Final Results

RNS Number : 0903R

Liberty PLC

24 April 2009

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

24 April 2009

LIBERTY PLC:

FINAL RESULTS FOR 12 MONTHS TO 31 DECEMBER 2008

HIGHLIGHTS

Liberty - a 'retail sector beacon' with 9% sales uplift to £50.2m against £45.8m
Liberty Art Fabrics delivered impressive 25% sales growth and 35% EBITDA uplift
Successful launch of transactional website in July 2008 - rapid development culminating in excellent Christmas trading
Following large one-off costs, including launch of independent Liberty of London store and major reorganisation expenses, EBITDA only slipped slightly to a loss of £3.9m from a loss of £3.6m in 2007
Pre-tax losses marginally increased from £6.4m in 2007 to £7.0m
2008 focus: significant investment and restructuring in retailing activities particularly within flagship store and online sales facility, culminating in successful 'Renaissance of Liberty' launch in February 2009
Liberty of London wholesale distribution continued to expand in world's leading stores including Corso Como, Jeffrey and Le Bon Marche
Since 'Slumdog Millionaire' star Freida Pinto's February 2009 'Renaissance of Liberty' launch flagship store trading and margins have achieved 12% growth over 2008 comparative period

'We appreciate we are operating in a difficult and uncertain economic period. However, I am confident that investing during these challenging times to refocus our identity will considerably improve our ability to achieve our vision and create value for shareholders,' Richard Balfour-Lynn, Chairman.

Contact:

	Richard Balfour-Lynn, Chairman, Liberty.		Tel: 020 7706 2121
	Geoffroy de La Bourdonnaye, CEO, Liberty		Tel: 020 7734 1234
	Paul Harris, Finance Director, Liberty		Tel: 020 7734 1234
	Baron Phillips, Baron Phillips Associates		Tel: 020 7920 3161
	Nicola Marrin, Seymour Pierce		Tel: 020 7107 8018

CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT

The impact of the economic climate over the past 12 months on retailing has been well documented. Yet, in spite of the difficulties imposed by the credit crunch, Liberty was one of the sector's few beacons as it produced a 9% uplift in sales across its business to £50m for the year.

The results for the 12 months to 31 December 2008 reflect the increasing success of the strategy and foundations developed over the past 18 months. At the heart of this strategy is the creation of Liberty as a global luxury brand across our four distinct business activities, with each based on a common heritage and shared support functions. These foundations have been consolidated through the creation of a dynamic international executive team capable of delivering our key objectives and goals over the medium term.

Our major focus in 2008 was to restructure and invest significantly in our retailing activities, particularly in the flagship store and our online sales facility, culminating in the 'Renaissance of Liberty' which was launched by the actress Freida Pinto, of the Oscar-winning film Slumdog Millionaire, in February 2009 to great acclaim, both from the public and the industry. Since the launch, I am pleased to report that trading has exceeded our expectations, delivering 12% sales and margin growth on comparative trading in 2008.

As a result of all these efforts, and despite the adverse economic climate, group sales for the year to end December 2008 totalled £50.2m against £45.8m for the same period a year earlier, with the flagship store virtually matching the previous year's record performance at £32m. We regard this as a very creditable performance in the current adverse economic and retailing climate.

Particular successes in the flagship came from Menswear, up 6%, and Beauty, up 5% on the comparative period in 2007. These two areas continue to underpin flagship store sales, producing consistent growth for the past three years and attracting our loyal Liberty customers back time and time again. We have exciting plans for our beauty hall in the second half of 2009, building on the range of exclusive and limited edition skincare, cosmetics, perfume and home fragrance products we offer. Liberty carries the sharpest, most focused edited range of any store that carries luxury men's clothing which is attracting increasing footfall as customers visit to discover the product our experienced buyers have chosen for them.

EBITDA for the year slipped slightly from a loss of £3.6m to a loss of £3.9m, resulting in a pre-tax loss of £7.0m after increased interest costs compared to £6.4m last year. It must be borne in mind that during the year the group had to bear some large one-off costs that included the launch of the independent Liberty of London store and our new internet sales platform, together with major reorganisation expenses within the flagship store in preparation for the Renaissance and to take the business forward in the coming years. All of these costs have been accounted for in the 2008 year results.

Liberty Art Fabrics, where restructuring started in 2007, delivered an impressive 25% sales growth and a 35% uplift in EBITDA. This remarkable performance was driven equally by our wholly-owned Japanese subsidiary assisted by a strong Yen and by the impact of our new international commercial team outside Japan.

Liberty Art Fabrics can now be seen on a wide array of global brands such as Nike, Balmain or Junya Wattanabe. Collaborations with contemporary artists such as Grayson Perry reinforced the positioning of our Art Fabrics Studio as one of the most avant-garde and eclectic providers of top quality fashion and design prints currently in London.

Liberty of London, our in-house studio which develops fashion accessories for men and women, opened its stand-alone store on Sloane Street, Knightsbridge in July 2008 to critical acclaim from both the fashion and retail press alike. Although trading has been slower than anticipated, this store is helping us re-engineer our product strategy under the direction of our new commercial director, Fabio Guidetti, who joined in October 2008 with the clear objective to make Liberty of London profitable in the near future.

Liberty of London wholesale distribution, which only started in 2007, continued to expand in the most prestigious and directional stores such as Corso Como in Milan, Tokyo and Seoul, Jeffrey in New York and Le Bon Marché in Paris, with the total number of outlets now exceeding 100. Our men's shirts collection was awarded the prestigious 'best print of the year' award by Wallpaper magazine. A limited edition scarf for the Chelsea Flower Show met with immediate success and more collaborations with high-profile brands, designers and artists are planned for 2009.

We successfully launched the Liberty transactional website in July 2008 which has developed rapidly since then, culminating in excellent trading performance in the run up to Christmas. Spanning a selection of the best in Beauty, Design, Fashion and Gifts, the response to our fashion offer indicates a huge potential for this part of our business.

The worldwide potential of the website will be further enhanced by the global awareness of the Liberty brand name through the flagship store's Renaissance as a leading curator of international Fashion, Design and Beauty.

Despite the general consensus that Christmas 2008 was going to be the worst for a very long time, Liberty virtually matched the record sales we achieved in the previous year and exceeded forecasts. Contributing factors to the high level of sales were some excellent customer promotional events and our determination to clear stocks in preparation for the 'Renaissance of Liberty' renovation programme within the flagship store, all of which achieved their targets.

At the heart of the flagship store's Renaissance is a new lay-out and product offer. There are now three new fashion floors with a large number of newly added exclusive brands. The new International Room on the first floor houses sophisticated collections from Jil Sander and Alexander McQueen next to the work of younger generation designers, such as Christopher Kane, Balmain, Josh Goot and Peter Piloto.

The central atrium on the first floor now showcases avant-garde anchor brands including Rick Owens, Martin Margiela, Acne and Dries Van Noten, each with their distinct corners in a beautiful light-flooded space.

Considerable thought has been given to our customers' desire for affordable luxury. The new Essentials Room on the second floor houses focused selections of the key pieces in denim, t-shirts and cashmere from hot brands such as Acne, Aquascutum and APC. The room will evolve season by season and be expertly edited to ensure that our customers are not overwhelmed with choice.

Our Home business has not been forgotten. New bathshop and gift areas are open on the third floor, and the revamped Dress Fabrics and Haberdashery atrium space is trading much better than expected.

Carpets have moved to the east gallery, whilst Liberty of London Home enjoys a new atrium space with exposed fireplaces and comfortable seating.

The store has been further enhanced through the addition of a new scarf room and our jewellery room that has been doubled in size. At the same time we have re-focused Liberty's bag offer with a wide range of accessible pieces and introduced, for the first time, sunglasses and hair accessories.

To support this Renaissance we have significantly upgraded service standards within the flagship store to provide a more friendly and welcoming approach from all staff. A new style service ensures expert advice is always available to even the most demanding clients but in a private and discreet environment.

In short, we are returning to our roots but with a 21st Century look and feel. What Arthur Liberty, the founder of Liberty, did was to make the store a fantastic backdrop for everything that was innovative and avant-garde in design, but still affordable. Supporting these products from around the world was a knowledgeable sales staff whose style and demeanour reflected the ambiance of the store and its range of design-led goods: and this is what we are achieving today.

Our principal aim is to re-capture our position as London's destination for all that is avant-garde in the world of fashion whether that be womenswear, shoes, jewellery, accessories or fabrics. In turn this will enable our transactional website to expand globally, it will nurture the Liberty of London collections and make the brand more desirable. The website will also make our Liberty prints even more popular and fashionable, both to artists and discerning shopper alike, for whom Liberty will again become the retail destination of choice.

We appreciate we are entering a difficult and uncertain economic period. However, I am confident that investing during these challenging times to refocus our identity will considerably improve our ability to achieve our vision and create value for shareholders.

