Company registration number 04995417 (England and Wales)
BALMER LAWN GARAGE LIMITED
ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
BALMER LAWN GARAGE LIMITED
COMPANY INFORMATION
Directors
L M Parker
Mr P Lamar
Company number
04995417
Registered office
Brookley Road
Brockenhurst
Hampshire
SO42 7RR
Auditor
Fiander Tovell Limited
Stag Gates House
63/64 The Avenue
Southampton
Hampshire
SO17 1XS
Business address
Brookley Road
Brockenhurst
Hampshire
SO42 7RR
Bankers
National Westminster Bank Plc
38 High Street
Lymington
Hampshire
SO41 9SY
BALMER LAWN GARAGE LIMITED
CONTENTS
Page
Strategic report
1
Directors' report
2 - 3
Independent auditor's report
4 - 6
Statement of comprehensive income
7
Balance sheet
8
Statement of changes in equity
9
Notes to the financial statements
10 - 23
BALMER LAWN GARAGE LIMITED
STRATEGIC REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
- 1 -
The directors present the strategic report and financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2024.
Principal activities
The principal activity of the company continued to be that of the sale and repair of motor vehicles in the UK. It continues to operate the SsangYong, Fiat, BMW Motorrad and Royal Enfield (motorcycles) franchises across Brockenhurst, Salisbury, Dibden Purlieu with the New Milton site closing in the year.
Review of the business
The company's results for the year comprised: turnover of £18,478,599 (2023: £19,429,607), operating loss of £670,616 (2023: £488,802) and loss after taxation of £691,687 (2023: £519,671).
2024 has proved to be a challenging one for our sector.
The financial results are a reflection of this. The cost cutting and saving measures undertaken by the company over the last 18 months have softened the blows and are starting to bear fruit,
Closing one of the loss-making branches has had an impact and the freehold will be sold in 2025 to aid cashflow and enable the company to actively seize any other opportunities that might present themselves.
The company is in talks with an existing partner to add an additional marque to the portfolio.
Relations with our existing partners and the bank remain very strong.
Principal risks and uncertainties
The agency model still has to prove itself to both retailer and OEM and there is still uncertainty as to its long term benefit and viability leading to confusion with all parties and a lack of confidence for the customers.
Recruitment remains a challenge across the industry.
Mr P Lamar
Director
30 September 2025
BALMER LAWN GARAGE LIMITED
DIRECTORS' REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
- 2 -
The directors present their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2024.
Results and dividends
The results for the year are set out on page 7.
No ordinary dividends were paid. The directors do not recommend payment of a final dividend.
Directors
The directors who held office during the year and up to the date of signature of the financial statements were as follows:
L M Parker
Mr P Lamar
Financial instruments
Treasury operations and financial instruments
The company’s principal financial instruments include cash, bank overdrafts and loans, the main purpose of which is to raise finance for the company’s operations. In addition, the company has various other financial assets and liabilities such as trade debtors and trade creditors arising directly from its operations.
Liquidity risk
The directors manage liquidity risk by day to day monitoring and decision making to ensure that there is sufficient cash available to meet the company's cash requirements.
Interest rate risk
The use of bank facilities and stocking loans to finance the company's operations exposes the company to fluctuation in interest rates. The directors manage this risk by day to day monitoring and decision making to ensure the cost to the business is minimised.
Credit risk
The company's credit risk is with after sales trade account customers only. This risk is managed by carrying out credit checks on all new account applicants and credit limits and days are appropriate to the customer credit rating and risk. Customers with accounts due are monitored on a weekly basis and the directors maintain strict controls to ensure debts are collected as they fall due.
The company has excellent relationships with all finance providers, its suppliers and bankers. It has met all of its commitment to them in a timely manner. The company requires and expects their continued support for ongoing operations and does not anticipate any issues.
Price Risk
The directors consider that they are not exposed to price risk as any increases in the cost of purchasing vehicles would either be passed on to customers or offset by dealer promotions.
Auditor
The auditor, Fiander Tovell Limited, is deemed to be reappointed under section 487(2) of the Companies Act 2006.
Statement of directors' responsibilities
The directors are responsible for preparing the annual report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and regulations.
BALMER LAWN GARAGE LIMITED
DIRECTORS' REPORT (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
- 3 -
Company law requires the directors to prepare financial statements for each financial year. Under that law the directors have elected to prepare the financial statements in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice (United Kingdom Accounting Standards and applicable law). Under company law, the directors must not approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the company and of the profit or loss of the company for that period.
In preparing these financial statements, the directors are required to:
select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
make judgements and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent; and
prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the company will continue in business.
The directors are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the company’s transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the company and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
Statement of disclosure to auditor
So far as each person who was a director at the date of approving this report is aware, there is no relevant audit information of which the company’s auditor is unaware. Additionally, the directors individually have taken all the necessary steps that they ought to have taken as directors in order to make themselves aware of all relevant audit information and to establish that the company’s auditor is aware of that information.
