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Registered number: 01773149









LONDON HIRE LIMITED









ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024

 
LONDON HIRE LIMITED
 
 
COMPANY INFORMATION


Directors
M J Barbrook 
E M M Evans 
R D Evans 
N C Farr 
P Moxom 




Company secretary
E M M Evans



Registered number
01773149



Registered office
185 Manor Road
Erith

DA8 2AD




Independent auditors
Barnes Roffe Audit Limited
Chartered Accountants & Statutory Auditor

Charles Lake House

Claire Causeway

Crossways Business Park

Dartford

Kent

DA2 6QA





 
LONDON HIRE LIMITED
 

CONTENTS



Page
Group strategic report
 
1 - 4
Directors' report
 
5 - 8
Independent auditors' report
 
9 - 12
Consolidated statement of comprehensive income
 
13
Consolidated balance sheet
 
14 - 15
Company balance sheet
 
16 - 17
Consolidated statement of changes in equity
 
18
Company statement of changes in equity
 
19
Consolidated statement of cash flows
 
20 - 21
Consolidated analysis of net debt
 
22
Notes to the financial statements
 
23 - 43


 
LONDON HIRE LIMITED
 
 
GROUP STRATEGIC REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024

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

Business review
 
We continue to explore new opportunities in terms of new products and market places which represent low risk and have clear synergies to the existing business. The directors are pleased that the business is well structured to take advantage of these opportunities.
Key factors affecting the company's ability to deliver growth are the acquisition of vehicles at competitive prices despite a challenging marketplace, maximising disposal proceeds of end of life vehicles and the availability of funding for new vehicle acquisitions.  Vehicle disposals remained low in the year as demand and unitisation levels remained high.
The group is consistently evaluating opportunities in the supply chain to deliver improved products and services at competitive prices, and this continues to assist with the longer terms plans for growth. In respect of available funding the company utilises a panel of funders, manufacturer supported as well as commercial lenders, which not only assists with reducing the overall costs of finance in comparison to others but also reduces the risk of lenders exiting the market which had been a feature of the sector in the past few years.
The group’s passenger services division expanded revenues in the year most notably in its regional operations.  Taking advantage of low cost new electric vehicles the group has purchased a considerable number of these and operates them on longer home to school routes where the fuel savings, compared to ICE vehicles, is considerable.  This approach has been welcomed by local authority customers as is a key distinguishing feature of its service offering compared to its local competitors.
The directors are constantly reviewing their pricing structures which are predominantly predicated on interest and depreciation costs. During this financial year the group specifically reviewed the impact of its increased use of hire purchase and the impact that this has on the results and its depreciation rates.  As the nature of the group’s rental income is via long term contracts to customers that is more in line with a straight line model we undertook an analysis of accounting for the interest cost on a straight line basis.  The effect of this would be a positive adjustment to the profitability in the year of £450k however this could not be supported via the accounting regulations and has not been processed in these results. The review of the assets lives highlighted that more vehicles are now lasting longer and as such the directors are using the higher end of the useful economic life of 15 years versus a previous 10 years on more vehicles. The directors calculated that this had the effect of increasing the hire fleet net book value by £397k versus a 10 year policy. The Directors are of the opinion that this presents a much more true and fair view of the trading position of the group, especially given the rapid growth in assets for hire, longer lives of the assets and associated debt, incurred in the last few years. Further reviews are expected in the coming years to constantly refine this model and to ensure that pricing is correctly calculated.

Page 1

 
LONDON HIRE LIMITED
 

GROUP STRATEGIC REPORT (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024

Principal risks and uncertainties
 
The group continues to review all elements of its operations and the impact of the UK's withdrawal from the European Union. Whilst there is the possibility of higher import duties on vehicles and parts this will be factored into the rental to the customers; most of the customers provide services which are a legal requirement and therefore not subject to cancellation. As a result, the directors still believe this not to be a significant risk.
The group continues to review of the financial impact of COVID-19. All customers affected by the pandemic are now operating in a similar fashion to pre pandemic levels. The group's services have been deemed an essential service, and local authorities will continue to pay for these services for the foreseeable future to ensure service continuity.
The group's principal financial instruments comprise bank balances, bank overdrafts, trade creditors, advance rental income, trade debtors, loans and hire purchase finance. The main purpose for these instruments is to raise funds for the group's operations and to finance the group's operations.
Due to the nature of the financial instruments used by the group there is no exposure to price risk.
The group's approach to managing other risks applicable to the financial instruments concerned is shown below:
In respect of bank balances the liquidity risk is managed by maintaining a balance between the continuity of funding and flexibility through the use of overdrafts at floating rates of interest.
The group has purchased assets under hire purchase and finance lease agreements. The interest rate on each agreement and the repayments are both fixed and variable. The group manages the liquidity risk by ensuring there are sufficient funds to meet the payments.
Trade debtors are managed in respect of credit and cash flow risk by policies concerning the credit offered to customers and the regular monitoring of amounts outstanding for both time and credit limits.
Trade creditors and advance rentals liquidity risk is managed by ensuring sufficient funds are available to meet amounts should they fall due.
All of the above ensure the group regularly monitors its own credit and cash flow risk, ensuring that it stays within its agreed banking facilities at all times. 

Financial key performance indicators
 
The group's key financial and other performance indicators during the year were as follows:
- The group's turnover increased from £28,859,875 to £34,841,653
- The group's gross profit margin has increased from 24.1% to 26.5%

Other key performance indicators
 
The group seeks to ensure that responsible business practice is fully integrated into the management of all of its operations and into the culture of all parts of its business. It believes that the consistent adoption of responsible business practice is essential for operational excellence, which in turn, ensures the delivery of its core objectives of sustained real growth in profitability. 
The directors consider there are numerous non-financial performance indicators but none individually are key apart from vehicle utilisation which has been at 92% compared with 94% last year. 

Page 2

 
LONDON HIRE LIMITED
 

GROUP STRATEGIC REPORT (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024

Directors' statement of compliance with duty to promote the success of the group and engagement with customers and suppliers
 
