Lowesto' Players Report - Financial Year 2024-2025
Sweeney Todd and the pantomime Goldilocks.
con:nuing to rise. The posi:ve posi:on is due to some excellent produc:ons including popular :tles and above usual :cket sales for these. We also presented a new :tle for our January pantomime which had pleasing audience aJendance. External events also con:nue to provide stable income contribu:ng towards opera:ng overheads as well as funding small building developments.
development. We have presented clearly our concerns and we con:nue to advocate for investment in the Players Theatre as part of the overall development as well as exploring other opportuni:es.
Parallel to this, we remain commiJed to redeveloping our building, revisi:ng plans, exploring phased delivery, and seeking grants. Planning :melines mean we are focused on achieving best value whilst progressing our long-term vision.
and larger produc:ons, as well as reintroducing a Christmas show based on member feedback. Dear Evan Hansen will be staged this September, followed by a Christmas produc:on later in the year. Work on Anything Goes is progressing well, and we are excited to have secured the rights to Frozen for performance at the Players Theatre in 2027. The PMG will con:nue iden:fying suitable produc:ons for future years.
As always, thanks go to all of our members and supporters as well as volunteers suppor:ng bar, front of house, and events, and to the Opera:ons Management Group, Produc:ons Management Group, and Directors for their dedica:on through a challenging but produc:ve period.
Andrew Groom
March 2026
REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER: 06798898 (England and Wales) REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1130421
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES AND
UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST JULY 2025
FOR
THE LOWESTOFT PLAYERS LIMITED
(A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE)
Edward Back & Co Mancroft Towers Oulton Broad Lowestoft Suffolk NR32 3PS
THE LOWESTOFT PLAYERS LIMITED
CONTENTS OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST JULY 2025
| Page | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Report of the Trustees | 1 | to | 2 |
| Independent Examiner's Report | 3 | ||
| Statement of Financial Activities | 4 | ||
| Statement of Financial Position | 5 | to | 6 |
| Notes to the Financial Statements | 7 | to | 12 |
| Detailed Statement of Financial Activities | 13 | to | 14 |
THE LOWESTOFT PLAYERS LIMITED
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST JULY 2025
The trustees who are also directors of the charity for the purposes of the Companies Act 2006, present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31st July 2025. The trustees have adopted the provisions of 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).
ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE
Charitable activities
The charitable activity of the company during the year was that of an amateur dramatic society.
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
Governing document
The charity is controlled by its governing document, a deed of trust, and constitutes a limited company, limited by guarantee, as defined by the Companies Act 2006.
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS
Registered Company number
06798898 (England and Wales)
Registered Charity number
1130421
Registered office
12 Grove Road Lowestoft Suffolk NR32 1EB
Trustees
N Garrod (appointed 1.9.2025) Miss J Wright (resigned 18.3.2025) M T Wilson J Atkin S R Wilson (deceased 18.3.2025) R Takman Mrs P C Crisp (resigned 18.3.2025) A R Groom Mrs D Dickson M Garrod D J Clark (resigned 4.1.2025) Mrs C A Warren Miss M Wright (appointed 1.9.2025) Miss E-J Herbert (appointed 18.3.2025) P Wilson (appointed 18.3.2025) C Divall (appointed 18.3.2025)
Company Secretary
Mrs G Burke
Independent Examiner
Edward Back Edward Back & Co Mancroft Towers Oulton Broad Lowestoft Suffolk NR32 3PS
Page 1
THE LOWESTOFT PLAYERS LIMITED
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST JULY 2025
Approved by order of the board of trustees on 19th February 2026 and signed on its behalf by:
M Garrod - Trustee
Page 2
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF THE LOWESTOFT PLAYERS LIMITED
Independent examiner's report to the trustees of The Lowestoft Players Limited ('the Company')
I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Company for the year ended 31st July 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
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
-
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
-
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.
Edward Back
Edward Back & Co Mancroft Towers Oulton Broad Lowestoft Suffolk NR32 3PS
2nd March 2026
Page 3
THE LOWESTOFT PLAYERS LIMITED
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST JULY 2025
| 2025 Unrestricted fund Notes £ INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM Donations and legacies 10,264 Other trading activities 2 117,840 Investment income 3 942 Other income 40,122 Total 169,168 EXPENDITURE ON Raising funds 4 96,137 Other 36,825 Total 132,962 NET INCOME 36,206 RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS Total funds brought forward 399,942 TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD 436,148 |
2024 Total funds £ 11,409 106,451 612 46,602 |
|---|---|
| 165,074 | |
| 99,601 51,332 |
|
| 150,933 | |
| 14,141 385,801 |
|
| 399,942 |
The notes form part of these financial statements
Page 4
THE LOWESTOFT PLAYERS LIMITED
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION
31ST JULY 2025
| 2025 Unrestricted fund Notes £ FIXED ASSETS Tangible assets 8 296,177 CURRENT ASSETS Stocks 9 1,930 Debtors 10 5,732 Cash at bank and in hand 173,381 181,043 CREDITORS Amounts falling due within one year 11 (41,072) NET CURRENT ASSETS 139,971 TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES 436,148 CREDITORS Amounts falling due after more than one year 12 - NET ASSETS 436,148 FUNDS 14 Unrestricted funds 436,148 TOTAL FUNDS 436,148 |
2024 Total funds £ 308,977 1,230 1,375 121,875 124,480 (21,248) 103,232 412,209 (12,267) 399,942 399,942 399,942 |
|---|---|
The charitable company is entitled to exemption from audit under Section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 for the year ended 31st July 2025.