Medium-sized companies exemption
This report has been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies entitled to the medium-sized companies exemption.
On behalf of the board
Mr P Lamar
Director
30 September 2025
BALMER LAWN GARAGE LIMITED
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT
TO THE MEMBERS OF BALMER LAWN GARAGE LIMITED
- 4 -
Opinion
We have audited the financial statements of Balmer Lawn Garage Limited (the 'company') for the year ended 31 December 2024 which comprise the statement of comprehensive income, the balance sheet, the statement of changes in equity and notes to the financial statements, including significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including Financial Reporting Standard 102 The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
In our opinion the financial statements:
give a true and fair view of the state of the company's affairs as at 31 December 2024 and of its loss for the year then ended;
have been properly prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice; and
have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006.
We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditor's responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report. We are independent of the company in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements in the UK, including the FRC’s Ethical Standard, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.
Conclusions relating to going concern
In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that the directors' use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate.
Based on the work we have performed, we have not identified any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the company's ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at least twelve months from when the financial statements are authorised for issue.
Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the directors with respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections of this report.
The other information comprises the information included in the annual report other than the financial statements and our auditor's report thereon. The directors are responsible for the other information contained within the annual report. Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and, except to the extent otherwise explicitly stated in our report, we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon. Our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the course of the audit, or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether this gives rise to a material misstatement in the financial statements themselves. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact.
We have nothing to report in this regard.
Opinions on other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2006
In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of our audit:
the information given in the strategic report and the directors' report for the financial year for which the financial statements are prepared is consistent with the financial statements; and
the strategic report and the directors' report have been prepared in accordance with applicable legal requirements.
BALMER LAWN GARAGE LIMITED
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT
TO THE MEMBERS OF BALMER LAWN GARAGE LIMITED (CONTINUED)
- 5 -
Matters on which we are required to report by exception
In the light of the knowledge and understanding of the company and its environment obtained in the course of the audit, we have not identified material misstatements in the strategic report or the directors' report.
We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which the Companies Act 2006 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion:
adequate accounting records have not been kept, or returns adequate for our audit have not been received from branches not visited by us; or
the financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records and returns; or
certain disclosures of directors' remuneration specified by law are not made; or
we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit.
Responsibilities of directors
As explained more fully in the directors' responsibilities statement, the directors are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view, and for such internal control as the directors determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error. In preparing the financial statements, the directors are responsible for assessing the company's ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the directors either intend to liquidate the company or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.
Auditor's responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements
Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor's report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements.
The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud, is detailed below.
Extent to which the audit was considered capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud
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.
Our approach to identifying and assessing the risks of material misstatement in respect of irregularities, including fraud and non-compliance with laws 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 discussions with directors and other management, and from our commercial knowledge and experience.
we focused on specific laws and regulations which we considered may have a direct material effect on the financial statements or the operations of the company, including the Companies Act 2006, taxation legislation, data protection, anti-bribery, employment, environmental and health and safety legislation.
we assessed the extent of compliance with the laws and regulations identified above through making enquiries of management.
We assessed the susceptibility of the group’s financial statements to material misstatement, including obtaining an understanding of how fraud might occur, by:
making enquiries of management as to where they considered there was susceptibility to fraud, 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.
BALMER LAWN GARAGE LIMITED
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT
TO THE MEMBERS OF BALMER LAWN GARAGE LIMITED (CONTINUED)
- 6 -
Audit response to risk identified
To address the risk of fraud through management bias and override of controls, we:
performed analytical procedures to identify any unusual or unexpected relationships.
tested journal entries to identify unusual transactions.
tested a sample of BACS payments to identify payments being made to unexpected bank accounts.
assessed whether judgements and assumptions made in determining the accounting estimates were indicative of potential bias.
investigated the rationale behind significant or unusual transactions.
In response to the risk of irregularities and non-compliance with laws and regulations, we designed procedures which included, but were not limited to:
There are inherent limitations in our audit procedures described above. The more removed that laws and regulations are from financial transactions, the less likely it is that we would become aware of non-compliance. Auditing standards also limit the audit procedures required to identify non-compliance with laws and regulations to enquiry of the directors and other management and the inspection of regulatory and legal correspondence, if any.
Material misstatements that arise due to fraud can be harder to detect than those that arise from error as they may involve deliberate concealment or collusion.
A further description of our responsibilities is available on the Financial Reporting Council’s website at: https://www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our auditor's report.
This report is made solely to the company's members, as a body, in accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the company's members those matters we are required to state to them in an auditor's report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the company and the company's members as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.
