Willowbrook Investments Limited
Annual Report and Financial Statements
For the year ended 31 December 2024
Company Registration No. 09338744 (England and Wales)
Willowbrook Investments Limited
Company Information
Directors
G J F Worrell
N Ormond
Secretary
G J F Worrell
Company number
09338744
Registered office
209 Blackfriars Road
London
United Kingdom
SE1 8NL
Auditor
Moore Kingston Smith LLP
Charlotte Building
17 Gresse Street
London
W1T 1QL
Willowbrook Investments Limited
Contents
Page
Strategic report
1 - 2
Directors' report
3
Directors' responsibilities statement
4
Independent auditor's report
5 - 8
Group profit and loss account
9
Group statement of comprehensive income
10
Group balance sheet
11
Company balance sheet
12
Group statement of changes in equity
13
Group statement of cash flows
15
Notes to the financial statements
16 - 30
Willowbrook Investments Limited
Strategic Report
For the year ended 31 December 2024
Page 1
The directors present the strategic report for the year ended 31 December 2024.
Business review and future developments
The group derives its income from marketing cinema screen advertisements to media and creative agencies and their clients. The directors have considered the results for the year and the financial position as at 31 December 2024. The post covid success of 2022 and 2023 continued into 2024 which saw record breaking audiences in the UK with the overwhelming popularity and the commercial success of films such as Wicked, Inside Out 2, Deadpool & Wolverine and Despicable Me 4 which have also been hugely popular with Advertising Agencies and the Brands they represent. This success has continued to build in 2025 with films such as A Minecraft Movie, Bridget Jones: Mad About The Boy, Lilo & Stitch and Jurassic World Rebirth proving to be highly successful attracting large amounts of advertising revenue as well as high audience attendances. In 2025 the directors have continued to grow and improve the business by focussing on alternative but related revenue streams.
Principal risks and uncertainties
Going concern
The financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis which assumes that the group will continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future.
In June 2019, the entire share capital of Willowbrook Investments Limited (“Willowbrook”), was acquired by Deanforbes Investment Limited (“Deanforbes”) as part of the wider group's restructuring and refinancing program. Deanforbes received a three year senior debt facility on 11 July 2019 from McLarty Capital Partners UK LLP and Westbrooke Alternative Asset Management UK Limited, the proceeds from which were then used to repay existing loans of the company and improve general working capital of the company's operations. This debt facility initially fell due for renewal in July 2022 and, due to the impact of Covid, was extended and potentially for a further two years. The debt facility was refinanced in full in September 2024 via Beachpoint Capital.
Through extremely careful financial management we have been able to manage cashflows through and out of covid times as the market returned to normality. We had an understanding from our primary lender at Deanforbes that there will be further working capital funds made available should they be required, but this was not necessary as trading receipts are back to normal levels of activity as advertisers lay down significant levels of business fuelled by a very strong slate of upcoming films.
Reflecting on the above the board, with the support of all of our key stakeholders, believe the group to be a going concern for at least twelve months from the date of this report. Therefore, these financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis.
The financial statements do not include any adjustments that would result if the company were unable to continue as a going concern.
Willowbrook Investments Limited
Strategic Report (Continued)
For the year ended 31 December 2024
Page 2
Summary of key performance indicators
The largest impact on the group's performance is the economy and its effect upon the advertising market generally. However, subject to that, the directors' focus on ensuring that the group, as a minimum, achieves its appropriate share of revenue within the cinema advertising market by reviewing externally produced data. Although the available data can only be used for guidance purposes the indications are that this was achieved during 2024. Revenue growth is a key KPI of business performance which is closely tracked and monitored. In 2019 this was £17.52m, post covid in 2022 it was up by 19%, 2023 10% and in 2024 13% on 2019. Now that normality has been restored post the Covid-19 pandemic and cinema admission are heading in the right direction to return to pre pandemic levels, the group will continue its focus on the development of new revenue streams, the main one being “Sponsorships and Partnerships. In 2022 this was up on 2019 by 177%, 2023 on 2019 by 186% and 2024 by 308%. 2025 has continued with similar success. Another key KPI concerns the number of screens within our direct franchise which increased from 1,039 to 1,053 screens, up 1%, during the year ended 31 December 2024.
G J F Worrell
Director
29 September 2025
Willowbrook Investments Limited
Directors' Report
For the year ended 31 December 2024
Page 3
The directors present their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2024.
Principal activities
The principal activity of the group continued to be that of providing cinema advertising. The company is a holding entity which does not trade itself.
Results and dividends
No ordinary dividends were paid. The directors do not recommend payment of a further dividend.
