6 June 2024
PALACE CAPITAL
PLC
("Palace Capital",
the "Group" or the "Company")
Preliminary Results
for the year ended 31 March 2024
DELIVERING ON OUR STRATEGY FOR
SHAREHOLDERS
Palace Capital (LSE: PCA) announces its audited
preliminary results for the year ended 31 March 2024.
Steven Owen, Executive Chairman,
commented:
"Notwithstanding challenging property and
financial markets, we have continued to successfully progress our
disposal strategy with the result that the Company is now in a
substantial net cash position.
Since 1 April 2023, the Company has exchanged or
completed on the sale of 24 investment properties for £112.9
million and exchanged or completed on £4.4 million of
sales of unencumbered residential units at Hudson Quarter, York.
During FY24, the Company proactively reduced gross debt by £56.0
million to £8.3 million and the significant de-leveraging of the
balance sheet has resulted in a net cash position of £11.5 million
as at the year end which has increased to £19.7 million as at 5
June. Proforma net cash, assuming that all exchanged properties
complete, is currently £30.1 million. The results below reflect the
disposals and debt reduction strategy as well as the good progress
made with our asset management activities.
"Since July 2022, cash returned to shareholders
from share buyback programmes totals £21.9 million. Following the
announcement of these results today, the Company will shortly be
launching a tender offer to return capital of approximately £22
million to shareholders and a further announcement to shareholders
will be made later this month with the details provided in a
circular. Subject to shareholder approval at a specially convened
General Meeting, the Company expects to complete the tender offer
and return cash to shareholders during July 2024.
"Assuming that the properties
currently under offer are sold, the Company will have six
investment properties remaining valued at £54.4m. Each of these
properties has its own asset management initiatives which are
required to be completed in order to be ready for sale. In addition
there are 13 apartments remaining at Hudson Quarter valued at £6.6
million assuming that the two under offer are sold. Sales of these
will continue subject to market conditions which have materially
improved since the start of 2024.
"An additional tender offer is
likely to take place later in the year as further property sales
are completed."
Income
statement metrics
|
Year
ended
31 March
2024
|
Year ended
31 March 2023
|
Change
|
Net rental income
|
£9.6m
|
£15.6m
|
(38.5%)
|
Adjusted profit before tax
|
£5.4m
|
£7.6m
|
(28.9%)
|
Adjusted earnings per share
|
13.8p
|
17.1p
|
(19.3%)
|
IFRS loss before tax
|
(£9.3m)
|
(£35.8m)
|
|
Basic earnings per share
|
(23.7p)
|
(80.2p)
|
|
Dividends
|
|
|
|
Dividend per share
|
15.0p
|
15.0p
|
|
Balance Sheet
and operational metrics
|
|
|
|
EPRA NTA per share
|
262p
|
296p
|
(11.5%)
|
Net asset value
|
£97.8m
|
£128.5m
|
(23.9%)
|
Share buybacks
|
(£15.2m)
|
(£6.7m)
|
126.9%
|
Like-for-like portfolio valuation
decrease
|
(15.5%)
|
(18.6%)
|
|
Total accounting return
|
(6.4%)
|
(20.4%)
|
|
Total shareholder return
|
13.7%
|
(15.9%)
|
|
EPRA occupancy rate
|
82.0%
|
87.7%
|
|
Debt
|
|
|
|
Loan to value
|
nil
|
31%
|
|
Total gross debt
|
£8.3m
|
£64.3m
|
(87.1%)
|
Total net (cash)/debt
|
(£11.5m)
|
£58.8m
|
(119.6%)
|
Average cost of debt
|
2.9%
|
5.8%
|
(290 bps)
|
Average debt maturity
|
2.3
years
|
2.0 years
|
|
Financial
highlights
·
Adjusted profit before tax of £5.4 million (2023: £7.6
million) reflecting the reduction in income following disposals,
offset in part by the reduction in associated interest costs and
recurring administrative expenses.
·
IFRS loss before tax of £9.3 million (2023: £35.8 million
loss) primarily due to the portfolio revaluation deficit of £15.4
million.
·
Adjusted EPS of 13.8 pence (2023: 17.1 pence) reflecting the
movement in adjusted profit before tax but partly mitigated by the
accretive share buyback programmes.
·
Total dividends paid or declared for the year of 15.0 pence
per share (2023: 15.0 pence per share).
·
EPRA NTA per share decreased by 11.5% to 262 pence (2023: 296
pence) due to the portfolio revaluation deficit, offset by the 8.0
pence per share buyback accretion.
·
Total property portfolio valuation reduced by 15.5% on a
like-for-like basis (2023: 18.6% decrease).
·
Net cash position of £11.5 million (2023: Net debt £58.8
million, LTV 31%). In the twelve months to 31 March 2024, gross
debt reduced by £56.0 million to £8.3 million. Net debt to net cash
movement £70.3 million.
·
Annualised administration cost savings of £0.9 million (2023:
£1.4 million) following the Board changes and the relocation of the
Company's head office, together with other cost reduction
measures.
·
During FY24, further share buyback programme
announced with 6.2 million shares purchased for £15.2 million.
Total cash returned to shareholders from buyback programmes to date
is £21.9 million.
· A
resolution proposing the renewal of the share buyback authority to
purchase up to 15% of shares will be proposed at the 2024
AGM.
Operational
highlights
·
Successful disposal of 21 investment properties for £93.7
million, 4.4% ahead of the 31 March 2023 book value.
· Sale of
seven apartments at Hudson Quarter, York for £3.2
million.
·
Post 31 March 2024, exchanged contracts or
completed the sales of three investment properties totalling £18.5
million, and also conditionally exchanged on an office unit at St
James' Gate, Newcastle for £0.7 million. These sales were in
aggregate 1.5% ahead of the 31 March 2024 book value.
·
Apartment sales at Hudson Quarter, York have continued post
31 March 2024, with a further two apartment sales having exchanged
to the value of £1.2 million. There are 13 units remaining and two
units under offer.
· An additional £1.3 million of annualised net rental income was
created during FY24 through leasing and review activity and the
associated reduction in non-recoverable property costs which was,
on average, 5% ahead of the 31 March 2023 ERVs. Annualised
net rental income lost from lease expiries and breaks totalled £1.2
million resulting in a net additional annualised increase of £0.1
million from active asset management activity. Net rental income
lost following disposals totalled £6.6 million per annum resulting
in a net loss in annualised net rental income of £6.5
million.
·
Rent collection for the 12 months to 31
March 2024 of 98% (2023: 99%).
· EPRA
occupancy at 31 March 2024 increased on a like-for-like basis from
81.2% at 31 March 2023 to 82.0% at 31 March 2024. Proforma
occupancy as at 5 June is 87.6%, reflecting post year end lettings
and contracted disposals.
· WAULT
of 5.4 years to break and 7.5 years to expiry reflecting asset
management activities and resilience of portfolio (2023: 4.8 years
to break and 6.5 years to expiry).
·
Portfolio asset management activity and disposals continue to
improve the EPC (Energy Performance Certificate) profile across the
portfolio: 100% are now rated A-D and 81.0% are rated A-C (2023:
96.2% and 72.2% respectively).
PALACE CAPITAL
PLC
Steven Owen, Executive Chairman
info@palacecapitalplc.com
Financial
PR
FTI Consulting
Dido Laurimore/ Giles Barrie
Tel: +44 (0)20 3727 1000
palacecapital@fticonsulting.com
Palace Capital
plc
For further information on Palace Capital plc
(LSE: PCA) please visit www.palacecapitalplc.com.
The Annual Report and Accounts together with
the Notice convening the 2024 Annual General Meeting will be
published and posted to Shareholders in June 2024.
Cautionary Statement
This announcement does not constitute an offer
of securities by the Company. Nothing in this announcement is
intended to be, or intended to be construed as, a profit forecast
or a guide as to the performance, financial or otherwise, of the
Company or the Group whether in the current or any future financial
year. This announcement may include statements that are, or may be
deemed to be, ''forward-looking statements''. These forward-looking
statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking
terminology, including the terms ''believes'', ''estimates'',
''anticipates'', ''expects'', ''intends'', ''plans'', ''target'',
''aim'', ''may'', ''will'', ''would'', ''could'' or ''should'' or,
in each case, their negative or other variations or comparable
terminology. They may appear in a number of places throughout this
announcement and include statements regarding the intentions,
beliefs or current expectations of the directors, the Company or
the Group concerning, amongst other things, the operating results,
financial condition, prospects, growth, strategies and dividend
policy of the Group or the industry in which it operates. By their
nature, forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties
because they relate to events and depend on circumstances that may
or may not occur in the future and may be beyond the Company's
ability to control or predict. Forward-looking statements are not
guarantees of future performance. The Group's actual operating
results, financial condition, dividend policy or the development of
the industry in which it operates may differ materially from the
impression created by the forward-looking statements contained in
this announcement. In addition, even if the operating results,
financial condition and dividend policy of the Group, or the
development of the industry in which it operates, are consistent
with the forward-looking statements contained in this announcement,
those results or developments may not be indicative of results or
developments in subsequent periods. Important factors that could
cause these differences include, but are not limited to, general
economic and business conditions, industry trends, competition,
changes in government and other regulation, changes in political
and economic stability and changes in business strategy or
development plans and other risks.
Other than in accordance with its legal or
regulatory obligations, the Company does not accept any obligation
to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statement, whether
as a result of new information, future events or
otherwise.
Executive Chairman's statement
Update on delivery of strategic objectives
Notwithstanding challenging property and
financial markets, the past year was again
transformational for the Group as it continued to successfully
deliver on its disposal and debt reduction strategy resulting in a
significantly de-leveraged balance sheet which has put the
Company into a substantial net cash position. Since 1 April 2023 to date the Company has exchanged or
completed on the sale of 24 investment properties for £112.9
million and exchanged or completed on £4.4 million of
sales of unencumbered residential units at Hudson Quarter,
York. During FY24 the Company completed the
sale of 21 investment properties for £93.7 million which is 4.4%
ahead of the 31 March 2023 valuation and completed the sales
of seven residential units at Hudson Quarter,
York, for £3.2 million,
5.3% ahead of the 31 March 2023
valuation.
During FY24, the Company proactively reduced
gross debt by £56.0 million to £8.3 million and the significant
de-leveraging of the balance sheet resulted in a net cash position
of £11.5 million as at the year end which has increased to £19.7
million as at 5 June. Proforma net cash, assuming that all
exchanged properties complete, is currently £30.1
million.
Since July 2022, cash returned to shareholders
from share buyback programmes totals £21.9 million of which £15.2
million was returned during FY24. As part of its strategy of
returning cash to shareholders, following the announcement of these
results today, the Company will be consulting with major
shareholders regarding the terms of a tender offer to return
capital of approximately £22 million to shareholders. It is
expected that a further announcement will be made later this month
of a tender offer via a circular to shareholders. Subject to
shareholder approval at a specially convened General Meeting the
Company expects to complete the tender offer during July
2024.
As mentioned above, disposal
activity has continued since the year end and we have
exchanged contracts or completed the sales of three
investment properties totalling £18.5 million, and also
conditionally exchanged on an office unit at St James' Gate,
Newcastle for £0.7 million. These sales were in aggregate 1.5%
ahead of the 31 March 2024 book value.
Total investment properties sold since the
change of strategy in July 2022 amount to £124.0 million or £135.9
million including residential apartments.
Assuming that the properties
currently under offer are sold, the Company will have six
investment properties remaining, each of which have their own asset
management initiatives that are required to be completed in order
to be ready for sale. Additionally, conditions in the investment
market for certain types of assets, particularly leisure assets,
are such that, in the Board's view, the sale of these assets should
be deferred until market demand and pricing improve, particularly
given the high income yield and long unexpired lease terms. Market
conditions are continually assessed in order to determine the
optimum time to sell a property assuming all appropriate asset
management initiatives have been completed in relation to such
properties. Further commentary on each of the six investment
properties can be found in the Operational Review.
Operationally, the business remains robust. The
team has been proactive in implementing asset management plans to
increase income, reduce void costs and improve our ESG performance,
including EPCs, as set out in the Operational Review. Rent
collection remains high and current occupancy levels remain
resilient.
Palace Capital continues to reduce
its level of administrative expenses in line with its strategy,
with measures implemented in the financial year saving £0.9
million. This includes reducing headcount and relocating its head
office to a smaller office in Victoria, London in December 2023.
Annual occupancy costs of the Company's premises are £0.25 million
lower than those of its former offices in Bury Street,
SW1.
Annualised cost savings are now over
£2.3 million compared to 2022. These cost savings represent 51% of
FY22 administrative expenses and 31% of FY22 EPRA earnings. We now
have a Board of two members and an executive team of six including
myself focused on executing the strategy.
Overview of results
The Group's adjusted profit before
tax decreased to £5.4 million (2023: £7.6 million)
as a result of income lost through disposals.
Investment property sales during the year period realised a profit
of £2.3 million (2023: £0.8 million)
whilst trading profits
from the sale of residential units contributed £0.2 million (2023:
£0.5 million).
The deficit on the revaluation of
the portfolio for the year of £15.4 million was due principally to
softening yields across the whole portfolio but particularly during
the second half of the financial year in relation to the two
leisure assets which accounted for approximately half of the
deficit. An analysis of the valuation deficit is provided in the
Operating Review.
Contractual payments to the former Chief
Financial Officer and staff of £0.6 million, including associated
costs, have been treated as an exceptional item.
A provision of £0.6 million in relation to the
Short Term Incentive Plan ("STIP"), which was introduced during
FY24, has been made although no payment will be due until the
Completion Date has been determined in accordance with the rules of
the STIP.
Together with other items totalling
£0.6 million, the aggregation of the profits and losses described
in the preceding paragraphs account for the IFRS loss before tax
for the year of £9.3 million (2023: £35.8 million loss).
Principally as a result of the
revaluation deficit on the portfolio equivalent to 39 pence per
share, offset by the 8 pence per share share-buyback accretion,
EPRA NTA per share decreased by 11.5% to 262 pence per share (2023:
296 pence per share).
As noted above, the Group's balance
sheet has been significantly strengthened following the £56.0
million reduction in gross debt during the year and the Company
being in a net cash position at the year end of £11.5 million
(2023: net debt £58.8 million, LTV 31%).
Board changes and Director Remuneration
I was appointed as Executive
Chairman from the AGM held on 26 July 2023, having previously been
(Non-executive) Interim Executive Chairman. Due to the reduced size
of the Company and repayment of bank debt, Matthew Simpson stepped
down from the Board as Chief Financial Officer on 14 November 2023.
Contractual payments to the former Chief Financial Officer of £0.4
million, including associated costs, have been treated as an
exceptional item. Details are provided in the Directors'
Remuneration Report in the Annual Report.
The performance of the 'STIP
approved by shareholders at the 2023 AGM and predicated on the
successful disposal of assets in a timely manner is explained in
the Directors' Remuneration Report. Payments, in cash, were made
under the Rules of the STIP to good leavers and these have been
accounted for in the period.
Dividend
The Group paid or declared dividends
of 15.0 pence per share in relation to the year ended 31 March 2024
(2023: 15.0 pence per share), including a proposed final fourth
quarter dividend of 3.75 pence per share. The fourth quarter final
dividend of 3.75 pence per share will be paid, subject to
shareholder approval at the AGM being held on 24 July 2024, on 23
August 2024 to shareholders on the register at 26 July 2024. The ex
dividend date will be 25 July 2024. Of this, 1.35 pence per
ordinary share will be paid as a Property Income Distribution
('PID') and 2.40 pence per ordinary share will be paid as a
Non-Property Income Distribution ('Non-PID').
Outlook
Commercial property and financial
markets remain challenging but there are
indications that UK interest rates will reduce over the next year
following the sharp fall in inflation over recent months. Until
interest rates reduce and confidence returns to some sectors of the
real estate market it is unlikely that there will be a material
upward re-pricing of assets. Given the reduction in property values
seen since the peak of the last cycle in the Spring of 2022 it is
considered that valuations may be close to the bottom of this
current cycle.
At an operational level, the Company
continues to make good progress with its asset management
activities despite the difficult and uncertain conditions in
financial and property markets.
Given its strong cash position, the
Company remains well placed in terms of flexibility and optionality
regarding the timing of its disposal programme and other strategic
initiatives, including the tender offer referred to
above.
Steven Owen
Executive Chairman
5 June 2024
OPERATIONAL REVIEW
SUMMARY OF THE YEAR
The business continues to perform
well operationally. The team has been proactive in implementing
asset management plans to increase income, reduce void costs and
improve our ESG performance, including EPCs. Rent collection
remains strong and occupancy levels remain resilient. Total rent
collection for the 12 months to 31 March 2024 was 98% (2023:
99%).
During the year ended 31 March 2024,
the Company disposed of 21 investment properties for £93.7 million,
4.4% ahead of the 31 March 2023 book value. Seven apartments at
Hudson Quarter, York were sold during the year for £3.2 million
leaving 13 units remaining at the year end.
ASSET MANAGEMENT
During FY24 there were 23 lease
events completed totalling 162,000 sq ft of space, 5% above the 31
March 2023 ERV ('FY23 ERV'), generating £0.9 million of additional
annualised income, principally from eight new lettings at 5% above
ERV, generating £0.8 million of additional annualised
income.
In addition, void savings from new
lettings was £0.4 million, resulting in a total of £1.3 million of
annualised net rental income created.
Portfolio asset management activity and
disposals continue to improve the EPC (Energy Performance
Certificate) profile across the portfolio: 100% are now rated A-D
and 81.0% are rated A-C (2023: 96.2% and 72.2%
respectively).
New lettings in the year included:
· 2
St James' Gate, Newcastle, where Orega, a premium, flexible,
serviced office workspace provider, entered into a 15 year
management agreement to take the second and third floors totalling
22,500 sq ft of the seven storey, 82,500 sq ft building. Following
a comprehensive refurbishment the operation opened in January 2024,
providing c.400 workstations. This letting significantly increased
the occupancy at the property and, together with the letting to
Softcat plc in December 2022, were the first two major lettings at
St James' Gate since the property was acquired in 2017.
·
Broad Street Plaza, Halifax, where
Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust
entered into a new 15 year lease and took an additional 6,000
sq ft unit increasing their occupation to over 27,000 sq ft. The
rent of £0.4 million per annum on the combined space is over £14
psf and is 41% higher than the March 2023 ERV. The NHS now accounts
for 19% of the net income from the property.
· Boulton
House, Manchester and King's Park House, Southampton where three
lettings totalling £0.2 million rent per annum were achieved at an
average premium to the FY23 ERV of 4%.
Other initiatives during FY24 included the
following:
· East
Grinstead - new 15 year reversionary lease at Unit A (21,500 sq ft)
from August 2027 to Wickes Group plc at a rent of £0.4 million per
annum, in line with FY23 ERV.
· Salisbury
- new 10 year reversionary lease from September 2025 to Booker
Limited at a rent of £0.25 million per annum, which was 22% above
the FY23 ERV.
· HQ York
- GRJ occupy the 4th and 5th floors at rent
of £0.32 million per annum expiring November 2031 with a tenant
break in December 2027. We successfully removed the tenant's break
in December 2027, thereby increasing the building's WAULT from 4.9
to 6.5 years.
Since the year end, a key letting has been
achieved at Imperial Court, Leamington Spa (20,419 sq ft) where we
have completed a 10 year lease with a mutual break in year five to
Lighthouse Games Ltd at a rent of £0.38 million per annum, which is
in line with the ERV.
Other initiatives since the year end include
the agreement in principle with Vue Cinemas at Sol, Northampton to
regear their lease which would bring their total term to 20 years
expiring in 2044, with a material increase in rent and five yearly
upward only rent reviews linked to RPI with a cap and collar
structure. In return the Company will make a significant capital
contribution towards the comprehensive refurbishment of the cinema,
including recliner seating upgrade, associated auditoria decorative
works and foyer refurbishment.
These asset management initiatives
are part of the process of creating value and preparing assets for
sale, the timing of which is firmly within the control of the
Company.
PORTFOLIO OVERVIEW
As at 31 March 2024 the portfolio
comprised 12 properties (2023: 31) comprising 62% office, 24%
leisure, 4% retail and 10% residential.
CBRE independently valued the
portfolio as at 31 March 2024 at £88.7 million, resulting in a
deficit of 15.5% on a like-for-like basis compared with the
valuation as at 31 March 2023. The largest declines were the two
leisure assets at 27.2% and offices at 12.5%.
The seven office assets fell 12.5%,
which was driven predominantly by a significant softening of yields
to reflect the deterioration in the regional office investment
market. The largest falls were at Hudson Quarter, York (24.0%),
Exeter (19.4%) and Milton Keynes (15.5%) whereas gains were
achieved at Leamington Spa (+5.6%), Harlow (+4.9%) and Fareham
(+4.5%) as a result of asset management initiatives. The ERVs on
individual office properties remained broadly flat with the
exception of Milton Keynes where there was an increase of 22.5%
which resulted in an overall increase of 3.0% across the office
portfolio.