Andrew Jay FCA FCCA (Senior Statutory Auditor)
For and on behalf of Fiander Tovell Limited, Statutory Auditor
Chartered Accountants
Stag Gates House
63/64 The Avenue
Southampton
Hampshire
SO17 1XS
30 September 2025
BALMER LAWN GARAGE LIMITED
STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
- 7 -
2024
2023
Notes
£
£
Turnover
3
18,478,599
19,429,607
Cost of sales
(17,567,557)
(18,074,737)
Gross profit
911,042
1,354,870
Administrative expenses
(1,593,983)
(1,853,946)
Other operating income
12,325
10,274
Operating loss
4
(670,616)
(488,802)
Interest receivable and similar income
7
2,543
Interest payable and similar expenses
8
(202,314)
(162,256)
Loss before taxation
(872,930)
(648,515)
Tax on loss
9
181,243
128,844
Loss for the financial year
(691,687)
(519,671)
The profit and loss account has been prepared on the basis that all operations are continuing operations.
BALMER LAWN GARAGE LIMITED
BALANCE SHEET
AS AT
31 DECEMBER 2024
31 December 2024
- 8 -
2024
2023
Notes
£
£
£
£
Fixed assets
Tangible assets
10
389,815
435,788
Investment property
11
420,000
420,000
Investments
12
1
1
809,816
855,789
Current assets
Stocks
14
2,548,350
3,483,365
Debtors
15
820,615
912,196
Cash at bank and in hand
17,601
138,864
3,386,566
4,534,425
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
16
(2,211,568)
(2,703,522)
Net current assets
1,174,998
1,830,903
Total assets less current liabilities
1,984,814
2,686,692
Creditors: amounts falling due after more than one year
17
(4,555)
(14,746)
Net assets
1,980,259
2,671,946
Capital and reserves
Called up share capital
21
250,000
250,000
Non-distributable profits reserve
22
124,215
124,215
Distributable profit and loss reserves
1,606,044
2,297,731
Total equity
1,980,259
2,671,946
These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions relating to medium-sized companies.
The financial statements were approved by the board of directors and authorised for issue on 30 September 2025 and are signed on its behalf by:
L M Parker
Mr P Lamar
Director
Director
Company registration number 04995417 (England and Wales)
BALMER LAWN GARAGE LIMITED
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
- 9 -
Share capital
Non-distri-butable profits
Profit and loss reserves
Total
£
£
£
£
Balance at 1 January 2023
250,000
124,215
2,817,402
3,191,617
Year ended 31 December 2023:
Loss and total comprehensive income
-
-
(519,671)
(519,671)
Balance at 31 December 2023
250,000
124,215
2,297,731
2,671,946
Year ended 31 December 2024:
Loss and total comprehensive income
-
-
(691,687)
(691,687)
Balance at 31 December 2024
250,000
124,215
1,606,044
1,980,259
BALMER LAWN GARAGE LIMITED
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
- 10 -
1
Accounting policies
Company information
Balmer Lawn Garage Limited is a private company limited by shares incorporated in England and Wales. The registered office is Brookley Road, Brockenhurst, Hampshire, SO42 7RR.
1.1
Accounting convention
These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with FRS 102 “The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland” (“FRS 102”) and the requirements of the Companies Act 2006.
The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the company. Monetary amounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest £.
The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention, modified to include the revaluation of investment properties. The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below.
This company is a qualifying entity for the purposes of FRS 102, being a member of a group where the parent of that group prepares publicly available consolidated financial statements, including this company, which are intended to give a true and fair view of the assets, liabilities, financial position and profit or loss of the group. The company has therefore taken advantage of exemptions from the following disclosure requirements:
Section 4 ‘Statement of Financial Position’ – Reconciliation of the opening and closing number of shares;
Section 7 ‘Statement of Cash Flows’ – Presentation of a statement of cash flow and related notes and disclosures;
Section 11 ‘Basic Financial Instruments’ and Section 12 ‘Other Financial Instrument Issues’ – Carrying amounts, interest income/expense and net gains/losses for each category of financial instrument; basis of determining fair values; details of collateral, loan defaults or breaches, details of hedges, hedging fair value changes recognised in profit or loss and in other comprehensive income;
Section 33 ‘Related Party Disclosures’ – Compensation for key management personnel.
The financial statements of the company are consolidated in the financial statements of RC Farr Holdings Limited, a company registered in England and Wales. These consolidated financial statements are available from its registered office, 24 Brookley Road, Brockenhurst, Hampshire, SO42 7RR.
1.2
Going concern
After considering the company’s performance in the year to 31 December 2024, its future prospects and its cash flow forecasts,true the directors have a reasonable expectation that the company has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus the directors continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements.
1.3
Turnover
Turnover is recognised at the fair value of the consideration received or receivable for goods and services provided in the normal course of business, and is shown net of VAT and other sales related taxes. The fair value of consideration takes into account trade discounts, settlement discounts and volume rebates.
Revenue from the sales of motor vehicles, parts and accessories is recognised when the risks and rewards of ownership are transferred to the customer, along with the associated manufacturer vehicle bonus income. Any manufacturer income in relation to achieving targets is recognised on an accruals basis. After sales revenue is recognised on the completion of the agreed work.
