Company Registration No. 08119161 (England and Wales)
HICKORY'S (ROS) LTD
ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2022
HICKORY'S (ROS) LTD
CONTENTS
Page
Strategic report
1 - 2
Directors' report
3 - 5
Independent auditor's report
6 - 8
Profit and loss account
9
Statement of comprehensive income
10
Balance sheet
11
Statement of changes in equity
12
Notes to the financial statements
13 - 23
HICKORY'S (ROS) LTD
COMPANY INFORMATION
Directors
Mr J W Welsh
Mr R A Bacon
Mr J C Bligh
Mr M D Powell
Mr A G Bush
(Appointed 8 October 2022)
Mr N Mackenzie
(Appointed 8 October 2022)
Mr R Smothers
(Appointed 8 October 2022)
Mr W Shurvinton
(Appointed 24 April 2023)
Secretary
Ms L Keswick
Company number
08119161
Registered office
Suites G & H, Ground Floor
Steam Mill
Steam Mill Street
Chester
Cheshire
CH3 5AN
Auditor
Xeinadin Audit Limited
2 Hilliards Court
Chester Business Park
Chester
Cheshire
CH4 9QP
HICKORY'S (ROS) LTD
STRATEGIC REPORT
FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2022
- 1 -
The Directors present their Strategic Report for the company for the year ended 30 April 2022. The results reflect 52 weeks of trade to 1 May 2022. The prior period financial statements reflected the 52 weeks to 02 May 2021.
Review of Business
The directors are satisfied with the results for the period. The results for the period reflect a very strong post covid performance which has continued beyond the year end.
The business continues to trade well in excess of pre covid levels and its also growing by opening further restaurants - in Hutton during the period and in Huddersfield and Derby post period end.
The management of the business has remained unchanged following the change in ownership of its direct parent company. It is the Board's intention to continue to run the business independently of the Greene King Limited group, but take advantage of synergies where it makes sense to do so.
The company’s key financial indicators during the period were as follows:
Turnover £34,181k (April 2022: £47,378k)
EBITDA £5,108k (April 2022: £11,302k)
Net Assets £24,636k (April 2022: £21,342k)
The company remains well placed to grow the estate even further as the group actively seeks new locations for Hickory’s Smokehouse.
Principle Risks and Uncertainties
Management continually monitors the key risks facing the company together with assessing the controls used for managing these risks. The board of directors formally reviews and documents the principal risks facing the business at least annually.
The principal risks and uncertainties facing the company are as follows:
Economic downturn leading to a reduced level of consumer spending –
Sales trends are constantly reviewed to enable early action to be taken in the event of sales declining. The overheads of the business are carefully managed and monitored.
Competitor pressure –
The market in which the company operates is considered to be relatively competitive, and therefore competitor pressure could result in losing revenue to competitors. The company manages the risk by providing quality venues and products, and maintaining strong relationships with its key customers.
Loss of Key Personnel –
This would present significant operational difficulties for the company. Management seek to ensure that the key personnel are appropriately remunerated and incentivised to ensure that good performance is recognised and rewarded.
COVID-19 –
Further enforced national lockdowns which will cease all in-store trade and have an adverse impact on our cash position. Management are constantly monitoring the status of permitted hospitality operations and are monitoring performance closely. The company has diversified over the last twelve months and now operates a Hickory’s At Home option which has run throughout national lockdowns and currently holds a very healthy cash balance.
HICKORY'S (ROS) LTD
STRATEGIC REPORT (CONTINUED)
FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2022
- 2 -
Mr M D Powell
Director
4 September 2023
HICKORY'S (ROS) LTD
DIRECTORS' REPORT
FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2022
- 3 -
The directors present their annual report and financial statements for the period ended 31 December 2022. The results reflect 35 weeks of trade to 1 January 2023. The prior period financial statements reflected 52 weeks of trade to 1 May 2022.
The trading results are for the Hickory's Smokehouse sites at Chester, West Kirby, Rhos-on-Sea, Wall Heath, Burton Green, Castle Bromwich, Southport, Worcester, Gresty Green, Poynton, Shrewsbury, Wilmslow, Nuthall, Horbury and Hutton.
The period covered by the financial statements was another successful period for the company and the businesses it runs. The period saw increasing stability following the Covid related lockdowns of previous periods and trade settled at levels that far exceeded those of pre covid.
Hickory’s continued to grow with a new restaurant uccessfully opened in Hutton in August 2022, and in Huddersfield and Derby after the balance sheet date. Further openings are planned for the coming years.
On 8 October 2022 the immediate parent company was acquired by Greene King Limited. The acquisition of the parent company has not affected the business, the people involved in running it or the management team overseeing it. It is the intention of the Board for the company to retain its independence and to grow further in the coming years.
