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

The group comprises J.Dickinson & Sons (Holdings) Limited as the parent company and its subsidiary, J.Dickinson & Sons (Horwich) Limited.

The principle activity of the company continue to be that of a parent company and investment property ownership, including the property from which the subsidiary trades.

The principle activity of the subsidiary continued to be that of transport contractors and waste disposal.

2025 was a challenging year due to the economic and general trading environment, however the measures put in place earlier in the year enabled the H2 position to be strong, with consistent revenues and better margins.

Costs have increased over the year with the following having a high impact on profitability:

- Disposal costs

- Salary costs

- Fuel costs

During the year there has been a strong focus on efficiency to counter the difficult trading conditions. There has been further investment into the processing plant to drive efficiencies in output and the ability to increase throughflow. This has helped to improve both revenues and margin, meaning the business is better able to manage fluctuations in gate fees or any other adverse conditions that may occur in the future. In addition, the business will be better able to service customers ensuring that their waste is being processed to high standards whilst achieving the businesses stated aim of sending zero waste to land fill.

Customer service remains a top focus along with investments in new technology, the vehicle fleet and the site infrastructure are part of a strategy to service large and small businesses along with the general public with the best of class service. Whilst at the same time contributing and enhancing the move to a circular economy.

Whilst trading conditions remain challenging the prospects for the business during 2026 have improved, exiting 2025 in a much better position than the start of the year. Larger capacity and a more efficient processing coupled with increased efficiencies will result in improved profitability.

Recruitment remained challenging in some areas of the business however staff turnover has improved, and salaries/benefits have risen to attract and retain experienced and knowledgeable staff.

The waste industry is governed by legislation from the Environmental Agency. Future and past investment enables the business to better adapt and comply with any changes to this regulatory environment.

The directors conduct regular risk assessments to formally identify the risks that are most important to the business, also conducting risk management and internal control reviews throughout the year.

Regulation- The waste industry is governed by legislation from the Environmental Agency. Future and past investment enables the business to better adapt and comply with any changes to this regulatory environment.

Market and competition - The sector in which the company operates is highly competitive. The company invests in its site and operations to offer the best service to its customers. Continued investment in the business will continue to be made within the bounds of good corporate governance and financial prudence.

Employees- All employees are fully trained in their area of work, ensuring activities comply with risk assessment policies and ensure that procedures exist for each process.

Liquidity - The company makes little use of financial instruments other than an operational bank account. The borrowings are with reputable lenders and entered into so as to manage working capital and to minimise the company's exposure to interest rate risk.

Customer defaults - The company has in place a trade credit insurance policy and therefore has a small limited exposure to customer defaults and bad debts.

The key performance indicators were:

On behalf of the board

The directors present their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2025.

The principal activity of the company and group continued to be that of a holding company and investment property rental. The principal activity of the subsidiary continued to be that of transport contractors and waste disposal.

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

No ordinary dividends were paid. 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:

Investment has continued in the mobile plant and vehicle fleet during the year with the current fleet offering greater flexibility on a cost-effective basis, with fewer emissions. The fleet will continue to be maintained to a high level with further investment in the coming year. Capital commitments at the year-end relate to the second phase of the plant upgrade which will drive further efficiencies and reduced disposal costs within our recycling facility, therefore reducing further the requirement for waste to landfill.

The site is now fully covered by an electrical supply, with a reduction in the reliance of fuel, and options for solar connections are being investigated - driving the group into a more sustainable way of working.

Continued investment in the group will continue to be made within the bounds of good corporate governance and financial prudence.

The auditor, Sumer Auditco 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 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 group and 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 UK Accounting Standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements;

• prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the group and 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 company’s transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the group and 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 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 companies entitled to the medium-sized companies exemption.

We have audited the financial statements of J.Dickinson & Sons (Holdings) Limited (the 'parent company') and its subsidiaries (the 'group') for the year ended 31 December 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 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 December 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 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 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 extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud, is detailed below.

We identified areas of laws and regulations that could reasonably be expected to have a material effect on the financial statements from our general commercial and sector experience, and through discussions with the directors (as required by auditing standards) and discussed with the directors the policies and procedures regarding compliance with laws and regulations. We communicated identified laws and regulations throughout our team and remained alert to any indications of non-compliance throughout the audit. The potential effect of these laws and regulations on the financial statements varies considerably.