1.4
Tangible fixed assets
Tangible fixed assets are initially measured at cost and subsequently measured at cost or valuation, net of depreciation and any impairment losses.
BALMER LAWN GARAGE LIMITED
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
1
Accounting policies
(Continued)
- 11 -
Depreciation is recognised so as to write off the cost or valuation of assets less their residual values over their useful lives on the following bases:
Freehold land and buildings
Over 50 years
Leasehold land and buildings
Over the term of the lease
Plant and machinery
Over 3 - 10 years
Fixtures, fittings & computer equipment
Over 4 to 10 years
Motor vehicles
Over 4 years
The gain or loss arising on the disposal of an asset is determined as the difference between the sale proceeds and the carrying value of the asset, and is credited or charged to profit or loss.
1.5
Investment properties
Investment property, which is property held to earn rentals and/or for capital appreciation, is measured using the fair value model and stated at its fair value as the reporting end date. The surplus or deficit on revaluation is recognised in the profit and loss account.
Where fair value cannot be achieved without undue cost or effort, investment property is accounted for as tangible fixed assets.
1.6
Fixed asset investments
Interests in subsidiaries, associates and jointly controlled entities are initially measured at cost and subsequently measured at cost less any accumulated impairment losses. The investments are assessed for impairment at each reporting date and any impairment losses or reversals of impairment losses are recognised immediately in profit or loss.
1.7
Impairment of fixed assets
At each reporting period end date, the company reviews the carrying amounts of its tangible assets to determine whether there is any indication that those assets have suffered an impairment loss. If any such indication exists, the recoverable amount of the asset is estimated in order to determine the extent of the impairment loss (if any). Where it is not possible to estimate the recoverable amount of an individual asset, the company estimates the recoverable amount of the cash-generating unit to which the asset belongs.
1.8
Stocks
Stocks are stated at the lower of cost and estimated selling price less costs to complete and sell. Cost comprises direct materials and, where applicable, direct labour costs and those overheads that have been incurred in bringing the stocks to their present location and condition.
Under supply agreements with suppliers, the company has access to 'consignment stock' during a consignment period. Where the nature of these supply agreements transfers risks and rewards to the company, which in substance gives the company control over the stock during the consignment period and liabilities in respect of the holdings cost, the company recognises these stocks in the balance sheet together with the equivalent liability.
Where supply agreements do not provide risks and rewards to the company until such time as legal title actually passes at the end of the consignment period, these stocks are not included in the balance sheet. Both the terms under which stocks are held and the financial commitment in respect of these stocks are disclosed in the notes to the financial statements.
At each reporting date, an assessment is made for impairment. Any excess of the carrying amount of stocks over its estimated selling price less costs to complete and sell is recognised as an impairment loss in profit or loss. Reversals of impairment losses are also recognised in profit or loss.
BALMER LAWN GARAGE LIMITED
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
1
Accounting policies
(Continued)
- 12 -
1.9
Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents are basic financial assets and include cash in hand, deposits held at call with banks, other short-term liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less, and bank overdrafts. Bank overdrafts are shown within borrowings in current liabilities.
1.10
Financial instruments
The company has elected to apply the provisions of Section 11 ‘Basic Financial Instruments’ and Section 12 ‘Other Financial Instruments Issues’ of FRS 102 to all of its financial instruments.
Financial instruments are recognised in the company's balance sheet when the company becomes party to the contractual provisions of the instrument.
Financial assets and liabilities are offset, with the net amounts presented in the financial statements, when there is a legally enforceable right to set off the recognised amounts and there is an intention to settle on a net basis or to realise the asset and settle the liability simultaneously.
Basic financial assets
Basic financial assets, which include debtors and cash and bank balances, are initially measured at transaction price including transaction costs and are subsequently carried at amortised cost using the effective interest method unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the transaction is measured at the present value of the future receipts discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial assets classified as receivable within one year are not amortised.
Other financial assets
Other financial assets, including investments in equity instruments which are not subsidiaries, associates or joint ventures, are initially measured at fair value, which is normally the transaction price. Such assets are subsequently carried at fair value and the changes in fair value are recognised in profit or loss, except that investments in equity instruments that are not publicly traded and whose fair values cannot be measured reliably are measured at cost less impairment.
Impairment of financial assets
Financial assets, other than those held at fair value through profit and loss, are assessed for indicators of impairment at each reporting end date.
Financial assets are impaired where there is objective evidence that, as a result of one or more events that occurred after the initial recognition of the financial asset, the estimated future cash flows have been affected. If an asset is impaired, the impairment loss is the difference between the carrying amount and the present value of the estimated cash flows discounted at the asset’s original effective interest rate. The impairment loss is recognised in profit or loss.
If there is a decrease in the impairment loss arising from an event occurring after the impairment was recognised, the impairment is reversed. The reversal is such that the current carrying amount does not exceed what the carrying amount would have been, had the impairment not previously been recognised. The impairment reversal is recognised in profit or loss.
