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Registration number: 01018080

C Sparks & Sons Limited

Annual Report and Financial Statements

for the Period from 1 February 2024 to 31 July 2025

 

C Sparks & Sons Limited

Contents

Company Information

1

Strategic Report

2

Directors' Report

3

Statement of Directors' Responsibilities

4

Independent Auditor's Report

5 to 7

Profit and Loss Account and Statement of Retained Earnings

8

Balance Sheet

9

Notes to the Financial Statements

10 to 22

 

C Sparks & Sons Limited

Company Information

Directors

J D Sparks

T C Sparks

R Mills

Registered office

Sparks Transport
Wells Road
Glastonbury
Somerset
BA6 9AG

Auditors

Forrester Boyd Limited
26 South Saint Mary's Gate
Grimsby
North East Lincolnshire
DN31 1LW

 

C Sparks & Sons Limited

Strategic Report for the Period from 1 February 2024 to 31 July 2025

The Directors present their strategic report for the period from 1 February 2024 to 31 July 2025.

Principal activity

The principal activity of the Company is that of haulage and transporing contracting, and warehousing.

Fair review of the business

The financial year end of the business has been extended to reflect an 18 month period for the current figures, which means they are not entirely comparable to the prior year. This has been done due to the change in ultimate ownership as described in the notes to the accounts.

The Company has experienced a very tough financial period in difficult economic conditions for all businesses within the haulage sector. Sales figures have increased however not as much as might be expected for the longer period and stand at £21.5m for the 18 months. Rising costs seen nationwide in fuel prices, wage costs and associated costs of employment have put intense pressure on gross margins which are now at 10.3%. The directors have however been able to stabilise overheads in order to reduce the impact of this reduction in margin and have made tough decisions in order to reduce overall headcount to streamline business operations.

Post year end the directors sought and obtained investment from the European Vehicle Sales Group who are now the ultimate Parent Company and the directors are excited about the possibilities this creates. The business is now better placed to take advantages of Group arrangements for overhead costs and to utilise the new found strength and resources at its disposal to return to profitability in the short to medium term. Whilst the losses seen in the year will take at least 12 months to turnaround the directors are positive for the future of the business and are reviewing all aspects of the financials to maximise profitability moving forwards.

The Company's key financial and other performance indicators during the period were as follows:

Financial KPIs

Unit

2025

2024

Turnover

£

21,498,483

17,991,204

Gross profit

£

2,210,736

2,872,672

Gross margin

%

10.28

15.97

EBITDA

£

414,789

1,141,435

Principal risks and uncertainties

The company continues to derive its turnover from a small number of customers and is therefore exposed to unexpected contract costs.

Fluctuations in fuel price directly impact the company's financial performance as it is one of the significant direct costs of the haulage industry. To manage this risk, the company strives to ensure that all journeys made are chargeable and that the fuel price increase is passed onto customers. The company's financial performance is also affected by the economic environment. The company is reducing costs to manage this risk to deliver a competitively priced, quality service.

Approved and authorised by the Board on 29 July 2026 and signed on its behalf by:
 

.........................................
R Mills
Director

 

C Sparks & Sons Limited

Directors' Report for the Period from 1 February 2024 to 31 July 2025

The Directors present their report and the financial statements for the period from 1 February 2024 to 31 July 2025.

Directors of the Company

The Directors who held office during the period were as follows:

A C Sparks (resigned 10 July 2026)

J D Sparks

T C Sparks

The following director was appointed after the period end:

R Mills (appointed 10 July 2026)

Financial instruments

Objectives and policies

The Company uses basic financial instruments comprising cash, an invoice discounting facility and hire purchase agreements, together with trade debtors and creditors that arise from its operations, all of which are in sterling. The main purpose of these financial instruments is to raise finance for the Company's operations.

Price risk, credit risk, liquidity risk and cash flow risk

The Company's principal financial instruments comprise of bank balances, cash and trade debtors which represent the maximum exposure to credit risk in relation to financial assets.