Firstly, the company is subject to laws and regulations that directly affect the financial statements including financial reporting legislation and taxation legislation. We assessed the extent of compliance with these laws and regulations as part of our procedures on the related financial statement items.

Secondly, the company is subject to many other laws and regulations where the consequences of non-compliance could have a material effect on amounts or disclosures in the financial statements, for instance through the imposition of fines or litigation. We identified the following areas as those most likely to have such an effect: laws related to health and safety, employment and data protection as well as environmental regulations, as monitored by the Environment Agency.

Auditing standards limit the required audit procedures to identify non-compliance with these laws and regulations to enquiry of the directors and inspection of regulatory and legal correspondence, if any. Through these procedures we did not become aware of any actual or suspected non-compliance.

Owing to the inherent limitations of an audit, there is an unavoidable risk that we may not have detected some material misstatements in the financial statements, even though we have properly planned and performed our audit in accordance with auditing standards. For example, the further removed non-compliance with laws and regulations (irregularities) is from the events and transactions reflected in the financial statements, the less likely the inherently limited procedures required by auditing standards would identify it. In addition, as with any audit, there remained a higher risk of non-detection of irregularities, as these may involve collusion, forgery, intentional omissions, misrepresentations, or the override of internal controls. We are not responsible for preventing non-compliance and cannot be expected to detect non-compliance with all laws and regulations.

We design procedures in line with our responsibilities, outlined below to detect material misstatement due to fraud:

• Matters are discussed amongst the audit engagement team regarding how and where fraud might occur in the financial statements and any potential indicators of fraud

• Identifying and assessing the design and effectiveness of controls that management have in place to prevent and detect fraud

• Detecting and responding to the risks of fraud following discussions with management and enquiring as to whether management have knowledge of any actual, suspected or alleged fraud;

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 £2,054,364 (2024 - £14,283 profit).

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

J.Dickinson & Sons (Holdings) Limited (“the company”) is a private limited company domiciled and incorporated in England and Wales. The registered office is Unit 5 Rivington View, Horwich, Bolton, BL6 5BN.

The group consists of J.Dickinson & Sons (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, modified to include investment properties at fair value. 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 J.Dickinson & Sons (Holdings) Limited together with all entities controlled by the parent company (its subsidiaries).

All financial statements are made up to 31 December 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.

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 cash flow forecasts for the group covering a period of at least twelve months from the date of approval of these financial statements. Applying prudent forecasting assumptions around revenue and profitability, operating cash conversion and the like, the directors' forecasts indicate that the group will generate sufficient liquidity to continue in operation.

The group finances its trade principally through the use of an invoice finance facility. Further to the production of the aforementioned forecasts, the decision to proceed with an Independent Business Review has been effected to support the increase of this facility, in line with increasing revenues and therefore help with working capital management.

The group's profitability has improved significantly during the year as a result of improved efficiencies and the upgrades to the plant in 2025. These upgrades will continue through early 2026 which will bring further benefits into the future year.

As a result of the above factors, the directors consider that the group will continue to have sufficient funds to meet its liabilities as they fall due for at least twelve months from the date of approval of the financial statements and have therefore prepared the financial statements on a going concern basis.

Turnover is measured at the fair value of the consideration received or receivable, excluding discounts, rebates, value added tax and other sales taxes.

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.

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:

Freehold land is not depreciated. Depreciation has not been charged on freehold buildings as the directors consider the estimated residual value of the property to be a significant proportion of the book value, such that depreciation would be immaterial. The estimated residual value is expected to be high due to the company's policy of maintaining the property such that physical deterioration does not occur and the costs of such maintenance are charged in the year of incidence.

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 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. Accumulated movement in fair value are subsequently transferred to a revaluation reserve.

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 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.

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.

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

Financial instruments are recognised in the 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.

Other financial assets, including investments in equity instruments which are not subsidiaries, associates or joint ventures, are initially measured at fair value, which is normally the transaction price. Such assets are subsequently carried at fair value and the changes in fair value are recognised in profit or loss, except that investments in equity instruments that are not publicly traded and whose fair values cannot be measured reliably are measured at cost less impairment.