Derecognition of financial assets
Financial assets are derecognised only when the contractual rights to the cash flows from the asset expire or are settled, or when the company transfers the financial asset and substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership to another entity, or if some significant risks and rewards of ownership are retained but control of the asset has transferred to another party that is able to sell the asset in its entirety to an unrelated third party.
BALMER LAWN GARAGE LIMITED
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
1
Accounting policies
(Continued)
- 13 -
Classification of 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 company after deducting all of its liabilities.
Basic financial liabilities
Basic financial liabilities, including creditors, bank loans, loans from fellow group companies and preference shares that are classified as debt, are initially recognised at transaction price unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the debt instrument is measured at the present value of the future payments discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial liabilities classified as payable within one year are not amortised.
Debt instruments are subsequently carried at amortised cost, using the effective interest rate method.
Trade creditors are obligations to pay for goods or services that have been acquired in the ordinary course of business from suppliers. Amounts payable are classified as current liabilities if payment is due within one year or less. If not, they are presented as non-current liabilities. Trade creditors are recognised initially at transaction price and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.
Other financial liabilities
Derivatives, including interest rate swaps and forward foreign exchange contracts, are not basic financial instruments. Derivatives are initially recognised at fair value on the date a derivative contract is entered into and are subsequently re-measured at their fair value. Changes in the fair value of derivatives are recognised in profit or loss in finance costs or finance income as appropriate, unless hedge accounting is applied and the hedge is a cash flow hedge.
Debt instruments that do not meet the conditions in FRS 102 paragraph 11.9 are subsequently measured at fair value through profit or loss. Debt instruments may be designated as being measured at fair value through profit or loss to eliminate or reduce an accounting mismatch or if the instruments are measured and their performance evaluated on a fair value basis in accordance with a documented risk management or investment strategy.
Derecognition of financial liabilities
Financial liabilities are derecognised when the company’s contractual obligations expire or are discharged or cancelled.
1.11
Equity instruments
Equity instruments issued by the company are recorded at the proceeds received, net of transaction costs. Dividends payable on equity instruments are recognised as liabilities once they are no longer at the discretion of the company.
1.12
Taxation
The tax expense represents the sum of the tax currently payable and deferred tax.
Current tax
The tax currently payable is based on taxable profit for the year. Taxable profit differs from net profit as reported in the profit and loss account because it excludes items of income or expense that are taxable or deductible in other years and it further excludes items that are never taxable or deductible. The company’s liability for current tax is calculated using tax rates that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the reporting end date.
BALMER LAWN GARAGE LIMITED
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
1
Accounting policies
(Continued)
- 14 -
Deferred tax
Deferred tax liabilities are generally recognised for all timing differences and deferred tax assets are recognised to the extent that it is probable that they will be recovered against the reversal of deferred tax liabilities or other future taxable profits. Such assets and liabilities are not recognised if the timing difference arises from goodwill or from the initial recognition of other assets and liabilities in a transaction that affects neither the tax profit nor the accounting profit.
The carrying amount of deferred tax assets is reviewed at each reporting end date and reduced to the extent that it is no longer probable that sufficient taxable profits will be available to allow all or part of the asset to be recovered. Deferred tax is calculated at the tax rates that are expected to apply in the period when the liability is settled or the asset is realised. Deferred tax is charged or credited in the profit and loss account, except when it relates to items charged or credited directly to equity, in which case the deferred tax is also dealt with in equity. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are offset when the company has a legally enforceable right to offset current tax assets and liabilities and the deferred tax assets and liabilities relate to taxes levied by the same tax authority.
1.13
Employee benefits
The costs of short-term employee benefits are recognised as a liability and an expense, unless those costs are required to be recognised as part of the cost of stock or fixed assets.
The cost of any unused holiday entitlement is recognised in the period in which the employee’s services are received.
Termination benefits are recognised immediately as an expense when the company is demonstrably committed to terminate the employment of an employee or to provide termination benefits.
1.14
Retirement benefits
Payments to defined contribution retirement benefit schemes are charged as an expense as they fall due.
1.15
Leases
Rentals payable under operating leases, including any lease incentives received, are charged to profit or loss on a straight line basis over the term of the relevant lease except where another more systematic basis is more representative of the time pattern in which economic benefits from the leased asset are consumed.
Rental income from operating leases is recognised on a straight line basis over the term of the relevant lease. Initial direct costs incurred in negotiating and arranging an operating lease are added to the carrying amount of the leased asset and recognised on a straight line basis over the lease term.
2
Judgements and key sources of estimation uncertainty
In the application of the company’s accounting policies, the directors are required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions about the carrying amount of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors that are considered to be relevant. Actual results may differ from these estimates.
The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised where the revision affects only that period, or in the period of the revision and future periods where the revision affects both current and future periods.
BALMER LAWN GARAGE LIMITED
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
2
Judgements and key sources of estimation uncertainty
(Continued)
- 15 -
Key sources of estimation uncertainty
The estimates and assumptions which have a significant risk of causing a material adjustment to the carrying amount of assets and liabilities are as follows.
