The directors present the strategic report for the year ended 31 October 2025.

The group's turnover is up by £5.86 million on the sales achieved for 2024, reflecting strong growth in sales, despite interest rates remaining higher than expected. These figures include the sales from the public house acquired during the year.

The group's Gross profit margin has risen by 2.74% to 26.01% (2024: 23.35%), resulting in an increase in Gross profit of £2.07 million.

The group's share of the retained profit for the year was £2.01 million (2024: £1.32 million) after voting dividends of £88.9k (2024: £52.4k).

The group has maintained a strong Balance Sheet position, with Net current assets of £5.04 million compared with £3.90 million at 31 October 2025. The overall increase in Net assets of £2.24 million has arisen from a concerted effort to improve all lines on the balance sheet.

The directors are more than satisfied with the group's results for the year and the continued strength of its balance sheet.

The group's principal commercial risks include the uncertain economic environment, which is affecting suppliers and customers alike. The directors monitor and manage those risks by reviewing the performance of each company in the group on a regular basis. The directors also maintain close working relationships with the group's suppliers to ensure distribution remains as smooth as possible given the current economic headwinds and global supply chain disruptions.

The impact of the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East and rising inflation levels for the UK is still uncertain, with the full range of possible effects unknown. To date the group has been able to manage its pricing in line with increasing costs, but the full impact of these economic events upon the group's long-term operations is uncertain, and may take many months to become known.

The directors believe that the exposure of the group to price risk, credit risk, liquidity risk and cash flow risk is well monitored and maintained at a satisfactory level given the nature and scale of operations.

Going concern:

In determining whether the group's financial statements can be prepared on a going concern basis, the directors considered the group's business activities together with factors likely to affect its future development, performance and financial position including cash flows, liquidity and borrowing facilities, and the principal risks and uncertainties relating to its business activities.

The directors have concluded that, given the headroom available on bank borrowings, the going concern basis is appropriate and that there are no material uncertainties.

The group's principal financial instruments comprise trade debtors and creditors, loans from directors, together with bank and other loans.

Due to the nature of the financial instruments used by the group, there is no exposure to price risk. The group's approach to managing other risks applicable to the financial instruments concerned is shown below.

Liquidity risk is managed by the directors' monitoring of rolling forecasts, maintaining a balance between available cash reserves and its underdrawn bank loan facility at a floating rate of interest.

In respect of loans, these comprise loans from financial institutions. The interest rate on bank loans is variable, and they are repaid by fixed monthly repayments over the life of the loan. The group manages the liquidity risk by ensuring there are sufficient funds to meet the payments. Loans from Directors are unsecured and interest free.

Trade debtors are managed in respect of credit and cash flow risk by the implementation of policies that require appropriate checks on potential customers before any sales are made. The group has no significant concentration of credit risk due to the nature of the business.

Trade creditors risk is managed by ensuring that there are sufficient funds available to meet amounts as they fall due.

On behalf of the board

The directors present their annual report and consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 October 2025. Information required to be disclosed under Schedule 7 of the Companies Act 2006 is set out in the Strategic Report on pages 1 - 2.

The principal activity of the company during the year continued to be that of a holding company.

The principal activity of the group during the year continued to be that of the sale of optical equipment to both wholesale and retail customers.

The results for the year are set out on page 8.

Ordinary dividends were paid amounting to £88,900. The directors do not recommend payment of a further dividend.

The directors who held office during the year and up to the date of signature of the financial statements were as follows:

The group has set up a joint venture in New Zealand to provide access to the New Zealand and Australian markets.

The directors remain very optimistic and upbeat as they continue to focus on reducing costs, whilst striving to expand the group's operations and maintain turnover in the current financial year.

The directors are also looking to expand market share by acquiring new businesses when the opportunity arises.

The auditor, Darnells Audit Limited, is deemed to be reappointed under section 487(2) of the Companies Act 2006.

The directors are responsible for preparing the Annual Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and regulations.

Company law requires the directors to prepare financial statements for each financial year. Under that law, the directors have prepared the group and parent company financial statements in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice (United Kingdom Accounting Standards and applicable law). Under company law, the directors must not approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the group and parent company, and of the profit or loss of the group for that period.

In preparing these financial statements, the directors are required to:

• select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;

• make judgements and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent;

• state whether applicable United Kingdom Accounting Standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and

• prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the group and parent company will continue in business.

The directors are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the group’s and parent company’s transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the group and parent company, and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the group and parent company, and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

So far as each person who was a director at the date of approving this report is aware, there is no relevant audit information of which the auditor of the company is unaware. Additionally, the directors individually have taken all the necessary steps that they ought to have taken as directors in order to make themselves aware of all relevant audit information and to establish that the auditor of the company is aware of that information.

