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2024-06-30-accounts

Preston Little Theatre Company Limited

Report of the Trustees & extract from the Charity Accounts

30[th] June 2024

PRESTON LITTLE THEATRE COMPANY LIMITED A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE

CONTENTS OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30[TH ] JUNE 2024

Page
Company Information 1
Report of the Trustees 2
Report of the Independent Examiner 6
Statement of Financial Activities 7
Balance Sheet 8
Accounting policies and notes 9
Income and Expenditure 14

PRESTON LITTLE THEATRE COMPANY LIMITED A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE

COMPANY INFORMATION FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30[TH ] JUNE 2024

TRUSTEES: Mr P C Armitt Mr P Bracewell Mr J Bracewell Mr J Calvert Mrs R E Carter Mrs J Dawson Mrs R Fraser Mr A Green Mr M Taylor Mrs W Tagg Mrs J Tudor Mr D Yardley Mrs C J Caine REGISTERED OFFICE: Mayfield Parsonage Lane Chipping Preston Lancashire PR3 2GJ CHARITY NUMBER: 1045182 COMPANY NUMBER: 03008235 (England and Wales) ACCOUNTANTS: SBCA Chartered Accountants 17 Moor Park Avenue Preston Lancashire PR1 6AS

1

PRESTON LITTLE THEATRE COMPANY LIMITED A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30[TH ] JUNE 2024

The Trustees are pleased to present their annual directors’ report together with the financial statements of the charity for the year ending 30[th] June 2024 which are also prepared to meet the requirements for a directors’ report and accounts for Companies Act purposes. The financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2022, the Companies Act 2006, the Memorandum & Articles of Association, and Accounting & 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).

CHAIR’S REPORT

The Playhouse has enjoyed a very successful 75[th] year since its opening in 1949.

In all, there have been some 30 productions on stage ranging from student productions through professional artistes. These have involved drama, musicals, bands, including tribute bands and singers, and not least a flamenco troupe.

The first public event of the season starting September 2023 was to open the theatre on Sunday, 10[th] September as part of ‘Heritage Open Days’, England's largest community led festival of history and culture. Around 100 people enjoyed a full tour of the Playhouse. Following this, there was the usual run of drama productions by the resident societies along with a staging of ‘Pirates of Penzance’ by the Preston Gilbert and Sullivan Society. At Christmas, the Preston Musical Comedy Society presented their production of ‘Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs’ to thirteen sell out audiences with children, mums, dads, grandparents, and their friends enjoying a very traditional event.

In addition to these productions, we staged fund raising shows which included the Houghton Weavers, the Freckleton Band and a three-night run of one act plays staged by the resident drama groups. The ‘one-acts’ attracted an audience of over 250 contributing £2,900 to the ‘Development Fund’.

As reported last year, the Trustees had set aside £65,000 for a complete refurbishment of the stage lighting. A small team, led by Allan Green, had been established to oversee this initiative and recommend a course of action. The team recommended a lighting configuration and a preferred supplier. This has led to the Trustees appointing a specialist company to provide and install a new lighting system. This work will be undertaken during the course of the summer and should be complete for the opening of the season in September. Having commissioned this project, the team recommended to the Trustees that to maximise the benefit of the new lighting system, the lighting control desk should be replaced. This was approved and a further £15,500 has been set aside from the General Fund to cover the cost.

As also reported last year, we were successful in raising £18,500 to redecorate the auditorium. With further financial support from Preston Drama Club, we were able to extend this work to include the bar and toilet corridor. The project was completed on time and in budget with a formal ‘unveiling’ after last year’s AGM.

We have also welcomed new neighbours during the year. The redundant joinery workshop immediately next door to the Playhouse has been leased and refurbished by Market Street West Social Ltd and is operating as ‘Chew’s Yard’. This is part of the ‘nighttime economy’ and offers bar service, food and musical entertainment. At the planning application stage, we raised some concerns with the City Council about noise from the establishment, both from live music and from additional traffic/people outside the theatre. Reassurances were obtained and we look forward to visitors to ‘Chew’s Yard’ realising that there is live theatre right in the heart of Preston.

Two of our Trustees have decided to stand down at this year’s AGM. Patrick Bracewell has been involved in the Playhouse for some 60 years and was the first Chair of the charity. We will miss his wise counsel but are delighted that he will continue to be involved as a volunteer and as a Board Member of our landlord. John Calvert will also relinquish his role as Secretary/Finance Officer. I am sure that you will join me in thanking Patrick and John for their significant contribution. Jackie Stopyra has agreed to take on John’s role and I am pleased to support her appointment as a Trustee.