Results and dividends
The results for the period are set out on page 9.
No ordinary dividends were paid. The directors do not recommend payment of a final dividend.
Directors
The directors who held office during the period and up to the date of signature of the financial statements were as follows:
Mr N E McDonnell
(Resigned 8 October 2022)
Mr J W Welsh
Mr R A Bacon
Mr J C Bligh
Mr M D Powell
Mr A G Bush
(Appointed 8 October 2022)
Mr N Mackenzie
(Appointed 8 October 2022)
Mr R Smothers
(Appointed 8 October 2022)
Ms K A Bosher
(Appointed 8 October 2022 and resigned 23 December 2022)
Mr W Shurvinton
(Appointed 24 April 2023)
Disabled persons
Applications for employment by disabled persons are always fully considered, bearing in mind the aptitudes of the applicant concerned. In the event of members of staff becoming disabled, every effort is made to ensure that their employment within the company continues and that the appropriate training is arranged. It is the policy of the company that the training, career development and promotion of disabled persons should, as far as possible, be identical to that of other employees.
HICKORY'S (ROS) LTD
DIRECTORS' REPORT (CONTINUED)
FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2022
- 4 -
Employee involvement
The company's policy is to consult and discuss with employees, through unions, staff councils and at meetings, matters likely to affect employees' interests.
Information about matters of concern to employees is given through information bulletins and reports which seek to achieve a common awareness on the part of all employees of the financial and economic factors affecting the company's performance.
There is no employee share scheme at present, but the directors are considering the introduction of such a scheme as a means of further encouraging the involvement of employees in the company's performance.
Auditor
In accordance with the company's articles, a resolution proposing that Xeinadin Audit Limited be reappointed as auditor of the company will be put at a General Meeting.
Statement of directors' responsibilities
The directors are responsible for preparing the annual report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and regulations.
Company law requires the directors to prepare financial statements for each financial year. Under that law the directors have elected to prepare the financial statements in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice (United Kingdom Accounting Standards and applicable law). Under company law the directors must not approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the company and of the profit or loss of the company for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the directors are required to:
select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
make judgements and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the company will continue in business.
The directors are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the company’s transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the company and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
Strategic report
The company has chosen in accordance with Companies Act 2006, s. 414C(11) to set out in the company's strategic report information required by Large and Medium-sized Companies and Groups (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008, Sch. 7 that would normally be contained in the directors' report. It has done so in respect of financial performance, risk, post balance sheet events and future developments.
Statement of disclosure to auditor
So far as each person who was a director at the date of approving this report is aware, there is no relevant audit information of which the company’s auditor is unaware. Additionally, the directors individually have taken all the necessary steps that they ought to have taken as directors in order to make themselves aware of all relevant audit information and to establish that the company’s auditor is aware of that information.
HICKORY'S (ROS) LTD
DIRECTORS' REPORT (CONTINUED)
FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2022
- 5 -
On behalf of the board
Mr M D Powell
Director
4 September 2023
HICKORY'S (ROS) LTD
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT
TO THE MEMBER OF HICKORY'S (ROS) LTD
- 6 -
Opinion
We have audited the financial statements of Hickory's (ROS) Ltd (the 'company') for the period ended 31 December 2022 which comprise the profit and loss account, the statement of comprehensive income, the balance sheet, the statement of changes in equity and notes to the financial statements, including significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including Financial Reporting Standard 102 The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
In our opinion the financial statements:
give a true and fair view of the state of the company's affairs as at 31 December 2022 and of its profit for the period then ended;
have been properly prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice; and
have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006.
We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditor's responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report. We are independent of the company in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements in the UK, including the FRC’s Ethical Standard, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.
Conclusions relating to going concern
In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that the directors' use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate.
Based on the work we have performed, we have not identified any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the company's ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at least twelve months from when the financial statements are authorised for issue.
Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the directors with respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections of this report.
The other information comprises the information included in the annual report other than the financial statements and our auditor's report thereon. The directors are responsible for the other information contained within the annual report. Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and, except to the extent otherwise explicitly stated in our report, we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon. Our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the course of the audit, or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether this gives rise to a material misstatement in the financial statements themselves. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact.
We have nothing to report in this regard.
Opinions on other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2006
In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of our audit:
the information given in the strategic report and the directors' report for the financial period for which the financial statements are prepared is consistent with the financial statements; and
the strategic report and the directors' report have been prepared in accordance with applicable legal requirements.
HICKORY'S (ROS) LTD
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT (CONTINUED)
TO THE MEMBER OF HICKORY'S (ROS) LTD
- 7 -
Matters on which we are required to report by exception
In the light of the knowledge and understanding of the company and its environment obtained in the course of the audit, we have not identified material misstatements in the strategic report or the directors' report.