This report has been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to groups and companies entitled to the exemptions of the small companies regime.

We have audited the financial statements of Ellis Holdings Limited (the 'parent company') and its subsidiaries (the 'group') for the year ended 31 October 2025 which comprise the group statement of comprehensive income, the group balance sheet, the company balance sheet, the group statement of changes in equity, the company statement of changes in equity, the group statement of cash flows, the company statement of cash flows and notes to the financial statements, including significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including Financial Reporting Standard 102 The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

In our opinion the financial statements:

• give a true and fair view of the state of the group's and the parent company's affairs as at 31 October 2025 and of the group's profit 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 Auditor's responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report. We are independent of the group and parent company in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements in the UK, including the FRC’s Ethical Standard, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.

Conclusions relating to going concern

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

Based on the work we have performed, we have not identified any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the group's and parent company's ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at least twelve months from when the financial statements are authorised for issue.

Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the directors with respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections of this report.

Other information

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

We have nothing to report in this regard.

Opinions on other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2006

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

• The information given in the strategic report and the directors' report for the financial year for which the financial statements are prepared is consistent with the financial statements; and

• The strategic report and the directors' report have been prepared in accordance with applicable legal requirements.

In the light of the knowledge and understanding of the group and the parent company and their environment obtained in the course of the audit, we have not identified material misstatements in the strategic report or the directors' report.

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

• adequate accounting records have not been kept by the parent company, or returns adequate for our audit have not been received from branches not visited by us; or

• the parent company financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records and returns; or

• certain disclosures of directors' remuneration specified by law are not made; or

• we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit.

As explained more fully in the directors' responsibilities statement, the directors are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view, and for such internal control as the directors determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error. In preparing the financial statements, the directors are responsible for assessing the group's and parent company's ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the directors either intend to liquidate the group or parent company or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.

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

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 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, misrepresentation or through collusion. The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud, is detailed below.

However, the primary responsibility for the prevention and detection of fraud rests with those charged with governance of the company and management.

We obtained an understanding of the legal and regulatory frameworks that are applicable to the company, and determined the most significant are the Health & Safety at Work Act 1974, and the Health & Safety Regulations 1992 & 1999 (as well as FRS102, the Companies Act 2006 and relevant tax compliance regulations in the UK).

We assessed the susceptibility of the company's financial statements to material misstatement, including how fraud might occur, by considering the controls that the company has established to both address risks identified by management and to prevent, deter and detect fraud in the areas of:

• Purchases of stock; and

• Physical security of stock.

We evaluated the conditions in the context of incentives and/or pressure to commit fraud, considering the opportunity to commit fraud and the potential rationalisation of the fraudulent act.

Based on this understanding, we designed our audit procedures to detect material misstatements in respect of irregularities, including fraud, and to identify non-compliance with the laws and regulations above, as follows:

• Enquiry of management and those charged with governance around actual and potential litigation and claims.

• Enquiry of management in tax and compliance functions to identify any instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations.

• Reviewing compliance with employment, environmental and health and safety legislation.

• Reviewing financial statement disclosures and testing to supporting documentation to assess compliance with applicable laws and regulations.

• Auditing the risk of management override of controls, including through testing journal entries and other adjustments for appropriateness, and evaluating the business rationale of significant transactions outside the normal course of business.

• Investigated the rationale behind significant or unusual transactions.

We corroborated our enquiries through inspection of supporting documentation and records, as well as reviewing correspondence with regulatory bodies where available.

A further description of our responsibilities is available on the Financial Reporting Council’s website at: https://www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our auditor's report.

Use of our report

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

These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions relating to medium-sized groups.

As permitted by section 408 of the Companies Act 2006, the company has not presented its own profit and loss account and related notes. The company’s profit for the year was £498,758 (2024: £444,748).

These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions relating to medium-sized companies.

Ellis Holdings Limited (“the company”) is a private limited company domiciled and incorporated in England and Wales. The registered office is Wessex House, Teign Road, Newton Abbot, Devon TQ12 4AA.

The group consists of Ellis Holdings Limited and all of its subsidiaries.

These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with FRS 102 “The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland” (“FRS 102”) and the requirements of the Companies Act 2006.

The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the company. Monetary amounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest £.