Directors
The directors who held office during the year and up to the date of signature of the financial statements were as follows:
G J F Worrell
N Ormond
Auditor
Moore Kingston Smith LLP were re-appointed as auditor to the group and in accordance with section 485 of the Companies Act 2006, a resolution proposing that they be re-appointed will be put at a General Meeting.
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 auditor of the company is unaware. Additionally, the directors individually have taken all the necessary steps that they ought to have taken as directors in order to make themselves aware of all relevant audit information and to establish that the auditor of the company is aware of that information.
On behalf of the board
G J F Worrell
Director
29 September 2025
Willowbrook Investments Limited
Directors' Responsibilities Statement
For the year ended 31 December 2024
Page 4
The directors are responsible for preparing the Annual Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and regulations.
Company law requires the directors to prepare financial statements for each financial year. Under that law the directors have elected to prepare the financial statements in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice (United Kingdom Accounting Standards and applicable law). Under company law the directors must not approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the group and company, 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 and then apply them consistently;
make judgements and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
state whether applicable UK Accounting Standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements;
prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the group and company will continue in business.
The directors are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the group’s and company’s transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the group and company and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the group and company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
Willowbrook Investments Limited
Independent Auditor's Report
To the Members of Willowbrook Investments Limited
Page 5
Opinion
We have audited the financial statements of Willowbrook Investments Limited (the 'parent company') and its subsidiary (the 'group') for the year ended 31 December 2024 which comprise the Group Profit and Loss Account, the Group Balance Sheet, the Company Balance Sheet, the Group 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 FRS 102 The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
In our opinion the financial statements:
give a true and fair view of the state of the group's and the parent company's affairs as at 31 December 2024 and of the group's 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 group and parent company in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements in the UK, including the FRC’s Ethical Standard, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.
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.
Willowbrook Investments Limited
Independent Auditor's Report (Continued)
To the Members of Willowbrook Investments Limited
Page 6
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 their 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 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, 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 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 parent company or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.
Willowbrook Investments Limited
Independent Auditor's Report (Continued)
To the Members of Willowbrook Investments Limited
Page 7
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.
As part of an audit in accordance with ISAs (UK) we exercise professional judgement and maintain professional scepticism throughout the audit. We also:
Identify and assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to fraud or error, design and perform audit procedures responsive to those risks, and obtain audit evidence that is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion. The risk of not detecting a material misstatement resulting from fraud is higher than for one resulting from error, as fraud may involve collusion, forgery, intentional omissions, misrepresentations, or the override of internal control.
Obtain an understanding of internal control relevant to the audit in order to design audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purposes of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the company’s internal control.
Evaluate the appropriateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of accounting estimates and related disclosures made by the directors.
Conclude on the appropriateness of the directors’ use of the going concern basis of accounting and, based on the audit evidence obtained, whether a material uncertainty exists related to events or conditions that may cast significant doubt on the group's or the parent company’s ability to continue as a going concern. If we conclude that a material uncertainty exists, we are required to draw attention in our auditor’s report to the related disclosures in the financial statements or, if such disclosures are inadequate, to modify our opinion. Our conclusions are based on the audit evidence obtained up to the date of our auditor’s report. However, future events or conditions may cause the group or the parent company to cease to continue as a going concern.
Evaluate the overall presentation, structure and content of the financial statements, including the disclosures, and whether the financial statements represent the underlying transactions and events in a manner that achieves fair presentation.
Obtain sufficient appropriate audit evidence regarding the financial information of the entities or business activities within the group to express an opinion on the consolidated financial statements. We are responsible for the direction, supervision and performance of the group audit. We remain solely responsible for our audit opinion.
We communicate with those charged with governance regarding, among other matters, the planned scope and timing of the audit and significant audit findings, including any significant deficiencies in internal control that we identify during our audit.
Willowbrook Investments Limited
Independent Auditor's Report (Continued)
To the Members of Willowbrook Investments Limited
Page 8
Explanation as to what extent 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. The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities,
including fraud is detailed below.
The objectives of our audit in respect of fraud, are; to identify and assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements due to fraud; to obtain sufficient appropriate audit evidence regarding the assessed risks of material misstatement due to fraud, through designing and implementing appropriate responses to those assessed risks; and to respond appropriately to instances of fraud or suspected fraud identified during the audit. However, the primary responsibility for the prevention and detection of fraud rests with both management and those charged with governance of the company.
Our approach was as follows:
We obtained an understanding of the legal and regulatory requirements applicable to the company and considered that the most significant are the Companies Act 2006, UK financial reporting standards as issued by the Financial Reporting Council, and UK taxation legislation.