The two leisure assets declined by
27.2% overall reflecting the severely weakened leisure investment
market. Sol, Northampton fell 37.5% in value and Broad Street
Plaza, Halifax fell 18.1%. The blended leisure NIY and Equivalent
yields both increased by c.250 bps to 13.4% and 12.8% respectively.
Leisure ERVs increased by 1.3%.
The value of the one retail property
was virtually unchanged and residential declined 2.2%.
PORTFOLIO OVERVIEW
|
FY24
|
FY23
|
Portfolio value
|
£88.7m
|
£192.4m
|
Net initial yield
|
8.0%
|
7.4%
|
Reversionary yield
|
13.0%
|
9.6%
|
Contractual rental income
|
£8.0m
|
£15.7m
|
Estimated rental value
|
£10.6m
|
£18.8m
|
WAULT to break
|
5.4 years
|
4.8
years
|
EPRA vacancy rate
|
18.0%
|
12.3%
|
DISPOSAL AND ASSET MANAGEMENT STRATEGY POST
FY24
Since 31 March 2024 we have
exchanged or completed on the sale of the
following three investment properties for £18.5 million, 0.1% ahead
of the 31 March 2024 book value:
·
Boulton House, Manchester for £8.8 million,
completion due late July 2024
·
Kiln Farm, Milton Keynes for £6.4 million
·
Sandringham House, Harlow for £3.3
million
We have also conditionally exchanged
on a self-contained office unit at 3B St James' Gate, Newcastle to
an owner occupier for £0.7 million, 69% above the value as at 31
March 2024 and are under offer to sell Copperfields, Dartford, in
an off-market transaction, and Admiral
House and Nicholson Gate, Fareham.
The portfolio as at 5 June 2024
consists of nine properties being eight investment properties and
one residential property in York.
Apartment sales at Hudson Quarter, York have
continued post 31 March 2024, with a further two apartment sales
having exchanged to the value of £1.2 million. There are 13 units
remaining and two units under offer. Sales of these will continue,
subject to market conditions which have materially improved since
the start of 2024.
The strategy for the remaining six investment
properties, which had a value of £54.4 million as at 31 March 2024,
assuming the completion of the sale of those properties currently
exchanged and that the agreed sales of Dartford and Fareham
complete is as follows:
Broad Street
Plaza, Halifax
The investment market for leisure assets is
currently difficult with debt finance being hard to obtain for such
assets, notwithstanding the diversity and longevity of income from
some of these assets, including Halifax. The lack of liquidity in
this sector means that valuations can be volatile. The current
income yield on a geared basis for Halifax is 35% and the WAULT to
expiry is 14.8 years (9.6 years to break).
There are also various ongoing asset management
initiatives that are targeted to be completed prior to sale but the
key determinant in terms of timing for disposal is an improvement
in debt markets and market sentiment for leisure assets.
Sol,
Northampton
As noted above, the agreement to regear the Vue
lease is transformational for this property and extends the WAULT
to 13.4 years on expiry and 13.1 years to break. There are also
other negotiations with both existing and prospective tenants for
repositioning some of the units with the potential to improve and
diversify the overall leisure offering at the property which will
contribute towards it being an in-town destination
centre.
On the investment side, as is the case with
Halifax, the leisure market is weak with a limited pool of buyers
and therefore, the focus is on the asset management activity to
drive value and the timing for the disposal of Sol will depend on
an improvement in debt and property markets.
St James'
Gate, Newcastle
Active asset management initiatives are
underway and further lettings of the vacant space are required in
order to increase the occupancy from its current level of 77% and
extend the WAULT prior to the asset being ready for sale.
Additionally, a track record of occupancy and operating income
under the management agreement with Orega needs to be established
before a sale can be contemplated as to sell otherwise will not, in
our view, realise full value. The lettings to Softcat plc and Orega
demonstrate the potential of this property.
HQ, York
(Commercial)
We are under offer on the lower ground vacant
office suite (3,660 sq ft) and, assuming the lease is completed,
the property will be 90% occupied with only half a floor (2,932 sq
ft) remaining available. We have also removed significant lease
breaks on the 4th and 5th floors thus
extending the WAULT from 4.9 to 6.5 years. HQ York is an
institutional grade property and subject to market conditions and
the level of interest rates, it is expected that it will be
marketed in Autumn 2024.
Imperial Court
and House, Leamington Spa
This property is now fully let following the
recent letting of Imperial Court to Lighthouse Games. Other asset
management activities are under way in order to achieve a vacant
possession block date in five years' time which will provide an
opportunity for a potential redevelopment of the entire
site.
It is expected that this property will be
marketed in Autumn 2024.
The Forum,
Exeter
We are actively exploring the principle of a
change of use for this 1970s office building to one that we believe
will realise more value on sale. As part of this strategy, we are
looking to achieve a vacant possession block date within the next
three years and are in the process of preparing a pre-application
submission to Exeter City Council.
If these initiatives are successful, we will
then market the property for sale which is likely to be in Q4
2024/Q1 2025 subject to market conditions.
Post 31 March 2024, total residential and
investment sales exchanged or completed currently stand at £20.4
million and as a result, since the change of strategy announcement
on 19 July 2022, investment property disposals (either completed or
exchanged) have generated proceeds of £124.0 million at a 17.0%
reduction to the March 2022 valuation (which was the peak of the
current property cycle) or 3.7% ahead when compared with the
relevant March valuation prior to sale.
Daniel Davies, Head of Asset Management
Thomas Hood, Head of Investment
5 June 2024
FINANCIAL REVIEW
Financial
Overview
The Group's adjusted profit before
tax decreased to £5.4 million (2023: £7.6 million)
as a result of income lost through
disposals.
Principally as a result of the
revaluation deficit on the portfolio equivalent to 39 pence per
share, offset by the 8 pence per share share-buyback accretion,
EPRA NTA per share decreased by 11.5% to 262 pence per share (2023:
296 pence per share).
Against a backdrop of economic uncertainty, the
Group continued to deliver at an operational level, by
significantly reducing gross debt in a rising interest rate
environment and making substantial progress in reducing
administration costs, with £0.9 million of annualised cost savings
made in the year.
Investment property sales during the
year period realised a profit of £2.3 million (2023: £0.8 million) whilst
trading profits from the sale of residential units
contributed £0.2 million (2023: £0.5 million).
The deficit on the revaluation of
the portfolio for the year of £15.4 million was due principally to
softening yields across the whole portfolio but particularly during
the second half of the financial year in relation to the two
leisure assets which accounted for approximately half of the
deficit.
Contractual payments to the former Chief
Financial Officer and staff of £0.6 million, including associated
costs, have been treated as an exceptional item.
A provision of £0.6 million in relation to the
Short Term Incentive Plan ("STIP"), which was introduced during
FY24, has been made although no payment will be due until the
Completion Date has been determined in accordance with the rules of
the STIP.
Together with other items totalling
£0.6 million, the aggregation of the profits and losses described
in the preceding paragraphs account for the IFRS loss before tax
for the year of £9.3 million (2023: £35.8 million loss).
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
|
2024
|
2023
|
Income growth
|
|
|
IFRS loss before tax
|
(£9.3m)
|
(£35.8m)
|
Adjusted profit before
tax
|
£5.4m
|
£7.6m
|
EPRA earnings
|
£4.0m
|
£5.7m
|
Basic EPS
|
(23.7p)
|
(80.2p)
|
EPRA EPS
|
10.1p
|
12.7p
|
Adjusted EPS
|
13.8p
|
17.1p
|
Dividend for the year
|
15.0p
|
15.0p
|
|
|
|
Capital growth
|
|
|
Like-for-like valuation
decrease
|
(15.5%)
|
(18.6%)
|
Net Asset Value
|
£97.8m
|
£128.5m
|
Basic NAV per share
|
260p
|
294p
|
EPRA NTA per share
|
262p
|
296p
|
Total accounting return
|
(6.4%)
|
(20.4%)
|
Total shareholder return
|
13.7%
|
(15.9%)
|
|
|
|
The summary of the Group financial results are
as follows:
Income
Statement Summary
|
|
|
|
|
|
Property operating expenses
|
|
|
Expected Credit Loss provision
|
|
|
|
|
|
Recurring administration expenditure
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Adjusted
profit before tax
|
|
|
|
|
|
Adjusted
profit after tax
|
|
|
Payments to former Directors and Staff
(including associated costs)
|
|
|
Short term incentive plan provision (including
associated costs)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Profit on disposal of investment
properties
|
|
|
Other income statement movements
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net rental income reduced by £6.0 million or
38.5% to £9.6 million (2023: £15.6 million) largely due to net
income lost from disposals in the year of £5.0 million. Property
operating expenses remained stable at £2.5 million, with void
savings from disposals in the year of £0.2 million being offset by
a £0.1 million increase in void costs as a result of inflationary
pressures on service charge and insurance costs on our remaining
vacant units.
The Company has continued to reduce its cost
base, with annualised cost savings of £0.9 million in the year. As
a result of cost savings implemented in the prior year of £1.4
million, total savings for FY23 and FY24 to date are £2.3 million.
Recurring administrative costs in the year reduced by 36.6% to £2.6
million (March 2023: £4.1 million) for the period.
Finance costs reduced by £2.0 million or 51.3%
to £1.9 million (2023: 3.9 million) as a direct result of repaying
all of its floating rate debt facilities in the year. The Group
priorities keeping cash reserves in its instant access deposit
account, and during the year, our active cash management enabled us
to receive £0.3 million in interest income.
Rent collection remained strong at 98% (2023:
99%) throughout the year as tenant financial covenant health
remained robust through the economic uncertainty.
|
Quarter
starting
Mar 23
£m
|
Quarter
starting
Jun 23
£m
|
Quarter
starting
Sep 23
£m
|
Quarter
starting
Dec 23
£m
|
Year
ended
31 Mar 24
£m
|
Total demanded
|
3.9
|
3.0
|
2.8
|
2.4
|
12.1
|
Total collected
|
3.9
|
3.0
|
2.7
|
2.3
|
11.9
|
Outstanding
|
-
|
-
|
0.1
|
0.1
|
0.2
|
Current
collection rates
|
99%
|
99%
|
99%
|
96%
|
98%
|
Shareholder
value
EPRA Net Tangible Assets ("NTA") decreased by
34.0 pence per share or 11.5% to 262 pence (2023: 296 pence) during
the year. This was largely due to the revaluation deficit of £15.4
million or 38.9 pence per share, equivalent to a 15.5% reduction in
the portfolio on a like-for-like basis.
Other movements to note include the buyback of
shares of £15.2 million, increasing EPRA NTA by 8.0 pence per
share, the profit on disposal of assets and Hudson Quarter trading
profit of £2.5 million, contributing 6.3 pence per share. These
were offset by the fair value, downward adjustment of trading
properties (HQ York residential) of £0.3 million, or 0.7 pence per
share, the payments including associated costs to the former
Director and Staff of £0.6 million reducing EPRA NTA by 1.5 pence
per share, and the Short Term Incentive Plan provision of £0.6
million or 1.6 pence per share. Net adjusted earnings after
dividends paid, decreased EPRA NTA by a further 1.2 pence per
share. Other movements contributed to a further reduction of 4.4
pence per share.
EPRA Net
Tangible Assets Movement
|
£m
|
No. of diluted
shares
|
Pence per
share
|
EPRA NTA at 31
March 2023
|
129.3
|
43,728,212
|
296p
|
Share buyback
|
(15.2)
|
(6,160,000)
|
8.0p
|
EPRA NTA after
buyback
|
114.1
|
37,568,212
|
304p
|
Adjusted earnings before tax
|
5.4
|
|
13.8p
|
Profit on disposal of investment
properties
|
2.3
|
|
5.8p
|
Hudson Quarter trading profit
|
0.2
|
|
0.5p
|
Loss on revaluation of investment
properties
|
(15.4)
|
|
(38.9p)
|
Cash dividends paid
|
(6.0)
|
|
(15.0p)
|
Fair value adjustment of trading
properties
|
(0.3)
|
|
(0.7p)
|
Short term incentive plan provision (incl.
associated costs)
|
(0.6)
|
|
(1.6p)
|
Payments to former Directors and Staff (incl.
associated costs)
|
(0.6)
|
|
(1.5p)
|
Other movements*
|
(0.8)
|
(13,687)
|
(4.4p)
|
EPRA NTA at 31
March 2024
|
98.3
|
37,554,525
|
262p
|
*Other movements include debt termination
costs, shares purchased by EBT, the denominator effect of the
reduced number of shares at period end compared with the average
for the period and the effect of rounding.
FINANCING
The Group significantly reduced its gross debt
in the year by 87.1% to £8.3 million (2023: £64.3 million) and at
the year end only one debt facility remained which is at a fixed
interest rate of 2.9% until July 2026. The significant
de-leveraging of the balance sheet resulted in a net cash position
of £11.5 million as at the year end (2023: Net debt £58.8 million,
LTV 31%) which has increased to £19.7 million as at 5 June.
Proforma cash reserves, assuming that all exchanged properties
complete, are currently £30.1 million.
The average cost of debt in the year reduced to
2.9% (2023: 5.8%), as a result of repaying all the floating rate
debt facilities. This included full repayment of the Santander,
Barclays, NatWest, and Lloyds debt facilities. The Group
prioritised repayment of floating rate facilities to minimise the
exposure and impact of interest rate increases to the Group. At 31
March 2024, we held £8.3 million of fixed debt (2023: £8.6
million), which was 100% of overall debt (2023: 13%).
Set out below is a table showing the movement in
gross debt during the year:
|
£m
|
Gross debt at
31 March 2023
|
64.3
|
Repayment of debt from disposals
|
(54.6)
|
Amortisation of loans
|
(1.4)
|
Gross debt at
31 March 2024
|
8.3
|
Amortisation of loans
|
(0.1)
|
Gross debt at 5
June 2024
|
8.2
|
The Group's key debt metrics are summarised in
the table below:
DEBT
METRICS
|
31
March
2024
|
31
March
2023
|
Loan to value
|
nil
|
31%
|
Total gross debt
|
£8.3m
|
£64.3m
|
Total fixed debt
|
£8.3m
|
£8.6m
|
Average cost of debt
|
2.9%
|
5.8%
|
Average debt maturity
|
2.3
years
|
2.0 years
|
NAV gearing
|
nil
|
46%
|
Andrew
Wolfe
FINANCIAL
CONTROLLER
5 June 2024
RISK MANAGEMENT
RISK FRAMEWORK
The Board has overall responsibility
for ensuring that an effective system of risk management and
internal control exists within the business and confirms that it
has undertaken a robust assessment of the Group's emerging and
principal risks and uncertainties.
Risk management is an inherent part
of the Board's decision making process. This is then embedded into
the business and its systems and processes. The Board reviews its
overall risk appetite and regularly considers, via the Audit and
Risk Committee, the principal risks facing the company,
management's plans for mitigating these and emerging risks. The
Committee also considers, at least annually, the effectiveness of
the Company's system of risk management and internal control.
Further information on the work of the Committee in this area is
available in the Audit and Risk Committee report in the Report and
Accounts.
Our approach to risk identification
and our open and supportive culture means that asset managers and
key individuals in the finance team are able to report directly and
at an early stage on issues, allowing management to take
appropriate mitigating action.
EMERGING RISKS
If economic and geo-political stability remains
uncertain or worsens, this could have an impact on the commercial
property market with reduced valuations and rental income. Further
cost of living issues may negatively impact consumer sentiment and
inflation could reduce spending further while direct and indirect
costs to the Group may increase further which may not be fully
recoverable. A prolonged bout, new variants of COVID-19 or further
pandemics may lead to further interruption of large parts of the
economy for a significant period.
GOING CONCERN
ASSESSMENT
In accordance with the 2018 UK Corporate
Governance Code (the Code), the Directors have assessed the Group's
position over the:
·
Short-term (over the next 12 months to June 2025 as required
by the 'Going concern' provision) and;
·
Medium-term (a 3 year period to June 2027 as required by the
'Viability statement' provision)
GOING
CONCERN
The Directors regularly assess the Group's
ability to continue as a going concern. The Strategic report sets
out in detail the Group's financial position, cash flows, liquidity
position, borrowing facilities and the factors which will affect
future performance. In assessing the going concern, the Directors
considered:
· The
Group's current financial position including cash and drawn
debt
· The
Group's 12 month 'base case scenario' forecast to June 2025, which
is management's best estimate of market and business changes,
taking into account:
o Disposal of
investment properties
o Residential
sales
o Ability to
satisfy bank covenants
o Committed
capital expenditure
o Rent
collection
·
Downside scenario on the 12 month base
case scenario forecast to June 2025
The Group is in a strong financial position. At
31 March 2024 the Group had £19.8 million of cash and cash
equivalents. The fair value of our property portfolio is £88.7
million with net assets of £97.8 million. During the year, the
Group repaid £56.0 million of floating rate debt, funded by
investment property and Hudson Quarter residential sales, with
drawn debt at 31 March 2024 of £8.3 million (31 March 2023: £64.3
million). The Group only has one debt facility remaining, which is
at a fixed interest rate of 2.9% and matures in July 2026. The
Group was in a net cash position of £11.5 million at year end (31
March 2023: Net debt of £58.8 million, LTV of 31%). During the
year, the Group collected 98% of all rents and complied with all
ICR and LTV bank covenants, despite rising interest rates. At the
date of this assessment, there are no bank facilities expiring
within the going concern period. In addition to the strong
financial position of the Group at 31 March 2024, the Group
continued to strengthen its balance sheet post year end, with three
investment properties completed or exchanged for £18.5 million,
0.1% ahead of 31 March 2024 book values. At the date of this
assessment, cash of £27.9 million and drawn debt of £8.2
million.
The Directors conducted a detailed 12 month base
case scenario forecast to June 2025, making various assumptions
over asset sales, rent collection and committed capital
expenditure. The forecasts indicated that the Group:
· Has
strong sustainable cash flows and would be able to meet its
liabilities as they fall due over the next 12 months
and;
·
Will comply with all ICR and LTV bank
covenants
In addition to the detailed 12 month base case
scenario forecast to June 2025, the Directors have considered a
downside scenario in assessing the Groups' ability to continue as a
going concern. Sensitivity analyses were undertaken to assess the
impact on the business and in particular the bank
covenants.
The downside scenario assumptions used in the
assessment included:
•
30% reduction in all property bank valuations
•
15% reduction in rent collection
•
Slowdown in residential sales
Even on the downside scenario described above,
the Group will still be able to meet its liabilities as they fall
due over the next 12 months and will still be compliant on all ICR
and LTV bank covenants. As the only debt facility remaining is at a
fixed interest rate of 2.9%, rising interest rates will not impact
its ICR covenants.
GOING CONCERN
STATEMENT
Based on the analysis undertaken on the base
case and downside scenario, the Group has sufficient liquidity to
meet its ongoing liabilities that fall due over the assessment
period. Given the market information available, the Directors are
not aware of any material uncertainty that exists that may cast
doubt upon the Group's or Company's ability to continue as a going
concern. As a result, the Directors consider it appropriate to
continue to prepare the financial statements on a going concern
basis. The Board notes that it shall take time to prepare assets
for possible disposal in line with its stated strategy.
VIABILITY
In accordance with provision 31 of the UK
Corporate Governance Code and taking into consideration the current
economic uncertainty, the Directors have assessed the prospects of
the Group and future viability over a three-year period to June
2027, being longer than the 12 months required by the "Going
Concern" provision.
The Board's assessment of the Group's viability
for the next three years has been made with reference
to:
•
The impact of the current economic uncertainties and
resulting impact on the Group and our tenants' ability to operate
and meet their rental obligations.
•
The key principal risks of the business and its risk
appetite.
•
The impact on business operations, mainly rent collection,
and progress on residential sales at Hudson Quarter, in the event
of a downturn in the economy.
•
The Group's current position and its ability to meet future
financial obligations to remain covenant compliant.
REVIEW
PERIOD
The Board considers a period of three years to
be appropriate over which to assess the long-term viability of the
Company for the following reasons:
•
It reflects the Group's view on the length of time needed to
complete asset management initiatives
•
The Group's debt maturity at 31 March 2024 was 2.3
years
•
The Group's WAULT to break at 31 March 2024 was 5.4
years
ASSESSMENT
The Directors conducted a detailed 3-Year
viability assessment which included a base case scenario forecast
to June 2027, making various assumptions over asset sales, rent
collection and committed capital expenditure.
In addition to the base case scenario, the
Directors have undertaken a robust scenario assessment of the risks
which could threaten the 3-year viability or the operational
existence of the Group. As part of the reasonable downside
modelling, the Directors have stress-tested working capital model
and cash flows using the same assumptions as stated above in the
Going Concern assessment.
The Group will likely be smaller resulting from
asset sales but having assessed the current position of the Group,
its prospects and principal risks and taking into consideration the
assumptions stated above, the Board has a reasonable expectation
that the Group will be able to continue in operation and meet its
liabilities as they fall due over the next three years.
