Interim Results

Let's Explore Group PLC
28 September 2023
 

28 September 2023

 

Let's Explore Group plc

 

("Let's Explore Group", the "Company" or the "Group")

 

Interim Results

 

Let's Explore Group plc (AIM:LETS), is pleased to announce its unaudited interim results for the six months to 30 June 2023. During the period, the Location Based Entertainment (LBE) and Uvisan divisions were sold and there was a subsequent return of cash to shareholders via a tender offer.

 

Highlights

·   

Cash proceeds from the sale of LBE and Uvisan £18,964,000 (net of expenses and cash disposed with subsidiaries).

·   

Profit of £15,115,000 on disposal of the LBE and Uvisan divisions.

·   

Profit after tax from total operations for the period £14,060,000 (H1 2022: £491,000 loss).

·   

Cash on hand at the reporting date £6,827,000.

·   

Further cash of $1,250,000 due to be received in February 2024 in respect of loan note from the buyer of the LBE business.

·   

Share buyback programme returned £11,364,000 to shareholders in the period (net of share option exercise proceeds of £1,163,000).

·   

Adjusted EBITDA loss from continuing operations £455,000 (H1 2022: £770,000).

 

 

Post period highlights

·   

Launch of three new Let's Explore products: revamped Let's Explore Oceans, Let's Explore Space and Let's Explore Wildlife.

·   

Orders received for circa 26,000 Vodiac units to be fulfilled in Q4.

 

Change of Name of Nominated Adviser and Broker

 

The Company also announces that its Nominated Adviser and Joint Broker has changed its name to Cavendish Securities plc following completion of its own corporate merger.

 

 

Martin Higginson, Chief Executive Officer of Let's Explore Group, commented:

"During the period, we delivered significant value to shareholders through the sale of LBE and Uvisan businesses. The return of £12.52m to shareholders left us with £6.8m of cash on hand, plus a further $1.25m of cash due in February 2024. As such the Group is well positioned for further investments as it seeks value enhancing opportunities for shareholders."

 

 

Enquiries:

For further information please visit www.LetsExploreGroup.com, or contact:

Martin Higginson

David Marks

Dan Wortley 

investors@letsexplore.com

Adrian Hadden

Charlie Combe

 

Tel + 44 (0) 207 7397 890

Rebecca Sanders-Hewett

Sam Modlin

Kieran Breheny

letsexplore@almapr.co.uk

 

 

 



 

Chairman's Statement

 

The Group entered the year with three divisions: Location Based Entertainment (LBE), Home Based Entertainment (HBE) and Uvisan.

 

As previously announced on 2 February 2023 and 1 March 2023 respectively, we took the strategic decision to sell the LBE business (including the Immotion trading name) to minimise risk for shareholders and provide a significant liquidity event in highly uncertain markets.  We also sold the Uvisan business, leaving the Group with HBE as its only remaining trading business. 

 

The sale of these businesses brought in proceeds of £18,964,000 net of costs and cash disposed of with these businesses.  Further cash of $1,250,000 (circa £1,000,000) in respect of repayment of loan note from the buyer of the LBE business is due to be received in February 2024.

 

Following completion of these sales, the Company set about returning the majority of the sale proceeds to shareholders via a tender offer process which concluded in June 2023 with a total of £12,527,000 distributed (the net cash outflow being £11,364,000 when taking account of share option exercise proceeds).

 

With £6,827,000 cash on hand at the period end, plus the loan note due to be repaid in February 2024, we believe the Company is well positioned to capitalise upon opportunities in front of it.

 

 

Chief Executive's Review

 

Whilst the sale of the LBE and Uvisan businesses left the group with the HBE business as its only trading business at present, this was never the long-term plan for the Group. As previously announced, the Board's intention was to find a suitable opportunity for the Group, which we would expect to become its principal activity. I am pleased to report that we have identified an acquisition target, full details of which will be provided in an announcement to be released later today.

 

Home Based Entertainment (HBE)

 

The Group's HBE business comprises themed 'Immersive Learning' Let's Explore products, as well as the affordable 'Vodiac' VR headset, an affordable smartphone-powered VR headset and companion app which provides the user with 75 different virtual reality experiences across seven channels. These products retail to consumers via a variety of channels including QVC, Amazon as well as direct to consumer offering via Facebook and other social media channels. 

 

The HBE business is predominantly a Q4 focused business, with the first half of the year being about investment into the development and planning of new products.