Finally, a special thank you to the volunteers without whom the theatre would not be able to operate and to all the public who continue to support the Playhouse through donations and attendance at productions.

Dennis Yardley, Chair

2

PRESTON LITTLE THEATRE COMPANY LIMITED A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30[TH ] JUNE 2024

OUR PURPOSES AND ACTIVITIES

The object of Preston Little Theatre Co Ltd is to advance general education in the theatrical arts by providing a well-equipped theatre where amateur groups can rehearse and present their shows, thereby developing their own talents and the public appreciation of live theatrical performance.

The Playhouse, in its 75[th] year, has 5 resident amateur societies (known as User Societies) with a combined membership of about 200. Each season they present a wide and varied programme of entertainment in some 15 productions. Our resident societies produce drama, comedy, comic opera, pantomime and musical shows which are generally well received and provide an environment for nurturing young talent.

We seek to provide a wide range of entertainment through User Societies, lettings of the theatre to other users, including opera, dance, drama and musical groups, pageants, and tribute bands. Local colleges and schools present shows featuring young people, including those with physical and educational challenges.

The Players Drama School uses the theatre to run workshops for young children from Reception up to school year 8 on Saturdays during term time with one or two stage productions per season. During the season the put on two showcases where the students perform for an audience. Typically, these shows fill the theatre.

We also stage our own productions managed by a small team working under the title Playhouse Promotions . Examples of these shows are referred to in the Chair’s report. Monies raised through our own promotions are ringfenced in a Development Fund for future improvement projects at the theatre. These productions raised over £5,400 during the season from September 2023 through June 2024. Our thanks go to the team which leads this work.

Our resident User Societies contributed over £32,600 to the charity’s income which along with rental of the theatre to other users including the Players Drama School, and the fundraising referred to above, meant we raised over £51,000 in pursuit of our objective of advancing theatrical arts.

The bar continues to be an important source of income with a net profit of just under £15,500 for the year. This matched to profit for the previous 15 months.

Alongside this income, we benefit with an arrangement with a local business to use our car park during working hours on a Monday through Friday basis. We also receive a contribution from Preston Drama Club and The Broughton Players for use of the workshop space within the theatre grounds. In addition, we were grateful to receive other sundry donations to the value of £1,660. We also received interest of over £1,000 on monies held in the bank accounts.

As reported last year, we decorated the auditorium, toilet corridor and bar during the summer recess. This was funded by donations of almost £16,700 from the public with significant contributions from Preston Drama Club, Grimsargh Players and Broughton Players. We also received a grant of £9,764 from Lancashire County Council.

The overall result for the twelve months up to 30[th] June shows £16,769 added to our reserves. This has allowed the Trustees to set aside £15,500 in the Designated Fund to supplement the stage lighting project. This will allow the inclusion of a new lighting desk as part of the project. This will bring the lighting system up-to-date and sustain the Playhouse as a wellequipped theatre for the performing arts.

3

PRESTON LITTLE THEATRE COMPANY LIMITED A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES (Continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30[TH ] JUNE 2024

The Trustees are pleased to report that our audience numbers continue to be strong with some 13,000 theatregoers having enjoyed a visit to live theatre.

We continue to use Ticketsource as the box-office software, with Stripe for credit cards. Under this arrangement, we operate the box office phone service and collect ticket sales income into a ‘third party’ bank account which shows as a liability on the Balance Sheet. We forward ticket income to the user society or third-party user, less TicketSource and credit card fees, at the conclusion of a production.

Use of on-line ticketing has meant that well over 90% of ticket sales are made by the purchaser with some over the telephone and very few at the theatre box office on the night.

To help our users maximise ticket sales, we post all User Society productions and others where the charity operates the box office, on the Playhouse website (prestonplayhouse.co.uk) and in the publication of ‘What’s on at the Playhouse’. This is printed twice a season and is mail-dropped to about 10,000 homes in the Preston area.

We also use Facebook and direct email to alert theatregoers to upcoming shows.

As always, we will continue to encourage wider participation, particularly from a younger generation which will be the source of future audiences. Ongoing improvement of the theatre facilities for our users and an improvement in our marketing activity with more of a focus on youth is an important part of this encouragement.

