East Sussex Press Limited

Strategic Report for the Year Ended 31 December 2025

New technology reducing the demand for print		The Group monitors technological developments and as a result offers new services arising from such technologies alongside the traditional print offering, for example using its digital presses to offer personalised books.
Challenging economic conditions inhibit growth and create uncertainty		Continue to diversify the Group’s business to be able to provide a wide range of marketing services to customers. Continually review the Group’s cost base. Regularly review the performance of all businesses against their budgets and implement remedial action, where needed.
A loss of facility due to catastrophic event		Regularly review the business continuity plan and maintain a full catastrophic event insurance programme including business interruption cover. The group operates from 6 sites.
The Group’s ability to trade is compromised by a lack of cash funds		The monthly financial information submitted to the Board includes a month cash flow forecast with sensitivities to facilitate the monitoring of performance against a lack of cash funds.
A material unrecoverable debt arises from the Group's practice of trading with the majority of its clients on credit		The Group’s policy is that all customers are granted credit subject to credit verification procedures. A rigorous system of credit control is applied and debtors are continually monitored. Imprint’s debtors are insured.
Major information security breach or cyber attack		The risk of attack is continuous and we look to minimize the risks with firewalls, up to date anti-virus protection systems, and data protection policies through ISO27001 and Cyber Essentials Plus Accreditations. Group policies, staff training and data backup routines ensure high levels of protection.

Section 172 Statement
The Directors believe that they have effectively implemented their duties under section 172 of the Companies Act 2006. In making decisions, the Directors consider the likely long-term consequences, the interests of employees, the need to foster business relationships with customers, suppliers and other stakeholders, the impact of the Group’s operations on communities and the environment, the desirability of maintaining high standards of business conduct and the need to act fairly between members.

The Group’s principal stakeholders include customers, employees, suppliers, lenders, investors and the communities in which it operates. The strategy described in this report is intended to promote the long-term success of the Company and create sustainable value for stakeholders. The Group remains committed to high standards of governance, ethical business conduct, environmental responsibility and supplier management.
 

Sustainability and Responsible Business
Sustainability remains a key value and strategic priority for the Group, building on Pureprint’s long-standing position as a pioneer in sustainable print and being the world’s first CarbonNeutral® print business. The Group continues to invest in efficient production, responsible sourcing, carbon measurement and reduction, workflow improvement and enhanced environmental reporting.

The Group’s sustainability framework includes validated Science Based Targets, a Net Zero commitment, CarbonNeutral® status and FSC® Chain of Custody certification. Across its operating businesses, recognised standards and accreditations also include ISO 14001 environmental management, ISO 9001 quality management, ISO 27001 information security, EcoVadis Silver ratings and ISO 12647 colour quality standards, as applicable to the relevant operations.

These commitments support responsible business practices, help customers progress their own environmental objectives and encourage long-term resource efficiency. The Group’s Streamlined Energy and Carbon Reporting disclosures are included within the financial statements.

East Sussex Press Limited

Strategic Report for the Year Ended 31 December 2025

Emissions Summary
Sustainability remains a key value and strategic priority for the Group, building on Pureprint’s long-standing position as a pioneer in sustainable print and being the world’s first CarbonNeutral® print business. The Group continues to invest in efficient production, responsible sourcing, carbon measurement and reduction, workflow improvement and enhanced environmental reporting.

The Group’s sustainability framework includes validated Science Based Targets, a Net Zero commitment, CarbonNeutral® status and FSC® Chain of Custody certification. Across its operating businesses, recognised standards and accreditations also include ISO 14001 environmental management, ISO 9001 quality management, ISO 27001 information security, EcoVadis Silver ratings and ISO 12647 colour quality standards, as applicable to the relevant operations.

These commitments support responsible business practices, help customers progress their own environmental objectives and encourage long-term resource efficiency. The Group’s Streamlined Energy and Carbon Reporting disclosures are included within the financial statements.

Total energy consumption in the reporting period was 8,114,136 kWh, representing a +27% change from the previous year. The consumption of this energy resulted in emissions of 1,512 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (tCO2e). This was a +13% change compared to the previous year. The highest emissions in the reporting period resulted from Purchased Electricity (1,160 tCO2e).

The increases in total emissions is due to the increase in turnover and the acquisition of the Ashford Colour Limited, which was not in the 2024 numbers. The company’s preferred metrics, the Intensity Ratios, have both improved in 2025 by 2% and 45% respectively.

East Sussex Press Limited

Strategic Report for the Year Ended 31 December 2025

Emissions Overview
Absolute emissions in tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (tCO2e).