We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which the Companies Act 2006 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion:
adequate accounting records have not been kept, or returns adequate for our audit have not been received from branches not visited by us; or
the financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records and returns; or
certain disclosures of remuneration specified by law are not made; or
we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit.
Responsibilities of directors
As explained more fully in the directors' responsibilities statement, the directors are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view, and for such internal control as the directors determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error. In preparing the financial statements, the directors are responsible for assessing the company's ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the directors either intend to liquidate the company or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.
Auditor's responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements
Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor's report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements.
The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud, is detailed below.
Enquiries of management and those charged with governance were held in order to identify any laws and regulations that could be expected to have a material impact on the financial statements. Throughout the audit, the team were updated with the outcomes of these enquiries including consideration as to where and how fraud may occur in the company.
The audit procedures undertaken to address any potential risk in relation to irregularities (which include fraud and non-compliance with laws and regulations) included: enquiries of management and those charged with governance on how the company complies with relevant laws, regulations and any cases of actual or potential litigation or claims; examination of appropriate legal correspondence; testing of journal entries for appropriateness; and analytical procedures on account balances to identify variances against expectation which may show indications of fraud.
No instances of material non-compliance were identified, although the prospect of detecting irregularities, including fraud, is inherently difficult. This is due to; difficulty in detecting irregularities; limits imposed by the effectiveness of the entity’s controls; and the nature, timing and extent of the audit procedures performed. Irregularities as a result of fraud are inherently more difficult to detect than those that resulting from error. Despite the audit being planned and performed in accordance with ISAs (UK), there is an unavoidable risk that material misstatements may not be detected.
A further description of our responsibilities is available on the Financial Reporting Council’s website at: https://www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our auditor's report.
HICKORY'S (ROS) LTD
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT (CONTINUED)
TO THE MEMBER OF HICKORY'S (ROS) LTD
- 8 -
This report is made solely to the company's member in accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the company's member those matters we are required to state to the member in an auditor's report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the company and the company's member, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.
Michael Caputo FCA (Senior Statutory Auditor)
For and on behalf of Xeinadin Audit Limited
4 September 2023
Chartered Accountants
Statutory Auditors
2 Hilliards Court
Chester Business Park
Chester
Cheshire
CH4 9QP
HICKORY'S (ROS) LTD
PROFIT AND LOSS ACCOUNT
FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2022
- 9 -
Period
Year
ended
ended
31
30
2022
2022
Notes
£
£
Turnover
3
34,180,729
47,378,411
Cost of sales
(11,307,921)
(13,707,822)
Gross profit
22,872,808
33,670,589
Administrative expenses
(19,068,999)
(24,066,867)
Other operating income
169,775
Profit before taxation
3,803,809
9,773,497
Tax on profit
7
(509,899)
(336,394)
Profit for the financial period
3,293,910
9,437,103
The profit and loss account has been prepared on the basis that all operations are continuing operations.
HICKORY'S (ROS) LTD
STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2022
- 10 -
Period
Year
ended
ended
31
30
2022
2022
£
£
Profit for the period
3,293,910
9,437,103
Other comprehensive income
-
-
Total comprehensive income for the period
3,293,910
9,437,103
HICKORY'S (ROS) LTD
BALANCE SHEET
AS AT
31 DECEMBER 2022
31 December 2022
- 11 -
December 2022
April 2022
Notes
£
£
£
£
Fixed assets
Tangible assets
8
19,605,549
18,201,932
Current assets
Stocks
9
457,364
413,167
Debtors
10
8,067,418
3,265,250
Cash at bank and in hand
5,105,060
7,638,101
13,629,842
11,316,518
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
11
(6,705,847)
(6,792,715)
Net current assets
6,923,995
4,523,803
Total assets less current liabilities
26,529,544
22,725,735
Provisions for liabilities
Deferred tax liability
12
1,894,029
1,384,130
(1,894,029)
(1,384,130)
Net assets
24,635,515
21,341,605
Capital and reserves
Called up share capital
14
100
100
Profit and loss reserves
24,635,415
21,341,505
Total equity
24,635,515
21,341,605
The financial statements were approved by the board of directors and authorised for issue on 4 September 2023 and are signed on its behalf by:
Mr M D Powell
Director
Company Registration No. 08119161
HICKORY'S (ROS) LTD
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY
FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2022
- 12 -
Share capital
Profit and loss reserves
Total
£
£
£
Balance at 1 May 2021
100
11,904,402
11,904,502
Year ended 30 April 2022:
Profit and total comprehensive income for the year
-
9,437,103
9,437,103
Balance at 30 April 2022
100
21,341,505
21,341,605
Period ended 31 December 2022:
Profit and total comprehensive income for the period
-
3,293,910
3,293,910
Balance at 31 December 2022
100
24,635,415
24,635,515
HICKORY'S (ROS) LTD
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2022
- 13 -
1
Accounting policies
Company information
Hickory's (ROS) Ltd is a private company limited by shares incorporated in England and Wales. The registered office is Suites G & H, Ground Floor, Steam Mill, Steam Mill Street, Chester, Cheshire, CH3 5AN.