The directors of the group, as those of all UK companies, must act in accordance with a set of general duties. These duties are detailed in section 172 of the UK Companies Act 2006 which is summarised below: 
A director of a company must act in the way he/she considers, in good faith, would be most likely to promote the success of the company for the benefit of its members as a whole, and in doing so have regard (amongst other matters) to:
1. The likely consequences of any decision in the long term
2. The interests of the company's employees
3. The need to foster the company's business relationships with suppliers, customers and others
4. The impact of the company's operations on the community and the environment
5. The desirability of the company maintaining a reputation for high standards of business conduct, and
6. The need to act fairly as between members of the company.
Each director of the group is aware of their obligations on the above and can seek professional advice from an independent advisor as necessary. As a group with a highly skilled workforce the group's directors do invariably delegate day to day decision making to employees of the group. We make strategic decisions based on both long and short term objectives in particular our supply chain and relationships therein. At all times the board consider how the decisions they make support the company's visions and values and how they promote the success of London Hire Limited. 
The Board uses its regular meetings as a mechanism to address and meet its obligations under Section 172 of the Companies Act 2006 at which point the stakeholders of the group are discussed. In the directors' opinion the employees, finance providers and the customer base represent the key stakeholders and the means of engagement have been detailed below: 
Customers - Our employees and managers are constantly interacting with our customers to fulfil our customers' requirements. We focus on customer service and this enables us to meet the varying and ongoing demands of our customers. All of our staff uphold our key values as noted on our website and adhere to our trading protocols.
Employees - We rely on our employees to ensure the group's high levels of service are maintained to our customers. We are renowned for our ability to meet our customers' demands within tight deadlines and this is only possibly through the hard work our employees put into job management. In this regard we provide a support network that they can rely upon, a remuneration package that rewards high performing individuals and ongoing training. 
Finance providers - The group has built and fostered relationships with a number of finance providers such that the group can purchase the necessary specialised vehicles to continue to grow the business. Regular meetings and discussions are held with these finance providers to ensure the group is meeting the requirements of the finance providers and to ensure the group is receiving the best value for money. 
The group also operates a zero-tolerance approach to modern slavery and human trafficking. The group is committed to acting ethically and with integrity in all of our business relations. We work closely with our business partners, suppliers and supply chains to ensure there is no place for modern slavery and human trafficking.

Page 3

 
LONDON HIRE LIMITED
 

GROUP STRATEGIC REPORT (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024


This report was approved by the board on 30 September 2025 and signed on its behalf.



N C Farr
Director

Page 4

 
LONDON HIRE LIMITED
 
 
 
DIRECTORS' REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024

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

Directors' responsibilities statement

The directors are responsible for preparing the Group strategic report, the Directors' report and the consolidated 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 applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice), including Financial Reporting Standard 102 ‘The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland'. 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 the group and of the profit or loss of the group for that period.

 In preparing these financial statements, the directors are required to:


select suitable accounting policies for the group's financial statements and then apply them consistently;

make judgments 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 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 the group and to enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the company and the group and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

Results and dividends

The profit for the year, after taxation and minority interests, amounted to £1,555,326 (2023 - £1,035,460).

During the year dividends of £180,000 (2023: £72,000) were voted.

Directors

The directors who served during the year were:

M J Barbrook 
E M M Evans 
R D Evans 
N C Farr 
P Moxom 

Future developments

Since the year end the vehicle hire business is seeing continued revenue growth across its range of customers as has its passenger transport subsidiary, London Hire Community Services Limited. Orders and inquiries for new product lines, in particular electric vehicles, remain strong. 

Page 5

 
LONDON HIRE LIMITED
 
 
 
DIRECTORS' REPORT (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024

Company's policy for payment of creditors

The group does not follow any specified code or standard on payment practice. However, it is the group's policy to negotiate terms with its suppliers and to ensure that they are aware of the terms of payment when business is agreed. Every effort is made to adhere to these terms and payment is made when it can be confirmed that goods and/or services have been provided in accordance with the relevant contract conditions. Where there are disputes or variations to the goods and/or services provided it is the group’s policy to notify the supplier as soon as is practical.
The directors are aware of the importance of fostering long term business relationships with suppliers and customers as a key strategic element to trade profitably for the future.
The creditor payment period of the group for the year was 30 days (2023:40 days).

Engagement with employees

During the year, the policy of providing employees with information about the group has been continued through internal media methods in which employees have also been encouraged to present their suggestions and views on the group's performance. Employees are incentivised where their suggestions lead to cost savings or revenue improvements via payment of bonuses so that they share financially from the savings made. Regular meetings are held between local management and employees to allow a free flow of information and ideas and an annual survey has been initiated to allow employees further opportunity to feedback to management.
Individual departments are regularly involved in discussions about the financial performance of their operation as well as the business as a whole and the competitive environment in which the business operates. The directors continue to follow prudent strategic decisions safeguarding the performance of the business to the benefit of all employees and their interests.
Gender pay gap
In accordance with the Equality Act 2010 the group intends to publish on its own and also the government
website the relevant information relating to the Act, in particular the average hourly rates of pay for full time male
and female employees as well as bonuses and the proportion between both groups

Disabled employees

The group takes its responsibilities towards the recruitment of people with a disability seriously; its core product offering and customer base is focussed on improving services to people in society with a disability and gives full consideration to applications for employment from people with disabilities where the requirements of the job can be adequately fulfilled by their skillsets. Where existing employees are affected by a disability it is the group’s policy wherever practicable and possible to provide continuing employment under normal terms and conditions.
The group will always provide training and career development as well as professional development for employees with disabilities and vulnerabilities wherever appropriate.

Page 6

 
LONDON HIRE LIMITED
 
 
 
DIRECTORS' REPORT (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024

Greenhouse gas emissions, energy consumption and energy efficiency action

The group's greenhouse gas emissions and energy consumption are as follows: 


2024
2023

Emissions resulting from activities for which the group is responsible involving the combustion of gas or consumption of fuel for the purposes of transport (in kilograms of CO2 equivalent)
 582,197
330,063

Emissions resulting from the purchase of the electricity by the group for its own use, including the purposes of transport (in kilogtams of CO2 equivalent)
12697
10,090

The calculations use the GHG Protocol Methodology.
The energy consumption data was collected as follows:
• Total electricity consumption was that invoiced by EDF Energy.
• Total mileage was identified by reviewing mileage expense claims. Average car conversion rates were    used to convert mileage into kilowatt hours.
The emissions were calculated using conversion factors from the government's GHG reporting publications (see below for references). The emissions factor for Grid Electricity scope 2 emissions produced from ‘electricity generated’ was used to calculate emissions associated with electricity consumption. The emissions factor for an average UK diesel passenger vehicle was used to calculate emissions associated with transport fuel.
References:
• https://www.gov.uk/government /publications /greenhouse-gas-reporting -conversion -factors-2020

The group continues to monitor its carbon usage and has made improvements in logistics and staff working
practices to reduce the intensity ratio in the future.

After careful consideration, London Hire Limited has decided that the Intensity Ratio used for SECR reporting will be tonnes of CO2e per turnover in the period.
The intensity ratio is therefore 11.5 tCO2e per £1m of turnover 
(2023: 13.5 tCO2e per £1m of turnover).

Matters covered in the Group Strategic Report

The company has chosen in accordance with s.414C(11) Companies Act 2006, to set out in the company's strategic report information required by Schedule 7 of the Large and Medium-sized Companies and Groups (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 to be contained in the directors' report. It has done so in respect of future developments and financial risk management and exposure and engagement with customers and suppliers.

Disclosure of information to auditors

Each of the persons who are directors at the time when this Directors' report is approved has confirmed that:
 
so far as the director is aware, there is no relevant audit information of which the company and the group's auditors are unaware, and

the director has taken all the steps that ought to have been taken as a director in order to be aware of any relevant audit information and to establish that the company and the group's auditors are aware of that information.

