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Registered number: 03053689
Charity number: 1048581










Manchester City Galleries Trust
(A Company Limited by Guarantee)









Trustees' Report and Financial Statements

For the Year Ended 31 March 2025

 
Manchester City Galleries Trust
 
(A Company Limited by Guarantee)
 

Contents



Page
Reference and Administrative Details of the Charity, its Trustees and Advisers
 
1
Trustees' Report
 
2 - 10
Independent Auditors' Report on the Financial Statements
 
11 - 14
Consolidated Statement of Financial Activities
 
15
Consolidated Balance Sheet
 
16
Charity Balance Sheet
 
17
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows
 
18
Notes to the Financial Statements
 
19 - 38

 
Manchester City Galleries Trust
 
(A Company Limited by Guarantee)
 

Reference and Administrative Details of the Charity, its Trustees and Advisers
For the Year Ended 31 March 2025



Trustees
H J Taylor-O'Brien (appointed 6 December 2024)
J M Williams (resigned 6 December 2024)
S J Lindsay (appointed 6 December 2024)
J R Mycock (resigned 6 December 2024)
R G Pulford (resigned 5 September 2024)
V Barillova
Z C Dunbar
A G Palmer
S P Wood
R F Stephenson (appointed 17 May 2024)
L M Abbotts (appointed 4 September 2025)


Company registered number
03053689

Charity registered number
1048581

Registered office
Manchester Art Gallery
Mosley Street
Manchester
M2 3JL

Company secretary
J L Beggs

Independent auditors
Hurst Accountants Limited
Chartered Accountants & Statutory Auditors
3 Stockport Exchange
Stockport
SK1 3GG

Bankers
Virgin Money
48-50 Market Street
Manchester
M1 1PW

Page 1

 
Manchester City Galleries Trust
 
(A Company Limited by Guarantee)
 
  
Trustees' Report
For the Year Ended 31 March 2025

The Trust presents their annual report together with the audited financial statements of the Charity for the year 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025The Annual Report serves the purposes of both a Trustees' report and a directors' report under company law. The Trustees confirm that the Annual Report and financial statements of the charitable company comply with the current statutory requirements, the requirements of the charitable company's governing document and the provisions of the Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS102) (effective 1 January 2019). 

Since the Trust and the Group qualifies as small under section 383 of the Companies Act 2006, the strategic report required of medium and large companies under the Companies Act 2006 (Strategic Report and Director's Report) Regulations 2013 is not required.

The Trustees who served in the year are listed below.

John Williams (Chair – resigned 6 December 2024)
James Mycock (Vice Chair – resigned 6 December 2024)
Stuart Paul Wood 
Andrew Graham Palmer 
Helen Jane Taylor O’Brien (Chair - appointed 6 December 2024)
Steven James Lindsay (appointed 6 December 2024)
Roger Francis Stephenson (appointed 17 May 2024)
Zoe Clair Dunbar 
Viktoria Barillova 
 

Objectives and activities
 

a. Policies and objectives
 

Manchester City Galleries Trust is an independent Trust raising money to support the projects and programmes of Manchester Art Gallery and Platt Hall.

The Trustees measure the success of the Trust by its financial performance, along with the Galleries' civic impact. The latter is reported to Manchester City Council Galleries Committee annually and this report, and feedback from the Committee, is shared with Trustees. Positive performance in turn provides additional resources for the Trust to further its objectives.

The Trustees confirm that they have complied with their duty under section 17 of the Charities Act 2011 to have due regard to the guidance on public benefit published by the Charity Commission. In planning the charity’s activities for the year, the Trustees have considered how those activities will contribute to the charity’s aims and objectives and deliver public benefit.

During the year the Trust had one trading subsidiary: Manchester Art Gallery Trading Company Limited (company number 04465391).

Manchester Art Gallery Trading Company Limited

This company operates the Manchester Art Gallery Café and venue hire business. Profits, when available, are gifted to the Trust. The Directors of this company are:

Amanda Susan Wallace
Robert Moss
Thom Hetherington (resigned 16 April 2025)
Paul Robert Hindle

Andrew Graham Palmer 
Stuart Paul Wood 
Diane Andrea Charlton 
Page 2

 
Manchester City Galleries Trust
 
(A Company Limited by Guarantee)
 
Objectives and activities (continued)

Robin Hawkes 
 

b. Activities and achievements
 

The Trust raises funds to help Manchester Art Gallery and Platt Hall:
Deliver capital projects;
Mount displays and exhibitions;
Preserve and conserve works from the collections of Manchester City Galleries;
Acquire works for its collections; and
Deliver an education, outreach and public programme of events and activities.

In December 2024 a payment of £149,469 was made from Trading Company profits to the Trust to support specific project activity in the gallery’s programme. 

Major projects supported by the Trust in 2024/25 included:

Capital Work
 
Completion of major repairs at Queen’s Park Collections Stores and Conservation Studios. Improvements to improve the environment for the care of the Manchester Art Gallery’s collection of fine art, decorative arts and fashion and dress, including repairs to the roof and stonework, installation of a new heating system, removal of asbestos and lead paint and redecoration of collection storage spaces.

Completion of capital work at Manchester Art Gallery to create a new collection storage space in the lower ground floor, refurbished public toilet facilities and improvements to staff offices.

Exhibitions 

Holly Graham: The Warp/The Weft/The Wake 
An exhibition opened in March 2025 following a residency which began in summer 2023 exploring the colonial legacies inherent on Manchester’s textile collections. Funded by the University of the Arts London 20/20 Programme.

Unpicking Couture 
Continuation of a display in the Fashion Gallery of Couture Fashion in Manchester’s collection, acquired between 2015-2020 with a Collecting Cultures grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

Collections Development
 
Taking Stock 
Continuation of the Taking Stock project, an open store of Manchester’s collection, decanted to Manchester Art Gallery while capital work was undertaken at Queen’s Park and opened to the public with funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund. Part of a major 5 year project to reevaluate the collection and how it is used. 

Manchester Contemporary Art Fund
Manchester Contemporary Art Fund 2024: a further iteration of the annual fund that brings together local business people to donate towards acquiring works for the Gallery collection from Manchester Contemporary at Manchester Art Fair. In 2024 the Fund raised £34,825. 

Women’s Work Campaign 
The Gallery acquired an artwork – Women’s Work by Florence Claxton – with funds raised through a fundraising campaign.

Engagement Programmes

The Derek Jarman Pocket Park 
Created as a legacy of the Derek Jarman: Protest! Exhibition (which ended in April 2022) the garden, which was designed
Page 3

 
Manchester City Galleries Trust
 
(A Company Limited by Guarantee)
 
Objectives and activities (continued)

and is maintained with a group of older LGBT+ volunteers in partnership with the LGBT+ Foundation, takes inspiration from Jarman’s garden in Dungeness. Installed as a temporary garden, it has proved popular as one of the few green spaces in our part of the city, and we have continued to maintain it. 

Families of the World
A programme of activity sessions aimed at refugee families, many of whom are housed in hotels in the city. This programme of work was launched in response to the Syrian refugee crisis and now welcomes refugees from across the world who find themselves in Manchester. We have extended this work to run sessions both at the Gallery and in a hotel where families are housed. 

Platt Hall In-Between
Continued work at Platt Hall, delivering  collection-based activities for members of the hyper-local community. This year the focus has been on health & wellbeing and young people. A garden has been developed at Platt Hall, managed and maintained by a group of volunteers under the guidance of a paid Gardener. 

Art of Resilience
Continuation of a programme of work with schools to support young people in a trauma-informed way. 

Artist Teacher Programme 
A programme of work to develop skills and confidence amongst art teachers in the city, using their own creative practice as a catalyst for developing their teaching. 