 

As expected, HBE revenue was modest in the period at £62,000 (H1 2022: £103,000) reflecting the seasonality of the business. This revenue was primarily generated through the sale of 6,000 units of the Vodiac product.  HBE cost of sales of £139,000 included a £32,000 write-off in respect of materials previously purchased which are now obsolete due to the redesign of the Let's Explore product range. This produced a gross loss of £77,000 from HBE in the period (H1 2022: £65,000), and a divisional adjusted EBITDA loss of £175,000 (H1 2022: £151,000).

 

As announced earlier in the year, the Group has developed three new Let's Explore products: a revamped 'Let's Explore Oceans' offering as well as 'Let's Explore Space' and 'Let's Explore Wildlife' which are two completely new products, all focused on delivering a comprehensive immersive learning experience. 

 

Each pack comes complete with the new improved smartphone-powered VR headset, a range of VR experiences, a holographic cube which unlocks a selection of in-app augmented reality experiences, a full-colour hardback fact book, a sticker book, a giant poster, and an interactive model.  The Group has produced a total of 22,500 units in conjunction with a respected publisher on a profit-sharing basis for an initial test of these new products and, subject to the results in Q4, the intention is to expand the product range as well as the territories in which they are sold over the coming year.

 

The RRP of each pack will be £99, or $125. Sales will be focused around the busy Q4 period and will, as in previous years, be offered via either a direct sale, or through Amazon both in the UK and USA.

 

Following technical improvements in the Vodiac offering, and a successful TV airing in August 2023 on QVC USA, during which some 4,000 Vodiac headsets were sold, the Group has received additional orders worth over $330,000 for circa 26,000 Vodiac units. These will predominantly be sold through QVC USA, and UK, as well as two tests on QVC Canada, and Australia, all to be fulfilled in Q4.

 

Financial review

 

Overall profit after tax for the period was £14,060,000.  The results of LBE and Uvisan are included within discontinued operations in the period as they were in the published full year 2022 results.  The 2022 interim figures have been restated for comparison purposes.

 

The split between continuing and discontinued activities is summarised below:

 


Continuing Operations

Discontinued Operations

Total

Operations


£'000

£'000

£'000





Revenue

62

1,626

1,688

Cost of sales

  (139)

(924)

(1,063)


---------------

---------------  

---------------  

Gross profit

(77)

702

625





Other income

129

-

129

Admin expenses*

(507)

(390)

(897)


---------------

---------------  

---------------  

Adjusted EBITDA**

(455)

312

(143)





Amortisation

(86)

(39)

(125)

Depreciation

(10)

(173)

(183)

Impairment

-

(459)

(459)

Loss on disposal of assets                  

-

(3)

(3)

Gain on disposal of subsidiaries

-

15,115

15,115

Share based payments

(332)

(332)

One-off costs

(418)

(23)

(441)

Finance costs

(1)

(4)

(5)

Finance income

189

-

189

Taxation

(4)

(8)

(12)


-------------

-----------------

----------------

Profit/(loss) for the period

(1,117)

15,177

14,060


-------------

-----------------

----------------

 

*Administrative expenses exclude depreciation, amortisation, impairment, gains/losses on disposal, share based payments and one-off costs.

 

**Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP metric.

 

Adjusted EBITDA loss from continuing operations (comprising HBE and head office costs) in the period was £455,000 (H1 2022: £770,000).

 

The Company has been able to mitigate its head office costs in the period through income of £129,000 received for the provision of transitional finance and other services to the disposed subsidiaries (recognised in other income). 

 

The Company also received £189,000 finance income in the period on its cash deposits and the accrued loan note interest payable by the buyer of the LBE business.

 

The Group recorded a profit of £15,115,000 on the sale of the LBE and Uvisan subsidiaries and, as a result of the UK Substantial Shareholding Exemption (SSE) legislation applying to the disposals, no tax is expected to be payable on this gain.

 

The cash proceeds of the disposals net of deal costs and cash disposed with the entities were £18,964,000.  This excludes the repayment of the $1,250,000 loan note (plus interest at 6% per annum) to be received from the buyers of the LBE business on 28 February 2024. Repayment of the loan note is subject to adjustments for any warranty claims made under the LBE business sale and purchase agreement. The board is not aware presently of any information which would result in any other than full repayment of the loan notes being received.

 

Outlook

 

We are excited by the launch of the new Let's Explore range ready for the peak gifting season. The mix of virtual reality, augmented reality, interactive models and traditional books has allowed us to create a range of immersive learning products.

 

With a strong balance sheet, we are optimistic about the potential the Group has to deliver shareholder value, both through the HBE business and acquisition opportunities.