Page 7

 
LONDON HIRE LIMITED
 
 
 
DIRECTORS' REPORT (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024

Post balance sheet events

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

Auditors

After the year end Barnes Roffe LLP resigned as auditors due to the transfer of its audit business and its
successor Barnes Roffe Audit Limited was appointed by the directors under s485 Companies Act 2006.

This report was approved by the board on 30 September 2025 and signed on its behalf.
 





N C Farr
Director

Page 8

 
LONDON HIRE LIMITED
 
 
 
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF LONDON HIRE LIMITED
 

Opinion


We have audited the financial statements of London Hire Limited (the 'parent company') and its subsidiaries (the 'group') for the year ended 31 August 2024, which comprise the Consolidated statement of comprehensive income, the Consolidated Balance Sheet, the Company Balance Sheet, the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows, the Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity, the Company Statement of Changes in Equity and the related notes, including a summary of significant accounting policiesThe 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 of the parent company's affairs as at 31 August 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 Auditors' responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report. We are independent of the group in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements in the United Kingdom, including the Financial Reporting Council's Ethical Standard and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.


Conclusions relating to going concern


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


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


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


Page 9

 
LONDON HIRE LIMITED
 
 
 
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF LONDON HIRE LIMITED (CONTINUED)


Other information


The other information comprises the information included in the Annual Report other than the financial statements and our Auditors' report thereon. The directors are responsible for the other information contained within the Annual ReportOur 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.


Opinion 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 Group 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 Group strategic report and the Directors' report 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 group and the parent company and its environment obtained in the course of the audit, we have not identified material misstatements in the Group strategic report or the Directors' report.


We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which the Companies Act 2006 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion:


adequate accounting records have not been kept by the parent company, or returns adequate for our audit have not been received from branches not visited by us; or
the parent company financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records and returns; or
certain disclosures of directors' remuneration specified by law are not made; or
we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit.


Responsibilities of directors
 

As explained more fully in the Directors' responsibilities statement set out on page 5, 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 group's and the parent company's ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the directors either intend to liquidate the group or the parent company or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.


Page 10

 
LONDON HIRE LIMITED
 
 
 
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF LONDON HIRE LIMITED (CONTINUED)


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 an Auditors' 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 Group financial statements.


Irregularities, including fraud, are instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. We design procedures in line with our responsibilities, outlined above, to detect material misstatements in respect of irregularities, including fraud. The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud is detailed below:
Our approach to identifying and assessing the risks of material misstatement in respect of irregularities, including fraud and non-compliance with law and regulations, was as follows: 
• The engagement partner ensured that the engagement team collectively had the appropriate     competence, capabilities and skills to identify or recognise non-compliance with applicable laws     and regulations;
• We identified the laws and regulations applicable to the company through discussion with directors and    other management, and from our commercial knowledge and experience of the relevant sector;
• The specific laws and regulations which we considered may have a direct material effect on the financial   statements or the operations of the company, are as follows;
 o Companies Act 2006
 o FRS102
 o Health and Safety legislation
 o Employment legislation
 o GDPR
 o Tax legislation 
 o Vehicle operators regulations
• We assessed the extent of compliance with the laws and regulations identified above through making    enquiries of management, reviewing board minutes and inspecting legal correspondence; 
• Laws and regulations were communicated within the audit team at the planning meeting, and during the    audit as any further laws and regulation were identified. The audit team remained alert to instances of    non-compliance throughout the audit; and 
 
Page 11

 
LONDON HIRE LIMITED
 
 
 
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF LONDON HIRE LIMITED (CONTINUED)


We assessed the susceptibility of the company’s financial statements to material misstatement, including obtaining an understanding of how fraud might occur by: 
• Making enquires of management as to where they consider there was susceptibility to fraud and their    knowledge of actual suspected and alleged fraud; 
• Considering the internal controls in place to mitigate risks of fraud and non-compliance with laws and    regulations;
• Reviewing the financial statements and testing the disclosures against supporting documentation;
• Performing analytical procedures to identify any unusual or unexpected trends or anomalies;
• Inspecting and testing journal entries to identify unusual or unexpected transactions;
• Assessing whether judgement and assumptions made in determining significant accounting estimates,    were indicative of management bias; and
• Investigating the rationale behind significant transactions, or transactions that are unusual or outside the    company’s usual course of business.
The areas that we identified as being susceptible to misstatement through fraud were:
• Management bias in the estimates and judgements made;
• Management override of controls; and 
• Posting of unusual journals or transactions.
Because of the inherent limitations of an audit, there is a risk that we will not detect all irregularities, including those leading to a material misstatement in the financial statements or non-compliance with regulation.  This risk increases the more that compliance with a law or regulation is removed from the events and transactions reflected in the financial statements, as we will be less likely to become aware of instances of non-compliance. The risk is also greater regarding irregularities occurring due to fraud rather than error, as fraud involves intentional concealment, forgery, collusion, omission or misrepresentation.


A further description of our responsibilities 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 Auditors' 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 2006Our 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 Auditors' 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.


Mario Cientanni (Senior statutory auditor)
for and on behalf of
Barnes Roffe Audit Limited
Chartered Accountants
Statutory Auditor
Charles Lake House
Claire Causeway
Crossways Business Park
Dartford
Kent
DA2 6QA

 
Date: 
30 September 2025
Page 12

 
LONDON HIRE LIMITED
 
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024

2024
2023
Note
£
£

  

Turnover
 4 
34,841,653
28,859,875

Cost of sales
  
(25,610,164)
(21,904,035)

Gross profit
  
9,231,489
6,955,840

Administrative expenses
  
(6,966,087)
(5,545,807)

Exceptional administrative expenses
  
(1,001)
(2,250)

Operating profit
 5 
2,264,401
1,407,783

Interest payable and similar expenses
 9 
(92,368)
(31,354)

Profit before taxation
  
2,172,033
1,376,429

Tax on profit
 10 
(563,448)
(325,325)

Profit for the financial year
  
1,608,585
1,051,104

Profit for the year attributable to:
  

Non-controlling interests
  
53,259
15,644

Owners of the parent company
  
1,555,326
1,035,460

  
1,608,585
1,051,104

Total comprehensive income for the year attributable to:
  

Non-controlling interest
  
53,259
15,644

Owners of the parent company
  
1,555,326
1,035,460

  
1,608,585
1,051,104

There were no recognised gains and losses for 2024 or 2023 other than those included in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income.

There was no other comprehensive income for 2024 (2023:£NIL).

The notes on pages 23 to 43 form part of these financial statements.