Richard Balfour-Lynn

Chairman

Liberty Plc

24 April 2009

KEY FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

Liberty Plc is in the process of transforming itself into a dynamic retail destination, underpinned by a strong and expanding retail brand. The historical trading and balance sheet performance of Liberty Plc is summarised below:-

	Year ended	Year ended
	31 December	31 December
	2008	2007
Financial performance	£'000	£'000
Revenue	50,159	45,845
EBITDA before brand expenditure and reorganisation costs	1,822	1,417
Operating loss before brand expenditure and reorganisation costs	(535)	94
Brand expenditure	(4,344)	(3,484)
Reorganisation costs	(1,346)	(2,702)
Loss before taxation	(6,975)	(6,376)

	31 December	31 December
	2008	2007
Balance sheet composition	£'000	£'000
Intangible assets - brand and goodwill	18,382	18,382
Property, plant and equipment	31,006	34,400
Net debt	(19,937)	(9,003)
Net assets	29,835	41,536

BUSINESS RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES

The Board and the Senior Executive team identify and evaluate risks and uncertainties in the period covered by the Group Business Plan and design controls to mitigate these. Responsibility for management of each key risk is identified and delegated by the Board to specific Executive Directors and Senior Executives within each of the Group's operating businesses.

This section describes some of the specific risks that could materially affect the Group's businesses. The risks outlined below should be considered in connection with any financial and forward-looking information in the financial statements. The risks below are not the only ones that the Group faces and some that the Group does not currently believe to be material could later turn out to be material. These risks could materially affect the Group's business, its operating profits, earnings, net assets, liquidity and capital resources.

Economic, political, social and regulatory changes adversely affecting the Group's financial performance

The Group is exposed to the risks of global and regional adverse political, economic and financial market developments (including recession, inflation and currency fluctuations), that could lower the Group's revenues and operating results in the future.

The Group's results could also be adversely affected by events that reduce domestic or international travel, such as actual or threatened acts of terrorism or war, epidemics, travel-related accidents or industrial action, increased transportation and fuel costs and natural disasters.

Financial market volatility adversely affecting the Group's financial performance

Most of the risks faced by the Group at the date of this report emanate from the volatility of financial markets, the resultant reduction in supply of credit and its significant increase in cost. This has been accentuated during the recent eighteen months to the date of this report, arising from the rapid deterioration in financial markets in the UK. For Liberty, these risks fall into a number of categories as set out below, all of which continue to be proactively managed by the Board.

Liquidity risk affects the Group, in that this could result in it being unable to meet its financial obligations as they fall due. The Board's approach to managing liquidity is to ensure, as far as possible, that the Group has sufficient liquidity to meet its liabilities, without incurring unacceptable losses or risking damage to the Group's reputation and business. The Group uses detailed divisional cash flow reporting to assist the Board in monitoring cash flow requirements and optimising cash returns on investments across the whole Group.

The Group's variable rate borrowings are exposed to a risk of change in cash flows due to changes in interest rates. Investments in short-term receivables and payables are not exposed to interest rate risk.

Reliance on bank loan and support from the Group's ultimate parent

Note 1 summarises liquidity risks associated with the financing arrangements of the Group.

Technology and systems disruption adversely affecting the Group's efficiency

To varying degrees, the Group is reliant upon information technologies and systems for the running of its businesses, particularly those which are highly integrated with business processes. Any disruption to those technologies or systems could adversely affect the efficiency of the business.

Loss of key management personnel

The Group is reliant on its team of executives. The future success of the Group depends on the ability of its existing management team, the identification and appointment of suitable additional executives when required, and on the Group's ability to motivate and retain staff with the requisite experience.

Changes in fashion trends

Liberty is dependent upon its ability to interpret and offer fashion products that consumers wish to purchase. The Liberty printed fabric business is susceptible to industry change. Failure to be successful in this area of activity, particularly noting the long lead times before product is available for sale in the Store, would cause an adverse impact on the Liberty's revenues and profitability.

Reliance on reputation of Liberty of London brand

If an event occurred that materially damaged the reputation of any of Liberty's core brands or there was a failure to sustain the appeal of Liberty's brands to its customers, this could have an adverse impact on Liberty's revenues and resultant shareholder value.

In addition, the value of Liberty's brands is influenced by a number of external factors including consumer preference and perceptions. Liberty is focused on service delivery to ensure that the product provided matches customer preferences. Strict controls are in place to help ensure adherence to all legislative aspects affecting the business and experienced executives manage these important areas of Liberty.

Potential uninsured product liability claims

Many manufacturers and retailers are potentially vulnerable to product liability claims. Liberty conducts regular reviews with its external insurance agent to assess potential insurance risk and to ensure that adequate product and public liability insurance is in place. Liberty could also face liability and/or reputational damage relating to counterfeit products. Accordingly, Liberty pursues all copyright and trademark infringement to the extent necessary to protect its intellectual property rights that would be materially affected.

Pension scheme shortfalls

The Liberty Retail Plc Pension Scheme, which is a defined benefit pension scheme, is currently showing a deficit of £2m. The level of deficit of the scheme has fluctuated significantly over the last 12 months as the financial markets produced negative returns on the Scheme's assets, although there have also been reductions in the Scheme's liabilities. If the value of the Scheme assets were to decline materially relative to its liabilities, the pension scheme would be likely to show an increased deficit and Liberty might be required to make additional contributions to cover this shortfall. This would have an adverse impact on cash flow available to the Group, with resultant adverse effects on the cash flow and net worth of the Group.

Management and Pension Scheme Trustees meet regularly and have made major changes to the investment strategy of the Scheme over recent years, to respond to changes in the market and to underpin its financial performance. They also receive advice from external actuaries and investment advisers which assists in mitigating this risk through the Scheme's diversified investments and risk minimisation strategy.

Foreign exchange fluctuations

The Group settles a significant proportion of its merchandise purchases in foreign currency. The Group mitigates to a large extent the effect of any adverse movement in exchange rates by arranging forward exchange contracts. Consolidation of the Group's Japanese Fabric business in these Financial Statements includes the impact of the movement in the Sterling/Yen exchange rate during the year and at the year end on the results and Balance Sheet of the foreign operations. No specific hedging instruments are deployed against dividend receipts in Yen from Liberty Japan as the financial effect is considered by the directors of Liberty not to be material.

Ownership of Grade II listed building which may require significant investment to maintain exterior and interior fabric of the building

The Group owns the freehold interest in the Tudor Building on Great Marlborough Street. The bank facility requires that drawdown on the bank debt does not exceed 67% of the value of the property. This covenant is tested quarterly. The existing use value of this property may decline, adversely impacting Shareholder value. In order to protect this the Board reviews the market value of the property at least twice a year against external professional valuations and reviews insurance cover on a regular basis throughout the year and in detail at the insurance renewal date of May in each year.

The Tudor Building is a Grade II listed building and may require significant investment to refurbish departments within the store as well as to maintain the interior and exterior fabric of the building. The board of the operational business undertakes ongoing assessments of refurbishment expenditure with internal project managers and external quantity surveyors in order to ensure, where reasonably possible, that cost is minimised and value protected.

Currently the business is heavily reliant on its principal retail trading location in the heart of London's West End. The development of a wholesale distribution network for Liberty product as well as the new transactional website is expected to help reduce the Company's reliance on the sales activity of the Tudor Building.

Increase in Operating Costs

Owing to the nature of our business, increases in oil, gas, electricity, labour and other costs may increase our operating costs and many of these cost increases will be outside our control.

Changes in tax legislation materially changing the tax paid by the Group

Tax computations for the Group companies for accounting periods ended 31 December 2007 have been submitted to HMRC. The tax computations for the most recent accounting period ended 31 December 2008 are not due for submission to HMRC until December 2009 and are therefore not finalised. Provision has been made in the financial statements for current and deferred taxation in accordance with the Group's accounting policy on taxation. Should the amount of tax provided prove to be insufficient to meet agreed liabilities, further provision may be necessary, which could reduce the net asset value of the Group.

The Group is exposed to financial risks from increases in tax rates and changes in the basis of taxation, including corporation tax and VAT. The engagement of experienced executives within the Group and by its parent undertaking to handle these matters enhances the protection to the Group in this area of its activities. The Group and its parent undertaking also maintain a regular monitoring of legislative proposals and undertakes detailed analysis and review with external (non-audit related) advisers to evaluate and, if possible, mitigate the impact of the changes.

CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT

for the year ended 31 December 2008

		Year ended	Year ended
		31 December	31 December
		2008	2007
	Notes	£'000	£'000
Revenue	2	50,159	45,845
Cost of sales		(27,561)	(25,663)
Gross profit		22,598	20,182
Selling and distribution costs		(24,580)	(22,789)
Administrative expenses		(4,934)	(4,426)
Other operating income		691	941
Results from operating activities		(6,225)	(6,092)
Finance income		1,439	1,002
Finance expenses		(2,189)	(1,286)
Loss before taxation		(6,975)	(6,376)
Taxation	4	(395)	(371)
Loss for the year		(7,370)	(6,747)
Attributable to:
Equity shareholders of the Company		(7,424)	(7,107)
Minority interests		54	360
Loss for the year		(7,370)	(6,747)
Loss per share (basic and diluted)	5	(32.8p)	(31.4p)

All results relate to continuing operations. The notes form part of these financial statements.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET

at 31 December 2008

		31 December	31 December
		2008	2007
	Notes	£'000	£'000
Non-current assets
Intangible assets and goodwill	6	18,382	18,382
Property, plant and equipment	7	31,006	34,400
		49,388	52,782
Current assets
Inventories		9,190	7,595
Trade and other receivables	8	10,108	6,812
Cash and cash equivalents	9	1,903	4,296
Derivative financial instruments	12	341	-
		21,542	18,703
Total assets		70,930	71,485
Current liabilities
Trade and other payables	11	(23,689)	(15,734)
Tax payable		(157)	(249)
		(23,846)	(15,983)
Non-current liabilities
Loans and borrowings	10	(14,633)	(13,000)
Employee benefits		(2,066)	(416)
Provisions		(550)	(550)
		(17,249)	(13,966)
Total liabilities		(41,095)	(29,949)
Net assets		29,835	41,536
Equity
Share capital		6,036	6,036
Other reserves	13	68,271	71,791
Retained earnings	13	(45,242)	(36,869)
Total equity attributable to shareholders of the Company		29,065	40,958
Minority interests	13	770	578
Total equity		29,835	41,536

The notes form part of these financial statements.

CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOW STATEMENT

for the year ended 31 December 2008

	Year ended	Year ended
	31 December	31 December
	2008	2007
	£'000	£'000
Loss for the year	(7,370)	(6,747)
Adjustments
Taxation	395	371
Finance income	(1,439)	(1,002)
Finance expenses	2,189	1,286
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment	2,357	2,475
Currency translation differences	64	8
Equity settled share based payment transactions	-	124
Cash flows from operations before changes in working capital	(3,804)	(3,485)
Change in inventories	(1,595)	106
Change in trade and other receivables	(3,296)	815
Change in trade and other payables	1,789	(240)
Cash used in operating activities	(6,906)	(2,804)
Interest paid	(877)	(338)
Taxation paid	(303)	(486)
Net cash used in operating activities	(8,086)	(3,628)
Cash flows from investing activities
Interest received	-	46
Acquisition of subsidiary, net of cash acquired	-	(1,235)
Purchase of property, plant and equipment	(2,483)	(2,600)
Net cash used from investing activities	(2,483)	(3,789)
Cash flows from financing activities
Proceeds from drawdown of borrowings	1,633	13,000
Proceeds from drawdown from related parties	6,543	-
Payments to minority interests	-	(96)
Net cash received/(used) in financing activities	8,176	12,904
Net (decrease) / increase in cash and cash equivalents	(2,393)	5,487
Opening cash and cash equivalents	4,296	(1,191)
Closing cash and cash equivalents	1,903	4,296

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Reporting Entity

Liberty Plc (the 'Company') is a company domiciled in the United Kingdom. The address of the Company's registered office is 179 Great Portland Street, London W1W 5LS. The consolidated financial statements of the Company at, and for the year ended, 31 December 2008 comprise the Company and its subsidiaries (together referred to as the 'Group' and individually as 'Group entities'). The Group is primarily involved in the operation of a retail luxury goods store and the manufacture of fabric and luxury goods.

Basis of preparation

The Group financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2008 have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards as adopted by the EU ('Adopted IFRS'). The Company has elected to prepare its parent company financial statements in accordance with UK GAAP.

These financial statements incorporate the results of Liberty Plc and its subsidiary undertakings. The results have been prepared on the basis of the accounting policies adopted in the financial statements of the Group for the year ended 31 December 2008, consistently applied in all material respects.

The Group is dependent for its future working capital, and ongoing investment in Liberty of London and the flagship store, on cash generated from its operations, cash holdings of £1.9m at 31 December 2008, funds provided to it through a £20m revolving credit and ancillary facilities with Bank of Scotland (the 'bank facility') and a £16.5m facility provided by MWB Group Holdings Plc ('MWB'), the Company's ultimate parent company.

The Group reported an operating loss of £6.2m for the year ended 31 December 2008. At 31 December 2008, the Group had net assets of £29.8m, net current liabilities of £2.3m (which included a loan of £7.5m from MWB provided under a facility expiring in July 2009), and further net debt of £12.4m (which included an amount drawn down under the bank facility of £14.6m, the term of which runs to 30 September 2010). On 23 April 2009, MWB increased and extended the term of the facility provided to the Group by making available up to £16.5m for the whole of the period to 31 December 2010. This increased and extended facility is legally constituted and the Group has the ability to utilise it throughout its term. The availability of additional drawings from MWB up to the facility limit of £16.5m is subject to the financial position of MWB. Having made appropriate enquiries about MWB's financial position, the Directors are confident that the full MWB facility will be available to the Group throughout its term.

The nature of the Group's business is such that there can be unpredictable variations in the timing of cash inflows and performance. This is amplified in the business risks and uncertainties section in the Report of the Directors. The Directors recognise that, in the current economic environment, risks may exist regarding the achievability of forecast sales and margins within different parts of the Group and the timing of cash flows. The Directors have prepared projected cash flow information for the period to 30 September 2010 (the 'Projections'). The Projections are based on reasonable assumptions and show that the Group is capable of operating within the facilities currently available and meeting the financial covenant tests for the full term covered by the Projections.

The Group has three covenant tests in relation to its bank facility, namely Loan to Value Security Cover, Debt Service Cover and Senior Interest Cover, with Liberty of London brand costs and other one-off costs excluded from the test of the latter two. Security Cover requires the loan to be no more than 67% of the Realisation Value of the Tudor Building. At 31 December 2008, the Tudor Building was valued at £28.8m, and £14.6m of facilities were utilised. Accordingly, the Loan to Value Security Cover was only 51% at that date, demonstrating significant headroom. Sufficient headroom is also forecast over the period covered by the Projections. Debt Service Cover requires the ratio of EBITDA to Total Debt Service to be not less than 1.25:1. This covenant was met for the year ended 31 December 2008 with continuing headroom forecast over the period covered by the Projections. Senior Interest Cover requires the ratio of EBIT to Senior Interest to be not less than 1.5:1. This covenant will first be tested in December 2009 and thereafter annually. At the test for the year ending 31 December 2009, the Directors forecast sufficient headroom. Liberty trading results for the first quarter of 2009 have been strong, and demonstrate sales levels well ahead of 2008 levels, thus underpinning the 2009 Projections. The Directors continue to monitor adherence to these covenants carefully and to take reasonable steps to ensure adherence at all times. The bank facility also permits the Group to cash cure any breach that might occur within 14 days of the relevant test date.

The Directors have tested the impact of variations from the Projections by assessing adequacy of the Group's funds, and the ability of the Group to operate within the financial covenants, under a combination of different scenarios constructed to reflect reasonable possible downside risks to the assumptions contained within the Projections. In such downside scenarios, the ability to continue to operate within the facilities available and maintain compliance with the financial covenants would be dependent on implementing various cost saving initiatives and mitigating actions referred to below within the timescales required, should these downside scenarios crystallise. These cost saving initiatives and mitigating actions, all of which are already formulated, are under the control of the Board and can be implemented as required.

After making enquiries, and considering the uncertainties as described above, the Directors have a reasonable expectation that the Company and the Group have adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. For these reasons, the Directors consider it appropriate to prepare the financial statements on a going concern basis.

The consolidated financial statements are prepared on the historical cost basis except for the freehold property and derivative financial instruments which are measured at fair value.

These consolidated financial statements are presented in UK Sterling, which is the Company's functional currency. All financial information has been rounded to the nearest thousand pounds.

Use of estimates and judgements

The preparation of financial statements requires management to make judgements, estimates and assumptions that affect the application of accounting policies and the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, income and expenses. Actual results may differ from these estimates. Estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised and in any future periods affected.

In particular, information about significant areas of estimation, uncertainty and critical judgements in applying accounting policies that have the most significant effect on the amount recognised in the financial statements are described in the following notes:

Note 6 - the assumptions used to assess value in use for impairment testing of the Group's brand.
Note 7 - the valuation of the Group's property

Basis of consolidation

Where necessary, adjustments are made to the information included in the financial statements of subsidiaries to bring their accounting policies in line with those used by the Group and so reflect that information on a consistent basis with the rest of the Group.

Subsidiaries are entities controlled by the Group. Control exists when the Group has the power, directly or indirectly, to govern the financial and operating policies of an entity so as to obtain benefits from its activities. In assessing control, potential voting rights that are currently exercisable or convertible are taken into account.

