Final Results

RNS Number : 1156A
Local Shopping REIT (The) PLC
18 December 2014
 



The Local Shopping REIT plc

("LSR" or the "Company" or the "Group")

AUDITED FULL YEAR RESULTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2014

The Local Shopping REIT plc (LSE: LSR), the real estate investment trust ("REIT") that provides investors with access to a diversified portfolio of local shopping assets across the UK, today announces its audited results for the year ended 30 September 2014.

 

The information set out below is extracted from the Company's Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 30 September 2014, which will be published today on the Company's website www.localshoppingreit.co.uk.  A copy will also be submitted to the National Storage Mechanism and will be available for inspection at: http://www.Hemscott.com.  Printed copies will shortly be dispatched to shareholders.  Cross-references in the extracted information below refer to pages and sections in the Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 30 September 2014.

 

Highlights

·     Recurring profit £0.685m or 0.8 pence per share (2013: £2.070m or 2.5 pence per share) with a profit for the financial year of £1.206m or 1.5 pence per share (2013: loss of £6.07m or 7.5p per share).

 

·     Sale of 235 properties held within two subsidiary companies ("Project Minard"), in furtherance of the investment strategy, at an implied property sale price of £79.3m, including the removal of third party fixed rate debt.

 

·     Net Asset Value (NAV) of £34.8m or 42 pence per share (2013: £33.6m or 41p per share).

 

·     Significant reduction in LTV, with total net debt of £49.1m, reflecting an LTV of 56.1% (2013: £127.7m, LTV 75.2%).

 

·     Debt free properties valued at £5.8m.

 

·     Portfolio revalued at 30 September 2014 at £87.6m (2013: £168.9m; like-for-like value £87.8m), reflecting an equivalent yield (excluding the residential element) of 9.25%.

 

·     At 30 September 2014 the portfolio comprised 387 properties, with 1,190 letting units, producing an annual rental income (after deducting head rent payments) of £7.92m.

 

·     In addition to Project Minard, 23 property sales during the year, of which five were sales of flats on long leases, producing an aggregate premium of 17.02% to their preceding valuation of £3.66m.

 

·     Annual rent roll for the residual portfolio of £7.92m, broadly unchanged on like-for-like basis from 2013.

 

·     Market Rent (net of head rents) at 30 September 2014, of £8.56m (2013: £16.90m). On a like-for-like basis, Market Rent reduced by 2.97% from £8.82m.

 

·     Overall void rate 11.94%, equivalent to Market Rent of £1.03m (2013 like-for-like: 12.27%).

 

·     115 vacant commercial units let during the year at an annual rental income of £1,164,283 per annum (2013: 126 units let at £1,003,840 per annum).

 

·     83 rent reviews with an aggregate rental uplift of £88,684 (6.5%) above previous passing rent.

 

·     36 lease renewals secured at a net rental increase of £664 (0.2%), £16,202 (4.8%) above Market Rent.

 

·     Rental deposits held of £467,783 or 23.7% of the quarterly rent roll (2013: £862,000, 22.3%).

 

·     11 planning consents secured, including 3 for conversions to flats. One flat conversion completed adding £5,400 to rent roll.

 

·     Net cost savings during the year of £0.9m resulting from the 2013 Strategy Review

 

About The Local Shopping REIT plc

 

As at 30 September 2014 the Company's portfolio comprised 387 properties, with 1,190 letting units.  In July 2013 the Company adopted a new investment policy to maximise shareholder value through (inter alia):

 

·     realising its assets progressively in accordance with prevailing market conditions with a view to repaying the Company's existing debt facilities (where consistent with the protection of value) and ultimately returning value to Shareholders;

 

·     exploiting the potential of the portfolio through active asset management.

 

For further information:

The Local Shopping REIT plc         +44 20 7355 8800

 

Steve Faber, Director

Bill Heaney, Company Secretary

 

Or visit www.localshoppingreit.co.uk.

 



 

Introduction

 

During the year to 30 September 2014 the directors and management team worked hard in the execution of the investment policy, adopted by shareholders in July 2013, to sell down the Company's property portfolio whilst maintaining shareholder value. A significant step was achieved during the year with the sale in August 2014 of two of the Company's property holding subsidiaries at an implied property sale price of £79.3m, including the removal of third party fixed rate debt. As a result of this and our individual property sales programme, we significantly reduced our indebtedness, improving our loan-to-value ratio from 75% in 2013 to 56% at the year end. We continue to seek opportunities to further the execution of the investment policy and a number of initiatives are in hand.

 

Stephen East, Chairman

 

 

Business Review 2013-14

 

Market Context

 

The UK economy continued to recover during the year, with gross domestic product growing by 2.9% during the 12 months to 30 September 2014, according to figures from the Office for National Statistics. Comparing favourably with European competitors, this incorporated improved output and increasing employment in both manufacturing and construction, as well as the dominant services sector.  However, the rate of expansion slowed during the September quarter, with uncertainty over the Scottish independence vote adding to the usual summer holiday season lull. Some commentators have recently expressed concerns that stagnation in key economies within the Eurozone may soon dampen growth in the UK. With overall wage growth remaining low and the central government deficit remaining to be meaningfully addressed, there appears to be little room for cuts in personal taxation. A significant increase in High Street spending would therefore appear unlikely for the immediate future, although Christmas trading may be assisted by the recent fall in petrol prices. House prices, supported in part by the Government's 'Help to Buy' scheme, increased apace during the year. This has been particularly apparent in the South East, where a buy-to-let boom and overseas investment activity in the London market have also played a part.

 

The Government has held back on taking measures to mitigate the dangers of house price inflation and mortgage debt, possibly wishing to avoid damaging construction activity outside the South East. It appears likely that the Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee will maintain interest rates at their current low level until at least mid-2015.  Within the retail sector, headline-grabbing failures of high profile chains were avoided during the year and the sector recovered well from the adverse weather conditions, including severe flooding in some localities, which marked the winter of 2013-14. Figures from the Local Data Company showed a small but consistent decline in retail vacancy rates over the first half of 2014, with voids in June at their lowest level since 2010.

 

Demand for space continued unabated in central London, with a number of overseas retailers moving into the market for the first time. The Colliers International Autumn Report indicated improvements in rental levels for primary retail locations in Outer London, the North West and East Midlands over 2013, and a stabilisation of recent slides in other regions.  In contrast, the number of profit warnings issued by Stock Exchange-listed retailers increased significantly during the September quarter, perhaps indicative of pressures felt generally within the sector during prior months. Whilst UK retail sales volume at end-September 2014 was up on the previous year by 2.7%, there was a marked slowdown during the month of September. The recent troubles within Tesco have reverberated amongst supermarket retailers, many of whom are also struggling to adapt to changes in shopping habits and the emergence of discount supermarkets. Whilst supermarket operators acknowledge concerns over the profitability of superstores, they continue to seek viable sites for convenience outlets.

 

Whilst by no means immune to these pressures, independent local retailers in our market sector have shown remarkable resilience and we have seen small but steady signs of improving health during the spring and summer, particularly amongst convenience, services, health & beauty and leisure outlets. For investors in the sector, demand continued to be most marked for assets located in the South East. Other than in major provincial sectors, investor activity did not pick up materially in regional markets prior to the summer months.  Major auction houses are reporting success rates in the order of 75-90%.  Purchasers continue to be selective and it appears that the market remains reluctant to adjust to higher purchase yields. The availability of debt finance continues to influence the market. However, stabilising rental levels and the continuing search for yield, together with an increased appetite for risk, may improve provincial investor activity during the coming months.

 

Operations

 

At the beginning of the 2013-14 financial year the business had started to engage with the new investment policy adopted by shareholders in July 2013. As well as a change in strategy, this involved the transfer of our asset managers and accounting staff to INTERNOS on its appointment as fund manager. It is to the credit of the INTERNOS management team and the transferring employees that this transition was achieved with no appreciable disruption to business operations.

 

A major step forward in furtherance of the investment strategy was the disposal of a portfolio of 235 properties by way of the sale of two of our property-holding subsidiaries in August 2014 ("Project Minard"). The implied property sale price, taking account of the removal of third party fixed rate debt, was £79.3m.  In addition to Project Minard, we completed 23 individual property sales during the year. Of these, five were sales of flats on long leases. These individual sales produced an aggregate sales receipts of £4,284,006, a premium of 17.02% to the preceding valuation of £3,661,000.  The effect of these sales was to reduce our gearing at the year end to 56%, from 75% in 2013.

 

Results and Net Asset Value

 

On an IFRS basis, the Group recorded a profit for the financial year of £1.21m (2013: IFRS loss of £6.07m). The recurring profit for the year was £0.69m (0.8p per share), compared with a restated recurring profit of £2.07m (2.5p per share) in 2013. A reconciliation of the recurring profit to the loss before tax in the Income Statement is given in the Financial Review section, below.  The net asset value of the Group increased over the year by £1.21m to £34.83m. This equates to an NAV per share of 42 pence (30 September 2013: 41 pence). The NAV per share adjusted for the fair value of interest rate swap contracts was 47 pence at 30 September 2014 (2013: 48 pence). This figure does not take account of adjustments which may arise on disposal of the remainder of the Company's investment property assets, including accelerated amortisation of certain balance sheet items and professional fees.

 

Portfolio Performance and Asset Management

 

Our investment property portfolio was re-valued at 30 September 2014 at £87,563,250. This reflected an equivalent yield (excluding the residential element) of 9.25%. The portfolio comprised 387 properties, with 1,190 letting units, producing an annual rental income, net of head rent payments, of £7.92m.  On a like-for-like basis the portfolio valuation decreased by 0.25% from £87.8m.

 



 

Portfolio Summary

Value

£87.6m

Initial Yield

8.82%

Reversionary Yield

9.48%

Equivalent Yield*

9.25%

Rent p.a.

£7.92m

Market Rent

£8.56m

* excluding residential element

 

Range of values within the portfolio

Value Range

No. of Properties

Value £m

Equivalent Yield*

£0-100k

146

10,055,750

10.31%

£101k-£200k

124

17,102,500

9.63%

£201k-£500k

88

27,630,000

9.57%

£501k-£1m

19

14,505,000

9.09%

£1m-£3m

8

11,845,000

8.12%

£3m +

2

6,425,000

7.51%

Total

387

87,563,250

9.25%

 

Like-for-like portfolio - adjusted for sales


30 September 2014

30 September 2013

Change

Value

£87.6m

£87.8m

-0.25%

Initial Yield*

8.82%

8.38%

+44bps

Reversionary Yield*

9.48%

9.71%

-23bps

Equivalent Yield*

9.25%

9.39%

-14bps

Rent p.a.

