Docusign Envelope ID: F400FCB6-1B50-4EEB-AD43-5DCD8BEF2758
REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER: 02726275 (England and Wales) REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1012630
Report of the Trustees and Unaudited Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2025 for Merlin Theatre Trust Limited
Docusign Envelope ID: F400FCB6-1B50-4EEB-AD43-5DCD8BEF2758
Merlin Theatre Trust Limited
Contents of the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2025
| Page | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Reference and Administrative Details | 1 | ||
| Report of the Trustees | 2 | to | 3 |
| Independent Examiner's Report | 4 | ||
| Statement of Financial Activities | 5 | ||
| Balance Sheet | 6 | ||
| Notes to the Financial Statements | 7 | to | 11 |
Docusign Envelope ID: F400FCB6-1B50-4EEB-AD43-5DCD8BEF2758
Merlin Theatre Trust Limited
Reference and Administrative Details for the Year Ended 31 March 2025
TRUSTEES Ms S Roles Ms E Reynolds Mrs A E Dimery Ms C D Carson Mr S J Goffe COMPANY SECRETARY Mrs A E Dimery REGISTERED OFFICE Merlin Theatre Trust Limited Bath Road Frome Somerset BA11 2HG REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER 02726275 (England and Wales) REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER 1012630 INDEPENDENT EXAMINER Monahans Chartered Accountants Lennox House 3 Pierrepont Street Bath Somerset BA1 1LB
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Docusign Envelope ID: F400FCB6-1B50-4EEB-AD43-5DCD8BEF2758
Merlin Theatre Trust Limited
Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 31 March 2025
OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES
Objectives and activities
The object for which the Merlin Theatre Trust was established is to advance education and provide facilities in the interest of social welfare for recreation and leisure time for the inhabitants of Frome and the surrounding neighbourhood.
The purpose and beliefs of the Merlin Theatre Trust
Our purpose is to provide the people of Frome and the surrounding area with excellent, memorable experiences in the performing arts. In shaping our objectives for the year and planning our activities, the trustees have considered the Charity Commission's guidance on public benefit, including the guidance 'public benefit : running a charity (PB2)'.
We believe that opportunities to enjoy the arts, whether as a member of an audience or as a participant in a production, a workshop or class, can significantly increase the well-being and quality of life of individuals, of communities and of society as a whole.
We believe in collaboration and that - by working with audiences, participants, artists, arts companies and other arts venues, with Frome Community College, other local schools, our local authorities, business community, voluntary groups, media and with our funders and supporters - we will achieve much more than we could without them.
Our aims and objectives
We have four enduring aims:
To be known as an organisation that attracts and supports excellent artists (professional and non-professional) to produce and present their work.
To be talked about as an inclusive organisation that embraces and listens to audiences, participants, learners and volunteers, whatever their background or circumstances.
To provide artists, audiences and participants with excellent, memorable experiences.
To work hand in hand with Frome Community College and other partners to realise the Merlin's potential as a creative, educational and community resource.
Achievements and Performance
We programme an average of 30-35 live events per season working with over 90 volunteers to support the running of the theatre.
Screenings and community productions were the most popular events, Frome Festival was also well attended. We were still able to support small scale professional touring companies and had a full outdoor program in our amphitheatre.
The Christmas show 'Christmas Carol' sold out; this year we were more confident going back to ten shows including a relaxed performance.
Youth theatres continue to go well with maximum attendance. Our summer school production of Legally Blonde sold out and featured over 50 young people including backstage / production crew.
We have had quite a few issues with the building infrastructure. The stage floor is badly damaged due to years of an unknown underground leak. Somerset Council gave us £25k towards a new floor, but the Midsomer Norton Partnership (the Trust who have taken over Frome College and are now our new landlords) are looking into what is causing the leak before we lay a new floor. We have put down a semi-permanent floor for the time being as the damage has affected our programming.
We have completed a lot of fundraising this year and now have some reserves to reinvest in the furniture and backstage areas. This will all take place next year.