Trade debtors are managed in respect of credit and cash flow risk by policies concerning the credit offered to business customers and the regular monitoring of amounts outstanding for both time and credit limits. The amounts presented in the balance sheet are net of allowances for bad debts. The company has also implemented policies that require appropriate credit checks on potential customers before sales are made to reduce both credit and cash flow risk. Credit customers are subject to limits which are determined by the directors.

Trade creditors liquidity risk is managed by ensuring sufficient funds are available to meet amounts due. The company also maintains an invoice financing facility and an overdraft facility, when required, in order to maintain the sufficient funds needed for ongoing operations and planned future developments.

Fuel prices are the main exposure to price risk, however the company manages this exposure by ensuring the supplier used is the best value supplier at the time, and where possible, charges fuel price increases to the customer.

Disclosure of information to the auditors

Each Director has taken steps that they ought to have taken as a Director in order to make themselves aware of any relevant audit information and to establish that the Company's auditors are aware of that information. The Directors confirm that there is no relevant information that they know of and of which they know the auditors are unaware.

Approved and authorised by the Board on 29 July 2026 and signed on its behalf by:
 

.........................................
R Mills
Director

 

C Sparks & Sons Limited

Statement of Directors' Responsibilities

The Directors acknowledge their responsibilities for preparing the Annual Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and regulations.

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

select suitable accounting policies and 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 Company will continue in business.

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

 

C Sparks & Sons Limited

Independent Auditor's Report to the Members of C Sparks & Sons Limited

Opinion

We have audited the financial statements of C Sparks & Sons Limited (the 'Company') for the period from 1 February 2024 to 31 July 2025, which comprise the Profit and Loss Account and Statement of Retained Earnings, Balance Sheet, and Notes to the Financial Statements, 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 Company's affairs as at 31 July 2025 and of its loss for the period 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 responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report. We are independent of the 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 Company's ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at least twelve months from when the original financial statements were 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 Directors are responsible for the other information. The other information comprises the information included in the annual report, other than the financial statements and our auditor’s report thereon. 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.

In connection with our audit of the financial statements, 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 audit or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether there is a material misstatement in the financial statements or a material misstatement of the other information. 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 matter 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 Strategic Report and Directors' Report for the financial period for which the financial statements are prepared is consistent with the financial statements; and

the Strategic Report and Directors' Report have been prepared in accordance with applicable legal requirements.

 

C Sparks & Sons Limited

Independent Auditor's Report to the Members of C Sparks & Sons Limited

Matters on which we are required to report by exception

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

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

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

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

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

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

Responsibilities of Directors

As explained more fully in the Statement of Directors' Responsibilities [set out on page 4], 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 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 Company or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.

Auditor Responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements

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

The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud is detailed below:

Discussions with management, including consideration of known or suspected instances of non-compliance held.

Challenging assumptions and judgements made within significant accounting estimates such as fixed asset valuation.

Enquiries of management and the company's solicitors of potential litigation claims.

Identification of key laws and regulations central to the Company's operation and review of compliance with such laws.

Testing of journal entries and potential areas for management override of systems.

 

Because of the inherent limitations of an audit, there is a risk that we will not detect all irregularities, including those leading to a material misstatement in the financial statements or non-compliance with regulation. This risk increases the more that compliance with a law or regulation is removed from the events and transactions reflected in the financial statements, as we will be less likely to become aware of instances of non-compliance. The risk is greater regarding irregularities occurring due to fraud rather than error, as fraud involves intentional concealment, forgery, collusion, omission and misrepresentation.

A further description of our responsibilities is available on the Financial Reporting Council’s website at: 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 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 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 Company and the Company’s members as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.