£7.9m

£7.9m

-0.01%

Market Rent p.a.

£8.6m

£8.8m

-2.97%

* excluding residential element

 

Values by Region


% of portfolio value

Valuation movement

Scotland

13.46%

-5.12%

North East

3.07%

+0.75%

Yorkshire & Humberside

7.40%

-3.34%

East Midlands

6.38%

+2.15%

East Anglia

1.96%

-0.15%

London & South East

23.55%

+7.29%

South West

13.62%

+2.22%

Wales

4.83%

-0.53%

West Midlands

8.35%

-2.99%

North West

17.39%

-5.59%

 

The aggregate Market Rent for the portfolio at 30 September 2014, net of head rent payments, was £8,564,474 (2013: £16,896,962). The principal reason for the fall in Market Rent was the disposal of properties during the year. On a like-for-like basis, the portfolio Market Rent fell by 2.97% from £8,818,932 at 30 September 2013.  Whilst the country's general economic activity began to pick up during the year, conditions for retailers continue to be challenging in many regions. This has influenced both portfolio rental income and the vacancy rate. The combined

Market Rent of vacant properties at the year-end was £1,030,636 or 11.94% of aggregate portfolio Market Rent, an improvement on the like-with-like 2013 void rate of 12.27%. Within this, commercial properties accounted for £908,580 and residential units were £122,056. The portfolio void rate reflects our balanced policy of taking possession early where tenants are in financial difficulty, enabling re-marketing of vacant properties and alleviating bad debts.  We do not distinguish between assets deliberately held vacant and other vacant properties.

 

Our asset managers continued to exploit opportunities for improving portfolio returns during the year, from new lettings, rent reviews and lease renewals. The details of these given below include both the ongoing portfolio and the elements disposed of in August 2014 via Project Minard, the proceeds of which reflected previous asset management activities. 

 

Our flexible approach to leasing, taking account of local factors, continued to serve us well during the year, enabling the letting of 115 vacant commercial units at a total rent of £1,164,283 per annum (2012-13: 116 lettings at £1,003,840).  Overall, these units were let at 1.9% below Market Rent. Regarding tenant incentives, we maintained our policy of preferring stepped rents to offering lengthy rent-free periods. The average rent free period on new leases starting during the year within the continuing portfolio was 32 days (2013: 67 days). At the year-end the aggregate rent within the letting pipeline was £175,700 per annum. 

 

We completed rent reviews on 83 units during the year, increasing rental income by a total of £88,684 per annum. These produced an average uplift of 6.5% over the previous passing rent and 9.7% above Market Rent. 

 

Lease renewals were carried out on 36 units, resulting in a small net rental increase of £664 (0.2%), an average increase of 4.8% on Market Rent. 

 

We continue to seek rent deposits of between three to six months on the letting of units. The total value of deposits held at 30 September 2014 was approximately £469,783 or 27.76% of our quarterly rent roll (2013: 23.74%), providing a measure of protection against tenant default.  During the year we completed the conversion of one redundant upper parts unit to a residential flat. This was subsequently let, adding £5,400 to the annual rent roll. A further conversion of redundant upper parts, to form two flats, was underway at the year-end. During the year we secured planning consents for 3 flats and 8 further changes of use.

 

Acquisitions and Sales

 

The new investment policy, adopted in July 2013, focuses on the orderly selling down of our property portfolio.  Accordingly, we do not plan to acquire properties unless to do so contributes to the achievement of the overall sales strategy. We did not in any case acquire any new properties during 2013-14 and none have been acquired since the year end. 

 

Under Project Minard, we disposed of 235 properties at an implied property sale price, taking account of the removal of third party debt, of £79.3m. In addition, we completed 23 individual property sales during the year, producing an aggregate sales income of £4.3m, a premium of 17.02% to the preceding valuation of £3.7m.  Since the year end we completed the sale of six properties at an aggregate price of £1.5m.

 

Joint Ventures

 

During the year, the Company continued to hold an investment in a small joint venture with an established UK financial institution. The properties held by the joint venture were sold shortly before the year end and the joint venture has recently entered members' voluntary liquidation.

 

 

Finance Review

The financial statements contained in this report have been prepared in accordance with International Reporting Standards ("IFRS"). No new accounting policies were adopted during the year.

 

Results

 

The Group has recorded an IFRS profit for the financial year of £1.21m (2013: loss £6.07m). The principal reasons for the improved IFRS result were:

 

·     the reduction in administrative expenses during the year, which moved from £4.5m to £2.2m; and

 

·     a reduction in the diminution of the fair value of the property portfolio which was £0.5m over the year, compared with £8.8m in 2013.

 

Key Performance Indicators

 

The following financial key performance indicators are monitored by the directors to review the performance of the business, in addition to the specific measures described in the Business Review which are used to monitor the performance of the property portfolio.

 


30 September 2014

30 September 2013

Interest cover*

183%

184%

Loan to value (LTV) ratio†

56.1%

75.2%

Adjusted NAV per share‡

47p§

48p§

Gearing (net of cash held)

141%

380%

Recurring profit per share‡

0.83p

2.5p

 

* Based on rental income compared to interest payable

† Net of cash held

‡ Based on 82,505,853 shares in issue at 30 September 2014 (2013: 82,505,853)

§ Adjusted to exclude the fair value of financial derivatives

 

Recurring Profit

 

The recurring profit for the year was £0.69m (2013: £2.07m), the calculation of which remains consistent with previous years. A reconciliation of the loss before tax to the recurring profit, including the effect of discontinued operations, is as follows:

 


30 September 2014

30 September 2013

Profit/(loss) before tax

1,206

(6,071)

Profit on discontinued operations

-

(345)

Profit (loss) before tax on continuing operations

1,206

(6,416)

Movement in fair value of the portfolio

496

8,778

Movement in the fair value of the interest rate swaps held

(2,267)

(2,753)

Profit on sale of investment properties

(475)

(114)

Loss on sale of shares

1,312

-

Non-recurring income

-

(75)

Non-recurring expenditure and net resolution of aged balances

413

2,519

 

Non-recurring income and expenditure incurred by joint ventures

-

131




Recurring profit on continuing operations

685

2,070

 

The recurring profit per share for the year was 0.8 pence (2013: 2.5 pence). In accordance with the dividend distribution policy adopted by the Board in 2013, no dividend will be paid for the year (2013: nil).

 

Significant factors in the reduction of recurring profit were:

 

·     the sharp reduction in income during the last two months of the year, following the sale of 235 properties via Project Minard, together with other property sales during the year;

·     an increase in property repair and maintenance costs arising from severe weather  conditions in many parts of the country during the winter of 2013-14;

·     as noted in the half-year report, the impact on operating expenses of the immediate imposition of Business Rates on vacant properties;

·     the continuation, in the first half of the year, of the rigorous review of significantly aged bad debts instigated in 2012-13 (as reported at the half year).

 

As envisaged in the 2013 Annual Report, the level of administrative expenses fell during the year as a result of the cost savings achieved following the Strategic Review carried out in 2013. Reductions in staff costs and the disposal of the lease of the Company's former offices resulted in annualised cost savings of £2.05m, producing a saving net of fees paid to INTERNOS of £0.909m.

 

Net Assets

 

The net assets of the Group were £34.8m at the year end (2013: £33.6m).  During the year, further investment was made in refurbishing properties to improve prospects for letting and retaining existing tenants, as well as to comply with regulatory requirements.

 

The Group's revaluation policy remains unchanged. At the half year and year end, 25% of the portfolio, plus all properties purchased in these two six-month periods (2014: none), are valued by Allsop LLP, a firm of Chartered Surveyors, acting as external valuers, who are experienced in property types held by the Group. The remainder of the portfolio is valued on the basis of Market Value by the directors who have relevant experience and professional qualifications with the benefit of outline advice provided by Allsop LLP.

 

Joint Ventures and Investments

 

Investments in joint ventures continue to be equity accounted for during the period of the Group's ownership. During the year the Group continued to hold an interest in the small property joint venture with a financial institution. At the year end the Group had invested £0.29m in this joint venture, following the repayment of the Group's shareholder loan of £0.21m.  Following the year end, the joint venture's remaining properties were sold, following which it entered members' voluntary liquidation.

 

Banking Facilities

 

During the year the Group operated using the following facilities:

 

Loan

Facility £m

LTV Covenant

Amortisation

Termination

Date

Indus (Eclipse 2007-1) plc*

69.2m

None

£300k per quarter held in

amortisation escrow account

16 January 2017

HSBC - Term Loan 1

45.7m

91.5% - NOS 4/6 combined

1.8% pa of outstanding loan

30 April 2018

HSBC - Term Loan 2

19.4m

91.5% - NOS 4/6 combined

1.8% pa of outstanding loan

30 April 2018

 

Total HSBC Term Loans

65.1m

 




 

* The facility provided by Indus (Eclipse 2007-1) was attached to the two subsidiary companies sold in August 2014 and did not form part of the Group's banking facilities at the year end.

 

At 30 September 2014 the total debt outstanding was £65.1m (2013: £134.9m).

 

The facility provided by Indus (Eclipse 2007-1) plc was attached to the subsidiary companies disposed of under Project Minard on 7 August 2014 and has not formed part of the Group's facilities since then. Up to that date the Group had been making amortisation payments of £300,000 per quarter into an account over which the lender's agent had sole signing rights.

 

The two HSBC Term Loans were both fully drawn at the year-end. These facilities are subject to the following conditions:

 

Cross-collateralisation, with each facility providing security for the other. Whilst providing the bank with a more diversified security pool, this allows the Group to sell assets held by either subsidiary without triggering hedge break costs.

 

The financial covenants on both facilities are tested on a consolidated basis, with total loan to value ratios not to exceed 91.5%, and total projected and current interest cover ratios not to fall below 120%. As at the 31 July 2014 interest payment date the total loan to value ratio was 76.8% and the interest cover was 158.3%.

 

The repayment date for both facilities is 30 April 2018.