Page 13

 
LONDON HIRE LIMITED
REGISTERED NUMBER: 01773149

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
AS AT 31 AUGUST 2024

2024
2023
Note
£
£

Fixed assets
  

Intangible assets
 14 
602,202
715,969

Tangible assets
 15 
51,344,591
42,931,741

  
51,946,793
43,647,710

Current assets
  

Stocks
 17 
103,025
89,319

Debtors: amounts falling due within one year
 18 
9,092,535
6,617,343

Cash at bank and in hand
 19 
199,692
937,729

  
9,395,252
7,644,391

Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
 20 
(15,298,386)
(12,600,873)

Net current liabilities
  
 
 
(5,903,134)
 
 
(4,956,482)

Total assets less current liabilities
  
46,043,659
38,691,228

Creditors: amounts falling due after more than one year
 21 
(33,423,996)
(28,063,598)

Provisions for liabilities
  

Deferred taxation
 24 
(2,961,926)
(2,398,478)

Net assets
  
9,657,737
8,229,152


Capital and reserves
  

Called up share capital 
 25 
157,897
157,897

Profit and loss account
  
9,438,473
8,063,147

Equity attributable to owners of the parent company
  
9,596,370
8,221,044

Non-controlling interests
  
61,367
8,108

  
9,657,737
8,229,152


Page 14

 
LONDON HIRE LIMITED
REGISTERED NUMBER: 01773149
    
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET (CONTINUED)
AS AT 31 AUGUST 2024

The financial statements were approved and authorised for issue by the board and were signed on its behalf by: 




N C Farr
Director

Date: 30 September 2025

The notes on pages 23 to 43 form part of these financial statements.

Page 15

 
LONDON HIRE LIMITED
REGISTERED NUMBER: 01773149

COMPANY BALANCE SHEET
AS AT 31 AUGUST 2024

2024
2023
Note
£
£

Fixed assets
  

Intangible assets
 14 
240,000
270,000

Tangible assets
 15 
51,076,821
42,681,820

Investments
 16 
1,842,068
1,842,068

  
53,158,889
44,793,888

Current assets
  

Stocks
 17 
103,025
89,319

Debtors: amounts falling due within one year
 18 
7,220,768
5,411,430

Cash at bank and in hand
 19 
44,471
842,965

  
7,368,264
6,343,714

Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
 20 
(12,424,899)
(10,877,710)

Net current liabilities
  
 
 
(5,056,635)
 
 
(4,533,996)

Total assets less current liabilities
  
48,102,254
40,259,892

  

Creditors: amounts falling due after more than one year
 21 
(34,949,704)
(28,903,115)

Provisions for liabilities
  

Deferred taxation
 24 
(3,056,364)
(2,561,094)

  
 
 
(3,056,364)
 
 
(2,561,094)

Net assets
  
10,096,186
8,795,683


Capital and reserves
  

Called up share capital 
 25 
157,897
157,897

Profit and loss account
  
9,938,289
8,637,786

  
10,096,186
8,795,683


Page 16

 
LONDON HIRE LIMITED
REGISTERED NUMBER: 01773149
    
COMPANY BALANCE SHEET (CONTINUED)
AS AT 31 AUGUST 2024

The financial statements were approved and authorised for issue by the board and were signed on its behalf by: 


N C Farr
Director

Date: 30 September 2025

The notes on pages 23 to 43 form part of these financial statements.

Page 17

 
LONDON HIRE LIMITED
 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024


Called up share capital
Profit and loss account
Equity attributable to owners of parent company
Non-controlling interests
Total equity

£
£
£
£
£

At 1 September 2023
157,897
8,063,147
8,221,044
8,108
8,229,152



Profit for the year
-
1,555,326
1,555,326
53,259
1,608,585

Dividends: Equity capital
-
(180,000)
(180,000)
-
(180,000)


At 31 August 2024
157,897
9,438,473
9,596,370
61,367
9,657,737



CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2023


Called up share capital
Profit and loss account
Equity attributable to owners of parent company
Non-controlling interests
Total equity

£
£
£
£
£

At 1 September 2022
157,897
7,099,687
7,257,584
(7,536)
7,250,048



Profit for the year
-
1,035,460
1,035,460
15,644
1,051,104

Dividends: Equity capital
-
(72,000)
(72,000)
-
(72,000)


At 31 August 2023
157,897
8,063,147
8,221,044
8,108
8,229,152


The notes on pages 23 to 43 form part of these financial statements.

Page 18

 
LONDON HIRE LIMITED
 

COMPANY STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024


Called up share capital
Profit and loss account
Total equity

£
£
£

At 1 September 2023
157,897
8,637,786
8,795,683



Profit for the year
-
1,480,503
1,480,503

Dividends: Equity capital
-
(180,000)
(180,000)


At 31 August 2024
157,897
9,938,289
10,096,186



COMPANY STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2023


Called up share capital
Profit and loss account
Total equity

£
£
£

At 1 September 2022
157,897
7,415,276
7,573,173



Profit for the year
-
1,294,510
1,294,510

Dividends: Equity capital
-
(72,000)
(72,000)


At 31 August 2023
157,897
8,637,786
8,795,683


The notes on pages 23 to 43 form part of these financial statements.

Page 19

 
LONDON HIRE LIMITED
 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024

2024
2023
£
£

Cash flows from operating activities

Profit for the financial year
1,608,585
1,051,104

Adjustments for:

Amortisation of intangible assets
113,767
47,415

Depreciation of tangible assets
6,531,340
5,964,182

Profit on disposal of tangible assets
(547,250)
(632,949)

Interest paid
92,368
31,354

Taxation charge
563,448
325,325

Increase in stocks
(13,706)
(37,519)

Increase in debtors
(2,486,785)
(1,085,461)

Decrease in amounts owed by joint ventures
-
83,055

Increase in creditors
190,989
1,904,927

Corporation tax received/(paid)
70,969
(1,300)

Net cash generated from operating activities

6,123,725
7,650,133


Cash flows from investing activities

Purchase of intangible fixed assets
-
(300,000)

Purchase of tangible fixed assets
(421,950)
(347,567)

Sale of tangible fixed assets
1,087,826
1,000,627

Purchase of fixed asset investments
-
55,704

Net cash from investing activities

665,876
408,764
Page 20

 
LONDON HIRE LIMITED
 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024


2024
2023

£
£


Cash flows from financing activities

Repayment of loans
(55,893)
(130,653)

Finance lease repayments
(8,453,200)
(7,549,598)

Dividends paid
(180,000)
(72,000)

Interest paid
(92,368)
(31,354)

Net cash used in financing activities
(8,781,461)
(7,783,605)

Net (decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents
(1,991,860)
275,292

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year
922,188
646,896

Cash and cash equivalents at the end of year
(1,069,672)
922,188


Cash and cash equivalents at the end of year comprise:

Cash at bank and in hand
199,692
937,729

Bank overdrafts
(1,269,364)
(15,541)

(1,069,672)
922,188


The notes on pages 23 to 43 form part of these financial statements.