Taking Stock Public Programme 
A wide-ranging public programme taking advantage of having an open store situated within Manchester Art Gallery while capital work has been undertaken at Queen’s Park stores. This has included volunteering programmes, tours, specialist talks and activities with students.

Art in Schools 
Using a historic loan collection which has been re-evaluated as part of Taking Stock, development of an art loan scheme for schools.
 

Fundraising
 

Main activities undertaken to further the Charity's purposes for the public benefit
 

a. Overview
 

2024/2025 has been a relatively successful year at a time when there is unprecedented pressure on Gallery budget and funders are reporting a higher than ever demand on their funds.

Onsite Donations 
Cash and contactless on-site donations have remained relatively healthy. The addition of paid-for storage lockers has meant an uplift in on-site cash donations. 

Page 4

 
Manchester City Galleries Trust
 
(A Company Limited by Guarantee)
 
Main activities undertaken to further the Charity's purposes for the public benefit (continued)

Online Donations 
Online donations, which saw a significant increase during and shortly after the pandemic, are not a significant area of individual giving. However, we have used this facility to accept donations for a campaign (acquisition of Women’s Work).

Friends and Patrons
Membership levels have remained relatively stable, although we have seen an increase in people purchasing an annual membership rather than setting up a Direct Debit so it will be important to monitor retention levels. Anecdotal evidence suggests people are generally moving away from using Direct Debits, perhaps a reflection of the current financial climate or changes in banking habits. 

Early work is taking place to plan a re-naming of the Friends to ‘Manchester Art Gallery Members’ following some feedback from visitors that they do not understand the term ’Friends’ and that it feels outdated. 

Patron membership increased by a small amount and ongoing work is happening to encourage recruitment and additional benefits added to Patron memberships. The Trustees have again been specifically tasked with introducing potential new Patrons.

Friends and Patrons enjoyed an extensive programme of in-person and online talks, tours, workshops and events. An expanding group of volunteers continue to support the delivery of the online and onsite programme. Plans are in place to launch a student membership. 

Gifts from Individuals
The Manchester Contemporary Art Fund is a group of individuals who donate annually to enable the Gallery to acquire works for the collection from the Manchester Contemporary Art Fair. The scheme was set up and is managed by ex-Trustee and Director Thom Hetherington. In 2024/2025 the fund totalled £34,825 which supported the acquisition of a number of artworks from the 2024 Manchester Contemporary. 

Legacies
Active promotion of legacies was undertaken during the year, with print produced and distributed. A legacy payment of £59,554 was received in the year. 

Business Partners 
We have seen a reduction in Business Partners this year with businesses citing a general re-think of charitable giving within the current financial landscape.  A full re-assessment of the scheme is still required if membership is to grow, although with the current financial uncertainly amongst businesses, this is currently not a priority. Two in-kind Business Partners have been secured in the year who provide hotel rooms (The Alan) and paint (Little Greene).

Trusts and Foundations 
The Development Manager’s time is focused almost entirely on grant-writing to fund planned activity. While Trusts and Foundations remain the most lucrative – and priority - area for fundraising, they are reporting a significant increase in the number of applications they are receiving and the current national success rate is around 10%. In addition, a number of Trusts and Foundations have announced imminent closure. 

Page 5

 
Manchester City Galleries Trust
 
(A Company Limited by Guarantee)
 
Main activities undertaken to further the Charity's purposes for the public benefit (continued)

Staff 
The team still has low capacity given the size of the organisation and annual budgets but there is an acceptance that this will not change. In order to address this, the Head of Development and Development Manager continue to have support from members of the Learning and Engagement, Curatorial and Visitor teams in making additional grant applications and encouraging on-site donations. A programme of workshops to support wider gallery staff in grant-writing, budgeting, donor management and on-site donations has begun this year. 

The Development Manager (full-time), Friends Coordinator (full-time) and Head of Development (part-time) are employed by Manchester City Council. In addition, a freelance accountant works for the Trust on flexible hours.  
 

b. Priorities for fundraising 2025/2026
 

Given the cost of living crisis and likely financial situation we continue to face in 2025/2026, the focus will continue to be on stabilisation of existing priority activities, budget-relieving and unrestricted income. In addition to securing public funding and making Trust and Foundation applications, we continue to focus on philanthropy, building on the commitment we have seen from our Friends and Patrons schemes and developing our relationships with individual donors. 

Priority will be given to securing funding to support:
Capital work at Platt Hall with a focus on improving security, visitor facilities and access. This will ensure that we address long-term neglect of the building and respond to increased anti-social behaviour in the surrounding park.  
Core costs and delivery of Strategic and Operational Plans. Continuing to make our charitable and educational activity more visible, promoting civic philanthropy and the need for committed Patrons and unrestricted gifts. 
The ongoing development Platt Hall’s programme. Revenue fundraising to support the hyper-local engagement at Platt Hall and to meet the high demand for activity through increased staffing and programme development. 
Legacy work from Taking Stock including continuation of volunteering programmes and Art in Schools. 
All aspects of the Learning and Engagement programme including Families of the World, Derek Jarman Garden volunteer programme, Art of Resilience, work with young people and supplementary schools, exhibition related learning and engagement programmes.
 

Page 6

 
Manchester City Galleries Trust
 
(A Company Limited by Guarantee)
 
Financial review
 

a. Overview
 

During the year ended 31 March 2025 the Group’s income amounted to £1,582,274 (2024: £1,762,115). The Group's expenditure for the year ended 31 March 2025 amounted to £1,342,607 (2024: £1,451,340). The net surplus for the year amounted to £239,667 (2024: £310,775).

As at 31 March 2025 the Group had total funds of £2,030,785 (2024: £1,791,118), of which £659,009 were restricted funds (2024: £555,747). At the year end the Group held £2,499,696 in liquid assets (2024: £2,293,372).

As at 31 March 2025 the Trust had total funds of £1,952,190 (2024: £1,695,473) and £2,170,548 in liquid assets (2024: £1,836,607).

During the year ended 31 March 2025 Manchester Art Gallery Trading Company Limited reported a profit after tax of £8,622 (2024: £127,100) and as at 31 March 2025 the company had net assets of £39,101 (2024: £56,151).
 

b. Reserves policy
 

The Trustees regularly review the level of the Trust’s reserves to ensure that they are sufficient to meet foreseeable charitable expenditure, fixed costs and working capital requirements. A risk assessment is undertaken using the risk identification approach to determine anticipated:

Charitable expenditure
Fixed costs
Unrestricted income
Restricted income
Working capital requirement

The Trustees aim to maintain a sufficient level of reserves to ensure continuing operations for the foreseeable future and that the Trust is able to meet its statutory and legal obligations.

Excluding designated funds and restricted reserves, the Trustees have concluded that reserves of £225,000 should be maintained. At year end, the Trust has free reserves of £272,143 over the amount to be maintained.
 

c. Going concern
 

After making appropriate enquiries, the Trustees have a reasonable expectation that the Charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. For this reason, they continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the financial statements. Further details regarding the adoption of the going concern basis can be found in the accounting policies
 

d. Investment policy
 

During the year, the Trust invested a further £332,774 in a Virgin Money deposit account, leaving a total balance invested of £832,774.
 

Page 7

 
Manchester City Galleries Trust
 
(A Company Limited by Guarantee)
 
Structure, governance and management
 

a. Constitution
 

Manchester City Galleries Trust is registered as a charitable company limited by guarantee and was established and is governed under a Memorandum and Articles of Association. The Articles for Association were updated during the year in line with the Charity Commission guidelines and to address issues around Member recruitment.