 

A fixed margin of 2% applies to both facilities. An additional margin will accrue from 1 January 2015 and become payable on repayment of the loans (this accrues at the rate of 1%. per annum from 1 January 2015, 1.5 %. From 1 January 2016 and then 2%. Thereafter from 1 January 2017).

 

Amortisation instalments are paid on each interest payment date, calculated as being 0.45% of the loan balances on each interest payment date.

 

All of the loans have actual and forecast interest cover tests which must be complied with under the terms of the facilities. The interest cover is tested at various times throughout the year and, at each testing date each loan was determined to be compliant. The level of the interest cover ratio ("ICR") required by each loan is listed below (each loan reporting period includes an actual and forecast ratio).

 

Loan

Actual ICR Covenant

Actual ICR

- Qtr ending

30/9/2014

Forecast ICR

Covenant

Forecast ICR -

Qtr ending 30/9/2014

HSBC - Term Loan 1

120%

158.3%

120%

153.4%

HSBC - Term Loan 2

120%

158.3%

120%

153.4%

 

At the year end the Group held properties with a total value of approximately £5.8m, with no debt drawn against them. These assets, together with the cash balances held by the Group, provide the Group with considerable flexibility.

 

Taxation

 

The Group continued to operate as a REIT throughout the year. Accordingly, any profits and gains from the property investment business should be exempt from Corporation Tax provided certain conditions continue to be met.

 

Dividend

 

As announced during 2013 the Board is not recommending the payment of dividends for the time being. Accordingly, no dividend will be paid in respect of the year. The Board's current dividend policy takes account of the cash flow requirements of the business alongside the decision not to extend future borrowings. The Company has received advice that, for the time being, this will not affect the Company's REIT status. The Board will continue to keep the dividend policy under review.



 

Consolidated Income Statement for the year ended 30 September 2014


Note

2014

2013

£000

£000

Gross rental income


13,851

14,649

Property operating expenses


(3,865)

(2,579)

Net rental income


9,986

12,070

Profit on disposal of investment properties


475

114

Loss on disposal of subsidiaries


(1,312)

-

Loss from change in fair value of investment properties

8

(496)

(8,778)

Administrative expenses including non-recurring items

3

(2,152)

(4,520)

Net other income

4

5

22

Share of results from jointly controlled entities

9

(4)

(134)

Operating profit\(loss) before net financing costs


6,502

(1,226)

Financing income*

5

3

4

Financing expenses*

5

(7,566)

(7,947)

Movement in fair value of financial derivatives

5

2,267

2,753

Profit\(loss)  before tax


1,206

(6,416)

Taxation

6

-

-

Profit\(loss) for the year from continuing operations


1,206

(6,416)

Discontinued operations




Profit\(loss)  for the year from discontinued operations


-

345

Profit\(loss)  for the financial year attributable to equity holders of the Company


1,206

(6,071)

Basic and diluted profit\(loss) per share on loss for the year

18

1.5p

(7.5)p

Basic and diluted profit\(loss) per share on continuing operations for the year

18

1.5p

(7.9)p

* Excluding movement in the fair value of financial derivatives.

Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income for the year ended 30 September 2014



2014

2013

£000s

£000s

Profit\(Loss) for the financial year


1,206

(6,071)

Total comprehensive income for the year


1,206

(6,071)





Attributable to:




Equity holders of the parent Company


1,206

(6,071)

 

Consolidated Balance Sheet as at 30 September 2014


Note

2014

2013

£000

£000

Non-current assets




Investment properties

8

86,201

166,107

Investments in jointly controlled entities

9

292

507



86,493

166,614

Current assets




Trade and other receivables

11

3,461

4,784

Investment properties held for sale

8

2,035

3,675

Cash

12

15,662

6,626



21,158

15,085

Total assets


107,651

181,699





Non-current liabilities




Interest bearing loans and borrowings

13

(63,642)

(134,363)

Finance lease liabilities

15

(672)

(922)

Derivative financial instruments

19

(1,634)

(3,872)



(65,948)

(139,157)

Current liabilities




Interest bearing loans and borrowings

13

(1,164)

-

Trade and other payables

14

(3,319)

(6,499)

Derivative financial instruments

19

(2,388)

(2,417)



(6,871)

(8,916)

Total liabilities


(72,819)

(148,073)





Net assets


34,832

33,626





Equity




Issued capital

16

18,334

18,334

Reserves

16

3,773

3,773

Capital redemption reserve

16

1,764

1,764

Retained earnings


10,961

9,755

Total attributable to equity holders of the Company


34,832

33,626


 

Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for the year ended 30 September 2014



2014

2013

Note

£000

£000

Operating activities




Profit\(Loss) for the year


1,206

(6,071)

Adjustments for:




Loss from change in fair value of investment properties

8

496

8,778

Net financing costs

5

5,296

5,190

Profit on disposal of investment properties


(475)

(114)

Loss on disposal of subsidiaries


1,312

-

Loss on disposal of discontinued operations

25

-

500

Depreciation

7

-

123

Share of results of jointly controlled entities

9

4

134



7,839

8,540

Increase/(decrease) in trade and other receivables


1,220

(86)

(Decrease)/increase in trade and other payables


(1,108)

788



7,951

9,242

Interest paid


(8,026)

(7,525)

Loan arrangement fees paid


(143)

(481)

Interest received


3

4

Corporation tax paid


-

-

Net cash from operating activities


(215)

1,240





Investing activities




Net proceeds from sale of investment properties


4,255

1,356

Cash transferred on disposal of subsidiaries


(1,350)

-

Proceeds from sale of subsidiaries


10,283

-

Acquisition and improvements to investment properties

8

(1,045)

(1,693)

Proceeds of sale from property, plant and equipment


-

3

Proceeds of sale from discontinued operations


-

2,753

Proceeds of sale from other inverstments


-

725

Investment in jointly controlled entities

9

-

(317)

Repayment of investment in jointly controlled entities


210

681

Cash flows from investing activities


12,353

3,508





Net cash flows from operating activities and investing activities


12,138

4,748





Financing activities




Repayment of borrowings


(3,102)

(68,300)

New borrowings


-

66,310

Dividends paid

17

-

(1,628)

Cash flows from financing activities


(3,102)

(3,618)





Net increase/(decrease) in cash


9,036

1,130

Cash at beginning of year


6,626

5,496

Cash at end of year

12

15,662

6,626

 

Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity for the year ended 30 September 2014




Capital



Share capital


redemption

Retained


-

Reserves

reserve

earnings

Total

£000

£000

£000

£000

£000

Balance at 1 October 2012

18,334

3,773

1,764

17,454

41,325

Total comprehensive income for the year






Loss for the year

-

-

-

(6,071)

(6,071)

Transactions with owners, recorded directly






in equity

Dividends

-

-

-

(1,628)

(1,628)

Total contributions by and distributions to owners

-

-

-

(1,628)

(1,628)







Balance at 30 September 2013

18,334

3,773

1,764

9,755

33,626

Total comprehensive income for the year






Profit for the year

-

-

-

1,206

1,206

Transactions with owners, recorded directly






in equity

Dividends

-

-

-

-

-

Total contributions by and distributions to owners

-

-

-

-

-







Balance at 30 September 2014

18,334

3,773

1,764

10,961

34,832

 

 



 

Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 30 September 2014

1. Accounting Policies

Basis of Preparation

The Local Shopping REIT plc ("the Company") is a company incorporated and domiciled in the UK. The Group's financial statements have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards as adopted by the EU (adopted "IFRS") and in accordance with the provisions of the Companies Act 2006.

The financial statements are prepared in pounds sterling, rounded to the nearest thousand. They have been prepared under the historical cost convention except for the following assets which are measured on the basis of fair value: investment properties, derivative financial instruments, other investments and investment properties held for sale.

The directors have considered whether it is appropriate to prepare the financial statements on a going concern basis. During the year the Group disposed of a number of properties and subsequent to the year end began marketing its remaining property-owning subsidiary companies in a single transaction. The directors believe a sale, which will generate proceeds sufficient to repay all of the Group's financial obligations, is probable within the next six months. Should the sale proceed it is likely to be the directors' intention to liquidate the Company shortly following the sale of the remaining properties, repay all creditors and distribute all remaining monies to the shareholders. If the sale does not proceed then the directors will consider their options which include the sale of all the remaining properties in piecemeal over several years or continue to trade as a going concern. The directors have prepared profit and cash flow forecasts for the period to 30 September 2018 which include assumptions relating to the sale of properties under the current investment strategy which the directors consider to be reasonable. These forecasts project that the Group's and Company's funding needs will be comfortably met by the existing banking facility agreements without any breach of related covenants over the remaining life of the facilities which expire in 2018.

On the basis of these projections the directors consider that the Group will continue to be compliant with its banking covenants and sufficient resources will be available to enable it to continue as a going concern for at least the next 12 months. However the directors' intention to liquidate the company within the next 12 months in the event that the proposed disposal of the Group's remaining properties is successful represents a material uncertainty which may cast significant doubt on the Group's and Company's ability to continue as a going concern. The financial statements do not include the adjustments that would result from the going concern basis of preparation being inappropriate.

The accounting policies set out below have, unless otherwise stated, been applied consistently to all periods presented in these financial statements.

Basis of Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the financial statements of the Company and all its subsidiary undertakings up to 30 September 2014. Subsidiaries are consolidated from the date on which the Group obtains control, being the power to govern the financial and operating policies of the entity so as to obtain benefit from its activities. They continue to be consolidated until the date that such control ceases. The financial statements of subsidiaries are prepared using consistent accounting policies. Inter-company transactions and balances are eliminated.

Investment Property

Investment properties are those properties owned by the Group that are held to earn rental income or for capital appreciation or both and are not occupied by the Company or any of its subsidiaries.

The fair value of investment properties is based on market values being an estimated amount for which a property could be exchanged on the date of valuation under an arm's length transaction between a willing buyer and seller after proper marketing wherein the parties had acted knowledgeably, prudently and without compulsion. Professional external valuers have valued a sample selected by themselves of 25% of the existing portfolio at the half year and year end and all new purchases since the previous valuation to the half year and to the year end. The remainder of the portfolio has been valued on the basis of market value at the year end by the directors who have appropriate recognised professional qualifications and recent experience of the location and category of the property being valued.

Investment properties are treated as acquired at the point the Group assumes the significant risks and returns of ownership. Subsequent expenditure is charged to the asset's carrying value only when it is probable that future economic benefits associated with the expenditure will flow to the Group and the cost of each item can be reliably measured. All other repairs and maintenance costs are charged to the Income Statement during the period in which they are incurred.