The members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its financial statements for the year ended 31st July 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
-
(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.
The notes form part of these financial statements
Page 5
continued...
THE LOWESTOFT PLAYERS LIMITED
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION - continued
31ST JULY 2025
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 19th February 2026 and were signed on its behalf by:
M Garrod - Trustee
The notes form part of these financial statements
Page 6
THE LOWESTOFT PLAYERS LIMITED
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST JULY 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.
Financial reporting standard 102 - reduced disclosure exemptions
The charitable company has taken advantage of the following disclosure exemption in preparing these financial statements, as permitted by FRS 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland':
- the requirements of Section 7 Statement of Cash Flows.
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
Depreciation is provided at the following annual rates in order to write off each asset over its estimated useful life.
Freehold property - 2% on cost Plant and machinery - 15% on reducing balance
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
Unrestricted funds can be used in accordance with the charitable objectives at the discretion of the trustees.
Restricted funds can only be used for particular restricted purposes within the objects of the charity. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for particular restricted purposes.
Further explanation of the nature and purpose of each fund is included in the notes to the financial statements.
continued...
Page 7
THE LOWESTOFT PLAYERS LIMITED
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST JULY 2025
2. OTHER TRADING ACTIVITIES
| Sale of tickets Net programme sales 3. INVESTMENT INCOME Deposit account interest 4. RAISING FUNDS Raising donations and legacies Support costs 5. NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE) Net income/(expenditure) is stated after charging/(crediting): Depreciation - owned assets |
2025 £ 115,982 1,858 117,840 2025 £ 942 2025 £ 755 2025 £ 11,381 |
2024 £ 104,955 1,496 |
|---|---|---|
| 106,451 | ||
| 2024 £ 612 2024 £ 970 2024 £ 10,394 |
6. TRUSTEES' REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS
There were no trustees' remuneration or other benefits for the year ended 31st July 2025 nor for the year ended 31st July 2024.
Trustees' expenses
There were no trustees' expenses paid for the year ended 31st July 2025 nor for the year ended 31st July 2024.
7. COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES
| Unrestricted | |
|---|---|
| fund | |
| £ | |
| INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM | |
| Donations and legacies | 11,409 |
| Other trading activities | 106,451 |
| Investment income | 612 |
| Other income | 46,602 |
| Total | 165,074 |
| EXPENDITURE ON | |
| Raising funds | 99,601 |
continued...
Page 8
THE LOWESTOFT PLAYERS LIMITED
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST JULY 2025
7. COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES - continued
| Other Total NET INCOME RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS Total funds brought forward TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD 8. TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS COST At 1st August 2024 Additions Disposals At 31st July 2025 DEPRECIATION At 1st August 2024 Charge for year At 31st July 2025 NET BOOK VALUE At 31st July 2025 At 31st July 2024 9. STOCKS Stocks |
Freehold property £ 358,087 - - 358,087 82,317 5,515 87,832 270,255 275,770 |
Unrestricted fund £ 51,332 150,933 14,141 385,801 399,942 Plant and machinery Totals £ £ 108,879 466,966 581 581 (2,000) (2,000) 107,460 465,547 75,672 157,989 5,866 11,381 81,538 169,370 25,922 296,177 33,207 308,977 2025 2024 £ £ 1,930 1,230 |
|---|---|---|
continued...
Page 9
THE LOWESTOFT PLAYERS LIMITED
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST JULY 2025
| 10. DEBTORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR 2025 £ Production debtors 1,342 Production prepayments 4,390 5,732 11. CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR 2025 £ Production creditors 1,960 Production sales held in advance 33,809 Membership subscriptions in advance 329 Tax 51 VAT 2,599 Other creditors 2,324 41,072 12. CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE AFTER MORE THAN ONE YEAR 2025 £ Bank loans (see note 13) - 13. LOANS An analysis of the maturity of loans is given below: 2025 £ Amounts falling due in more than five years: Repayable by instalments: Bank of Scotland loan account - 14. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS Net movement At 1.8.24 in funds £ £ Unrestricted funds General fund 399,942 36,206 TOTAL FUNDS 399,942 36,206 |
2024 £ 375 1,000 1,375 2024 £ 678 9,626 425 51 10,468 - 21,248 2024 £ 12,267 2024 £ 12,267 At 31.7.25 £ 436,148 |
2024 £ 375 1,000 1,375 2024 £ 678 9,626 425 51 10,468 - |
2024 £ 375 1,000 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1,375 | |||
| 21,248 | |||
| 2024 £ 12,267 |
|||
| 436,148 |
continued...