STRATEGIC RISKS
|
|
|
|
FINANCIAL RISKS
|
01
MARKET CYCLE ECONOMIC AND POLITICAL
|
|
|
|
02
CAPITAL STRUCTURE AND LIQUIDITY
|
Risk description
Failure to react appropriately to
changing market conditions and adapt our corporate strategy could
negatively impact shareholder returns. A downturn in the
market could reduce the appetite in the investment market, leading
to lower valuations and affecting our disposal strategy and ability
to return capital to shareholders.
Uncertainty in the UK economic
landscape, global supply chain issues, inflation and interest rates
brings risks to the property market, supply chains and to
occupiers' businesses. This can significantly impact market
sentiment and our ability to extract value from our properties
resulting in lower shareholder returns, reduced liquidity and
increased occupier failure.
|
|
|
|
Risk description
An inappropriate level of gearing or
failure to comply with debt covenants or manage re-financing events
could put pressure on cash resources and lead to a funding
shortfall for operational activities.
Increasing costs of borrowing and
increasing interest rates could affect the Group's ability to
borrow or reduce its ability to repay its debts
|
Mitigation
The Board monitors macro economic
issues, market indicators and reviews the Group's strategy and
business objectives on a regular basis. It will tailor the delivery
of the Company's strategy in light of current and forecast market
conditions. Disposal of other assets will continue if the
market conditions allow for value to be achieved, whilst active
asset management of the assets will continue to support in
delivering returns to shareholders. Third party agent's advice is
taken on all disposals. Exco regularly reviews market
conditions.
|
|
|
|
Mitigation
The Board regularly reviews its
capital risk management policy, gearing strategy and debt maturity
profile. The Group's LTV limit is 35%, and capital has been used to
repay debt to reduce exposure to interest rate volatility and
ensure debt compliance. Management maintains a close relationship
with its lender. The Board reviews financial forecasts
on a regular basis, including sensitivity against financial
covenants. The Audit and Risk Committee considers the going concern
status of the Group biannually. The Board considers the allocation
of its capital in granular detail to ensure the most efficient use.
Sales of assets can be used to repay debt, fund working capital
requirements or return to shareholders.
|
Current position
The Board is monitoring and
considering the longer term impacts of the cycle including the
potential future of the office and the effects of the enhanced ESG
requirements.
|
|
|
|
Current position
The Group's weighted average debt
maturity is currently c2.3 years. The Group's LTV limit is
35% but current LTV is nil. The Company has repaid £56.0
million of bank debt in the year to 31 March 2024.
|
Likelihood after mitigation
Score 1 (low) - 10 (high)
6
|
|
|
|
Likelihood after mitigation
Score 1 (low) - 10 (high)
3
|
Impact after mitigation
Score 1 (low) - 10 (high)
6
|
|
|
|
Impact after mitigation
Score 1 (low) - 10 (high)
2
|
Overall Risk Rating
Score 1 (low) - 20 (high)
12
|
|
|
|
Overall Risk Rating
Score 1 (low) - 20 (high)
5
|
|
|
03
PORTFOLIO STRATEGY
|
|
04
ASSET MANAGEMENT
|
|
|
Risk description
An inappropriate investment strategy
that is not aligned to overall corporate purpose objectives,
economic conditions, or tenant demand may result in lower
investment returns.
|
|
Risk description
Failure to implement asset business
plans and elevated risks associated with refurbishment could lead
to longer void periods, higher arrears and overall investment
performance, adversely impacting returns and cashflows.
|
|
|
Mitigation
The Board regularly reviews the
Group's investment strategy and asset allocation to ensure this is
aligned to the overall corporate strategy.
|
|
Mitigation
The process for reviewing asset
business plans is embedded in the annual budget process. Our
experienced management team and use of advisors and property
managers supports the execution of asset management
strategies..
|
|
|
Current position
The Company is selectively marketing
certain assets, as the market stabilisation and recovery continues.
Asset management initiatives utilised to maximise value. Appraisals
for improving properties e.g. via refurbishment are ongoing for
certain assets.
|
|
Current position
Our refurbishment pipeline is
continuously assessed to ensure the right projects are being
brought forward at appropriate times ensuring exposure at any one
time is limited. The Executive Committee is reviewing the Group's
Health and Safety systems and processes to ensure appropriate
oversight of assets.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Likelihood after mitigation
Score 1 (low) - 10 (high)
4
|
|
Likelihood after mitigation
Score 1 (low) - 10 (high)
4
|
|
|
Impact after mitigation
Score 1 (low) - 10 (high)
6
|
|
Impact after mitigation
Score 1 (low) - 10 (high)
4
|
|
|
Overall Risk Rating
Score 1 (low) - 20 (high)
10
|
|
Overall Risk Rating
Score 1 (low) - 20 (high)
8
|
PORTFOLIO RISKS
|
|
|
|
OPERATIONAL
RISKS
|
05
VALUATION
|
|
06
TENANT DEMAND
AND DEFAULT
|
|
07
BUSINESS CONTINUITY AND CYBER SECURITY
|
Risk description
Decreasing capital and rental values
could impact the Group's portfolio valuation leading to lower
returns. Higher cost of debt can lead to property yields to be
pushed out and valuations to fall as a result. Increasing gilt
yields, can leave property investment less attractive unless the
desired return can be achieved.
|
|
Risk description
Failure to adapt to changing
occupier demands and/or poor tenant covenants may result in us
losing significant tenants, which could materially impact income,
capital values and profit. Rising inflation, interest rates and
living costs could impact tenant businesses, such as the leisure
industry, as demand falls for discretionary spending.
|
|
Risk description
Business disruption as a result of
physical damage to buildings, Government policy and measures
implemented in response to pandemics, cyber attacks or other
operational or IT failures or unforeseen events may impact income
and profits.
|
Mitigation
Independent valuations are
undertaken for all assets at the half year and year end. These are
reviewed by management and the Board. Members of the Audit and Risk
Committee meet with the valuers at least once a year to discuss
valuations and the valuation process. Management actively review
leases, tenant covenants and asset management initiatives to grow
capital and rental values.
|
|
Mitigation
Management maintain close
relationships with tenants understanding their needs and supporting
them throughout their business cycle. Managing agents support rent
collection and collection of arrears on a regular basis. Tenant due
diligence and credit checks are undertaken on an ongoing basis to
review covenant strength of existing and prospective tenants.
The finance and property teams monitor all current tenant
covenants and all future new tenants. All arrears are monitored on
an ongoing basis.
|
|
Mitigation
Our governance structure and
internal control systems ensure sufficient Board oversight, with
delegated responsibilities, segregation of duties and clear
authorisation processes. A comprehensive programme of insurance is
in place which covers buildings, loss of rent, cyber risks,
Directors' and Officers liability and public liability. Antivirus
software and firewalls protect IT systems and data is regularly
backed up.
|
Current position
Valuations of the portfolio reflect
the commercial property market in general. The team continue to
work to mitigate against falls in value through active asset
management including ESG improvements.
|
|
Current position
Rent collection rates remain robust
at 98%. The team are closely monitoring tenant covenants in high
risk sectors, ensuring we are aware of any tenant distress which
can impact the rental collection.
|
|
Current position
The Board continues to review the
internal control environment and ensure good governance practices
are adopted throughout the business. Cyber security arrangements
have been kept under regular review to ensure we are deploying the
most up to date technologies.
|
Likelihood after mitigation
Score
1 (low) - 10 (high)
7
|
|
Likelihood after mitigation
Score
1 (low) - 10 (high)
4
|
|
Likelihood after mitigation
Score
1 (low) - 10 (high)
2
|
Impact after mitigation
Score 1 (low) - 10 (high)
8
|
|
Impact after mitigation
Score 1 (low) - 10 (high)
7
|
|
Impact after mitigation
Score 1 (low) - 10 (high)
2
|
Overall Risk Rating
Score 1 (low) - 20 (high)
15
|
|
Overall Risk Rating
Score 1 (low) - 20 (high)
11
|
|
Overall Risk Rating
Score 1 (low) - 20 (high)
4
|
ENVIRONMENTAL, SOCIAL AND GOVERNANCE RISKS
|
|
|
8
PEOPLE
|
|
9
CLIMATE CHANGE
|
|
10
REGULATORY AND TAX
|
Risk description
An inability to attract or retain
staff with the right skills and experience or failure to implement
appropriate succession plans may result in significant
underperformance or impact the overall effectiveness of our
operations. Health and Safety of staff and others including tenants
both physically and mentally and providing a safe and healthy
environment in our properties is of utmost importance. Failure to
do so could lead to staff and tenant ill health, litigation and
regulatory issues, negative media and market sentiment against the
Company.
|
|
Risk description
Longer term failure to anticipate
and prepare for transition and physical risks associated with
climate change including increasing policy and compliance risks
associated with existing and emerging environmental legislation
could lead to increased costs and the Group's assets becoming
obsolete or unable to attract occupiers.
|
|
Risk description
Non-compliance with the legal and
regulatory requirements of a public real estate company, including
the REIT regime could result in convictions or fines and negatively
impact reputation.
|
Mitigation
We engage with staff regularly and
encourage a positive working environment. We maintain an attractive
reward and benefits package and undertake regular performance
reviews for each employee. Insurance cover is in place for
Directors. Health and Safety is undertaken both internally and via
the tenants and a key issue for our property managers.
|
|
Mitigation
The Group's ESG Committee oversees
the execution of ESG related matters and ensures these are
integrated into our business model and corporate strategy. Climate
related risks are considered as part of our overall corporate risk
assessment and ongoing environmental management of our
buildings.
|
|
Mitigation
The Company employs experienced
staff and external advisers to provide guidance on key regulatory,
accounting and tax issues. Compliance with the REIT regime is
regularly monitored by the Board and the Executive team consider
the impact on the regime as part of their decision
making.
|
Current position
A competitive employment market and
inflationary pressures are driving increased pay and benefits to
ensure attraction and retention of individuals with the skills,
knowledge and experience required to implement the strategy. The
Group's headcount is now stable with sufficient cover if any key
personnel are unavailable. Employee engagement is high with regular
meetings between employees and the Directors ensuring that the
Board understands the views of the whole workforce.
|
|
Current position
There has been an increased focus on
environmental management and management have focused on asset
management initiatives to increase the EPC ratings of our assets,
increasing the marketability of the assets in a cost effective
way.
|
|
Current position
Emerging corporate governance and
audit reforms, require additional processes and procedures to be
put in place and additional reporting on the company's resilience.
The Board is overseeing these changes.
|
Likelihood after mitigation
Score
1 (low) - 10 (high)
5
|
|
Likelihood after mitigation
Score
1 (low) - 10 (high)
5
|
|
Likelihood after mitigation
Score
1 (low) - 10 (high)
4
|
Impact after mitigation
Score 1 (low) - 10 (high)
7
|
|
Impact after mitigation
Score 1 (low) - 10 (high)
5
|
|
Impact after mitigation
Score 1 (low) - 10 (high)
2
|
Overall Risk Rating
Score 1 (low) - 20 (high)
12
|
|
Overall Risk Rating
Score 1 (low) - 20 (high)
10
|
|
Overall Risk Rating
Score 1 (low) - 20 (high)
6
|
Statement of Directors'
Responsibilities
The
Directors are responsible for preparing the Annual Report and the
Group and Company financial statements in accordance with
applicable law and regulations.
Company law requires the Directors
to prepare Group and Company financial statements for each
financial year. Under that law, the Directors have prepared the
Group financial statements in accordance with International
Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs) as issued by UK adopted IFRS
and applicable law and have elected to prepare the Company
financial statements in accordance with United Kingdom Generally
Accepted Accounting Practice (United Kingdom Accounting Standards
and applicable law).
Under company law the Directors must
not approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied that
they give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Group
and the Company and of the profit or loss of the Group and the
Company for the period. In preparing each of the Group and Company
financial statements the Directors are required to:
• select suitable
accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
• make judgements and
estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
• for the Group
financial statements, state whether they have been prepared in
accordance with international accounting standards in conformity
with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 and international
financial reporting standards as issued by UK adopted IFRS and
applicable law subject to any material departures disclosed and
explained in the financial statements;
• for the Company
financial statements, state whether they have been prepared in
accordance with UK GAAP, subject to any material departure
disclosed and explained in the parent company financial
statements;
• prepare the financial
statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to
presume that the Group and the parent Company will continue in
business; and
• under applicable law
and regulations, the Directors are also responsible for preparing a
Strategic Report, Directors' Report, Directors' Remuneration Report
and Corporate Governance Statement that complies with that law and
those regulations.
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
requirements of the Companies Act 2006 and, as regards the Group
Financial Statements, Article 4 of the IAS Regulations.
They are also responsible for
safeguarding the assets of the Group and hence for taking
reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and
other irregularities.
The Directors are responsible for
ensuring the Annual Report and the financial statements are made
available on a website. Financial statements are published on the
Company's website in accordance with legislation in the United
Kingdom governing the preparation and dissemination of financial
statements, which may vary from legislation in other jurisdictions.
The maintenance and integrity of the Company's website is the
responsibility of the Directors. The Directors' responsibility also
extends to the ongoing integrity of the financial statements
contained therein.
DIRECTORS' RESPONSIBILITIES STATEMENT
The Directors confirm to the best of
their knowledge:
• the financial
statements have been prepared in accordance with international
accounting standards in conformity with the requirements of the
Companies Act 2006, international financial reporting standards as
issued by UK adopted IFRS and applicable law, and give a true and
fair view of the assets, liabilities, financial position and profit
or loss of the Company and the undertakings included in the
consolidation as a whole;
• the Strategic Report
includes a fair review of the development and performance of the
business and the financial position of the Company and the
undertakings included in the consolidation as a whole, together
with a description of the principal risks and uncertainties that
they face; and
• the Annual Report and
Accounts, taken as a whole, is fair, balanced and understandable
and provides the information necessary for Shareholders to assess
the Group's and Company's performance, business model and
strategy.
On behalf of the Board
Phil Higgins
Company Secretary
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive
Income
for the year ended 31 March
2024
|
Note
|
2024
£'000
|
2023
£'000
|
Revenue
|
1
|
19,599
|
32,973
|
Cost of sales
|
3b
|
(9,776)
|
(17,147)
|
Movement in expected credit
loss
|
12
|
-
|
327
|
Net property income
|
|
9,823
|
16,153
|
Administrative expenses
|
3c
|
(3,998)
|
(6,094)
|
Operating profit before gains and losses on property
assets
|
|
5,825
|
10,059
|
Profit on disposal of investment
properties
|
|
2,298
|
819
|
Loss on revaluation of investment
property portfolio
|
9
|
(15,383)
|
(42,900)
|
Operating loss
|
|
(7,260)
|
(32,022)
|
Finance income
|
|
312
|
26
|
Finance expense
|
2
|
(1,909)
|
(3,970)
|
Debt termination costs
|
|
(459)
|
(15)
|
Changes in fair value of interest
rate derivatives
|
|
-
|
210
|
Loss before taxation
|
|
(9,316)
|
(35,771)
|
Taxation
|
5
|
(46)
|
67
|
Loss after taxation for the year and total comprehensive loss
attributable to owners of the Parent
|
|
(9,362)
|
(35,704)
|
Earnings per ordinary share
|
|
|
|
Basic
|
6
|
(23.7p)
|
(80.2p)
|
Diluted
|
6
|
(23.7p)
|
(80.2p)
|
All activities derive from
continuing operations of the Group. The notes form an integral part
of these financial statements.
Consolidated Statement of Financial Position
as at 31 March 2024
|
Note
|
2024
£'000
|
2023
£'000
|
Non-current assets
|
|
|
|
Investment properties
|
9
|
73,845
|
176,504
|
Right of use asset
|
11
|
38
|
132
|
Trade and other
receivables
|
12
|
5,625
|
4,360
|
Property, plant and
equipment
|
11
|
-
|
23
|
|
|
79,508
|
181,019
|
Current assets
|
|
|
|
Trading property
|
10
|
8,126
|
11,055
|
Trade and other
receivables
|
12
|
3,352
|
4,190
|
Cash and cash equivalents
|
13
|
19,766
|
5,509
|
|
|
31,244
|
20,754
|
Total assets
|
|
110,752
|
201,773
|
Current liabilities
|
|
|
|
Trade and other payables
|
14
|
(4,066)
|
(8,339)
|
Borrowings
|
15
|
(318)
|
(8,545)
|
Lease liabilities for right of use
asset
|
18
|
(39)
|
(132)
|
Creditors: amounts falling due within one
year
|
|
(4,423)
|
(17,016)
|
Net
current assets
|
|
26,821
|
3,738
|
Non-current liabilities
|
|
|
|
Borrowings
|
15
|
(7,933)
|
(55,129)
|
Short term incentive plan
provision
|
|
(565)
|
-
|
Deferred tax liability
|
5
|
(57)
|
(76)
|
Lease liabilities for investment
properties
|
18
|
-
|
(1,077)
|
Net
assets
|
|
97,774
|
128,475
|
Equity
|
|
|
|
Called up share capital
|
19
|
3,756
|
4,639
|
Treasury shares
|
|
-
|
(7,343)
|
Merger reserve
|
|
3,503
|
3,503
|
Capital redemption
reserve
|
|
1,223
|
340
|
Capital reduction reserve
|
|
89,931
|
118,477
|
(Accumulated losses)/retained
earnings
|
|
(639)
|
8,859
|
Equity - attributable to the owners of the
Parent
|
|
97,774
|
128,475
|
Basic NAV per ordinary
share
|
7
|
260p
|
294p
|
Diluted NAV per ordinary
share
|
7
|
260p
|
294p
|
These financial statements were
approved by the Board of Directors and authorised for issue on 5
June 2024 and are signed on its behalf by:
STEVEN OWEN
Executive Chairman
Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity
for the year ended 31 March
2024
|
Note
|
Share
Capital
£'000
|
Treasury
Share
Reserve
£'000
|
Other
Reserves
£'000
|
Capital Reduction
Reserve
£'000
|
Retained Earnings/
(Accumulated Losses)
£'000
|
Total
Equity
£'000
|
At
31 March 2022
|
|
4,639
|
(717)
|
3,843
|
125,019
|
44,420
|
177,204
|
Total comprehensive loss for the
year
|
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
(35,704)
|
(35,704)
|
Share-based payments
|
20
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
177
|
177
|
Exercise of share options
|
|
-
|
71
|
-
|
-
|
(71)
|
-
|
Issue of deferred bonus share
options
|
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
37
|
37
|
Dividends paid
|
8
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
(6,542)
|
-
|
(6,542)
|
Share buyback
|
|
-
|
(6,697)
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
(6,697)
|
At
31 March 2023
|
|
4,639
|
(7,343)
|
3,843
|
118,477
|
8,859
|
128,475
|
Total comprehensive loss for the
year
|
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
(9,362)
|
(9,362)
|
Share-based payments
|
20
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
137
|
137
|
Exercise of share options
|
|
-
|
161
|
-
|
-
|
(273)
|
(112)
|
Dividends paid
|
8
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
(6,045)
|
-
|
(6,045)
|
Share buyback
|
|
-
|
(15,179)
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
(15,179)
|
Shares purchased by employee
benefits trust
|
|
-
|
(140)
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
(140)
|
Cancellation of treasury
shares
|
|
(883)
|
22,501
|
883
|
(22,501)
|
-
|
-
|
At
31 March 2024
|
|
3,756
|
-
|
4,726
|
89,931
|
(639)
|
97,774
|
The share capital represents the
nominal value of the issued share capital of Palace Capital
plc.
Treasury shares represents the
consideration paid for shares bought back from the market. On 27
March 2024 all shares held in Treasury were cancelled.
Other reserves comprise the merger
reserve and the capital redemption reserve.
The merger reserve represents the
excess over nominal value of the fair value consideration for the
acquisition of subsidiaries satisfied by the issue of shares in
accordance with S612 of the Companies Act 2006.
The capital redemption reserve
represents the nominal value of cancelled preference share capital
redeemed.
The capital reduction reserve
represents distributable profits generated as a result of the share
premium reduction and cancellation of shares.