Disposals of investment properties are recognised on completion; profits and losses arising are recognised through the Income Statement, the profit is determined as the difference between the sales proceeds and the carrying amount of the asset at the last valuation date plus any additional expenditure incurred since that date.

Interest on loans associated with acquiring investment properties is expensed on an effective interest rate basis.

Rental income from investment properties is accounted for as described below.

Investment Properties Held for Sale

Investment properties held for sale are included in the Balance Sheet at their fair value. In determining whether assets no longer meet the investment criteria of the Group, consideration has been given to the conditions required under IFRS 5.

An investment property shall classify a non-current asset as held for sale if its carrying amount will be recovered principally through a sale transaction rather than through continuing use.

The asset must be available for immediate sale in its present condition subject only to terms that are usual and customary for sales of such assets and its sale must be highly probable as at the year end.

Head Leases

Where a property is held under a head lease and is classified as an investment property, it is initially recognised as an asset based on the sum of the premium paid on acquisition and if the remaining life of the lease at the date of acquisition is considered to be material, the net present value of the minimum ground rent payments. The corresponding rent liability to the leaseholder is included in the Balance Sheet as a finance obligation in current and non-current liabilities.

The payment of head rent reduces the gross liability and the interest element of the finance lease is charged to the Income Statement. Head leases considered not to have a material life remaining at the date of acquisition are accounted for as operating leases with the head rent paid being expensed through the Income Statement.

Property, Plant and Equipment

During the year the Company has agreed a termination of its lease of its former offices with an effective date in June 2014. As anticipated in the 2013 report, no realisation of fixed assets was achieved.

Joint Ventures

The Group has contractual arrangements with other parties which represent jointly controlled entities. These take the form of agreements to share control over other entities. The consolidated financial statements include the Group's share of the total recognised gains and losses of jointly controlled entities on an equity accounted basis. Under the equity method, the interests in the jointly controlled entities are carried in the Balance Sheet at cost plus post-acquisition changes in the Group's share of their net assets, less distributions received and less any impairment in value of the individual investments. The Income Statement reflects the Group's share of the jointly controlled entities' results after interest and tax.

The financial statements of the jointly controlled entities are prepared for the same reporting period as the Group. Where necessary, adjustments are made to bring the accounting policies used in line with those of the Group.

During the preceding year one of the joint ventures was disposed of. Its results have been included up to the date of disposal.

Other Investments

Other non-current investments are classified as available for sale financial assets and are recognised at fair value. Changes in the fair value in the year are recognised directly in the Statement of Comprehensive Income. Dividend income from investments is recognised in the Income Statement when the right to receive payment is established.

During the preceding year the one non-current investment was disposed of. Its results have been included up to the date of disposal.

Trade and Other Receivables

Trade and other receivables are initially recognised at fair value and subsequently held at amortised cost less impairment. Impairment is made where it is established that there is objective evidence that the Group will not be able to collect all amounts due according to the original terms of the receivable. The impairment is recorded in the Income Statement.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash balances and deposits held on call. Cash equivalents are short-term, highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less.

Derivative Financial Instruments and Hedging

The Group uses derivative financial instruments such as interest rate swaps to economically hedge risks associated with interest rate fluctuations. The Group does not hold or issue derivatives for trading purposes.

Such instruments are initially measured at fair value on the date on which a contract is entered into and are subsequently re-measured at fair value. Financial derivatives are recognised as current and non-current based on the maturity profile of the associated cash flows.

The Group has determined that the derivative financial instruments held did not qualify as effective for hedge accounting under the criteria set out in IAS 39 and consequently any gains or losses arising from changes in their fair value are taken to the Income Statement. In the future and on an ongoing basis as new derivative financial instruments are entered into, the directors will review the derivative contracts to consider whether they qualify for hedge accounting.

Financial Assets

Financial assets are impaired when there is objective evidence that the cash flows from the financial asset are reduced.

Trade and Other Payables

Trade and other payables are initially recognised at fair value and subsequently held at amortised cost less impairment.

Ordinary Share Capital

External costs directly attributable to the issue of new shares are shown in equity as a deduction from the proceeds.

Shares which have been repurchased are classified as treasury shares and shown in retained earnings. They are recognised at the trade date for the amount of consideration paid, together with directly attributable costs. This is presented as a deduction from total equity. Shares held by the Employee Benefit Trust are treated as being those of the Group until such time as they are distributed to employees, when they will be expensed in the profit and loss account.

The nominal value of shares cancelled has been taken to a capital redemption reserve.

Rental Income

Rental income from investment properties leased out under operating leases is recognised in the Income Statement on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease. When the Group provides lease incentives to its tenants the cost of incentives are recognised over the lease term, on a straight-line basis, as a reduction to income.

Other Income

Other income comprises administration fees charged on lease renewals. In 2013 this also included asset management fees which were recognised in the Income Statement as earned under the terms of each agreement.

Taxation

Corporation tax on the profit or loss for the year comprises current and deferred tax. Corporation tax is recognised in the Income Statement except to the extent that it relates to items recognised directly in equity, in which case it is recognised in equity.

As a REIT, the Group will be exempt from corporation tax on the profits and gains from its property investment business, provided it continues to meet certain conditions. Non-qualifying profits and gains of the Group (the residual business) continue to be subject to corporation tax. Therefore, current tax is the expected tax payable on the taxable income for the year, using tax rates enacted or substantively enacted at the balance sheet date and any adjustment to tax payable in respect of previous years. The REIT entry charge is expensed on the date of entry to the REIT regime.

Deferred tax is provided using the balance sheet liability method. Provision is made for temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities in the financial statements for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for taxation purposes. Deferred income tax is calculated after taking into account any indexation allowances and capital losses on an undiscounted basis. The amount of deferred tax provided is based on the expected manner of realisation or settlement of the carrying amount of assets and liabilities using tax rates enacted or substantially enacted at the balance sheet date. Deferred tax assets are recognised only to the extent that it is probable that future profits will be available against which the asset can be utilised. Deferred tax assets are reduced to the extent that it is no longer probable that the related tax benefit will be realised. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are only offset if there is a legally enforceable right of set-off.

Pensions

The Company operated a defined contribution pension plan. During 2013 contributions payable by the Company in respect of defined contribution pension plans were charged to administrative expenses as incurred. These costs ceased in July 2013.

Share-based Payments

There were no material share-based payment arrangements during the period.

Employee Benefit Trust

The Group operates an Employee Benefit Trust in order to hedge its obligations under the CSOP and LTIP schemes. The Group either purchases its own shares directly or it funds the trust to acquire shares in the Company. Transactions of the Employee Benefit Trust are treated as being those of the Company and are therefore reflected in the Group financial statements.

Use of Estimates and Judgements

To be able to prepare accounts according to generally accepted accounting principles, management must make estimates and assumptions that affect the asset and liability items and revenue and expense amounts recorded in the financial statements. These estimates are based on historical experience and various other assumptions that management and the Board of directors believe are reasonable under the circumstances. The results of these considerations form the basis for making judgements about the carrying value of assets and liabilities that are not readily available from other sources.

The areas requiring the use of estimates and judgements that may significantly impact the Group's earnings and financial position include the estimation of: the fair value of investment properties, derivative financial instruments and trade receivables.

The valuation of the Group's investment properties is the main area of judgement exercised by the Board in respect of the Group's results. The Board has obtained an external valuation of the portfolio carried out by professionally qualified valuers in accordance with the Appraisal and Valuation Standards of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors in respect of all properties purchased since 1 October 2013 and a further 25% of the portfolio at the half year and year end as selected by the valuers. The valuers were acting as independent valuers and have good information and experience of the current market prices for properties similar to those owned by the Group. Their opinion of Market Value was primarily derived using comparable recent market transactions on an arm's length basis. The tone of their valuation has been adopted by the directors to value the remainder of the portfolio. The assumptions underlying the valuation of the commercial properties within the portfolio include: future rental income, an appropriate discount rate, any planned capital expenditure and the strength of the local letting market in relation to the Market Rent of any letting voids. In addition to these assumptions, in respect of the residential element of the portfolio, a discount of 85% is typically applied to reflect vacant possession.

The valuation of derivative financial instruments and the fixed rate loan are also areas where judgement has been exercised by the Board. These assets and liabilities have been valued by the Group's bankers. These valuations have been relied upon by the Board.

The Group is required to assess whether there is sufficient objective evidence to require the impairment of individual trade receivables. It does this through a regular review of arrears with consideration given to any specific circumstances relating to the receivable.

Segmental reporting

IFRS 8 requires operating segments to be identified on the basis of internal reports that are regularly reported to the chief operating decision maker to allocate resources to the segments and to assess their performance.

Since the strategy review in July 2013 the Group has identified one operation and one reporting segment which is reported to the Board of directors on a quarterly basis. The Board of directors is considered to be the chief operating decision maker.

New Standards and Interpretations Not Yet Adopted

As at September 2014, the following standards and interpretations or amendment there to, which have not been applied in these financial statements, were in issue but not yet effective. The effect of their adoption on the financial statements in future periods has not yet been ascertained.

Applicable for the year commencing on or after:

IFRS 9 (Financial Instruments (revised)) - not yet endorsed                                1 January 2014

Amendment to IAS 32 (Financial Instruments: Presentation) - endorsed           1 January 2014

Amendment to IAS 39 (Financial instruments:

Recognition and Measurement) - not yet endorsed                                                     1 January 2014

IFRS 10 Consolidated Financial Statements and IAS 27 (2011) Separate Financial Statements                                                                                                                   1 January 2014

IFRS 11 Joint Arrangements and Amendments

to IAS 28 (2008) Investments in Associates and Joint Ventures                                  1 January 2014

IFRS 12 Disclosure of Interest in Other Entities                                                           1 January 2014

IFRS 15 Revenue from Customers' Contracts                                                             1 January 2017

Investment Entities (Amendments to IFRS 10, IFRS 12 and IAS 27)                          1 January 2014

IFRIC Interpretation 21 Levies                                                                                     1 January 2014

2. Disposal of subsidiary companies

During the year the company disposed of two subsidiaries, NOS 2 Limited and NOS 3 Limited by the sale of their entire share capital.