LET'S EXPLORE GROUP PLC

CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT

for the six months ended 30 June 2023


 

 

Restated*

 


Notes

Unaudited

Unaudited

Audited


 

Six months to

30 June 2023

Six months to

30 June 2022

12 months to

31 December 2022

Continuing operations

 

£'000

£'000

£'000

 

 




Revenue

 

62

103

796






Cost of sales


(139)

(168)

(865)



_______

_______

_______

Gross loss

 

(77)

(65)

(69)






Other income

5

129

-

-






Administrative expenses


(1,353)

(858)

(1,848)



_______

_______

_______

Operating loss

 

(1,301)

(923)

(1,917)






Memorandum:

Adjusted EBITDA


 

(455)

 

(770)

 

(1,582)

Amortisation


(86)

(76)

(168)

Depreciation


(10)

-

(1)

Share based payments


(332)

(72)

(133)

Transaction costs

6

 (418)     

(5)

(33)



______

______

______

Operating loss


(1,301)

(923)

(1,917)






Finance costs


(1)  

(15)

(11)

Finance income


189

-

-



______

______

______

Loss before taxation


(1,113)

(938)

(1,928)






Tax (charge)/credit


(4)     

-

-



______

______

______

Loss for the period from continuing operations

 

 

operations


(1,117)

(938)

(1,928)






Discontinued operations










Profit after tax from discontinued operations

4

15,177

447

1,267



________   

______ 

______

Profit/(loss) for the period


14,060

(491)

(661)



========   

========

========

Other comprehensive income / (expense) for the period










Profit/(loss) on translation of subsidiaries


(285)

(51)

129 

Cumulative translation differences transferred to the income statement on disposal of subsidiaries


155

-

-



________   

______

______

Total comprehensive expense for the period


13,930

(542)

  (532)



========   

========     

========






 

*The results for the six months ended 30 June 2022 have been restated for consistency with the 30 June 2023 and 31 December 2022 results (refer to note 2).

 

 

 

LET'S EXPLORE GROUP PLC

CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT (CONTINUED)

for the six months ended 30 June 2023

 

 

 

Restated

 

 

Notes

Unaudited

Unaudited

Audited

 

 

Six months to

30 June 2023

Six months to

30 June 2022

12 months to

31 December 2022

Earnings/(loss) per share

7

£0.01

£0.01

£0.01

 

 

 

 

 

From continuing and discontinued operations

 

 

 

 

Basic EPS

 

3.50

(0.12)

(0.16)

Diluted EPS

 

3.50

(0.12)

    (0.16)

 

 

 

 

 

From continuing operations

 

 

 

 

Basic EPS

 

(0.28)

(0.23)

(0.46)

Diluted EPS

 

(0.28)

(0.23)

    (0.46)


 




From discontinued operations

 




Basic EPS

 

3.78

0.11

0.30

Diluted EPS

 

3.78

0.11

0.30

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*The results for the six months ended 30 June 2022 have been restated for consistency with the 30 June 2023 and 31 December 2022 results (refer to note 2).

 

 


LET'S EXPLORE GROUP PLC

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY

for the six months ended 30 June 2023

(Unaudited)

 

 


Share

capital

Share

premium

Foreign exchange reserve

Capital redemption reserve

Retained (deficit)/

earnings

Total

equity


£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000








Balance at 1 January 2022

166

20,556

(36)

-

(14,966)

5,720








Loss for the period (restated)*

-

-

-

(491)

(491)








Currency translation of overseas subsidiary

-

180 

-

 

-

180

Share based payment expense

-

-

-

72

72


_____

_____

_____

_____

_____

_____

Balance at 30 June 2022 (restated)*

166

20,556

144

-

(15,385)

5,481


_____

_____

_____

_____

_____

_____








Loss for the period

-

-

-

-

(170)

(170)

  







Share based payment expense

-

-

-

-

61

61








Currency translation of overseas subsidiary

-

-

(51)

-

-

(51) 


_____

_____

_____

_____

_____

_____

Balance at 31 December 2022

166

20,556

93

-

(15,494)

5,321


_____

_____

_____

_____

_____

_____








Profit for the period

-

-

-

-

14,060

14,060








Currency translation of overseas subsidiary

-

-

(285)

-

-

(285)








Cumulative translation differences transferred to the income statement on disposal of subsidiaries

-

-

155

-

-

155








Issue of new shares

19

1,159

-

-

-

1,178








Reduction in share premium

-

(20,572)

-

-

20,572

-








Buyback and cancellation of shares

(109)

-  

-

109

(12,527)

(12,527)








Share based payment expense

-

-

-

-

332

332









_____

_____

_____

_____

_____

_____

Balance at 30 June 2023

76

1,143

(37)

109

6,943

8,234


_____

_____

_____

_____

_____

_____









*The results for the six months ended 30 June 2022 have been restated for consistency with the 30 June 2023 and 31 December 2022 results (refer to note 2).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LET'S EXPLORE GROUP PLC