Stock provision
Stock is held at lower of cost and net realisable value. Vehicle stock is reviewed monthly to evaluate the age and value of those items against the CAP Guide and provision is made where required. CAP Guide provides the latest used car market value and is used as the industry benchmark. Parts stock are kept at a minimum and only fast moving and regularly used parts are held. At the balance sheet date the vehicle stock provision was £306,585 (2023: £477,489).
Investment properties
The investment properties are valued at market value. The value has been estimated by the Directors based on rental income generated and similar properties in the area.
The value at balance sheet date is £420,000 (2023: £420,000).
3
Turnover and other revenue
An analysis of the company's turnover is as follows:
2024
2023
£
£
Turnover analysed by class of business
Sale of goods and services
18,478,599
19,429,607
2024
2023
£
£
Other revenue
Interest income
-
2,543
4
Operating loss
2024
2023
Operating loss for the year is stated after charging:
£
£
Fees payable to the company's auditor for the audit of the company's financial statements
26,000
21,600
Depreciation of owned tangible fixed assets
58,574
56,068
Operating lease charges
188,510
195,377
BALMER LAWN GARAGE LIMITED
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
- 16 -
5
Employees
The average monthly number of persons (including directors) employed by the company during the year was:
2024
2023
Number
Number
Sales
25
23
Administration
37
14
Service
11
35
Total
73
72
Their aggregate remuneration comprised:
2024
2023
£
£
Wages and salaries
2,099,548
2,034,562
Social security costs
120,724
198,480
Pension costs
50,625
48,167
2,270,897
2,281,209
6
Directors' remuneration
2024
2023
£
£
Remuneration for qualifying services
220,801
215,000
Company pension contributions to defined contribution schemes
2,642
2,642
223,443
217,642
The number of directors for whom retirement benefits are accruing under defined contribution schemes amounted to 2 (2023 - 2).
Remuneration disclosed above include the following amounts paid to the highest paid director:
2024
2023
£
£
Remuneration for qualifying services
150,723
150,591
Company pension contributions to defined contribution schemes
1,321
1,321
BALMER LAWN GARAGE LIMITED
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
- 17 -
7
Interest receivable and similar income
2024
2023
£
£
Interest income
Other interest income
2,543
8
Interest payable and similar expenses
2024
2023
£
£
Interest on bank overdrafts and loans
118
-
Other interest
202,196
162,256
202,314
162,256
9
Taxation
2024
2023
£
£
Deferred tax
Origination and reversal of timing differences
(182,157)
(140,967)
Adjustment in respect of prior periods
914
12,123
Total deferred tax
(181,243)
(128,844)
The actual credit for the year can be reconciled to the expected credit for the year based on the profit or loss and the standard rate of tax as follows:
2024
2023
£
£
Loss before taxation
(872,930)
(648,515)
Expected tax credit based on the standard rate of corporation tax in the UK of 25.00% (2023: 23.50%)
(218,233)
(152,401)
Tax effect of expenses that are not deductible in determining taxable profit
3,911
5,440
Effect of change in corporation tax rate
(8,474)
Group relief
28,421
12,100
Permanent capital allowances in excess of depreciation
(382)
Depreciation on assets not qualifying for tax allowances
3,744
2,750
Deferred tax adjustments in respect of prior years
914
12,123
Taxation credit for the year
(181,243)
(128,844)
BALMER LAWN GARAGE LIMITED
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
- 18 -
10
Tangible fixed assets
Freehold land and buildings
Leasehold land and buildings
Plant and machinery
Fixtures, fittings & computer equipment
Motor vehicles
Total
£
£
£
£
£
£
Cost
At 1 January 2024
155,000
230,864
337,383
444,395
2,281
1,169,923
Additions
3,602
8,999
12,601
At 31 December 2024
155,000
230,864
340,985
453,394
2,281
1,182,524
Depreciation and impairment
At 1 January 2024
6,200
111,087
266,848
347,719
2,281
734,135
Depreciation charged in the year
3,100
11,876
22,879
20,719
58,574
At 31 December 2024
9,300
122,963
289,727
368,438
2,281
792,709
Carrying amount
At 31 December 2024
145,700
107,901
51,258
84,956
389,815
At 31 December 2023
148,800
119,777
70,535
96,676
435,788
11
Investment property
2024
£
Fair value
At 1 January 2024 and 31 December 2024
420,000
The fair value of the investment property has been arrived at on the basis of a valuation carried out at the year end by the directors. The directors do not believe there has been any changes in the value. The valuation was made on an open market basis by reference to market evidence of transaction prices for similar properties in the area.
If investment properties were stated on an historical cost basis rather than a fair value basis, the amounts would have been included as follows:
2024
2023
£
£
Cost
293,380
293,380
Accumulated depreciation
-
-
Carrying amount
293,380
293,380
BALMER LAWN GARAGE LIMITED
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
- 19 -
12
Fixed asset investments
2024
2023
Notes
£
£
Investments in associates
13
1
1
13
Associates
These financial statements are separate company financial statements for Balmer Lawn Garage Limited.