The loss on sale was calculated as follows:

Sale proceeds






11,100

Deduct:








Assets of the subsidiaries







Properties





78,199



Debtors and prepayments




104



Cash





1,350
















79,653










Liabilities of the subsidiaries







Creditors and accruals




(1,319)



Bank loans





(66,739)
















(68,058)










Net assets of subsidiaries




11,595


Fees and other costs





817


































Net loss







(1,312)








 

3. Administrative Expenses

a) The following fees have been paid to the Group's Auditors:







2014


2013







£000


£000










Auditors' remuneration for audit services:





Audit of parent Company




37


34

Audit related assurance services



19


16

Statutory audit of subsidiaries




43


52

Auditors' remuneration for non-audit services:





Tax services





27


37

Other services supplied 




15


10



















The other services supplied related to the disposal under project Minard of NOS 2 Limited and NOS 3 Limited and in 2013 relate to professional advice received in connection with the strategic review and restructure.

b) Included in administrative expenses are staff costs and directors' remuneration.

The average number of persons employed by the Group was as follows:







2014


2013







Number of


Number of







Employees


Employees










Administration





-


11



















The average shown above for 2013 is for the full year. For the period from October 2012 to June 2013, when all the existing employees either left or were transferred to Internos Global Investors Limited, the average was 15. From July 2013 onwards the average has been nil.

The aggregate payroll costs of these people were as follows:







2014


2013







£000


£000










Wages and salaries





-


1,024

Payments under compromise agreements


-


965

Social security costs 




-


157

Other pension costs 




-


79

Equity settled share-based payments



-


-

























-


2,225



















Directors' emoluments are disclosed separately in the Remuneration Report.

c) Share Awards

There were no material share-based payment arrangements during the period.

d) Non-recurring items

IAS 1 (Revised) - "Presentation of financial statements" requires material items of income and expenditure to be disclosed separately. The amounts are items which, in management's opinion, need to be disclosed by virtue of their size or incidence in order for the user to obtain a proper understanding of the financial information.

Included in the administration costs are charges arising from the reconstruction following the strategic review, and are non-recurring:

In administration costs:







2014


2013







£000


£000










Paid to directors under compromise agreements


-


772

Employer's NI on the above payments



-


15

Paid to employees under compromise agreements


-


193

Employer's NI on the above payments



-


6

Legal, professional and advisory fees



-


912

Dilapidations provision on termination of Company's office lease

-


39

























-


1,937










Included within financial costs:






Accelerated amortisation of loan fees



-


312

























-


2,249










 

4. Net Other Income







2014


2013







£000


£000



















Other income





5


22

Other expenses





-


-
















5


22



















5. Net Financing Costs


2014 

2013

£000

£000

Interest receivable

3

4

Interest receivable excluding fair value movements

3

4

Fair value gains on derivative financial instruments (note 19)

2,267

2,753

Financing income

2,270

2,757




Bank loan interest

(7,366)

(7,436)

Amortisation of loan arrangement fees

(146)

(143)

Write off of loan arrangement fees

-

(313)

Head rents treated as finance leases

(54)

(55)

Financing expenses excluding fair value movements

(7,566)

(7,947)

Fair value losses on derivative financial instruments (note 19)

-

-

Financing expenses

(7,566)

(7,947)




Net financing costs

(5,296)

(5,190)

 

6. Taxation


2014 

2013

£000

£000

Profit\(loss) before tax

1,206

(6,071)




Corporation tax in the UK of 22% (2013: 23.5%)

265

(1,427)

Tax relief available from REIT status

(1,387)

(1,199)

Effects of:



Revaluation deficit and other non-deductible items

391

2,004

Deferred tax asset not recognised

731

622


-

-

 

Factors that may affect future current and total tax charges

The March 2013 UK Budget announced that the UK corporation tax rate will reduce to 20% by 2015. Reductions in the rate from 23% to 21% (effective from 1 April 2014) and 20% (effective from 1 April 2015) were substantively enacted on 2 July 2013. This would reduce the Company's future tax charge accordingly. 

From 11 May 2007, the Group elected to join the UK REIT regime. As a result, the Group will be exempt from corporation tax on the profits and gains from its property investment business from this date, provided it continues to meet certain conditions. Non-qualifying profits and gains of the Group (the residual business) continue to be subject to corporation tax. The directors consider that all the rental income post-11 May 2007 originates from the Group's tax exempt business.

Due to the availability of losses no provision for corporation tax has been made in these accounts. The deferred tax asset not recognised relating to these losses can be carried forward indefinitely. It is not anticipated that sufficient profits from the residual business will be generated in the foreseeable future to utilise the losses carried forward as the current year losses will be adequate to cover foreseeable profits. The unprovided deferred tax asset at 30 September 2014 was £3,224,000 (2013: £2,648,000).

7. Property, Plant and Equipment


Leasehold

Fixtures

Computer


Improvements

and Fittings

Equipment

Total

£000

£000

£000

£000

Cost





At 1 October 2012

167

41

72

280

Additions





Disposals



(7)

(7)

At 30 September 2013

167

41

65

273

Additions

-

-

-

-

Dsposals

(167)

(41)

(65)

(273)

At 30 September 2014

-

-

-

-






Depreciation





At 1 October 2012

76

22

56

154

Charge for year

91

19

13

123

Dsposals



(4)

(4)

At 30 September 2013

167

41

65

273






Charge for year





Written back on disposals

(167)

(41)

(65)

(273)

At 30 September 2014

-

-

-

-






Net book value





At 30 September 2014

-

-

-

-

At 30 September 2013

-

-

-

-

At 30 September 2012

91

19

16

126

 

8. Investment Properties


Freehold

Leasehold


Investment

Investment


Properties

Properties

Total

£000

£000

£000

At 30 September 2012

144,844

33,265

178,109

Additions

1,434

259

1,693

Disposals

(1,159)

(83)

(1,242)

Fair value adjustments

(7,473)

(1,305)

(8,778)


(2,857)

(818)

(3,675)

At 30 September 2013

134,789

31,318

166,107

Additions

51

994

1,045

Disposals

(68,217)

(13,878)

(82,095)

Fair value adjustments

653

(1,149)

(496)

Investment properties held for sale

1,487

153

1,640

At 30 September 2014

68,763

17,438

86,201

 

The investment properties have all been revalued to their fair value at 30 September 2014.

At the half year and year end, all properties acquired in those six months, together with a sample selected by the valuers of 25% of the portfolio, at the half year and at the year end have been valued by Allsop LLP, a firm of independent Chartered Surveyors. The valuations were undertaken in accordance with the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors Appraisal and Valuation Standards on the basis of market value. Market value is defined as the estimated amount for which a property should exchange on the date of valuation between a willing buyer and a willing seller in an arm's length transaction, after proper marketing wherein the parties had each acted knowledgeably, prudently and without compulsion.

The disposals balance includes properties at carrying value of £78.2m that were disposed of as part of the NOS 2 and NOS 3 transaction.

The remainder of the portfolio has been valued on the basis of market value by the directors who have an appropriate recognised professional qualification and recent experience in the location and category of the property being valued.

All rental income recognised in the Income Statement is generated by the investment properties held and all direct operating expenses incurred resulted from investment properties that generated rental income.

A reconciliation of the portfolio valuation to the total value given in the Balance Sheet for investment properties is as follows:


2014

2013

£000

£000

Portfolio valuation

87,564

168,860

Investment properties held for sale

(2,035)

(3,675)

Head leases treated as investment properties held under finance leases per IAS 17

672

922

Total per Balance Sheet

86,201

166,107

 

9. Investments in Jointly Controlled Entities

The Group has the following investments in jointly controlled entities:



2014




2013











Country


Ownership


Country


Ownership

Local Parade Investments LLP

United Kingdom


nil


United Kingdom


nil

Gracechurch Commercial Investments Limited

United Kingdom


50%


United Kingdom


50%









On 26 November 2010 an agreement was entered into with Local Parade Investments LLP ("LPI"), a newly incorporated entity. The initial investment made was £20. The principal activity of the entity is the acquisition and management of retail parades. This investment was disposed of as part of the reconstruction following the strategic review, in July 2013. This is now reflected in discontinued operations (note 25).

On 28 September 2011 an agreement was entered into with Gracechurch Commercial Investments Limited ("Gracechurch"), a newly incorporated entity. The initial investment made was £500,000. The principal activity of the entity is to manage properties for investment purposes. During the year the entire portfolio of Gracechurch was disposed of, and since the year end the company has commenced the process of a members' voluntary liquidation.


Gracechurch

LPI

Total


£000

£000

£000

Cost








At 30 September 2012

641

3,429

4,070

Equity investments

-

-

-

Loan advances

-

317

317

Share of results, net of tax

(134)

187

53

Distributions received

-

(681)

(681)

Disposal


(3,252)

(3,252)

At 30 September 2013

507

-

507

Equity investments

-

-

-

Loan advances

-


-

Share of results, net of tax

(4)


(4)

Distributions received

(210)


(210)

Investment disposed of

-







At 30 September 2013

293

-

293









 

The summarised financial information in respect of the Group's share of the jointly controlled entities is shown below.

Year ended 30 September 2013:


Gracechurch

LPI

Total


£000

£000

£000





Non-current assets

1,019

-

1,019

Current assets

44

-

44

Non-current liabilities

(491)

-

(491)

Current liabilities

(65)

-

(65)






507

-

507









Represented by:




Capital

500

-

500

Loans

210

-

210

Brought forward share of results

(68)

-

(68)

Share of results, net of tax

(135)

-

(135)





Group's share of net assets

507

-

507










Gracechurch

LPI

Total


£000

£000

£000





Net rental income

91

544

635

Property expenses

(26)

(101)

(127)

Administrative expenses

(14)

(24)

(38)

Change in fair value of investment properties

(139)

22

(117)

Net interest payable

(54)

(252)

(306)

Movement in fair value of financial derivatives

8

(7)

1

Profit\(Loss) on disposal of investment properties

-

5

5

Tax


-

-


(134)

187

53





 

Year ended 30 September 2014


Gracechurch

LPI

Total


£000

£000

£000





Current assets

317

-

317

Current liabilities

(24)

-

(24)






293

-

293





Represented by:




Capital

500

-

500

Brought forward share of results

(203)

-

(203)

Share of results, net of tax

(4)

-

(4)





Group's share of net assets

293

-

293










Gracechurch

LPI

Total


£000

£000

£000





Net rental income

84


84

Property expenses

(11)


(11)

Administrative expenses

(13)


(13)

Change in fair value of investment properties



-

Net interest payable

(26)


(26)

Movement in fair value of financial derivatives

9


9

Profit on disposal of investment properties

(49)


(49)

Tax

2

-

2


(4)

-

(4)

 

10. Other investments

On 8 March 2012, the Group entered into a partnership and property advisory agreement with Local Retail Fund GP Limited, a newly incorporated entity. The initial investment made was £45. The principal activity of the entity is the acquisition and management of a diversified portfolio of local retail property in the UK. As part of the restructuring following strategic review, this investment was disposed of in July 2013.