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.

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.

Research and development

Research expenditure is written off against profits in the year which it is incurred. Identifiable development expenditure is capitalised to the extend that the technical, commercial and financial feasibility can be demonstrated.

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.

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

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

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

The useful economic life of tangible fixed assets has to be estimated by the directors of the company to ensure an appropriate depreciation charge is recognised in the year. The value of the assets ultimately depends on the condition of the assets and whether economic income can be derived from the asset. The directors undertake a periodic review of the assets to ensure the value of the assets is fairly stated within the financial statements.

During the year, depreciation of £959,701 (2024: £1,012,939) has been charged.

Refer to note 10 for the carrying values of tangible fixed assets impacted by this key accounting estimate.

The key source of estimation uncertainty in the process of applying the group's accounting policies and that have the most significant effect on the amounts recognised in the financial statements is the valuation of the freehold land and buildings. The investment properties are valued by a Chartered Surveyor. Freehold land and buildings are measured at each year end at their open market value, and resulting gains and losses are recorded directly in the profit and loss account, taking account of input from suitably qualified professional advisers. See further details per note 10.

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

Their aggregate remuneration comprised:

The number of directors for whom retirement benefits are accruing under defined contribution schemes amounted to 2 (2024 - 2).

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

The net carrying value of tangible fixed assets includes the following in respect of assets held under finance leases or hire purchase contracts.

Freehold land and buildings are carried at valuation. A professional property valuation was undertaken by Fisher German LLP on 9 April 2025 for banking purposes. The valuations were made on an open market value basis by reference to market evidence of transaction prices for similar properties. The directors are of the opinion that this represents fair value of the freehold land and buildings at 31 December 2025.

The fair value at 31 December 2025 is represented by:

If the assets were measured using the cost model, the carrying amounts would be as follows:

At 31 December 2025 the fair value of investment property in the company is based on the valuation report produced by Fisher German LLP on 9 April 2025 for banking purposes.

The report valued all the property, apart from the property included as investment property on consolidation. The investment property is included at cost of £240,780 on consolidation in the group's financial statements.

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

Registered office addresses (all UK unless otherwise indicated):

Bank loans are secured by a fixed and floating charge over the group's assets.

Obligations under finance leases are secured against the assets to which they relate.

Bank loans are secured by a fixed and floating charge over the group's assets.

Obligations under finance leases are secured against the assets to which they relate.

Included in bank loans is a CBIL's loan of £791,667 (2024: £1,291,667) which was received in October 2020 for a term of 72 months and expires in 2026. Capital repayments of £500,000 are due each year, payable monthly. The interest on the loan is 3.80%.

Included in other creditors is an invoice discounting facility of £2,317,731 (2024: £1,873,347).

The above facilities are secured by way of a debenture and cross guarantee between J. Dickinson & Sons (Horwich) Limited, J. Dickinson & Sons (Holdings) Limited, J. Dickinson & Sons (Property) Limited and T.Bleasdale Limited. The facilities are also secured by a charge over land owned by J.Dickinson & Sons (Holdings) Limited and a personal guarantee from a director of £350,000.

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 3-5 years. All leases are on a fixed repayment basis and no arrangements have been entered into for contingent rental payments.

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

The deferred tax asset relates to unused losses being carried forward. The deferred tax liability set out above predominately relates to accelerated capital allowances that are expected to mature over the associated fixed assets useful economic life. Pension contributions will attract tax relief in the year paid.

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.

At the balance sheet date, contributions due to the schemes in respect of the current reporting year were £3,379 (2024: £2,750).

The holders of ordinary shares are equally entitled to full voting, dividend and capital distribution rights. All ordinary shares rank equally with regard to company's residual assets.

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

Amounts contracted for but not provided in the financial statements:

The company has taken advantage of the exemption available in accordance with Financial Reporting Standard 102 Section 33, not to disclose transactions entered into between two or more members of a group, where any subsidiary party to the transaction is wholly owned.

During the year the company entered into the following transactions with related parties:

The following amounts were outstanding at the reporting end date:

The following advances and credits to a director subsisted for the year ended 31 December 2025:

The ultimate controlling party is J J Dickinson, based on his majority shareholding in J.Dickinson & Sons (Holdings) Limited.