The financial statements of subsidiaries are included in the consolidated financial statements from the date that control commences until the date that control ceases. Dilution gains and losses on increases in minority interests, where no change of control results, are recognised directly in equity. Where necessary, accounting policies of subsidiaries are changed on acquisition to align them with the policies adopted by the Group.

Intra-group balances and transactions and any unrealised income and expenses arising from intra-group transactions, are eliminated in preparing the consolidated financial statements.

Goodwill

Goodwill arises on the acquisition of subsidiaries, associates and joint ventures.

Goodwill represents the excess of the cost of the acquisition over the Group's interest in the net fair value of the identifiable assets, liabilities and contingent liabilities of the acquiree. When the excess is negative (negative goodwill), it is recognised immediately in the income statement.

Goodwill arising on the acquisition of a minority interest in a subsidiary represents the excess of the cost of the additional investment over the carrying amount of the net assets acquired at the date of exchange.

Goodwill is measured at cost less impairment losses. In respect of equity accounted investees, the carrying amount of goodwill is included in the carrying amount of the investment.

Brands

In accordance with IFRS 3, brands acquired by the Group are initially included in the financial statements at their fair value. The Directors consider that the Group's brand has an indefinite useful life due to the durability of its underlying businesses which has been demonstrated over many years. An annual assessment of the useful life is performed at the end of each financial year.

Accordingly, the brand has not been amortised but has instead been subject to an impairment assessment conducted at each financial year end. Where this reveals a surplus, the value of the brand is retained, where it reveals a deficit, the brand is written down and the deficit is charged to the income statement. Subsequent expenditure on the brand is recognised in the income statement when incurred.

Subsidiary companies

The subsidiary undertakings of the Company are all engaged in retail activities, wholesale distribution or licensing activities, or act as intermediary holding companies for such operations.

Property, plant and equipment

Property is land and buildings held for use in the production or supply of goods or services, or for administrative purposes, and are stated in the balance sheet at their revalued amounts, being the fair value, determined from market-based evidence and appraisals undertaken by professional valuers at the balance sheet date.

Any revaluation increase arising on the revaluation of such land and buildings is credited to the revaluation reserve within equity, except to the extent that it reverses a revaluation decrease for the same asset previously recognised as an expense, in which case the increase is credited to the income statement to the extent of the decrease previously charged. A decrease in carrying amount arising on the revaluation of such land and buildings is charged as an expense in the income statement to the extent that it exceeds the balance, if any, held in the revaluation reserve relating to previous revaluations of that asset.

The gain or loss on disposal or retirement of property, plant and equipment is determined by comparing the sale proceeds with the carrying amount of the asset at the date of disposal or retirement, and is recognised in the income statement. When revalued assets are sold, the amounts included in the revaluation reserve relating to those assets are transferred directly to retained earnings.

Depreciation is charged so as to write off the cost or valuation of property, plant and equipment, other than land and property under construction and less residual amounts, using the straight line method, over their following estimated useful lives:-

Freehold property	100 years
Air conditioning and lifts or plant forming part of the property	15 years
Fixtures and equipment	5 to 10 years
IT equipment	3 to 7 years

Freehold land is not depreciated.

Assets held under operating leases are not recognised as assets of the Group. Rentals payable are recognised in the Income Statement on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease.

Impairment

The carrying amounts of the Group's non-financial assets other than inventories are reviewed at each balance sheet date to determine whether there is any indication of impairment. If any such indication exists, the asset's recoverable amount is estimated. For intangible assets that have an indefinite useful life, the recoverable amount is estimated at each balance sheet date.

The recoverable amount of an asset or cash generating unit is the higher of its value in use and its fair value, less costs to sell. In assessing value in use, the estimated future cash flows are discounted to their present value using a pre- tax discount rate that reflects current market assessments of the time value of money, and the risks specific to the asset. For the purpose of impairment testing, assets are grouped together into the smallest group of assets that generates cash inflows from continuing use that are largely independent of the cash inflows of other assets or groups of assets (the 'cash generating unit').

For the purpose of impairment testing the brand, the cash generating unit comprises all the businesses in the Group, as all these revenues are dependent on the brand.

An impairment loss is recognised whenever the carrying amount of an asset or its cash-generating unit/group of units exceeds its recoverable amount. Impairment losses are recognised in the income statement. Impairment losses recognised in respect of cash-generating units are allocated first to reduce the carrying amount of any intangible asset allocated to the unit and then to reduce the carrying amount of other assets in the unit on a pro-rata basis.

Impairment losses, on assets other than goodwill, recognised in prior periods are assessed at each reporting date for any indications that the loss has decreased or no longer exists. An impairment loss is reversed if there has been a change in the estimates used to determine the recoverable amount. An impairment loss is reversed only to the extent that the asset's carrying amount does not exceed the carrying amount that would have been determined, net of depreciation or amortisation, if no impairment loss has been recognised. Impairment losses in respect of goodwill are not reversed.

Inventories

Inventories are measured at the lower of cost and net realisable value. Cost is based on the first in, first out principle and comprises direct materials and, where applicable, direct labour costs and those overheads that have been incurred in bringing inventories to their existing location and condition. Net realisable value represents the estimated selling price less all estimated costs of completion and costs to be incurred in marketing, selling and distribution.

Foreign currency

Transactions in foreign currencies are translated at the foreign exchange rate ruling at the dates of the transaction. Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies at the balance sheet date are translated at the foreign exchange rate ruling at that date. Foreign exchange differences arising on transactions are recognised in the income statement. Non-monetary assets and liabilities that are measured in terms of historical cost in a foreign currency are translated using the exchange rate at the date of the transaction. Non-monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies that are stated at fair value are translated at a foreign exchange rates ruling at the dates the fair value was determined.

The assets and liabilities of foreign operations, including goodwill and fair value adjustments arising on consolidation, are translated at foreign exchange rates ruling at the balance sheet date. The income and expenses of foreign operations are translated at an average rate for the year where this rate approximates to the foreign exchange rates ruling at the dates of the transactions.

Exchange differences arising from the translation of foreign operations, and of related qualifying hedges, are taken directly to the translation reserve. They are released into the income statement upon disposal.

Financial instruments

Non-derivative financial instruments comprise trade and other receivables, cash and cash equivalents, loans and borrowings and trade and other payables. Non-derivative financial instruments are recognised initially at fair value. Subsequent to initial recognition, non-derivative financial instruments are measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method, less any impairment losses.

Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash balances and call deposits. Bank overdrafts that are repayable on demand and form an integral part of the Group's cash management are included as a component of cash and cash equivalents for the purpose only of the statement of cash flows.

The Group's activities expose it primarily to the financial risk of changes in exchange rates and foreign exchange rates on its trading operations with overseas suppliers and customers. The Group uses an extendable forward plus hedging instrument to hedge these exposures. The Group does not use derivative instruments for speculative purposes.

Derivatives are recognised initially at fair value; attributable transaction costs are recognised in the income statement as incurred. Subsequent to initial recognition, derivatives are measured at fair value.

Changes in the fair value of derivative financial instruments that are designated and effective as cash flow hedges are recognised directly in equity to the extent that the hedge is effective. To the extent the ineffective changes impair value, they are recognised in the income statement. If the cash flow hedge of a firm commitment or a forecast transaction results in the recognition of an asset or a liability, then, at the time the asset or liability is recognised, the associated gains or losses on the derivative that had previously been recognised in equity are included in the initial measurement of the asset or liability. For hedges that do not result in the recognition of an asset or a liability, amounts deferred in equity are recognised in the income statement in the same period in which the hedged item affects net income.

Changes in the fair value of derivative financial instruments that do not qualify for hedge accounting are recognised in the income statement as they arise.

Ordinary share capital is classified as equity. Incremental costs directly attributable to the issue of ordinary shares and share options are recognised as a deduction from equity, net of any tax effects.

Derivatives

The fair value of forward exchange contracts is based on their listed market price, if available. If a listed price is not available then fair value is estimated by discounting the difference between the contractual forward price and the current forward price for the residual maturity of the contract using a risk free interest rate based on government bonds.

Provisions

A provision is recognised in the balance sheet when the Group has a present legal or constructive obligation as a result of a past event, and it is probable that an outflow of economic benefits will be required to settle the obligation. If the effect is material, provisions are determined by discounting the expected future cash flows at a pre-tax rate that reflects current market assessments of the time value of money and, the risks specific to the liability.

Retirement benefits

Payments to defined contribution retirement benefit schemes are charged as an expense as they fall due. Obligations for contributions to defined contribution pension schemes are recognised as an expense in the Income Statement.