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

In the parent company financial statements, the cost of a business combination is the fair value at the acquisition date of the assets given, equity instruments issued and liabilities incurred or assumed, plus costs directly attributable to the business combination. The excess of the cost of a business combination over the fair value of the identifiable assets, liabilities and contingent liabilities acquired is recognised as goodwill. The cost of the combination includes the estimated amount of contingent consideration that is probable and can be measured reliably, and is adjusted for changes in contingent consideration after the acquisition date. Provisional fair values recognised for business combinations in previous periods are adjusted retrospectively for final fair values determined in the 12 months following the acquisition date. Investments in subsidiaries, joint ventures and associates are accounted for at cost less impairment.

Deferred tax is recognised on differences between the value of assets (other than goodwill) and liabilities recognised in a business combination accounted for using the purchase method and the amounts that can be deducted or assessed for tax, considering the manner in which the carrying amount of the asset or liability is expected to be recovered or settled. The deferred tax recognised is adjusted against goodwill or negative goodwill.

The consolidated group financial statements consist of the financial statements of the parent company Ellis Holdings Limited together with all entities controlled by the parent company (its subsidiaries) and the group’s share of its interests in joint ventures and associates.

All financial statements are made up to 31 October 2025. Where necessary, adjustments are made to the financial statements of subsidiaries to bring the accounting policies used into line with those used by other members of the group.

All intra-group transactions, balances and unrealised gains on transactions between group companies are eliminated on consolidation. Unrealised losses are also eliminated unless the transaction provides evidence of an impairment of the asset transferred.

Subsidiaries are consolidated in the group’s financial statements from the date that control commences until the date that control ceases.

At the time of approving the financial statements, the directors have a reasonable expectation that the group and parent company have 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.

Turnover is recognised at the fair value of the consideration received or receivable for goods and services provided in the normal course of business, and is shown net of VAT and other sales related taxes. The fair value of consideration takes into account trade discounts, settlement discounts and volume rebates.

Revenue from the sale of goods is recognised when the significant risks and rewards of ownership of the goods have passed to the buyer (usually on dispatch of the goods), the amount of revenue can be measured reliably, it is probable that the economic benefits associated with the transaction will flow to the entity and the costs incurred or to be incurred in respect of the transaction can be measured reliably.

Goodwill represents the excess of the cost of acquisition of a business over the fair value of net assets acquired. It is initially recognised as an asset at cost and is subsequently measured at cost less accumulated amortisation and accumulated impairment losses. Goodwill is considered to have a finite useful life and is amortised on a systematic basis over its expected life, which is 5 years.

For the purposes of impairment testing, goodwill is allocated to the cash-generating units expected to benefit from the acquisition. Cash-generating units to which goodwill has been allocated are tested for impairment at least annually, or more frequently when there is an indication that the unit may be impaired. If the recoverable amount of the cash-generating unit is less than the carrying amount of the unit, the impairment loss is allocated first to reduce the carrying amount of any goodwill allocated to the unit and then to the other assets of the unit pro-rata on the basis of the carrying amount of each asset in the unit.

Intangible assets acquired separately from a business are recognised at cost and are subsequently measured at cost less accumulated amortisation and accumulated impairment losses.

Intangible assets acquired on business combinations are recognised separately from goodwill at the acquisition date where it is probable that the expected future economic benefits that are attributable to the asset will flow to the entity and the fair value of the asset can be measured reliably; the intangible asset arises from contractual or other legal rights; and the intangible asset is separable from the entity.

Amortisation is recognised so as to write off the cost or valuation of assets less their residual values over their useful lives on the following bases:

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:

No depreciation is charged on freehold and leasehold property as, in the opinion of the directors, the useful economic lives and residual values are such that any depreciation charge would be immaterial.

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

Investment property, which is property held to earn rentals and/or for capital appreciation, is initially recognised at cost, which includes the purchase cost and any directly attributable expenditure. Subsequently it is measured at fair value at the reporting end date. Changes in fair value are recognised in profit or loss.

In the parent company financial statements, investments in subsidiaries are initially measured at cost and subsequently measured at cost less any accumulated impairment losses.

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

At each reporting period end date, the group 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. The carrying amount of the investments accounted for using the equity method is tested for impairment as a single asset. Any goodwill included in the carrying amount of the investment is not tested separately for impairment.

Recoverable amount is the higher of fair value less costs to sell and value in use. In assessing value in use, the estimated future cash flows are discounted to their present value using a pre-tax discount rate that reflects current market assessments of the time value of money and the risks specific to the asset for which the estimates of future cash flows have not been adjusted. 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.