Total



£000

Fair value



At 30 September 2012


909

Disposals


(909)




At 30 September 2013


-

At 30 September 2014


-




Impairment losses



At 30 September 2012


-

Charge for the year


(184)

Disposals


184

At 30 September 2013


-

At 30 September 2014


-




Net book value



At 30 September 2014


-

At 30 September 2013


-

At 30 September 2012


909

 

11 Trade and Other Receivables


2014

2013

£000

£000

Trade receivables

1,100

2,822

Other receivables

1,640

711

Prepayments

721

1,251


3,461

4,784

 

12. Cash


2014

2013

£000

£000

Cash in the Statement of Cash Flows

15,662

6,626

 

Included in bank balances are amounts held pending the next interest payment due in October 2014. Until the interest payment has been deducted from these balances the cash is not available for use by the Group. At the year end the amount held on such account was £1,240,306 (2013: £1,905,672) with accruals for interest due of £676,647 (2013: £1,493,409)

 

13. Interest Bearing Loans and Borrowings


2014

2013

£000

£000

Non-current liabilities



Secured bank loans

63,961

134,939

Loan arrangement fees

(319)

(576)


63,642

134,363

Current liabilities



Current portion of secured bank loans

1,164

-

 

All bank borrowings are secured by fixed charges over certain of the Group's property assetsand floating charges over the companies which own the assets charged.

As part of the NOS 2 and NOS 3 transaction, loan balances of £66.7m were disposed of as part of the net assets of those companies.

For more information about the Group's exposure to interest rate risk, see note 20.

14. Trade and Other Payables


2014

2013

£000

£000

Trade payables

399

929

Other taxation and social security

5

444

Other payables

967

1,005

Accruals and deferred income

1,948

4,121


3,319

6,499

 

Other payables include rent deposits held in respect of commercial tenants of £469,000 (2013: £862,000).

15. Leasing

Obligations Under Finance leases

Finance lease liabilities on head rents are payable as follows:


Minimum Lease Payment

Interest

Principal


£000

£000

£000

At 30 September 2012

6,864

(5,942)

922

(Payments)/charge

(55)

55

-

At 30 September 2013

6,809

(5,887)

922

Disposals

(2,028)

1,778

(250)

(Payments)/charge

(54)

54

-

At 30 September 2014

4,727

(4,055)

672

 

In the above table, interest represents the difference between the carrying amount and the contractual liability/cash flow.

All leases expire in more than five years.

 

16. Capital and Reserves

Share Capital



2014




2013



Ordinary 20p Shares


Ordinary 20p Shares


Number


Amount


Number


Amount


000


£000


000


£000









Allotted, called up and fully paid

91,670


18,334


91,670


18,334









Investment in Own Shares

At the year end, 9,164,017 shares were held in treasury (2013: 9,164,017).

The number of shares held by the Company's Employee Benefit Trust, LSR Trustee Limited at the year end was 1,096,545 (2013: 1,096,545). During the year the EBT transferred no shares (2013: Nil) to employees on the vesting of awards under the Long Term Incentive Plan. During the year the EBT transferred no shares to employees on the exercise of awards under the Company's Share Option Scheme.

Reserves

The value of shares issued to purchase Gilfin Property Holdings Limited in excess of their nominal value has been shown as a separate reserve in accordance with the Companies Act 2006.

Capital Redemption Reserve

The capital redemption reserve arose in prior years on the cancellation of 8,822,920 Ordinary 20p Shares.

Calculation of Net Asset Value Per Share (NAV)


2014

2013

£000

£000

Net assets

34,832

33,626

Fair value of derivative financial instruments (see note 19)

4,022

6,289

Adjusted net assets

38,854

39,915








2014

2013

Number

Number



Allotted, called up and fully paid shares

91,670

91,670

Treasury shares

(9,164)

(9,164)

Number of shares

82,506

82,506




NAV per share

42p

41p




Adjusted NAV per share

47p

48p

 

17. Dividends

The following dividends were paid during the current and previous year.


Dividend

Total payment

Classification

Date paid

per share

£000

of dividend

31-Dec-12

2.0 pence

1,628

PID

 

Under the REIT legislation, the Company's dividends are divided into two components, known as Property Income Distributions ("PID") and non-Property Income Distributions ("non-PID")

18. Earnings Per Share

Basic Earnings Per Share

The calculation of basic earnings per share was based on the loss attributable to Ordinary Shareholders and a weighted average number of Ordinary Shares outstanding, calculated as follows:

Profit/(Loss) Attributable to Ordinary Shares


2014

2013

£000

£000




Profit\(Loss) for the year

1,206

(6,071)




Profit for the year from discontinued operations

-

(345)




Profit\(Loss)  on continuing operations for the year

1,206

(6,416)

 

Weighted Average Number of Ordinary Shares


2014

2013

Number

Number



Issued Ordinary Shares at 1 October 2013

91,670

91,670

Shares held by EBT

(1,096)

(1,096)

Treasury shares

(9,164)

(9,164)

Weighted average number of Ordinary Shares at 30 September 2014

 

81,410

81,410

 

Diluted Earnings Per Share

There is no difference between basic and diluted earnings per share in the prior year and no difference in the current year.

 



Movements


Movements


Fair Value

in Income

Fair Value

in Income

Fair Value

2012

Statement

2013

Statement

2014

£000

£000

£000

£000

£000

Non-current liabilities

(6,595)

2,723

(3,872)

2,238

(1,634)

Current liabilities

(2,447)

30

(2,417)

29

(2,388)

Fair value

(9,042)

2,753

(6,289)

2,267

(4,022)

19. Derivative Financial Instruments

  
Derivative financial instruments held by the Group are interest rate swaps used to manage the Group's interest rate exposure. These are shown in the Balance Sheet as follows:

 

At 30 September 2014 and 30 September 2013 these derivative financial instruments did not qualify as effective swaps for hedge accounting under the criteria set out in IAS 39.

A summary of the swaps and their maturity dates are as follows:

Notional value of swap

Effective date

Maturity date

Rate payable


Movements



on fixed leg

Fair Value

in Income

Fair Value

£000

%

2013

Statement

2014

20,979

16/07/2007

31/01/2017

4.85

(2,518)

860

(1,658)

22,500

30/04/2013

20/07/2016

5.05

(2,571)

959

(1,612)

10,500

30/04/2013

29/07/2016

5.05

(1,200)

448

(752)





(6,289)

2,267

(4,022)

 

The interest rate receivable on each swap is LIBOR. The notional value of the £20,979,000 swap amortises at a rate of £200,000 per quarter.

The derivative financial instruments included in the above tables are stated at their fair value based on quotations from the Group's bank.

More details of the Group's policy regarding the management of interest rate risk are given in note 20.

20. Financial Instruments and Risk Management

The Board of directors has overall responsibility for the establishment and oversight of the Group's risk management framework.

As described in the Corporate Governance report, this responsibility has been assigned to the executive directors with support and feedback from the Audit Committee. The Audit Committee oversees how management monitors compliance with the Group's risk management policies and procedures and reviews the adequacy of the risk management framework in relation to the risks faced by the Group.

The Group has identified exposure to the following financial risks from its use of financial instruments: capital management risk, market risk, credit risk and liquidity risk.

Capital Management Risk

The Group's capital consists of long-term borrowings, cash and equity attributable to the shareholders. The Board's policy is to maintain a strong capital base so as to maintain investor, creditor and market confidence and to sustain the future development of the business. The Board regularly reviews the Group's capital structure, cost of capital, gearing levels and other specific measures. From time to time, the Company purchases its own shares when the Board considers that this course of action would enhance the value of the Group for shareholders. The Group has had a policy of paying 100% of recurring profits as a dividend each year. Following the restructuring in July 2013 dividend policy will be reviewed half-yearly by the Board. No dividend has been paid during the year. There were no other changes in the Group's approach to capital management during the year.

Market Risk

Market risk is the risk that changes in market conditions, such as interest rates, foreign exchange rates and equity prices, will affect the Group's profit or loss and cash flows. The Group's exposure to market risks is restricted to interest rate risk only. The Group borrows at floating rates of interest and uses financial instruments to fix the floating rates of interest in accordance with its policy.

The Group and its jointly controlled entities do not speculate in financial instruments. They are only used to limit their exposure to interest rate fluctuations. The Group's policy is to hedge between 60% and 100% of its interest rate exposure. At 30 September 2014, 83% (2013: 92%) of the Group's debt was fixed or protected, as shown below.


At 30 September 2014

At 30 September 2013


Interest


Notional

Loans not

Interest


Notional

Loans not

bearing

Fixed rate

value of

protected

bearing

Fixed rate

value of

protected

loans

loans

swaps

by swaps

loans

loans

swaps

by swaps

£000

£000

£000

£000

£000

£000

£000

£000

Fixed rate loan*



-

-

69,229

69,229

-

-

Variable rate loan

65,125

-

53,979

11,146

65,710

-

54,778

10,932


65,125

-

53,979

11,146

134,939

69,229

54,778

10,932

 

*  The fixed rate interest bearing loan is shown gross of £600,000 held in an escrow account at 30 September 2013. This escrow account is an interest-bearing account, for which the lender has sole signing rights, where all funds deposited shall be applied towards repayment of the loan on 16 January 2017. This loan was transferred as part of the sale of Nos 2 Limited and NOS 3 Limited.

The variable rate loan is protected by interest rate swaps which are carried at fair value. These have been identified as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy. Level 2 is defined as inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the liability either directly (i.e. as prices) or indirectly (as derived from prices).