The Group's net obligation in respect of defined benefit pension schemes is calculated separately for each scheme by estimating the amount of future benefit that employees have earned in return for their service in the current and prior periods; that benefit is discounted to determine its present value at the date of the financial statements. Any unrecognised past service costs and the fair value of any scheme assets is deducted in calculating the Group's net obligation to the scheme for the retirement benefits to be provided. The discount rate used is the yield at the balance sheet date on AA credit rated bonds that have maturity dates approximating to the term of the Group's obligations under the scheme, and which are denominated in the same currency in which the benefits are expected to be paid. The calculation is performed annually by a qualified actuary using the projected unit credit method. When the calculation results in a benefit to the Group, the recognised asset is limited to the net total of any unrecognised past service costs and the present value of any future refunds from the scheme or reductions in future contributions to the scheme.

When the benefits of a scheme are improved, the portion of the increased benefit relating to past service by employees is recognised as an expense in the income statement on a straight-line basis over the average period until the benefits become vested. To the extent that the benefits vest immediately, the expense is recognised immediately in the income statement.

Revenue

Revenue is measured at the fair value of consideration received or receivable and represents amounts receivable for goods and services provided in the normal course of business, net of staff discounts and the costs of loyalty scheme rewards and is stated net of value added tax and other sales-related taxes. Revenue on Flagship and Liberty of London store sales of goods and commission on concession sales are recognised when goods are sold to the customer. Internet and Fabric sales are recognised when the goods are delivered to the customer. Revenue from gift vouchers and gift coins sold by the Group is recognised on redemption of the gift voucher or gift coin. It is the Group's policy to sell its products to the end customer with a right of return. Accumulated experience is used to consider the need for a provision for such returns on an annual basis.

Cost of sales

Cost of sales comprises the cost of goods sold, together with the direct costs incurred in managing and operating the Group's operating activities.

Share-based payment transactions

The share option programme allows certain employees to acquire shares in the Group.

The fair value of options granted to employees is recognised as an employee expense, with a corresponding increase in equity, over the period in which the employees become unconditionally entitled to the options. The fair value of the options granted is measured using an option valuation model, taking into account the terms and conditions upon which the options were granted. The amount recognised as an expense is adjusted to reflect the actual number of share options that vest except where forfeiture is due only to share prices not achieving the threshold for vesting.

Dividends

Dividends that have been approved by shareholders at previous Annual General Meetings are included within liabilities. Dividends proposed at the balance sheet date that are subject to approval by shareholders at the annual general meeting are not included as a liability in the current period's financial statements. Dividend income is recognised in the income statement on the date the Group entity's right to receive the income is established.

Finance income and expenses

Finance income comprises interest receivable on funds invested and dividend income. Interest income is recognised in the income statement as it accrues, using the effective interest rate method. All interest payable is charged to the Income Statement.

Finance expenses comprise interest paid or payable that are recognised in the Income Statement.

Taxation

The income tax expense in the Consolidated Income Statement comprises current and deferred tax. Income tax expense is recognised in the Consolidated Income Statement except to the extent that it relates to items recognised directly in equity, in which case it is recognised in equity.

Current tax is the expected tax payable on the taxable income for the year, using tax rates enacted or substantively enacted at the reporting date, and any adjustment to tax payable in respect of previous years.

Deferred tax is recognised using the balance sheet method, providing for temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for taxation purposes. Deferred tax is not recognised for the following temporary differences: the initial recognition of assets or liabilities in a transaction that is not a business combination and that affects neither accounting nor taxable profit or loss, and differences relating to investments in subsidiaries and jointly controlled entities to the extent that it is probable that they will not reverse in the foreseeable future. In addition, deferred tax is not recognised for taxable temporary differences arising on the initial recognition of goodwill. Deferred tax is measured at the tax rates that are expected to be applied to temporary differences when they reverse, based on the laws that have been enacted or substantively enacted at the reporting date. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are only offset if there is a legally enforceable right to offset current tax liabilities and assets, and they relate to income taxes levied by the same tax authority on the same taxable entity, or on different tax entities but they intend to settle current tax liabilities and assets on a net basis, or their tax assets and liabilities will be realised simultaneously.

A deferred tax asset is recognised to the extent that it is probable that future taxable profits will be available against which the temporary difference can be utilised. Deferred tax assets are reviewed at each reporting date and are reduced to the extent that it is no longer probable that the related tax benefit will be realised.

Additional income taxes which arise from the distribution of dividends are recognised at the same time as the liability to pay the related dividend is recognised.

Debt/equity

Under IAS 32, preference shares are classed as equity instruments in the financial statements of Liberty Retail Plc, and in the consolidated financial statements of Liberty Plc as:

the preference shares include no contractual obligation to deliver cash or another financial asset to another entity; and
they include no contractual obligation to exchange financial assets or financial liabilities with another equity under conditions that are potentially unfavourable to the issuer.

Adoptions of standards and interpretations during the year

IFRIC 11: Scope of IFRS 2 Group and Treasury Share transactions. This standard provides guidance on applying IFRS 2 in three circumstances: when share-based payments involve an entity's own equity instruments, where a parent grants rights to its equity instruments or where a subsidiary grants rights to equity instruments of its parent to employees. The board does not consider application of this standard had a material impact on these accounts. The standard was implemented in the accounts for the year ended 31 December 2008.

New standards and interpretations not yet adopted

A number of new standards, amendments to standards and interpretations have been issued recently but are not effective for the financial year ended 31 December 2008. Accordingly, they have not been applied in preparing these financial statements. Their adoption is not expected to have a material affect on the financial statements. The main standards that may affect future financial statements of the Group are as follows:-

IFRS 8 Operating Segments introduces the management approach to segment reporting. IFRS 8, which will be mandatory for the Group's 31 December 2009 financial statements, will require the disclosure of segment information based on the internal reports regularly reviewed by the Board in order to assess each segment's performance and to allocate resources to them. Currently the Group presents segment information in respect of its business and geographical segments, in the manner set out in note 2. The board does not consider application of this standard to have a material impact on these accounts.

IFRIC 14 and IAS 19 The limit on a defined benefit asset, minimum funding requirements and their interaction. IFRIC 14 provides additional guidance on assessing the amount that can be recognised as an asset of a defined benefit pension surplus and as a consequence the amount of deferred tax on that surplus. The Group has assessed the impact of IFRIC 14 and IAS 19 at 31 December 2008. The adoption of IFRIC 14 at 31 December 2008 would have no impact on the balance sheet of the Group at 31 December 2008. Had IFRIC 14 been applied at 1 January 2008, the net liability on the balance sheet at that date would have been £1.5 million.

Revised IAS 23 Borrowing Costs requires that an entity capitalise borrowing costs directly attributable to the acquisition, construction or production of a qualifying asset as part of the cost of that asset and removes the option to expense the related borrowing costs. The revised IAS 23 will become mandatory for the Group's 2009 consolidated financial statements and this accords with the policy already adopted by the Group. In accordance with the transitional provisions, the Group will apply the revised IAS 23 to qualifying assets for which capitalisation of borrowing costs commences on or after the effective date. Therefore there will be no impact on prior periods in the Group's 2009 consolidated financial statements.

IFRIC 13 Customer Loyalty Programmes addresses the accounting by entities that operate, or otherwise participate in, customer loyalty programmes under which customers can redeem credits for awards such as free or discounted goods or services. IFRIC 13 becomes mandatory for the Group's 2009 consolidated financial statements. The Group has not yet determined the potential effect of this standard on the Group although the Directors do not consider it will be material to the Company's consolidated financial statements as a whole.

Revised IAS 1 Presentation of Financial Statements (2007) introduces the term 'Total Comprehensive Income', which represents changes in equity during a period other than those changes resulting from transactions with owners in their capacity as owners. Total Comprehensive Income may be presented in either a single statement of comprehensive income (effectively combining both the income statement and all non-owner changes in equity in a single statement), or in an income statement and a separate statement of comprehensive income. Revised IAS 1, which becomes mandatory for the Group's 2009 consolidated financial statements, is expected to have a significant impact on the presentation of consolidated financial statements. The Directors plan for the Group to provide Total Comprehensive Income in a single statement of comprehensive income in its 2009 consolidated financial statements.

Amendment to IFRS 2 Share-based Payment - Vesting Conditions and Cancellations clarifies the definition of vesting conditions, introduces the concept of non-vesting conditions, requires non-vesting conditions to be reflected in grant-date fair value and provides the accounting treatment for non-vesting conditions and cancellations. The amendments to IFRS 2 will become mandatory for the Group's 2009 consolidated financial statements, with retrospective application. The Group has not yet determined the potential effect of the amendment, although the Directors do not consider it will be material in the context of the Company's consolidated financial statements as a whole.

2. SEGMENT REPORTING

Segment information is presented in respect of the Group's businesses and geographical segments. The primary format is based on the Group's management and internal reporting structure.