1.1
Accounting convention
These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with FRS 102 “The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland” (“FRS 102”) and the requirements of the Companies Act 2006.
The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the company. Monetary amounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest £.
The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention. The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below.
This company is a qualifying entity for the purposes of FRS 102, being a member of a group where the parent of that group prepares publicly available consolidated financial statements, including this company, which are intended to give a true and fair view of the assets, liabilities, financial position and profit or loss of the group. The company has therefore taken advantage of exemptions from the following disclosure requirements:
Section 4 ‘Statement of Financial Position’: Reconciliation of the opening and closing number of shares;
Section 7 ‘Statement of Cash Flows’: Presentation of a statement of cash flow and related notes and disclosures;
Section 11 ‘Basic Financial Instruments’ and Section 12 ‘Other Financial Instrument Issues’: Carrying amounts, interest income/expense and net gains/losses for each category of financial instrument; basis of determining fair values; details of collateral, loan defaults or breaches, details of hedges, hedging fair value changes recognised in profit or loss and in other comprehensive income;
Section 33 ‘Related Party Disclosures’: Compensation for key management personnel.
The financial statements of the company are consolidated in the financial statements of Greene King Limited. These consolidated financial statements are available from its registered office, Westgate Brewery, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, United Kingdom, IP33 1QT.
1.2
Going concern
Atruet the time of approving the financial statements, the directors have a reasonable expectation that the company has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus the directors continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements.
1.3
Reporting period
The financial statements are presented for the period ended 31 December 2022. The comparative figures cover the 12 months to 30 April 2022. The results reflect 35 weeks of trade to 1 January 2023. The prior period financial statements reflected 52 weeks of trade to 1 May 2022. The current period was shortened in order to align the reporting date with that of the company's ultimate parent, Greene King Limited. As a result the financial statements are not entirely comparable.
1.4
Turnover
Turnover is recognised at the fair value of the consideration received or receivable for meals, drinks and cigarettes, provided in the normal course of business, and is shown net of VAT and other sales related taxes. All revenue is recognised at point of sale.
1.5
Tangible fixed assets
Tangible fixed assets are measured at cost, net of depreciation and any impairment losses.
HICKORY'S (ROS) LTD
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2022
1
Accounting policies
(Continued)
- 14 -
Depreciation is recognised so as to write off the cost or valuation of assets less their residual values over their useful lives on the following bases:
Leasehold improvements
Straight line over the life of the lease
Fit out costs
Straight line over the life of the lease or estimated useful life of the asset if longer
Equipment
Straight line over 15 years
Fixtures and fittings
12.5% on cost
Motor vehicles
20% on cost
The gain or loss arising on the disposal of an asset is determined as the difference between the sale proceeds and the carrying value of the asset, and is credited or charged to profit or loss.
1.6
Stocks
Stock represents foodstuffs and beverages and is stated at the lower of cost and net realisable value. Cost comprises all costs incurred in bringing in each product to its present location and condition. Net reliable value is the estimated selling price in the ordinary course of business, less the estimated costs of completion.
At each reporting date, an assessment is made for impairment. Any excess of the carrying amount of stocks over its estimated selling price less costs to complete and sell is recognised as an impairment loss in profit or loss. Reversals of impairment losses are also recognised in profit or loss.
1.7
Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents are basic financial assets and include cash in hand, deposits held at call with banks, other short-term liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less, and bank overdrafts. Bank overdrafts are shown within borrowings in current liabilities.
1.8
Financial instruments
The company has elected to apply the provisions of Section 11 ‘Basic Financial Instruments’ and Section 12 ‘Other Financial Instruments Issues’ of FRS 102 to all of its financial instruments.
Financial instruments are recognised in the company's balance sheet when the company becomes party to the contractual provisions of the instrument.
Financial assets and liabilities are offset, with the net amounts presented in the financial statements, when there is a legally enforceable right to set off the recognised amounts and there is an intention to settle on a net basis or to realise the asset and settle the liability simultaneously.
Basic financial assets
Basic financial assets, which include debtors and cash and bank balances, are initially measured at transaction price including transaction costs and are subsequently carried at amortised cost using the effective interest method unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the transaction is measured at the present value of the future receipts discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial assets classified as receivable within one year are not amortised.