 

Sensitivity Analysis

IFRS 7 requires an illustration of the impact on the Group's financial performance of changes in interest rates. The following sensitivity analysis has been prepared in accordance with the Group's existing accounting policies and considers the impact on the Income Statement and on equity of an increase of 100 basis points (1%) in interest rates. As interest rates were below 1% in the current and previous year, it has not been possible to consider the impact of a decrease of 100 basis points on interest income and expense as it would result in a negative rate of interest. Therefore, the impact of a fall in interest rates has been restricted to 0%. It has been possible to consider the impact of a 1% change in rates on the fair value of derivatives as the contracted rates are greater than 1%. All other variables remain the same and any consequential tax impact is excluded. The analysis assumes that changes in market interest rates affect the interest income and interest expense of derivative financial instruments. Changes in the fair value of derivative financial instruments have been estimated by discounting future cash flows at appropriate market rates prevailing at each year end.

Actual results in the future may differ materially from these assumptions and as such, these tables should not be considered as a projection of likely future gains and losses.

 


2014

2013


Impact on income


Impact on equity

Impact on income


Impact on equity


Number


Amount


Number


Amount

Number


Amount


Number


Amount


+


-


+


-

+


-


+


-


£000


£000


£000


£000

£000


£000


£000


£000
















Impact on Interest Income















and expense

63


111


63


111

62


53


62


53

Impact on fair value of















derivatives

1,075


608


1,075


608

1,692


1,699


1,692


1,699
















 

Credit Risk

Credit risk is the risk of financial loss to the Group if a tenant, bank or counterparty to a financial instrument fails to meet its contractual obligations and arises principally from the Group's receivables from tenants, cash and cash equivalents held by the Group's banks and derivative financial instruments entered into with the Group's banks.

Trade and Other Receivables

The Group's exposure to credit risk is influenced mainly by the individual characteristics of each tenant. The Group has over 1,000 tenants in 387 properties. There is no significant concentration of credit risk due to the large number of small balances owed by a wide range of tenants who operate across all retail sectors. Geographically there is no concentration of credit risk in any one area of the UK. An analysis of the business by region, user type and tenant grade is given on pages 2-3. The level of arrears is monitored monthly by the Group and more frequently on a tenant by tenant basis by the asset managers.

Cash, Cash Equivalents and Derivative Financial Instruments

Three major UK banks provide the majority of the banking services used by the Group. Financial derivatives are only entered into with these core banks

The Group's financial assets which are exposed to credit risk are classified as follows and are shown with their fair value:

30 September 2014


At

Available

At Amortised

Total Carrying


Fair Value

For Sale

Cost

Amount

 Fair Value

£000

£000

£000

£000

£000

Investments in jointly controlled entities

--

--

293

293

293

Cash and cash equivalents

--

15,662

--

15,662

15,662

Trade receivables

--

--

1,100

1,100

1,100

Other receivables

--

--

1,640

1,640

1,640


--

15,662

3,033

18,695

18,695

 

30 September 2013


At

Available

At Amortised

Total Carrying


Fair Value

For Sale

Cost

Amount

 Fair Value

£000

£000

£000

£000

£000

Investments in jointly controlled entities

--

--

507

507

507

Cash and cash equivalents

--

6,626

--

6,626

6,626

Trade receivables

--

--

2,822

2,822

2,822

Other receivables

--

--

711

711

711


--

6,626

4,040

10,666

10,666

 

For all classes of financial assets, the carrying amount is a reasonable approximation of fair value.

The ageing of trade receivables is as follows


2014

2013


Total

Impairment

After Impairment

Total

Impairment

After Impairment

£000

£000

£000

£000

£000

£000

Not yet due

311

                    -

311

782

                    -

782

Past due by one to 30 days

368

(2)

366

1,107

(4)

1,103

Past due by 30-60 days

220

(5)

215

166

(11)

155

Past due by 60-90 days

32

(8)

24

262

(15)

247

Past due by 90 days

358

(174)

184

769

(234)

535


1,289

(189)

1,100

3,086

(264)

2,822

 

Trade receivables that are not impaired are expected to be recovered.

Other receivables at 30 September 2014 and 30 September 2013 were not past due.

The movement in the trade receivables' impairment allowance during the year was as follows:


2014

2013

£000

£000

Balance at beginning of year

264

542

Impairment loss recognised

617

656

Trade receivables written off

(692)

(934)

Balance at end of year

189

264

 

The impairment loss recognised relates to the movement in the Group's assessment of the recoverability of outstanding trade receivables.

The movement in the trade receivables impairment allowance in relation to NOS 2 and NOS 3 (disposed of during the year) is a net write off of £178k.

 

Liquidity Risk

Liquidity risk is the risk that the Group will not be able to meet its financial obligations as they fall due. The Group's approach to managing liquidity risk is to ensure, as far as possible, that it will always have adequate resources to meet its liabilities when they fall due for both the operational needs of the business and to meet planned future investments. This position is formally reviewed on a quarterly basis or more frequently should events require it.

The Group's financial liabilities are classified and are shown with their fair value as follows:

30 September 2014


At

At Amortised

Total Carrying


Fair Value

Cost

Amount

Fair Value

£000

£000

£000

£000

Interest bearing loans and liabilities

-

64,806

64,806

64,806

Finance lease liabilities

-

672

672

672

Derivative financial instruments

4,022

-

4,022

4,022

Trade payables

-

399

399

399

Other payables

-

830

830

830

Accruals

-

936

936

936


4,022

67,643

71,665

71,665

 

30 September 2013


At

At

Total


Fair Value

Amortised

Carrying

Fair Value


Cost

Amount

-

£000

£000

£000

£000

Interest bearing loans and liabilities

-

134,363

134,363

143,356

Finance lease liabilities

-

922

922

922

Derivative financial instruments

6,289

-

6,289

6,289

Trade payables

-

929

929

929

Other payables

-

889

889

889

Accruals

-

1,863

1,863

1,863


6,289

138,966

145,255

154,248

 

For all classes of financial liabilities, other than the fixed rate loan, the carrying amount is a reasonable approximation of fair value.

The fair value of the fixed rate element of the interest bearing loan disclosed above has been valued by the Group's bankers.

The maturity profiles of the Group's financial liabilities are as follows:

30 September 2014


Contractual

Within

One

Two

Three

Four

Over

Carrying

Cash

One

to Two

to Three

to Four

to Five

Five

Value

Flows

Year

Years

Years

Years

Years

Years

£000

£000

£000

£000

£000

£000

£000

£000

Interest bearing loans and borrowings

64,806

72,292

2,794

2,749

2,696

64,053

-

-

Finance lease liabilities

672

4,732

47

47

47

47

47

4,497

Derivative financial instruments

4,022

4,575

2,388

1,982

205

-

-

-

Trade payables

399

399

399

-

-

-

-

-

Other payables

830

830

830

-

-

-

-

-

Accruals

936

936

936

-

-

-

-

-


71,665

83,764

7,394

4,778

2,948

64,100

47

4,497

 

 

30 September 2013



Contractual

Within

One

Two

Three

Four

Over

Carrying

Cash

One

to Two

to Three

to Four

to Five

Five

Value

Flows

Year

Years

Years

Years

Years

Years

£000

£000

£000

£000

£000

£000

£000

£000

Interest bearing loans and borrowings

134,363

158,547

8,072

8,408

8,747

69,949

63,371

-

Finance lease liabilities

922

6,863

55

55

55

55

55

6,588

Derivative financial instruments

6,289

6,789

2,417

2,233

1,858

281

-

-

Trade payables

929

929

929

-

-

-

-

-

Other payables

889

889

889

-

-

-

-

-

Accruals

1,863

1,863

1,863

-

-

-

-

-


145,255

175,880

14,225

10,696

10,660

70,285

63,426

6,588

 

Contractual cash flows include the undiscounted committed interest cash flows and, where the amount payable is not fixed, the amount disclosed is determined by reference to the conditions existing at the year end.

21. Operating Lease Arrangements

a) Leases as Lessee

Future minimum lease payments payable by the Group under non-cancellable operating leases are payable as follows:


Land and Buildings


2014

2013

£000

£000

The next year

-

72

Years two to five

-

-

Beyond five years

-

-


-

72

 

b) Leases as Lessor

The investment properties are let under operating leases. Future minimum lease payments receivable by the Group under non-cancellable operating leases are receivable as follows:


2014

2013

£000

£000

Less than one year

2,169

3,883

Between one and five years

2,520

5,505

More than five years

3,226

6,187


7,915

15,575

 

22. Capital Commitments

At 30 September 2014 the Group had contracted capital expenditure for which no provision has been made in these financial statements of £78,000 (2013: £28,000).

At 30 September 2014, the jointly controlled entities had contracted capital expenditure for which no provision has been made in these financial statements of £Nil (2013: £Nil)

23. Related Parties

Transactions with Key Management Personnel

The only transactions with key management personnel relate to remuneration which is set out in the Remuneration Report.

The key management personnel of the Group for the purposes of related party disclosures under IAS 24 comprise all executive and non-executive directors.

24. Group Entities









Country of


Ownership Interest*









Incorporation


2014

2013













NOS Limited - in members' voluntary liquidation




United Kingdom 


100%

100%

NOS 2 Limited - disposed of during year





United Kingdom


-

100%

NOS 3 Limited - disposed of during year





United Kingdom


-

100%

NOS 4 Limited







United Kingdom 


100%

100%

NOS 5 Limited







United Kingdom 


100%

100%

NOS 6 Limited







United Kingdom 


100%

100%

Palladium Investments Limited





United Kingdom 


100%

100%

NOS 8 Limited - in members' voluntary liquidation since year end


 United Kingdom 


100%

100%

Gilfin Property Holdings Limited





 United Kingdom 


100%

100%

LSR Asset Management Limited - in members' voluntary liquidation


 United Kingdom 


100%

100%

NOS Residential Limited - in members' voluntary liquidation since year end

United Kingdom 


100%

100%

LSR Investment Services Limited -wound up during year



United Kingdom 


-

100%

LSR Gresham Asset Advisers Limited - in members' voluntary liquidation

United Kingdom 


100%

100%

LSR Gresham Investments Limited - in members' voluntary liquidation

United Kingdom 


100%

100%













Jointly controlled entities










Gracechurch Commercial Investments Limited*




United Kingdom


50%

50%













* In members' voluntary liquidation since year end








Subsidiaries

 

25. Discontinued operations

In July 2013 as part of the reconstruction following the strategic review, the company disposed of its interests in Local Parade Investments LLP and LSR Asset Services Limited. In addition it ceased its asset management activities being carried on by LSR Asset Management Limited and LSR Gresham Asset Advisors Limited.