Segment results, assets and liabilities include items directly attributable to a segment as well as those that can be allocated on a reasonable basis. Inter-segment pricing is determined on an arm's length basis. Unallocated items comprise mainly central loans and borrowings and related expenses, corporate assets (primarily the Company's head office operations) and tax assets and liabilities.

Segment capital expenditure is the total cost incurred during the year to acquire property, plant and equipment.

Business segments

The segment analysis of operations reflects the structure of the Group. Retail includes the UK retail operations at Regent Street, the Liberty of London store in Sloane Street and the transactional internet site. Fabric includes the results of the UK and Japanese fabric businesses. Liberty of London wholesale includes our branded product that is distributed globally

Cash balances and bank loans are allocated to Retail as this division utilises the cash balances and buildings against which debt is secured.

In presenting information on the basis of geographical segments, segmental revenue and assets are based on the geographical location of the assets.

	Year ended	Year ended
	31 December	31 December
	2008	2007
	£'000	£'000
Revenue by business division
Retail including Liberty of London retail	31,767	32,375
Wholesale fabric	17,426	13,275
Liberty of London wholesale	966	195
	50,159	45,845
Revenue by geographical origin
United Kingdom	43,102	40,840
Japan	7,057	5,005
	50,159	45,845
Revenue by geographical destination
United Kingdom	33,612	33,402
Japan	7,124	5,283
Other	9,423	7,160
	50,159	45,845

2. SEGMENT REPORTING (continued)

	Year ended	Year ended
	31 December	31 December
	2008	2007
	£'000	£'000
(Loss) / profit by business division
Retail including Liberty of London retail	(7,411)	(5,675)
Wholesale fabric	3,738	2,993
Liberty of London wholesale	(2,552)	(3,410)
Operating loss	(6,225)	(6,092)
Net finance expenses	(750)	(284)
Taxation	(395)	(371)
Loss for the year	(7,370)	(6,747)
(Loss) / profit for the year by geographical origin
United Kingdom	(7,124)	(7,069)
Japan	899	977
Operating loss	(6,225)	(6,092)
Net finance costs	(750)	(284)
Taxation	(395)	(371)
Loss for the year	(7,370)	(6,747)

	31 December	31 December
	2008	2007
Net assets	£'000	£'000
By business division
Retail including Liberty of London retail	10,159	31,490
Wholesale fabric	14,112	10,046
Liberty of London wholesale	5,564	-
	29,835	41,536

By geographical origin:
United Kingdom	27,071	39,960
Japan	2,764	1,576
	29,835	41,536

Concession revenue

Sales from concession departments are included on a commission only basis within revenue above. Gross revenue of concession departments was as follows:

	Year ended	Year ended
	31 December	31 December
	2008	2007
	£'000	£'000
Gross revenue of concession departments	9,379	7,660

3. EARNINGS BEFORE INTEREST, TAXATION, DEPRECIATION AND AMORTISATION ('EBITDA')

	Year ended	Year ended
	31 December	31 December
	2008	2007
	£'000	£'000
The EBITDA of the Group is calculated as follows:

Loss before finance income, finance expenses and taxation	(6,225)	(6,092)
Add depreciation and amortisation for the year	2,357	2,475
Total negative EBITDA for the year	(3,868)	(3,617)

4. TAXATION

The taxation for the year in the Income Statement arose as follows:

	Year ended	Year ended
	31 December	31 December
	2008	2007
	£'000	£'000
Foreign tax
Tax on Japanese profits for the year	(395)	(371)

No tax was recognised directly in equity during the year ended 31 December 2008 or during the previous year.

The taxation charge has been reduced from the amount that would arise from applying the prevailing corporation tax rate to the loss before taxation in the Consolidated Income Statement, as follows:

	Year ended	Year ended
	31 December	31 December
	2008	2007
	£'000	£'000
UK corporation tax credit at 28.5% (2007: 30%) on Group loss before tax	1,988	1,913
Excess of depreciation charged over capital allowances claimed	(672)	(743)
Expenditure permanently disallowed for taxation purposes and unrelieved tax losses	(1,573)	(1,472)
Taxation on overseas earnings at higher rate than UK corporation tax	(138)	(69)
Taxation charge for the year	(395)	(371)

5. LOSS PER SHARE

The loss per share figures are calculated by dividing the loss attributable to equity shareholders of the Company for the year, by the weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue during the year, as follows:-

		Year ended	Year ended
		31 December	31 December
		2008	2007
Loss for the year attributable to equity shareholders of the Company	£'000	(7,424)	(7,107)
Weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue during the year	'000	22,603	22,603
Loss per share (basic and diluted)	Pence	(32.8p)	(31.4p)

6. INTANGIBLE ASSETS AND GOODWILL

	Goodwill	Brand	Total
	£'000	£'000	£'000
Balance at 31 December 2007 and 31 December 2008	182	18,200	18,382

Assessment of the useful life and impairment testing on the carrying value of the Brand

The Directors consider that the Group's brand has an indefinite life due to the durability of the underlying business. This has been demonstrated over many years. Accordingly the brand has not been amortised but has instead been subject to an annual impairment review.

An external professional valuation of the Liberty brand was undertaken by Equilibrium Consulting at 31 December 2007. The principal assumptions in the 2007 valuation included a discount rate of 10.2% and a long term growth assumption of 2% into perpetuity.

At 31 December 2008, the value in use was determined by discounting future cash flows generated from continuing use of the cash generating unit. This is based on projected cash flows in the Company's 5 year business plan and further projections for years 6 to 10 to produce a 10 year cash flow model. A 2% growth assumption has been applied to cash flows at the end of year 10. Forecast annual revenue growth included in the projections is 9.7% in 2009, 5.3% by year 5 reflecting the 5 year business plan and 3% by year 10. The cash flows generated from the business plan project net outflows in 2009 and 2010 with net cash inflows beginning in 2011. A pre-tax discount rate of 13% was applied to resultant cash flows to determine present day value in use, reflecting current market assessments of risk specific to the asset. The values assigned also represent assessments of future trends in the retail industry and are based on both external sources and internal historical data.

The above calculation of value in use is particularly sensitive in two areas: a movement of 1% in the discount rate would affect the calculated value of the brand by £4m, and a movement of 1% in future planned net cash inflows before capital expenditure, central costs and working capital movements would affect the calculated value of the brand by approximately £1m.

The impairment review at 31 December 2008 supported the value in use of the Liberty brand at more than the book value of £18.2m at which it has been included in the financial statements of the Group throughout the year. Accordingly the brand has been retailed at a value of £18.2m in these financial statements.

7. PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

	Freehold property	Plant, machinery, fixtures & equipment	Total
	Freehold property	Plant, machinery, fixtures & equipment	Total
	£'000	£'000	£'000
Cost or valuation
At 1 January 2008	29,474	13,945	43,419
Additions	-	2,483	2,483
Revaluation	(3,879)	-	(3,879)
At 31 December 2008	25,595	16,428	42,023
Depreciation
At 1 January 2008	-	(9,019)	(9,019)
Charge for the year	(359)	(1,998)	(2,357)
Revaluation	359	-	359
At 31 December 2008	-	(11,017)	(11,017)
Net book value at 31 December 2008	25,595	5,411	31,006

Valuation

The Group's property, plant and equipment is primarily located in the United Kingdom, with a minor amount located in Japan. The Group's property was valued at 31 December 2008 by qualified professional valuers working for the company of DTZ, Chartered Surveyors, ('DTZ'), acting in the capacity of External Valuers. All such valuers are Chartered Surveyors, being members of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors ('RICS').

DTZ act as valuers to the Group and undertake half year and year end valuations for accounting purposes. DTZ has been carrying out this valuation instruction for the Group for a continuous period since 1999 and Paul Wolfenden has been the signatory of Valuation Reports provided to the Group for the same period. In addition, DTZ provide ad-hoc valuation advice to the Group. DTZ is a wholly owned subsidiary of DTZ Holdings plc. In the financial year to 30 April 2008, the proportion of total fees payable by the Group to the total fee income of DTZ Holdings plc was less than 5%. It is not anticipated that this situation will vary in terms of the financial year of DTZ to 30 April 2009. DTZ has not received any introductory fees or acquisition fees in respect of the property owned by the Liberty Group within the 12 months prior to the date of valuation.

The valuation was carried out in accordance with the RICS Appraisal and Valuation Standards 6th Edition ('the Manual') and the property was valued on the basis of Existing Use Value. Existing Use Value is defined in the Manual 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 acted knowledgeably, prudently and without compulsion, assuming that the buyer is granted vacant possession of all parts of the property required by the business and disregarding potential alternative uses and any other characteristics of the property that would cause its Market Value to differ from that needed to replace the remaining service potential.

7. PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT (continued)

The valuation includes the land and buildings; the trade fixtures, fittings, furniture, furnishings and equipment; and the market's perception of the trading potential excluding personal goodwill; together with an assumed ability to renew existing licences, consents, certificates and permits. The value excludes consumables and stock in trade. The valuation excludes any goodwill associated with the management by the Company or its subsidiaries.