Page 21

 
LONDON HIRE LIMITED
 

CONSOLIDATED ANALYSIS OF NET DEBT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024





At 1 September 2023
Cash flows
New finance leases
At 31 August 2024
£

£

£

£

Cash at bank and in hand

937,729

(738,037)

-

199,692

Bank overdrafts

(15,541)

(1,253,823)

-

(1,269,364)

Debt due within 1 year

(205,893)

55,893

-

(150,000)

Finance leases

(34,566,949)

8,453,200

(15,062,815)

(41,176,564)


(33,850,654)
6,517,233
(15,062,815)
(42,396,236)

The notes on pages 23 to 43 form part of these financial statements.

Page 22

 
LONDON HIRE LIMITED
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024

1.


General information

London Hire Limited is a private company limited by shares and incorporated in England and Wales. The address of the registered office is 185 Manor Road, Erith, Kent, DA8 2AD. The principal activity of the company is that of motor vehicle hire and the provision of specialised passenger transport. 

2.Accounting policies

 
2.1

Basis of preparation of financial statements

The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention unless otherwise specified within these accounting policies and in accordance with Financial Reporting Standard 102, the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and the Republic of Ireland and the Companies Act 2006.

The preparation of financial statements in compliance with FRS 102 requires the use of certain critical accounting estimates. It also requires group management to exercise judgment in applying the group's accounting policies (see note 3).

The company has taken advantage of the exemption allowed under section 408 of the Companies Act 2006 and has not presented its own Statement of comprehensive income in these financial statements.

The following principal accounting policies have been applied:

 
2.2

Basis of consolidation

The consolidated financial statements present the results of the company and its own subsidiaries ("the group") as if they form a single entity. Intercompany transactions and balances between group companies are therefore eliminated in full.
The consolidated financial statements incorporate the results of business combinations using the purchase method. In the Balance sheet, the acquiree's identifiable assets, liabilities and contingent liabilities are initially recognised at their fair values at the acquisition date. The results of acquired operations are included in the Consolidated statement of comprehensive income from the date on which control is obtained. They are deconsolidated from the date control ceases.

 
2.3

Going concern

The group made a pre-tax profit of £2,172,033, in the year to 31 August 2024 and had net assets of £9,657,737 at the year end. Subsequent to the year end, the group has continued to trade profitably.
The group has an ongoing overdraft facility of £600,000 and an invoice discounting facility of £1,500,000. The group finances its activities primarily through hire purchase and finance lease finance for the purchase of new vehicles. The directors have no reason to believe that financing will not be continued.
The group provides essential transport services with a high proportion of its services provided to local authorities. With the resources that the group has, together with the current actions being taken,the group is better positioned than most to continue operations.
After making enquiries, the directors have a reasonable expectation that the company has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Accordingly, they continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the annual reports and accounts.

Page 23

 
LONDON HIRE LIMITED
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024

2.Accounting policies (continued)

 
2.4

Revenue

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

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

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.

 
2.5

Operating leases: the group as lessee

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

Benefits received and receivable as an incentive to sign an operating lease are recognised on a straight-line basis over the lease term, unless another systematic basis is representative of the time pattern of the lessee's benefit from the use of the leased asset.

 
2.6

Leased assets: the group as lessee

Assets obtained under hire purchase contracts and finance leases are capitalised as tangible fixed assets. Assets acquired by finance lease are depreciated over the shorter of the lease term and their useful lives. Assets acquired by hire purchase are depreciated over their useful lives. Finance leases are those where substantially all of the benefits and risks of ownership are assumed by the company. Obligations under such agreements are included in creditors net of the finance charge allocated to future periods. The finance element of the rental payment is charged to profit or loss so as to produce a constant periodic rate of charge on the net obligation outstanding in each period.

Page 24

 
LONDON HIRE LIMITED
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024

2.Accounting policies (continued)

 
2.7

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.

 
2.8

Borrowing costs

All borrowing costs are recognised in profit or loss in the year in which they are incurred.

 
2.9

Pensions

Defined contribution pension plan

The group operates a defined contribution plan for its employees. A defined contribution plan is a pension plan under which the group pays fixed contributions into a separate entity. Once the contributions have been paid the group has no further payment obligations.

The contributions are recognised as an expense in profit or loss when they fall due. Amounts not paid are shown in accruals as a liability in the Balance sheet. The assets of the plan are held separately from the group in independently administered funds.

 
2.10

Current and deferred taxation

The tax expense for the year comprises current and deferred tax. Tax is recognised in profit or loss except that a charge attributable to an item of income and expense recognised as other comprehensive income or to an item recognised directly in equity is also recognised in other comprehensive income or directly in equity respectively.

The current income tax charge is calculated on the basis of tax rates and laws that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the balance sheet date in the countries where the company and the group operate and generate income.

Deferred tax balances are recognised in respect of all timing differences that have originated but not reversed by the balance sheet date, except that:
The recognition of deferred tax assets is limited to the extent that it is probable that they will be recovered against the reversal of deferred tax liabilities or other future taxable profits;
Any deferred tax balances are reversed if and when all conditions for retaining associated tax allowances have been met; and
Where they relate to timing differences in respect of interests in subsidiaries, associates, branches and joint ventures and the group can control the reversal of the timing differences and such reversal is not considered probable in the foreseeable future.

Deferred tax balances are not recognised in respect of permanent differences except in respect of business combinations, when deferred tax is recognised on the differences between the fair values of assets acquired and the future tax deductions available for them and the differences between the fair values of liabilities acquired and the amount that will be assessed for tax. Deferred tax is determined using tax rates and laws that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the balance sheet date.


Page 25

 
LONDON HIRE LIMITED
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024

2.Accounting policies (continued)

 
2.11

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.

 
2.12

Intangible assets

Goodwill

Goodwill represents the difference between amounts paid on the cost of a business combination and the acquirer’s interest in the fair value of the group's share of its identifiable assets and liabilities of the acquiree at the date of acquisition. Subsequent to initial recognition, goodwill is measured at cost less accumulated amortisation and accumulated impairment losses. Goodwill is amortised on a straight-line basis to the Consolidated statement of comprehensive income over its useful economic life.

Other intangible assets

Intangible assets are initially recognised at cost. After recognition, under the cost model, intangible assets are measured at cost less any accumulated amortisation and any accumulated impairment losses.

All intangible assets are considered to have a finite useful life. If a reliable estimate of the useful life cannot be made, the useful life shall not exceed ten years.

 
2.13

Tangible fixed assets

Tangible fixed assets under the cost model are stated at historical cost less accumulated depreciation and any accumulated impairment losses. Historical cost includes expenditure that is directly attributable to bringing the asset to the location and condition necessary for it to be capable of operating in the manner intended by management.

Depreciation is charged so as to allocate the cost of assets less their residual value over their estimated useful lives, using the straight-line method.

Depreciation is provided on the following bases:

Short-term leasehold property
-
Over the lease term
Plant and machinery
-
15% - 33% straight-line
Motor vehicles
-
6.66% - 25% on cost

The assets' residual values, useful lives and depreciation methods are reviewed, and adjusted prospectively if appropriate, or if there is an indication of a significant change since the last reporting date.