Details of the company's associates at 31 December 2024 are as follows:
Name of undertaking
Registered office
Class of
% Held
shares held
Direct
Janspeed Advanced Technologies Limited
England and Wales
Ordinary
50.00
Janspeed Advanced Technologies Limited has not traded in the year to 31 July 2024 or the preceding financial year.
14
Stocks
2024
2023
£
£
Finished goods and goods for resale
2,548,350
3,483,365
No impairment losses (2023: £206,028) have been recognised on stock.
Consignment stock:
The company operates a consignment stock arrangement with certain finance companies in relation to new vehicle stock. Such stock is held on a sale or return basis until it has been adopted or the finance companies become entitled to charge interest on the purchase price. Adoption occurs when the car has been sold or it has been on consignment for a pre-determined length of time.
The value of sale or return stock not included in the financial statements at the year end was £2,156,695 (2023: £1,494,638).
BALMER LAWN GARAGE LIMITED
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
- 20 -
15
Debtors
2024
2023
Amounts falling due within one year:
£
£
Trade debtors
198,209
318,993
Amounts owed by group undertakings
238,886
383,886
Other debtors
37,130
3,819
Prepayments and accrued income
100,839
141,190
575,064
847,888
Deferred tax asset (note 19)
245,551
64,308
820,615
912,196
16
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
2024
2023
Notes
£
£
Bank loans and overdrafts
18
9,999
115,227
Trade creditors
1,943,626
2,323,560
Taxation and social security
178,629
74,739
Other creditors
4,472
903
Accruals and deferred income
74,842
189,093
2,211,568
2,703,522
Trade creditors include an amount of £1,655,347 (2023: £2,394,761) in respect of vehicle finance which is secured on all property and assets of the company, present and future.
17
Creditors: amounts falling due after more than one year
2024
2023
Notes
£
£
Bank loans and overdrafts
18
4,555
14,746
18
Loans and overdrafts
2024
2023
£
£
Bank loans
14,554
37,030
Bank overdrafts
92,943
14,554
129,973
Payable within one year
9,999
115,227
Payable after one year
4,555
14,746
BALMER LAWN GARAGE LIMITED
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
18
Loans and overdrafts
(Continued)
- 21 -
The company's bank borrowings and facilities are secured by debenture and legal charge on all property and assets, present and future, supported by guarantees provided by its parent company.
The bank loan in respect of the investment property is repayable in monthly instalments. Interest is charged at 2.75% per year above bank based rate.
In 2020 the company borrowed £50,000 from the bank which is supported by the Bounce Back Loan Scheme (BBLS). No interest was payable for the first 12 months, Interest was then charged at 2.5% per year on the outstanding balances. The loan is repayable by 60 monthly instalments with 43 months of repayments being made by 31 December 2024.
19
Deferred taxation
Deferred tax assets and liabilities are offset where the company has a legally enforceable right to do so. The following is the analysis of the deferred tax balances (after offset) for financial reporting purposes:
Assets
Assets
2024
2023
Balances:
£
£
ACAs
(30,289)
(37,592)
Tax losses
316,525
142,494
Revaluations
(41,405)
-
Retirement benefit obligations
720
810
Investment property
-
(41,404)
245,551
64,308
2024
Movements in the year:
£
Asset at 1 January 2024
(64,308)
Credit to profit or loss
(181,243)
Asset at 31 December 2024
(245,551)
20
Retirement benefit schemes
2024
2023
Defined contribution schemes
£
£
Charge to profit or loss in respect of defined contribution schemes
50,625
48,167
The company operates a defined contribution pension scheme for all qualifying employees. The assets of the scheme are held separately from those of the company in an independently administered fund.
There were outstanding contributions at 31 December 2024 of £7,673 (2023: £7,054).
BALMER LAWN GARAGE LIMITED
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
- 22 -
21
Share capital
2024
2023
2024
2023
Ordinary share capital
Number
Number
£
£
Issued and fully paid
Ordinary shares of £1 each
250,000
250,000
250,000
250,000
The company has one class of ordinary shares which carry no right to fixed income.
22
Non-distributable profits reserve
2024
2023
£
£
At the beginning and end of the year
124,215
124,215
23
Operating lease commitments
As lessee
At the reporting end date the company had outstanding commitments for future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases, which fall due as follows:
2024
2023
£
£
Within 1 year
7,512
506
Years 2-5
30,048
-
After 5 years
5,008
-
42,568
506
As lessor - operating leases
The client has a rental agreement in place for their investment property where rent is received per the arrangements set.