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION

as at 30 June 2023

 

 

 

 

Restated*

 

 

 

Unaudited

Unaudited

Audited

 

Notes

30 June

2023

30 June

2022

31 December 2022

 

 

£'000

£'000

£'000

ASSETS

 




Non-current assets

 




Property, plant and equipment

8

152

1,595

3

Intangible assets

9

159

3,252

214


 

______

______

______

Total non-current assets

 

311

4,847

217

Current assets

 




Inventories

 

47

145

67

Trade and other receivables

10

1,594

966

786

Contract assets

 

17

530

2

Cash and cash equivalents

 

6,827

418

51


 

______

______

______

Total current assets

 

8,485

2,059

906


 




Assets held for sale

 

-

157

6,362


 

______

______

______

Total assets

 

8,796

7,063

7,485


 

______

______

______

LIABILITIES

 




Current liabilities

 




Trade and other payables

11

(529)

(1,184)

(786)

Finance leases

 

-

(61)

-

Loans

 

(10)

(98)

(45)

Contract liabilities

 

-

(20)

(7)


 

_______

_______

_______

Total current liabilities

 

(539)

(1,363)

(838)


 




Non-current liabilities

 




Loans

 

(23)

(162)

(28)

Lease liabilities

 

-

-

-


 

_______

_______

_______

Total non-current liabilities

 

(23)

(162)

(28)


 




Liabilities associated with assets held for sale

 

-

(57)

(1,298)


 

______

______

______

Total liabilities

 

(562)

(1,582)

(2,164)


 

______

_______

_______

NET ASSETS

 

8,234

5,481

5,321


 

========

========

========

 

 




CAPITAL AND RESERVES

ATTRIBUTABLE TO EQUITY HOLDERS OF THE PARENT

 




Share capital

12

76

166

166

Share premium account

 13 

1,143

20,556

20,556

Foreign exchange reserve

13

(37)

144

93

Capital redemption reserve

13

109

-

-

Retained earnings

13

6,943

(15,385)

(15,494)


 

_______

_______

_______

TOTAL EQUITY

 

8,234

5,481

5,321


 

========

========

========

*The results for the six months ended 30 June 2022 have been restated for consistency with the 30 June 2023 and 31 December 2022 results (refer to note 2).

 

LET'S EXPLORE GROUP PLC

CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOW STATEMENT

for the six months ended 30 June 2023

 

 

 

Restated*

 

 

Unaudited

Unaudited

Audited

 

Six months to

30 June 2023

Six months to

30 June 2022

12 months to

31 December 2022

 

£'000

£'000

£'000

OPERATING ACTIVITIES




Loss before tax from continuing operations

(1,113)

(938)

(1,928)

Loss before tax from discontinued operations

15,185

451

1,297





Adjustments for:




Amortisation

125

304

601

Depreciation

183

501

1,036

Impairment

-

26

176

Loss/(gain) on disposal of non-current assets

3

(8)

(19)

Gain on disposal of subsidiary undertakings

(15,115)

-

-

Share based payments

332

72

133

Net foreign exchange differences

(285) 

100

37

Finance costs

5

15

37

Finance income

(189)

-

(1)

Taxation (paid)/refunded

(12)

(3)

14 


_____ 

____  _ 

_____

Operating profit/(loss) before changes in working capital and provisions

(881)

520

1,383





(Increase)/decrease in inventories

36

(124)

(11)

(Increase)/decrease in receivables and contract assets

(603)

321

(46)

Increase/(decrease) in payables and contract liabilities

(427)

(120)

278


_____ 

_____ 

_____

Net cash flows from / (used in) operating activities

(1,875)

597

1,604


_____ 

_____ 

_____

INVESTING ACTIVITIES




Purchase of property, plant and equipment

(266)

(859)

(1,797)

Purchase of intangible assets

(100)

(274)

    (510)

Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment

-

9

24

Proceeds from sale of subsidiary undertakings

20,321

-

-

Cash disposed on sale of subsidiary undertakings

(354)

-

-


_____  

_____  

_____

Net cash flows from investing activities

19,601

(1,124)

(2,283)

 




FINANCING ACTIVITIES




Finance costs

(5) 

(15)

(37)

Finance income

189

-

1

New loans and finance leases

-

101

328

Loan repayments

(42)     

(152)

(204)

Finance lease repayments

(21)     

(124)

(218)

Foreign exchange on retranslation of financing

-

36

39

Issue of ordinary shares

1,178

-

-

Share buybacks

(12,527)      

-

-


_____  

_____  

_____

Net cash flows from financing activities

(11,228)

(154)

(91)

 

 

 

 

INCREASE/(DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

6,498

(681)

(770)


_____  

_____  

_____

Cash and cash equivalents brought forward

329

1,099

1,099


_____ 

_____

_____  

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS CARRIED FORWARD

6,827   

418

329


_____  

_____  

_____  

 

*The results for the six months ended 30 June 2022 have been restated for consistency with the 30 June 2023 and 31 December 2022 results (refer to note 2).