 

C Sparks & Sons Limited

Independent Auditor's Report to the Members of C Sparks & Sons Limited

......................................
Neal Watford ACA (Senior Statutory Auditor)
For and on behalf of Forrester Boyd Limited, Statutory Auditor
 26 South Saint Mary's Gate
Grimsby
North East Lincolnshire
DN31 1LW

29 July 2026

 

C Sparks & Sons Limited

Profit and Loss Account and Statement of Retained Earnings for the Period from 1 February 2024 to 31 July 2025

Note

31 July
2025
£

31 January
2024
£

Turnover

3

21,498,483

17,991,204

Cost of sales

 

(19,287,747)

(15,118,532)

Gross profit

 

2,210,736

2,872,672

Administrative expenses

 

(3,259,180)

(2,560,733)

Operating (loss)/profit

4

(1,048,444)

311,939

Other interest receivable and similar income

5

-

65

Interest payable and similar charges

6

(535,914)

(325,445)

 

(535,914)

(325,380)

Loss before tax

 

(1,584,358)

(13,441)

Taxation

10

(705,819)

869

Loss for the financial period

 

(2,290,177)

(12,572)

Retained earnings brought forward

 

907,478

920,050

Retained earnings carried forward

 

(1,382,699)

907,478

 

C Sparks & Sons Limited

(Registration number: 01018080)
Balance Sheet as at 31 July 2025

Note

31 July
2025
£

31 January
2024
£

Fixed assets

 

Tangible assets

11

2,106,919

3,751,963

Current assets

 

Stocks

12

118,843

144,673

Debtors

13

2,121,403

3,522,864

Cash at bank and in hand

14

188,813

182,982

 

2,429,059

3,850,519

Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year

15

(4,189,203)

(4,411,573)

Net current liabilities

 

(1,760,144)

(561,054)

Total assets less current liabilities

 

346,775

3,190,909

Creditors: Amounts falling due after more than one year

15

(1,329,205)

(2,038,431)

Provisions for liabilities

17

(310,269)

(155,000)

Net (liabilities)/assets

 

(1,292,699)

997,478

Capital and reserves

 

Called up share capital

19

90,000

90,000

Retained earnings

20

(1,382,699)

907,478

Shareholders' (deficit)/funds

 

(1,292,699)

997,478

Approved and authorised by the Board on 29 July 2026 and signed on its behalf by:
 

.........................................
R Mills
Director

 

C Sparks & Sons Limited

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Period from 1 February 2024 to 31 July 2025

1

General information

The Company is a private company limited by share capital, incorporated in England.

The address of its registered office is:
Sparks Transport
Wells Road
Glastonbury
Somerset
BA6 9AG
England

These financial statements were authorised for issue by the Board on 29 July 2026.

2

Accounting policies

Summary of significant accounting policies and key accounting estimates

The principal accounting policies applied in the preparation of these financial statements are set out below. These policies have been consistently applied to all the years presented, unless otherwise stated.

Statement of compliance

These financial statements were prepared in accordance with Financial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland and the Companies Act 2006'.

Basis of preparation

These financial statements have been prepared using the historical cost convention except that as disclosed in the accounting policies certain items are shown at fair value.

The financial statements have been prepared in sterling and are rounded to the nearest pound.

Summary of disclosure exemptions

The company is a qualifying entity for the purposes of FRS 102, being a member of a group where the parent of that group prepare publicly available consolidated financial statements, including this company, which are intended to give a true and fair view of the assets, liabilities, financial position and profit or loss of the group. The company has therefore taken advantage of exemptions from the following disclosure requirements:

- Section 7 'Statement of Cash Flows': Presentation of a statement of cash flow and related notes and disclosures;
- Section 33 'Related Party Disclosures': Disclosing transactions with other members of the group in which any subsidiary which is a party to the transactions is wholly owned by the group.

The financial statement of the company are consolidated in the financial statements of Sparks Warehousing Limited. These consolidated financial statements are available from its registered office, Wells Road, Glastonbury, Somerset, BA6 9AG.

