Caseware UK (AP4) 2024.0.164 2024.0.164 2025-06-30 2025-06-30 false The members have not required the company to obtain an audit in accordance with section 476 of the Companies Act 2006.6 2024-07-01 false No description of principal activity 6 true true 06779562 2024-07-01 2025-06-30 06779562 2023-07-01 2024-06-30 06779562 2025-06-30 06779562 2024-06-30 06779562 c:Director4 2024-07-01 2025-06-30 06779562 c:Director5 2024-07-01 2025-06-30 06779562 c:Director7 2024-07-01 2025-06-30 06779562 c:Director8 2024-07-01 2025-06-30 06779562 d:CurrentFinancialInstruments 2025-06-30 06779562 d:CurrentFinancialInstruments 2024-06-30 06779562 d:Non-currentFinancialInstruments 2025-06-30 06779562 d:Non-currentFinancialInstruments 2024-06-30 06779562 d:CurrentFinancialInstruments d:WithinOneYear 2025-06-30 06779562 d:CurrentFinancialInstruments d:WithinOneYear 2024-06-30 06779562 d:Non-currentFinancialInstruments d:AfterOneYear 2025-06-30 06779562 d:Non-currentFinancialInstruments d:AfterOneYear 2024-06-30 06779562 d:Non-currentFinancialInstruments d:BetweenOneTwoYears 2025-06-30 06779562 d:Non-currentFinancialInstruments d:BetweenOneTwoYears 2024-06-30 06779562 d:RetainedEarningsAccumulatedLosses 2025-06-30 06779562 d:RetainedEarningsAccumulatedLosses 2024-06-30 06779562 c:FRS102 2024-07-01 2025-06-30 06779562 c:AuditExempt-NoAccountantsReport 2024-07-01 2025-06-30 06779562 c:FullAccounts 2024-07-01 2025-06-30 06779562 c:CompanyLimitedByGuarantee 2024-07-01 2025-06-30 06779562 2 2024-07-01 2025-06-30 06779562 e:PoundSterling 2024-07-01 2025-06-30 iso4217:GBP xbrli:pure

Registered number: 06779562 SOUND CITY (LIVERPOOL) LTD DIRECTORS' REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2025
SOUND CITY (LIVERPOOL) LTD (A company limited by guarantee) DIRECTORS' REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2025 The directors present their report and the financial statements for the year ended 30 June 2025.
Business review
ABOUT SOUND CITY Sound City (Liverpool) Ltd is a charitable organisation, established in 2008. We’re a national champion for new music proudly based in the North of England. We have been an Arts Council England (ACE) National Portfolio Organisation (NPO) since 2018, receiving £200k in annual core grant to support our year-round programme of events and projects, matched by a similar amount in fundraised/earned income each year. While we are staunchly independent and wholly focused on public benefit, we work closely with our commercial sister companies Liverpool Sound City Ltd and Modern Sky (UK) Entertainment to achieve shared aims, underpinned by mutual values and shared resources. Our charitable objects are: 1. To advance the education of the public in the arts, in particular but not exclusively, by: a) programming, promoting and producing art, in particular but not exclusively, musical performance; b) holding and staging music festivals and other educational events; and c) providing support, advice and guidance to artists and others currently operating in, or seeking to operate in the creative and artistic industries. 2. To promote equality and diversity in particular but not exclusively by: a) eliminating discrimination on the grounds of, in particular but not exclusively, age, gender, sexual orientation, race and class; b) raising public awareness of all aspects of discrimination in society; and c) promoting activities to foster understanding between people from diverse backgrounds OUR MISSION Our mission is to dismantle the barriers that young people face to making and having a career in music: 1. We develop and showcase artistic talent of the highest quality and provide affordable access for diverse audiences. 2. We invest in opportunities for artists and creative businesses to grow and access international markets in the digital age. 3. We provide young people with progression routes to help them achieve artistic and professional ambitions. Governed by an independent board of trustees, with a wide range of experience across the public, private, charitable and education sectors, we achieve this mission through a programme of activity with regional impact, national reputation and global reach, built around our flagship annual live music festival (Liverpool Sound City). Page 1