 

LET'S EXPLORE GROUP PLC

NOTES TO THE INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

for the six months ended 30 June 2023

 

1       Corporate information

 

The interim consolidated financial statements of the Group for the period ended 30 June 2023 were authorised for issue in accordance with a resolution of the directors on 27 September 2023. Let's Explore Group plc ("the Company") is a Public Limited Company quoted on AIM, incorporated in England and Wales. The interim consolidated financial statements do not comprise statutory accounts within the meaning of section 434 of the Companies Act 2006.

 

2       Statement of accounting policies

 

2.1  Basis of preparation

 

The interim consolidated financial statements of the Group for the six months ended 30 June 2023 have been prepared in accordance with the UK-adopted International Accounting Standard 34 Interim Financial Reporting.

 

The entities consolidated in the interim financial statements of the Group for the six months to 30 June 2023 comprise the Company and its subsidiaries (together referred to as "the Group").

 

The interim consolidated financial statements do not include all the information and disclosures required in the annual financial statements and should be read in conjunction with the Group's annual audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2022.

 

The directors are satisfied that, at the time of approving the interim consolidated financial statements, it is appropriate to adopt a going concern basis in accordance with the recognition and measurement criteria of International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS") as adopted by the European Union.

 

In reaching this conclusion, the directors considered the financial position of the Group and prepared forecasts and projections for the next 12 months, taking into account reasonably possible changes in trading performance and capital expenditure requirements.

 

The financial statements do not include any adjustments that would result from the going concern basis of preparation being inappropriate.

 

2.2  Accounting policies

 

The principal accounting policies adopted in the preparation of these interim statements are consistent with those applied in the preparation of the Group's annual consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2022 other than the Group has adopted amended financial standards effective as of 1 January 2023. None of the amendments adopted on 1 January 2023 have had a material impact on the interim statements of the Group.

 

The preparation of these consolidated interim financial statements requires management to make judgments, estimates and assumptions that affect the application of accounting policies and the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, income and expense. Actual results may differ from these estimates in preparing these consolidated interim financial statements.

 

Discontinued operations

 

On 2 February 2023, the Company announced that it had completed the sale of the Uvisan division for cash consideration of £100,000.

 

On 1 March 2023, the Company announced the completion of the sale of the Location Based Entertainment (LBE) virtual

reality division for consideration of $25,119,739. The sale proceeds were comprised of cash paid at completion of $23,869,739 and a loan note of $1,250,000 repayable 12 months following completion, subject to any price adjustments under the terms of the sale and purchase agreement.

 

The LBE and Uvisan results have been separated from those of continuing operations and are shown as discontinued operations within the consolidated income statement. Comparative periods within the consolidated income statement have been restated accordingly.  Further information on discontinued operations is contained in note 4.

 

 

2       Statement of accounting policies (continued)

 

Restatement of prior period comparative figures for the six months to 30 June 2022

 

The prior period comparative figures for the six months to 30 June 2022 have been restated for consistency with the current reporting period.

 

When the results for the six months to 30 June 2022 were originally released, the Home Based Entertainment (HBE) and Uvisan divisions were recognised in discontinued operations and assets held for sale.  An impairment charge of £155,000 against the net realisable value of the HBE business was recognised in the accounts at the time, assessed against the expected sale proceeds had the disposal taken place.

 

The comparative figures for the six months to 30 June 2022 have been restated to recognise the LBE and Uvisan businesses in discontinued operations.  The Uvisan business is included in assets held for sale as the decision to discontinue that division was made prior to 30 June 2022.

 

The restated figures no longer include HBE in assets held for sale and the directors are of the opinion that impairment of the division's net assets would not be appropriate at the time if the division was held as a continuing operation.

 

A reconciliation of the restated comparative figures to the original published figures shows below:

 


Six months to

30 June 2022


£'000



Loss after tax from total operations originally reported

(646)



Reversal of impairment of HBE assets held for sale

155


_____

 

 

Restated Loss after tax from total operations

(491)


_____

 

 

 

3       Segmental information

 

The Group's primary reporting format for segmental information is business segments which reflect the management reporting structure in the Group. The information for discontinued segments is aggregated and shown as a separate segment.