We obtained an understanding of how the company complies with these requirements by discussions with management and those charged with governance.
We assessed the risk of material misstatement of the financial statements, including the risk of material misstatement due to fraud and how it might occur, by holding discussions with management and those charged with governance.
We inquired of management and those charged with governance as to any known instances of noncompliance or suspected non-compliance with laws and regulations.
Based on this understanding, we designed specific appropriate audit procedures to identify instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. This included making enquiries of management and those charged with governance and obtaining additional corroborative evidence as required.
There are inherent limitations in the audit procedures described above. We are less likely to become aware of instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations that are not closely related to events and transactions reflected in the financial statements. Also, the risk of not detecting a material misstatement due to fraud is higher than the risk of not detecting one resulting from error, as fraud may involve deliberate concealment by, for example, forgery or intentional misrepresentations, or through collusion.
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 for no purpose other than to draw to the attention of the company’s members those matters we are required to include in an auditor's report addressed to them. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to any party 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.
Robert Kersse (Senior Statutory Auditor)
for and on behalf of Moore Kingston Smith LLP
30 September 2025
Chartered Accountants
Statutory Auditor
Charlotte Building
17 Gresse Street
London
W1T 1QL
Willowbrook Investments Limited
Group Profit and Loss Account
For the year ended 31 December 2024
Page 9
2024
2023
Notes
£
£
Turnover
3
19,840,753
19,353,360
Cost of sales
(12,736,897)
(12,019,627)
Gross profit
7,103,856
7,333,733
Administrative expenses
(6,987,632)
(6,485,654)
Other operating income
201,494
163,503
Operating profit
5
317,718
1,011,582
Interest receivable and similar income
9
179
136,141
Interest payable and similar expenses
10
(632,639)
(703,567)
Amounts written off investments
(266,870)
(2,163,921)
Loss before taxation
(581,612)
(1,719,765)
Tax on loss
11
(63,496)
(162,883)
Loss for the financial year
(645,108)
(1,882,648)
Loss for the financial year is all attributable to the owners of the parent company.
Willowbrook Investments Limited
Group Statement of Comprehensive Income
For the year ended 31 December 2024
Page 10
2024
2023
£
£
Loss for the year
(645,108)
(1,882,648)
Total comprehensive income for the year
(645,108)
(1,882,648)
Total comprehensive income for the year is all attributable to the owners of the parent company.
Willowbrook Investments Limited
Group Balance Sheet
As at 31 December 2024
Page 11
2024
2023
Notes
£
£
£
£
Fixed assets
Intangible assets
12
21,725
51,855
Tangible assets
13
72,653
69,084
94,378
120,939
Current assets
Debtors
16
4,651,347
6,696,424
Cash at bank and in hand
1,693,516
691,424
6,344,863
7,387,848
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
17
(15,844,462)
(16,251,358)
Net current liabilities
(9,499,599)
(8,863,510)
Total assets less current liabilities
(9,405,221)
(8,742,571)
Creditors: amounts falling due after more than one year
18
(12,322)
(23,224)
Provisions for liabilities
Deferred tax liability
20
(15,896)
(22,536)
(15,896)
(22,536)
Net liabilities
(9,433,439)
(8,788,331)
Capital and reserves
Called up share capital
22
3
3
Other reserves
573,400
573,400
Profit and loss reserves
(10,006,842)
(9,361,734)
Total equity
(9,433,439)
(8,788,331)
The financial statements were approved by the board of directors and authorised for issue on 29 September 2025 and are signed on its behalf by:
29 September 2025
G J F Worrell
Director
Willowbrook Investments Limited
Company Balance Sheet
As at 31 December 2024
31 December 2024
Page 12
2024
2023
Notes
£
£
£
£
Fixed assets
Investments
14
5,121,000
5,121,000
Current assets
-
-
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
17
(5,773,269)
(5,983,676)
Net current liabilities
(5,773,269)
(5,983,676)
Net liabilities
(652,269)
(862,676)
Capital and reserves
Called up share capital
22
3
3
Profit and loss reserves
(652,272)
(862,679)
Total equity
(652,269)
(862,676)
As permitted by s408 Companies Act 2006, the company has not presented its own profit and loss account and related notes. The company’s profit for the year was £210,407 (2023 - £61,092 loss).
These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies regime.