The results of the discontinued operations, which have been included in the consolidated income statement, were as follows:




2014

2013




£000

£000

Joint venture in Local Parade Investments LLP





Share of revenue



-

544

Share of expenses



-

(357)

Share of profit/(loss)



-

187

Asset management





Revenue



-

702

Expenses



-

(44)

Profit



-

658

Profit before tax



-

845

Taxation




-




-

845

Loss on disposal of discontinued operations



-

(500)

Net profit attributable to discontinued operations (attributable to equity holders of the company)



-

345






Basic and diluted earnings per share



-

0.4p

 




2014

2013




£000

£000

Cash flows from (used in) discontinued operation





Net cash from (used in) operating activities



-

960

Net cash used in investing activities



-

364

Net cash from financing activities



-

(1,239)






Net cash flows for the year



-

85

 

On 7 August 2014 LSR plc disposed of its shareholdings in NOS 2 and NOS 3. Management have considered the criteria of IFRS 5 and have concluded that they are not applicable to this transaction.

26. Significant contracts

With effect from 22 July 2013 the Company entered into a management agreement with Internos Global Investors Limited ("Internos"). Under this agreement the Company pays to Internos:

·     An annual management fee of 0.70% of the gross asset value of the portfolio, subject to a minimum fee of £1m in each of the first two years, £0.95m for the third year and £0.9m for the fourth year.

·     An annual performance fee of 20% of the recurring operating profits above a pre-agreed target recurring profit.

·     Fees for property sales as follows:

            Up to £50m nil

            £50m-£150m 0.5% of sales

            Over £150m 1.5% of sales

·     A terminal fee of 5.7% of cash returned to the Company's shareholders in excess of 36.1 pence per share from the   Effective Date outside of dividend payments (the "Terminal Fee Hurdle"). The Terminal Fee Hurdle rises by 8% per annum after the first year but reduces on a pro-rata daily basis each time equity is returned to shareholders outside of dividend payments from recurring operating profits.

Under the terms of the agreement Internos received fees of £1,318,539 (2013:£291,967) during the year. In addition Internos received a one off fee in 2013 of £50,000 for work carried out in renegotiating the HSBC loan facilities.

Company Balance Sheet as at 30 September 2014



2014

2013


Note

£000

£000

£000

£000

Fixed assets






Investments

C5


70,418


84,334




70,418


84,334

Current assets






Debtors

C6

2,460


2,927


Cash


10,108


1,764




12,568


4,691


Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year

C7

(46,261)


(49,284)


Net current liabilities



(33,693)


(44,593)

Total assets less current liabilities



36,725


39,741

Creditors: Amounts falling due after one year



-


-

Net assets



36,725


39,741













Capital and reserves






Share capital

C8


18,334


18,334

Reserves

C8


3,742


3,742

Capital redemption reserve

C8


1,764


1,764

Profit and loss account

C8


12,885


15,901

Shareholders' funds



36,725


39,741

 

Notes to the Financial Statements

C1. Accounting Policies

The following accounting policies have been applied consistently in dealing with items which are considered material in relation to the Company's financial statements.

Basis of Preparation

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with applicable UK Accounting Standards and under the historical cost accounting rules.

Cash Flow Statement

Under FRS 1, the Company is exempt from the requirement to prepare a cash flow statement on the grounds that the Company is included in its own published consolidated financial statements.

Related Party Transactions

The Company has taken advantage of the exemption in FRS 8 - Related Party Transactions and has not disclosed transactions or balances with entities which form part of the Group as these consolidated financial statements include the results of these entities.

Financial Instruments

The Company has adopted the requirements of FRS 29 - Financial Instruments Disclosures and has taken the exemption under that standard from disclosure on the grounds that the Group financial statements contain disclosures in compliance with IFRS 7.

Investments

Investments in subsidiary undertakings are stated at historic cost less provisions for impairment.

Tangible Fixed Assets

Following the termination of the Company's office lease in 2013, all tangible assets were written off in that year.

Taxation

The charge for taxation is based on the result for the period and takes into account taxation deferred because of timing differences between the treatment of certain items for taxation and accounting purposes. Deferred tax is recognised, without discounting, in respect of all timing differences between the treatment of certain items for taxation and accounting purposes, which have arisen, but not reversed by the balance sheet date, except as otherwise required by FRS 19.

Pensions

The Company operates a defined contribution pension plan. Contributions payable by the Company in respect of defined contribution pension plans are charged to administrative expenses as incurred.

Share-Based Payments

There were no material share-based payment arrangements during the period.

Employee Benefit Trust

The Company operates an Employee Benefit Trust in order to hedge its obligations under the CSOP and LTIP schemes. The Company either purchases its own shares directly or it funds the trust to acquire shares in the Company. Transactions of the Employee Benefit Trust are treated as being those of the Company and are reflected in the Company's financial statements.

Ordinary Share Capital

External costs directly attributable to the issue of new shares are shown in equity as a deduction from the proceeds.

Shares which have been repurchased are classified as treasury shares and shown in retained earnings. They are recognised at the trade date for the amount of consideration paid, together with directly attributable costs. This is presented as a deduction from total equity. Shares held by the Employee Benefit Trust are treated as being those of the Company.

The nominal value of shares cancelled has been taken to a capital redemption reserve.

Loss for the Financial Year

The Company has taken advantage of Section 408 of the Companies Act 2006 and has not included its own profit and loss account in these financial statements. The Company's loss for the year was £3,016,000 (2013: £50,011,000).

C2. Remuneration of Directors

The detailed information concerning directors' emoluments, shareholdings and share options is shown in the Remuneration Report.

All directors of the Company are directors of the Group.

C3. Remuneration of Auditors

The detailed information concerning Auditors' remuneration is shown in note 3 to the Group financial statements.

C4. Staff Numbers, Costs and Share Option Schemes

The detailed information concerning staff numbers, costs and share option schemes is shown in note 3 to the Group financial statements.

C5. Fixed Asset Investments


Shares in Group


Undertakings

Total

£000

£000

Cost



At 30 September 2013

155,355

155,355

Disposals

(46,750)

(46,750)

At 30 September 2014

108,605

108,605




Provisions



At 30 September 2013

71,021

71,021

Impairment charge for year

2,332

2,332

Disposals

(35,166)

(35,166)

At 30 September 2014

38,187

38,187




Net book value



At 30 September 2014

70,418

70,418

At 30 September 2013

84,334

84,334

 

An impairment review of the carrying value of the Company's investments in its subsidiary undertakings has been performed. In carrying out this review, the directors had due regard to the nature of the property investments held, which is commensurate with the funding arrangements in place. On the basis of this review which included a review of the underlying assets of the individual subsidiaries the directors have written down the value of investments in subsidiary undertakings to their estimated realisable value.

The companies in which the Company's interests at the year end are more than 20% are as follows:









Nature of business


Ownership Interest*























NOS Limited - in members' voluntary liquidation




Dormant


100%

NOS 4 Limited







Property Investment


100%

NOS 5 Limited







Property Investment


100%

NOS 6 Limited







Property Investment


100%

Palladium Investments Limited





Property Investment


100%

NOS 8 Limited - in members' voluntary liquidation since year end


Property Investment


100%

Gilfin Property Holdings Limited





Property Investment


100%

LSR Asset Management Limited - in members' voluntary liquidation


Property Management


100%

NOS Residential Limited - in members' voluntary liquidation since year end

Property Investment


100%

LSR Gresham Asset Advisers Limited - in members' voluntary liquidation

Property Management


100%

LSR Gresham Investments Limited - in members' voluntary liquidation

Property Investment


100%























* All interests are in Ordinary Shares

All of the above companies are incorporated in Great Britain

 

C6. Debtors


2014

2013

£000

£000

Amounts owed by Group undertakings

801

2,722

Other debtors

1,369

--

Other taxation and social security

274

125

Prepayments

16

80


2,460

2,927

 

C7. Creditors


2014

2013

£000

£000

Trade creditors

227

93

Amounts owed to Group undertakings

45,663

48,721

Other taxation and social security

5

130

Other creditors

132

-

Accruals

234

340


46,261

49,284

 

C8. Reconciliation of Shareholders' Funds

Share Capital



2014




2013



Ordinary 20p Shares


Ordinary 20p Shares


Number


Amount


Number


Amount


000


£000


000


£000









Allotted, called up and fully paid

91,670


18,334


91,670


18,334









Reserves



Capital

Profit and



Redemption

Loss Account


Reserves

Reserve

-

Total

£000

£000

£000

£000

At 1 October 2012

3,742

1,764

67,540

73,046

Dividend

-

-

(1,628)

(1,628)

Share-based payments

-

-

-

-

Loss for the financial year

-

-

(50,011)

(50,011)

At 30 September 2013

3,742

1,764

15,901

21,407

Dividend

-

-

-

-

Loss for the financial year

-

-

(3,016)

(3,016)

At 30 September 2014

3,742

1,764

12,885

18,391

 

Investment in Own Shares

At 30 September 2014, 9,164,017 shares were held in treasury (2013: 9,164,017).

Reserves

The value of shares issued to purchase Gilfin Property Holdings Limited in excess of their nominal value has been shown as a separate reserve in accordance with the Companies Act 2006.

Capital Redemption Reserve

The capital redemption reserve arose in prior years on the cancellation of 8,822,920 Ordinary 20p Shares.

Dividends

The following dividends were paid during the current and previous year:


Dividend

Total payment

Classification

Date paid

per share

£000

of dividend

31-Dec-12

2.0 pence

1,628

PID

 

Under the REIT legislation, the Company's dividends are divided into two components, known as Property Income Distributions ("PID") and non-Property Income Distributions ("non-PID").

C9. Disposal of shares in subsidiaries

During the year the Company disposed of two subsidiaries, NOS 2 Limited and NOS 3 Limited by the sale of their entire share capital.

The profit on sale included in the profit and loss account was calculated as follows:





£000's








Sale proceeds



11,100








Deduct






Carrying cost of investments

11,584



Less:






Assets not disposed of

(1,369)


















10,215



Fees and other costs

817



















11,032














Profit




68














The difference between the profit\(loss) on disposal in the Company accounts and the consolidated accounts is due to differences between the net assets of NOS 2 and NOS 3 at the date of disposal and the carrying costs of the investments in The Local Shopping REIT plc.

 


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