Gains and losses on disposals are determined by comparing the proceeds with the carrying amount and are recognised in profit or loss.

 
2.14

Valuation of investments

Investments in subsidiaries are measured at cost less accumulated impairment.

Page 26

 
LONDON HIRE LIMITED
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024

2.Accounting policies (continued)

 
2.15

Stocks

Stocks are stated at the lower of cost and net realisable value, being the estimated selling price less costs to complete and sell. Cost is based on the cost of purchase on a first in, first out basis. Work in progress and finished goods include labour and attributable overheads.

At each balance sheet date, stocks are assessed for impairment. If stock is impaired, the carrying amount is reduced to its selling price less costs to complete and sell. The impairment loss is recognised immediately in profit or loss.

 
2.16

Debtors

Short-term debtors are measured at transaction price, less any impairment. Loans receivable are measured initially at fair value, net of transaction costs, and are measured subsequently at amortised cost using the effective interest method, less any impairment.

 
2.17

Cash and cash equivalents

Cash is represented by cash in hand and deposits with financial institutions repayable without penalty on notice of not more than 24 hours. Cash equivalents are highly liquid investments that mature in no more than three months from the date of acquisition and that are readily convertible to known amounts of cash with insignificant risk of change in value.

In the Consolidated statement of cash flows, cash and cash equivalents are shown net of bank overdrafts that are repayable on demand and form an integral part of the group's cash management.

 
2.18

Creditors

Short-term creditors are measured at the transaction price. Other financial liabilities, including bank loans, are measured initially at fair value, net of transaction costs, and are measured subsequently at amortised cost using the effective interest method.

 
2.19

Provisions for liabilities

Provisions are recognised when an event has taken place that gives rise to a legal or constructive obligation, a transfer of economic benefits is probable and a reliable estimate can be made.
Provisions are measured as the best estimate of the amount required to settle the obligation, taking into account the related risks and uncertainties.
 
Increases in provisions are generally charged as an expense to profit or loss.

Page 27

 
LONDON HIRE LIMITED
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024

2.Accounting policies (continued)

 
2.20

Financial instruments

The group has elected to apply the provisions of Section 11 “Basic Financial Instruments” 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, with the net amounts presented in the financial statements, when there is a legally enforceable right to set off the recognised amounts and there is an intention to settle on a net basis or to realise the asset and settle the liability simultaneously.

Basic financial assets

Basic financial assets, which include trade and other debtors, cash and bank balances, are initially measured at their transaction price (adjusted for transaction costs except in the initial measurement of financial assets that are subsequently measured at fair value through profit and loss) and are subsequently carried at their amortised cost using the effective interest method, less any provision for impairment, 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.

Discounting is omitted where the effect of discounting is immaterial. The group's cash and cash equivalents, trade and most other debtors due with the operating cycle fall into this category of financial instruments.

Financial liabilities

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 the deduction of all its liabilities.

Basic financial liabilities, which include trade and other creditors, bank loans, other loans and loans due to fellow group companies are initially measured at their transaction price (adjusting for transaction costs except in the initial measurement of financial liabilities that are subsequently measured at fair value through profit and loss). When this constitutes a financing transaction, whereby the debt instrument is measured at the present value of the future payments discounted at a market rate of interest, discounting is omitted where the effect of discounting is immaterial.

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

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

 
2.21

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.

Page 28

 
LONDON HIRE LIMITED
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024

3.


Judgments in applying accounting policies and key sources of estimation uncertainty

The preparation of the financial statements requires management to make judgements, estimates, and assumptions that affect the amounts reported. These estimates 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.
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 a material adjustment to the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities within the next financial year are as follows:
Useful economic lives of tangible assets
Tangible fixed assets are depreciated to their estimated residual values over their estimated useful lives. The group exercises judgement to determine these useful lives and residual values as described in note 2.13.
In the current year, the directors undertook a review of fixed assets and their usage. This review identified that a change in depreciation rates was considered appropriate to more accurately reflect the useful economic life of these assets.
Deferred tax
Deferred tax assets and liabilities require management judgement in determining the amounts to be recognised and the applicable rate of tax to utilise in the calculations. Tax rates are based on tax legislation that has been approved and for the purpose of these accounts has been calculated at 25%. This is based on the directors' best assessment of the applicable tax rates to apply when timing differences reverse.
When assessing the extent to which deferred tax assets should be recognised consideration is given to the timing, nature, and level of future taxable income. The recognition of deferred tax assets relating to tax losses carried forward relies on profit projections and taxable profit forecasts prepared by management, where a number of assumptions are required based on the levels of growth in profits and the reversal of deferred tax balances.


4.


Turnover

The turnover is attributable to services provided of £34,698,216 (2023: £28,559,342), goods sold of £56,500 (2023: £139,933) and rental income of £86,937 (2023: £160,600)

All turnover arose within the United Kingdom.


5.


Operating profit

The operating profit is stated after charging:

2024
2023
£
£

Other operating lease rentals
954,336
596,061

Page 29

 
LONDON HIRE LIMITED
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024

6.


Auditors' remuneration

During the year, the group obtained the following services from the company's auditors and their associates:


2024
2023
£
£

Fees payable to the group's auditor and its associates for the audit of the group's annual financial statements

63,194
64,383


All other services
3,651
7,349


7.


Employees

Staff costs, including directors' remuneration, were as follows:


Group
Group
Company
Company
2024
2023
2024
2023
£
£
£
£


Wages and salaries
13,502,853
12,008,155
2,299,493
1,899,902

Social security costs
677,230
557,810
250,325
201,724

Cost of defined contribution scheme
235,389
220,309
54,385
46,681

14,415,472
12,786,274
2,604,203
2,148,307


The average monthly number of employees, including the directors, during the year was as follows:



Group
Group
Company
Company
        2024
        2023
        2024
        2023
            No.
            No.
            No.
            No.









Administration and support
67
58
67
58



Driver and passenger assistant staff
559
560
9
7

626
618
76
65

Page 30

 
LONDON HIRE LIMITED
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024

8.


Directors' remuneration

2024
2023
£
£

Directors' emoluments
128,775
118,525

Group contributions to defined contribution pension schemes
1,761
1,762

130,536
120,287


During the year retirement benefits were accruing to no directors (2023 - NIL) in respect of defined contribution pension schemes.


9.


Interest payable and similar expenses

2024
2023
£
£


Bank interest payable
92,368
28,825

Other interest payable
-
2,529

92,368
31,354

In addition to the above, included in cost of sales are amounts of £1,986,285 (2023: £1,342,579) and £88,776 (2023: £128,551) relating to interest paid on hire purchase agreements and finance lease agreements respectively. Cash flows in respect of this interest are shown within operating activities.


10.