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows
for the year ended 31 March
2024
|
Note
|
2024
£'000
|
2023
£'000
|
Operating activities
|
|
|
|
Loss before taxation
|
|
(9,316)
|
(35,771)
|
Finance income
|
|
(312)
|
(26)
|
Finance expense
|
2
|
1,909
|
3,970
|
Changes in fair value of interest
rate derivatives
|
|
-
|
(210)
|
Loss on revaluation of investment
property portfolio
|
9
|
15,383
|
42,900
|
Profit on disposal of investment
properties
|
|
(2,298)
|
(819)
|
Debt termination costs
|
|
459
|
15
|
Depreciation of tangible fixed
assets
|
11
|
23
|
30
|
Amortisation of right of use
asset
|
11
|
119
|
82
|
Share-based payments
|
20
|
137
|
177
|
Increase in receivables
|
|
(2,536)
|
(1,140)
|
Decrease in payables
|
|
(3,369)
|
(415)
|
Decrease in trading
property
|
|
2,929
|
9,233
|
Net cash generated from
operations
|
|
3,128
|
18,026
|
Interest received
|
|
312
|
26
|
Interest and other finance charges
paid
|
|
(2,339)
|
(3,427)
|
Corporation tax paid in respect of
operating activities
|
|
-
|
(171)
|
Net cash flows from operating
activities
|
|
1,101
|
14,454
|
Investing activities
|
|
|
|
Capital expenditure on refurbishment
of investment property
|
|
(1,544)
|
(1,371)
|
Proceeds from disposal of investment
property
|
|
92,217
|
15,410
|
Purchase of property, plant and
equipment
|
11
|
-
|
(8)
|
Net cash flow generated from
investing activities
|
|
90,673
|
14,031
|
Financing activities
|
|
|
|
Bank loans repaid
|
17
|
(56,022)
|
(37,419)
|
Loan issue costs paid
|
17
|
-
|
(461)
|
Dividends paid
|
8
|
(6,045)
|
(6,542)
|
Share buyback
|
|
(15,179)
|
(6,697)
|
Payment of share options
exercised
|
|
(271)
|
-
|
Net cash flow used in financing
activities
|
|
(77,517)
|
(51,119)
|
Net increase/(decrease) in cash and
cash equivalents
|
|
14,257
|
(22,634)
|
Cash and cash equivalents at
beginning of the year
|
|
5,509
|
28,143
|
Cash and cash equivalents at the end
of the year
|
13
|
19,766
|
5,509
|
Notes to the Consolidated Financial
Statements
BASIS OF ACCOUNTING
Basis of preparation
These preliminary results have been
prepared in accordance with the Disclosure Guidance and
Transparency Rules of the UK Financial Conduct Authority and in
accordance with International Accounting Standards, in conformity
with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006, and International
Financial Reporting Standards, as issued by the IASB (IFRS-UK) and
applicable law.
The financial information does not
constitute the Group's financial statements for the periods ended
31 March 2024 or 31 March 2023, but is derived from those financial
statements. Financial statements for the year ended 31 March
2023 have been delivered to the Registrar of Companies and those
for the year ended 31 March 2024 will be delivered following the
Company's Annual General Meeting. The auditor's reports on
both the 31 March 2023 or 31 March 2024 financial statements were
unqualified; did not draw attention to any matters by way of
emphasis; and did not contain statements under section 498 (2) or
(3) of the Companies Act 2006.
The Directors continue to adopt the
going concern basis in preparing the Group's financial statements.
The consolidated financial statements of the Group comprise the
results of Palace Capital plc ("the Company") and its subsidiary
undertakings.
The Company is quoted on the Main
Market of the London Stock Exchange and is domiciled and registered
in England and Wales and incorporated under the Companies Act. The
address of its registered office is Thomas House, 84 Eccleston
Square, London, SW1V 1PX.
BASIS OF PREPARATION
The Group financial statements have
been prepared in accordance with UK-adopted International
Accounting Standards, (the 'applicable framework'), and have been
prepared in accordance with the provisions of the Companies Act
2006 (the 'applicable legal requirements'). The Group financial
statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention
as modified by the revaluation of investment properties, the
revaluation of property, plant and equipment, pension scheme and
financial assets held at fair value.
EXEMPTION TO THE AUDIT OF SUBSIDIARY ACCOUNTS UNDER SECTION
479A OF THE COMPANIES ACT 2006
The following subsidiaries which
consolidate into the Group accounts are exempt from being audited
under section 479A of the Companies Act 2006:
Palace Capital (Leeds) Limited
(Registered number: 06068651)
Palace Capital (Northampton) Limited
(Registered number: 04982121)
Palace Capital (Properties) Limited
(Registered number: 07866050)
Palace Capital (Developments)
Limited (Registered number: 09849073)
Palace Capital (Manchester) Limited
(Registered number: 09937194)
Palace Capital (Signal) Limited
(Registered number: 06991031)
Property Investment Holdings Limited
(Registered number: 00582889)
Palace Capital (Newcastle) Limited
(Registered number: 05348319)
Palace Capital (York) Limited
(Registered number: 12080228)
Palace Capital (Dartford) Limited
(Registered number: 10523678)
GOING CONCERN
The Directors have made an
assessment of the Group's ability to continue as a going concern
which included the current economic headwinds created by rising
inflation and rising interest rates, coupled with the Group's cash
resources, borrowing facilities, rental income, disposals of
investment properties, committed capital and other expenditure and
dividend distributions.
The Group's business activities,
together with the factors likely to affect its future performance
and position, are set out in the Strategic Report. The financial
position of the Group, its cash flows, liquidity position and
borrowing facilities are described in these financial statements.
In addition, note 26 to the financial statements includes the
Group's objectives, policies and processes for managing its
capital, its financial risk management objectives, details of its
financial instruments and its exposures to credit risk and
liquidity risk.
As at 31 March 2024 the Group had
£19.8m of unrestricted cash and cash equivalents and a property
portfolio with a fair value of £88.7m. At 31 March 2024 the Group
has £8.3m of debt, which was all at a fixed interest rate of 2.9%
until July 2026, resulting in the Group being in a net cash
position of £11.5m. The Directors have reviewed the forecasts for
the Group taking into account the impact of rising inflation and
rising interest rates on trading over the 12 months from the date
of signing this annual report. The forecasts have been assessed
against a downside scenario incorporating lower levels of income.
See Going Concern and Viability Statement of the Annual Report for
further details.
The Directors have a reasonable
expectation that the Group have adequate resources to continue in
operation for at least 12 months from the date of approval of the
financial statements. Accordingly, they continue to adopt the going
concern basis in preparing the financial statements.
NEW
STANDARDS ADOPTED DURING THE YEAR
New standards effective for the year
ended 31 March 2024 did not have a material impact on the financial
statements and were
not adopted.
New
standards issued but not yet effective
There are no other standards that
are not yet effective that would be expected to have a material
impact on the Group in the current or future reporting periods and
on the foreseeable future transactions, other than IFRS 18 which
was recently issued by the IASB and management are still
considering if and how this will impact the presentation of the
Statement of Comprehensive Income.
Basis of consolidation
The consolidated financial
statements incorporate the financial statements of Palace Capital
plc and its subsidiaries as at the year-end date.
Subsidiaries are all entities over
which the Company has control being: power to direct the activities
of the entity; exposure to variable returns from the entity; and
the ability of the Company to use its power to affect those
variable returns. Where necessary, adjustments have been made to
the financial statements of subsidiaries and associates to bring
the accounting policies used and accounting periods into line with
those of the Group. Intra-group balances and any unrealised gains
and losses arising from intra-group transactions are eliminated in
preparing the Consolidated Financial Statements.
The results of subsidiaries acquired
during a year are included from the effective date of acquisition,
being the date on which the Group obtains control until the date
that control ceases.
The consideration transferred for
the acquisition of a subsidiary is the fair value of the assets
transferred, the liabilities incurred and the equity interests
issued by the Group. This fair value includes any contingent
consideration. Acquisition-related costs are expensed
as incurred.
If the consideration is less than
the fair value of the assets and liabilities acquired, the
difference is recognised directly in the Statement of Comprehensive
Income.
Where an acquired subsidiary does
not meet the definition of a business, it is accounted for as an
asset acquisition rather than a business combination. A business is
an integrated set of activities and assets that is capable of being
conducted and managed for the purpose of providing goods or
services to customers, generating investment income (such as
dividends or interest) or generating other income from ordinary
activities.
Revenue
Revenue is primarily derived from
property income and represents the value of accrued charges under
operating leases for rental of
the Group's investment properties. Revenue is measured at the fair
value of the consideration received. All income is derived in the
United Kingdom.
Rental income from investment
properties leased out under operating leases is recognised in the
Statement of Comprehensive Income on a straight-line basis over the
term of the lease. Contingent rent reviews are recognised when such
reviews have been agreed with tenants. Lease incentives, rent
concessions and guaranteed rent review amounts are recognised as an
integral part of the net consideration for use of the property and
amortised on a straight-line basis over the term of lease.
Judgement is exercised when determining the term over which the
lease incentives should be recognised.
Amounts received from tenants to
terminate leases or to compensate for dilapidations are recognised
in the Group Statement of Comprehensive Income when the right to
receive them arises. Surrender premium income are payments received
from tenants to surrender their lease obligations and are
recognised immediately in the Group's Consolidated Statement of
Comprehensive Income.
Insurance commissions are recognised
as performance obligations are fulfilled in terms of the individual
performance obligations within the contract with the insurance
provider. Revenue is determined by the transaction price in the
contract and is measured at the fair value of the consideration
received. Revenue is recognised once the underlying contract
between insured and insurer has been signed.
Revenue from the sale of trading
properties is recognised when control of the trading property,
along with the significant risks and rewards, have transferred from
the Group, which is usually on completion of contracts and transfer
of property title.
Service charge income relates to
expenditure that is directly recoverable from tenants. Service
charge income is recognised as revenue in the period to which it
relates as required by IFRS 15 Revenue from Contracts with
Customers. Dividend income comprises dividends from the Group's
listed equity investments and is recognised when the Shareholder's
right to receive payment is established. Revenue is measured at the
fair value of the consideration received. All income is derived in
the United Kingdom.
The disposal of investment
properties is recognised when significant risks and rewards
attached to the property have transferred from the Group. This will
ordinarily occur on completion of contract, with such transactions
being recognised when this condition is satisfied. The profit or
loss on disposal of investment property is recognised separately in
the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income and is the
difference between the net sales proceeds and the opening fair
value asset plus any capital expenditure during the period to
disposal.
Deferred income
Where invoices to customers have
been raised which relate to a period after the Group year end,
being 31 March 2024, the Group will recognise deferred income for
the difference between revenue recognised and amounts billed for
that contract.
Cost of sales
Cost of sales includes direct
expenditure relating to the construction of the trading properties,
capitalised interest, and selling costs incurred as a result of
residential sales. Selling costs includes agent and legal fees.
Cost of sales is expensed to the income statement and is recognised
on completion of each residential unit. The cost for each unit is
calculated using the ratio of the unit selling price, over the
total forecasted sales proceeds of all residential units.
This ratio is then applied to the total forecasted
development cost to get the cost of sale per unit.
Service charges and other such
receipts arising from expenses recharged to tenants are as stated
in note 3b. Notwithstanding that the funds are held on behalf of
the occupiers, the ultimate risk for paying and recovering these
costs rests with the Group.
Borrowing costs
Bank borrowings are initially
recognised at fair value net of any transaction costs directly
attributable to the issue of the instrument. After initial
recognition, loans and borrowings are subsequently measured at
amortised cost using the effective interest method. Amortised cost
is calculated by taking into account any issue costs, and any
discount or premium on settlement. Gains and losses are recognised
in profit or loss in the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive
Income when the liabilities are derecognised, as well as through
the amortisation process.
Interest associated with trading
properties is capitalised from the start of the development work
until the date of practical completion. The rate used is the rate
on specific associated borrowings. Interest is then expensed
through the income statement post completion of the
development.
Financial assets
The Group classifies its financial
assets into one of the categories discussed below, depending on the
purpose for which the asset was acquired. The Group's accounting
policy for each category is as follows:
Fair value through profit or loss
This category comprises in-the-money
derivatives (see "Financial liabilities" section for
out-of-the-money derivatives classified as liabilities). They are
carried in the Consolidated Statement of Financial Position at fair
value with changes in fair value recognised in the Consolidated
Statement of Comprehensive Income in the finance income or expense
line.
Amortised cost
Impairment provisions for current
and non-current trade receivables are recognised based on the
simplified approach within IFRS 9 using a provision matrix in the
determination of the lifetime expected credit losses. During this
process the probability of the non-payment of the trade receivables
is assessed. This probability is then multiplied by the amount of
the expected loss arising from default to determine the lifetime
expected credit loss for the trade receivables. For trade
receivables, which are reported net, such provisions are recorded
in a separate provision account with the loss being recognised
within cost of sales in the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive
Income. On confirmation that the trade receivable will not be
collectable, the gross carrying value of the asset is written off
against the associated provision.
The Group's financial assets
measured at amortised cost comprise trade and other receivables and
cash and cash equivalents in the Consolidated Statement of
Financial Position.
Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents includes
cash in hand, deposits held at call with banks, and other
short-term highly liquid investments with original maturities of
three months or less.
Financial liabilities
The Group classifies its financial
liabilities into one of two categories, depending on the purpose
for which the liability was acquired. The Group's accounting policy
for each category is as follows:
Fair value through profit or loss
This category comprises
out-of-the-money derivatives (see "Financial assets" for
in-the-money derivatives where the time value offsets the negative
intrinsic value). They are carried in the Consolidated Statement of
Financial Position at fair value with changes in fair value
recognised in the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive
Income.
Amortised cost
Trade payables and accruals are
initially measured at fair value and are subsequently measured at
amortised cost, using the effective interest rate
method.
Other financial liabilities
Bank borrowings are initially
recognised at fair value net of any transaction costs directly
attributable to the issue of the instrument. Such interest-bearing
liabilities are subsequently measured at amortised cost using the
effective interest rate method, which ensures that any interest
expense over the period to repayment is at a constant rate on the
balance of the liability carried in the Consolidated Statement of
Financial Position. For the purposes of each financial liability,
interest expense includes initial transaction costs and any premium
payable on redemption, as well as any interest or coupon payment
while the liability is outstanding.
Contributions to pension schemes
The Company operates a defined
contribution pension scheme. The pension costs charged against
profits are the contributions payable to the scheme in respect of
the accounting period.
Investment properties
Investment properties are those
properties that are held either to earn rental income or for
capital appreciation or both.
Investment properties are measured
initially at cost including transaction costs and thereafter are
stated at fair value, which reflects market conditions at the
balance sheet date. Surpluses and deficits arising from changes in
the fair value of investment properties are recognised in the
Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income in the year in which
they arise.
Investment properties are stated at
fair value as determined by the independent external valuers. The
fair value of the Group's property portfolio is based upon
independent valuations and is inherently subjective. The fair value
represents the amount at which the assets could be exchanged
between a knowledgeable, willing buyer and a knowledgeable, willing
seller in an arm's length transaction at the date of valuation, in
accordance with Global Valuation Standards. In determining the fair
value of investment properties, the independent valuers make use of
historical and current market data as well as existing lease
agreements.
The Group recognises investment
property as an asset when it is probable that the economic benefits
that are associated with the investment property will flow to the
Group and it can measure the cost of the investment reliably. This
is usually the date of completion of acquisition or completion of
construction if the development is a mixed-use scheme.
Investment properties cease to be
recognised on completion of the disposal or when the property is
withdrawn permanently from use and no future economic benefit is
expected from disposal.
The Group evaluates all its
investment property costs at the time they are incurred. These
costs include costs incurred initially to acquire an investment
property and costs incurred subsequently to add to, replace part
of, or service a property. Any costs deemed as repairs and
maintenance or any costs associated with the day-to-day running of
the property are recognised in the Consolidated Statement of
Comprehensive Income as they are incurred.
Trading properties
Trading property is developed for
sale or held for sale after development is complete, and is carried
at the lower of cost and net realisable value. Trading properties
are derecognised on completion of sales contracts. Costs includes
direct expenditure and capitalised interest. Cost of sales,
including costs associated with off-plan residential sales, are
expensed to the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income as
incurred.
Current taxation
Current tax assets and liabilities
for the period not under UK REIT regulations are measured at the
amount expected to be recovered from or paid to the tax
authorities. The tax rates and the tax laws used to compute the
amount are those that are enacted or substantively enacted, by the
balance sheet date.
Deferred taxation
Deferred tax is the tax expected to
be payable or recoverable on differences between the carrying
amounts of assets and liabilities in the financial statements and
the corresponding tax bases used in the computation of taxable
profit, and is accounted for using the balance sheet liability
method. Deferred tax liabilities are generally recognised for all
taxable temporary differences and deferred tax assets are
recognised to the extent that it is probable that taxable profits
will be available against which deductible temporary differences
can be utilised. Such assets and liabilities are not recognised if
the temporary difference arises from goodwill or from the initial
recognition (other than in a business combination) of other assets
and liabilities in a transaction that affects neither the tax
profit nor the accounting profit.
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 profit or loss, except when it relates to
items charged or credited directly to other comprehensive income,
in which case the deferred tax is also dealt with in other
comprehensive income.
Dividends to equity holders of the parent
Interim ordinary dividends are
recognised when paid and final ordinary dividends are recognised as
a liability in the period in which they are approved by the
Shareholders.
Share-based payments
The fair value of the share options
are determined at the grant date and are expensed on a
straight-line basis over the vesting period. Non-market vesting
conditions are taken into account by adjusting the number of equity
instruments expected to vest at each reporting date so that
ultimately the cumulative amount recognised over the vesting period
is based on the number of options that eventually vest. Non-vesting
conditions and market vesting conditions are factored into the fair
values of the options granted. As long as all other vesting
conditions are satisfied, a charge is made irrespective of whether
the market vesting conditions are satisfied. The cumulative expense
is not adjusted for failure to achieve a market vesting condition
or where a non-vesting condition is not satisfied.
Equity
The share capital represents the
nominal value of the issued share capital of Palace Capital plc.
Share premium represents the excess over nominal value of the fair
value consideration received for equity shares net of expenses of
the share issue. Treasury share reserve represents the
consideration paid for shares bought back on the open market. The
merger reserve represents the excess over nominal value of the fair
value consideration for the acquisition of subsidiaries satisfied
by the issue of shares in accordance with S612 of the Companies Act
2006. The capital redemption reserve represents the nominal value
of cancelled share capital redeemed. The capital reduction reserve
represents distributable profits generated as a result of the share
premium reduction or cancellation of shares.
Critical accounting judgements and key sources of estimation
and uncertainty
The preparation of the financial
statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions
that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities,
disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities and the reported
amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period.
Actual results could differ from these estimates. Information about
such judgements and estimation is contained in the accounting
policies or the notes to the accounts, and the key areas are
summarised below.
Estimates
Property
Valuation
The key source of estimation
uncertainty rests in the values of property assets, which
significantly affects the value of investment properties in the
Consolidated Statement of Financial Position. The investment
property portfolio is carried at fair value, which requires a
number of estimates in assessing the Group's assets relative to
market transactions. The approach to this valuation and the amounts
affected are set out in the accounting policies and note
9.
Trading properties are held at the
lower of cost and net realisable value. Net realisable value is the
value of an asset that can be realised upon the sale of the asset,
less a reasonable estimate of the costs associated with the
eventual sale or disposal of the asset.
The Group has valued the investment
properties at fair value. To the extent that any future valuation
affects the fair value of the investment properties and assets held
for sale, this will impact on the Group's results in the period in
which this determination is made.
Short term incentive
plan
The amount recognised as the short
term incentive plan ('STIP') provision is management's estimate of
the total expected payout when the plan comes to an end, which has
been assumed as when all of the assets are sold. As the STIP is
"backend loaded" and only pays out when the Remuneration Committee
has determined that the performance period has ended under the
Rules of the STIP, the total estimated provision has been
calculated over the three year period to June 2027, consistent with
that adopted for the Viability Statement. As a result, the
provision recognised on the balance sheet for the year ended 31
March 2024 represents 12 months of this total estimated provision
which has been calculated by reference to sales achieved to date
and the assumed sales of the remaining assets to reflect the
uncertainty around financial and property markets. The timing and
success of future sales will impact the timing and quantum of the
total payment.
1.
RENTAL AND OTHER INCOME
The chief operating decision maker
("CODM") takes the form of the Group's Executive Committee which is
of the opinion that the principal activity of the Group is to
invest in commercial real estate in the UK.
Operating segments are identified on
the basis of internal financial reports about components of the
Group that are regularly reviewed by the CODM.
The internal financial reports
received by the Group's Executive Committee contain financial
information at a Group level as a whole and there are no
reconciling items between the results contained in these reports
and the amounts reported in the financial statements. Additionally,
information is provided to the Group's Executive Committee showing
gross property income and property valuation by individual
property. Therefore, each individual property is considered to be a
separate operating segment in that its performance is monitored
individually.
The Directors have considered the
requirements of IFRS 8 as to aggregation of operating segments into
reporting segments. All of the Group's revenue is generated
from investment and trading properties located outside of London.
The properties are managed as a single portfolio by an asset
management team whose responsibilities are not segregated by
location or type but are managed on an asset-by-asset
basis.
The route to market is determined by
reference to the current economic circumstances that fluctuate
through the life cycle of the portfolio. The Group holds a
diversified portfolio across different sectors including office,
retail, leisure, and residential. The Group has from time to time
engaged in development projects such as Hudson Quarter, York. This
is not regarded as a separate business or division.
The Directors therefore consider
that the individual properties have similar economic
characteristics and therefore have been aggregated into a single
reportable segment under the provision of IFRS 8.
All of the Group's properties are
based in the UK. No geographical grouping is contained in any of
the internal financial reports provided to the Group's Executive
Committee and, therefore, no geographical segmental analysis is
required.