The valuation of the Tudor property and fixtures totalled £28.8m, including fixtures and equipment with a net book value of £3.2m at 31 December 2008. The historic cost of the Group's property at 31 December 2008 includes capitalised interest of £0.2m (2007: £0.2m).

8. TRADE AND OTHER RECEIVABLES

	31 December	31 December
	2008	2007
	£'000	£'000
Trade receivables	7,772	5,073
Amount due from related parties (note 14)	12	3
Other receivables	1,211	622
Prepayments and accrued income	1,113	1,114
	10,108	6,812

9. CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

	31 December	31 December
	2008	2007
	£'000	£'000
Cash and cash equivalents	1,931	246
Deposits per consolidated balance sheet	-	4,050
Less bank overdraft per consolidated balance sheet	(28)	-
Net cash and cash equivalents per consolidated cash flow statement and consolidated balance sheet	1,903	4,296

10. LOANS AND BORROWINGS

The Group's interest-bearing loans and borrowings are measured at amortised cost. Details of the Group's exposure to interest rate, foreign currency and liquidity risk are set out in note 12.

The Group utilises a financing facility provided by Bank of Scotland ('BOS') for a loan facility of £20m which comprises a revolving credit facility of £15m and an ancillary facility of £5m. At 31 December 2008, the Group has drawn £14.6m (2007: £13m) of the £15m revolving credit facility and £0.2m (2007: nil) of the ancillary facility.

Terms and debt repayment schedule

The Group's loans are denominated in Sterling and no foreign exchange risk existed on its debt arrangements during the year ended 31 December 2008 or during the previous year. The Group's loans bear variable rates of interest which are set by reference to Bank of Scotland base rate as follows:-

			31 December 2008		31 December 2007
	Nominal interest rate per annum	Latest year of maturity	Face value	Carrying amount	Face value	Carrying amount
			£'000	£'000	£'000	£'000

Secured bank loan	3.25%	2010	14,633	14,633	13,000	13,000

The facility has a term that runs until September 2010, at which time, or prior to which, discussions will be held with BOS with regard to refinancing, repayment or extending the loan repayment date.

The bank loan is secured on freehold property with a carrying amount of £28.8m (2007:£33m) (see note 7), a debenture and corporate guarantee provided by Liberty Plc in favour of BOS.

Net debt	31 December 2008	31 December 2007
	£'000	£'000
Due within one year
Cash and cash equivalents	1,903	4,296
Derivative financial instruments	341	-
Amount due to related parties	(7,548)	(299)
Due within one to two years
Secured bank loan	(14,633)	(13,000)
Net Debt	(19,937)	(9,003)

10. LOANS AND BORROWINGS (continued)

Undrawn facilities

At 31 December 2008, the Group had £0.4m (2007: £2.0m) of undrawn credit financing facilities available for use by the Group.

Funding financial risk

The Group's funding financial risk centres on the total interest cost incurred on the Group's short and medium term loans, which at 31 December 2008 included bank borrowings of £14.6m (2007: £13m). The Board has currently chosen to retain the bank borrowings at variable rates due to the low level of current interest rates. The Board reviews this policy on a regular basis to ensure good management of its exposure to interest rate fluctuations.

11. TRADE AND OTHER PAYABLES

	31 December	31 December
	2008	2007
	£'000	£'000

Trade payables	9,349	7,829
Amounts due to related parties (note 11)	7,548	299
Other payables	1,436	784
PAYE, NIC and VAT	1,157	1,281
Accruals and deferred income	4,199	5,541
	23,689	15,734

The Group's exposure to currency and liquidity risk related to trade and other payables is disclosed in note 12.

Amounts due to related parties relate to amounts due to MWB Group Holdings Plc. The loan is provided under a facility that has a term that runs to July 2009. Subsequent to the year end, this facility was increased to £16.5m and extended to 30 December 2010. Drawings under this facility incur interest at a rate of 9% per annum.

12. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

Overall summary

The Group has exposure to the following principal risks in the operation and management of its business:-

Liquidity risk;
Market risk;
Interest rate risk;
Currency risk; and
Credit risk.

Set out below is information about the Group's exposure to each of the above risks, the Group's objectives, policies and processes for measuring and managing risk, and the Group's management of capital. Further quantitative disclosures are included throughout these consolidated financial statements.

The Directors have overall responsibility for the establishment and oversight of the Group's risk management framework.

The Group's risk management policies are established to identify and analyse the risks faced by the Group, to set appropriate risk limits and controls, and to monitor risks and adherence to limits. Risk management policies to provide protection for the Group's activities are reviewed during the year to reflect changes in market conditions. The Group, through its management standards and procedures, aims to develop a disciplined and constructive control environment in which employees understand their roles and obligations. This is managed and controlled through a detailed funding policy and capital management strategy, details of which are set out below.

The Group borrows from banks at variable rates of interest. Interest rate exposure from variable rate debt is hedged by financial derivative instruments where the Board considers that interest rate rises are expected to occur in the medium term. The principal purpose of the Group's hedging arrangements is to protect the Group against adverse interest rate movements and to retain some opportunity to benefit from falls in short term interest rates. The Group does not use hedging arrangements to speculate on interest rate movements. Derivative instruments used by the Board could comprise interest rate swaps, floors and collars.

The Group's treasury policies are designed to ensure that sufficient committed loan facilities are available to support current and future business requirements. Cash and loan management is a core feature of the Board's business model and two year rolling cash flow forecasts, updated on a monthly basis, are controlled by the Executive Directors to manage these requirements.

Liquidity risk

Note 1 to the financial statements refers to liquidity risks associated with the financing arrangements of the Group.

Market risk

Market risk that affects the Group is the risk that changes in market prices, such as interest rates, foreign currency rates and equity prices, will affect the Group's income or the value of its holdings of financial instruments. The objective of the Group's market risk management is to manage and control market risk exposures within acceptable parameters, while seeking to optimise returns to shareholders.

The Group buys derivatives for its financial liabilities, and also incurs financial liabilities, in order to manage market risks. The Group does not enter into hedge contracts on a speculative or trading basis.

Equity price risk arises generally from available-for-sale equity securities held within the Liberty Retail Plc pension scheme. These investments are held to meet the funded and unfunded portion of the Group's defined benefit pension obligations. Group Management monitors the mix of debt and equity securities in this investment portfolio using pro-active third party advice. Material investments within the portfolio are managed on an individual basis and all buy and sell decisions are approved by the Trustees of the pension scheme, in conjunction with Senior Executives of the Group. The investment portfolio of the pension scheme at its most recent year end of 2 June 2008 totalled £16.0 million and the current value of pension scheme liabilities, which are valued principally by reference to investment bond yields, totalled £18.9 million.

The primary goal of the Group's available-for-sale equity securities investment strategy is to maximise investment returns commensurate with acceptable levels of risk, in order to meet as much as possible the Group's defined scheme pension obligations. Management is assisted in this regard by professional external advisors.

Interest rate risk

The Group's variable rate borrowings are exposed to a risk of change in cash flows due to changes in interest rates. The Group may hold financial instruments to hedge financial risk on finance drawn for its operations, or for the temporary investment of short-term funds, and to manage the interest rate risks arising from its operations and sources of finance. In addition, various financial amounts - for example trade debtors and trade creditors - arise directly from the Group's normal trading operations.

Currency risk

Substantially all Group revenue is denominated in Sterling, the Group's functional currency. The Group is currently mainly exposed to currency risk on sales and purchases that are denominated in Euros and US dollars. Payments in Euros accounted for 14% (2007: 9%) and payments in US dollars accounted for 3% (2007: 1%) of total payments in the year to 31 December 2008. The Group uses forward exchange contracts to hedge its currency risk, most of which have a maturity of less than one year from the balance sheet date. The Group does not have any loans taken out by any Group entities, in any currency other than Sterling.

As over 91% (2007: 96%) of the Group's gross assets are denominated in Sterling, the Group did not have a material exposure to foreign currency risk at 31 December 2008 or at the previous year end. The remaining 9% (2007: 4%) of Group assets are denominated in Japanese Yen. Accordingly, strengthening of Sterling against the Yen would not have had a material effect on the Group at 31 December 2008 or at the previous year end.

Credit risk

Credit risk is the risk of financial loss to the Group if a customer or counterparty to a financial instrument fails to meet its contractual obligations. The risk to the Group arises principally from the Group's receivables from customers.

The Group's exposure to credit risk is influenced mainly by the individual characteristics of each customer. The demographics of the Group's customer base, including the general default risk in the principal sectors in which the Group operates, has less of an influence on credit risk. The Group maintains credit insurance which protects against any bad debt that may arise, with an excess of £1,000 payable per claim.