Other financial assets
Other financial assets, including investments in equity instruments which are not subsidiaries, associates or joint ventures, are initially measured at fair value, which is normally the transaction price. Such assets are subsequently carried at fair value and the changes in fair value are recognised in profit or loss, except that investments in equity instruments that are not publicly traded and whose fair values cannot be measured reliably are measured at cost less impairment.
HICKORY'S (ROS) LTD
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2022
1
Accounting policies
(Continued)
- 15 -
Impairment of financial assets
Financial assets, other than those held at fair value through profit and loss, are assessed for indicators of impairment at each reporting end date.
Financial assets are impaired where there is objective evidence that, as a result of one or more events that occurred after the initial recognition of the financial asset, the estimated future cash flows have been affected. If an asset is impaired, the impairment loss is the difference between the carrying amount and the present value of the estimated cash flows discounted at the asset’s original effective interest rate. The impairment loss is recognised in profit or loss.
If there is a decrease in the impairment loss arising from an event occurring after the impairment was recognised, the impairment is reversed. The reversal is such that the current carrying amount does not exceed what the carrying amount would have been, had the impairment not previously been recognised. The impairment reversal is recognised in profit or loss.
Derecognition of financial assets
Financial assets are derecognised only when the contractual rights to the cash flows from the asset expire or are settled, or when the company transfers the financial asset and substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership to another entity, or if some significant risks and rewards of ownership are retained but control of the asset has transferred to another party that is able to sell the asset in its entirety to an unrelated third party.
Classification of financial liabilities
Financial liabilities and equity instruments are classified according to the substance of the contractual arrangements entered into. An equity instrument is any contract that evidences a residual interest in the assets of the company after deducting all of its liabilities.
Basic financial liabilities
Basic financial liabilities, including creditors, bank loans, loans from fellow group companies and preference shares that are classified as debt, are initially recognised at transaction price unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the debt instrument is measured at the present value of the future payments discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial liabilities classified as payable within one year are not amortised.
Debt instruments are subsequently carried at amortised cost, using the effective interest rate method.
Trade creditors are obligations to pay for goods or services that have been acquired in the ordinary course of business from suppliers. Amounts payable are classified as current liabilities if payment is due within one year or less. If not, they are presented as non-current liabilities. Trade creditors are recognised initially at transaction price and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.
Other financial liabilities
Derivatives, including interest rate swaps and forward foreign exchange contracts, are not basic financial instruments. Derivatives are initially recognised at fair value on the date a derivative contract is entered into and are subsequently re-measured at their fair value. Changes in the fair value of derivatives are recognised in profit or loss in finance costs or finance income as appropriate, unless hedge accounting is applied and the hedge is a cash flow hedge.
Debt instruments that do not meet the conditions in FRS 102 paragraph 11.9 are subsequently measured at fair value through profit or loss. Debt instruments may be designated as being measured at fair value through profit or loss to eliminate or reduce an accounting mismatch or if the instruments are measured and their performance evaluated on a fair value basis in accordance with a documented risk management or investment strategy.
HICKORY'S (ROS) LTD
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2022
1
Accounting policies
(Continued)
- 16 -
Derecognition of financial liabilities
Financial liabilities are derecognised when the company’s contractual obligations expire or are discharged or cancelled.
1.9
Taxation
The tax expense represents the sum of the tax currently payable and deferred tax.
Current tax
The tax currently payable is based on taxable profit for the year. Taxable profit differs from net profit as reported in the profit and loss account because it excludes items of income or expense that are taxable or deductible in other years and it further excludes items that are never taxable or deductible. The company’s liability for current tax is calculated using tax rates that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the reporting end date.
Deferred tax
Deferred tax liabilities are generally recognised for all timing differences and deferred tax assets are recognised to the extent that it is probable that they will be recovered against the reversal of deferred tax liabilities or other future taxable profits. Such assets and liabilities are not recognised if the timing difference arises from goodwill or from the initial recognition of other assets and liabilities in a transaction that affects neither the tax profit nor the accounting profit.
The carrying amount of deferred tax assets is reviewed at each reporting end date and reduced to the extent that it is no longer probable that sufficient taxable profits will be available to allow all or part of the asset to be recovered. Deferred tax is calculated at the tax rates that are expected to apply in the period when the liability is settled or the asset is realised. Deferred tax is charged or credited in the profit and loss account, except when it relates to items charged or credited directly to equity, in which case the deferred tax is also dealt with in equity. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are offset when the company has a legally enforceable right to offset current tax assets and liabilities and the deferred tax assets and liabilities relate to taxes levied by the same tax authority.
1.10
Employee benefits
The costs of short-term employee benefits are recognised as a liability and an expense, unless those costs are required to be recognised as part of the cost of stock or fixed assets.
The cost of any unused holiday entitlement is recognised in the period in which the employee’s services are received.
