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← Bear Pit Theatre Limited

2025-03-31-accounts

REGISTERED NUMBER 07889440

BEAR PIT THEATRE LTD

Registered Charity No. 1156259

ACCOUNTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED

31 MARCH 2025

BEAR PIT THEATRE LTD

Registered Charity No. 1156259

ACCOUNTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

INDEX

1 - 4 Report of the trustees 5 Independent Examiner’s report 6 Statement of financial activities 7 - 8 Balance sheet 9 - 15 Notes to the accounts

BEAR PIT THEATRE LTD

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

The trustees are pleased to present their report together with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2025.

Administrative details

Charity number : 1156259 Company number : 07889440 Registered office : Barclays Bank Chambers Bridge Street Stratford upon Avon Warwickshire CV37 6AH

Independent Examiner :

H E Bowen ACA Chartered Accountant H. L. Barnes Barclays Bank Chambers Stratford upon Avon Warwickshire CV37 6AH

Bankers :

Lloyds Bank plc 22 Bridge Street Stratford upon Avon Warwickshire CV37 6AG

Directors and trustees :

The directors of the charitable company (the charity) are its trustees for the purpose of charity law and throughout this report are collectively referred to as the trustees.

R Ganner (resigned 14 October 2025) S B Allen A Fincham D Skinner W Mahmood (Chair) F Robson (resigned 14 October 2025) D J Derrington C Dobson (appointed 4 February 2025)

Website :

www.thebearpit.org.uk

1

BEAR PIT THEATRE LTD

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

Structure, Governance and Management

Governance Document

Bear Pit Theatre Ltd is a company limited by guarantee governed by its Memorandum and Articles of Association dated 21 December 2011 and amended to allow for current governance arrangements on 11 March 2014. It is a registered charity with the Charity Commission. There were 8 members at 31 March 2025 each of whom agrees to contribute £1 in the event of the charity winding up.

Appointment of trustees

The company shall have a Board of Directors (trustees) comprising of no less than three directors. Directors shall be elected by and from the Membership at (or prior to) the Annual General Meeting.

If the Directors believe it would benefit the company or the number of Directors is less than the minimum prescribed, the Directors may co-opt other people to serve on the Board of Directors, provided that at no time shall more than one-third of the Directors comprise co-opted people.

Each Director shall serve a term of two years, after which they are eligible for re-election at the Annual General Meeting.

Trustee induction and training

New trustees undergo an orientation day to brief them on their legal obligations under charity and company law, the content of the Memorandum and Articles of Association, the committee and decision making processes, the business plan and recent financial performance of the charity. During the induction day they meet other trustees. Trustees are encouraged to attend appropriate external training events where these will facilitate the undertaking of their role.

Organisation

The board of trustees administers the charity. The trustees meet quarterly.

Risk Management

The trustees have a risk management strategy which comprises :

Objectives and activities/Achievements and performance

In line with the set objectives of the charity, namely : ‘ To advance public education in the arts and promote knowledge, understanding and appreciation in the arts (in particular visual and performing arts) by providing and managing a theatre and associated facilities in Stratford upon Avon and in the surrounding area for the public benefit’.

The trustees have continued to run and improve the Bear Pit Theatre space to ensure that it is a usable, affordable, safe and viable performing area for the performers and artists of Stratford upon Avon.

In shaping the objectives for the year and planning activities, the trustees have considered the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit.

2

BEAR PIT THEATRE LTD

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

Objectives and activities/Achievements and performance (continued)

The Theatre

The newly appointed Artistic Committee now oversees the creative development for the Bear Pit Theatre Ltd. With expertise spanning playwriting, adaptations, performance, and direction, the three strong committee has programmed the first four productions for 2026 and is currently exploring options for the family Christmas show.

In early 2025, the cinema offering was expanded to include National Theatre screenings, which have been positively received by audiences. General film screenings, however, have not met initial expectations and will be reviewed going forward.