Meanwhile, we are grateful for the efforts of our users and volunteers which enables Preston Little Theatre Co Ltd to be a successful, self-sufficient charity which is not ordinarily reliant on revenue grants from any source. We continue to operate on a not-for-profit basis, allowing us to contain the theatre hire costs which in turn enables our users to maintain ticket prices at affordable levels.

PLANS FOR FUTURE

We plan to continue with raising additional funds for the Development Fund to provide for our continued improvement of facilities at the Playhouse.

We are adopting a new governance structure with a Management Committee of four Trustees managing the day-to-day operation of the theatre. The Board of Trustees will now comprise 14 members meeting a minimum of four times a year. Company Membership will be extended to all registered members of the resident User Societies thus giving all our key volunteers an active say in the affairs of the charity.

RESERVES

We undertake financial planning to be able to underwrite all the Charities ventures and to be able to embark upon projects without fear of incurring a deficit in either the short or long term.

GOVERNANCE

Preston Little Theatre Co Ltd was incorporated on 10[th] January 1995 under the Companies Act 1985 and is limited by guarantee. It is governed by a Memorandum & Articles of Association.

4

PRESTON LITTLE THEATRE COMPANY LIMITED A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES (Continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30[TH ] JUNE 2024

TRUSTEES

The directors of the charitable company (the Charity) are its Trustees for the purpose of charity law. The Trustees shown below have held office during the period from 1[st] July 2023 to the date of this report.

Mr P Armitt Mr P Bracewell Assistant Secretary Mr J Bracewell Mrs C Caine Appointed 3[rd] September 2023 Mr D Brandwood – Spencer Resigned 3[rd] September 2023 Mr J Calvert Secretary Mrs R E Carter Mrs J Dawson Mrs R Fraser Mr A Green Mrs W Tagg Mr M Taylor General Manager Mr J Tudor Mr D Yardley Chair

The Chair, Secretary and Assistant Secretary are elected (re-elected) at the Annual General Meeting. Other Trustees are appointed for a term of three years, with one third being elected (re-elected) at the Annual General Meeting.

CHARITY NUMBER: 1045182 COMPANY NUMBER: 03008235 (England & Wales) INDEPENDENT EXAMINER: SBCA Chartered Accountants Preston CONTACT TRUSTEE: Mr J Calvert OFFICE: Mayfield Parsonage Lane Chipping Preston PR3 2GJ

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD:

............................... J Calvert CPFA - Director

Dated: 1[st] September 2024

5

PRESTON LITTLE THEATRE COMPANY LIMITED A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE

REPORT OF THE INDEPENDENT EXAMINER TO THE TRUSTEES (DIRECTORS) OF PRESTON LITTLE THEATRE CO LIMITED FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30[TH ] JUNE 2024

We report on the accounts of Preston Little Theatre Limited for the year ended 30[th] June 2024 set out on pages seven to fourteen.

Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner

The charity’s trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year (under section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2012 (the 2022 Act) and that an independent examination is needed.

It is our responsibility to:

Basis of independent examiner’s report

Our examination was carried out in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts and seeking explanations from the trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently we do not express an audit opinion on the view given by the accounts.

Independent examiner’s statement

In connection with our examination, no matter has come to my attention:

  1. which gives us reasonable cause to believe that, in any material respect the requirements to ensure that:

  2. proper accounting records are kept (in accordance with section 386 of the Companies Act 2006),

  3. accounts are prepared which agree with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the Act, or

  4. to which, in our opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

SBCA Chartered Accountants Preston

Dated: 1[st] September 2024

.

6

PRESTON LITTLE THEATRE COMPANY LIMITED A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30[TH ] JUNE 2024

30.06.24 30.06.23
Undesignated Designated Total Total
Income Income
Notes £ £ £ £
Incoming Resources 3 93,348 28,150 121,498 94,074
Resources Expended
Charitable 82,119 20,831 102,950 78,690
Expenditure
Administration 1,779 - 1,779 2,084
Expenses
Total Expenditure 83,898 20,831 104,729 80,774
Net Incoming / 4 9,450 7,319 16,769 13,300
(outgoing) resources
Transfer between 6 (15,500) 15,500 - -
funds
Net movements in (6,050) 22,819 16,769 13,300
funds
Total funds brought 150,374 70,043 220,417 207,117
forward
TOTAL FUNDS 144,324 92,862 237,186 220,417
CARRIED FORWARD

CONTINUING OPERATIONS

None of the company's activities were acquired or discontinued during the current and previous years.