SOUND CITY (LIVERPOOL) LTD (A company limited by guarantee) DIRECTORS' REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2025 OUR VISION We see a world where everybody can benefit from the transformative power of new music. Driven by our passion for events and our instinct for nurturing talent and audiences, we are committed to supporting the growth and development of artists, creatives and communities. OUR VALUES Innovation & Excellence We strive for excellence and to continually demonstrate a commitment to improving the quality of our work. 1. We draw from the wealth of knowledge, skills and experience of our employees in everything we do. 2. We combine innovations in technology with input from diverse communities and stakeholders to inform every aspect of our decision-making process. 3. We encourage ideas and leadership to come from all levels of our organisation. Inclusivity & Integrity We believe that the most impactful and enriching cultural experiences are a result of harnessing the power of diverse thinking and including the voices of the whole community. 1. We play our part in contributing to greater fairness, access and opportunity across the cultural sector. 2. We seek to understand and utilise the voice and views of the local community. 3. We work in partnership with diverse creative practitioners and organisations. 4. We ensure that honesty and integrity underpins everything we do. 5. We clearly communicate our values to audience and stakeholders. Wellbeing: For The Environment We take on the responsibility to reduce the negative effect of our own actions, as much as possible, as well as encourage good practice in others. 1. We demonstrate responsibility for our environment across all our work. 2. We take major steps to reduce our carbon footprint. 3. We collect and use good quality data to inform our environmental strategies and initiatives, including our action plan and policy. Wellbeing: For The People We are committed to creating safe, happy and healthy workplaces, with inclusive cultures which attract and develop talented people. 1. We place wellbeing at the heart of what we do. 2. We find our passion and apply it in our practice. 3. We make time to ask questions, indulge curiosities and enhance learning. Page 2
SOUND CITY (LIVERPOOL) LTD (A company limited by guarantee) DIRECTORS' REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2025 OUR PROGRAMME Sound City provides a platform for 450 emerging artists annually to showcase to UK and international audiences via Liverpool Sound City - Europe’s most diverse festival for new music, and Sound City International - where we support artists to showcase annually at international showcases including Zandari Festa - Asia's festival for new music and Sounds of the Xity - China's premier music festival and conference. As an organisation we have 18 years’ experience of showcasing high quality, exciting, diverse new artists in the UK and internationally and showcasing them to music fans and industry professionals. Sound City is the UK lead festival for Keychange, the global movement for gender equality in music. Liverpool Sound City festival, in May 2025, featured headline performances from The Royston Club, Dylan John Thomas, Nieve Ella and Rianne Downey and showcases from partners including Modern Sky, Run On Records, PRSF Momentum, Gigseekr, SESAC, SAMA, Leeds Conservatoire and 200 emerging artists playing across multiple genres in the heart of Liverpool. The Guardian has called it “a festival in resurgence”. Sound City International includes support for English artists to showcase at international showcase festivals. Sound City is one of two non-profit organisations in the UK who offer support for artists and industry professionals to access international as well as UK markets. To date, artists and industry professionals taking part in Sound City initiatives have generated additional turnover worth an estimated £40 million, helping to create sustainable, inclusive jobs in the creative industries and deliver economic impacts to Liverpool City Region, the North and the wider UK. Sound City conference is the conference counterpart to Liverpool Sound City festival. In our 2025 event, 80+ speakers were involved in over 20 panels/sessions held across four venues. Highlights include: • Well-attended event with a high contingent of local/regional students. • High number of International speakers and attendees. • Positive feedback from Industry specialists and key stakeholders (e.g. ACE, British Council, Youth Music, BPI). • Programme included elements of Technology, Film & Entrepreneurship in-line with the Sound City strategic development objectives. • Highlights included Isabel Garvey, COO, Warner Music Q&A, CMU and Tunecore programme. • Keychange programme in perfect symbiosis to be a powerful celebration of gender equality across the weekend. Through our ‘Launch’ artist development programme we work intensively with 12 artists each year to create a step change in their careers and to diversify the types of artists who have access to showcase and progression opportunities. Due to staff bereavement and subsequent departure, the 24/25 artist development programme was a continuation from the 23/24 programme with the same 12 artists, who were Fraya Ofeme, Azize and Leighton of the band Finite, Harry Mckenna, Maxi Zee, Kokiri, AMBA, East Exchange, Miles Temp, LUTA, Ruvimbo, Leetz. Supported by Sound City, their collective achievements in 24/25 included: • 3 single releases • 1 EP releases • 2 paid sync licenses • 1 music video shoot • 2 music commissions • 2 recordings • 8 festival performances • Streaming figures (eg Spotify) of between 800 and 57,000 streams for all artists • An increase in social media figures of between 30% and 120% for all artists. Page 3