	Activity	2025	2024	% Change
Scope 1		318	294	+8%
Company Premises	Natural gas	254	271	-6%
Company Vehicles	Combustion of fuel	64	23	+171%
Scope 2		1,872	2,488	-25%
Location-based*	Purchased electricity	1,160	1,009	+15%
Market-based	Purchased electricity	712	1,479	-47%
Scope 3		35	30	+17%
Business Travel	Business Travel in Employee Cars	35	30	+17%
Total Emissions		1,064	1,676	-36%
Intensity Ratios
tCO2e per £1m of	Turnover in Period	82,098,000	72,919,000	+13%
Location based	Intensity Ratio (tCO2e)	17	18	-2%
Market based	Intensity Ratio (tCO2e)	12	22	-45%

*Location-based Emissions not included in totals.

Energy Overview
Energy consumption used to calculate above emissions in (kWh).
 

	Activity	2025	2024	% Change
Scope 1
Company Premises	Natural gas	1,253,007	1,335,759	-6%
Company Vehicles	Combustion of fuel	182,840	98,441	+86%
Scope 2
Purchased Electricity	Purchased Electricity	6,551,629	4,872,179	+34%
Scope 3
Business Travel	Business Travel in Employee Cars	126,661	105,412	+20%
Total Emissions		8,114,136	6,411,792	+27%

Approved by the Board on 16 September 2026 and signed on its behalf by:

B D Smith
Director

East Sussex Press Limited

Directors' Report for the Year Ended 31 December 2025

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

Directors of the group

The directors who held office during the year were as follows:

D J Bullivant

M W Handford

Z Kasmani

A J Nash

R J Osborne

B D Smith

B M Tucker

Engagement with employees

The Group's policy is to consult and discuss with employees, through unions, staff councils and at meetings, matters likely to affect employee's interests.

Information on matters of concern to employees is given through information bulletins and reports which seek to achieve a common awareness on the part of all employees of the financial and economic factors affecting the Group's performance.

Employment of disabled persons

Applications for employment by disabled persons are always fully considered, bearing in mind the aptitudes of the applicant concerned. In the event of members of staff becoming disabled, every effort is made to ensure that their employment within the group continues and that the appropriate training is arranged. It is the policy of the Group that training, career development and promotion of disabled persons should, as far as possible, be identical to that of other employees.

Employee involvement

The Group's policy is to consult and discuss with employees, through unions, staff councils and at meetings, matters likely to affect employee's interests.

Information on matters of concern to employees is given through information bulletins and reports which seek to achieve a common awareness on the part of all employees of the financial and economic factors affecting the Group's performance.

Future developments

The external environment is expected to remain competitive going forward, however the directors remain confident that the company will improve on its current level of performance in the future.

Disclosure of information to the auditor

Each director has taken the 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 auditor is aware of that information. The directors confirm that there is no relevant information that they know of and of which they know the auditor is unaware.

Reappointment of auditor

Hazlewoods LLP have expressed their willingness to continue in office.

Approved by the Board on 16 September 2026 and signed on its behalf by:

B D Smith
Director

East Sussex Press Limited

Statement of Directors' Responsibilities

The directors are responsible for preparing the Strategic Report, Directors' 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 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; 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 group's and the company's transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the group and 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 group and the company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

East Sussex Press Limited

Independent Auditor's Report to the Members of East Sussex Press Limited

Opinion

We have audited the financial statements of East Sussex Press Limited (the 'parent company') and its subsidiaries (the 'group') for the year ended 31 December 2025, which comprise the Consolidated Profit and Loss Account, Consolidated Balance Sheet, Balance Sheet, Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity, Statement of Changes in Equity, Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows, 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 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 responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report. We are independent of the group 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 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.

East Sussex Press Limited

Independent Auditor's Report to the Members of East Sussex Press Limited

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 year 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.

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 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.

Responsibilities of directors

As explained more fully in the Statement of Directors' Responsibilities set out on page 9, 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 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 group or the parent company or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.

Auditor’s 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.

Extent to which the audit was capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud

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 considered the nature of the company’s industry and its control environment and reviewed the company’s documentation of their policies and procedures relating to fraud and compliance with laws and regulations. We also enquired of management about their own identification and assessment of the risks of irregularities.

We obtained an understanding of the legal and regulatory framework that the company operates in and identified the key laws and regulations that had a direct effect on the determination of material amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, including the UK Companies Act and tax legislation, and, those that do not have a direct effect on the financial statements but compliance with which may be fundamental to the company’s ability to operate or to avoid a material penalty.

We discussed among the audit engagement team regarding the opportunities and incentives that may exist within the organisation for fraud and how and where fraud might occur in the financial statements.