TOTAL RECOGNISED GAINS AND LOSSES

The company has no recognised gains or losses other than the profits or losses for the current and previous years.

FUNDS

The funds comprise of an Undesignated Fund for theatre operation and a Designated Fund earmarked specifically for theatre development (both unrestricted).

7

PRESTON LITTLE THEATRE COMPANY LIMITED A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE

BALANCE SHEET FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30[TH ] JUNE 2024

Notes
FIXED ASSETS:
Tangible Assets
7
CURRENT ASSETS:
Stocks
8
Debtors and accruals
9
Cash at bank and in hand
CREDITORS, ACCRUALS, DEPOSITS:
10
Amounts falling due within one year
NET CURRENT ASSETS:
TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT
LIABILITIES
FUNDS
11
Theatre Operation - unrestricted
Designated Funds
30.06.24
£
123,592
1,334
63,305
61,932
126,571
(12,977)
113,594
237,186
30.06.23
£
125,708
1,220
4,240
109,409
114,869
(20,160)
94,709
220,417
144,324
92,862
237,186
155,417
65,000
220,417

The company is entitled to exemption from audit under Section 477 of the Companies Act 2006, for the year ended 30[th] June 2024.

The members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its financial statements for the year ended 30[th] June 2024 in accordance with Section 476 of the Companies Act 2006.

The directors acknowledge their responsibilities for:

(a) ensuring that the company keeps accounting records which comply with Sections 386 and 387 of the Companies Act 2006 and

(b) preparing financial statements which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the company as at the end of each financial year and of its profit or loss 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 company.

These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the special provisions of Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies and constitute the accounts required by the Companies Act 2006 and are for circulation to Members of the Company.

The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees on 1[st] September 2024 and were signed on its behalf by:

......................................................

Mr J Calvert CPFA - Director

8

PRESTON LITTLE THEATRE COMPANY LIMITED A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30[TH ] JUNE 2024

1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of preparation

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with 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 2015) - (Charities SORP (FRS 102)), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Companies Act 2006.

Preston Little Theatre Company Limited meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy note(s).

Financial Reporting Standard Number 1

Exemption has been taken from preparing a cash flow statement on the grounds that the company qualifies as a small company.

Incoming Resources

All incoming resources are included in the statement of financial activities when a charity is entitled to, and virtually certain to receive the income, and the amount can be quantified with reasonable accuracy.

Fund accounting

Unrestricted funds are available to spend on activities that further any of the purposes of charity. Designated funds are unrestricted funds of the charity which the trustees have decided at their discretion to set aside to use for a specific purpose.

Tangible Fixed Assets

Depreciation is provided at the following annual rates in order to write off each asset over its estimated useful life.

Furniture & fittings - 15% on reducing balance
Sound & lighting equipment - 25% on reducing balance
Improvements to property - written off over period of lease

Stocks

Stock is valued at the lower of cost and net realisable value, after making due allowance for obsolete and slow moving items.

Financial instruments

The trust only has financial assets and financial liabilities of a kind that qualify as basic financial instruments. Basic financial instruments are initially recognised at transaction value and subsequently measured at their settlement value with the exception of bank loans which are subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.

2. LEGAL STATUS OF TRUST

The Trust is a company limited by guarantee and has no share capital. In the event of the charity being wound up, the liability in respect of the guarantee is limited to £1 per member of the charity.

9

PRESTON LITTLE THEATRE COMPANY LIMITED A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30[TH ] JUNE 2024

* Income from the hire of the building and equipment was derived as follows:
User societies
£
32,645
Players Drama School
6,660
Other users
8,183
47,488
Income from Fund Raising
£
Donations
LCC Grant
11,905
9,764
Fund raising shows
Interest
5,402
1,080
28,150
3.
INCOMING RESOURCES
30.06.24
£
Theatre Operation
Bar sales
Hire of building & equipment *
Rent of car park
31,987
47,488
4,000
Other Income
Box office service
Donations
PRS recharge
Publicity recharge
764
6,438
121
2,550
Total Undesignated Income
93,348
Theatre Development
Income from fundraising activities

28,150
Total Incoming Resources
121,498
30.06.23
£
32,671
47,787
5,000
76
725
-
-
86,302
7,772
30.06.23
£
32,671
47,787
5,000
76
725
-
-
86,302
7,772
94,074

10

PRESTON LITTLE THEATRE COMPANY LIMITED A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30[TH ] JUNE 2024

4 NET INCOMING RESOURCES

Net incoming resources are stated after charging:

Depreciation – Owned assets

30.06.24 30.06.23
£ £
9,816 11,728
9,816 11,728

5. CORPORATION TAXATION

The charity is exempt from tax on income and gains falling within section 505 of the Taxes Act 1988 or section 252 of the Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992 to the extent these are applied to its charitable objects.