Disclosure of long or short period

The current accounting period has been lengthened to 18 months due to changes in ownership. As such, the comparative amounts presented in the financial statements (inclusive of related notes) are not entirely comparable.

 

C Sparks & Sons Limited

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Period from 1 February 2024 to 31 July 2025

Going concern

Notwithstanding the net liabilities of the business as at 31 July 2025 the financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis which the directors consider to be appropriate for the following reasons;

The directors have prepared forecasts for a period of 12 months from the date of approval of the financial statements which indicate that the Company will have sufficient funds to meet its liabilities as they fall due. Results for the new year continue to be poor however following the investment of the European Vehicle Sales Group and the expected synergies and improvements working closely with the new ultimate controlling party, medium to long term profitability is expected to return. See the Strategic Report for more details of the subsequent events post the balance sheet date.

The Company also has the financial support of its bankers and wider Group Companies as necessary with the Group having sufficient financial headroom to provide any financial assistance required to support the day to day operations of the Company. This support is critical to the continued operations of the business and the directors decision to prepare the financial statements on a going concern basis.

Judgements

The Directors have made a number of judgements in applying the Company's accounting policies and estimates and judgements made are continually evaluated and assessed. Key judgements are made based on historical experience and other factors, including expectations of future events that are believed to be reasonable based upon he information available at the time of the approval of the financial statements.

Key sources of estimation uncertainty

As with all estimates which require significant judgements the estimates will, by definition, seldom equal the actual results. The main sources of estimation uncertainty are in depreciation rates applied to fixed assets and the bad debt provision. Estimates are continually evaluated and are based on historical experience and other factors, including external economic events or conditions and are believed to be reasonable.

Revenue recognition

Turnover comprises the fair value of the consideration received or receivable for the sale of goods and provision of services in the ordinary course of the Company’s activities. Turnover is shown net of sales/value added tax, returns, rebates and discounts.

The Company recognises revenue when:
The amount of revenue can be reliably measured;
it is probable that future economic benefits will flow to the entity;
and specific criteria have been met for each of the Company's activities.

Foreign currency transactions and balances

Transactions in foreign currencies other than the functional currency are initially recorded at the exchange rate prevailing at the date of transaction.

Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated at the rate of exchange ruling at the reporting date.

All translation differences are either charged or credited to the profit and loss account.

Tax

The tax expense for the period comprises deferred tax. Tax is recognised in profit or loss, except that a change attributable to an item of income or expense recognised as other comprehensive income is also recognised directly in other comprehensive income.

The current tax charge is calculated on the basis of tax rates and laws that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the reporting date in the counties where the company operates and generates taxable income.

 

C Sparks & Sons Limited

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Period from 1 February 2024 to 31 July 2025

Deferred tax represents the future tax consequences of transactions and events recognised in the financial statements of current and previous periods. It is recognised in respect of all timing differences, with certain exceptions. Timing differences are differences between taxable profits and total comprehensive income as stated in the financial statements that arise from the inclusions of income and expense in tax assessments in periods different from those in which they are recognised in the financial statements. Unrelieved tax losses and other deferred tax assets are recognised only to the extent that it is probably that they will be recovered against the reversal of deferred tax liabilities or other future taxable profits.

Deferred tax is measured using tax rates and laws that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the balance sheet date that are expected to apply to the reversal of timing differences. Deferred tax on revalued non-depreciable tangible fixed assets and investment properties is measured using rates and allowances that apply to the sale of the asset.

Tangible assets

Tangible assets are stated in the statement of financial position at cost, less any subsequent accumulated depreciation and subsequent accumulated impairment losses.

The cost of tangible assets includes directly attributable incremental costs incurred in their acquisition and installation.