FINANCIAL REVIEW
Financial report
The Merlin has seen another significant rise in income over the last year and has continued to attract audiences and increased income. But, as with all similar businesses, there has been a significant increase in costs. Turnover for 24/25 was £270K (an increase of 9.12% from last year) with expenses rising 3.38% to nearly £268K. This small surplus increases reserves, but the theatre will be in a precarious position if costs continue to increase.
The main increase in costs was on salaries alongside other running costs such as insurance. However there was a notable decrease in advertising and marketing expenditure.
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Docusign Envelope ID: F400FCB6-1B50-4EEB-AD43-5DCD8BEF2758
Merlin Theatre Trust Limited
Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 31 March 2025
FINANCIAL REVIEW
Reserves policy and going concern
Reserves are needed to bridge the gap between the spending and receiving of income and to cover unplanned emergency repairs and other expenditure. The trustees consider that the ideal level of reserves as at 31 March 2025 would be £25,000 to £30,000. The current free reserves of £48,464 exceed this level but there are maintenance and capital expenditure requirements in the short to medium-term that will result in the excess reserves being utilised.
The Trust had no negative reserves and the trustees have reviewed the circumstances of the Theatre Trust and consider that adequate resources continue to be available to fund the activities
of the Trust and group for the foreseeable future. The trustees are of the view that the Trust is currently a going concern.
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
Governing document
Merlin Theatre Trust Limited is a registered charity and company limited by guarantee governed by its Memorandum and Articles of Association; it currently has 53 members. This Trustees report is prepared in accordance with S419(2) of the Companies Act 2006.
Appointment, induction and training of Trustees
Trustees are elected by the Members of the charitable company at the Annual General Meeting - there must be between eight and twelve trustees, who must all be members of the company.
When recruiting new Trustees, the Board considers any specialist skills needed. New Trustees have an orientation meeting with the Chair and are briefed about current plans and recent financial performance. As part of their induction, they meet with key employees and other Trustees.
Trustees are encouraged to attend appropriate training events where these will facilitate undertaking their role.
Organisation
The Board of Trustees administers the charity. The Board meets a minimum of five times a year with dates and core agendas planned up to six months in advance. Trustees' working groups consider policies as required.
The Director (Artistic) Claudia Pepler is appointed by the Trustees to manage the day-to-day operations of the charity. To facilitate effective operations, the Director (Artistic), within terms of delegation approved by the Trustees, has authority for overall management of staff and the business, artistic programming, drafting of key documents, reporting to public Funders and financial and business planning matters. Business is planned and managed through a Development Programme.
The trustees have examined the major strategic, business and operational risks that the charity faces. The trustees are satisfied that systems are in place to mitigate these risks.
This is demonstrated in the following way:-
Finance papers and figures are presented in advance of Board meetings and financial reporting is included on the agenda. These papers are also circulated to our Funders including Frome Town Council.
Our Volunteers
Thanks and gratitude are extended to all members of staff and the volunteers who help in the smooth running of the Merlin and in particular the stewards who staff the bar, coffee area and shop, plus of course stewarding for shows, Box office and Front of House. Many of the staff and volunteers are busy 'behind the scenes' and so their work can go un-noticed. It is largely due to their work however that the Merlin is such a successful theatre. It is estimated that the volunteer hours are worth more than £15,000 in in-kind support to the theatre.
19/12/2025
Approved by order of the board of trustees on ............................................. and signed on its behalf by:
........................................................................ FBF58C0983824D8... Mrs A E Dimery - Trustee
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Docusign Envelope ID: F400FCB6-1B50-4EEB-AD43-5DCD8BEF2758
Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of Merlin Theatre Trust Limited
Independent examiner's report to the trustees of Merlin Theatre Trust Limited ('the Company')
I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Company for the year ended 31 March 2025.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the charity's trustees of the Company (and also its directors for the purposes of company law) you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 ('the 2006 Act').
Having satisfied myself that the accounts of the Company are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the 2006 Act and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of your charity's accounts as carried out under Section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 ('the 2011 Act'). In carrying out my examination I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under Section 145(5) (b) of the 2011 Act.