The financial statements were approved by the board of directors and authorised for issue on 29 September 2025 and are signed on its behalf by:
29 September 2025
G J F Worrell
Director
Company Registration No. 09338744 (England and Wales)
Willowbrook Investments Limited
Group Statement of Changes in Equity
For the year ended 31 December 2024
Page 13
Share capital
Other reserves
Profit and loss reserves
Total
£
£
£
£
Balance at 1 January 2023
3
573,400
(7,479,086)
(6,905,683)
Year ended 31 December 2023:
Loss and total comprehensive income for the year
-
-
(1,882,648)
(1,882,648)
Balance at 31 December 2023
3
573,400
(9,361,734)
(8,788,331)
Year ended 31 December 2024:
Loss and total comprehensive income for the year
-
-
(645,108)
(645,108)
Balance at 31 December 2024
3
573,400
(10,006,842)
(9,433,439)
The company received a cash injection through capital contribution for £573,400 from the group parent company Step Investments Limited.
Willowbrook Investments Limited
Company Statement of Changes in Equity
For the year ended 31 December 2024
Page 14
Share capital
Profit and loss reserves
Total
£
£
£
Balance at 1 January 2023
3
(801,587)
(801,584)
Year ended 31 December 2023:
Loss and total comprehensive income for the year
-
(61,092)
(61,092)
Balance at 31 December 2023
3
(862,679)
(862,676)
Year ended 31 December 2024:
Profit and total comprehensive income for the year
-
210,407
210,407
Balance at 31 December 2024
3
(652,272)
(652,269)
Willowbrook Investments Limited
Group Statement of Cash Flows
For the year ended 31 December 2024
Page 15
2024
2023
Notes
£
£
£
£
Cash flows from operating activities
Cash generated from operations
26
2,354,352
2,818,475
Income taxes paid
(389,854)
(437,152)
Net cash inflow from operating activities
1,964,498
2,381,323
Investing activities
Purchase of intangible assets
-
(51,608)
Purchase of tangible fixed assets
(52,425)
(30,815)
Repayment of loans
(266,870)
(2,163,921)
Interest received
179
136,141
Net cash used in investing activities
(319,116)
(2,110,203)
Financing activities
Repayment of bank loans
(10,651)
(10,652)
Interest paid
(632,639)
(703,567)
Net cash used in financing activities
(643,290)
(714,219)
Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
1,002,092
(443,099)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year
691,424
1,134,523
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year
1,693,516
691,424
Willowbrook Investments Limited
Notes to the Financial Statements
For the year ended 31 December 2024
Page 16
1
Accounting policies
Company information
Willowbrook Investments Limited (“the company”) is a private limited company domiciled and incorporated in England and Wales. The registered office is 209 Blackfriars Road, London, United Kingdom, SE1 8NL.
The group consists of Willowbrook Investments Limited and its subsidiary.
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. The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below.
The 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 for parent company information presented within the consolidated financial statements:
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.
1.2
Basis of consolidation
The consolidated group financial statements consist of the financial statements of the parent company Willowbrook Investments Limited together with all entities controlled by the parent company (its subsidiaries).
All financial statements are made up to 31 December 2024.
All intra-group transactions, balances and unrealised gains on transactions between group companies are eliminated on consolidation. Unrealised losses are also eliminated unless the transaction provides evidence of an impairment of the asset transferred.
Subsidiaries are consolidated in the group’s financial statements from the date that control commences until the date that control ceases.
Willowbrook Investments Limited
Notes to the Financial Statements (Continued)
For the year ended 31 December 2024
1
Accounting policies
(Continued)
Page 17
1.3
Going concern
At the time of approving the financial statements, the directors have considered forecasts covering a period of at least 12 months from the date of approval, including profit and loss and cash flow projections. These forecasts reflect actual results to July 2025 and reasonable assumptions for the remainder of the forecast period.
The subsidiary company, Pearl & Dean Cinemas Limited, made a net loss in 2024 which includes exceptional costs of £626,577 (2023: £nil). The group has continued to generate operating profits and cash in 2024 and has a positive cash position. The performance in 2025 has been boosted by the success of A Minecraft Movie and Bridget Jones: Mad About The Boy, followed by a strong pipeline of other cinema releases in the next 12 months. This together with the group's new and additional revenue streams form brokering partnership opportunities between brands and cinemas should further boost trading results in 2025 and 2026.
The group has net current liabilities of £9,499,599 (2023: £8,863,510). The company’s parent has secured additional funding in 2025 to ensure sufficient headroom on the group’s working capital requirements and to strengthen the group financial position. As a result, the group has received confirmation that financial support will continue to be provided by the parent company and a related party and therefore the Directors have a reasonable expectation that the company will have sufficient funds to be able to meet its liabilities as they fall due for at least a period of 12 months from the date of approval of these financial statements. Accordingly, the directors continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements.