Depreciation

Depreciation is charged so as to write off the cost of assets, other than land and properties under construction over their estimated useful lives, as follows:

Asset class

Depreciation method and rate

Land and buildings

5% - 10% straight line and 15% reducing balance

Plant and machinery

20% - 25% straight line and 15% reducing balance

Fixtures and fittings

25% straight line and 20% reducing balance

Motor vehicles

10% - 33% straight line and 20% reducing balance

Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash on hand and call deposits, and other short-term highly liquid investments that are readily convertible to a known amount of cash and are subject to an insignificant risk of change in value.

Trade debtors

Trade debtors are amounts due from customers for merchandise sold or services performed in the ordinary course of business.

Trade debtors are recognised initially at the transaction price. A provision for the impairment of trade debtors is established when there is objective evidence that the Company will not be able to collect all amounts due according to the original terms of the receivables.

Stocks

Stocks are stated at the lower of cost and estimated selling price less costs to complete and sell.

The cost of finished goods and work in progress comprises direct materials and, where applicable, direct labour costs and those overheads that have been incurred in bringing the inventories to their present location and condition. At each reporting date, stocks are assessed for impairment. If stocks are impaired, the carrying amount is reduced to its selling price less costs to complete and sell; the impairment loss is recognised immediately in profit or loss.

 

C Sparks & Sons Limited

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Period from 1 February 2024 to 31 July 2025

Trade creditors

Trade creditors are obligations to pay for goods or services that have been acquired in the ordinary course of business from suppliers. Accounts payable are classified as current liabilities if the Company does not have an unconditional right, at the end of the reporting period, to defer settlement of the creditor for at least twelve months after the reporting date. If there is an unconditional right to defer settlement for at least twelve months after the reporting date, they are presented as non-current liabilities.

Trade creditors are recognised initially at the transaction price.

Borrowings

Interest-bearing borrowings are initially recorded at fair value, net of transaction costs. Interest-bearing borrowings are subsequently carried at amortised cost, with the difference between the proceeds, net of transaction costs, and the amount due on redemption being recognised as a charge to the profit and loss account over the period of the relevant borrowing.

Interest expense is recognised on the basis of the effective interest method and is included in interest payable and similar charges.

Borrowings are classified as current liabilities unless the Company has an unconditional right to defer settlement of the liability for at least twelve months after the reporting date.

Provisions

Provisions are recognised when the Company has an obligation at the reporting date 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.

Leases

Leases in which substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership are retained by the lessor are classified as operating leases. Payments made under operating leases are charged to profit or loss on a straight-line basis over the period of the lease.

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

Assets held under finance leases are recognised at the lower of their fair value at inception of the lease and the present value of the minimum lease payments. These assets are depreciated on a straight-line basis over the shorter of the useful life of the asset and the lease term. The corresponding liability to the lessor is included in the balance sheet as a finance lease obligation.

Lease payments are apportioned between finance costs in the profit and loss account and reduction of the lease obligation so as to achieve a constant periodic rate of interest on the remaining balance of the liability.

Share capital

Ordinary shares are classified as equity. Equity instruments are measured at the fair value of the cash or other resources received or receivable, net of the direct costs of issuing the equity instruments. If payment is deferred and the time value of money is material, the initial measurement is on a present value basis.

Dividends

Dividend distribution to the Company’s shareholders is recognised as a liability in the financial statements in the reporting period in which the dividends are declared.

 

C Sparks & Sons Limited

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Period from 1 February 2024 to 31 July 2025

Defined contribution pension obligation

A defined contribution plan is a pension plan under which fixed contributions are paid into a pension fund and the Company has no legal or constructive obligation to pay further contributions even if the fund does not hold sufficient assets to pay all employees the benefits relating to employee service in the current and prior periods.

Contributions to defined contribution plans are recognised as employee benefit expense when they are due. If contribution payments exceed the contribution due for service, the excess is recognised as a prepayment.