Taxation


2024
2023
£
£



Deferred tax


Origination and reversal of timing differences
563,448
325,325


Tax on profit
563,448
325,325
Page 31

 
LONDON HIRE LIMITED
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024
 
10.Taxation (continued)


Factors affecting tax charge for the year

The tax assessed for the year is higher than (2023 - lower than) the standard rate of corporation tax in the UK of 25% (2023 - 25%). The differences are explained below:

2024
2023
£
£


Profit on ordinary activities before tax
2,172,033
1,376,429


Profit on ordinary activities multiplied by standard rate of corporation tax in the UK of 25% (2023 - 25%)
543,008
344,107

Effects of:


Non-tax deductible amortisation of goodwill and impairment
20,942
4,354

Expenses not deductible for tax purposes, other than goodwill amortisation and impairment
(115,407)
(314,656)

Capital allowances for year in excess of depreciation
(598,686)
(239,246)

Utilisation of tax losses
(70,009)
(26,361)

Dividends from UK companies
-
10,627

Unrelieved tax losses carried forward
220,152
225,561

Group relief
-
(4,386)

Deferred tax
563,448
325,325

Total tax charge for the year
563,448
325,325


Factors that may affect future tax charges

The company has losses of £2,880,520 (2023: £1,945,755) to carry forward as at 31 August 2024, and subsidiary undertakings have losses of £51,301 (2023: £340,862) to carry forward for offset against future taxable profits.


11.


Dividends

2024
2023
£
£


Dividends paid
180,000
72,000

180,000
72,000

Page 32

 
LONDON HIRE LIMITED
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024

12.


Exceptional items

2024
2023
£
£


Loss of business - insurance claim expense/(income)
1,001
2,250

1,001
2,250


13.


Parent company profit for the year

The company has taken advantage of the exemption allowed under section 408 of the Companies Act 2006 and has not presented its own Statement of comprehensive income in these financial statements. The profit after tax of the parent company for the year was £1,480,503 (2023 - £1,294,510).


14.


Intangible assets

Group





Goodwill

£



Cost


At 1 September 2023
787,691



At 31 August 2024

787,691



Amortisation


At 1 September 2023
71,722


Charge for the year on owned assets
113,767



At 31 August 2024

185,489



Net book value



At 31 August 2024
602,202



At 31 August 2023
715,969



Page 33

 
LONDON HIRE LIMITED
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024
 
           14.Intangible assets (continued)

Company




Goodwill

£



Cost


At 1 September 2023
300,000



At 31 August 2024

300,000



Amortisation


At 1 September 2023
30,000


Charge for the year
30,000



At 31 August 2024

60,000



Net book value



At 31 August 2024
240,000



At 31 August 2023
270,000

Page 34

 
LONDON HIRE LIMITED
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024

15.


Tangible fixed assets

Group






Short-term leasehold property
Plant and machinery
Motor vehicles
Total

£
£
£
£



Cost or valuation


At 1 September 2023
1,972,555
1,383,328
68,678,344
72,034,227


Additions
242,508
179,442
15,062,815
15,484,765


Disposals
-
-
(3,361,727)
(3,361,727)



At 31 August 2024

2,215,063
1,562,770
80,379,432
84,157,265



Depreciation


At 1 September 2023
520,783
1,190,441
27,391,262
29,102,486


Charge for the year on owned assets
240,202
75,257
3,250
318,709


Charge for the year on financed assets
-
-
6,212,630
6,212,630


Disposals
-
-
(2,821,151)
(2,821,151)



At 31 August 2024

760,985
1,265,698
30,785,991
32,812,674



Net book value



At 31 August 2024
1,454,078
297,072
49,593,441
51,344,591



At 31 August 2023
1,451,772
192,887
41,287,082
42,931,741

The net book value of assets held under finance leases or hire purchase contracts, included above, is as follows:


2024
2023
£
£



Motor vehicles under hire purchase
45,946,644
37,669,712

Motor vehicles under finance lease
2,283,383
3,431,710

48,230,027
41,101,422

Page 35

 
LONDON HIRE LIMITED
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024

           15.Tangible fixed assets (continued)


Company






Short-term leasehold property
Plant and machinery
Motor vehicles
Total

£
£
£
£

Cost or valuation


At 1 September 2023
1,938,824
1,177,547
68,321,289
71,437,660


Additions
130,854
178,668
15,062,815
15,372,337


Disposals
-
-
(3,361,727)
(3,361,727)



At 31 August 2024

2,069,678
1,356,215
80,022,377
83,448,270



Depreciation


At 1 September 2023
470,371
1,077,791
27,207,678
28,755,840


Charge for the year on owned assets
163,251
57,629
3,250
224,130


Charge for the year on financed assets
-
-
6,212,630
6,212,630


Disposals
-
-
(2,821,151)
(2,821,151)



At 31 August 2024

633,622
1,135,420
30,602,407
32,371,449



Net book value



At 31 August 2024
1,436,056
220,795
49,419,970
51,076,821



At 31 August 2023
1,468,453
99,756
41,113,611
42,681,820






The net book value of assets held under finance leases or hire purchase contracts, included above, are as follows:


2024
2023
£
£



Motor vehicles under hire purchase
46,344,517
37,669,712

Motor vehicles under finance lease
3,066,514
3,431,710

49,411,031
41,101,422

Page 36

 
LONDON HIRE LIMITED
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024

16.


Fixed asset investments

Company





Investments in subsidiary companies

£



Cost or valuation


At 1 September 2023
2,061,522



At 31 August 2024

2,061,522



Impairment


At 1 September 2023
219,454



At 31 August 2024

219,454



Net book value



At 31 August 2024
1,842,068



At 31 August 2023
1,842,068


Direct subsidiary undertakings


The following were direct subsidiary undertakings of the company:

Name

Registered office

Class of shares

Holding

London Hire Community Services Limited
(A)
Ordinary
75%
Transpiration Limited
(A)
Ordinary
100%
R J Motors Limited *
(A)
Ordinary
100%

Page 37

 
LONDON HIRE LIMITED
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024

Indirect subsidiary undertakings


The following were indirect subsidiary undertakings of the company:

Name

Registered office

Class of shares

Holding

Heart Community Services CIC
(A)
Ordinary
73%
London Hire Services Limited *
(A)
Ordinary
75%
Carts & Carriages Limited
(A)
Ordinary
75%
A & G Minibuses Limited
(A)
Ordinary
75%

All subsidiaries have been included in the consolidation. 
* - Dormant entity
(A) - 185 Manor Road, Erith, England, DA8 2AD
Transpiration Limited and Carts & Carriages Limited are exempt by s479A of the Companies Act 2006 from the requirement to audit their individual accounts.


17.


Stocks

Group
Group
Company
Company
2024
2023
2024
2023
£
£
£
£

Workshop consumables
103,025
89,319
103,025
89,319

103,025
89,319
103,025
89,319


Page 38

 
LONDON HIRE LIMITED
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024

18.