1.4
Turnover
Turnover represents the gross value of cinema advertising contracts, net of trade discounts/rebates and less any sales taxes. Turnover is measured at the fair value of the consideration received or receivable and is recognised evenly over the duration of the contracts, commencing on the date that the advertising campaign is first played. Revenue received in advance is recognised as it is earned on a time apportioned basis. Cinema advertising contracts in the UK is considered to be the only business segment, therefore no separate segmental analysis has been presented.
1.5
Intangible fixed assets - goodwill
Goodwill represents the excess of the cost of acquisition of a business over the fair value of net assets acquired. It is initially recognised as an asset at cost and is subsequently measured at cost less accumulated amortisation and accumulated impairment losses. Goodwill is considered to have a finite useful life and is amortised on a systematic basis over its expected life, which is 4 years.
For the purposes of impairment testing, goodwill is allocated to the cash-generating units expected to benefit from the acquisition. Cash-generating units to which goodwill has been allocated are tested for impairment at least annually, or more frequently when there is an indication that the unit may be impaired. If the recoverable amount of the cash-generating unit is less than the carrying amount of the unit, the impairment loss is allocated first to reduce the carrying amount of any goodwill allocated to the unit and then to the other assets of the unit pro-rata on the basis of the carrying amount of each asset in the unit.
1.6
Intangible fixed assets other than goodwill
Intangible assets acquired separately from a business are recognised at cost and are subsequently measured at cost less accumulated amortisation and accumulated impairment losses.
Willowbrook Investments Limited
Notes to the Financial Statements (Continued)
For the year ended 31 December 2024
1
Accounting policies
(Continued)
Page 18
Amortisation is recognised so as to write off the cost or valuation of assets less their residual values over their useful lives on the following bases:
Software
20% straight line
1.7
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.
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:
Fixtures and fittings
20-25% straight line
Computers
20-25% straight line
The gain or loss arising on the disposal of an asset is determined as the difference between the sale proceeds and the carrying value of the asset, and is recognised in the profit and loss account.
1.8
Fixed asset investments
Equity investments are measured at fair value through profit or loss, except for those equity investments that are not publicly traded and whose fair value cannot otherwise be measured reliably, which are recognised at cost less impairment until a reliable measure of fair value becomes available.
In the parent company financial statements, investments in subsidiaries, associates and jointly controlled entities are initially measured at cost and subsequently measured at cost less any accumulated impairment losses.
A subsidiary is an entity controlled by the group. Control is the power to govern the financial and operating policies of the entity so as to obtain benefits from its activities.
1.9
Impairment of fixed assets
Where a reasonable and consistent basis of allocation can be identified, assets are allocated to individual cash-generating units, or otherwise they are allocated to the smallest group of cash-generating units for which a reasonable and consistent allocation basis can be identified.
1.10
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.
1.11
Financial instruments
The group only has basic financial instruments measured at amortised cost, with no financial instruments classified as other or basic instruments measured at fair value.
1.12
Equity instruments
Equity instruments issued by the group 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 group.
Willowbrook Investments Limited
Notes to the Financial Statements (Continued)
For the year ended 31 December 2024
1
Accounting policies
(Continued)
Page 19
1.13
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 group’s liability for current tax is calculated using tax rates that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the reporting end date.
Deferred tax
Deferred tax liabilities are generally recognised for all timing differences and deferred tax assets are recognised to the extent that it is probable that they will be recovered against the reversal of deferred tax liabilities or other future taxable profits. Such assets and liabilities are not recognised if the timing difference arises from goodwill or from the initial recognition of other assets and liabilities in a transaction that affects neither the tax profit nor the accounting profit.
The carrying amount of deferred tax assets is reviewed at each reporting end date and reduced to the extent that it is no longer probable that sufficient taxable profits will be available to allow all or part of the asset to be recovered. Deferred tax is calculated at the tax rates that are expected to apply in the period when the liability is settled or the asset is realised. Deferred tax is charged or credited in the profit and loss account, except when it relates to items charged or credited directly to equity, in which case the deferred tax is also dealt with in equity. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are offset if, and only if, there is a legally enforceable right to offset current tax assets and liabilities and the deferred tax assets and liabilities relate to taxes levied by the same tax authority.
1.14
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.
1.15
Retirement benefits
Payments to defined contribution retirement benefit schemes are charged as an expense as they fall due.
1.16
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.
1.17
Foreign exchange
Transactions in currencies other than pounds sterling are recorded at the rates of exchange prevailing at the dates of the transactions. At each reporting end date, monetary assets and liabilities that are denominated in foreign currencies are retranslated at the rates prevailing on the reporting end date. Gains and losses arising on translation in the period are included in profit or loss.