Revenue - type
|
2024
£'000
|
2023
£'000
|
Gross rental income
|
11,603
|
17,425
|
Dilapidations and other property
related income
|
453
|
401
|
Insurance commission
|
58
|
68
|
Gross property income
|
12,114
|
17,894
|
Service charge income
|
4,286
|
4,974
|
Trading property income
|
3,199
|
10,105
|
Total revenue
|
19,599
|
32,973
|
No single tenant accounts for more
than 10% of the Group's total rents received from investment
properties in the year. The biggest tenant is 14.8% of the rent
roll as at 31 March 2024. Similarly, there was no individual or
corporate that accounts for more than 10% of the trading property
income.
2.
INTEREST PAYABLE AND SIMILAR CHARGES
|
2024
£'000
|
2023
£'000
|
Interest on bank loans
|
1,655
|
3,643
|
Amortisation of loan arrangement
fees
|
213
|
317
|
Other finance charges
|
41
|
10
|
|
1,909
|
3,970
|
3.
PROFIT FOR THE YEAR
a)
The Group's profit for the year is stated after charging the
following:
|
2024
£'000
|
2023
£'000
|
Depreciation of tangible fixed
assets and amortisation of right of use assets:
|
142
|
112
|
Auditor's remuneration:
|
|
|
Fees payable to the Auditor for the
audit of the Group's annual accounts and subsidiaries' annual
accounts
|
192
|
231
|
Additional fees payable to the
Auditor in respect of the 2022 audit
|
-
|
15
|
Fees payable to the Auditor and its
related entities for other services:
|
|
|
Audit related assurance services in
respect of the interim results
|
-
|
11
|
|
192
|
257
|
b)
The Group's cost of sales comprise the following:
|
2024
£'000
|
2023
£'000
|
Void property costs
|
1,871
|
2,076
|
Legal, lettings and consultancy
costs
|
601
|
502
|
Property operating
expenses
|
2,472
|
2,578
|
Service charge expenses
|
4,286
|
4,974
|
Trading property cost of
sales
|
3,018
|
9,595
|
|
9,776
|
17,147
|
c)
The Group's administrative expenses comprise the
following:
|
|
2024
£'000
|
2023
£'000
|
|
Recurring staff costs
|
1,675
|
2,560
|
|
Short term incentive plan provision
(including associated costs)
|
640
|
-
|
|
Payments to former Directors and
Staff (including associated costs)
|
611
|
1,835
|
|
Accounting, tax and audit
fees
|
280
|
318
|
|
Other overheads*
|
249
|
624
|
|
Share-based payments
|
137
|
177
|
|
Stock Exchange costs
|
132
|
207
|
|
Amortisation of right of use
asset
|
119
|
82
|
|
PR and marketing costs
|
79
|
108
|
|
Legal and professional
fees
|
40
|
82
|
Depreciation of tangible fixed
assets
|
23
|
30
|
|
ESG costs
|
13
|
71
|
|
|
3,998
|
6,094
|
|
|
|
|
*Other overheads comprise of
rent, rates, service charge, consulting, and other office
costs
d)
EPRA cost ratios are calculated as follows:
|
2024
£'000
|
2023
£'000
|
Gross property income
|
12,114
|
17,894
|
|
|
|
Administrative expenses
|
3,998
|
6,094
|
Property operating
expenses
|
2,472
|
2,578
|
Movement in expected credit
loss
|
-
|
(327)
|
EPRA costs (including property
operating expenses)
|
6,470
|
8,345
|
EPRA cost ratio (including property
operating expenses)
|
53.4%
|
46.6%
|
|
|
|
Less property operating
expenses
|
(2,472)
|
(2,578)
|
EPRA costs (excluding property
operating expenses)
|
3,998
|
5,767
|
EPRA cost ratio (excluding property
operating expenses)
|
33.0%
|
32.2%
|
Total expense ratio
|
3.6%
|
3.0%
|
4.
EMPLOYEES AND DIRECTORS' REMUNERATION
Staff costs during the period were
as follows:
|
2024
£'000
|
2023
£'000
|
Non-Executive Directors'
fees
|
151
|
300
|
Wages and salaries
|
1,181
|
1,828
|
Pensions
|
124
|
147
|
Social security costs
|
219
|
262
|
Total recurring staff
costs
|
1,675
|
2,537
|
Payments to former Directors and
staff (incl. NI and pension contributions)
|
564
|
1,677
|
Short term incentive plan provision
(incl. NI)
|
565
|
-
|
Share-based payments
|
137
|
177
|
|
2,941
|
4,391
|
The average number of employees of
the Group and the Company during the period was:
|
2024
Number
|
2023
Number
|
Directors
|
2
|
3
|
Senior management and other
employees
|
6
|
8
|
|
8
|
11
|
Key management are the Group's
Directors. Remuneration in respect of key management was as
follows:
|
2024
£'000
|
2023
£'000
|
Emoluments for qualifying
services
|
398
|
711
|
Social security costs
|
74
|
117
|
Pension
|
25
|
35
|
Total recurring key management
costs
|
497
|
863
|
Payments to former Directors and
Staff (incl. NI and pension contributions)
|
357
|
1,677
|
Short term incentive plan provision
(incl. NI)
|
256
|
-
|
Share-based payments
|
16
|
32
|
|
1,126
|
2,572
|
5.
TAXATION
|
2024
£'000
|
2023
£'000
|
Tax underprovided in prior
year
|
65
|
-
|
Deferred tax
|
(19)
|
(67)
|
Tax charge/(credit)
|
46
|
(67)
|
|
2024
£'000
|
2023
£'000
|
Loss on ordinary activities before
tax
|
(9,316)
|
(35,771)
|
Based on loss for the period:
Theoretical Tax at 25% (2023: 19%)
|
(2,329)
|
(6,797)
|
Effect of:
|
|
|
Net expenses not deductible for tax
purposes
|
40
|
41
|
Deferred tax released to profit and
loss on Hudson Quarter residential sales
|
(19)
|
(67)
|
Tax underprovided in prior
year
|
65
|
-
|
|
|
|
REIT exempt income
|
(1,135)
|
(1,775)
|
Non-taxable items
|
3,424
|
8,531
|
Tax charge/(credit) for the
period
|
46
|
(67)
|
As a UK REIT, the income profits of
the Group's UK property rental business are exempt from corporation
tax, as are any gains it makes from the disposal of its properties,
provided they are not held for trading. The Group is otherwise
subject to UK corporation tax at the prevailing rate.
Deferred taxes relate to the
following:
|
2024
£'000
|
2023
£'000
|
Deferred tax liability - brought
forward
|
(76)
|
(143)
|
Overprovided in prior
year
|
-
|
(21)
|
Deferred tax release on sale of
trading property
|
19
|
88
|
Deferred tax liability - carried
forward
|
(57)
|
(76)
|
|
2024
£'000
|
2023
£'000
|
Investment property unrealised
valuation gains
|
(57)
|
(76)
|
Deferred tax liability - carried
forward
|
(57)
|
(76)
|
The deferred tax liability of
£57,000 relates to investment properties transferred into trading
stock, prior to the Group becoming a REIT. As at 31 March 2024 the
Group had approximately £5,915,000 (2023: £5,915,000) of realised
capital losses to carry forward. There has been no deferred tax
asset recognised as the Directors do not consider it probable that
future taxable profits will be available to utilise these
losses.
Finance Act 2021 sets the main rate
of UK corporation tax at 19%, with an increase in the main rate to
25% with effect from 1 April 2023. The deferred tax liability
relates to trading properties and has been calculated on the basis
of 25%.
6.
EARNINGS PER SHARE
Basic earnings per share
Basic earnings per share and diluted
earnings per share have been calculated on the loss after tax
attributable to ordinary Shareholders for the year (as shown on the
Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income) and for the
earnings per share, the weighted average number of ordinary shares
in issue during the period (see table below) and for diluted
weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue during the year
(see table below).
|
2024
£'000
|
2023
£'000
|
Loss after tax attributable to
ordinary Shareholders for the year
|
(9,362)
|
(35,704)
|
|
2024
No. of
shares
|
2023
No. of
shares
|
Weighted average number of shares
for basic earnings per share
|
39,524,282
|
44,525,518
|
Dilutive effect of share
options
|
-
|
-
|
Weighted average number of shares
for diluted earnings per share
|
39,524,282
|
44,525,518
|
Earnings per ordinary
share
|
|
|
Basic
|
(23.7p)
|
(80.2p)
|
Diluted
|
(23.7p)
|
(80.2p)
|
Key
Performance Measures
The Group financial statements are
prepared under IFRS which incorporates non-realised fair value
measures and non-recurring items. Alternative Performance Measures
("APMs"), being financial measures which are not specified under
IFRS, are also used by management to assess the Group's
performance. These include a number of European Public Real Estate
Association ("EPRA") measures, prepared in accordance with the EPRA
Best Practice Recommendations reporting framework the latest update
of which was issued in November 2019. The Group reports a number of
these measures (detailed in the glossary of terms) because the
Directors consider them to improve the transparency and relevance
of our published results as well as the comparability with other
listed European real estate companies.
EPRA EPS and EPRA Diluted EPS
EPRA Earnings is a measure of
operational performance and represents the net income generated
from the operational activities. It is intended to provide an
indicator of the underlying income performance generated from the
leasing and management of the property portfolio. EPRA earnings are
calculated taking the profit after tax excluding investment
property revaluations and gains and losses on disposals, changes in
fair value of financial instruments and one-off finance termination
costs. EPRA earnings is calculated on the basis of the weighted
average basic number of shares in line with IFRS earnings as the
dividends to which they give rise accrue to current
Shareholders.
Adjusted profit before tax and Adjusted EPS
The Group also reports an adjusted
earnings measure which is based on recurring earnings before tax
and the weighted average basic number of shares. This is the basis
on which the Directors consider dividend cover. This takes EPRA
earnings as the starting point and then adds back tax and any other
fair value movements or one-off items that were included in EPRA
earnings. This includes share-based payments being a non-cash
expense, as well as payments to former Directors and Staff, and the
Short Term Incentive Plan provision ('STIP'), which are one-off
exceptional items. The STIP was excluded from adjusted earnings as
the provision is deemed not to be in the ordinary course of
business and the performance criteria of the plan is based on the
selling of assets. The plan was designed to be back end loaded in
terms of paying out in order to be aligned with shareholders'
interests and is therefore deemed to be an exceptional item as it
does not reflect earnings from trading in the portfolio as it is
capital in nature. The corporation tax charge (excluding deferred
tax movements, being a non-cash expense) is deducted in order to
calculate the adjusted earnings per share, if the charge is in
relation to recurring earnings.
The EPRA and adjusted earnings per
share for the period are calculated based upon the following
information:
|
2024
£'000
|
2023
£'000
|
Loss after tax for the
year
|
(9,362)
|
(35,704)
|
Adjustments:
|
|
|
Loss on revaluation of investment
property portfolio
|
15,383
|
42,900
|
Profit on disposal of investment
properties
|
(2,298)
|
(819)
|
Trading profit
|
(181)
|
(510)
|
Debt termination costs
|
459
|
15
|
Changes in fair value of interest
rate derivatives
|
-
|
(210)
|
EPRA earnings for the
year
|
4,001
|
5,672
|
Payments to former Directors
(including associated costs)
|
611
|
1,835
|
Share-based payments
|
137
|
177
|
Short term incentive plan provision
(including associated costs)
|
640
|
-
|
Adjusted profit after tax for the
year
|
5,389
|
7,684
|
Tax excluding deferred tax on EPRA
adjustments and capital gain charged
|
46
|
(67)
|
Adjusted profit before tax for the
year
|
5,435
|
7,617
|
EPRA and adjusted earnings per ordinary
share
|
|
|
EPRA Basic
|
10.1p
|
12.7p
|
EPRA Diluted
|
10.1p
|
12.7p
|
Adjusted EPS
|
13.8p
|
17.1p
|
7.
NET ASSET VALUE PER SHARE
The Group has adopted the EPRA NAV
measures which came into effect for accounting periods starting 1
January 2020. EPRA issued best practice recommendations (BPR) for
financial guidelines on its definitions of NAV measures. The NAV
measures as outlined in the BPR are EPRA net tangible assets (NTA),
EPRA net reinvestment value (NRV) and EPRA net disposal value
(NDV).
The Group considered EPRA Net
Tangible Assets (NTA) to be the most relevant NAV measure for the
Group and we are now reporting this as our primary NAV measure,
replacing our previously reported EPRA NAV and EPRA NNNAV per share
metrics. EPRA NTA excludes the intangible assets and the cumulative
fair value adjustments for debt-related derivatives which are
unlikely to be realised.
As
at 31 March 2024
|
EPRA NTA
£'000
|
EPRA NRV
£'000
|
EPRA NDV
£'000
|
Net assets attributable to
Shareholders
|
97,774
|
97,774
|
97,774
|
Include:
|
|
|
|
Fair value adjustment of trading
properties
|
449
|
449
|
449
|
Real estate transfer tax
|
-
|
5,294
|
-
|
Fair value of fixed interest rate
debt
|
-
|
-
|
606
|
Exclude:
|
|
|
|
Deferred tax on latent capital gains
and capital allowances
|
57
|
57
|
-
|
EPRA NAV
|
98,280
|
103,574
|
98,829
|
Number of ordinary shares issued for
diluted and EPRA net assets per share
|
37,554,525
|
37,554,525
|
37,554,525
|
EPRA NAV per share
|
262p
|
276p
|
263p
|
The adjustments made to get to the
EPRA NAV measures above are as follows:
• Fair value adjustment
of trading properties: Difference between trading property held on
the balance sheet at cost in terms of IAS 2, being £8.126 million
and the fair value of that trading property of £8.575 million,
resulting in a fair value adjustment of £0.449 million.
• Real estate transfer
tax: Gross value of property portfolio as provided in the Valuation
Certificate (i.e. the value prior to any deduction of purchasers'
costs).
• Fair value of fixed
interest rate debt: Difference between any financial liability and
asset held on the balance sheet of the Group and the fair value of
that financial liability or asset.
• Deferred tax on
latent capital gains and capital allowances: Exclude the deferred
tax as per IFRS balance sheet in respect of the difference between
the fair value and the tax book value of investment property,
development property held for investment, intangible assets, or
other non-current investments as this would only become payable if
the assets were sold.
As at 31 March 2023
|
EPRA
NTA
£'000
|
EPRA
NRV
£'000
|
EPRA
NDV
£'000
|
Net assets attributable to
Shareholders
|
128,475
|
128,475
|
128,475
|
Include:
|
|
|
|
Fair value adjustment of trading
properties
|
730
|
730
|
730
|
Real estate transfer tax
|
-
|
11,922
|
-
|
Fair value of fixed interest rate
debt
|
-
|
-
|
863
|
Exclude:
|
|
|
|
Deferred tax on latent capital gains
and capital allowances
|
76
|
76
|
-
|
EPRA NAV
|
129,281
|
141,203
|
130,068
|
Number of ordinary shares issued for
diluted and EPRA net assets per share
|
43,728,212
|
43,728,212
|
43,728,212
|
EPRA NAV per share
|
296p
|
323p
|
297p
|
|
2024
No of
shares
|
2023
No of
shares
|
Number of ordinary shares issued at
the end of the year (excluding treasury shares)
|
37,554,525
|
43,718,381
|
Dilutive effect of share
options
|
-
|
9,831
|
Number of ordinary shares issued for
diluted and EPRA net assets per share
|
37,554,525
|
43,728,212
|
Net
assets per ordinary share
|
|
|
Basic
|
260p
|
294p
|
Diluted
|
260p
|
294p
|
EPRA NTA
|
262p
|
296p
|
8.
DIVIDENDS
|
Payment date
|
Dividend
per share
|
2024
£'000
|
2023
£'000
|
2024
|
|
|
|
|
Interim dividend
|
29 December 2023
|
3.75
|
1,409
|
-
|
Interim dividend
|
13 October 2023
|
3.75
|
1,408
|
-
|
|
|
7.50
|
2,817
|
-
|
2023
|
|
|
|
|
Final dividend
|
04 August 2023
|
3.75
|
1,583
|
-
|
Interim dividend
|
14 April 2023
|
3.75
|
1,645
|
-
|
Interim dividend
|
13 January 2023
|
3.75
|
-
|
1,651
|
Interim dividend
|
14 October 2022
|
3.75
|
-
|
1,651
|
|
|
15.00
|
3,228
|
3,302
|
2022
|
|
|
|
|
Final dividend
|
05 August 2022
|
3.75
|
-
|
1,736
|
Interim dividend
|
14 April 2022
|
3.25
|
-
|
1,504
|
|
|
7.00
|
-
|
3,240
|
Dividends reported in the Group
Statement of Changes in Equity
|
|
6,045
|
6,542
|
Dividends (continued)
|
2024
£'000
|
2023
£'000
|
August 2024 final dividend in
respect of year end 31 March 2024: 3.75p (2023 final dividend:
3.75p)
|
1,408
|
1,621
|
April 2024 interim dividend in
respect of year end 31 March 2024: 3.75p (2023 interim dividend:
3.75p)
|
1,408
|
1,645
|
|
2,816
|
3,266
|
Final dividends on ordinary shares
are subject to approval at the Annual General Meeting. Such
dividends are not recognised as a liability as at 31 March
2024.
9.
PROPERTY PORTFOLIO
|
Freehold
investment properties
£'000
|
Leasehold
investment properties
£'000
|
Total
investment properties
£'000
|
At 31 March 2022
|
216,110
|
16,607
|
232,717
|
Additions -
refurbishments
|
1,026
|
156
|
1,182
|
Loss on revaluation of investment
properties
|
(38,663)
|
(4,237)
|
(42,900)
|
Disposals
|
(14,495)
|
-
|
(14,495)
|
At
31 March 2023
|
163,978
|
12,526
|
176,504
|
Additions -
refurbishments
|
1,544
|
-
|
1,544
|
Loss on revaluation of investment
properties
|
(15,383)
|
-
|
(15,383)
|
Disposals
|
(76,294)
|
(12,526)
|
(88,820)
|
At
31 March 2024
|
73,845
|
-
|
73,845
|
|
Total investment
properties
£'000
|
Trading
properties
£'000
|
Total property
portfolio
£'000
|
At 1 April 2022
|
232,717
|
20,287
|
253,004
|
Additions -
refurbishments
|
1,182
|
-
|
1,182
|
Additions - trading
property
|
-
|
363
|
363
|
Loss on revaluation of
properties
|
(42,900)
|
-
|
(42,900)
|
Disposals
|
(14,495)
|
(9,595)
|
(24,090)
|
At 1 April 2023
|
176,504
|
11,055
|
187,559
|
Additions -
refurbishments
|
1,544
|
-
|
1,544
|
Additions - trading
property
|
-
|
90
|
90
|
Loss on revaluation of
properties
|
(15,383)
|
-
|
(15,383)
|
Disposals
|
(88,820)
|
(3,019)
|
(91,839)
|
At
31 March 2024
|
73,845
|
8,126
|
81,971
|
The property portfolio has been
independently valued at fair value. The valuations have been
prepared in accordance with the RICS Valuation - Global Standards
July 2017 ("the Red Book") and incorporate the recommendations of
the International Valuation Standards and the RICS valuation -
Professional Standards UK January 2014 (Revised April 2015) which
are consistent with the principles set out in IFRS 13. At 31 March
2024, the Group's freehold properties were externally valued by
CBRE, a Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors ("RICS")
registered independent valuer.
The valuer in forming its opinion
makes a series of assumptions, which are typically market related,
such as net initial yields and expected rental values, and are
based on the valuer's professional judgement. The valuer has
sufficient current local and national knowledge of the particular
property markets involved and has the skills and understanding to
undertake the valuations competently.
In addition to the loss on
revaluation of investment properties included in the table above,
realised gains of £2,298,000 (2023: £819,000) relating to
investment properties disposed of during the year were recognised
in profit or loss.
The Group developed a mixed-use
scheme at Hudson Quarter, York. Part of the scheme consists of
commercial units which the Group holds for leasing or has let. As a
result of achieving practical completion in April 2021, the
commercial element of the scheme is classified as investment
properties.
A reconciliation of the valuations
carried out by the independent valuers to the carrying values shown
in the Statement of Financial Position was as follows:
|
2024
£'000
|
2023
£'000
|
Property portfolio
valuation
|
88,670
|
192,355
|
Adjustment in respect of minimum
payment under head leases
|
-
|
1,077
|
Less trading properties at lower of
cost and net realisable value
|
(8,126)
|
(11,055)
|
Less lease incentive balance
included in accrued income
|
(6,250)
|
(5,143)
|
Less fair value uplift on trading
properties
|
(449)
|
(730)
|
Carrying value of investment
properties
|
73,845
|
176,504
|
The valuations of all investment
property held by the Group is classified as Level 3 in the IFRS 13
fair value hierarchy as they are based on unobservable inputs.
There have been no transfers between levels of the fair value
hierarchy during the year.
Valuation process
The valuation reports produced by
CBRE, the independent valuers, are based on information provided by
the Group such as current rents, terms and conditions of lease
agreements, service charges and capital expenditure. This
information is derived from the Group's financial and property
management systems and is subject to the Group's overall control
environment.