3

Turnover

The analysis of the Company's Turnover for the period from continuing operations is as follows:

31 July
2025
£

31 January
2024
£

Rendering of services

21,498,483

17,991,204

The analysis of the Company's Turnover for the period by market is as follows:

31 July
2025
£

31 January
2024
£

UK

21,434,900

17,926,204

Europe

63,583

65,000

21,498,483

17,991,204

4

Operating (loss)/profit

Arrived at after charging/(crediting)

31 July
2025
£

31 January
2024
£

Depreciation expense

1,235,536

828,847

Operating lease expense

1,214,687

1,019,560

Loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment

227,697

649

5

Other interest receivable and similar income

31 July
2025
£

31 January
2024
£

Interest income on bank deposits

-

65

6

Interest payable and similar expenses

31 July
2025
£

31 January
2024
£

Interest on bank overdrafts and borrowings

277,063

201,658

Interest on obligations under finance leases and hire purchase contracts

258,851

123,787

535,914

325,445

 

C Sparks & Sons Limited

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Period from 1 February 2024 to 31 July 2025

7

Staff costs

The aggregate payroll costs (including Directors' remuneration) were as follows:

31 July
2025
£

31 January
2024
£

Wages and salaries

6,635,344

5,327,861

Social security costs

729,913

560,458

Pension costs, defined contribution scheme

145,995

106,301

7,511,252

5,994,620

The average number of persons employed by the Company (including Directors) during the period, analysed by category was as follows:

31 July
2025
No.

31 January
2024
No.

Administration and support

21

26

Other departments

97

115

118

141

8

Directors' remuneration

The Directors' remuneration for the period was as follows:

31 July
2025
£

31 January
2024
£

Remuneration

180,582

117,299

Contributions paid to money purchase schemes

23,333

20,608

203,915

137,907

During the period the number of Directors who were receiving benefits and share incentives was as follows:

31 July
2025
No.

31 January
2024
No.

Accruing benefits under money purchase pension scheme

1

1

9

Auditors' remuneration

31 July
2025
£

31 January
2024
£

Audit of the financial statements

18,000

19,068


 

 

C Sparks & Sons Limited

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Period from 1 February 2024 to 31 July 2025

10

Taxation

Tax charged/(credited) in the profit and loss account

31 July
2025
£

31 January
2024
£

Deferred taxation

Arising from origination and reversal of timing differences

705,819

(869)

The tax on profit before tax for the period is higher than the standard rate of corporation tax in the UK (2024 - higher than the standard rate of corporation tax in the UK) of 25% (2024 - 24.03%).

The differences are reconciled below:

31 July
2025
£

31 January
2024
£

Loss before tax

(1,584,358)

(13,441)

Corporation tax at standard rate

(396,090)

(3,230)

Decrease in UK and foreign current tax from adjustment for prior periods

-

(212)

Effect of expense not deductible in determining taxable profit (tax loss)

2,290

2,612

Decrease from tax losses for which no deferred tax asset was recognised

-

(39)

Deferred tax expense from unrecognised tax loss or credit

1,099,619

-

Total tax charge/(credit)

705,819

(869)

Deferred tax

Deferred tax assets and liabilities

2025

Asset
£

Liability
£

Accelerated tax depreciation

-

155,269

-

155,269

2024

Asset
£

Liability
£

Accelerated tax depreciation

-

328,806

Tax losses carry-forwards

879,356

-

879,356

328,806

There are £4,398,476 of unused tax losses (2024 - £Nil) for which no deferred tax asset is recognised in the balance sheet.

The company has tax losses carried forward of £4,398,476 (2024: £3,517,426) to utilise against future profits.