Willowbrook Investments Limited
Notes to the Financial Statements (Continued)
For the year ended 31 December 2024
Page 20
2
Judgements and key sources of estimation uncertainty
In the application of the group’s accounting policies, the directors are required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions about the carrying amount of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors that are considered to be relevant. Actual results may differ from these estimates.
The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised where the revision affects only that period, or in the period of the revision and future periods where the revision affects both current and future periods.
Critical judgements
The following judgements (apart from those involving estimates) have had the most significant effect on amounts recognised in the financial statements.
Revenue recognition
Significant management judgement is required in determining the point at which revenue should be recognised. Revenue is recognised by the volume of cinema admissions over the duration of the contracts, commencing on the date that the advertising campaign is first played. In arriving at this point of recognition, management have considered the liabilities and amounts that would be due if at different points of the contract, the project were to be pulled.
Impairment of receivables
The company makes an estimate of the recoverable value of trade and other debtors and amounts due from related parties. Provisions are made specifically against receivables where there is evidence of a dispute or inability to pay. In making this assessment, management consider a number of factors including the ageing profile, historical and future cash flows.
Investment valuation
The recoverable amount of investments is based on future cash flows for the individual investments. In determining whether any impairment is required, management makes a number of estimates in respect of future cash flows and future earnings growth. Following their assessment and review, the directors have determined no impairment is necessary.
3
Turnover and other revenue
2024
2023
£
£
Turnover analysed by class of business
Cinema advertising income
19,840,753
19,353,360
2024
2023
£
£
Turnover analysed by geographical market
UK
19,840,753
19,353,360
Willowbrook Investments Limited
Notes to the Financial Statements (Continued)
For the year ended 31 December 2024
3
Turnover and other revenue
(Continued)
Page 21
2024
2023
£
£
Other significant revenue
Interest income
179
136,141
4
Exceptional item
During the year the group wrote off historic loan balances held with other group companies at Step Investments level. The group performed an exercise to review which intercompany balances were no longer deemed recoverable or would not be recalled. This has resulted in a net cost to the group of £266,870 (2023: £2,163,921) which is deemed an exceptional item skewing this years profitability.
The group also incurred £626,577 (2023: £nil) of recharged legal and professional fees from the group's parent company relating to a refinancing event which took place during the year. This has been recognised within administration expenses.
5
Operating profit
2024
2023
£
£
Operating profit for the year is stated after charging/(crediting):
Exchange (gains)/losses
(313,976)
54,418
Depreciation of owned tangible fixed assets
48,856
45,526
Fees payable to the company's auditor for the audit of the company's financial statements
64,453
60,000
Fees payable to the company's auditor for all other services
4,540
26,333
Amortisation of intangible assets
30,130
31,405
Operating lease charges
283,161
322,529
6
Auditor's remuneration
2024
2023
Fees payable to the group's auditor and associates:
£
£
For audit services
Audit of the financial statements of the group and company
12,980
10,200
Audit of the financial statements of the company's subsidiaries
51,473
49,800
64,453
60,000
For other services
All other non-audit services
4,540
10,000
4,540
10,000
Willowbrook Investments Limited
Notes to the Financial Statements (Continued)
For the year ended 31 December 2024
Page 22
7
Employees
The average monthly number of persons (including directors) employed by the group and company during the year was:
Group
Company
2024
2023
2024
2023
Number
Number
Number
Number
Sales
43
43
-
-
Other
11
11
-
-
Total
54
54
0
0
Their aggregate remuneration comprised:
Group
Company
2024
2023
2024
2023
£
£
£
£
Wages and salaries
3,280,010
3,108,752
Social security costs
384,174
357,460
-
-
Pension costs
231,959
198,058
3,896,143
3,664,270
8
Directors' remuneration
2024
2023
£
£
Remuneration for qualifying services
472,291
510,126
Company pension contributions to defined contribution schemes
34,566
44,481
506,857
554,607
Remuneration disclosed above includes the following amounts paid to the highest paid director:
2024
2023
£
£
Remuneration for qualifying services