SOUND CITY (LIVERPOOL) LTD (A company limited by guarantee) DIRECTORS' REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2025 The next cohort will be for 25/26 and will be recruited in autumn 2025 OUR AUDIENCES Sound City is committed to reaching, delighting and inspiring audiences via high quality innovative programming, for example: • Sound City events are 14+. • New music-loving audiences from 14+ to 60+ attend. • The median audience age is 20-29. • 40% of audiences are from Liverpool City Region (LCR), 20% from the North West, 20% are from the wider UK, and 20% are international which brings tourism to the LCR. • According to CACI Acorn data, 39.7% of our audience are from the ‘financially stretched’ and ‘urban adversity categories, illustrating that we engage ‘hard to reach’ audiences. • At Sound City we price our tickets at 40% lower than our competitors to reflect the emerging talent line up and to enable younger people to attend. YOUNG PEOPLE Supporting young people to develop within the arts is key to our aims as an organisation and goes hand-in-hand with our aim to be a world renowned champion of, and conduit for, emerging talent and to break down barriers to learning. Our industry-recognised programmes comprise transferrable skills, hands-on skills, online interactivity and real world outcomes. For example: • 93% of artists and 85% of young people taking part found the practical advice they received at Sound City conference really useful, evidence of the event’s impact on talent development. • Young people attending Sound City get the opportunity to take part in the conferences with the specific aim of them meeting industry contacts to set up work placements to give them real life experience. • We offer volunteer and internship placements on all our events, with all volunteers receiving a reference after they have completed their work. We meet with them after to discuss their career aspirations and help them out with contacts. • We run Sound City Launch training for young music entrepreneurs year-round which has supported 400 young people aged 14+ to date via teaching and mentoring and led to them going onto careers at companies including Spotify, Nintendo, Paradigm Agency, Warner Chappell, PRSF, Universal. 90% of Sound City Launch training students cite that it exceeds their expectations. • 40 young people did Sound City Launch training from 24/25. Following the 10-week course they are paired with industry mentors to receive 3 x hour sessions to help develop their creative practice/ career path. • All of the young people have the opportunity to receive a bursary of £750 either to develop their creative practice as an artist or to do 3 weeks of paid work experience (the £750 ensuring that they are paid the equivalent of the National Living Wage). To access the bursary they must attend 90% of the course sessions. • Working in partnership with Sefton Council as part of their Child Poverty Strategy, we set up Launch training in Bootle, one of Sefton's most severely deprived wards. 15 young people completed a 10-week training course and received a £400 bursary (lower so that it does not affect their Universal Credit payments) and mentoring Page 4
SOUND CITY (LIVERPOOL) LTD (A company limited by guarantee) DIRECTORS' REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2025 DIVERSITY, EQUALITY AND EQUITY We believe that everyone must have access to equal, equitable and just opportunities artistically and as part of the music industry. We believe that everyone must be able to participate equally, equitably and justly as audience members. We have a Diversity and Equality action plan and all targets are SMART. In 24/25 our focus has been on gender, race and class. Programming - we aim for gender balance for female and gender-diverse speakers and artists. We aim to have 30% Black, Asian and Diverse artists and conference speakers, training, artist development speakers and mentors. Sound City is the UK's lead festival for KeyChange - the global movement gender equality across the music industry. Audiences – we analyse our audiences carefully to understand what programming has led to changes in audience demographics, offering complimentary passes for our events to disadvantaged groups. Participants – we promote training and mentoring programmes to targeted groups, ensuring selection processes are non-biased. Governance - 75% of our board are female. One board member is of African origin. We are currently working to recruit at least one other board member who is Black, Asian and/or diverse, this being one of our SMART targets in our Equality and Diversity Action Plan. Staff - 48% of our staff are female. 70% of our workforce are 30 or under. 50% of staff are working class. Staff have annual appraisals and targets include Equality and Diversity SMART targets.