6. FUND TRANSFERS

Funds were transferred to the Designated Fund from the Undesignated Fund to reflect the intended use for stage lighting.

7. TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS

COST:
At 1stJuly 2023
Asset disposal
Asset additions
30thJune 2024
DEPRECIATION
At 1stJuly 2023
Charge for year
At 30thJune 2024
NET BOOK VALUE
At 30thJune 2024
At 30thJune 2023
Improvements to
Property
£
188,330
-
-
188,330
71,777
8,034
79,811
108,519
116,552
Sound &
lighting
equipment
£
5,761
-
-
5,761
4,889
131
5,020
740
872
Fixtures &
Fittings
£
10,255
-
7,700
17,955
6,434
952
7,386
10,569
3,821
Other
Assets
£
5,067
-
-
5,067
605
700
1,305
3,762
4,462
Total
£
209,413
-
7,700
217,113
83,705
9,817
93,522
123,592
125,708

11

PRESTON LITTLE THEATRE COMPANY LIMITED A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30[TH ] JUNE 2024

8. STOCKS

Bar Stock
9.DEBTORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR
10.CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR
Trade Debtors
Prepayments
Trade Creditors
Payroll liabilities
Creditor provisions
Deferred income
PRS provision
Advance booking deposits
Amounts due to third parties
Total
Ticket takings collected on behalf of theatre
hirers not yet paid over

30.06.24
£
1,334
1,334
30.06.24
£
2,355
60,950
63,305
30.06.24
£
1,369
296
690
-
423
800
9,399
12,977
30.06.23
£
1,220
1,220
30.06.23
£
4,240
-
4,240
30.06.23
£
155
239
1,225
13,625
-
880
4,036

20,160

9. DEBTORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR

12

PRESTON LITTLE THEATRE COMPANY LIMITED A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30[TH ] JUNE 2024

11. FUNDS:



Undesignated Funds (Unrestricted)
Fund balance brought forward as at 1stJuly 2023
Surplus for the year
Transfers in/(out)
Total Undesignated Funds

Designated Funds (Unrestricted)
Fund balance brought forward as at 1stJuly 2023
Surplus for the year
Transfers in/(out)
Total Designated Funds
TOTAL FUNDS
Total
£
150,374
9,450
(15,500)
144,324
Total
£
150,374
9,450
(15,500)
144,324
70,043
7,319
15,500
92,862
237,186
70,043
7,319
15,500
92,862

13

PRESTON LITTLE THEATRE COMPANY LIMITED A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE

INCOME AND EXPEDNITURE FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30[TH ] JUNE 2024

Incoming Resources:
Profit on bar
Hire of building & equipment
Rent of car park
Donations received
Fund Raising
Grants & Legacies
Interest
Box office fees
Charitable Expenditure:
Wages
Print, post, stationery & phone
Repairs & renewals
PRS fees
Rates & water
Insurance & licences
Leasehold costs
Depreciation
Light & heat
Cleaning materials
Car park tickets
Fund raising fees
Publicity
Box office
Credit card
Charitable donation
Administration Costs:
Accountancy & secretarial
Bank charges
SURPLUS / (DEFICIT) FOR THE YEAR
30.06.24
£
£
15,478
47,488
4,000
19,950
5,402
8,164
1,080
764
102,326
8,260
1,858
30,385
300
2,783
8,928
500
9,816
13,675
2,274
1,533
-
3,461
6
-
-
(83,778)
18,548
1,779
-
(1,779)
16,769
30.06.23
£
£
15,002
47,787
5,000
1,917
6,580
-
42
76
76,404
9,344
1,914
10,103
-
3,159
8,037
1000
11,728
8,869
1,979
1,446
-
2,587
11
737
105
(61,020)
15,384
2,084
-
(2,084)
13,300

This does not form part of the statutory financial statements

14