Independent examiner's statement
Since your charity's gross income exceeded £250,000 your examiner must be a member of a listed body. I can confirm that I am qualified to undertake the examination because I am a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland, which is one of the listed bodies.
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe:
-
accounting records were not kept in respect of the Company as required by Section 386 of the 2006 Act; or 2. the accounts do not accord with those records; or
-
the accounts do not comply with the accounting requirements of Section 396 of the 2006 Act other than any requirement that the accounts give a true and fair view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination; or
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the accounts have not been prepared in accordance with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice for accounting and reporting by charities (applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)).
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Mark Powell CA
Monahans Chartered Accountants Lennox House 3 Pierrepont Street Bath Somerset BA1 1LB 19/12/2025 Date: .............................................
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Docusign Envelope ID: F400FCB6-1B50-4EEB-AD43-5DCD8BEF2758
Merlin Theatre Trust Limited
Statement of Financial Activities for the Year Ended 31 March 2025
| Unrestricted fund Notes £ INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM Donations and legacies 6,815 Charitable activities Box office takings 146,740 Youth Groups 14,413 Overheads recovered and sundry income 9,040 Hirings 10,732 Live Streaming 32,165 Microphones 3,000 Other trading activities 2 47,076 Investment income 3 70 Total 270,051 EXPENDITURE ON Raising funds 25,904 Charitable activities Cost of productions 236,195 Total 262,099 NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE) 7,952 RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS Total funds brought forward 55,951 TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD 63,903 |
Restricted funds £ - - - - - - - - - - - 5,413 5,413 (5,413) 25,788 20,375 |
2025 Total funds £ 6,815 146,740 14,413 9,040 10,732 32,165 3,000 47,076 70 270,051 25,904 241,608 267,512 2,539 81,739 84,278 |
2024 Total funds £ 9,707 144,427 9,814 7,871 7,081 27,209 - 41,272 92 247,473 18,828 242,342 261,170 (13,697) 95,829 82,132 |
|---|---|---|---|
The notes form part of these financial statements
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Docusign Envelope ID: F400FCB6-1B50-4EEB-AD43-5DCD8BEF2758
Merlin Theatre Trust Limited
Balance Sheet
31 March 2025
| 2025 | 2024 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unrestricted | Restricted | Total | Total | |||
| fund | funds | funds | funds | |||
| Notes | £ | £ | £ | £ | ||
| FIXED ASSETS | ||||||
| Tangible assets | 8 | 15,439 | 20,375 | 35,814 | 44,944 | |
| CURRENT ASSETS | ||||||
| Stocks | 9 | 2,697 | - | 2,697 | 2,697 | |
| Debtors | 10 | 6,882 | - | 6,882 | 2,731 | |
| Cash at bank and in hand | 74,095 | - | 74,095 | 60,148 | ||
| 83,674 | - | 83,674 | 65,576 | |||
| CREDITORS | ||||||
| Amounts falling due within one year | 11 | (35,210) | - | (35,210) | (28,388) | |
| NET CURRENT ASSETS | 48,464 | - | 48,464 | 37,188 | ||
| TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES | TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES | 63,903 | 20,375 | 84,278 | 82,132 | |
| NET ASSETS | 63,903 | 20,375 | 84,278 | 82,132 | ||
| FUNDS | 12 | |||||
| Unrestricted funds | 63,903 | 56,344 | ||||
| Restricted funds | 20,375 | 25,788 | ||||
| TOTAL FUNDS | 84,278 | 82,132 |
The charitable company is entitled to exemption from audit under Section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 for the year ended 31 March 2025.
The members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2025 in accordance with Section 476 of the Companies Act 2006.
The trustees acknowledge their responsibilities for
-
(a) ensuring that the charitable company keeps accounting records that comply with Sections 386 and 387 of the Companies Act 2006 and
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(b) preparing financial statements which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company as at the end of each financial year and of its surplus or deficit for each financial year in accordance with the requirements of Sections 394 and 395 and which otherwise comply with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 relating to financial statements, so far as applicable to the charitable company.