The Trust is a registered charity, charity number 1048581, with a registered office of Manchester Art Gallery, Mosley Street, Manchester, M2 3JL.
 

b. Methods of appointment or election of Trustees
 

The management of the Trust is the responsibility of the Trustees who are elected and co-opted under the terms of the Articles of Association.

The Directors/Trustees who served during the year are listed on page 2 of the annual report. The Directors/Trustees are elected annually by members in a general meeting.
 

c. Organisational structure and decision-making policies
 

The Trust is managed by the trustees/directors and by employees of Manchester City Council.  There are no staff directly employed by the Trust, although staff working in the Manchester Art Gallery Café and some members of the Events Team are employed by Manchester Art Gallery Trading Company Limited and all trading business is recorded through this company.

The Trustees meet quarterly to review the financial position of the Trust and to guide progress against the Trust’s objectives. 

The Directors of Manchester Art Gallery Trading Company Limited meet 6-weekly to review the trading results and monitor and determine the company’s future commercial objectives.  The operational management of Manchester Art Gallery Trading Company rests with three key managers; the General Manager, the Trading Company Accountant and the Head of Commercial.  These key managers attend and contribute to the Directors’ meetings.  The remuneration of the operational management is set by the Board of Directors having regard to performance and the market rate for comparable roles.
 

d. Policies adopted for the induction and training of Trustees
 

New Trustees are introduced to the Group, usually by existing Trustees and Manchester City Galleries staff, and are given a full background to the Group’s history and current activities to ensure they have a good knowledge of the Group and the activities of Manchester City Galleries. A role description is issued to all new Trustees so that they are fully aware of their duties and responsibilities. Regular updates on gallery business are sent to Trustees and opportunities for training are offered. Trustees are expected to take part in gallery activities – attending exhibition previews and events, all-gallery training etc. and engage in the wider cultural life of the city.
 

e. Related party relationships
 

The Trust holds the entire issued share capital of Manchester Art Gallery Trading Company Limited and cooperates with Manchester City Council in pursuit of its charitable objectives.

Transactions between the Trust and Trading Company are shown in the accounts. Trading profits (when available and net of earlier deficits) of the Manchester Art Gallery Trading Company Limited have been gifted to the Trust.
 

f. Financial risk management
 

The Trustees have assessed the major risks to which the Trust and the Group are exposed, in particular those related to the
Page 8

 
Manchester City Galleries Trust
 
(A Company Limited by Guarantee)
 
Structure, governance and management (continued)

operations and finances of the Trust and the Group, and are satisfied that systems and procedures are in place to mitigate our exposure to the major risks.

The principal risks affecting the Trust and the Group are the dependence on fundraising (grants, donations, memberships and sponsorship) and the popularity of the activities which in turn generates donation box income and retail income for the Manchester Art Gallery Café. The Trustees manage these risks for the Trust and the Group by regularly reviewing past financial performance, future financial projections and the potential opportunities that arise from the  programme. In undertaking this review, the Trustees are assisted by professional staff employed by Manchester City Council.

The principal risks facing Manchester Art Gallery Trading Company Limited, which operates the Manchester Art Gallery Café and events business are:

Consumer spending. The company’s revenue is dependent on consumer spending which can reduce for a variety of reasons such as uncertainty, the general economic environment, competition and the weather.  The company seeks to mitigate this risk by providing exceptional value for money, top quality food and drink and attentive service combined with an excellent location in the heart of Manchester. The main income generator for the Trading Company is events (corporate hire, celebration dinners, weddings, filming).
Food safety. Maintaining high food hygiene standards is critical to the company’s business.  The directors and senior management take food hygiene very seriously and have implemented best practice operational procedures to ensure this risk is reduced.
Reputational risk.  The directors and senior managers are conscious that, with the ever increasing use of social media, the reputation of the business can easily be damaged.  The company seeks to provide a comprehensive customer experience which exceeds expectations.  The directors monitor social media and respond where appropriate.

Other than continued fiscal pressures, the Trustees are not aware of any other factors that will impact the future performance of the Trust and the Group.
 

g. Funds
 

The funds held by the Trust are detailed in the notes to the financial statements.

Information on fundraising practices
Section 162a of the Charities Act 2011 requires charities to make a statement regarding fundraising activities. The Trustees confirm that all fundraising is managed internally without the involvement of commission driven external fundraisers or third parties.  The routine management of income generation rests with the Gallery’s Head of Development. In general, fundraising activities are directed towards individuals and organisations that are already involved in the work of the galleries or who have expressed an interest in becoming involved.
 

h. Public benefit
 

The Trust is established for the advancement of the education of the citizens and other residents of the City of Manchester in particular, and of other citizens and residents of the United Kingdom in general, in British and foreign history of the Arts, and for the benefit of scholars in the Universities and local, national and foreign researchers in history of the Arts.

The Trustees confirm that they have referred to the Charity Commission's guidance on public benefit when reviewing the Trust’s aims and objectives and in planning future activities and services.

The Trust currently achieves its objectives by raising funds to support the Galleries’ programme of exhibitions and educational activities, capital projects, and to fund acquisition of artworks for the collection.

In its support of Manchester City Galleries’ activities, the Trust contributes to the free access of the general public to Manchester Art Gallery regardless of their background. The Trust is of the view that any private benefit gained by the Trustees is incidental.
 

Page 9

 
Manchester City Galleries Trust
 
(A Company Limited by Guarantee)
 
Statement of Trustees' responsibilities
 

The Trust (who are also the directors of the Charity for the purposes of company law) are responsible for preparing the Trustees' Report including the Strategic Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).


Company law requires the Trust to prepare financial statements for each financial year. Under company law, the Trust 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 the Charity and of their incoming resources and application of resources, including their income and expenditure, for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the Trust are required to:

select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
observe the methods and principles of the Charities SORP (FRS 102);
make judgements and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
state whether applicable UK Accounting Standards (FRS 102) have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements;
prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the Group will continue in business.


The Trust are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the Group and the Charity's transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the Group and the Charity 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 the Charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.


Disclosure of information to auditors
 

Each of the persons who are Trust at the time when this Trustees' Report is approved has confirmed that:

so far as that Trustee is aware, there is no relevant audit information of which the charitable group's auditors are unaware, and
that Trustee has taken all the steps that ought to have been taken as a Trustee in order to be aware of any relevant audit information and to establish that the charitable group's auditors are aware of that information.
 

Auditors
 

The auditorsHurst Accountants Limitedhave indicated their willingness to continue in office. The designated Trust will propose a motion reappointing the auditors at a meeting of the Trust.
 

 

Approved by order of the members of the board of Trust and signed on their behalf by:



J L Beggs
Head of Development and Trust Secretary
Date: 5 December 2025
Page 10

 
Manchester City Galleries Trust

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)
 
 
 
Independent Auditors' Report to the Members of Manchester City Galleries Trust
 

Opinion


We have audited the financial statements of Manchester City Galleries Trust (the 'parent charitable company') and its subsidiaries (the 'group') for the year ended 31 March 2025 which comprise the Consolidated Statement of Financial Activities, the Consolidated Balance Sheet, the Charity Balance Sheet, the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows and the related notes, including a summary of significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including Financial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland' (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).


In our opinion the financial statements:

give a true and fair view of the state of the Group's and of the parent charitable company's affairs as at 31 March 2025 and of the Group's incoming resources and application of resources, including its income and expenditure for the year then ended;
have been properly prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice; and
have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006.


Basis for opinion


We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditors' responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report. We are independent of the Group in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements in the United Kingdom, including the Financial Reporting Council's Ethical Standard, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.


Conclusions relating to going concern


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


Based on the work we have performed, we have not identified any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the Group's or the parent charitable 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 Trustees with respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections of this report.


