Company registration number 01421448 (England and Wales)
GUILD OF MASTER CRAFTSMAN PUBLICATIONS LIMITED
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JANUARY 2025
PAGES FOR FILING WITH REGISTRAR
GUILD OF MASTER CRAFTSMAN PUBLICATIONS LIMITED
CONTENTS
Page
Balance sheet
1
Statement of changes in equity
2
Notes to the financial statements
3 - 9
GUILD OF MASTER CRAFTSMAN PUBLICATIONS LIMITED
BALANCE SHEET
AS AT 31 JANUARY 2025
31 January 2025
- 1 -
2025
2024
Notes
£
£
£
£
Fixed assets
Tangible assets
4
51,282
46,111
Investments
5
1
1
51,283
46,112
Current assets
Stocks
6
1,351,340
1,087,260
Debtors
7
2,174,664
1,691,709
Cash at bank and in hand
1,721,360
2,583,936
5,247,364
5,362,905
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
8
(2,203,013)
(2,262,141)
Net current assets
3,044,351
3,100,764
Total assets less current liabilities
3,095,634
3,146,876
Provisions for liabilities
9
-
0
(75,000)
Net assets
3,095,634
3,071,876
Capital and reserves
Called up share capital
10
101
101
Profit and loss reserves
3,095,533
3,071,775
Total equity
3,095,634
3,071,876

The directors of the company have elected not to include a copy of the profit and loss account within the financial statements.true

These financial statements have been prepared and delivered 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 3 December 2025 and are signed on its behalf by:
Mr J A J Phillips
Director
Company registration number 01421448 (England and Wales)
GUILD OF MASTER CRAFTSMAN PUBLICATIONS LIMITED
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JANUARY 2025
- 2 -
Share capital
Profit and loss reserves
Total
Notes
£
£
£
Balance at 1 February 2023
101
3,212,819
3,212,920
Year ended 31 January 2024:
Profit and total comprehensive income
-
208,956
208,956
Dividends
-
(350,000)
(350,000)
Balance at 31 January 2024
101
3,071,775
3,071,876
Year ended 31 January 2025:
Profit and total comprehensive income
-
323,758
323,758
Dividends
-
(300,000)
(300,000)
Balance at 31 January 2025
101
3,095,533
3,095,634
GUILD OF MASTER CRAFTSMAN PUBLICATIONS LIMITED
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JANUARY 2025
- 3 -
1
Accounting policies
Company information

Guild of Master Craftsman Publications Limited is a private company limited by shares incorporated in England and Wales. The registered office is 166 High Street, Lewes, BN7 1XU.

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 as applicable to companies subject to the small companies regime. The disclosure requirements of section 1A of FRS 102 have been applied other than where additional disclosure is required to show a true and fair view.

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 £1.

The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention. The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below.

1.2
Going concern

Atruet the time of approving the financial statements, the directors have a reasonable expectation that the company has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus the directors continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements.

1.3
Turnover

Turnover is recognised at the fair value of the consideration received or receivable for goods and services provided in the normal course of business, and is shown net of VAT and other sales related taxes.

 

Turnover from the sale of books is recognised when title passes. Fees charged for the use of rights granted by agreement and related services are recognised as the rights are used and the right to receive payment is established. Income received in advance is deferred and released over the period to which it relates.

1.4
Tangible fixed assets

Tangible fixed assets are initially measured at cost and subsequently measured at cost or valuation, net of depreciation and any impairment losses.

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
15% reducing balance per annum
Motor vehicles
25% reducing balance per annum

The gain or loss arising on the disposal of an asset is determined as the difference between the sale proceeds and the carrying value of the asset, and is credited or charged to profit or loss.

1.5
Fixed asset investments

Interests in subsidiaries are initially measured at cost and subsequently measured at cost less any accumulated impairment losses. The investments are assessed for impairment at each reporting date and any impairment losses or reversals of impairment losses are recognised immediately in profit or loss.

A subsidiary is an entity controlled by the company. Control is the power to govern the financial and operating policies of the entity so as to obtain benefits from its activities.

GUILD OF MASTER CRAFTSMAN PUBLICATIONS LIMITED
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JANUARY 2025
1
Accounting policies
(Continued)
- 4 -

An associate is an entity, being neither a subsidiary nor a joint venture, in which the company holds a long-term interest and where the company has significant influence. The company considers that it has significant influence where it has the power to participate in the financial and operating decisions of the associate.

Entities in which the company has a long term interest and shares control under a contractual arrangement are classified as jointly controlled entities.

1.6
Impairment of fixed assets

At each reporting period end date, the company reviews the carrying amounts of its tangible and intangible assets to determine whether there is any indication that those assets have suffered an impairment loss. If any such indication exists, the recoverable amount of the asset is estimated in order to determine the extent of the impairment loss (if any). Where it is not possible to estimate the recoverable amount of an individual asset, the company estimates the recoverable amount of the cash-generating unit to which the asset belongs.