East Sussex Press Limited

Independent Auditor's Report to the Members of East Sussex Press Limited

In common with all audits under ISAs (UK), we are also required to perform specific procedures to respond to the risk of management override. In addressing the risk of fraud through management override of controls, we tested the appropriateness of journal entries and other adjustments; assessed whether the judgements made in accounting estimates are indicative of a potential bias; and evaluated the business rationale of any significant transactions that are unusual or outside the normal course of business.

In addition to the above, our procedures to respond to the risks identified included the following:

•	reviewing financial statement disclosures by testing to supporting documentation to assess compliance with provisions of relevant laws and regulations described as having a direct effect on the financial statements;

•	performing analytical procedures to identify any unusual or unexpected relationships that may indicate risks of material misstatements due to fraud;.

•	enquiring of management concerning actual and potential litigation and claims and instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations; and

•	reading minutes of meetings of those charged with governance.

Our audit procedures were designed to respond to risks of material misstatement in the financial statements, recognising that 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, misrepresentations or through collusion. There are inherent limitations in the audit procedures performed and the further removed non-compliance with laws and regulations is from the events and transactions reflected in the financial statements, the less likely we are to become aware of it.

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.

Martin Howard (Senior Statutory Auditor)
For and on behalf of Hazlewoods LLP, Statutory Auditor

Windsor House
Bayshill Road
Cheltenham
GL50 3AT

16 September 2026

East Sussex Press Limited

Consolidated Profit and Loss Account for the Year Ended 31 December 2025

	Note	2025 £	2024 £
Turnover	3	82,098,096	72,919,425
Cost of sales		(52,992,425)	(45,456,417)
Gross profit		29,105,671	27,463,008
Distribution costs		(5,866,715)	(5,303,887)
Administrative expenses		(21,978,544)	(19,864,501)
Operating profit before exceptional items and amortisation	4	1,260,412	2,294,620
Exceptional items	5	(92,875)	(203,229)
Amortisation costs		(112,387)	(152,277)
Operating profit		1,055,150	1,939,114
Other interest receivable and similar income		-	1,187
Interest payable and similar expenses	6	(1,036,067)	(863,709)
Profit before tax		19,083	1,076,592
Taxation	10	(17,202)	(487,041)
Profit for the financial year		1,881	589,551
EBITDA		4,407,838	4,694,387

The above results were derived from continuing operations.

The group has no other comprehensive income for the year.

East Sussex Press Limited

(Registration number: 02872719)
Consolidated Balance Sheet as at 31 December 2025

	Note	2025  £	2024  £
Fixed assets
Intangible assets	11	716,738	825,450
Tangible assets	12	11,978,966	11,339,484
		12,695,704	12,164,934
Current assets
Stocks	14	1,916,767	1,572,481
Debtors	15	17,897,803	17,670,481
Cash at bank and in hand		1,294,462	822,659
		21,109,032	20,065,621
Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year	17	(25,725,072)	(23,746,445)
Net current liabilities		(4,616,040)	(3,680,824)
Total assets less current liabilities		8,079,664	8,484,110
Creditors: Amounts falling due after more than one year	17	6,588,314	6,555,978
Provisions for liabilities	10	1,017,134	1,106,797
Capital and reserves
Called up share capital	20	1,041	1,041
Profit and loss account		473,175	820,294
Total equity		474,216	821,335
Total capital, reserves and long term liabilities		8,079,664	8,484,110

Approved and authorised by the Board on 16 September 2026 and signed on its behalf by:
 

B D Smith
Director

East Sussex Press Limited

(Registration number: 02872719)
Balance Sheet as at 31 December 2025

	Note	2025 £	2024 £
Fixed assets
Intangible assets	11	1	1
Investments	13	1,838,704	1,838,704
		1,838,705	1,838,705
Current assets
Debtors	15	1,080,104	106,798
Cash at bank and in hand		253	1,783
		1,080,357	108,581
Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year	17	(2,722,186)	(1,562,889)
Net current liabilities		(1,641,829)	(1,454,308)
Total assets less current liabilities		196,876	384,397
Capital and reserves
Called up share capital	20	1,041	1,041
Profit and loss account		195,835	383,356
Total equity		196,876	384,397
Total capital, reserves and long term liabilities		196,876	384,397

The company made a profit after tax for the financial year of £112,479 (2024 - profit of £267,761).

Approved and authorised by the Board on 16 September 2026 and signed on its behalf by:
 

B D Smith
Director

East Sussex Press Limited

Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity for the Year Ended 31 December 2025
Equity attributable to the parent company

	Share capital £	Profit and loss account £	Total £
At 1 January 2025	1,041	820,294	821,335
Profit for the year	-	1,881	1,881
Dividends	-	(349,000)	(349,000)
At 31 December 2025	1,041	473,175	474,216