Termination benefits are recognised immediately as an expense when the company is demonstrably committed to terminate the employment of an employee or to provide termination benefits.
1.11
Retirement benefits
Payments to defined contribution retirement benefit schemes are charged as an expense as they fall due.
1.12
Leases
Rentals payable under operating leases, including any lease incentives received, are charged to profit or loss on a straight line basis over the term of the relevant lease except where another more systematic basis is more representative of the time pattern in which economic benefits from the leases asset are consumed.
HICKORY'S (ROS) LTD
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2022
1
Accounting policies
(Continued)
- 17 -
1.13
Government grants
Government grants are recognised at the fair value of the asset received or receivable when there is reasonable assurance that the grant conditions will be met and the grants will be received.
A grant that specifies performance conditions is recognised in income when the performance conditions are met. Where a grant does not specify performance conditions it is recognised in income when the proceeds are received or receivable. A grant received before the recognition criteria are satisfied is recognised as a liability.
2
Judgements and key sources of estimation uncertainty
In the application of the company’s accounting policies, the directors are required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions about the carrying amount of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors that are considered to be relevant. Actual results may differ from these estimates.
The 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 where the revision affects only that period, or in the period of the revision and future periods where the revision affects both current and future periods.
Key sources of estimation uncertainty
The estimates and assumptions which have a significant risk of causing a material adjustment to the carrying amount of assets and liabilities are as follows.
Useful life of fixed assets
The useful economic lives of tangible fixed assets must be estimated by management to determine the period over which they are depreciated. A change in estimate would result in a change to the depreciation charged to the statement of comprehensive income in the period.
3
Turnover and other revenue
December 2022
April 2022
£
£
Turnover analysed by class of business
Drink sales
10,039,213
13,344,585
Food sales
24,134,595
34,019,542
Tobacco sales
6,921
14,284
34,180,729
47,378,411
December 2022
April 2022
£
£
Other significant revenue
COVID-19 support grants received
-
169,775
All turnover arose within the United Kingdom.
Government support grants reflect Coronavirus job retention scheme grants of £nil (April 2022: £21,775) and local authority coronavirus support grants of £nil (April 2022: £148,000).
HICKORY'S (ROS) LTD
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2022
- 18 -
4
Operating profit
December 2022
April 2022
Operating profit for the period is stated after charging/(crediting):
£
£
Government grants
-
(169,775)
Depreciation of owned tangible fixed assets
1,304,442
1,528,691
Operating lease charges
1,156,851
1,446,780
5
Auditor's remuneration
Auditor's remuneration is charged to Hickory's (ROS) Limited's immediate parent company Johoco 2029 Limited. The audit fee for the company for the period is £12,000 (April 2022: £11,000). Other non audit services in the period totalled £1,500 (April 2022: £1,350).
6
Employees
The average monthly number of persons employed by the company during the period was:
December 2022
April 2022
Number
Number
Front of house
864
697
Back of house
443
391
Total
1,307
1,088
Their aggregate remuneration comprised:
December 2022
April 2022
£
£
Wages and salaries
11,502,819
15,513,640
Social security costs
746,979
952,093
Pension costs
162,779
177,462
12,412,577
16,643,195
Aggregate remuneration for all employees reflects both the wages charged to the profit and loss account and those capitalised as part of leasehold improvements.
7
Taxation
December 2022
April 2022
£
£
Current tax
UK corporation tax on profits for the current period
48,761
HICKORY'S (ROS) LTD
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2022
7
Taxation
December 2022
April 2022
£
£
(Continued)
- 19 -
Deferred tax
Origination and reversal of timing differences
105,548
422,745
Adjustment in respect of prior periods
404,351
(135,112)
Total deferred tax
509,899
287,633
Total tax charge
509,899
336,394
The actual charge for the period can be reconciled to the expected charge for the period based on the profit or loss and the standard rate of tax as follows:
December 2022
April 2022
£
£
Profit before taxation
3,803,809
9,773,497
Expected tax charge based on the standard rate of corporation tax in the UK of 19.00% (April 2022: 19.00%)
722,724
1,856,964
Tax effect of expenses that are not deductible in determining taxable profit
1,045
(122,300)
Group relief
(502,741)
(1,115,368)
Permanent capital allowances in excess of depreciation
(489,351)
(860,986)
Depreciation on assets not qualifying for tax allowances
268,323
290,451
Deferred tax adjustments in respect of prior years
404,351
(135,112)
Deferred tax timing difference - current year
105,548
422,745
Taxation charge for the period
509,899
336,394
Factors that may affect future tax
Changes to the UK corporation tax rates were substantively enacted as part of the Finance Bill 2021 (on 11 March 2021). These include increases to the main rate to increase the rate to 25% from 1 April 2023. Deferred taxes at the Balance Sheet date have been measured using the future tax rate of 25% (April 2022: 19%).