If the recoverable amount of an asset (or cash-generating unit) is estimated to be less than its carrying amount, the carrying amount of the asset (or cash-generating unit) is reduced to its recoverable amount. An impairment loss is recognised immediately in profit or loss, unless the relevant asset is carried at a revalued amount, in which case the impairment loss is treated as a revaluation decrease.

1.7
Stocks

Stocks are stated at the lower of cost and estimated selling price less costs to complete and sell. Cost comprises direct materials and, where applicable, direct labour costs and those overheads that have been incurred in bringing the stocks to their present location and condition.

 

Stocks held for distribution at no or nominal consideration are measured at the lower of cost and replacement cost, adjusted where applicable for any loss of service potential.

 

Paper stock held within raw materials is expensed to cost of sales as the stock is utilised in the production of finished goods stock.

At each reporting date, an assessment is made for impairment. Any excess of the carrying amount of stocks over its estimated selling price less costs to complete and sell is recognised as an impairment loss in profit or loss. Reversals of impairment losses are also recognised in profit or loss.

1.8
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.

1.9
Financial instruments

The company has elected to apply the provisions of Section 11 ‘Basic Financial Instruments’ and Section 12 ‘Other Financial Instruments Issues’ of FRS 102 to all of its financial instruments.

 

Financial instruments are recognised in the company's balance sheet when the company becomes party to the contractual provisions of the instrument.

 

Financial assets and liabilities are offset, with the net amounts presented in the financial statements, when there is a legally enforceable right to set off the recognised amounts and there is an intention to settle on a net basis or to realise the asset and settle the liability simultaneously.

GUILD OF MASTER CRAFTSMAN PUBLICATIONS LIMITED
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JANUARY 2025
1
Accounting policies
(Continued)
- 5 -
Basic financial assets

Basic financial assets, which include debtors and cash and bank balances, are initially measured at transaction price including transaction costs and are subsequently carried at amortised cost using the effective interest method unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the transaction is measured at the present value of the future receipts discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial assets classified as receivable within one year are not amortised.

Classification of financial liabilities

Financial liabilities and equity instruments are classified according to the substance of the contractual arrangements entered into. An equity instrument is any contract that evidences a residual interest in the assets of the company after deducting all of its liabilities.

Basic financial liabilities

Basic financial liabilities, including creditors, bank loans, loans from fellow group companies and preference shares that are classified as debt, are initially recognised at transaction price unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the debt instrument is measured at the present value of the future payments discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial liabilities classified as payable within one year are not amortised.

 

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

1.10
Equity instruments

Equity instruments issued by the company are recorded at the proceeds received, net of transaction costs. Dividends payable on equity instruments are recognised as liabilities once they are no longer at the discretion of the company.

1.11
Taxation

The tax expense represents the sum of the tax currently payable and deferred tax.

Current tax

The tax currently payable is based on taxable profit for the year. Taxable profit differs from net profit as reported in the profit and loss account because it excludes items of income or expense that are taxable or deductible in other years and it further excludes items that are never taxable or deductible. The company’s liability for current tax is calculated using tax rates that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the reporting end date.

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.

1.12
Provisions

Provisions are recognised when the company has a legal or constructive present obligation as a result of a past event, it is probable that the company will be required to settle that obligation and a reliable estimate can be made of the amount of the obligation.

 

The amount recognised as a provision is the best estimate of the consideration required to settle the present obligation at the reporting end date, taking into account the risks and uncertainties surrounding the obligation. Where the effect of the time value of money is material, the amount expected to be required to settle the obligation is recognised at present value. When a provision is measured at present value, the unwinding of the discount is recognised as a finance cost in profit or loss in the period in which it arises.

GUILD OF MASTER CRAFTSMAN PUBLICATIONS LIMITED
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JANUARY 2025
1
Accounting policies
(Continued)
- 6 -
1.13
Employee benefits

The costs of short-term employee benefits are recognised as a liability and an expense, unless those costs are required to be recognised as part of the cost of stock or fixed assets.

 

The cost of any unused holiday entitlement is recognised in the period in which the employee’s services are received.

 

Termination benefits are recognised immediately as an expense when the company is demonstrably committed to terminate the employment of an employee or to provide termination benefits.

1.14
Retirement benefits

Payments to defined contribution retirement benefit schemes are charged as an expense as they fall due.

1.15
Leases

Rentals payable under operating leases, including any lease incentives received, are charged to profit or loss on a straight line basis over the term of the relevant lease except where another more systematic basis is more representative of the time pattern in which economic benefits from the leases asset are consumed.

1.16
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.