Page 11

 
Manchester City Galleries Trust

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)
 
 
 
Independent Auditors' Report to the Members of Manchester City Galleries Trust (continued)


Other information


The other information comprises the information included in the Annual Report other than the financial statements and our Auditors' Report thereon. The Trustees are responsible for the other information contained within the Annual ReportOur opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and, except to the extent otherwise explicitly stated in our report, we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon. Our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the course of the audit, or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether this gives rise to a material misstatement in the financial statements themselves. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact.


We have nothing to report in this regard.


Opinion on other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2006
 

In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of the audit:

the information given in the Trustees' Report including the Strategic Report for the financial year for which the financial statements are prepared is consistent with the financial statements.
the Trustees' Report and the Strategic Report have been prepared in accordance with applicable legal requirements.


Matters on which we are required to report by exception


In the light of our knowledge and understanding of the charitable company and its environment obtained in the course of the audit, we have not identified material misstatements in the Trustees' Report including the Strategic Report.


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

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


Responsibilities of trustees


As explained more fully in the Trustees' Responsibilities Statement, the Trustees (who are also the directors of the charitable company for the purposes of company law) 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 Trustees 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 Trustees are responsible for assessing the Group's and the parent charitable 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 Trustees either intend to liquidate the Group or the parent charitable company or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.
 

Page 12

 
Manchester City Galleries Trust

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)
 
 
 
Independent Auditors' Report to the Members of Manchester City Galleries Trust (continued)


Auditors' responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements


Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an Auditors' Report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements.


Irregularities, including fraud, are instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. We design procedures in line with our responsibilities, outlined above, to detect material misstatements in respect of irregularities, including fraud. The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud is detailed below:

Identifying and assessing potential risks related to irregularities

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

The nature of the industry and sector in which the company operates; the control environment and business performance including key drivers for directors' remuneration, bonus levels and performance targets.
The outcome of enquiries of local management and parent company management, including whether management was aware of any instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations, and whether management had knowledge of any actual, suspected, or alleged fraud.
Supporting documentation relating to the Company's policies and procedures for:
        -  Identifying, evaluating, and complying with laws and regulations
        -  Detecting and responding to the risks of fraud
The internal controls established to mitigate risks related to fraud or non-compliance with laws and regulations.
The outcome of discussions amongst the engagement team regarding how and where fraud might occur in the financial statements and any potential indicators of fraud.
The legal and regulatory framework in which the Company operates, particularly those laws and regulations which have a direct effect on the financial statements, such as the Companies Act 2006, pensions and tax legislation, or which had a fundamental effect on the operations of the Company, including General Data Protection requirements and Anti-bribery and Corruption.

Audit response to risks identified

Our procedures to respond to the risks identified included the following:

Reviewing the financial statements disclosures and testing to supporting documentation to assess compliance with the provisions of those relevant laws and regulations which have a direct effect on the financial statements.
Discussions with management, including consideration of known or suspected instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations and fraud.
Evaluation and testing of the operating effectiveness of management’s controls designed to prevent and detect irregularities.
Enquiring of management about any actual and potential litigation and claims.
Performing analytical procedures to identify any unusual or unexpected relationships which may indicate risks of material misstatement due to fraud.

Page 13

 
Manchester City Galleries Trust

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)
 
 
 
Independent Auditors' Report to the Members of Manchester City Galleries Trust (continued)


We have also considered the risk of fraud through management override of controls by:

Testing the appropriateness of journal entries and other adjustments, and identifying accounting transactions which may pose a heightened risk of material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.
Challenging assumptions made by management in their significant accounting estimates, and assessing whether the judgements made in making accounting estimates are indicative of a potential bias; and
Evaluating the business rationale of any significant transactions that are unusual or outside the normal course of business.

We also communicated relevant identified laws and regulations and potential fraud risks to all engagement team members and remained alert to any indications of fraud or non-compliance with laws and regulations throughout the audit.

There are inherent limitations in the audit procedures described above, and the further removed non-compliance with laws and regulations are from the events and transactions reflected in the financial statements, the less likely we would become aware of them. 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. 


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


Use of our report
 

This report is made solely to the charitable 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 charitable company's members those matters we are required to state to them in an Auditors' Report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the charitable company and its members, as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.





Helen Besant-Roberts (Senior Statutory Auditor)
for and on behalf of
Hurst Accountants Limited
Chartered Accountants & Statutory Auditors
3 Stockport Exchange
Stockport
SK1 3GG

10 December 2025
Page 14

 
Manchester City Galleries Trust
 
(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

 
 
Consolidated Statement of financial activities (incorporating income and expenditure account)
For the Year Ended 31 March 2025


Unrestricted funds
2025
Restricted funds
2025
Total
funds
2025
Total
funds
2024
Note
        £
        £
        £
        £

Income from:






Donations and legacies

4

113,533

76,011

189,544

115,401
 
Charitable activities

5

38,538

299,465

338,003

413,602
 
Other trading activities

6

996,135

-

996,135

1,174,988
 
Investments

7

58,592

-

58,592

58,124
 
Total income
1,206,798
375,476
1,582,274
1,762,115
Expenditure on:







Raising funds

8

979,911

-

979,911

1,036,678
 
Charitable activities

9

86,824

275,872

362,696

414,662
 
Total expenditure
1,066,735
275,872
1,342,607
1,451,340

Net income

  

140,063

99,604

239,667

310,775
 
Transfers between funds

 20 

(3,184)

3,184

-

-
 
Net movement in funds
  
136,879
102,788
239,667
310,775

Reconciliation of funds:

  





Total funds brought forward

  

1,234,897

556,221

1,791,118

1,480,343
 
Net movement in funds

  

136,879

102,788

239,667

310,775
 
Total funds carried forward
  
1,371,776
659,009
2,030,785
1,791,118

The Consolidated Statement of Financial Activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year.

The notes on pages 19 to 38 form part of these financial statements.

Page 15

 
Manchester City Galleries Trust
 
(A Company Limited by Guarantee)
Registered number: 03053689

 
 
Consolidated Balance Sheet
As at 31 March 2025


2025
2024
Note
£
£

Fixed assets
  

Tangible assets
 14 
48,848
65,855

  
48,848
65,855

Current assets
  

Stocks
 16 
7,538
7,630

Debtors
 17 
40,220
36,259

Investments
 18 
832,774
-

Cash at bank and in hand
  
1,666,922
2,293,372

  
2,547,454
2,337,261

Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
 19 
(565,517)
(611,998)

Net current assets 
  
 
 
1,981,937
 
 
1,725,263

Total net assets 
  
2,030,785
1,791,118


Charity funds
  

Restricted funds
 20 
659,009
556,221

Unrestricted funds
 20 
1,371,776
1,234,897

Total funds
  
2,030,785
1,791,118

The Trustees acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Act with respect to accounting records and preparation of financial statements.

The financial statements were approved and authorised for issue by the Trustees and signed on their behalf by:

H J Taylor-O'Brien
Trustee
Date: 8 December 2025

The notes on pages 19 to 38 form part of these financial statements.

Page 16

 
Manchester City Galleries Trust
 
(A Company Limited by Guarantee)
Registered number: 03053689

 
 
Charity Balance Sheet
As at 31 March 2025


2025
2024
Note
£
£

Fixed assets
  

Investments
 15 
1
1

Current assets
  

Debtors
 17 
37,701
151,485

Investments
 18 
832,774
-

Cash at bank and in hand
  
1,337,774
1,836,607

  
2,208,249
1,988,092

Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
 19 
(256,060)
(292,620)

Net current assets 
  
 
 
1,952,189
 
 
1,695,472

Total net assets 
  
1,952,190
1,695,473


Charity funds
  

Restricted funds
 20 
696,632
595,383

Unrestricted funds:
  

General funds
 20 
1,255,558
1,100,090

Total unrestricted funds
 20 
 
 
1,255,558
 
 
1,100,090

Total funds
  
1,952,190
1,695,473

The Charity's net movement in funds for the year was £256,717 (2024 - £332,965).