HICKORY'S (ROS) LTD
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2022
- 20 -
8
Tangible fixed assets
Leasehold improvements
Fit out costs
Equipment
Fixtures and fittings
Motor vehicles
Total
£
£
£
£
£
£
Cost
At 1 May 2022
5,879,266
8,406,435
6,114,770
4,506,850
1,650
24,908,971
Additions
562,852
1,143,822
486,423
561,991
2,755,088
Disposals
(47,029)
(47,029)
At 31 December 2022
6,395,089
9,550,257
6,601,193
5,068,841
1,650
27,617,030
Depreciation and impairment
At 1 May 2022
1,380,240
1,549,223
1,847,336
1,928,590
1,650
6,707,039
Depreciation charged in the period
268,323
341,205
284,018
410,896
1,304,442
At 31 December 2022
1,648,563
1,890,428
2,131,354
2,339,486
1,650
8,011,481
Carrying amount
At 31 December 2022
4,746,526
7,659,829
4,469,839
2,729,355
19,605,549
At 30 April 2022
4,499,026
6,857,212
4,267,434
2,578,260
18,201,932
9
Stocks
December 2022
April 2022
£
£
Raw materials and consumables
457,364
413,167
10
Debtors
December 2022
April 2022
Amounts falling due within one year:
£
£
Trade debtors
16,637
16,440
Amounts owed by group undertakings
7,564,035
2,527,760
Other debtors
66,573
32,417
Prepayments and accrued income
420,173
688,633
8,067,418
3,265,250
HICKORY'S (ROS) LTD
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2022
- 21 -
11
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
December 2022
April 2022
£
£
Trade creditors
2,332,266
3,009,864
Corporation tax
48,708
48,761
Other taxation and social security
301,789
381,013
Other creditors
1,166,896
810,247
Accruals and deferred income
2,856,188
2,542,830
6,705,847
6,792,715
12
Deferred taxation
The following are the major deferred tax liabilities and assets recognised by the company and movements thereon:
Liabilities
Liabilities
December 2022
April 2022
Balances:
£
£
Accelerated capital allowances
1,894,029
1,384,130
December 2022
Movements in the period:
£
Liability at 1 May 2022
1,384,130
Charge to profit or loss
509,899
Liability at 31 December 2022
1,894,029
The deferred tax liability set out above is expected to reverse within 12 months and relates to accelerated capital allowances that are expected to mature within the same period.
13
Retirement benefit schemes
December 2022
April 2022
Defined contribution schemes
£
£
Charge to profit or loss in respect of defined contribution schemes
162,779
177,462
The company operates a defined contribution pension scheme for all qualifying employees. The assets of the scheme are held separately from those of the company in an independently administered fund.
HICKORY'S (ROS) LTD
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2022
- 22 -
14
Share capital
December 2022
April 2022
December 2022
April 2022
Ordinary share capital
Number
Number
£
£
Issued and fully paid
Ordinary shares of £1 each
100
100
100
100
15
Financial commitments, guarantees and contingent liabilities
The long term loans in the accounts of Johoco 2029 Limited (parent company) dated 29 November 2019 and 18 June 2020, provided by Thincats Loans were satisfied in full on 12 October 2022.
16
Operating lease commitments
Lessee
At the reporting end date the company had outstanding commitments for future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases, which fall due as follows:
December 2022
April 2022
£
£
Within one year
1,316,744
1,227,580
Between two and five years
5,052,510
5,312,160
In over five years
8,908,646
10,298,769
15,277,900
16,838,509
17
Events after the reporting date
Post year end Hickory's (ROS) Limited entered into a Revolving Facility Agreement with its ultimate parent company Greene King Limited providing further funding from Greene King Limited for Hickory's to acquire additional sites.
On 16 February 2023, Hickory's (ROS) Limited entered into a Business Sale Agreement to purchase freehold property at a cost of £2,485,000 from Greene King Limited for the development of a Hickory's site in Huddersfield, facilitated by the Revolving Facility Agreement.
HICKORY'S (ROS) LTD
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2022
- 23 -
18
Related party transactions
Hickory's (ROS) Ltd was charged a commercial rent and insurance for one of its restaurants of £56,375 (April 2022: £88,000) by a company owned and controlled by a director. At the year end £nil (April 2022: £nil) was owed to the landlord. Hickory's (ROS) Ltd was charged a commercial rent for one if its restaurants owned by a member of the group it is a part of £11,081 (April 2022: £nil). At the year end £nil (April 2022: £nil) was owed to the group member.
