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland' ('FRS 102') and the Companies Act 2006. The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention.

Going concern

The directors have assessed expected future cashflows, giving due consideration to all relevant factors affecting the company. The directors have considered the potential impact on the company as well as its capital resources and believe that the company has adequate resources in place to continue in operation for at least twelve months from the date of approval of the financial statements. Consequently, the company continues to adopt the going concern basis in preparing these financial statements.

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.

Critical accounting estimates and judgements

In the application of the company's accounting policies, the directors are required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions about the carrying amounts 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 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, if the revision affects only that period, or in the period of the revision and future periods if the revision affects both current and future periods.

The areas for which estimation has been applied are considered to be in calculating depreciation, impairments and provisions. Although these areas are subject to judgement, they are not considered to be subject to significant estimation.

Turnover

Turnover is measured at the fair value of the consideration received or receivable, excluding discounts, rebates, value added tax and other sales taxes.

Goods and services are invoiced at the end of each contract. However, for larger contracts, interim amounts are billed throughout the period.

Goods and services provided to customers during the year, which at the financial reporting date have not been billed to customers have been recognised as turnover in accordance with FRS102. Unbilled revenue as at the balance sheet date is included in debtors.

Tangible fixed assets

Depreciation is provided at the following annual rates in order to write off each asset over its estimated useful life.

Improvements to property

-

reducing balance - 15%

Plant and machinery

-

straight line - 33%

Tools and equipment

-

reducing balance - 10%

Motor vehicles

-

reducing balance - 25%

Office equipment

-

reducing balance - 20%

All tangible fixed assets are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and accumulated impairment losses. Such costs include costs directly attributable to making the asset capable of operating as intended.

The carrying values of tangible fixed assets are reviewed for impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value may not be recoverable.

Stocks

Stocks and work in progress are valued at the lower of cost and net realisable value, after making due allowance for obsolete and slow moving items.

Cost is calculated using the first-in, first-out method and includes all purchase, transport, and handling costs in bringing stocks to their present location and condition.

Work in progress

Work in progress is valued on the basis of direct costs plus attributable overheads based on a normal level of activity.

Provision is made for any foreseeable losses where appropriate. No element of profit is included in the valuation of work in progress.

Financial instruments

The company has applied the provisions of Section 11 "Basic Financial Instruments" and Section 12 "Other Financial Instrument Issues" of FRS 102 to its financial statements.

Financial instruments are classified and accounted for, according to the substance of the contractual arrangement, as either financial assets, financial liabilities or equity instruments. An equity instrument is any contract that evidences a residual interest in the assets of the company after deducting all of its liabilities.

Where the contractual obligations of financial instruments (including share capital) are equivalent to a similar debt instrument, those financial instruments are classed as financial liabilities. Financial liabilities are presented as such in the balance sheet. Finance costs and gains or losses relating to financial liabilities are included in the profit and loss account. Finance costs are calculated so as to produce a constant rate of return on the outstanding liability.

Where the contractual terms of share capital do not have any terms meeting the definition of a financial liability then this is classed as an equity instrument. Dividends and distributions relating to equity instruments are debited direct to equity.

Impairment of financial assets

At each period end date, the company reviews the carrying amounts of its financial 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).

If the recoverable amount of an asset is estimated to be less than its carrying amount, the carrying amount is reduced to its recoverable amount, with the impairment recognised immediately in the statement of income and retained earnings.

Taxation

Tax on the profit or loss for the year comprises current and deferred tax. Tax is recognised in the profit and loss account except to the extent that it relates to items recognised directly in equity or other comprehensive income, in which case it is recognised directly in equity or other comprehensive income.

Current tax is the expected tax payable or receivable on the taxable income or loss for the year, using tax rates enacted or substantively enacted at the balance sheet date, and any adjustment to tax payable in respect of previous years.

Deferred tax is provided on timing differences which arise from the inclusion of income and expenses in tax assessments in periods different from those in which they are recognised in the financial statements. Differences between accumulated depreciation and tax allowances for the cost of a fixed asset, if and when all conditions for retaining the tax allowances have been met, are not provided for. Deferred tax is not recognised on permanent differences arising because certain types of income or expense are non-taxable or are disallowable for tax or because certain tax charges or allowances are greater or smaller than the corresponding income or expense.

Deferred tax is measured at the tax rate that is expected to apply to the reversal of the related difference, using tax rates enacted or substantively enacted at the balance sheet date. Deferred tax balances are not discounted.

Unrelieved tax losses and other deferred tax assets are recognised only to the extent that is it probable that they will be recovered against the reversal of deferred tax liabilities or other future taxable profits.

Foreign currencies

Assets and liabilities in foreign currencies are translated into sterling at the rates of exchange ruling at the statement of financial position date. Transactions in foreign currencies are translated into sterling at the rate of exchange ruling at the date of transaction. Exchange differences are taken into account in arriving at the operating result.

Pension costs and other post-retirement benefits

The company operates a defined contribution pension scheme. Contributions payable to the company's pension scheme are charged to profit or loss in the period to which they relate.

Leasing commitments

Rentals paid under operating leases are charged to profit or loss on a straight line basis over the period of the lease.

Termination benefits

Termination benefits are recognised as a liability and expense in profit or loss when the company is demonstrably committed either to terminate the employment of an employee or group of employees before the normal retirement date or to provide termination benefits as a result of an offer made in order to encourage voluntary redundancy. The company is demonstrably committed to a termination only when there is a detailed formal plan from which there is no realistic possibility of withdrawal.

Termination benefits are measured at the best estimate of the expenditure that would be required to settle the obligation at the reporting date. In the case of an offer made to encourage voluntary redundancy, the measurement of termination benefits shall be based on the number of employees expected to accept the offer.

3.

TURNOVER

The turnover and loss (2023 - profit) before taxation are attributable to the one principal activity of the company.

An analysis of turnover by geographical market is given below:

2024

2023

£'000

£'000

United Kingdom

16,654

17,226

United States of America

885

660

Rest of the World

482

268

18,021

18,154

4.	EMPLOYEES AND DIRECTORS

2024

2023

£'000

£'000

Wages and salaries

3,659

4,134

Social security costs

433

473

Other pension costs

378

389

4,470

4,996

The average number of employees during the year was as follows:

2024

2023

Production

94

102

Administration

17

19

Directors

4

3

115

124

2024

2023

£

£

Directors' remuneration

-

-

The directors who served in the year were all remunerated by other companies within the group.

Remuneration of key management personnel

The remuneration of key management personnel is as follows:

2024

2023

£'000

£'000

Aggregate compensation

165

209

5.	OPERATING (LOSS)/PROFIT

The operating loss (2023 - operating profit) is stated after charging:

2024

2023

£'000

£'000

Depreciation - owned assets

2,878

2,253

Auditors' remuneration

34

5

Foreign exchange differences

41

2

Operating lease rental

1,095

708

6.

INTEREST PAYABLE AND SIMILAR EXPENSES

2024

2023

£'000

£'000

Intercompany interest charge

2

-