Debtors



Group
Group
Company
Company
2024
2023
2024
2023
£
£
£
£

Amounts due within one year

Trade debtors
5,340,696
2,897,237
3,964,433
2,550,994

Other debtors
3,052,898
2,976,973
2,830,626
2,482,254

Called up share capital not paid
2
2
2
2

Prepayments and accrued income
698,939
743,131
425,707
378,180

9,092,535
6,617,343
7,220,768
5,411,430



19.


Cash and cash equivalents

Group
Group
Company
Company
2024
2023
2024
2023
£
£
£
£

Cash at bank and in hand
199,692
937,729
44,471
842,965

Less: bank overdrafts
(1,269,364)
(15,541)
(50,161)
-

(1,069,672)
922,188
(5,690)
842,965



20.


Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year

Group
Group
Company
Company
2024
2023
2024
2023
£
£
£
£

Bank overdrafts
1,269,364
15,541
50,161
-

Bank loans
150,000
205,893
150,000
205,893

Trade creditors
1,625,469
1,296,199
1,330,445
1,146,180

Amounts owed to group undertakings
-
-
3,916
-

Corporation tax
193,328
133,951
207,449
133,951

Other taxation and social security
851,910
558,153
60,856
59,435

Obligations under finance lease and hire purchase contracts
7,752,568
6,503,351
7,752,568
6,503,351

Other creditors
1,226,240
1,679,654
1,149,391
1,129,990

Accruals and deferred income
2,229,507
2,208,131
1,720,113
1,698,910

15,298,386
12,600,873
12,424,899
10,877,710


Page 39

 
LONDON HIRE LIMITED
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024

21.


Creditors: Amounts falling due after more than one year

Group
Group
Company
Company
2024
2023
2024
2023
£
£
£
£

Net obligations under finance leases and hire purchase contracts
33,423,996
28,063,598
33,423,996
28,063,598

Amounts owed to group undertakings
-
-
1,525,708
839,517

33,423,996
28,063,598
34,949,704
28,903,115



The aggregate amount of liabilities repayable wholly or in part more than five years after the balance sheet date is:
Group
Group
Company
Company
2024
2023
2024
2023
£
£
£
£


Net obligations under finance leases and hire purchase contracts
6,619,376
5,363,551
6,619,376
5,363,551

6,619,376
5,363,551
6,619,376
5,363,551

Bank loans are secured by debenture over the group's total assets, and a guarantee and charge over a residential property owned by certain directors of the company.
Hire purchase liabilities are secured over the assets to which they relate.


22.


Loans


Analysis of the maturity of loans is given below:


Group
Group
Company
Company
2024
2023
2024
2023
£
£
£
£

Amounts falling due within one year

Bank loans
150,000
205,893
150,000
205,893


150,000
205,893
150,000
205,893


Page 40

 
LONDON HIRE LIMITED
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024

23.


Hire purchase and finance leases


Minimum lease payments under finance lease and hire purchase contracts fall due as follows:

Group
Group
Company
Company
2024
2023
2024
2023
£
£
£
£

Within one year
7,752,568
6,503,351
7,752,568
6,503,351

Between 1-5 years
26,804,620
22,700,047
26,804,620
22,700,047

Over 5 years
6,619,376
5,363,551
6,619,376
5,363,551

41,176,564
34,566,949
41,176,564
34,566,949


24.


Deferred taxation


Group



2024
2023


£

£






At beginning of year
(2,398,478)
(2,062,717)


Charged to profit or loss
(563,448)
(335,761)



At end of year
(2,961,926)
(2,398,478)

Company


2024
2023


£

£






At beginning of year
(2,561,094)
(2,233,692)


Charged to profit or loss
(495,270)
(327,402)



At end of year
(3,056,364)
(2,561,094)

Group
Group
Company
Company
2024
2023
2024
2023
£
£
£
£

Accelerated capital allowances
(3,682,056)
(3,000,336)
(3,776,494)
(3,061,990)

Tax losses carried forward
720,130
601,858
720,130
500,896

(2,961,926)
(2,398,478)
(3,056,364)
(2,561,094)

Page 41

 
LONDON HIRE LIMITED
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024

25.


Share capital

2024
2023
£
£
Allotted, called up and fully paid



150,000 (2023 - 150,000) Ordinary shares of £1.00 each
150,000
150,000
7,895 (2023 - 7,895) Ordinary B shares of £1.00 each
7,895
7,895

157,895

157,895

Allotted, called up and partly paid



1 (2023 - 1) Ordinary C share of £1.00
1
1
1 (2023 - 1) Ordinary D share of £1.00
1
1

2

2



26.


Pension commitments

The group operates a defined contribution pension scheme. The assets of the scheme are held separately from those of the group in an independently administered fund. The pension cost charge represents contributions payable by the group  to the fund and amounted to  £235,389 (2023 - £220,309). Contributions totalling £27,432 (2023 - £8,684) were payable to the fund at the balance sheet date and are included in creditors.


27.


Commitments under operating leases

At 31 August 2024 the group and the company had future minimum lease payments due under non-cancellable operating leases for each of the following periods:


Group
Group
Company
Company
2024
2023
2024
2023
£
£
£
£

Not later than 1 year
396,781
345,000
345,000
345,000

Later than 1 year and not later than 5 years
1,166,795
1,226,959
1,166,795
1,226,959

Later than 5 years
1,106,425
1,392,205
1,106,425
1,392,205

2,670,001
2,964,164
2,618,220
2,964,164

Page 42

 
LONDON HIRE LIMITED
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2024

28.


Related party transactions

Group
During the year, the group made sales of £289,140 (2023: £290,624) and purchases of £35,799 (2023: £290,624) and paid consultancy fees of £238,500 (2023: £219,900) to companies under the common control of directors.
At the year end, amounts of £289,140 (2023: £6,732) and £nil (2023: £1,445,247) were included in trade debtors and other debtors respectively and amounts of £68,847 (2023: £34,666) within trade creditors due to companies under the control of directors. 
At the year end, amounts of £1,859,160 (2023: £1,271,708) were included within other debtors, respresenting amounts owed to the group from directors. These amounts are interest free and repayable on demand.
Company
In accordance with FRS 102 paragraph 33.1A, the exemption has been taken not to disclose transactions in the year between group undertakings where 100% of the voting rights are controlled within the group.
During the year, the company made sales of £nil (2023: £290,624) and purchases of £35,799 (2023: £290,624) and paid consultancy fees of £238,500 (2023: £219,900) to companies under the common control of directors.
At the year end, amounts of £nil (2023: £6,732) and £nil (2023: £1,445,247) were included in trade debtors and other debtors respectively and amounts of £68,847 (2023: £34,666) within trade creditors due to companies under the control of directors. 
At the year end, amounts of £1,886,636 (2023: £1,271,708) were included within other debtors, respresenting amounts owed to the company from directors. These amounts are interest free and repayable on demand.

 
Page 43