238,291
229,126
Company pension contributions to defined contribution schemes
18,186
16,731
Willowbrook Investments Limited
Notes to the Financial Statements (Continued)
For the year ended 31 December 2024
Page 23
9
Group interest receivable and similar income
2024
2023
£
£
Interest income
Interest on bank deposits
179
Interest receivable from group companies
136,141
Total income
179
136,141
10
Interest payable and similar expenses
2024
2023
£
£
Interest on financial liabilities measured at amortised cost:
Other interest on financial liabilities
632,639
691,176
Other finance costs:
Other interest
-
12,391
Total finance costs
632,639
703,567
11
Taxation
2024
2023
£
£
Current tax
UK corporation tax on profits for the current period
70,136
152,358
Deferred tax
Origination and reversal of timing differences
(6,640)
10,525
Total tax charge
63,496
162,883
Willowbrook Investments Limited
Notes to the Financial Statements (Continued)
For the year ended 31 December 2024
11
Taxation
(Continued)
Page 24
The actual charge for the year can be reconciled to the expected credit for the year based on the profit or loss and the standard rate of tax as follows:
2024
2023
£
£
Loss before taxation
(581,612)
(1,719,765)
Expected tax credit based on the standard rate of corporation tax in the UK of 25.00% (2023: 25.00%)
(145,403)
(429,941)
Tax effect of expenses that are not deductible in determining taxable profit
182,676
617,645
Permanent capital allowances in excess of depreciation
19,583
13,236
Tax at marginal rate
(27,532)
Deferred tax
6,640
(10,525)
Taxation charge
63,496
162,883
12
Intangible fixed assets
Group
Goodwill
Software
Total
£
£
£
Cost
At 1 January 2024 and 31 December 2024
6,835,000
200,079
6,835,000
Amortisation and impairment
At 1 January 2024
6,835,000
148,224
6,835,000
Amortisation charged for the year
30,130
30,130
At 31 December 2024
6,835,000
178,354
7,013,354
Carrying amount
At 31 December 2024
21,725
21,725
At 31 December 2023
51,855
51,855
The company does not hold any intangible fixed assets (2023 - nil).
Willowbrook Investments Limited
Notes to the Financial Statements (Continued)
For the year ended 31 December 2024
Page 25
13
Tangible fixed assets
Group
Fixtures and fittings
Computers
Total
£
£
£
Cost
At 1 January 2024
469,310
416,208
885,518
Additions
37,921
14,504
52,425
At 31 December 2024
507,231
430,712
937,943
Depreciation and impairment
At 1 January 2024
445,521
370,913
816,434
Depreciation charged in the year
19,906
28,950
48,856
At 31 December 2024
465,427
399,863
865,290
Carrying amount
At 31 December 2024
41,804
30,849
72,653
At 31 December 2023
23,789
45,295
69,084
The company had no tangible fixed assets at 31 December 2024 or 31 December 2023.
14
Fixed asset investments
Group
Company
2024
2023
2024
2023
Notes
£
£
£
£
Investments in subsidiaries
15
5,121,000
5,121,000
15
Subsidiaries
Details of the company's subsidiaries at 31 December 2024 are as follows:
Name of undertaking
Registered office
Class of
% Held
shares held
Direct
Pearl & Dean Cinemas Limited
United Kingdom
Ordinary
100
Willowbrook Investments Limited
Notes to the Financial Statements (Continued)
For the year ended 31 December 2024
Page 26
16
Debtors
Group
Company
2024
2023
2024
2023
Amounts falling due within one year:
£
£
£
£
Trade debtors
3,916,427
5,536,162
Amounts owed by group undertakings
-
269,121
-
-
Other debtors
174,770
184,072
Prepayments and accrued income
560,150
707,069
4,651,347
6,696,424
-
-
The intercompany balances remaining within the consolidated financial statements relate to companies outside the group which is being consolidated for the purpose of these financial statements.
17
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
Group
Company
2024
2023
2024
2023
Notes
£
£
£
£
Bank loans
19
10,162
9,911
Trade creditors
8,049,343
7,402,503
Amounts owed to group undertakings
5,770,696
6,314,528
5,733,269
5,953,676
Corporation tax payable
187,215
506,933
Other taxation and social security
460,678
398,198
-
-
Other creditors
37,890
28,843
Accruals and deferred income
1,328,478
1,590,442
40,000
30,000
15,844,462
16,251,358
5,773,269
5,983,676
The intercompany balances remaining within the consolidated financial statements relate to companies outside the company which is being consolidated for the purpose of these financial statements.
In October 2024, the group secured a debenture with BPC Ireland Lending II DAC which has a fixed and floating charge over the undertaking including all property and assets.
18
Creditors: amounts falling due after more than one year
Group
Company
2024
2023
2024
2023
Notes
£
£
£
£
Bank loans and overdrafts
19
12,322
23,224
In May 2021 the group secured a bounce back loan with the bank as a result of COVID-19. The loan will be repaid off over 6 years with monthly repayments after the first 12 months. Interest is charged at 2.5% fixed rate and monthly repayments are £887.