 

C Sparks & Sons Limited

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Period from 1 February 2024 to 31 July 2025

11

Tangible assets

Land and buildings
£

Fixtures and fittings
£

Plant and machinery
£

Motor vehicles
 £

Total
£

Cost or valuation

At 1 February 2024

135,478

326,027

434,719

9,784,003

10,680,227

Additions

-

5,969

-

398,072

404,041

Disposals

-

-

-

(7,040,154)

(7,040,154)

At 31 July 2025

135,478

331,996

434,719

3,141,921

4,044,114

Depreciation

At 1 February 2024

48,768

284,772

349,574

6,245,150

6,928,264

Charge for the period

11,201

19,751

20,270

1,184,314

1,235,536

Eliminated on disposal

-

-

-

(6,226,605)

(6,226,605)

At 31 July 2025

59,969

304,523

369,844

1,202,859

1,937,195

Carrying amount

At 31 July 2025

75,509

27,473

64,875

1,939,062

2,106,919

At 31 January 2024

86,710

41,255

85,145

3,538,853

3,751,963

Included within the net book value of land and buildings above is £75,509 (2024 - £86,710) in respect of freehold land and buildings.
 

Assets held under finance leases and hire purchase contracts

The net carrying amount of tangible assets includes the following amounts in respect of assets held under finance leases and hire purchase contracts:

31 July
2025
£

31 January
2024
£

Plant and machinery

18,802

26,020

Fixtures and fittings

1,780

2,473

Motor vehicles

1,877,042

3,427,232

1,897,624

3,455,725

12

Stocks

31 July
2025
£

31 January
2024
£

Finished goods and goods for resale

118,843

144,673

 

C Sparks & Sons Limited

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Period from 1 February 2024 to 31 July 2025

13

Debtors

Note

31 July
2025
£

31 January
2024
£

Trade debtors

 

1,394,010

2,527,800

Amounts owed by related parties

23

137,484

76,608

Other debtors

 

875

7,525

Prepayments

 

515,142

220,924

Accrued income

 

73,892

139,457

Deferred tax assets

10

-

550,550

   

2,121,403

3,522,864

Trade debtors of £1,394,010 (2024: £2,527,800) are included within an invoice financing facility.

14

Cash and cash equivalents

31 July
2025
£

31 January
2024
£

Cash on hand

12

102

Cash at bank

188,801

182,880

188,813

182,982

Bank overdrafts

(918,945)

(1,442,661)

Cash and cash equivalents in statement of cash flows

(730,132)

(1,259,679)

15

Creditors

Note

31 July
2025
£

31 January
2024
£

Due within one year

 

Loans and borrowings

16

1,673,999

2,321,213

Trade creditors

 

1,316,405

1,356,693

Social security and other taxes

 

887,112

381,037

Other payables

 

33,468

29,370

Accruals and deferred income

 

278,219

323,260

 

4,189,203

4,411,573

Due after one year

 

Loans and borrowings

16

1,329,205

2,038,431

 

C Sparks & Sons Limited

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Period from 1 February 2024 to 31 July 2025

16

Loans and borrowings

Non-current loans and borrowings

31 July
2025
£

31 January
2024
£

Bank borrowings

160,417

479,167

Finance lease liabilities

1,168,788

1,559,264

1,329,205

2,038,431

Current loans and borrowings

31 July
2025
£

31 January
2024
£

Bank borrowings

275,000

145,833

Bank overdrafts

918,945

1,442,661

Finance lease liabilities

479,844

710,619

Other borrowings

210

22,100

1,673,999

2,321,213

Secured creditors

Included within loans and borrowing are various secured amounts which are denominated in sterling. The carrying amount at the year end is £3,002,994 (2024: £4,337,544).

Bank borrowings and bank overdrafts are secured by a debenture creating a fixed and floating charge over the assets of the Company.

Finance lease liabilities are secured on the assets to which they relate.
 

17

Provisions for liabilities

Deferred tax
£

Other provisions
£

Total
£

At 1 February 2024

-

155,000

155,000

Increase (decrease) in existing provisions

155,269

-

155,269

At 31 July 2025

155,269

155,000

310,269

Other provisions includes amounts provided for the cost of returning both leased vehicle and property assets to their original state at the end of their lease term. These amounts are contractual however the exact amounts due and the timing of such payments are uncertain and depends on a number of external factors and future trading decisions to be made by the directors.