Directors
The directors who served during the year were:
J Wright
A Maloney
C Isherwood
E Bowker
Page 5
SOUND CITY (LIVERPOOL) LTD (A company limited by guarantee) REGISTERED NUMBER: 06779562 BALANCE SHEET AS AT 30 JUNE 2025
|  | 2025 |  | 2024
Note |  | £ |  | £
Current assets |  |  |  |  |
Debtors: amounts falling due within one year | 4 | 64,488 |  | 46,941 |
Cash at bank and in hand | 5 | 4,051 |  | 1,562 |
|  | 68,539 |  | 48,503 |
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year | 6 | (106,322) |  | (90,410) |
Net current liabilities |  |  | (37,783) |  | (41,907)
Total assets less current liabilities |  |  | (37,783) |  | (41,907)
Creditors: amounts falling due after more than one year | 7 |  | (4,167) |  | (13,958)
Net liabilities |  |  | (41,950) |  | (55,865)
Capital and reserves |  |  |  |  |
Profit and loss account |  |  | (41,950) |  | (55,865)
|  |  | (41,950) |  | (55,865)
Page 6
SOUND CITY (LIVERPOOL) LTD (A company limited by guarantee) REGISTERED NUMBER: 06779562 BALANCE SHEET (CONTINUED) AS AT 30 JUNE 2025 The directors consider that the Company is entitled to exemption from audit under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 and members have not required the Company to obtain an audit for the year in question in accordance with section 476 of the Companies Act 2006. The directors acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 with respect to accounting records and the preparation of financial statements. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies regime and in accordance with the provisions of FRS 102 Section 1A - small entities. The financial statements have been delivered in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies regime. The Company has opted not to file the statement of comprehensive income in accordance with provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies' regime. The financial statements were approved and authorised for issue by the board and were signed on its behalf by:
J Wright
Director
Date: 24 March 2026
The notes on pages 8 to 13 form part of these financial statements. Page 7
SOUND CITY (LIVERPOOL) LTD (A company limited by guarantee) NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2025
1. | General information
The Company is a private company limited by guarantee, which is incorporated under the Companies Act 2006 and registered in England and Wales (no. 06779562). The address of the registered office is Studio F, 16 Jordan Street, Liverpool, United Kingdom, L1 0BP. These financial statements present information about the Company as an individual undertaking; it is not a member of a group of companies. The principal activity of the Company continues to be of music and arts talent development incorporating events, training, one to one support, community engagement, marketing and promotion. The Company's income arises from both charitable trading activities and project based activities. Some of the grants received constitute unrestricted funds. 2.Accounting policies
| 2.1 | Basis of preparation of financial statements
The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention unless otherwise specified within these accounting policies and in accordance with Financial Reporting Standard 102, the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and the Republic of Ireland and the requirements and the Companies Act 2006. 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 preparation of financial statements in compliance with FRS 102 requires the use of certain critical accounting estimates. It also requires management to exercise judgment in applying the Company's accounting policies. The following principal accounting policies have been applied:
| 2.2 | Revenue
Revenue is recognised to the extent that it is probable that the economic benefits will flow to the Company and the revenue can be reliably measured. Revenue is measured as the fair value of the consideration received or receivable, excluding discounts, rebates, value added tax and other sales taxes. The following criteria must also be met before revenue is recognised: Rendering of services Revenue from a contract to provide services is recognised in the period in which the services are provided in accordance with the stage of completion of the contract when all of the following conditions are satisfied: ∙the amount of revenue can be measured reliably; ∙it is probable that the Company will receive the consideration due under the contract; ∙the stage of completion of the contract at the end of the reporting period can be measured reliably; and ∙the costs incurred and the costs to complete the contract can be measured reliably. Page 8
SOUND CITY (LIVERPOOL) LTD (A company limited by guarantee) NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2025 2.Accounting policies (continued)
| 2.3 | Operating leases: the Company as lessee
Rentals paid under operating leases are charged to profit or loss on a straight-line basis over the lease term. Benefits received and receivable as an incentive to sign an operating lease are recognised on a straight-line basis over the lease term, unless another systematic basis is representative of the time pattern of the lessee's benefit from the use of the leased asset.
| 2.4 | Interest income
Interest income is recognised in profit or loss using the effective interest method.