 

Six months to 30 June 2023


Home

Based

Entertainment

 

Head

Office

Total

Continuing Operations

 

Discontinued Operations

 

Total

Operations


£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000







Revenue

62 

-

62

1,626

1,688

Cost of sales

(139)

-

  (139)

(924)

(1,063)


----------------

----------------

---------------

---------------  

---------------  

Gross profit

(77)

-

(77)

702

625







Other income

-

129

129

-

129

Admin expenses*

(98)

(409) 

(507)

(390)

(897)


----------------

----------------

---------------

---------------  

---------------  

Adjusted EBITDA**

(175)

(280) 

(455)

312

(143)







Amortisation

(84)

(2) 

(86)

(39)

(125)

Depreciation

(1)

(9) 

(10)

(173)

(183)

Loss on disposal of assets                  

-

-

-

(3)

(3)

Gain on disposal of subsidiaries

-

-

-

15,115

15,115

Share based payments

-

(332) 

(332)

(332)

One-off costs

-

(418) 

(418)

(23)

(441)

Finance costs

-

(1) 

(1)

(4)

(5)

Finance income

-

189

189

-

189

Taxation

(4)

-

(4)

(8)

(12)


----------------

----------------

-------------

-----------------

----------------

Profit/(loss) for the period

(264)

(853)

(1,117)

15,177

14,060


----------------

----------------

-------------

-----------------

 

The segments included within discontinued operations were the Location Based Entertainment (LBE) VR and Uvisan businesses.

 

*Administrative expenses exclude depreciation, amortisation, impairment, gains/losses on disposal, share based payments and one-off costs.

 

**Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP metric.

 

 

 


 

3    Segment information (continued)

 

Geographical disclosures

 

The geographical breakdown of the Group's revenue, assets and net tangible capital expenditure is as follows.

 


External revenue by location of customer

Location of assets

Net tangible capital

expenditure by location

of assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Restated

 

 

Restated

 

 

Restated

 

 

30 June

2023

30 June

2022

31 Dec

2022

30 June 2023

30 June 2022

31 Dec 2022

30 June 2023

30 June 2022

31 Dec 2022

 

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

 










UK

59

36

396

8,763

4,199

1,062

159

51

3

USA & Canada

3

67

400

33

2,682

61

-

792

-

Australia

-

-

-

-

5

-

-

6

-

Rest of Europe

-

-

-

-

15

-

-

-

-

Middle East

-

-

-

-

5

-

-

-

-











Assets held for sale

-

-

-

-

157

6,362

-

10

1,794


_____

_____

_____

_____

_____

_____

_____

_____

_____

Total

62

103

796

8,796

7,063

7,485

159

859

1,797

 

_____

_____

_____

_____

_____

_____

_____

_____

_____

 










 

 

The Group had certain customers whose revenue individually represented 10% or more of the Group's total revenue.  For the six months ended 30 June 2023, one customer accounted for 94% of total revenue.

 

 


 

4         Discontinued operations

 

The Location Based Entertainment (LBE) and Uvisan businesses were sold during the six months to 30 June 2023. The results for these businesses have been excluded from the continuing results of the Group for the period ended 30 June 2023. The results for the periods ended 30 June 2022 and 31 December 2022 have been restated to exclude the results of these businesses from the continuing operations of the Group in those periods.

 

Summary income statement

 

The results for LBE and Uvisan included in the income statement as discontinued operations are as follows:

 


 

 

 

 

LBE

 

 

 

 

Uvisan

 

Unaudited

 Total

Six months to

 30 June 2023

Restated

Unaudited

Total

Six months to

30 June 2022

 

Audited

Total

12 months to

31 Dec 2022

Discontinued operations

   £'000

     £'000

 £'000

£'000

£'000







Revenue

1,532

94

1,626

4,749

10,781

Cost of sales

(886)

(38)

  (924)

(2,550)

(5,696)

Other income

-

-

-

26

39

Admin expenses*

(367)

(23)

(390)

(1,020)

(2,167)


----------------

----------------

---------------

---------------  

---------------  

Adjusted EBITDA**

279

33

312

1,205

2,957







Amortisation

(37)

(2)

(39)

(228)

(433)

Depreciation

(172)

(1)

(173)

(501)

(1,035)

Impairment

-

-

-

(26)

(175)

Gain on disposal of assets                  

(3)

-

(3)

8

19

One-off costs

-

(23)

(23)

(7)

(12)

Finance costs

(4)

-

(4)

-

(25)

Finance income

-

-

-

-

1

Taxation

(8)

-

(8)

(3)

(30)


----------------

----------------

-------------

-------------  

----------------

Profit from discontinued operations before disposal of subsidiaries

55

7

62

448

1,267


----------------

----------------

-------------

-------------  

----------------







Gain on disposal of subsidiaries

15,073

42

15,115

-

-








----------------

----------------

-------------

-------------  

----------------

Profit from discontinued operations

15,128 

49

15,177

448

1,267


----------------

----------------

-------------

-------------

----------------

 

*Administrative expenses exclude depreciation, amortisation, impairment, gains/losses on disposal, share based payments and one-off costs.