Page 10
THE LOWESTOFT PLAYERS LIMITED
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST JULY 2025
14. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued
Net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:
| Unrestricted funds General fund TOTAL FUNDS |
Incoming resources £ 169,168 169,168 |
Resources Movement expended in funds £ £ (132,962) 36,206 (132,962) 36,206 |
Resources Movement expended in funds £ £ (132,962) 36,206 (132,962) 36,206 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 36,206 |
Comparatives for movement in funds
| At 1.8.23 £ Unrestricted funds General fund 385,801 TOTAL FUNDS 385,801 Comparative net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows: Incoming resources £ Unrestricted funds General fund 165,074 TOTAL FUNDS 165,074 |
Net movement At in funds 31.7.24 £ £ 14,141 399,942 14,141 399,942 Resources Movement expended in funds £ £ (150,933) 14,141 (150,933) 14,141 |
At 31.7.24 £ 399,942 |
|---|---|---|
| 399,942 | ||
| 14,141 |
A current year 12 months and prior year 12 months combined position is as follows:
| Unrestricted funds General fund TOTAL FUNDS |
At 1.8.23 £ 385,801 385,801 |
Net movement in funds £ 50,347 50,347 |
At 31.7.25 £ 436,148 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 436,148 |
continued...
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THE LOWESTOFT PLAYERS LIMITED
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST JULY 2025
14. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued
A current year 12 months and prior year 12 months combined net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:
| Unrestricted funds General fund TOTAL FUNDS |
Incoming resources £ 334,242 334,242 |
Resources Movement expended in funds £ £ (283,895) 50,347 (283,895) 50,347 |
|---|---|---|
15. RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES
There were no related party transactions for the year ended 31st July 2025.
Page 12
THE LOWESTOFT PLAYERS LIMITED
DETAILED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST JULY 2025
| INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS Donations and legacies Donations Gift aid Other trading activities Sale of tickets Net programme sales Investment income Deposit account interest Other income Rents received Subscriptions Scenery and costume hire and sales Miscellaneous income Show levy fees Grants Bar sales TP Productions - Theatre concession and equipment charges Total incoming resources EXPENDITURE Other trading activities Theatre costs Costumes Scenery and properties Printing Publicity Licences and royalties Musical expenses Transport and postage Production sundries Special features and effects Non-reclaimable show VAT Past production adjustments Scripts and libretti Freehold property Carried forward |
2025 £ 10,264 - 10,264 115,982 1,858 117,840 942 1,377 2,190 1,025 7,231 2,583 1,150 13,038 11,528 40,122 169,168 21,787 1,645 9,694 2,378 4,597 7,482 11,312 1,836 362 13,000 9,289 - 619 5,515 89,516 |
2024 £ 8,063 3,346 |
|---|---|---|
| 11,409 104,955 1,496 |
||
| 106,451 612 3,599 1,911 1,285 6,984 2,346 3,350 13,911 13,216 |
||
| 46,602 | ||
| 165,074 20,326 7,952 10,594 983 3,166 11,865 8,820 1,826 171 9,373 11,107 1,533 521 6,097 94,334 |
This page does not form part of the statutory financial statements
Page 13
THE LOWESTOFT PLAYERS LIMITED
| DETAILED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST JULY 2025 Other trading activities Brought forward Plant and machinery Other Rent Rates and water Insurance Light and heat Repairs to property Administrative costs Telephone Noda subscription Repairs and renewals Consultancy, legal and planning fees Support costs Finance Mortgage interest Credit card Total resources expended Net income |
2025 £ 89,516 5,866 95,382 671 1,142 5,616 12,522 2,885 710 829 712 8,064 3,674 36,825 215 540 755 132,962 36,206 |
2024 £ 94,334 4,297 |
|---|---|---|
| 98,631 940 1,433 5,421 15,019 11,498 506 1,627 730 4,282 9,876 |
||
| 51,332 398 572 |
||
| 970 | ||
| 150,933 | ||
| 14,141 |
This page does not form part of the statutory financial statements
Page 14
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF THE LOWESTOFT PLAYERS LIMITED
Independent examiner's report to the trustees of The Lowestoft Players Limited ('the Company')
I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Company for the year ended 31st July 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
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
-
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.
Edward Back
Edward Back & Co Mancroft Towers Oulton Broad Lowestoft Suffolk NR32 3PS
2nd March 2026
Page 3