| 2.5 | Finance costs
Finance costs are charged to profit or loss over the term of the debt using the effective interest method so that the amount charged is at a constant rate on the carrying amount. Issue costs are initially recognised as a reduction in the proceeds of the associated capital instrument.
| 2.6 | Borrowing costs
All borrowing costs are recognised in profit or loss in the year in which they are incurred.
| 2.7 | Pensions
Defined contribution pension plan The Company operates a defined contribution plan for its employees. A defined contribution plan is a pension plan under which the Company pays fixed contributions into a separate entity. Once the contributions have been paid the Company has no further payment obligations. The contributions are recognised as an expense in profit or loss when they fall due. Amounts not paid are shown in accruals as a liability in the Balance sheet. The assets of the plan are held separately from the Company in independently administered funds.
| 2.8 | Debtors
Short-term debtors are measured at transaction price, less any impairment. Loans receivable are measured initially at fair value, net of transaction costs, and are measured subsequently at amortised cost using the effective interest method, less any impairment.
| 2.9 | Cash and cash equivalents
Cash is represented by cash in hand and deposits with financial institutions repayable without penalty on notice of not more than 24 hours. Cash equivalents are highly liquid investments that mature in no more than three months from the date of acquisition and that are readily convertible to known amounts of cash with insignificant risk of change in value. Page 9
SOUND CITY (LIVERPOOL) LTD (A company limited by guarantee) NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2025 2.Accounting policies (continued)
| 2.10 | Creditors
Short-term creditors are measured at the transaction price. Other financial liabilities, including bank loans, are measured initially at fair value, net of transaction costs, and are measured subsequently at amortised cost using the effective interest method.
3. | Employees
| The average monthly number of employees, including directors, during the year was 6 (2024 - 6).
Page 10
SOUND CITY (LIVERPOOL) LTD (A company limited by guarantee) NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2025
4. | Debtors
|  |  |  |  | 2025 | 2024
|  |  |  |  | £ | £
| Trade debtors | 7,940 | 21,000
| Other debtors | 2,948 | 12,941
| Prepayments and accrued income | 53,600 | 13,000
|  | 64,488 | 46,941
5. | Cash and cash equivalents
|  |  |  |  | 2025 | 2024
|  |  |  |  | £ | £
| Cash at bank and in hand | 4,051 | 1,562
|  | 4,051 | 1,562
6. | Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year
|  |  |  |  | 2025 | 2024
|  |  |  |  | £ | £
| Bank loans | 10,833 | 10,838
| Trade creditors | 20,323 | 33,640
| Other taxation and social security | 2,237 | 65
| Other creditors | 65,834 | 43,296
| Accruals and deferred income | 7,095 | 2,571
|  | 106,322 | 90,410
7. | Creditors: Amounts falling due after more than one year
|  |  |  |  | 2025 | 2024
|  |  |  |  | £ | £
| Bank loans | 4,167 | 13,958
|  | 4,167 | 13,958
Page 11
SOUND CITY (LIVERPOOL) LTD (A company limited by guarantee) NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2025
8. | Loans
| Analysis of the maturity of loans is given below:
|  |  |  |  | 2025 | 2024
|  |  |  |  | £ | £
| Amounts falling due within one year |  |
| Bank loans | 10,833 | 10,838
|  | 10,833 | 10,838
| Amounts falling due 1-2 years |  |
| Bank loans | 4,167 | 13,959
|  | 4,167 | 13,959
|  | 15,000 | 24,797
9. | Company status
The Company is a private company limited by guarantee and consequently does not have share capital. Each of the members is liable to contribute an amount not exceeding £10 towards the assets of the Company in the event of liquidation.
10. | Related party transactions
| Included in other debtors and creditors is the following balances owed (to) / from related parties:
|  | 2025 | 2024
|  | £ | £
| Liverpool Sound City Liverpool | (45,125) | (42,842)
| Modern Sky Entertainment (UK) Limited | (20,000) | 12,266
|  | (65,125) | (30,576)
| Liverpool Sound City Limited and Modern Sky Entertainment (UK) Limited are associated companies.
Page 12
SOUND CITY (LIVERPOOL) LTD (A company limited by guarantee) NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2025
11. | Controlling party
The Company is under the control of the directors.
Page 13