In addition, the valuation reports
are based on assumptions and valuation models used by the
independent valuers. The assumptions are typically market related,
such as yields and discount rates, and are based on their
professional judgement and market observations. Each property is
considered a separate asset, based on its unique nature,
characteristics and the risks of the property. Only one investment
property in the property portfolio was valued on a residual
basis.
The Head of Investment, responsible
for the valuation process verifies all major inputs to the external
valuation reports, assesses the individual property valuation
changes from the prior year valuation report and holds discussions
with the independent valuers.
When this process is complete, the
valuation report is recommended to the Audit & Risk Committee,
which considers it as part of its
overall responsibilities.
The assumptions made in the
valuation of the Group's investment properties are:
• The amount and
timing of future income streams;
• Anticipated
maintenance costs and other landlord's liabilities; and
• An appropriate
yield
Valuation technique
The valuations reflect the tenancy
data supplied by the Group along with associated revenue costs and
capital expenditure. The fair value of the investment portfolio has
been derived from capitalising the future estimated net income
receipts at capitalisation rates reflected by recent arm's length
sales transactions. The residential assets reflect the trading
properties held at 31 March 2024 as the Group's entire property
portfolio was valued.
31
March 2024
|
Office
|
Leisure
|
Significant unobservable inputs
|
Retail
|
Residential
|
Total
|
Fair value of property
portfolio
|
55,035,000
|
21,550,000
|
3,510,000
|
8,575,000
|
88,670,000
|
Area (sq ft)
|
374,129
|
304,319
|
27,019
|
n/a
|
705,467
|
Gross Estimated Rental
Value
|
6,897,920
|
3,367,812
|
346,000
|
n/a
|
10,611,732
|
Net Initial Yield
|
|
|
|
|
|
Minimum
|
2.8%
|
13.2%
|
8.5%
|
n/a
|
2.8%
|
Maximum
|
12.3%
|
13.7%
|
8.5%
|
n/a
|
13.7%
|
Weighted average
|
5.4%
|
13.4%
|
8.5%
|
n/a
|
8.0%
|
Reversionary Yield
|
|
|
|
|
|
Minimum
|
9.1%
|
10.7%
|
8.3%
|
n/a
|
8.3%
|
Maximum
|
15.2%
|
19.3%
|
8.3%
|
n/a
|
19.3%
|
Weighted average
|
11.8%
|
15.0%
|
8.3%
|
n/a
|
13.0%
|
Equivalent Yield
|
|
|
|
|
|
Minimum
|
8.6%
|
12.4%
|
8.4%
|
n/a
|
8.4%
|
Maximum
|
11.8%
|
13.2%
|
8.4%
|
n/a
|
13.2%
|
Weighted average
|
9.7%
|
12.8%
|
8.4%
|
n/a
|
11.7%
|
31
March 2023
|
Office
|
Industrial
|
Significant unobservable inputs
|
Leisure
|
Other
|
Total
|
Fair value of property
portfolio
|
95,615,000
|
35,855,000
|
29,290,000
|
31,595,000
|
192,355,000
|
Area (sq ft)
|
622,905
|
339,470
|
304,319
|
84,851
|
1,351,545
|
Gross Estimated Rental
Value
|
11,050,952
|
2,820,749
|
3,324,009
|
1,556,403
|
18,752,113
|
Net Initial Yield
|
|
|
|
|
|
Minimum
|
0.3%
|
3.7%
|
10.5%
|
5.3%
|
0.3%
|
Maximum
|
24.4%
|
8.1%
|
12.3%
|
9.9%
|
24.4%
|
Weighted average
|
6.6%
|
6.3%
|
11.5%
|
7.2%
|
7.4%
|
Reversionary Yield
|
|
|
|
|
|
Minimum
|
6.9%
|
6.6%
|
8.7%
|
5.3%
|
5.3%
|
Maximum
|
26.2%
|
8.4%
|
12.0%
|
10.0%
|
26.2%
|
Weighted average
|
10.8%
|
7.4%
|
10.5%
|
7.2%
|
9.6%
|
Equivalent Yield
|
|
|
|
|
|
Minimum
|
6.8%
|
6.3%
|
10.0%
|
6.0%
|
6.0%
|
Maximum
|
9.9%
|
7.1%
|
10.6%
|
9.8%
|
10.6%
|
Weighted average
|
9.4%
|
6.6%
|
10.3%
|
7.4%
|
9.0%
|
The "other" sector includes
Residential, Retail and Retail Warehousing sectors.
The following descriptions and
definitions relate to valuation techniques and key unobservable
inputs made in determining fair values:
Market comparable method
Under the market comparable method
(or market comparable approach), a property's fair value is
estimated based on comparable transactions in the
market.
Unobservable input: estimated rental value
The rent at which space could be let
in the market conditions prevailing at the date of valuation
(range: £346,000 to £1,970,107 per annum).
Rental values are dependent on a
number of variables in relation to the Group's property. These
include: size, location, tenant, covenant strength and terms of the
lease.
Unobservable input: net initial yield
The net initial yield is defined as
the initial gross income as a percentage of the market value (or
purchase price as appropriate) plus standard costs of
purchase.
Sensitivities of measurement of significant unobservable
inputs
As set out within accounting
estimates and judgements above, the Group's property Portfolio
Valuation is open to judgements inherently subjective by
nature.
Unobservable input
|
Impact on fair value
measurement of significant increase in input
|
Impact on fair value
measurement of significant decrease in input
|
Gross Estimated Rental
Value
|
Increase
|
Decrease
|
Net Initial Yield
|
Decrease
|
Increase
|
Reversionary Yield
|
Decrease
|
Increase
|
Equivalent Yield
|
Decrease
|
Increase
|
|
-5% in
passing
rent (£m)
|
+5% in
passing
rent
(£m)
|
+0.25% in
net
initial yield
(£m)
|
-0.25% in
net
initial yield
(£m)
|
(Decrease)/increase in the fair
value of investment properties as at 31 March 2024
|
(4.00)
|
4.00
|
(2.53)
|
2.70
|
(Decrease)/increase in the fair
value of investment properties as at 31 March 2023
|
(9.63)
|
9.63
|
(6.14)
|
6.92
|
10.
TRADING PROPERTY
|
Total
£'000
|
At 1 April 2022
|
20,287
|
Costs capitalised
|
363
|
Reversal of impairment of trading
properties
|
(9,595)
|
At 1 April 2023
|
11,055
|
Costs capitalised
|
90
|
Disposal of trading
properties
|
(3,019)
|
At
31 March 2024
|
8,126
|
The Group developed a large
mixed-use scheme at Hudson Quarter, York. Part of the approved
scheme consists of residential units which the Group is in the
process of selling. As a result, the residential element of the
scheme is classified as trading property.
11.
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
|
IT, fixtures and
fittings
£'000
|
Right of use
asset
£'000
|
At 1 April 2022
|
296
|
461
|
Additions
|
8
|
197
|
At 1 April 2023
|
304
|
658
|
Additions
|
-
|
57
|
Written off during the
year
|
-
|
(32)
|
At
31 March 2024
|
304
|
683
|
Depreciation
|
|
|
At 1 April 2022
|
251
|
444
|
Provided during the year
|
30
|
82
|
At 1 April 2023
|
281
|
526
|
Provided during the year
|
23
|
119
|
At
31 March 2024
|
304
|
645
|
|
|
|
Net
book value at 31 March 2024
|
-
|
38
|
Net book value at 31 March
2023
|
23
|
132
|
12.
TRADE AND OTHER RECEIVABLES
|
|
2024
£'000
|
2023
£'000
|
|
Current
|
|
|
|
Gross amounts receivable from
tenants
|
1,979
|
2,550
|
|
Less: expected credit loss
provision
|
(653)
|
(653)
|
|
Net amount receivable from
tenants
|
1,326
|
1,897
|
|
Other taxes
|
165
|
97
|
|
Other debtors
|
904
|
993
|
|
Accrued income
|
625
|
783
|
|
Prepayments
|
332
|
420
|
|
|
3,352
|
4,190
|
Non-current
|
|
|
Accrued income
|
5,625
|
4,360
|
|
5,625
|
4,360
|
|
|
|
Total trade and other
receivables
|
8,977
|
8,550
|
|
|
|
|
Accrued income amounting to
£5,143,000 as at 31 March 2023 (2022: £3,926,000) was classified
previously as a current asset in error rather than allocated
between current and non-current assets in line with their expected
recovery. The accrued income relates to rents recognised in
advance of receipt as a result of spreading the effect of rent free
and reduced rent periods, capital contributions in lieu of rent
free periods and contracted rent uplifts over the expected terms of
their respective leases. The comparatives have been restated
accordingly to correct the allocation between current and
non-current assets. As such, £4,360,000 of these amounts are
classified as non-current assets and £783,000 as current assets as
at 31 March 2023 (2022: £3,375,000 and £551,000 respectively).
There is no effect on the profit or net assets in any period
presented.
The carrying value of trade and
other receivables classified at amortised cost approximates fair
value.
As at 31 March 2024 the lifetime
expected credit loss provision for trade receivables and contract
assets is as follows:
|
Current
£'000
|
More than
30 days
past due
£'000
|
More than
60 days
past due
£'000
|
More than
90 days
past due
£'000
|
Total
£'000
|
Expected loss rate
|
9%
|
4%
|
4%
|
58%
|
|
Gross carrying amount
|
603
|
287
|
76
|
1,013
|
1,979
|
Loss provision
|
53
|
13
|
3
|
584
|
653
|
Changes to credit risk management
Impairment calculations have been
carried out on trade receivables using the IFRS 9 simplified
approach, using 12 months of historic rental payment information,
and adjusting risk profiles based on forward-looking information.
In addition, the Group has reviewed its register of tenants at
higher risk, particularly in the leisure and retail sectors, those
in administration or CVA and the top 20 tenants by size with the
remaining tenants considered on a sector by sector
basis.
Concentration of credit risk
The credit risk in respect of trade
receivables is not concentrated as the Group operates in many
different sectors and locations around the UK, and has a wide range
of tenants from a broad spectrum of business sectors. 87% of the
ECL provision relates to tenants in the leisure sector.
How
forward looking information was incorporated
In calculating the ECL provision,
the Group used forward looking information when assessing the risk
profiles of each tenant, most notably around the assessment over
the likelihood of tenants having the ability to pay rent as
demanded, as well as the likelihood of rent deferrals and rent
frees being offered to tenants.
Key
sources of estimation uncertainty
The Group's risk profile rates form
a key part when calculating the ECL provision. Default rates were
applied to each tenant based on the ageing of the outstanding
receivable. Tenants were classified as either low (default range of
0.5% - 8%), medium (default range of 20% - 50%), high (default
range of 65% - 80%), or extremely high risk (set default range of
100%), with default rates applied to each risk profile. These rates
have been calculated by using historic and forward-looking
information and is inherently subjective.
A sensitivity analysis performed to
determine the impact on the Group Statement of Comprehensive Income
from a 10% increase in each of the risk profile rates would result
in a decrease in profit by £146,000.
The Group does not hold any material
collateral as security.
As at 31 March 2023 the lifetime
expected credit loss provision for trade receivables and contract
assets was as follows:
|
Current
£'000
|
More than 30
days
past due
£'000
|
More than 60
days
past due
£'000
|
More than 90
days
past due
£'000
|
Total
£'000
|
Expected loss rate
|
2%
|
3%
|
4%
|
92%
|
|
Gross carrying amount
|
1,810
|
39
|
32
|
669
|
2,550
|
Loss provision
|
33
|
1
|
1
|
618
|
653
|
Movement in the expected credit loss
provision was as follows:
|
2024
£'000
|
2023
£'000
|
Brought forward
|
653
|
980
|
Receivables written off during the
year as uncollectable
|
-
|
(50)
|
Provisions released
|
(146)
|
(305)
|
Provisions increased
|
146
|
28
|
|
653
|
653
|
13.
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
All of the Group's cash and cash
equivalents at 31 March 2024 and 31 March 2023 are in
sterling.
|
2024
£'000
|
2023
£'000
|
Cash and cash equivalents
|
19,766
|
5,509
|
The Directors consider that the
carrying amount of cash and cash equivalents approximates to their
fair value.
14.
TRADE AND OTHER PAYABLES
|
2024
£'000
|
2023
£'000
|
Trade payables
|
50
|
508
|
Other taxes
|
480
|
646
|
Other payables
|
1,138
|
1,484
|
Deferred rental income
|
1,694
|
3,359
|
Accruals
|
704
|
2,342
|
|
4,066
|
8,339
|
The deferred rental income in the
year ended 31 March 2023 of £3,359,000 was recognised as income in
the year to 31 March 2024.
The Directors consider that the
carrying amount of trade and other payables measured at amortised
cost approximates to their
fair value.
15.
BORROWINGS
|
2024
£'000
|
2023
£'000
|
Current liabilities
|
|
|
Bank loans
|
318
|
8,563
|
Unamortised lending costs
|
-
|
(18)
|
|
318
|
8,545
|
Non-current liabilities
|
|
|
Bank loans
|
7,993
|
55,770
|
Unamortised lending costs
|
(60)
|
(641)
|
|
7,933
|
55,129
|
Total borrowings
|
|
|
Bank loans
|
8,311
|
64,333
|
Unamortised lending costs
|
(60)
|
(659)
|
|
8,251
|
63,674
|
The maturity profile of the Group's
debt was as follows:
|
2024
£'000
|
2023
£'000
|
Within one year
|
318
|
8,563
|
From one to two years
|
318
|
37,027
|
From two to five years
|
7,675
|
18,743
|
|
8,311
|
64,333
|
Facility and arrangement fees
As
at 31 March 2024
Secured Borrowings
|
All in cost
|
Maturity
date
|
Total
Facility
£'000
|
Unused loan
facilities
£'000
|
Facility
drawn
£'000
|
Unamortised facility
fees
£'000
|
Loan
Balance
£'000
|
Scottish Widows
|
2.90%
|
July 2026
|
8,311
|
-
|
8,311
|
(60)
|
8,251
|
|
|
|
8,311
|
-
|
8,311
|
(60)
|
8,251
|
As at 31 March 2023
Secured Borrowings
|
All in cost
|
Maturity
date
|
Total
Facility
£'000
|
Unused loan
facilities
£'000
|
Facility
drawn
£'000
|
Unamortised facility
fees
£'000
|
Loan
Balance
£'000
|
Santander Bank plc
|
6.38%
|
May 2027
|
11,750
|
-
|
11,750
|
(337)
|
11,413
|
Lloyds Bank plc
|
6.13%
|
March 2024
|
6,845
|
-
|
6,845
|
(18)
|
6,827
|
National Westminster Bank plc
|
6.28%
|
August
2024
|
37,724
|
(20,000)
|
17,724
|
(171)
|
17,553
|
Barclays
|
6.13%
|
June 2024
|
19,385
|
-
|
19,385
|
(62)
|
19,323
|
Scottish Widows
|
2.90%
|
July 2026
|
8,629
|
-
|
8,629
|
(71)
|
8,558
|
|
|
|
84,333
|
(20,000)
|
64,333
|
(659)
|
63,674
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
An investment property is subject to
a first charge to secure the Group's bank loans amounting to
£8,311,000 (2023: £64,333,000).
The Group has unused loan facilities
amounting to £Nil (2023: £20,000,000). A facility fee was charged
on this balance at a rate of 1.05% p.a. and was payable quarterly.
This facility was secured on the investment properties held by
Property Investment Holdings Limited, Palace Capital (Properties)
Limited and Palace Capital (Leeds) Limited as part of the NatWest
loan.
The Group constantly monitors its
approach to managing interest rate risk. The Group repaid all of
its floating rate debt in the year and as a result, all of its debt
is now fixed.
The Group has a loan with Scottish
Widows for £8,311,000 (2023: £8,629,000) which is fully fixed at a
rate of 2.9%.
During the year, the Group repaid
the debt facility with Barclays Bank plc in full. The balance at 31
March 2023 was £19,385,000.
During the year, the Group repaid
the debt facility with Santander plc in full. The balance at 31
March 2023 was £11,750,000.
During the year, the Group repaid
the debt facility with Lloyds Bank plc in full. The balance at 31
March 2023 was £6,845,000.
During the year, the Group repaid
the debt facility with National Westminster Bank plc in full. The
balance at 31 March 2023 was £17,724,000. At the same time the
£20.0m undrawn Revolving Credit Facility was cancelled.
The fair value of borrowings held at
amortised cost at 31 March 2024 was £8,857,000 (2023: £64,537,000).
The difference in the fair value and carrying value of borrowings
reflects the valuation of the fixed rate debt being higher than its
carrying value. This is a level 2 fair value valuation of the fixed
rate debt and was determined by an independent third party. The
valuation is based on a net present value of the difference between
the contracted rate and the valuation rate when applied to the
projected balances for the period from the reporting date to the
contracted expiry date.
The Group's bank loans are subject
to various covenants including Loan to Value, Interest Cover and
Debt Service Cover requirements. During the year, the Group
met all of its covenants.
16.
GEARING AND LOAN TO VALUE RATIO
The calculation of gearing is based
on the following calculations of net assets and net
(cash)/debt:
|
2024
£000
|
2023
£'000
|
EPRA net asset value (note
7)
|
98,280
|
129,281
|
Borrowings (net of unamortised issue
costs)
|
8,251
|
63,674
|
Lease liabilities for investment
properties
|
-
|
1,077
|
Cash and cash equivalents
|
(19,766)
|
(5,509)
|
Net (cash)/debt
|
(11,515)
|
59,242
|
NAV gearing
|
nil
|
46%
|
The calculation of bank loan to
property value is calculated as follows:
|
2024
£000
|
2023
£'000
|
Fair value of investment
properties
|
80,095
|
180,570
|
Fair value of trading
properties
|
8,575
|
11,785
|
Fair value of property
portfolio
|
88,670
|
192,355
|
Borrowings
|
8,311
|
64,333
|
Cash at bank
|
(19,766)
|
(5,509)
|
Net (cash)/debt
|
(11,455)
|
58,824
|
Loan to value ratio
|
nil
|
31%
|
17.
RECONCILIATION OF LIABILITIES TO CASH FLOWS FROM
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
|
Bank
borrowings
£'000
|
Balance at 1 April 2022
|
101,237
|
Cash flows from financing
activities:
|
|
Bank borrowings repaid
|
(37,419)
|
Loan arrangement fees paid
|
(461)
|
Non-cash movements:
|
|
Amortisation of loan arrangement
fees
|
317
|
Balance at 1 April 2023
|
63,674
|
Cash flows from financing activities:
|
|
Bank borrowings repaid
|
(56,022)
|
Capitalised loan fees
|
(73)
|
Non-cash movements:
|
|
Amortisation of loan arrangement
fees
|
213
|
Debt termination costs
|
459
|
Balance at 31 March 2024
|
8,251
|
18.
LEASES
Operating lease receipts in respect
of rents on investment properties are receivable as
follows:
|
2024
£'000
|
2023
£'000
|
Within one year
|
7,610
|
15,524
|
From one to two years
|
7,802
|
13,277
|
From two to three years
|
7,385
|
13,046
|
From three to four years
|
5,849
|
12,030
|
From four to five years
|
4,741
|
8,742
|
From five to 25 years
|
30,580
|
42,755
|
|
63,967
|
105,374
|
Lease liabilities are classified as
follows:
|
2024
£'000
|
2023
£'000
|
Lease liabilities for investment
properties
|
-
|
1,077
|
Lease liabilities for right of use
asset
|
39
|
132
|
|
39
|
1,209
|
Lease obligations in respect of
rents payable on leasehold properties were payable as
follows:
|
2024
|
2023
Present
value
of
lease
payments
£'000
|
Lease
payments
£'000
|
Interest
£'000
|
Present value of
lease
payments
£'000
|
Within one year
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
From one to two years
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
From two to five years
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
1
|
From five to 25 years
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
4
|
After 25 years
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
1,072
|
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
1,077
|
Lease obligations in respect of
rents payable on right of use assets were payable as
follows:
|
2024
|
2023
Present
value
of
lease
payments
£'000
|
Lease
payments
£'000
|
Interest
£'000
|
Present value of
lease
payments
£'000
|
Within one year
|
40
|
(1)
|
39
|
132
|
The net carrying amount of the
leasehold properties is shown in note 9.
The Group has over 70 leases granted
to its tenants. These vary depending on the individual tenant and
the respective property and demise and vary considerably from
short-term leases of less than one year to longer-term leases of
over 10 years.
A number of these leases contain
rent free periods. Standard lease provisions include service charge
payments and recovery of other direct costs.
19.