These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to charitable companies subject to the small companies regime.
The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees and authorised for issue on ............................................. and were signed on its behalf by: 19/12/2025
............................................. Mrs A E Dimery - Trustee
The notes form part of these financial statements
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Docusign Envelope ID: F400FCB6-1B50-4EEB-AD43-5DCD8BEF2758
Merlin Theatre Trust Limited
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2025
1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Basis of preparing the financial statements
The financial statements of the charitable company, which is a public benefit entity under FRS 102, have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) 'Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019)', Financial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland' and the Companies Act 2006. The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention.
Income
All income is recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities once the charity has entitlement to the funds, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably.
Expenditure
Liabilities are recognised as expenditure as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to that expenditure, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all cost related to the category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources.
Tangible fixed assets
Individual fixed assets costing £250 or more are capitalised at cost
Depreciation
Depreciation is calculated so as to write off the cost of an asset, less its estimated residual value, over the useful economic life of that asset as follows:
Theatre refurbishment - 5% straight line Office equipment - 20% or 25% straight line Theatre equipment - 10% or 20% straight line
Stocks
Stocks are valued at the lower of cost and net realisable value, after making due allowance for obsolete and slow moving items.
Taxation
The charity is exempt from corporation tax on its charitable activities.
Fund accounting
Funds held by the charity are either:
-
Unrestricted general funds - these can be used in accordance with the charitable objectives at the discretion of the trustees.
-
Restricted funds - these can only be used for particular restricted purposes.
Pension costs
The theatre makes employers contributions to defined contribution scheme for its employees. These costs are included in the Financial Statements on an accruals basis.
Going concern
The financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis which the trustees consider to be appropriate due to the free reserves and small surplus in the year.
Consequently, the trustees are confident that the company will have sufficient funds to continue to meet its liabilities as they fall due for at least 12 months from the date of approval of the financial statements and therefore have prepared the financial statements on a going concern basis.
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Merlin Theatre Trust Limited
Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 March 2025
2. OTHER TRADING ACTIVITIES
3.
4.
| Bar & Catering income INVESTMENT INCOME Deposit account interest NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE) Net income/(expenditure) is stated after charging/(crediting): Independent examination fee Depreciation - owned assets |
2025 £ 47,076 2025 £ 70 2025 £ 1,950 9,130 |
2024 £ 41,272 |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 £ 92 2024 £ 1,820 9,940 |
5. TRUSTEES' REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS
There were no trustees' remuneration or other benefits for the year ended 31 March 2025 nor for the year ended 31 March 2024.
Trustees' expenses
There were no trustees' expenses paid for the year ended 31 March 2025 nor for the year ended 31 March 2024.
6. STAFF COSTS
The average monthly number of employees during the year was as follows:
7.
| Admin Staff No employees received emoluments in excess of £60,000. COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES Unrestricted fund £ INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM Donations and legacies 9,707 Charitable activities Box office takings 144,427 Youth Groups 9,814 Overheads recovered and sundry income 7,871 Hirings 7,081 Live Streaming 27,209 Other trading activities 41,272 Investment income 92 |
2025 3 Restricted funds £ - - - - - - - - |
2024 2 Total funds £ 9,707 144,427 9,814 7,871 7,081 27,209 41,272 92 |
|---|---|---|