 

**Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP metric.

 

 


 

4         Discontinued operations (continued)

 

Summary cash flow statement

 

The results for LBE and Uvisan included in the cash flow statement are as follows:

 


 

 

 

 

LBE

 

 

 

 

Uvisan

 

Unaudited

 Total

Six months to

 30 June 2023

Restated

Unaudited

Total

Six months to

30 June 2022

 

Audited

Total

12 months to

31 Dec 2022

Discontinued operations

   £'000

     £'000

£'000

 £'000

 £'000







Operating activities

(44)

58

14

1,417

3,216

Investing activities

19,716

(29)

19,687

(1,187)

(2,070)

Financing activities

(27)

-

(27)

(230)

(105)

 

----------------

----------------

-------------

-------------

----------------

Net cash inflow/(outflow)

19,645

29    

19,674

-

1,041

 

----------------

----------------

-------------

-------------

----------------

 

 

5         Other income

 

 

Restated

 

 

Unaudited

Six months to

 30 June 2023

Unaudited

Six months to

30 June 2022

Audited

12 months to

31 Dec 2022

 

£'000

£'000

£'000

Continuing operations




Transitional services provided to disposed subsidiaries

129

-

-


----------------

----------------

----------------


129

-

-


----------------

----------------

----------------

 

6         Transaction costs

 

 

Restated

 

 

Unaudited

Six months to

 30 June 2023

Unaudited

Six months to

30 June 2022

Audited

12 months to

31 Dec 2022

 

£'000

£'000

£'000

Continuing operations




Costs related to the capital reduction and share buybacks

225

-

-

Bonuses awarded in relation to the LBE business sale

181

-

-

Costs relating to the LBE business sale

-

-

13

Aborted project costs

12

5

20


----------------

----------------

----------------


418

5

33


----------------

----------------

----------------

 

 


 

7           Earnings per share


The calculation of the group basic and diluted loss per ordinary share is based on the following data:

 

 

 

Restated

 

 

Unaudited

Six months to

 30 June 2023

Unaudited

Six months to

30 June 2022

Audited

12 months to

31 Dec 2022

 

£'000

£'000

£'000

Profit attributable to shareholders




Continuing operations

(1,117)

(938)

(1,928)

Discontinued operations

15,177

448

1,267


--------------------

--------------------

--------------------

Total profit attributable to shareholders

14,060

(490)

(661)


--------------------

--------------------

--------------------





Basic weighted average number of shares

401,733,235

415,538,083

415,538,083

Diluted weighted average number of shares

450,865,644

474,267,283

473,775,097


              ========= =====    

              ==============   

                 ==============       






£0.01

£0.01

£0.01

Earnings per share




Basic earnings per share

3.50

(0.12)

(0.16)

Diluted earnings per share

3.50

(0.12)

(0.16)


=========

=========

=========

Earnings per share from continuing operations




Basic earnings per share from continuing operations

(0.28)

(0.23)  

(0.46)

Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations

(0.28)

(0.23)  

(0.46)


=========

=========

=========

Earnings per share from discontinued operations




Basic earnings per share from continuing operations

3.78

0.11

0.30

Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations

3.78

0.11

0.30


=========

=========

=========

 

Earnings per ordinary share has been calculated using the weighted average number of shares in issue during the period. The weighted average number of equity shares in issue in the period to 30 June 2023 was 401,733,235.

 

 

 

 


 

 

8         Property, plant and equipment

 

 

Fixtures, fittings and equipment

Motor

vehicles

Total

 

£'000

£'000

£'000





Cost




At 1 January 2023

3

-

3

Additions

3

156

159


_____

_____

_____

At 30 June 2023

6

156

162


_____

_____

_____

Depreciation




At 1 January 2023

-

-

-

Depreciation of owned assets

1

9

10


_____

_____

_____

At 30 June 2023

1

9

10


_____

_____

_____





Net book value




30 June 2023

5

147

152

 

_____

_____

_____





31 December 2022

3

-

3

 

_____

_____

_____






 

 

The method of depreciation for each class of depreciable asset is:

 

Fixtures, fittings and equipment                                 - three years on a straight-line basis

Motor vehicles                                                             - seven years on a straight-line basis

 

 

 


 

9           Intangible assets

 


Development costs

Other intangible assets

Total


£'000

£'000

£'000





Cost




At 1 January 2023

454

29

483

Additions

36

1

37

Transfers

-

7

7

Disposals

-

(14)