The Trustees acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Act with respect to accounting records and preparation of financial statements.

The financial statements were approved and authorised for issue by the Trustees and signed on their behalf by:

H J Taylor-O'Brien
Trustee
Date: 8 December 2025

The notes on pages 19 to 38 form part of these financial statements.

Page 17

 
Manchester City Galleries Trust
 
(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

 
 
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows
For the Year Ended 31 March 2025

2025
2024
£
£

Cash flows from operating activities

Net cash used in operating activities

148,287
353,544

Cash flows from investing activities

Dividends, interest and rents from investments
58,592
58,124

Purchase of tangible fixed assets
(555)
(5,318)

Purchase of current asset investments
(832,774)
-

Net cash (used in)/provided by investing activities

(774,737)
52,806

Cash flows from financing activities

Net cash provided by financing activities

-
-

Change in cash and cash equivalents in the year
 
(626,450)
 
406,350

Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year
2,293,372
1,887,022

Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year
1,666,922
2,293,372

The notes on pages 19 to 38 form part of these financial statements

Page 18

 
Manchester City Galleries Trust

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)
 
 
 
Notes to the Financial Statements
For the Year Ended 31 March 2025

1.


General information

Manchester City Galleries Trust is a company limited by guarantee, registered number 03053689, incorporated in England.  It is also a charity, registered number 1048581. The registered address is Manchester Art Gallery, Mosley Street, Manchester, M2 3JL. 
The principal activity of the group is raising money to support the projects and programmes of Manchester City Art Gallery.
The members of the company are the Trustees names on page 1. In the event of the Charity being wound up, the liability in respect of the guarantees is limited to £1 per member of the Charity


2.Accounting policies

  
2.1

Basis of preparation of financial statements

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) - Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Companies Act 2006.

Manchester City Galleries Trust meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy.

The Consolidated Statement of Financial Activities (SOFA) and Consolidated Balance Sheet consolidate the financial statements of the Charity and its subsidiary undertaking. The results of the subsidiary are consolidated on a line by line basis.

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

The Charity meets the definition of a qualifying entity under FRS102 and therefore taken advantage of the disclosure exemption available to it in respect of its separate financial statements in relation to presentation of a cash flow statement.

  
2.2

Going concern

In deciding to prepare the financial statements on a going concern basis, the Trustees have considered all
available information regarding the future for a period of at least 12 months from the date of approval of these
financial statements. The Trustees are satisfied that the going concern basis adopted in the preparation of these
financial statements is appropriate and that the Group can continue in operational existence for at least the next
12 months.

  
2.3

Income

All income is recognised once the Charity has entitlement to the income, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount of income receivable can be measured reliably.

Page 19

 
Manchester City Galleries Trust

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)
 
 
 
Notes to the Financial Statements
For the Year Ended 31 March 2025

2.Accounting policies (continued)

2.3

Income (continued)

Donated services or facilities are recognised when the Group has control over the item, any conditions associated with the donated item have been met, the receipt of economic benefit from the use of the Group of the item is probable and that economic benefit can be measured reliably. In accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102), the general volunteer time of the Friends is not recognised. Refer to the Trustees' Report for more information about their contribution.

On receipt, donated professional services and facilities are recognised on the basis of the value of the gift to the Charity which is the amount it would have been willing to pay to obtain services or facilities of equivalent economic benefit on the open market; a corresponding amount is then recognised in expenditure in the period of receipt.

Income tax recoverable in relation to donations received under Gift Aid or deeds of covenant is recognised at
the time of the donation.

Income tax recoverable in relation to investment income is recognised at the time the investment income is
receivable.

Income from grants and government grants is recognised when the charity has entitlement to the funds, any
performance conditions attached to the grants have been met, it is probable that the income will be received and
the amount can be measured reliably.

Other income is recognised in the period in which it is receivable and to the extent the goods have been provided or on completion of the service. Revenue from the sale of food and beverages is recognised at the point of sale. Revenue from a contract to provide services is recognised in the period in which the services are provided in.

  
2.4

Expenditure

Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to transfer economic benefit to a third party, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is classified by activity. The costs of each activity are made up of the total of direct costs and shared costs, including support costs involved in undertaking each activity. Direct costs attributable to a single activity are allocated directly to that activity. Shared costs which contribute to more than one activity and support costs which are not attributable to a single activity are apportioned between those activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources. Central staff costs are allocated on the basis of time spent, and depreciation charges allocated on the portion of the asset’s use.

Fundraising costs are those incurred in seeking voluntary contributions and do not include the costs of disseminating information in support of the charitable activities. Governance costs are those incurred in connection with administration of the Charity and compliance with constitutional and statutory requirements.

Costs of generating funds are costs incurred in attracting voluntary income, and those incurred in trading activities that raise funds. The costs of commercial trading includes the cafeteria and its associated support costs.

Charitable activities and Governance costs are costs incurred on the Charity's operations, including support costs and costs relating to the governance of the Charity apportioned to charitable activities.
 
Page 20

 
Manchester City Galleries Trust

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)
 
 
 
Notes to the Financial Statements
For the Year Ended 31 March 2025

2.Accounting policies (continued)

  
2.5

Interest receivable

Interest on funds held on deposit is included when receivable and the amount can be measured reliably by the Group; this is normally upon notification of the interest paid or payable by the institution with whom the funds are deposited.

 
2.6

Tangible fixed assets and depreciation

Tangible fixed assets costing £NIL or more are capitalised and recognised when future economic benefits are probable and the cost or value of the asset can be measured reliably. 

Tangible fixed assets are initially recognised at cost. After recognition, under the cost model, tangible fixed assets are measured at cost less accumulated depreciation and any accumulated impairment losses. All costs incurred to bring a tangible fixed asset into its intended working condition should be included in the measurement of cost.

Depreciation is charged so as to allocate the cost of tangible fixed assets less their residual value over their estimated useful lives. 

Depreciation is provided on the following bases:

Long-term leasehold property
-
20% straight line basis
Plant and machinery
-
25% reducing balance basis
Office equipment
-
25% reducing balance basis
Computer equipment
-
33% straight line basis

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

Gains and losses on disposals are determined by comparing the proceeds with the carrying amount and are recognised in the Consolidated Statement of Financial Activities.

  
2.7

Investments

Investments in subsidiaries are valued at cost less provision for impairment.
Current asset investments comprise term deposits maturing within twelve months of the balance sheet date. They are stated at cost, which approximates to fair value. Interest income is recognised on an accruals basis.

  
2.8

Stocks

Stocks are valued at the lower of cost and net realisable value after making due allowance for obsolete and slow-moving stocks. Cost includes all direct costs and an appropriate proportion of fixed and variable overheads.
At each balance sheet date, stocks are assessed for impairment. If stock is impaired, the carrying amount is
reduced to its selling price less costs to complete and sell. The impairment loss is recognised immediately in
the statement of financial activities.

Page 21

 
Manchester City Galleries Trust

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)
 
 
 
Notes to the Financial Statements
For the Year Ended 31 March 2025

2.Accounting policies (continued)

  
2.9

Debtors

Trade and other debtors are recognised at the settlement amount after any trade discount offered. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid net of any trade discounts due.

  
2.10

Cash at bank and in hand

Cash at bank and in hand includes cash and short-term highly liquid investments with a short maturity of three months or less from the date of acquisition or opening of the deposit or similar account.