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Merlin Theatre Trust Limited
Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 March 2025
| 7. COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES - continued Unrestricted fund £ Total 247,473 EXPENDITURE ON Raising funds 18,828 Charitable activities Cost of productions 236,928 Total 255,756 NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE) (8,283) RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS Total funds brought forward 64,627 TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD 56,344 8. TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS Improvements to Theatre property Equipment £ £ COST At 1 April 2024 and 31 March 2025 77,107 101,981 DEPRECIATION At 1 April 2024 55,549 78,595 Charge for year 1,797 7,333 At 31 March 2025 57,346 85,928 NET BOOK VALUE At 31 March 2025 19,761 16,053 At 31 March 2024 21,558 23,386 9. STOCKS Stocks |
Restricted funds £ - - 5,414 5,414 (5,414) 31,202 25,788 Office Equipment £ 5,997 5,997 - 5,997 - - 2025 £ 2,697 |
Total funds £ 247,473 18,828 242,342 261,170 (13,697) 95,829 82,132 Totals £ 185,085 140,141 9,130 149,271 35,814 44,944 2024 £ 2,697 |
|---|---|---|
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Docusign Envelope ID: F400FCB6-1B50-4EEB-AD43-5DCD8BEF2758
Merlin Theatre Trust Limited
Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 March 2025
10. DEBTORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR
| 10. | DEBTORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | ||||
| £ | £ | ||||
| Trade debtors | 1,449 | 576 | |||
| VAT | 5,433 | 2,155 | |||
| 6,882 | 2,731 | ||||
| 11. | CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR | ||||
| 2025 | 2024 | ||||
| £ | £ | ||||
| Trade creditors | 4,377 | 10,137 | |||
| Social security and other taxes | 1,078 | 2,533 | |||
| Other creditors | 732 | 1,543 | |||
| Accruals and deferred income | 29,023 | 14,175 | |||
| 35,210 | 28,388 | ||||
| 12. | MOVEMENT IN FUNDS | ||||
| Net | |||||
| movement | At | ||||
| At 1.4.24 | in funds | 31.3.25 | |||
| £ | £ | £ | |||
| Unrestricted funds | |||||
| General fund | 55,951 | 7,952 | 63,903 | ||
| Restricted funds | |||||
| Arts Council England, South West | 24,388 | (4,713) | 19,675 | ||
| Theatre Royal Bath | 1,400 | (700) | 700 | ||
| 25,788 | (5,413) | 20,375 | |||
| TOTAL FUNDS | 81,739 | 2,539 | 84,278 | ||
| Net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows: | |||||
| Incoming | Resources | Movement | |||
| resources | expended | in funds | |||
| £ | £ | £ | |||
| Unrestricted funds | |||||
| General fund | 270,051 | (262,099) | 7,952 | ||
| Restricted funds | |||||
| Arts Council England, South West | - | (4,713) | (4,713) | ||
| Theatre Royal Bath | - | (700) | (700) | ||
| - | (5,413) | (5,413) | |||
| TOTAL FUNDS | 270,051 | (267,512) | 2,539 |
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Docusign Envelope ID: F400FCB6-1B50-4EEB-AD43-5DCD8BEF2758
Merlin Theatre Trust Limited
Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 March 2025
12. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued
Comparatives for movement in funds
| Net | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| movement | At | ||
| At 1.4.23 | in funds | 31.3.24 | |
| £ | £ | £ | |
| Unrestricted funds | |||
| General fund | 64,627 | (8,283) | 56,344 |
| Restricted funds | |||
| Arts Council England, South West | 29,102 | (4,714) | 24,388 |
| Theatre Royal Bath | 2,100 | (700) | 1,400 |
| 31,202 | (5,414) | 25,788 | |
| TOTAL FUNDS | 95,829 | (13,697) | 82,132 |
Comparative net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:
| Incoming | Resources | Movement | |
|---|---|---|---|
| resources | expended | in funds | |
| £ | £ | £ | |
| Unrestricted funds | |||
| General fund | 247,473 | (255,756) | (8,283) |
| Restricted funds | |||
| Arts Council England, South West | - | (4,714) | (4,714) |
| Theatre Royal Bath | - | (700) | (700) |
| - | (5,414) | (5,414) | |
| TOTAL FUNDS | 247,473 | (261,170) | (13,697) |
Arts Council - Bridging Bid Funding, Education & Other Projects, Arts Council Programme Development, G4A Business Development and Frome Community Trust Funds represent funding received by the charity to undertake specific projects or fund certain costs.
The Theatre Royal Bath grant was given to the Charity to fund the purchase of lighting and sound equipment to replace old items with modern equivalents.
13. RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES
There were no related party transactions for the year ended 31 March 2025.
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