Recognised impairment losses are reversed if, and only if, the reasons for the impairment loss have ceased to apply. Where an impairment loss subsequently reverses, the carrying amount of the asset (or cash-generating unit) is increased to the revised estimate of its recoverable amount, but so that the increased carrying amount does not exceed the carrying amount that would have been determined had no impairment loss been recognised for the asset (or cash-generating unit) in prior years. A reversal of an impairment loss is recognised immediately in profit or loss, unless the relevant asset is carried at a revalued amount, in which case the reversal of the impairment loss is treated as a revaluation increase.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

Basic financial assets, 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.

Financial assets, other than those held at fair value through profit and loss, are assessed for indicators of impairment at each reporting end date.

Financial assets are impaired where there is objective evidence that, as a result of one or more events that occurred after the initial recognition of the financial asset, the estimated future cash flows have been affected. If an asset is impaired, the impairment loss is the difference between the carrying amount and the present value of the estimated cash flows discounted at the asset’s original effective interest rate. The impairment loss is recognised in profit or loss.

If there is a decrease in the impairment loss arising from an event occurring after the impairment was recognised, the impairment is reversed. The reversal is such that the current carrying amount does not exceed what the carrying amount would have been, had the impairment not previously been recognised. The impairment reversal is recognised in profit or loss.

Financial assets are derecognised only when the contractual rights to the cash flows from the asset expire or are settled, or when the group transfers the financial asset and substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership to another entity, or if some significant risks and rewards of ownership are retained but control of the asset has transferred to another party that is able to sell the asset in its entirety to an unrelated third party.

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 group after deducting all of its liabilities.

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

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

Trade creditors are obligations to pay for goods or services that have been acquired in the ordinary course of business from suppliers. Amounts payable are classified as current liabilities if payment is due within one year or less. If not, they are presented as non-current liabilities. Trade creditors are recognised initially at transaction price and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.

Derivatives, including interest rate swaps and forward foreign exchange contracts, are not basic financial instruments. Derivatives are initially recognised at fair value on the date a derivative contract is entered into and are subsequently re-measured at their fair value. Changes in the fair value of derivatives are recognised in profit or loss in finance costs or finance income as appropriate, unless hedge accounting is applied and the hedge is a cash flow hedge.

Debt instruments that do not meet the conditions in FRS 102 paragraph 11.9 are subsequently measured at fair value through profit or loss. Debt instruments may be designated as being measured at fair value through profit or loss to eliminate or reduce an accounting mismatch or if the instruments are measured and their performance evaluated on a fair value basis in accordance with a documented risk management or investment strategy.

Financial liabilities are derecognised when the group's contractual obligations expire or are discharged or cancelled.

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

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

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

Deferred tax liabilities are generally recognised for all timing differences and deferred tax assets are recognised to the extent that it is probable that they will be recovered against the reversal of deferred tax liabilities or other future taxable profits. Such assets and liabilities are not recognised if the timing difference arises from goodwill or from the initial recognition of other assets and liabilities in a transaction that affects neither the tax profit nor the accounting profit.

The carrying amount of deferred tax assets is reviewed at each reporting end date and reduced to the extent that it is no longer probable that sufficient taxable profits will be available to allow all or part of the asset to be recovered. Deferred tax is calculated at the tax rates that are expected to apply in the period when the liability is settled or the asset is realised. Deferred tax is charged or credited in the profit and loss account, except when it relates to items charged or credited directly to equity, in which case the deferred tax is also dealt with in equity. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are offset if, and only if, there is a legally enforceable right to offset current tax assets and liabilities and the deferred tax assets and liabilities relate to taxes levied by the same tax authority.

Provisions are recognised when the group has a legal or constructive present obligation as a result of a past event, it is probable that the group 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.

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.

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

Leases are classified as finance leases whenever the terms of the lease transfer substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership to the lessees. All other leases are classified as operating leases.

Assets held under finance leases are recognised as assets at the lower of the assets fair value at the date of inception and the present value of the minimum lease payments. The related liability is included in the balance sheet as a finance lease obligation. Lease payments are treated as consisting of capital and interest elements. The interest is charged to profit or loss so as to produce a constant periodic rate of interest on the remaining balance of the liability.

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

All of the group's turnover derives from its principal activity in the UK.

Postage, packaging and delivery costs and Advertising expenses previously analysed as Distribution costs, and Online sales fees and charges previously analysed as Administrative expenses, have now been included in Cost of sales in order to better reflect the group's activities and give a truer indication of Gross profit. In addition, Wages costs previously analysed as Cost of sales have now been included in Administrative expenses.

Postage, packaging and delivery costs of £737,818, Advertising expenses of £59,835, Online sales fees and charges of £278,508 and Wages costs of £50,159 have been reanalysed for the year ended 31 October 2024, and the comparatives restated accordingly.