SHARE CAPITAL
Authorised, issued and fully paid share capital is as
follows:
|
2024
£'000
|
2023
£'000
|
37,560,295 ordinary shares of 10p
each (2023: 46,388,515)
|
3,756
|
4,639
|
|
3,756
|
4,639
|
Reconciliation of movement in ordinary share
capital
|
2024
£'000
|
2023
£'000
|
At start of year
|
4,639
|
4,639
|
Treasury shares cancelled in the
year
|
(883)
|
-
|
At
end of year
|
3,756
|
4,639
|
Movement in ordinary authorised share
capital
|
|
|
Number of ordinary shares
issued
|
Total number of
shares
|
As at 31 March 2022 and 31 March
2023
|
|
|
|
46,388,515
|
|
27 March
2024
|
|
(8,828,220)
|
|
As
at 31 March 2024
|
|
|
|
37,560,295
|
Movement in treasury shares
|
|
Number of
ordinary
shares
issued
|
Total
number
of shares
|
As at 31 March 2023
|
|
|
2,668,220
|
Shares repurchased and transferred
to Treasury
|
3 April
2023
|
75,000
|
|
Shares repurchased and transferred
to Treasury
|
17 April
2023
|
75,000
|
|
Shares repurchased and transferred
to Treasury
|
11 May
2023
|
50,000
|
|
Shares repurchased and transferred
to Treasury
|
12 May
2023
|
52,000
|
|
Shares repurchased and transferred
to Treasury
|
16 May
2023
|
53,000
|
|
Shares repurchased and transferred
to Treasury
|
24 May
2023
|
100,000
|
|
Shares repurchased and transferred
to Treasury
|
5 June
2023
|
100,000
|
|
Shares repurchased and transferred
to Treasury
|
20 June
2023
|
215,000
|
|
Shares repurchased and transferred
to Treasury
|
22 June
2023
|
160,000
|
|
Shares repurchased and transferred
to Treasury
|
27 June
2023
|
350,000
|
|
Shares repurchased and transferred
to Treasury
|
29 June
2023
|
275,000
|
|
Shares repurchased and transferred
to Treasury
|
6 July
2023
|
300,000
|
|
Shares repurchased and transferred
to Treasury
|
18 July
2023
|
75,000
|
|
Shares repurchased and transferred
to Treasury
|
9 August
2023
|
750,000
|
|
Shares repurchased and transferred
to Treasury
|
11 August
2023
|
2,814,495
|
|
Shares repurchased and transferred
to Treasury
|
21 August
2023
|
100,000
|
|
Shares repurchased and transferred
to Treasury
|
25 August
2023
|
300,000
|
|
Shares repurchased and transferred
to Treasury
|
5
September 2023
|
315,505
|
|
Cancellation of treasury
shares
|
27 March
2024
|
(8,828,220)
|
|
As
at 31 March 2024
|
|
|
-
|
Total number of shares excluding the number of shares held in
treasury at 31 March 2024
|
|
|
37,560,295
|
Year ended 31 March 2024
On 3 April 2023, 75,000 shares were
purchased by the Group on the open market and transferred into
treasury reserves.
On 17 April 2023, 75,000 shares were
purchased by the Group on the open market and transferred into
treasury reserves.
On 11 May 2023, 50,000 shares were
purchased by the Group on the open market and transferred into
treasury reserves.
On 12 May 2023, 52,000 shares were
purchased by the Group on the open market and transferred into
treasury reserves.
On 16 May 2023, 53,000 shares were
purchased by the Group on the open market and transferred into
treasury reserves.
On 24 May 2023, 100,000 shares were
purchased by the Group on the open market and transferred into
treasury reserves.
On 5 June 2023, 100,000 shares were
purchased by the Group on the open market and transferred into
treasury reserves.
On 20 June 2023, 215,000 shares were
purchased by the Group on the open market and transferred into
treasury reserves.
On 22 June 2023, 160,000 shares were
purchased by the Group on the open market and transferred into
treasury reserves.
On 27 June 2023, 350,000 shares were
purchased by the Group on the open market and transferred into
treasury reserves.
On 29 June 2023, 275,000 shares were
purchased by the Group on the open market and transferred into
treasury reserves.
On 6 July 2023, 300,000 shares were
purchased by the Group on the open market and transferred into
treasury reserves.
On 18 July 2023, 75,000 shares were
purchased by the Group on the open market and transferred into
treasury reserves.
On 9 August 2023, 750,000 shares
were purchased by the Group on the open market and transferred into
treasury reserves.
On 11 August 2023, 2,814,495 shares
were purchased by the Group on the open market and transferred into
treasury reserves.
On 21 August 2023, 100,000 shares
were purchased by the Group on the open market and transferred into
treasury reserves.
On 25 August 2023, 300,000 shares
were purchased by the Group on the open market and transferred into
treasury reserves.
On 5 September 2023, 315,505 shares
were purchased by the Group on the open market and transferred into
treasury reserves.
On 27 March 2024, 8,828,220 shares
were cancelled by the Group.
Shares held in Employee Benefit Trust
Authorised, issued and fully paid share capital is as
follows:
|
2024
No. of
shares
|
2023
No.
of
shares
|
Brought forward
|
1,914
|
458
|
Transferred under scheme of
arrangement
|
-
|
40,000
|
Shares exercised under deferred
bonus share scheme
|
(13,521)
|
(38,544)
|
Shares exercised under employee LTIP
scheme
|
(42,440)
|
-
|
Shares purchased by EBT
|
59,817
|
-
|
At
end of year
|
5,770
|
1,914
|
Share options:
Reconciliation of movement in outstanding share
options
|
2024
No. of
options
|
2023
No. of
options
|
At start of year
|
537,877
|
1,078,826
|
LTIP's exercised in the
year
|
(68,612)
|
-
|
Prior period accrued dividends on
vested options
|
-
|
32,491
|
Lapsed in the year
|
(290,147)
|
(544,727)
|
Deferred bonus share options
issued
|
-
|
9,831
|
Deferred bonus share options
exercised
|
(9,831)
|
(38,544)
|
At
end of year
|
169,287
|
537,877
|
As at 31 March 2024, the Company had
the following outstanding unexpired options:
Description of unexpired share options
|
2024
|
2023
|
No. of
options
|
Weighted
average
option
price
|
No.
of
Options
|
Weighted
average
option
price
|
Employee benefit plan
|
169,287
|
0p
|
528,046
|
0p
|
Deferred bonus share scheme
issued
|
-
|
0p
|
9,831
|
0p
|
Total
|
169,287
|
0p
|
537,877
|
0p
|
Exercisable
|
-
|
0p
|
-
|
0p
|
Not exercisable
|
169,287
|
0p
|
537,877
|
0p
|
The weighted average remaining
contractual life of share options at 31 March 2024 is 0.6 years
(2023: 1.0 years).
20.
SHARE-BASED PAYMENTS
Employee benefit plan
The following table illustrates the
number and weighted average exercise prices of, and movements in,
share options during the period:
|
Number of
options
|
Exercise
price
|
Average
share price
at
date of
exercise
|
Grant
date
|
Vesting
date
|
Outstanding at 31 March 2022
|
1,078,826
|
0p
|
|
|
|
Deferred bonus share options issued
|
9,831
|
0p
|
285p
|
18 August
2022
|
18 August
2023
|
Deferred bonus share options
exercised
|
(38,544)
|
0p
|
263p
|
15 June
2021
|
15 June
2022
|
Prior period accrued dividends on vested
options
|
32,491
|
0p
|
|
|
|
Lapsed in the year (LTIP 2019)
|
(241,147)
|
0p
|
|
|
|
Lapsed in the year (LTIP 2020)
|
(124,123)
|
0p
|
|
|
|
Lapsed in the year (LTIP 2021)
|
(179,457)
|
0p
|
|
|
|
Outstanding at 31 March 2023
|
537,877
|
0p
|
|
|
|
Deferred bonus share options
exercised
|
(9,831)
|
0p
|
254.5p
|
18 August
2022
|
18 August
2023
|
Exercised during the year (LTIP
2020)
|
(68,612)
|
0p
|
226.5p
|
14 October
2020
|
14 October
2023
|
Lapsed in the year (LTIP
2020)
|
(236,175)
|
0p
|
|
|
|
Lapsed in the year (LTIP
2021)
|
(53,972)
|
0p
|
|
|
|
Outstanding at 31 March 2024
|
169,287
|
0p
|
|
|
|
LTIP 2021
The options are awarded to employees
on achievements against targets on two separate measures over the
three-year period. For directors, the options are subject to a
two-year holding period following vesting. Half the options will be
awarded based on the first target and half based on the achievement
of the second.
Total property return growth is
calculated as Total Property Return of the Company over the
Performance Period beginning on 31 March 2021 and ending on 31
March 2024, using the Total Property Return ("TPR") as calculated
by MSCI for the Group as compared with the TPR for the MSCI IPD
Index (the "Comparator") over the same period. The TPR for the
Group and the Comparator will be its percentage increase over the
three-year Performance Period.
Total Shareholder return (TSR)
measures the total Shareholder return (price rise plus dividends)
over the period from 16 November 2021 to 15 November 2024. The
percentage of the TSR metric will be adjusted downwards according
to the Company's share price discount to net asset value at the
time of vesting. Share Price Discount will be calculated with
reference to the closing share price on 15 November 2024 and EPRA
Net Tangible Assets as at 30 September 2024. The base price is
£2.44 per share which was the market price at the grant
date.
Annualised TSR over the
TSR performance period
|
Vesting %
|
TPR equivalent total over
performance period
|
Vesting %
|
<5%
|
0
|
<0.5%
|
0
|
Equal to 5%
|
20
|
Equal to
0.5%
|
20
|
Between 5% and 9%
|
20-100
|
Between
0.5% and 2.5%
|
20-100
|
Equal to 9%
|
100
|
Equal to
2.5%
|
100
|
The fair value of grants was
measured at the grant date using a Black−Scholes pricing model for
the TPR tranche and using a Monte Carlo pricing model for the TSR
tranche, taking into account the terms and conditions upon which
the instruments were granted. The services received and a liability
to pay for those services are recognised over the expected vesting
period. The main assumptions of both the Black−Scholes and Monte
Carlo pricing models are as follows:
|
Monte Carlo
TSR
Tranche
|
Black-Scholes
PV
Tranche
|
Grant date
|
16
November 2021
|
16
November 2021
|
Share price
|
£2.44
|
£2.44
|
Exercise price
|
0p
|
0p
|
Term
|
5
years
|
5
years
|
Expected volatility
|
38.03%
|
38.03%
|
Expected dividend yield
|
0.00%
|
0.00%
|
Risk free rate
|
0.59%
|
0.59%
|
Time to vest (years)
|
3.0
|
3.0
|
Expected forfeiture p.a.
|
0%
|
0%
|
Fair value per option
|
£1.28
|
£2.44
|
The expense recognised for employee
share-based payment received during the period is shown in the
following table:
|
2024
£'000
|
2023
£'000
|
LTIP 2019
|
-
|
15
|
LTIP 2020
|
51
|
87
|
LTIP 2021
|
86
|
75
|
Total expense arising from
share-based payment transactions
|
137
|
177
|
21.
RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
Charitable donations amounting to
£Nil (2023: £6,000) have been made by the Group to Variety, the
Children's Charity, a charity where Neil Sinclair, previously Chief
Executive, was a Trustee.
Dividend payments made to Directors
amounted to £2,306 (2023: £27,598) during the year. See note 4 for
further details of key management remuneration.
22.
CAPITAL COMMITMENTS
The obligation for capital
expenditure relating to the enhancement of investment properties
entered into by the Group amounted to £176,608 (2023:
£456,901).
23.
POST BALANCE SHEET EVENTS
On 17 April 2024, the Group completed on the
disposal of Sandringham House, Harlow, for a total consideration of
£3.3m.
On 19 April 2024, the Group completed on the
disposal of Kiln Farm, Milton Keynes, for a total consideration of
£6.5m.
On 29 April 2024, the Group exchanged on the
disposal of the whole share capital of Palace Capital (Manchester)
Limited, for a total consideration of £8.8m. Completion of the sale
is due to take place by 22 July 2024.
On 5 June 2024, the Group conditionally
exchanged on the disposal of unit 3B at St James'
Gate, Newcastle for a total consideration of £0.7m. Completion of
the sale is due to take within the next three
months.
Post year end, the Group exchanged on two
residential units at Hudson Quarter for a total consideration of
£1.2m.
24.
FINANCIAL RISK MANAGEMENT
The Group's principal financial
liabilities are loans. The Group has rent and other receivables,
trade and other payables and cash and short-term deposits that
arise directly from its operations. The Group is exposed to market
risk (including real estate risk), credit risk and liquidity
risk.
The Group's senior management
oversee the management of these risks, and the Board of Directors
has overall responsibility for the determination of the Group's
risk management objectives and policies and it sets policies that
seek to reduce risk as far as possible without unduly affecting the
Group's competitiveness and flexibility. Further details regarding
these policies are set out below:
The Group manages its capital
structure, and makes adjustments to it, in the light of changes in
economic conditions.
To maintain or adjust the capital
structure, the Group may adjust the dividend payment to
Shareholders, return capital to Shareholders
or issue new shares.
Capital risk management
The Group considers its capital to
comprise its share capital, share premium, other reserves, capital
reduction reserves and retained earnings which amounted to
£97,774,000 (2023: £128,475,000). The Group's capital management
objectives are to safeguard the entity's ability to continue as a
going concern, so that it can continue to provide returns for
Shareholders and benefits for other stakeholders and to provide an
adequate return to Shareholders by pricing its services
commensurately with the level of risk. Within the subsidiaries of
the Group, the business has covenanted to maintain a specified
leverage ratio and a net interest expense coverage ratio, all the
terms of which have been adhered to during the year.
Market risk
Market risk arises from the Group's
use of interest bearing, and tradable instruments. It is the risk
that the fair value or future cash flows of a financial instrument
will fluctuate because of changes in interest rates (interest rate
risk) or other market factors.
Interest rate risk
The interest rate exposure profile
of the Group's financial assets and liabilities as at 31 March 2024
and 31 March 2023 were:
|
Nil rate
assets and
liabilities
£'000
|
Floating rate
assets
£'000
|
Fixed rate
liability
£'000
|
Total
£'000
|
|
|
|
|
|
As
at 31 March 2024
|
|
|
|
|
Trade and other
receivables
|
2,230
|
-
|
-
|
2,230
|
Cash and cash equivalents
|
-
|
19,766
|
-
|
19,766
|
Trade and other payables
|
(2,457)
|
-
|
-
|
(2,457)
|
Bank borrowings
|
-
|
-
|
(8,251)
|
(8,251)
|
Lease liabilities
|
-
|
-
|
(39)
|
(39)
|
|
(227)
|
19,766
|
(8,290)
|
11,249
|
|
Nil rate
assets
and
liabilities
£'000
|
Floating
rate assets
£'000
|
Fixed
rate
liability
£'000
|
Floating
rate
liability
£'000
|
Total
£'000
|
As at 31 March 2023
|
|
|
|
|
|
Trade and other
receivables
|
2,890
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
2,890
|
Cash and cash equivalents
|
-
|
5,509
|
-
|
-
|
5,509
|
Trade and other payables
|
(4,334)
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
(4,334)
|
Bank borrowings
|
-
|
-
|
(8,558)
|
(55,116)
|
(63,674)
|
Lease liabilities
|
-
|
-
|
(1,209)
|
-
|
(1,209)
|
|
(1,444)
|
5,509
|
(9,767)
|
(55,116)
|
(60,818)
|
The Group has loans amounting to
£Nil (2023: £55,116,000) which have interest payable at rates
linked to the SONIA interest rates or bank base rates. A 1%
increase in the SONIA or base rate will have the effect of
increasing interest payable by £Nil (2023: £551,000).
The Directors regularly review the
Group's position with regard to interest rates in order to minimise
its risk.
Credit risk management
Credit risk refers to the risk that
a counterparty will default on its contractual obligations
resulting in financial loss to the Group.
The Group has its cash held on
deposit with two large banks in the United Kingdom. At 31 March
2024 the cash balances of the Group were £19,766,000 (2023:
£5,509,000). The concentration of credit risk held with Barclays
Bank plc, the largest of these banks, was £19,262,000 (2023:
£2,997,000).
Credit risk also results from the
possibility of a tenant in the Group's property portfolio
defaulting on a lease. The largest tenant by contractual income
amounts to 14.8% (2023: 6.0%) of the Group's anticipated income.
The Directors assess a tenant's creditworthiness prior to granting
leases and employ professional firms of property management
consultants to manage the portfolio to ensure that tenants debts
are collected promptly and the Directors in conjunction with the
property managers take appropriate actions when payment is not made
on time.
The carrying amount of financial
assets (excluding cash balances) recorded in the financial
statements, net of any allowances for losses, represents the
Group's maximum exposure to credit risk without taking account of
the value of any collateral obtained. The carrying amount of these
assets at 31 March 2024 was £2,230,000 (2023: £2,890,000). The
details of the provision for expected credit loss are shown in note
12.
Liquidity risk management
The Group's policy is to hold cash
and obtain loan facilities at a level sufficient to ensure that the
Group has available funds to meet its medium-term capital and
funding obligations. The Group holds cash to enable the Group to
manage its liquidity risk.
The Group monitors its risk to a
shortage of funds using a monthly working capital model. This
process considers the maturity of both the Group's financial
investments and financial assets (e.g. accounts receivable, other
financial assets) and projected cash flows
from operations.
The tables below summarise the
maturity profile of the Group's financial liabilities based on
contractual undiscounted payments:
|
On demand
£'000
|
0-1 years
£'000
|
1-2 years
£'000
|
2-5 years
£'000
|
Total
£'000
|
As
at 31 March 2024
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest bearing loans
|
-
|
550
|
541
|
7,735
|
8,826
|
Trade and other payables
|
1,892
|
-
|
-
|
565
|
2,457
|
|
1,892
|
550
|
541
|
8,300
|
11,283
|
|
On
demand
£'000
|
0-1
years
£'000
|
1-2
years
£'000
|
2-5
years
£,000
|
> 5
years
£'000
|
Total
£'000
|
As at 31 March 2023
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest bearing loans
|
-
|
12,161
|
38,606
|
19,598
|
-
|
70,365
|
Lease liabilities
|
-
|
54
|
54
|
162
|
5,839
|
6,109
|
Trade and other payables
|
4,334
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
4,334
|
|
4,334
|
12,215
|
38,660
|
19,760
|
5,839
|
80,808
|
Company Statement of Financial Position
as at 31 March 2024
|
Note
|
2024
£000
|
2023
£'000
|
Fixed assets
|
|
|
|
Investments in
subsidiaries
|
2
|
94,382
|
104,730
|
Property, plant and
equipment
|
3
|
-
|
22
|
|
|
94,382
|
104,752
|
Current assets
|
|
|
|
Trade and other
receivables
|
4
|
30,602
|
30,155
|
Cash at bank and in hand
|
|
11,483
|
1,049
|
|
|
42,085
|
31,204
|
Total assets
|
|
136,467
|
135,956
|
Current liabilities
|
|
|
|
Creditors: amounts falling due
within one year
|
5
|
(63,616)
|
(33,660)
|
Net
current liabilities
|
|
(21,531)
|
(2,456)
|
|
|
|
|
Non-current liabilities
|
|
|
|
Short term incentive plan
provision
|
|
(565)
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
Net
assets
|
|
72,286
|
102,296
|
Equity
|
|
|
|
Called up share capital
|
6
|
3,756
|
4,639
|
Treasury shares
|
|
-
|
(7,343)
|
Merger reserve
|
|
3,503
|
3,503
|
Capital redemption
reserve
|
|
1,223
|
340
|
Capital reduction reserve
|
|
89,931
|
118,477
|
Accumulated losses
|
|
(26,127)
|
(17,320)
|
Equity - attributable to the owners
of the Parent
|
|
72,286
|
102,296
|
The Company has taken advantage of
the exemption allowed under section 408 of the Companies Act 2006
and has not presented its own Statement of Comprehensive Income in
these financial statements. The Company's loss after tax for the
year was £8,671,000 (2023: £21,688,000).
The financial statements were
approved by the Board of Directors and authorised for issue on 5
June 2024 and are signed on its behalf by:
STEVEN OWEN
Executive Chairman
Company Statement of Changes in Equity
as at 31 March 2024
|
Share
Capital
£'000
|
Treasury
Share
Reserve
£'000
|
Other
Reserves
£'000
|
Capital Reduction
Reserve
£'000
|
Retained
Earnings/ (Accumulated
Losses)
£'000
|
Total
Equity
£'000
|
At 31 March 2022
|
4,639
|
(717)
|
3,843
|
125,019
|
4,225
|
137,009
|
Total comprehensive loss for the
year
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
(21,688)
|
(21,688)
|
Transactions with Equity Holders
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Share-based payments
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
177
|
177
|
Exercise of share options
|
-
|
71
|
-
|
-
|
(71)
|
-
|
Issue of deferred bonus share
options
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
37
|
37
|
Dividends
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
(6,542)
|
-
|
(6,542)
|
Share buyback
|
-
|
(6,697)
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
(6,697)
|
At 31 March 2023
|
4,639
|
(7,343)
|
3,843
|
118,477
|
(17,320)
|
102,296
|
Total comprehensive loss for the
year
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
(8,671)
|
(8,671)
|
Transactions with Equity
Holders
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Share-based payments
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
137
|
137
|
Exercise of share options
|
-
|
161
|
-
|
-
|
(273)
|
(112)
|
Dividends
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
(6,045)
|
-
|
(6,045)
|
Share buyback
|
-
|
(15,179)
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
(15,179)
|
Shares purchased by employee
benefits trust
|
-
|
(140)
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
(140)
|
Cancellation of treasury
shares
|
(883)
|
22,501
|
883
|
(22,501)
|
-
|
-
|
At
31 March 2024
|
3,756
|
-
|
4,726
|
89,931
|
(26,127)
|
72,286
|
Treasury shares represents the
consideration paid for shares bought back on the open market. On 27
March 2024 all shares held in Treasury were cancelled.