(14)


_____

_____

_____

At 30 June 2023

490

23

513


_____

_____

_____

Amortisation




At 1 January 2023

255

14

269

Amortisation charge

78

8

86

Transfers

-

5

5

Disposals

-

(6)

(6)


_____

_____

_____

At 30 June 2023

333

21

354


_____

_____

_____





Net book value




30 June 2023

157

2

159

 

_____

_____

_____





31 December 2022

199

15

214

 

_____

_____

_____






 

Development costs are comprised of software, virtual reality and augmented reality content.  Development costs are amortised on a straight-line basis over 3 years. No amortisation is charged against projects which are still in development.

 

Other intangible assets comprise website development and trademark costs. Website development costs are amortised over 3 years and trademark costs over 2 years.

 

Amortisation is charged to administrative costs in the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive income.

 

 


 

10        Trade and other receivables

 

 

Unaudited

Unaudited

Audited

 

30 June 2023

30 June 2022

31 Dec 2022

 

£'000

£'000

£'000

 




Trade receivables

81

422

403

Prepayments

103

435

304

Corporation tax

-

23

-

Other receivables

1,410

86

79


----------------

----------------

----------------


1,594

966

786


----------------

----------------

----------------

 

 

11         Trade and other payables

 

 

Unaudited

Unaudited

Audited

 

30 June 2023

30 June 2022

31 Dec 2022

 

£'000

£'000

£'000

 




Trade payables

54

272

464

Accruals

173

575

288

Taxation and social security

296

176

31

Other payables

6

161

3


----------------

----------------

----------------


529

1,184

786


----------------

----------------

----------------

 

12         Share capital

 

 

Shares

£'000

Ordinary shares of 0.040108663 pence issued and fully paid up



As at 1 January 2023

415,538,083

166

Share options exercised at 2.5p per share

47,125,978

19

Buyback and cancellation of shares at 3.65p per share

(34,941,026)

(14)

Buyback and cancellation of shares at 4.75p per share

(236,873,162)

(95)


-------------------------------

-------------------

As at 30 June 2023

190,849,873

76


-------------------------------

-------------------

 

 

13         Reserves

 

Full details of movements in reserves are set out in the consolidated statement of changes in equity. The following describes the nature and purpose of each reserve within owners' equity:

Share premium: the amount subscribed for share capital in excess of nominal value.

Foreign exchange reserve: reserve arising on translation of the Group's overseas subsidiaries.

Capital redemption reserve: the nominal value of cancelled ordinary shares.

Retained earnings: cumulative net gains and losses recognised in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income.

 

14         Related party transactions

 

M J Higginson, a director of Let's Explore Group plc, is a director and controlling shareholder of M Capital Investment Properties Limited.  Services to the value of £12,000 (year to 31 December 2022: £43,000) were invoiced in the period by M Capital Investment Properties Limited to Let's Explore Group plc. At 30 June 2023, Let's Explore Group plc owed £Nil (31 December 2022: £Nil) to M Capital Investment Properties Limited.

 

R Miller, a director of Let's Explore Group plc, is a director of Robin Miller Consultants Ltd. In the period, services totalling £19,000 (year to 31 December 2022: £16,000) were billed to Let's Explore Group plc from Robin Miller Consultants Ltd. At 30 June 2023, £Nil (31 December 2022: £Nil) was owing from Let's Explore Group plc to Robin Miller Consultants Ltd.

 

M J Higginson and D F G Wortley, both directors of Let's Explore Group plc, are directors and shareholders in Huddled Group Limited.  Services to the value of £3,000 (year to 31 December 2022: £279,000) were invoiced in the period by Huddled Group Limited to Let's Explore Group plc. At 30 June 2023, the Group owed £Nil (31 December 2021: £196,000) to Huddled Group Limited.

 

D Marks, a director of Let's Explore Group plc, was advanced a loan in a prior period. Interest is currently charged on the loan at 2% per annum. At 30 June 2023, D Marks owed £16,000 (31 December 2022: £16,000) inclusive of interest, to the Group.

 

D F G Wortley, a director of Let's Explore Group plc, was advanced a loan in a prior period. Interest is currently charged on the loan at 2% per annum. At 30 June 2023, D F G Wortley owed £5,000 (31 December 2022: £5,000) inclusive of interest, to the Group.

 

The key management personnel are considered to be the Board of Directors. The total amounts paid to key management personnel during the period was £580,000, which includes £160,000 paid in bonuses for the successful completion of the sale of the LBE business for $25.1m. The total amounts paid to key management personnel during the year to 31 December 2022 was £942,000.

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