2024
2023
Future amounts receivable under operating leases:
£
£
Within 1 year
24,300
24
Related party transactions
Transactions with related parties
During the year the company entered into the following transactions with related parties:
During the year, the company operated a loan account with Janspeed Advanced Technologies Limited, a company in which Balmer Lawn Garage Limited has a 50% interest. At the year end, Janspeed Advanced Technologies Limited owed the company £6,074 (2023: £6,074) which is interest free and repayable on demand.
BALMER LAWN GARAGE LIMITED
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
24
Related party transactions
(Continued)
- 23 -
Other information
The company's bank borrowings and facilities are secured by mortgage debentures and legal charges on all properties and assets, present and future, supported by guarantees provided by R C Farr Holdings Limited, its parent company.
25
Ultimate controlling party
The immediate and ultimate parent company is RC Farr Holdings Limited, a company incorporated in England and Wales.
The ultimate controlling party is RC Farr by virtue of his controlling interest in the parent company. The company's registered office is Brookley Road, Brockenhurst, SO42 7RR.
The following are the parents of the largest and smallest groups in which this company's results are consolidated:
Largest group
RC Farr Holdings Limited
Smallest group
RC Farr Holdings Limited
2024-12-312024-01-01falsefalsefalseCCH SoftwareCCH Accounts Production 2025.200L M ParkerMr P Lamar049954172024-01-012024-12-3104995417bus:Director12024-01-012024-12-3104995417bus:Director22024-01-012024-12-3104995417bus:RegisteredOffice2024-01-012024-12-3104995417bus:Agent12024-01-012024-12-31049954172024-12-31049954172023-01-012023-12-3104995417core:RetainedEarningsAccumulatedLosses2023-01-012023-12-3104995417core:RetainedEarningsAccumulatedLosses2024-01-012024-12-31049954172023-12-3104995417core:LandBuildingscore:OwnedOrFreeholdAssets2024-12-3104995417core:LandBuildingscore:LeasedAssetsHeldAsLessee2024-12-3104995417core:PlantMachinery2024-12-3104995417core:FurnitureFittings2024-12-3104995417core:MotorVehicles2024-12-3104995417core:LandBuildingscore:OwnedOrFreeholdAssets2023-12-3104995417core:LandBuildingscore:LeasedAssetsHeldAsLessee2023-12-3104995417core:PlantMachinery2023-12-3104995417core:FurnitureFittings2023-12-3104995417core:MotorVehicles2023-12-3104995417core:ShareCapital2024-12-3104995417core:ShareCapital2023-12-3104995417core:FurtherSpecificReserve1ComponentTotalEquity2024-12-3104995417core:FurtherSpecificReserve1ComponentTotalEquity2023-12-3104995417core:RetainedEarningsAccumulatedLosses2024-12-3104995417core:RetainedEarningsAccumulatedLosses2023-12-3104995417core:ShareCapital2022-12-3104995417core:FurtherSpecificReserve1ComponentTotalEquity2022-12-3104995417core:RetainedEarningsAccumulatedLosses2022-12-3104995417core:ShareCapitalOrdinaryShareClass12024-12-3104995417core:ShareCapitalOrdinaryShareClass12023-12-3104995417core:LandBuildingscore:OwnedOrFreeholdAssets2024-01-012024-12-3104995417core:LandBuildingscore:LongLeaseholdAssets2024-01-012024-12-3104995417core:PlantMachinery2024-01-012024-12-3104995417core:FurnitureFittings2024-01-012024-12-3104995417core:MotorVehicles2024-01-012024-12-310499541712024-01-012024-12-310499541712023-01-012023-12-3104995417core:UKTax2024-01-012024-12-3104995417core:UKTax2023-01-012023-12-3104995417core:LandBuildingscore:OwnedOrFreeholdAssets2023-12-3104995417core:LandBuildingscore:LeasedAssetsHeldAsLessee2023-12-3104995417core:PlantMachinery2023-12-3104995417core:FurnitureFittings2023-12-3104995417core:MotorVehicles2023-12-31049954172023-12-3104995417core:LandBuildingscore:LeasedAssetsHeldAsLessee2024-01-012024-12-3104995417core:Non-currentFinancialInstruments2024-12-3104995417core:Non-currentFinancialInstruments2023-12-3104995417core:Associate12024-01-012024-12-3104995417core:Associate112024-01-012024-12-3104995417core:CurrentFinancialInstruments2024-12-3104995417core:CurrentFinancialInstruments2023-12-3104995417bus:OrdinaryShareClass12024-01-012024-12-3104995417bus:OrdinaryShareClass12024-12-3104995417bus:OrdinaryShareClass12023-12-3104995417core:WithinOneYear2024-12-3104995417core:BetweenTwoFiveYears2024-12-3104995417core:MoreThanFiveYears2024-12-3104995417core:WithinOneYear2023-12-3104995417bus:PrivateLimitedCompanyLtd2024-01-012024-12-3104995417bus:FRS1022024-01-012024-12-3104995417bus:Audited2024-01-012024-12-3104995417bus:FullAccounts2024-01-012024-12-31xbrli:purexbrli:sharesiso4217:GBP