2.11

Liabilities and provisions

Liabilities are recognised when there is an obligation at the Balance Sheet date as a result of a past event, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefit will be required in settlement, and the amount of the settlement can be estimated reliably.

Liabilities are recognised at the amount that the Charity anticipates it will pay to settle the debt or the amount it has received as advanced payments for the goods or services it must provide.

Provisions are measured at the best estimate of the amounts required to settle the obligation. Where the effect of the time value of money is material, the provision is based on the present value of those amounts, discounted at the pre-tax discount rate that reflects the risks specific to the liability. The unwinding of the discount is recognised in the Consolidated Statement of Financial Activities as a finance cost.

  
2.12

Financial instruments

The Group only has financial assets and financial liabilities of a kind that qualify as basic financial instruments. Basic financial instruments are initially recognised at transaction value and subsequently measured at their settlement value with the exception of bank loans which are subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.

  
2.13

Pensions

The Group operates a defined contribution pension scheme and the pension charge represents the amounts payable by the Group to the fund in respect of the year.

  
2.14

Fund accounting

General funds are unrestricted funds which are available for use at the discretion of the Trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the Group and which have not been designated for other purposes.

Designated funds comprise unrestricted funds that have been set aside by the Trustees for particular purposes. The aim and use of each designated fund is set out in the notes to the financial statements.

Restricted funds are funds which are to be used in accordance with specific restrictions imposed by donors or which have been raised by the Group for particular purposes. The costs of raising and administering such funds are charged against the specific fund. The aim and use of each restricted fund is set out in the notes to the financial statements.

Page 22

 
Manchester City Galleries Trust

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)
 
 
 
Notes to the Financial Statements
For the Year Ended 31 March 2025

2.Accounting policies (continued)

  
2.15

Value added tax (VAT)

Income is stated net of VAT where applicable. Expenditure is stated net of any recoverable VAT. Any irrecoverable VAT is recognised as a cost against the activity for which the expenditure is incurred. 


3.

Critical accounting estimates and areas of judgement

Estimates and judgements are continually evaluated and are based on historical experience and other factors, including expectations of future events that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances.

Critical accounting estimates and assumptions:

The Charity makes estimates and assumptions concerning the future. The resulting accounting estimates and assumptions will, by definition, seldom equal the related actual results. There are no estimates and assumptions that have a significant risk of causing a material adjustment to the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities within the next financial year.


4.

Income from donations and legacies





Unrestricted funds
2025
Restricted funds
2025
Total
funds
2025
Total
funds
2024
        £
        £
        £
        £
 



 
Donations

113,533

76,011

189,544

115,401
 
Total 2024


42,536
72,865
115,401


5.

Income from charitable activities





Unrestricted funds
2025
Restricted funds
2025
Total
funds
2025
Total
funds
2024
        £
        £
        £
        £





Grants receivable

-

299,465

299,465

368,915
 
Friends and Business Partner income

38,538

-

38,538

44,687
 


38,538
299,465
338,003
413,602
Total 2024


44,687
368,915
413,602

Page 23

 
Manchester City Galleries Trust

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)
 
 
 
Notes to the Financial Statements
For the Year Ended 31 March 2025

6.

Income from trading activities

Income from non charitable trading activities




Unrestricted funds
2025
Total
funds
2025
Total
funds
2024
        £
        £
        £




Catering, events and venue hire

996,135

996,135

1,174,988
 
Total 2024


1,174,988
1,174,988


7.

Investment income




Unrestricted funds
2025
Total
funds
2025
Total
funds
2024
        £
        £
        £




Income from bank deposits

58,592

58,592

58,124
 
Total 2024


58,124
58,124


Page 24

 
Manchester City Galleries Trust

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)
 
 
 
Notes to the Financial Statements
For the Year Ended 31 March 2025

8.

Expenditure on raising funds




Fundraising trading expenses




Unrestricted funds
2025
Total
funds
2025
Total
funds
2024
        £
        £
        £




Cost of sales and administrative expenses

389,542

389,542

429,829
 
Wages and salaries

526,204

526,204

536,240
 
National insurance contributions

37,198

37,198

36,030
 
Pension costs

9,822

9,822

6,244
 
Depreciation of tangible fixed assets

17,145

17,145

28,335
 
Total 2025


979,911
979,911
1,036,678
Total 2024


1,036,678
1,036,678






9.

Analysis of expenditure on charitable activities


Summary by fund type





Unrestricted funds
2025
Restricted funds
2025
Total
2025
Total
2024
        £
        £
        £
        £





Gallery

54,387

-

54,387

207,683
 
Exhibitions

-

176,148

176,148

88,553
 
Friends scheme

444

-

444

713
 
Other fundraising

2,903

-

2,903

6,764
 
Acquisitions

-

99,724

99,724

81,672
 
Governance

29,090

-

29,090

29,277
 


86,824
275,872
362,696
414,662
Total 2024


244,437
170,225
414,662

Page 25

 
Manchester City Galleries Trust

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)
 
 
 
Notes to the Financial Statements
For the Year Ended 31 March 2025

10.

Analysis of expenditure by activities





Activities undertaken directly
2025
Support costs
2025
Total
funds
2025
Total
funds
2024
        £
        £
        £
        £





Gallery

54,387

-

54,387

207,683
 
Exhibitions

176,148

-

176,148

88,553
 
Friends scheme

444

-

444

713
 
Other fundraising

2,903

-

2,903

6,764
 
Acquisitions

99,724

-

99,724

81,672
 
Governance

-

29,090

29,090

29,277
 


333,606
29,090
362,696
414,662
Total 2024


385,385
29,277
414,662


Analysis of support costs




Governance
2025
Total
funds
2025
Total
funds
2024
        £
        £
        £




Legal fees

12,135

12,135

9,905
 
Audit and accountancy fees

16,895

16,895

19,328
 
Bank charges

60

60

44
 


29,090
29,090
29,277
Total 2024


29,277
29,277


11.

Auditors' remuneration

2025
2024
£
£

Fees payable to the Charity's auditor for the audit of the Charity's annual accounts
13,680
12,945

Fees payable to the Charity's auditor in respect of:

Taxation services not included above
820
760

Page 26

 
Manchester City Galleries Trust

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)
 
 
 
Notes to the Financial Statements
For the Year Ended 31 March 2025

12.



Staff costs


Group
Group
2025
2024
£
£


Wages and salaries
526,204
536,240

Social security costs
37,198
36,030

Contribution to defined contribution pension schemes
9,822
6,244

573,224
578,514

The average number of persons employed by the Charity during the year was as follows:


Group
Group
2025
2024

No.
No.


Employees
34
34

No employee received remuneration amounting to more than £60,000 in either year.




13.


Trustees' remuneration and expenses

During the year, no Trustees received any remuneration or other benefits (2024 - £NIL).

During the year ended 31 March 2025, no Trustee expenses have been incurred (2024 - £NIL).

Page 27

 
Manchester City Galleries Trust

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)
 
 
 
Notes to the Financial Statements
For the Year Ended 31 March 2025

14.


Tangible fixed assets

Group




Long-term leasehold property
Plant and machinery
Office equipment
Computer equipment
Total

£
£
£
£
£


Cost or valuation

At 1 April 2024
11,384
88,846
49,277
47,258
196,765

Additions
-
240
315
-
555

Disposals
-
-
(417)
-
(417)


At 31 March 2025

11,384
89,086
49,175
47,258
196,903


Depreciation

At 1 April 2024
3,735
58,481
24,223
44,471
130,910

Charge for the year
1,309
7,834
6,209
1,793
17,145


At 31 March 2025

5,044
66,315
30,432
46,264
148,055


Net book value


At 31 March 2025
6,340
22,771
18,743
994
48,848


At 31 March 2024
7,649
30,365
25,054
2,787
65,855

The Charity had no fixed assets.