Willowbrook Investments Limited
Notes to the Financial Statements (Continued)
For the year ended 31 December 2024
Page 27
19
Loans and overdrafts
Group
Company
2024
2023
2024
2023
£
£
£
£
Bank loans
22,484
33,135
Payable within one year
10,162
9,911
Payable after one year
12,322
23,224
20
Deferred taxation
The following are the major deferred tax liabilities and assets recognised by the group and company, and movements thereon:
Liabilities
Liabilities
2024
2023
Group
£
£
Accelerated capital allowances
15,896
22,536
The company has no deferred tax assets or liabilities.
Group
Company
2024
2024
Movements in the year:
£
£
Liability at 1 January 2024
22,536
-
Credit to profit or loss
(6,640)
-
Liability at 31 December 2024
15,896
-
Willowbrook Investments Limited
Notes to the Financial Statements (Continued)
For the year ended 31 December 2024
Page 28
21
Retirement benefit schemes
2024
2023
Defined contribution schemes
£
£
Charge to profit or loss in respect of defined contribution schemes
231,959
198,058
A defined contribution pension scheme is operated for all qualifying employees. The assets of the scheme are held separately from those of the group in an independently administered fund. At the year end pension liabilities were due of £37,890 (2023: £26,609).
22
Share capital
Group and company
2024
2023
2024
2023
Ordinary share capital
Number
Number
£
£
Issued and fully paid
ordinary shares of £1 each
3
3
3
3
On 3 December 2014, 3 ordinary shares were issued for a cash consideration of £3. All shares have full rights in the company with respect to voting, dividends and distributions.
23
Operating lease commitments
Lessee
At the reporting end date the group had outstanding commitments for future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases, which fall due as follows:
Group
Company
2024
2023
2024
2023
£
£
£
£
Within one year
231,402
222,928
-
-
Between two and five years
404,531
1,813
-
-
635,933
224,741
-
-
The company does not hold any operating leases.
Willowbrook Investments Limited
Notes to the Financial Statements (Continued)
For the year ended 31 December 2024
Page 29
24
Related party transactions
The company has taken advantage of the exemption available in FRS 102 Paragraph 33.1A whereby it has not disclosed transactions with any wholly owned group undertaking.
As at year end there are amounts due of £44,000 (2023: - £6,170) to Adtower Limited. Adtower Limited is a related party by being under the common control of the ultimate parent Step Investments Limited.
As at year end there are amounts due of £nil (2023: £724,935) from Mepro Limited. Mepro Limited is a related party by being under the common control of the ultimate parent Step Investments Limited.
As at year end there are amounts due of £nil (2023: £143,000) from Sortridge Limited. During the year amounts invoiced to Sortridge amounted to £48,000 (2023: £nil). As at year end there are amounts outstanding of £nil (2023: £nil) due to Sortridge Limited in respect of these transactions and prior year transactions. Sortridge Limited is a related party by being under the common control of the ultimate parent Step Investments Limited
During the year the company was invoiced £nil (2023: £625,069) by Empire Cinema Limited. As at year end there are amounts outstanding of £453,201 (2023: £1,141) due to Empire Cinema Limited in respect of these transactions and prior year transactions. Empire Cinema Limited is a related party by common control of a director.
25
Controlling party
The directors consider that the immediate controlling party is Deanforbes Investments Limited, a company incorporated in Ireland, which is owned by Step Investments Limited. The ultimate controlling party is Cara Trustee of the Oxford Trust, which owns Step Investments Limited.
The smallest and largest group to consolidate these financial statements is Deanforbes Investments Limited, copies of these financial statements can be obtained from the Company Secretary at Brophy Gillespie, St Gall Gardens South, Miltown, Dublin 14, D14 Y882.
Willowbrook Investments Limited
Notes to the Financial Statements (Continued)
For the year ended 31 December 2024
Page 30
26
Cash generated from group operations
2024
2023
£
£
Loss for the year after tax
(645,108)
(1,882,648)
Adjustments for:
Taxation charged
63,496
152,358
Finance costs
632,639
703,567
Investment income
(179)
(136,141)
Amortisation and impairment of intangible assets
30,130
31,405
Depreciation and impairment of tangible fixed assets
48,856
45,526
Other gains and losses
266,870
2,163,921
Increase in deferred income
-
10,525
Movements in working capital:
Decrease in debtors
2,045,077
2,504,420
Decrease in creditors
(87,429)
(774,458)
Cash generated from operations
2,354,352
2,818,475
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