Other reserves comprise the merger
reserve and the capital redemption reserve.
The merger reserve represents the
excess over nominal value of the fair value consideration for the
acquisition of subsidiaries satisfied by the issue of shares in
accordance with S612 of the Companies Act 2006.
The capital redemption reserve
represents the nominal value of cancelled preference share capital
redeemed.
The capital reduction reserve
represents distributable profits generated as a result of the share
premium reduction.
Notes to the Company Financial Statements
Accounting policies
Palace Capital plc is a company
incorporated in England and Wales under the Companies Act. The
address of the registered office is given on the contents page and
the nature of the Group's operations and its principal activities
are set out in the Strategic Report. The financial statements of
the Company have been prepared in accordance with FRS 102, the
Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and
the Republic of Ireland.
The preparation of financial
statements in compliance with FRS 102 requires the use of certain
critical accounting estimates. It also requires Company's
management to exercise judgement in applying the Company's
accounting policies (as detailed below). The Statement of Financial
Position heading relating to the Company's investments and
property, plant and equipment is in accordance with the balance
sheet formats of the Companies Act 2006. Assets are classified in
accordance with the definitions of fixed and current assets in the
Companies Act instead of the presentation requirements of IAS 1
Presentation of Financial Statements
Dividends revenue
Revenue is recognised when the
Company's right to receive payment is established, which is
generally when Shareholders of the paying company approve the
payment of the dividend.
Valuation of investments
Investments in subsidiaries are
measured at cost less accumulated impairment. Where merger relief
is applicable, the cost of the investment in a subsidiary
undertaking is measured at the nominal value of the shares issued
together with the fair value of any additional consideration
paid.
Current taxation
Current tax assets and liabilities
for the current and prior periods are measured at the amount
expected to be recovered from or paid to the tax authorities. The
tax rates and the tax laws used to compute the amount are those
that are enacted or substantively enacted, by the balance sheet
date.
Deferred taxation
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 income statement 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 balance sheet date.
Deferred tax balances are recognised
in respect of timing differences that have originated but not
reversed on the balance sheet date. Deferred tax liabilities are
generally recognised for all taxable temporary differences and
deferred tax assets are recognised to the extent that it is
probable that taxable profits will be available against which
deductible temporary differences can be utilised.
Deferred tax balances are not
recognised in respect of permanent differences between the fair
value of assets acquired and the future
tax deductions available for them and the differences between the
fair values of liabilities acquired and the amount that will be
assessed for tax.
The carrying amount of deferred tax
assets is reviewed at each balance sheet 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 profit or loss, except when it relates to
items charged or credited directly to other comprehensive income,
in which case the deferred tax is also dealt with in other
comprehensive income.
Trade and other receivables
Trade and other receivables and
intercompany receivables are recognised and carried at the original
transaction value. A provision for impairment is established where
there is objective evidence that the Company will not be able to
collect all amounts due according to the original terms of the
receivables concerned.
Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents comprise
cash on hand and demand 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 changes in
value.
Financial liabilities and equity
Financial liabilities and equity
instruments issued by the Company are classified according to the
substance of the contractual arrangements entered into and the
definitions of a financial liability and an equity instrument. An
equity instrument is any contract that evidences a residual
interest in the assets of the Company after deducting all of its
liabilities. The accounting policies adopted for specific financial
liabilities and equity instruments are set out below:
Trade payables
Trade payables are initially
measured at fair value and are subsequently measured at amortised
cost, using the effective interest rate method.
Equity instruments
Equity instruments issued by the
Company are recorded at the fair value of proceeds received, net of
direct issue costs.
Parent company disclosure exemptions
In preparing the separate financial
statements of the Parent Company, advantage has been taken of the
following disclosure exemptions available in FRS 102:
• no cash flow
statement has been presented for the Parent Company;
• disclosures in
respect of the Parent Company's financial instruments have not been
presented as equivalent disclosures have been provided in respect
of the Group as a whole;
• disclosures in
respect of the Parent Company's share-based payment arrangements
have not been presented as equivalent disclosures have been
provided in respect of the Group as a whole; and
• disclosure has been
given for the aggregate remuneration of the key management
personnel of the Parent Company as their remuneration is included
in the totals for the Group as a whole.
Judgements in applying accounting policies and key sources of
estimation uncertainty
Investments and loans to subsidiary undertakings (see note
2)
The most critical estimates,
assumptions and judgements relate to the determination of carrying
value of unlisted investments in the Company's subsidiary
undertakings and the carrying value of the loans that the Company
has made to them. The nature, facts and circumstance of the
investment or loan are taken into account in assessing whether
there are any indications of impairment.
Provisions provided in the year
reflect the reduction in net asset value of subsidiaries for the
year ended 31 March 2024. The carrying value of the subsidiaries
represents the net asset value (NAV) of the subsidiary as at 31
March 2024. The NAV of the subsidiaries are affected by the fair
value of the Group's investment property.
1.
PROFIT FOR THE FINANCIAL PERIOD
The Company has taken advantage of
section 408 of the Companies Act 2006 and consequently a profit and
loss account for the Company alone has not been
presented.
2.
INVESTMENTS IN SUBSIDIARIES
Cost:
|
Investments
in
subsidiaries
£'000
|
At 1 April 2022
|
180,956
|
Write-down of investments
|
-
|
At 1 April 2023
|
180,956
|
Additions
|
8,851
|
Disposals
|
(12,521)
|
At 31 March 2024
|
177,286
|
Provision for impairment:
|
|
At 1 April 2022
|
58,092
|
Provided during the year
|
18,134
|
At 1 April 2023
|
76,226
|
Provided during the year
|
8,341
|
Disposals
|
(1,663)
|
At 31 March 2024
|
82,904
|
|
|
Net
book value at 31 March 2024
|
94,382
|
Net book value at 31 March
2023
|
104,730
|
During the year, Palace Capital plc
waived loans to subsidiaries to the value of £8,851,000. The waived
loans were capitalised to the investment in subsidiaries,
subsequently an impairment of £8,341,000 was recognised to reflect
the reduction in net asset value of subsidiaries for the year ended
31 March 2024. The carrying value of the subsidiaries represents
the net asset value (NAV) of the subsidiaries as at 31 March
2024.
During the year a subsidiary, Palace
Capital (Liverpool) Limited, was disposed of which resulted in a
reversal of an impairment previously recognised of
£1,663,000.
The Group comprises a number of
companies; all subsidiaries included within these financial
statements are noted below:
Subsidiary undertaking:
|
Class of share
held
|
%
shareholding
|
Principal
activity
|
Palace Capital (Leeds)
Limited
|
Ordinary
|
100
|
Property
Investments
|
Palace Capital (Northampton)
Limited
|
Ordinary
|
100
|
Property
Investments
|
Palace Capital (Properties)
Limited
|
Ordinary
|
100
|
Property
Investments
|
Palace Capital (Developments)
Limited
|
Ordinary
|
100
|
Property
Investments
|
Palace Capital (Halifax)
Limited
|
Ordinary
|
100
|
Property
Investments
|
Palace Capital (Manchester)
Limited
|
Ordinary
|
100
|
Property
Investments
|
Palace Capital (Signal)
Limited
|
Ordinary
|
100
|
Property
Investments
|
Property Investment Holdings
Limited
|
Ordinary
|
100
|
Property
Investments
|
Palace Capital (Dartford)
Limited
|
Ordinary
|
100
|
Property
Management
|
Palace Capital (Newcastle)
Limited
|
Ordinary
|
100
|
Property
Investments
|
Palace Capital (York)
Limited
|
Ordinary
|
100
|
Property
Investments
|
Associated Company:
|
|
|
|
HBP Services Limited*
|
Ordinary
|
21.4
|
Property
Management
|
Clubcourt Limited*
|
Ordinary
|
40
|
Property
Management
|
* Held
indirectly
The results of the associated
companies are immaterial to the Group.
The registered addresses for the
subsidiaries across the Group are consistent based on their country
of incorporation and are as follows: Thomas House, 84 Eccleston
Square, London, SW1V 1PX
On 10 July 2023 the 100% holding in
Palace Capital (Liverpool) Limited was disposed of.
On 29 April 2024, contacts were
exchanged for the sale of Palace Capital (Manchester) Limited with
completion expected in July 2024.
3.
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
|
IT, fixtures and fittings
£'000
|
At 31 March 2022
|
291
|
Additions
|
8
|
At 31 March 2023
|
299
|
Additions
|
-
|
At
31 March 2024
|
299
|
Depreciation
|
|
At 31 March 2022
|
248
|
Provided during the
period
|
29
|
At 31 March 2023
|
277
|
Provided during the
period
|
22
|
At
31 March 2024
|
299
|
|
|
Net
book value at 31 March 2024
|
-
|
Net book value at 31 March
2023
|
22
|
4.
TRADE AND OTHER RECEIVABLES
|
2024
£,000
|
2023
£'000
|
Amounts owed by subsidiary
undertakings
|
28,581
|
28,034
|
Trade debtors
|
1,582
|
1,703
|
Other debtors
|
39
|
47
|
Accrued interest on amounts owed by
subsidiary undertakings
|
309
|
309
|
Prepayments
|
91
|
62
|
|
30,602
|
30,155
|
Trade debtors represent amounts owed
from subsidiary undertakings in relation to management
charges.
All amounts that fall due for
repayment within one year and are presented within current assets
as required by the Companies Act. The amounts owed by subsidiary
undertakings are repayable on demand with no fixed repayment date,
although it is noted that a significant proportion of the amounts
may not be sought for repayment within one year depending on
activity in the subsidiary undertakings.
A loan amounting to £8,761,009
remains outstanding at 31 March 2024 (2023: £14,023,501) from
Palace Capital (Developments) Limited. No interest is charged on
this loan. This loan is repayable on demand.
A loan amounting to £142,417 remains
outstanding at 31 March 2024 (2023: £1,079,417) from Palace Capital
(Halifax) Limited. No interest is charged on this loan. This loan
is repayable on demand.
A loan amounting to £7,363,467
remains outstanding at 31 March 2024 (2023: £4,945,582) from Palace
Capital (Northampton) Limited. No interest is charged on this loan.
This loan is repayable on demand.
A loan amounting to £Nil remains
outstanding at 31 March 2024 (2023: £3,084,996) from Palace Capital
(Manchester) Limited. No interest is charged on this loan. This
loan is repayable on demand.
A loan amounting to £12,313,905
remains outstanding at 31 March 2024 (2023: £3,101,452) from Palace
Capital (Newcastle) Limited. No interest is charged on this loan.
This loan is repayable on demand.
5.
CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR
|
2024
£,000
|
2023
£'000
|
Trade creditors
|
123
|
124
|
Amount owed to subsidiary
undertaking
|
62,824
|
32,143
|
Other taxes
|
247
|
268
|
Other creditors
|
-
|
15
|
Accruals and deferred
income
|
422
|
1,110
|
|
63,616
|
33,660
|
A loan amounting to £30,280,243
remains outstanding at 31 March 2024 (2023: £19,264,032) to Palace
Capital (Signal) Limited. No interest is charged on this loan. This
loan is repayable on demand.
A loan amounting to £11,280,188
remains outstanding at 31 March 2024 (2023: £10,612,686) to
Property Investment Holdings Limited. No interest is charged on
this loan. This loan is repayable on demand.
A loan amounting to £Nil remains
outstanding at 31 March 2024 (2023: £2,146,000) to Palace Capital
(Liverpool) Limited. No interest is charged on this loan. This loan
was repaid as part of the disposal of the holding in Palace Capital
(Liverpool) Limited.
A loan amounting to £76,508 remains
outstanding at 31 March 2024 (2023: £120,000) to Palace Capital
(York) Limited. No interest is charged on this loan. This loan is
repayable on demand.
A loan amounting to £2,601,593
remains outstanding at 31 March 2024 (2023: £153,534 debtor) to
Palace Capital (Leeds) Limited. No interest is charged on this
loan. This loan is repayable on demand.
A loan amounting to £18,585,423
remains outstanding at 31 March 2024 (2022: £1,645,430 debtor) to
Palace Capital (Properties) Limited. No interest is charged on this
loan. This loan is repayable on demand.
6.
SHARE CAPITAL
The details of the Company's share
capital are provided in note 19 of the notes to the Consolidated
Financial Statements.
7.
LEASES
Operating lease payments in respect
of rents on leasehold properties occupied by the Company are
payable as follows:
|
2024
£'000
|
2023
£'000
|
Within one year
|
40
|
134
|
|
40
|
134
|
8.
POST BALANCE SHEET EVENTS
There are no post balance sheet
events.
Officers and Professional Advisors
Directors
Steven Owen
Executive Chairman
Mark Davies
Independent Non-Executive Director
Secretary
Phil Higgins
Registered office
Thomas House
84 Eccleston Square
London
SW1V 1PX
Registered number
05332938 (England and
Wales)
Auditor
BDO
LLP
55 Baker Street
London
W1U 7EU
Registrar
EQUINITI LIMITED
Aspect House
Spencer Road
Lancing
West Sussex
BN 99 6DA
Broker
Numis Securities Limited
45 Gresham Street
London
EC2V 7BF
Glossary
Adjusted EPS: Is adjusted
profit before tax less corporation tax charge on recurring earnings
(excluding deferred tax movements) divided by the average basic
number of shares in the period.
Adjusted profit before tax: Is
the IFRS profit before taxation excluding investment property
revaluations, gains/losses on disposals, acquisition costs, fair
value movement in derivatives, share-based payments and exceptional
items.
Balance sheet gearing: Is the
balance sheet net debt divided by IFRS net assets.
Dividend cover: Is the Adjusted
profit before tax plus trading profit divided by dividends paid in
the period, expressed as a percentage.
Employee Benefit Trust (EBT):
the Employee Benefit Trust, administrator of the Company's share
plans.
Expected credit loss (ECL): In
accordance with IFRS 9, the risk of recoverability of our rental
arrears are assessed. This is done using a probability weighted
estimate of credit losses, being the difference between the cash
flows that are due in accordance with the contract and the cash
flows that the Group expects to receive.
EPRA: Is the European Public
Real Estate Association.
EPRA cost ratio (including direct vacancy
costs): Is a proportionally
consolidated measure of the ratio of net overheads and operating
expenses against gross rental income (with both amounts excluding
ground rents payable). Net overheads and operating expenses relate
to all administrative and operating expenses, net of any service
fees, recharges or other income specifically intended to cover
overhead and property expenses.
EPRA cost ratio (excluding direct vacancy
costs): Is the ratio calculated
above, but with direct vacancy costs removed from the net overheads
and operating expenses balance.
EPRA diluted EPS: Is EPRA
earnings divided by the average diluted number of shares in the
period.
EPRA earnings: Is the IFRS
profit after taxation excluding investment property revaluations,
gains/losses on disposals and changes in fair value of financial
derivatives.
EPRA EPS: Is EPRA earnings
divided by the average basic number of shares in the
period.
EPRA net assets (EPRA NAV): Are
the balance sheet net assets according to the definitions of the
various NAV measures defined in the EPRA Best Practice
Recommendations that came into effect for accounting periods
starting 1 January 2020.
EPRA net tangible assets (EPRA NTA):
Is the NAV adjusted to reflect the fair value of
trading properties and to exclude deferred taxation and
derivatives.
EPRA NTA per share: Is EPRA NTA
divided by the diluted number of shares at the period
end.
EPRA occupancy rate: Is the ERV
of occupied space divided by ERV of the whole portfolio, excluding
developments and residential property.
EPRA topped-up net initial yield: Is the current annualised rent, net of costs, topped up for
contracted uplifts, where these are not in lieu of rental growth,
expressed as a percentage of capital value.
EPRA vacancy rate: Is the ERV
of vacant space divided by ERV of the whole portfolio, excluding
developments and residential property.
Equivalent yield: Is the net
weighted average return a property will produce based upon the
timing of the income received. In accordance with usual practice,
the equivalent yields (as determined by the external valuers)
assume rent received annually in arrears.
Estimated rental value (ERV): Is the external valuers' opinion as to the open market rent
which, on the date of valuation, could reasonably be expected to be
obtained on a new letting or rent review of a property.
IAS/IFRS: Is the International
Financial Reporting Standards issued by the International
Accounting Standards Board and adopted by the UK.
Interest cover ratio (ICR): Is
the number of times net interest payable is covered by underlying
profit before net interest payable and taxation.
Investment Property Databank (IPD): A wholly-owned subsidiary of MSCI producing an independent
benchmark of property returns and the Group's portfolio
returns.
Key
Performance Indicators (KPIs): Are
the most critical metrics that measure the success of specific
activities used to meet business goals - measured against a
specific target or benchmark, adding context to each activity being
measured.
Like-for-like net rental income: Is the change in net rental income on properties owned
throughout the current and previous periods under review. This
growth rate includes revenue recognition and lease accounting
adjustments but excludes properties held for development in either
period, properties with guaranteed rent reviews, asset management
determinations and surrender premiums.
Like-for-like valuation: Is the
change in the fair value of properties owned throughout the entire
year.
This excludes properties acquired
during the year and disposed of during the year, but includes
capital expenditure spent on the properties.
Loan to value (LTV): Is the
ratio of principal value of gross debt less cash, short-term
deposits and liquid investments to the aggregate fair value of
properties and investments.
MSCI Inc. (MSCI IPD): Is a
company that produces independent benchmarks of property returns.
The Group measures its performance against both the Central London
Offices Index and the UK All Property Index.
Net
asset value (NAV) per share: Is the
equity attributable to owners of the Group divided by the number of
ordinary shares in issue at the period end.
Net
initial yield (NIY): Is the current
annualised rent, net of costs, expressed as a percentage of capital
value, after adding notional purchaser's costs.
Net
rental income: Is the rental income
receivable in the period after payment of net property outgoings.
Net rental income will differ from annualised net rents and passing
rent due to the effects of income from rent reviews, net property
outgoings and accounting adjustments for fixed and minimum
contracted rent reviews and lease incentives.
Net
reversionary yield (NRY): Is the
anticipated yield, which the initial yield will rise to once the
rent reaches the estimated rental value.
Passing rent: Is the gross
rent, less any ground rent payable under head leases.
Peer Group: A selection of
small/medium sized property companies within the listed real estate
sector with a diversified portfolio.
Proforma: Is a method of
calculating financial results using certain projections or
presumptions.
Property Portfolio: the total
fair value of all investment properties and trading properties as
determined by the independent valuer, CBRE.
Portfolio Valuation: The value
of the Company's property portfolio, including all investment and
trading properties as valued by our independent valuer,
CBRE.
Property Income Distribution (PID): A dividend received by a Shareholder of the principal company
in respect of profits and gains of the Property Rental Business of
the UK resident members of the REIT Group or in respect of the
profits or gains of a non-UK resident member of the REIT
Group.
Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT):
A UK Real Estate Investment Trust must be a
company listed on a recognised stock exchange with at least
three-quarters of its profits and assets derived from a qualifying
property rental business. Income and capital gains from the
property rental business are exempt from tax but the REIT is
required to distribute at least 90% of those profits to
Shareholders. Tax is payable on profits from non-qualifying
activities of the residual business.
Tenant (or lease) incentives: Are any incentives offered to occupiers to enter into a lease.
Typically the incentive will be an initial rent free period, or a
cash contribution to fit-out or similar costs. Under accounting
rules the value of lease incentives given to tenants is amortised
through the Income Statement on a straight-line basis to the lease
expiry.
Total Accounting Return (TAR): Is the increase or decrease in EPRA NAV per share plus
dividends paid in the year, and this can be expressed as a
percentage of EPRA NAV per share at the beginning of the
period.
Total Expense Ratio: Is
calculated as total administrative costs for the year divided by
total asset value in the year.
Total Shareholder Return (TSR): Is calculated as the movement in the share price for the
period plus dividends paid in the year, divided by opening share
price
Weighted average debt maturity: Is measured in years when each tranche of Group debt is
multiplied by the remaining period to its maturity and the result
is divided by total Group debt in issue at the period
end.
Weighted average interest rate: Is the loan interest per annum at the period end, divided by
total debt in issue at the period end.
Weighted average unexpired lease term (WAULT):
Is the average lease term remaining to first
break, or expiry, across the portfolio weighted by rental income.
This is also disclosed assuming all break clauses are exercised at
the earliest date,
as stated.