2
Judgements and key sources of estimation uncertainty

In the application of the company’s accounting policies, the directors are required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions about the carrying amount of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors that are considered to be relevant. Actual results may differ from these estimates.

 

The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised where the revision affects only that period, or in the period of the revision and future periods where the revision affects both current and future periods.

Key sources of estimation uncertainty

The estimates and assumptions which have a significant risk of causing a material adjustment to the carrying amount of assets and liabilities are as follows.

Stock provisions

The company published books and is therefore subject to changes in consumer tastes. At each reporting date, an assessment is made for impairment. Stock provisions are calculated based on the excess of the carrying amount of stocks over the estimates selling price less costs to complete and sell and are recognised as an impairment loss in the profit and loss account. Stocks of £1,351,340 (2024: £1,087,260) are stated after provisions for impairment.

3
Employees

The average monthly number of persons (including directors) employed by the company during the year was 47 (2024 - 46).

GUILD OF MASTER CRAFTSMAN PUBLICATIONS LIMITED
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JANUARY 2025
- 7 -
4
Tangible fixed assets
Fixtures and fittings
Motor vehicles
Total
£
£
£
Cost
At 1 February 2024
76,551
102,133
178,684
Additions
1,324
24,500
25,824
Disposals
-
0
(26,927)
(26,927)
At 31 January 2025
77,875
99,706
177,581
Depreciation and impairment
At 1 February 2024
74,658
57,915
132,573
Depreciation charged in the year
416
16,668
17,084
Eliminated in respect of disposals
-
0
(23,358)
(23,358)
At 31 January 2025
75,074
51,225
126,299
Carrying amount
At 31 January 2025
2,801
48,481
51,282
At 31 January 2024
1,893
44,218
46,111
5
Fixed asset investments
2025
2024
£
£
Shares in group undertakings and participating interests
1
1
6
Stocks
2025
2024
£
£
Raw materials and consumables
155,774
97,157
Work in progress
62,481
65,383
Finished goods and goods for resale
1,133,085
924,720
1,351,340
1,087,260
GUILD OF MASTER CRAFTSMAN PUBLICATIONS LIMITED
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JANUARY 2025
- 8 -
7
Debtors
2025
2024
Amounts falling due within one year:
£
£
Trade debtors
1,780,683
1,453,739
Other debtors
367,673
212,677
Prepayments and accrued income
14,808
15,407
2,163,164
1,681,823
Deferred tax asset (note )
11,500
9,886
2,174,664
1,691,709
8
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
2025
2024
£
£
Bank loans and overdrafts
35
-
0
Trade creditors
978,153
1,078,046
Corporation tax
137,409
133,482
Other taxation and social security
43,438
42,762
Other creditors
127,557
38,021
Accruals and deferred income
916,421
969,830
2,203,013
2,262,141
9
Provisions for liabilities
2025
2024
£
£
Licence dispute
-
75,000
10
Called up share capital
2025
2024
2025
2024
Ordinary share capital
Number
Number
£
£
Issued and fully paid
Ordinary shares of £1 each
101
101
101
101
11
Audit report information

As the income statement has been omitted from the filing copy of the financial statements, the following information in relation to the audit report on the statutory financial statements is provided in accordance with s444(5B) of the Companies Act 2006:

The auditor's report was unqualified.

GUILD OF MASTER CRAFTSMAN PUBLICATIONS LIMITED
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JANUARY 2025
11
Audit report information
(Continued)
- 9 -
Senior Statutory Auditor:
Kristina Perry FCCA
Statutory Auditor:
Sumer Audit
Date of audit report:
3 December 2025
Sumer Audit is the trading name of Sumer Auditco Limited
12
Operating lease commitments
Lessee

At the reporting end date the company had outstanding commitments for future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases, as follows:

2025
2024
£
£
168,738
181,244
13
Related party transactions

The company is related to S.A.H Investments Limited of which Mr J A J Phillips is a director. During the year the company paid rent amounting to £40,610 (2024: £83,875) to S.A.H Investments Limited.

 

The company is related to Lightning Publications LLC, a company under common control. During the year the company made purchases amounting to £122,352 (2024: £113,286) to Lightning Publications LLC. The company has a year end debtor balance of £65,385 (2024: £53,535) with Lightning Publications LLC.

 

The company is also related to Guild of Master Craftsmen Services Limited of which Mr J A J Philiips is a director. During the year the company made purchases amounting to £76,468 (2024: £Nil) and the company made sales of £60,707 (2024: £32,334) to Guild of Master Craftsmen Services. The company has a year end debtor balance of £186,086 (2024: £5,720 creditor) with Guild of Master Craftsmen Services Limited.

 

Included within other creditors is a director's loan account balance of £127,557 (2024: £38,021) payable to Mr J A J Phillips.

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