At the year end Hickory's (ROS) Ltd had the following amounts due from/(owing to) group companies:
December 2022
April 2022
£
£
Johoco 2029 Limited
10,201,059
5,075,454
Bar Lounge Limited
(1,490,070)
(1,400,740)
Hickory's Smokehouse Limited
(942,832)
(942,832)
Hickory's (West Kirby) Ltd
(204,122)
(204,122)
19
Ultimate controlling party
The parent company of Hickory's (ROS) Limited is Johoco 2029 Limited, a company incorporated in England & Wales. Its registered office is Suites G & H Ground Floor Steam Mill, Steam Mill Street, Chester, Cheshire, CH3 5AN
The ultimate controlling parties of Johoco 2029 Limited were Piper Nominee IV Limited and Mr N E McDonnell by virtue of their voting rights until 8 October 2022.
Greene King Limited acquired 100% of the share capital of Johoco 2029 Limited on 8 October 2022 and are the ultimate parent company and ultimate controlling party of Hickory's (ROS) Limited.
2022-12-312022-05-01falseCCH SoftwareCCH Accounts Production 2023.200No description of principal activityMr N E McDonnellMr J W WelshMr R A BaconMr J C BlighMr M D PowellMr A G BushMr N MackenzieMr R SmothersMs K A BosherMr W ShurvintonMs L Keswick3293910081191612022-05-012022-12-3108119161bus:Director22022-05-012022-12-3108119161bus:Director32022-05-012022-12-3108119161bus:Director42022-05-012022-12-3108119161bus:Director52022-05-012022-12-3108119161bus:Director62022-05-012022-12-3108119161bus:Director72022-05-012022-12-3108119161bus:Director82022-05-012022-12-3108119161bus:Director102022-05-012022-12-3108119161bus:CompanySecretary12022-05-012022-12-3108119161bus:Director12022-05-012022-12-3108119161bus:Director92022-05-012022-12-3108119161bus:RegisteredOffice2022-05-012022-12-31081191612022-12-31081191612021-05-012022-04-3008119161core:RetainedEarningsAccumulatedLosses2021-05-012022-04-3008119161core:RetainedEarningsAccumulatedLosses2022-05-012022-12-31081191612022-04-3008119161core:LandBuildingscore:LeasedAssetsHeldAsLessee2022-12-3108119161core:LeaseholdImprovements2022-12-3108119161core:PlantMachinery2022-12-3108119161core:FurnitureFittings2022-12-3108119161core:MotorVehicles2022-12-3108119161core:LandBuildingscore:LeasedAssetsHeldAsLessee2022-04-3008119161core:LeaseholdImprovements2022-04-3008119161core:PlantMachinery2022-04-3008119161core:FurnitureFittings2022-04-3008119161core:MotorVehicles2022-04-3008119161core:CurrentFinancialInstrumentscore:WithinOneYear2022-12-3108119161core:CurrentFinancialInstrumentscore:WithinOneYear2022-04-3008119161core:CurrentFinancialInstruments2022-12-3108119161core:CurrentFinancialInstruments2022-04-3008119161core:ShareCapital2022-12-3108119161core:ShareCapital2022-04-3008119161core:RetainedEarningsAccumulatedLosses2022-12-3108119161core:RetainedEarningsAccumulatedLosses2022-04-3008119161core:ShareCapital2021-04-3008119161core:RetainedEarningsAccumulatedLosses2021-04-3008119161core:LandBuildingscore:LongLeaseholdAssets2022-05-012022-12-3108119161core:LeaseholdImprovements2022-05-012022-12-3108119161core:PlantMachinery2022-05-012022-12-3108119161core:FurnitureFittings2022-05-012022-12-3108119161core:MotorVehicles2022-05-012022-12-3108119161core:UKTax2022-05-012022-12-3108119161core:UKTax2021-05-012022-04-300811916112022-05-012022-12-310811916112021-05-012022-04-300811916122022-05-012022-12-310811916122021-05-012022-04-3008119161core:LandBuildingscore:LeasedAssetsHeldAsLessee2022-04-3008119161core:LeaseholdImprovements2022-04-3008119161core:PlantMachinery2022-04-3008119161core:FurnitureFittings2022-04-3008119161core:MotorVehicles2022-04-30081191612022-04-3008119161core:LandBuildingscore:LeasedAssetsHeldAsLessee2022-05-012022-12-3108119161core:WithinOneYear2022-12-3108119161core:WithinOneYear2022-04-3008119161core:BetweenTwoFiveYears2022-12-3108119161core:BetweenTwoFiveYears2022-04-3008119161core:MoreThanFiveYears2022-12-3108119161core:MoreThanFiveYears2022-04-3008119161bus:PrivateLimitedCompanyLtd2022-05-012022-12-3108119161bus:FRS1022022-05-012022-12-3108119161bus:Audited2022-05-012022-12-3108119161bus:FullAccounts2022-05-012022-12-31xbrli:purexbrli:sharesiso4217:GBP