 

C Sparks & Sons Limited

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Period from 1 February 2024 to 31 July 2025

18

Pension and other schemes

Defined contribution pension scheme

The Company operates a defined contribution pension scheme. The pension cost charge for the period represents contributions payable by the Company to the scheme and amounted to £145,995 (2024 - £106,301).

19

Share capital

Allotted, called up and fully paid shares

31 July
2025

31 January
2024

No.

£

No.

£

Ordinary shares of £1 each

90,000

90,000

90,000

90,000

       

Rights, preferences and restrictions

Ordinary shares have the following rights, preferences and restrictions:
Full voting and participation rights with no restriction on distribution of dividends or repayment of capital.

20

Reserves

Called up share capital

Share capital comprises the value of issues share capital at par.

Retained earnings

The profit and loss account consists of profits made by the company attributable to the shareholders.

21

Obligations under leases and hire purchase contracts

Finance leases

The total of future minimum lease payments is as follows:

31 July
2025
£

31 January
2024
£

Not later than one year

479,844

710,619

Later than one year and not later than five years

1,168,788

1,559,264

1,648,632

2,269,883

Operating leases

The total of future minimum lease payments is as follows:

31 July
2025
£

31 January
2024
£

Not later than one year

230,992

515,211

Later than one year and not later than five years

156,431

522,966

387,423

1,038,177

 

C Sparks & Sons Limited

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Period from 1 February 2024 to 31 July 2025

The amount of non-cancellable operating lease payments recognised as an expense during the period was £701,414 (2024 - £1,019,560).

22

Analysis of changes in net debt

At 1 February 2024
£

Financing cash flows
£

At 31 July 2025
£

Cash and cash equivalents

Cash

182,982

5,831

188,813

Overdrafts

(1,442,661)

523,716

(918,945)

(1,259,679)

529,547

(730,132)

Borrowings

Long term borrowings

(479,167)

318,750

(160,417)

Short term borrowings

(145,833)

(129,167)

(275,000)

Lease liabilities

(2,269,883)

621,251

(1,648,632)

(2,894,883)

810,834

(2,084,049)

 

(4,154,562)

1,340,381

(2,814,181)

23

Related party transactions

The company has taken advantage of the exemption in relation to section 33 of FRS 102 'Related Party Disclosures' from disclosing transactions with other members of tthe group in which any subsidiary which is a party to the transactions is wholly owned by the group.

Key management compensation

31 July
2025
£

31 January
2024
£

Salaries and other short term employee benefits

180,582

117,299

Post-employment benefits

23,333

20,608

203,915

137,907

Income and receivables from related parties

2025

Key management
£

Amounts receivable from related party

875

2024

Key management
£

Amounts receivable from related party

4,414

Expenditure with and payables to related parties

2025

Key management
£

Amounts payable to related party

210

 

C Sparks & Sons Limited

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Period from 1 February 2024 to 31 July 2025

2024

Key management
£

Amounts payable to related party

22,100

24

Parent and ultimate parent undertaking

At the balance sheet date the ultimate parent is Sparks Warehousing Limited, incorporated in England. This is the parent of the largest and smallest Group within which the Company belongs and for which Group accounts are prepared.

  These financial statements are available upon request from:
Sparks Transport
Wells Road
Glastonbury
Somerset
BA6 9AG

 

25

Non adjusting events after the financial period

On 29 September 2025, the company's immediate and ultimate parent company, Sparks Warehousing Limited, disposed of its entire shareholding in the company. As a result, the company ceased to be a member of the Sparks Warehousing Limited Group. Subsequently investment by European Vehicle Sales Limited has seen this become the ultimate parent company and its shareholders the new ultimate controlling party. This investment is considered a vital part of securing the long term future of the business.

This is a non-adjusting event after the period and no adjustments have been made to the carrying amounts of assets or liabilities in these financial statements.