For many years, losses from impairment of the Group's customer receivables have been minimal and this continued during the year ended 31 December 2008. Customers that are graded as high risk are placed on a restricted customer list, and future sales are only made on a restricted basis.

Exposure to credit risk

The carrying amount of financial assets represents the maximum credit exposure. The maximum exposure to credit risk at the reporting date was:

	31 December 2008	31 December 2007
	£'000	£'000
Trade receivables	7,772	5,073
Deposits	-	4,050
Cash and cash equivalents	1,931	246
Secured bank loans	(14,633)	(13,000)
Bank overdraft	(28)	-
	(4,958)	(3,631)

The ageing of trade receivables at 31 December 2008 was as follows:-

	Gross	Impairment	Gross	Impairment
	31 December	provision	31 December	provision
	2008	31 December	2007	31 December
		2008		2007
	£'000	£'000	£'000	£'000
Not overdue	4,210	-	1,113	-
0-30 days overdue	695	-	2,199	-
31-120 days overdue	2,628	(67)	1,408	(51)
120 days to one year overdue	359	(93)	333	(25)
More than one year overdue	94	(54)	120	(24)
	7,986	(214)	5,173	(100)

The impairment provision at 31 December 2008 of £214,000 relates to debts mainly from overseas customers that are not covered by insurance.

Based on historic default rates, the Board believes that no material amount of impairment allowance is necessary in respect of trade receivables not past due or past due by up to 30 days. The majority of the balance relates to customers that have good financial track records with the Group.

The movement in the allowance for impairment in respect of trade receivables during the year was as follows:

	2008	2007
	£'000	£'000
Balance at start of year	(100)	(92)
Impairment loss provided	(114)	(8)
Balance at end of year	(214)	(100)

The allowance account in respect of trade receivables is used to record impairment losses unless the Group is satisfied that no recovery of the amount owing is possible; at that point the amounts considered irrecoverable and is written off against the financial asset directly.

Determination of fair values

The following tables show the carrying amounts and fair values of the Group's financial instruments at 31 December 2008 and at the previous year end. The carrying amounts are included in the Group balance sheet. The fair values of the financial instruments are the amounts at which the instruments could be exchanged in a current transaction between willing parties.

	2008	2007
	£'000	£'000
Balance at start of year	-	-
Forward extendable plus Euro contract	341	-
Balance at end of year	341	-

The carrying amounts of financial assets and liabilities, together with their fair values at 31 December 2008 and at the previous year end, were as follows:-

	31 December 2008		31 December 2007
	Carrying amount	Fair value	Carrying amount	Fair Value
	£'000	£'000	£'000	£'000

Amounts due to related party	(7,548)	(7,548)	(299)	(299)
Trade and other receivables	10,108	10,108	6,812	6,812
Deposits	-	-	4,050	4,050
Cash and cash equivalents	1,903	1,903	246	246
Secured bank loan and overdraft	(14,633)	(14,633)	(13,000)	(13,000)
Trade and other payables	(9,349)	(9,349)	(7,829)	(7,829)
	(19,519)	(19,519)	(10,020)	(10,020)

13. RECONCILIATION OF MOVEMENT ON CAPITAL AND RESERVES

	Share	Merger	Revaluation	Translation	Retained		Minority	Total
	capital	reserve	reserve	reserve	earnings	Total	interest	equity
	£'000	£'000	£'000	£'000	£'000	£'000	£'000	£'000

Balance at 1 January 2007	6,036	61,503	12,600	(39)	(30,600)	49,500	1,641	51,141
Foreign exchange translation differences for foreign operations	-	-	-	82	-	82	-	82

Revaluation of property, plant and equipment	-	-	(2,312)	-	-	(2,312)	-	(2,312)

Defined benefit pension scheme actuarial gains, net of tax	-	-	-	-	754	754	-	754

Loss for the year	-	-	-	-	(7,107)	(7,107)	360	(6,747)

Share based payments	-	-	-	-	124	124	-	124

Acquisition of minority interest	-	-	-	-	(83)	(83)	(1,423)	(1,506)

Balance at 31 December 2007	6,036	61,503⁽2⁾	10,288⁽2⁾	43⁽⁾	(36,912)⁽⁾	40,958	578	41,536
Foreign exchange translation differences for foreign operations	-	-	-	1,070	-	1,070	-	1,070

Revaluation of property, plant and equipment	-	-	(3,520)	-	-	(3,520)	-	(3,520)

Defined benefit pension scheme actuarial gains, net of tax	-	-	-	-	(2,019)	(2,019)	-	(2,019)

Loss for the year	-	-	-	-	(7,424)	(7,424)	192	(7,232)


Balance at 31 December 2008	6,036	61,503⁽2⁾	6,768⁽2⁾	1,113⁽⁾	(46,355)⁽⁾	29,065	770	29,835

(1)	Disclosed as 'Retained earnings' in consolidated balance sheet.

(2)	Disclosed as 'Other Reserves' at 31 December 2008 totalling £68,271,000 (2007: £71,791,000) in consolidated balance sheet.

Translation reserve

The translation reserve represents the movement on the translation of assets and liabilities held or recorded in foreign currencies other than Sterling at the balance sheet date. Exchange differences arising in the ordinary course of trading are included in the Income Statement.

Merger Reserve

This arose when the Company acquired its subsidiaries in 2000 at a premium to the nominal value of the shares issued on acquisition.

Revaluation Reserve

Freehold property is included in the Consolidated Balance Sheet at its market value at the Balance Sheet date, on the basis of an annual external valuation. Surpluses or deficits arising on valuation are transferred to the revaluation reserve to the extent that a credit balance exists in the valuation reserve in respect of the property concerned.

Minority Interests

This represents the 9 ½% preference shares in the Company's wholly owned subsidiary Liberty Retail Plc.

14. RELATED PARTY BALANCES AND TRANSACTIONS

	31 December	31 December
	2008	2007
Trade and other receivables (note 8)	£'000	£'000
Amounts due from related parties
Wholly owned subsidiaries of a fellow subsidiary, MWB Business Exchange Plc	12	3
	12	3

Trade and other payables (note 10)
Amounts due to related parties within one year
Wholly owned subsidiaries of MWB Group Holdings Plc
Loan	6,543	-
Other	1,005	299
	7,548	299

Related party transactions during the year
Wholly owned subsidiaries of MWB Group Holdings Plc for administrative fees paid during the year	56	75

15. ACCOUNTS AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION

This announcement of the audited results for Liberty Plc for the year ended 31 December 2008 and the unaudited Half-Yearly Financial Report for the six months ended 30 June 2008 are available from the Company Secretary, Filex Services Limited, at the Company's registered office of 179 Great Portland Street, London W1W 5LS. The Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2008 will be posted to shareholders in May 2009 and will also be available from the Company Secretary.

STATEMENT OF DIRECTORS' RESPONSIBILITIES IN RESPECT OF THE ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The directors are responsible for preparing the Directors' Report and the Group and Parent Company financial statements in accordance with applicable law and regulations.

Company law requires the directors to prepare Group and Parent Company financial statements for each financial year. As required by the AIM Rules of the London Stock Exchange they are required to prepare the group financial statements in accordance with IFRSs as adopted by the EU and applicable laws and have elected to prepare the Parent Company financial statements in accordance with UK Accounting Standards and applicable law (UK Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

The Group financial statements are required by law and IFRSs as adopted by the EU to present fairly the financial position and the performance of the Group; the Companies Act 1985 provides in relation to such financial statements that references in the relevant part of that Act to financial statements giving a true and fair view are references to their achieving a fair presentation.

The Parent Company financial statements are required by law to give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Parent Company.

In preparing each of the Group and Parent Company financial statements, the directors are required to:

•	select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;

•	make judgments and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;

•	for the Group financial statements, state whether they have been prepared in accordance with IFRSs as adopted by the EU;

•	for the Parent Company financial statements, state whether applicable UK Accounting Standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and

•	prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the Group and the Parent Company will continue in business.

The directors are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the Company and enable them to ensure that its financial statements comply with the Companies Act 1985. They have general responsibility for taking such steps as are reasonably open to them to safeguard the assets of the Group and to prevent and detect fraud and other irregularities.

The directors are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the corporate and financial information included on the Company's website. Legislation in the UK governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions.

We, the Directors of the Company, confirm that to the best of our knowledge:

A)	The financial statements of the Group have been prepared in accordance with IFRSs as adopted by the EU, and for the Company under UK GAAP, in accordance with applicable United Kingdom law and give a true and fair view of the assets, liabilities, financial position and profit of the Group; and

B)	The Directors' Report includes a fair review of the development and performance of the business and the position of the Group, together with a description of the principal risks and uncertainties that face the Group.

By order of the Board

Richard Balfour-Lynn						Geoffroy de La Bourdonnaye
Chairman						Chief Executive

This information is provided by RNS

The company news service from the London Stock Exchange

END

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