Page 28

 
Manchester City Galleries Trust

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)
 
 
 
Notes to the Financial Statements
For the Year Ended 31 March 2025

15.


Fixed asset investments









Investments in subsidiary companies

Charity
£



Cost or valuation



At 1 April 2024
4,001



At 31 March 2025

4,001




Impairment



At 1 April 2024
4,000



At 31 March 2025

4,000




Net book value




At 31 March 2025
1



At 31 March 2024
1

Details of the Charity's principal subsidiaries are presented in note 26.


16.



Stocks


Group
Group
2025
2024
£
£

Finished goods and goods for resale
7,538
7,630

Page 29

 
Manchester City Galleries Trust

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)
 
 
 
Notes to the Financial Statements
For the Year Ended 31 March 2025

17.



Debtors


Group
Group
Company
Company
2025
2024
2025
2024
£
£
£
£


Due within one year

Trade debtors
35,354
30,499
13,162
2,024

Amounts owed by group undertakings
-
-
21,888
147,485

Other debtors
2,509
3,776
2,491
1,976

Prepayments and accrued income
2,357
1,984
160
-

40,220
36,259
37,701
151,485


18.



Current asset investments


Group
Company
2025
2025
£
£
Deposit account
832,774
832,774

832,774
832,774

Current asset investments represent cash held in a fixed-term deposit account maturing within twelve months of the
balance sheet date. These funds are held to earn a higher rate of interest than would be achieved in an instant access
account, while still being available for operational use within the foreseeable future.

Page 30

 
Manchester City Galleries Trust

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)
 
 
 
Notes to the Financial Statements
For the Year Ended 31 March 2025

19.



Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year


Group
Group
Company
Company
2025
2024
2025
2024
£
£
£
£


Trade creditors
15,209
36,117
1,571
22,749

Other taxation and social security
49,955
50,029
-
-

Other creditors
120,625
129,234
26,935
20,841

Accruals and deferred income
379,728
396,618
227,554
249,030

565,517
611,998
256,060
292,620

Group
Group
Company
Company
2025
2024
2025
2024
£
£
£
£


Deferred income at 1 April 2024
342,799
405,166
304,681
195,378

Resources deferred during the year
140,161
342,799
140,161
98,712

Amounts released from previous periods
(342,799)
(405,166)
(304,681)
10,591

140,161
342,799
140,161
304,681

Page 31

 
Manchester City Galleries Trust

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)
 
 
 
Notes to the Financial Statements
For the Year Ended 31 March 2025

20.

Statement of funds


Statement of funds - current year

Balance at 1 April 2024
£
Income
£
Expenditure
£
Transfers in/out
£
Balance at 31 March 2025
£

Unrestricted funds






Designated funds







Funding towards / match funding for Families of the World 

-

-

-

40,000

40,000
 
Funding for Old Manchester exhibition

-

-

-

20,000

20,000
 
Funding for Furniture exhibition and accompanying learning programme 

-

-

-

40,000

40,000
 
Match funding for Platt Hall programme 

-

-

-

80,000

80,000
 
Match funding for new textile storage at Platt Hall 

-

-

-

120,000

120,000
 
Match funding for Worn textile programme with young people 

-

-

-

60,000

60,000
 
Match funding for capital improvements to Platt Garden 

-

-

-

140,000

140,000
 
Office refurbishment 

-

-

-

35,727

35,727
 
CCTV at Platt Hall

-

-

-

120,000

120,000
 
Commitment to 2025-26 grant

-

-

-

170,058

170,058
 



-
-
-
825,785
825,785

General Funds

1,234,897

1,206,798

(1,066,735)

(828,969)

545,991
 
Total Unrestricted funds




1,234,897

1,206,798

(1,066,735)

(3,184)

1,371,776

Restricted funds







Zochonis Trust

93,576

-

-

-

93,576
 
Clore Duffield Foundation (Learning & Engagement)

16,000

24,881

-

-

40,881
 
Assheton Bennett

15,173

-

-

-

15,173
 
National Archives 

15,000

-

(15,000)

-

-
 
Oglesby Charitable Trust

9,389

61,115

(58,292)

-

12,212
 
The Marie-Louise von Motesiczky Trust

-

35,750

-

-

35,750
 
Page 32

 
Manchester City Galleries Trust

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)
 
 
 
Notes to the Financial Statements
For the Year Ended 31 March 2025

20.

Statement of funds (continued)



Statement of funds - current year (continued)

Balance at 1 April 2024
£
Income
£
Expenditure
£
Transfers in/out
£
Balance at 31 March 2025
£

Baring Foundation

19,583

-

(12,374)

-

7,209
 
University of Manchester (Suzanne Lacy)

5,500

-

(5,500)

-

-
 
GMCA (AoR Project)

28,000

-

-

-

28,000
 
Manchester Contemporary Art Fund

585

34,825

(18,558)

-

16,852
 
Derek Jarman

3,213

-

(213)

-

3,000
 
National Heritage Fund for Taking Stock Project 

-

47,720

(6,420)

-

41,300
 
Headley Trust

2,203

-

-

-

2,203
 
Freelands Foundation

14,463

25,000

(21,957)

-

17,506
 
Paul Hamlyn Foundation

77,177

100,000

(94,128)

-

83,049
 
DCMS Wolfson Capital Grant

150,658

-

(25,565)

-

125,093
 
Martyn Torevell

5,000

6,250

(14,590)

3,340

-
 
The Evan Cornish Foundation

-

10,000

(1,000)

-

9,000
 
Jack Livingstone (Fashion Gallery)

100,000

-

-

-

100,000
 
Other immaterial restricted project funds

701

29,935

(2,275)

(156)

28,205
 
Total restricted funds



556,221
375,476
(275,872)
3,184
659,009

Total of funds


1,791,118
1,582,274
(1,342,607)
-
2,030,785

Page 33

 
Manchester City Galleries Trust

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)
 
 
 
Notes to the Financial Statements
For the Year Ended 31 March 2025

20.

Statement of funds (continued)



Statement of funds - prior year

Balance at
1 April 2023
£
Income
£
Expenditure
£
Transfers in/out
£
Balance at
31 March 2024
£

Unrestricted funds






General Funds

1,091,636

1,320,335

(1,281,589)

104,515

1,234,897
 


Restricted funds







Zochonis Trust

73,576

20,000

-

-

93,576
 
Clore Duffield Foundation (Learning & Engagement)

16,000

-

-

-

16,000
 
Assheton Bennett

15,173

-

-

-

15,173
 
National Archives 

15,000

-

-

-

15,000
 
Oglesby Charitable Trust

21,729

61,115

(73,455)

-

9,389
 
The Marie-Louise von Motesiczky Trust

2,377

-

-

(2,377)

-
 
Baring Foundation

-

27,000

(7,417)

-

19,583
 
University of Manchester (Suzanne Lacy)

5,500

-

-

-

5,500
 
GMCA (AoR Project)

28,000

-

-

-

28,000
 
Derek Jarman

5,000

-

(1,787)

-

3,213
 
National Heritage Fund for Taking Stock Project 

39,636

-

-

(39,636)

-
 
Headley Trust

2,203

-

-

-

2,203
 
Freelands Foundation

-

25,000

(10,537)

-

14,463
 
Paul Hamlyn Foundation

55

100,000

(22,878)

-

77,177
 
DCMS Wolfson Capital Grant

-

171,630

(20,972)

-

150,658
 
Martyn Torevell

-

5,000

-

-

5,000
 
The Evan Cornish Foundation

(1,110)

-

-

1,110

-
 
Jack Livingstone (Fashion Gallery)

157,612

-

-

(57,612)

100,000
 
Other immaterial restricted project funds

7,956

32,035

(32,705)

(6,000)

1,286
 



388,707
441,780
(169,751)
(104,515)
556,221



Page 34

 
Manchester City Galleries Trust

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)
 
 
 
Notes to the Financial Statements
For the Year Ended 31 March 2025

20.