The average monthly number of persons (including directors) employed by the group and company during the year was:

Their aggregate remuneration comprised:

The actual charge for the year can be reconciled to the expected charge for the year based on the profit or loss and the standard rate of tax as follows:

Included within tangible fixed assets are assets held under finance leases or hire purchase contracts, as follows:

Group

The transfers of £203,233 above represent costs wrongly classified as freehold additions moved from freehold to leasehold property.

Investment property comprises freehold property. The fair value of the investment property has been arrived at on the basis of a valuation carried out at 31 October 2025 by the directors. The valuation was made on an open market value basis by reference to market conditions at the time.

The investment property above has been pledged to secure borrowings of the group, with a fixed and floating charge in favour of the bank covering all the fixed assets of the group.

Details of the company's subsidiaries at 31 October 2025 are as follows:

All of the above subsidiary companies have been included in the consolidation.

The parent company, Ellis Holdings Limited, has guaranteed the liabilities outstanding at 31 October 2025 of the following subsidiary companies:

• Nickwake (SW) Limited

• 4Wildlife Limited

• Ellis Leisure (SW) Limited

which are therefore exempt from audits of their financial statements under section 479A of the Companies Act 2006.

Company

Amounts owed by group undertakings are unsecured, interest free and repayable on demand.

Group

Bank loans and overdrafts are secured by a fixed and floating charge over all the assets of the group.

Obligations under finance leases and hire purchase contracts are secured upon the assets acquired.

Included in Other creditors are:

• an unsecured, interest free loan of £61,026 (2024: £61,026) from a related party (see note 29 to the financial statements). This loan, previously included in Creditors falling due after more than one year, has been included in Creditors falling due within one year as there are no fixed terms of repayment and it is repayable on demand. The comparatives have been restated accordingly; and

• loans from the directors of £292,863 (2024: £255,252) which are unsecured, interest free and carry no fixed terms of repayment.

Company

Bank loans and overdrafts are secured by a fixed and floating charge over all the assets of the company.

Other creditors comprise loans from the directors of £292,863 (2024: £255,252) which are unsecured, interest free and carry no fixed terms of repayment.

Group

Bank loans and overdrafts are secured by a fixed and floating charge over all the assets of the group.

Obligations under finance leases and hire purchase contracts are secured upon the assets acquired.

Company

Bank loans and overdrafts are secured by a fixed and floating charge over all the assets of the company.

Amounts owed to group undertakings are unsecured, interest free and repayable within 1-5 years.

Group

The long-term bank loans are repayable by monthly instalments totalling £10,141. Interest is charged at rates of between 7% and 8%. The maturity dates of the loans range from 2037 to 2044.

Company

The long-term bank loans are repayable by monthly instalments totalling £7,265. Interest is charged at rates of between 7% and 8%. The maturity dates of the loans range from 2037 to 2043.

Finance lease payments represent rentals payable by the company or group for certain items of plant and machinery. Leases include purchase options at the end of the lease period, and no restrictions are placed on the use of the assets. The average lease term is 3 years. All leases are on a fixed repayment basis and no arrangements have been entered into for contingent rental payments.

Other provisions comprise a provision for roof repairs.

The following are the major deferred tax liabilities and assets recognised by the group and company:

The deferred tax liability set out above is expected to reverse within the foreseeable future, and relates to accelerated capital allowances that are expected to mature within the same period.

A defined contribution pension scheme is operated for all qualifying employees. The assets of the scheme are held separately from those of the group in an independently administered fund.

During the year 40 A Ordinary shares were converted to 40 B Ordinary shares. All classes of share carry the same rights and rank pari passu.

"Merger" reserve

Group

The "Merger" reserve above arose following the group reconstruction in 2018, when Ellis Holdings Limited acquired the entire issued share capital of Optics Warehouse Limited in a share for share exchange. The "Merger" reserve represents the difference between the nominal value of the shares issued and the fair value of the net assets acquired.

Company

Ellis Holdings Limited has taken advantage of the merger relief provisions under section 615 of the Companies Acy 2006 from creating a "Merger" reserve in its own financial statements.

The following amounts were outstanding at the reporting end date:

Other related parties above comprise a close family member of the directors.

Dividends totalling £88,900 (2024: £52,400) were paid in the year in respect of shares held by the company's directors.

The ultimate controlling party is Mr J P Ellis, the majority shareholder.

Non-cash items in Investing activities

Motor vehicle additions of £54,987 in the year under a hire purchase contract (2024: £100,434) have been excluded from the Statement of Cash Flows.