Statement of funds (continued)

Restricted funds are funds that have been provided in support of specific projects. The Trust holds sufficient resources to enable each fund to be applied in accordance with the restriction and can be itemised as follows:

Zochonis Trust: charitable donation specifically to support the gallery's Learning and Engagement Programme.

Clore Duffield Foundation: charitable donation specifically to support post-covid recovery work with the children and young people.

Ashetton Bennett: donation to support the further development of the gallery's silver collection.

Paul Mellon - Speech Acts: charitable donation to support of the Speech Acts Exhibition.

Manchester Contemporary Acquisition Fund: donation toward the acquisition of artwork for the Manchester Contemporary Collection.

University of Manchester: Payment of part of ACE grant to support partnership Suzanne Lacy exhibition.

Heritage Lottery Funding - Collecting Cultures: grant to develop costume collection.

Culture Recovery Fund: DCMS grant to support the gallery through closure due to Covid-19 pandemic, including re-start costs and covering commercial losses.

Paul Hamlyn Foundation: Explore and Test grant secured to undertake a learning and engagement project focused on Platt Hall, developing activities and models for the hall's re-imagining as a community museum.

ECFC Funding for Platt Hall Project: grant from the Esmeé Fairbairn Collections Fund to fund a project using Platt
Hall gallery and its collections to test and develop a new sector leading model as the UK's first fully user-generated museum.

The Clothworkers’ Foundation: charitable grant to support the creation of a new Fashion Gallery at Manchester ArtGallery.

The Costume Society: grant towards the conservation of a specific item in the Dandy Style exhibition.

Baring Foundation: grant for the delivery of a programme relating to trauma-informed practice. Grant pays for staff and educator workshops, schools’ activities, mindfulness sessions and specialist advice.

Martyn Torevell: donation towards the acquisition of an artwork (Florence Claxton - Women’s' Work).

GMMH MWF: grant to support a group of LGBT+ elders travelling to Jarman's Garden on Dungeness as part of a research project.

Haroon Mirza Curatoria Fee: a grant to employ a Curator to advise on the diversity of the collection.

United Utilities: corporate donation to support the infrastructure and maintenance of the Derek Jarman Garden.

Kempe Trust : grant for the conservation of Bodley panelling.

Freelands Foundation: grant to set up and run a collective of artist teachers for professional development.

Oglesby Charitable Trust: grant to deliver weekly sessions for refugee families (prioritising under-fives and parents/carers housed in the city).
Page 35

 
Manchester City Galleries Trust

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)
 
 
 
Notes to the Financial Statements
For the Year Ended 31 March 2025

20.

Statement of funds (continued)


Tate Fund: grant to deliver symposium on spontaneous memorial collections.

Art Fund Jonathan Ruffer Curatorial Fund: grant for travel and accommodation for research trip to New York for Costume Curator and Costume Conservator.

DCMS/Wolfson Museums & Galleries Improvement Fund: Capital grant for purchases of art storage and study room equipment.

MMU: portion of grant from AHRC for delivery of research project exploring exhibition making and for under-fives.

Donor: Learning and Engagement activity - Art in Schools/Rutherston.

Manchester Contemporary Art Fund: Acquisitions of works at annual Manchester Contemporary Art Fair.

MCC AoR project: Funds Art of Resilience trauma-informed schools work. 

Kempe Trust (Bodley Panelling): Conservation fee.

TATE fund: To cover project costs.

MMU for Things of the Least Project (Platt Hall): TOTL project at Britannia Hotel.

Boshier Hinton Foundation: Learning Team - BSL work.

The Museums Association: FOW Project participant event.

Big Give Campaign (FOW): Families of the World programme (refugee family programme).

The University of Manchester: Contribution towards costs for Simon Industrial Fellowship.
Jack Livingstone: Fashion Gallery ongoing collection and redisplays.

21.

Analysis of net assets between funds

Analysis of net assets between funds - current year

Unrestricted funds
2025
Restricted funds
2025
Total
funds
2025
        £
        £
        £



Tangible fixed assets

48,848

-

48,848

Current assets

1,888,445

659,009

2,547,454

Creditors due within one year

(565,517)

-

(565,517)

Total 


1,371,776
659,009
2,030,785


Page 36

 
Manchester City Galleries Trust

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)
 
 
 
Notes to the Financial Statements
For the Year Ended 31 March 2025

21.Analysis of net assets between funds (continued)


Analysis of net assets between funds - prior year

Unrestricted funds
2024
Restricted funds
2024
Total
funds
2024
        £
        £
        £



Tangible fixed assets

65,855

-

65,855

Current assets

1,781,040

556,221

2,337,261

Creditors due within one year

(611,998)

-

(611,998)

Total 

1,234,897
556,221
1,791,118


22.



Reconciliation of net movement in funds to net cash flow from operating activities


Group
Group
2025
2024
£
£

Net income for the year (as per Statement of Financial Activities)



239,667

310,775

Adjustments for:

Depreciation charges
17,145
32,555

Dividends, interests and rents from investments
(58,592)
(58,124)

Loss on the sale of fixed assets
417
-

Decrease in stocks
92
3,292

Decrease/(increase) in debtors
(3,961)
16,202

Increase/(decrease) in creditors
(46,481)
54,259

Net cash provided by operating activities
148,287
358,959



23.



Analysis of cash and cash equivalents


Group
Group
2025
2024
£
£

Cash in hand
1,666,922
2,293,372

Page 37

 
Manchester City Galleries Trust

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)
 
 
 
Notes to the Financial Statements
For the Year Ended 31 March 2025

24.



Analysis of changes in cash and cash equivalents





At 1 April 2024
Cash flows
At 31 March 2025
£
£

£

Cash at bank and in hand

2,293,372

(626,450)

1,666,922



25.


Pension commitments

The group operates a defined contribution pension scheme. The assets of the scheme are held separately from those of the group in an independently administered fund. The pension cost charge represents contributions payable by the group to the fund and amounted to £9,822 (2024: £6,244). Contributions totalling £1,732 (2024: £1,689) were payable to the fund at the balance sheet date and are included in creditors.



26.


Related party transactions

Key management personnel are considered to be the Trustees of the Manchester City Galleries Trust, the senior management team of Manchester Art Gallery Trading Company Limited and the directors of Manchester Art Gallery Trading Company Limited. None of the directors of Manchester Art Gallery Trading Company Limited  received any remuneration from the Company. None of the Trustees received any remuneration. The senior management team of Manchester Art Gallery Trading Company (who are not directors of the Company) received remuneration of £91,249 (2024: £52,734).


27.


Principal subsidiaries

The following was a subsidiary undertaking of the Charity:


Name

Company number

Registered office 

Principal activity

Class of shares

Holding

Included in consolidation


Manchester Art Gallery Trading Company Limited
04465391
Manchester Art Gallery, Mosley Street, Manchester M2 3JL
Catering and events
Ordinary
100%
Yes

The financial results of the subsidiary for the year were:


Name

Income
£

Expenditure
£

Profit/(Loss)/ Surplus/ (Deficit) for the year
£

Net assets
£


Manchester Art Gallery Trading Company Limited
998,229
989,607
8,622
39,101
Page 38