Thanks to grant funding from Warwickshire County Council and Stratford District Council, the following improvements were completed respectively:

During the financial year, the theatre staged four productions (one fewer than anticipated):

The first planned production of 2025 was cancelled before auditions, and the second was withdrawn two weeks prior to opening due to tragic circumstances. An insurance claim for lost income was submitted and successfully settled, maintaining the company’s financial stability and enabling the completion of all planned improvements.

Future Plans for 2025/2026

The organisation remains committed to strengthening its cultural and community impact through targeted development and investment. Priorities for the coming year include:

The venue lease is in the process of being extended to July 2032, incorporating the bar area. Planned investments include:

Further grant applications are under consideration to support:

A new membership scheme is being introduced this year for transparency and to ensure records of people signing up to adherence to our procedures. In future the members will be able to take more responsibity for the running of the theatre.

3

BEAR PIT THEATRE LTD

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

Financial review

Incoming resources for the year exceeded resources expended by £13,851. In 2024 resources expended exceeded incoming resources by £1,697. Total incoming resources for the year were £110,761 (2024 £88,376) and total resources expended for the year were £96,910 (2024 £90,073).

Investment powers and policy

Under the Articles of Association the charity has the power to invest in any way the trustees wish.

Reserves policy

It is the trustees’ intention to maintain sufficient funds at any time to finance the next planned performance.

Trustees’ responsibilities in relation to the financial statements

The trustees are responsible for preparing the trustees’ report and the accounts in accordance with applicable law and regulations.

Company law requires the trustees to prepare accounts for each financial year in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice (United Kingdom Accounting Standards and applicable law). Under company law the trustees must not approve the accounts unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the surplus or deficit of the charity for that period. In preparing these accounts, the trustees are required to:

The trustees are responsible for ensuring that adequate accounting records are maintained that are sufficient to show and explain the charity’s transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the accounts comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and ensuring their proper application in accordance with charity law, and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

By order of the trustees :

R Ganner

4

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT

TO THE TRUSTEES OF BEAR PIT THEATRE LTD

I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the company for the year ended 31 March 2025 which are set out on pages 6 to 15.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the charity 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 company’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 that in any material respect:

  1. 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

  3. 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

  4. 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.

H E Bowen ACA

Chartered Accountant H. L. Barnes Barclays Bank Chambers Stratford upon Avon

14 October 2025

5

BEAR PIT THEATRE LTD

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES

(INCLUDING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

2025 2024
Unrestricted Restricted Total Total
Notes Funds Funds Funds Funds
£ £ £ £
Income
Donations 3 39 6,680 6,719 (2,490)
Income from charitable activities 4 104,042 - 104,042 90,866
───── ───── ───── ─────
Total income 104,081 6,680 110,761 88,376
───── ───── ───── ─────
Expenditure
Expenditure on charitable activities 5 94,719 2,191 96,910 90,073
───── ───── ───── ─────
Total expenditure 94,719 2,191 96,910 90,073
───── ───── ───── ─────
Net income/(expenditure) and net
movement in funds for the year 9,362 4,489 13,851 (1,697)
Reconciliation of funds
Total funds brought forward 38,331 5,232 43,563 45,260
───── ───── ───── ─────
Total funds carried forward £ 47,693 £ 9,721 £ 57,414 £ 43,563
═════ ═════ ═════ ═════

The notes on pages 9 to 15 form part of these accounts.

6

BEAR PIT THEATRE LTD

(REGISTERED NUMBER 07889440)

BALANCE SHEET

AT 31 MARCH 2025

2025 2024
Notes £ £
Fixed Assets
Tangible assets 10 34,490 32,613
────── ──────
Total Fixed Assets 34,490 32,613
────── ──────
Current Assets
Stock 1,615 1,444
Debtors and prepayments 11 14,850 8,275
Cash at bank and in hand 12 14,622 19,052
────── ──────
Total Current Assets 31,087 28,771
Liabilities
Creditors falling due within one year 13 (6,163) (13,821)
────── ──────
Net Current Assets 24,924 14,950
────── ──────
Total assets less current liabilities 59,414 47,563
Long Term Liabilities
Coronavirus Bounce Back Loan 14 (2,000) (4,000)
────── ──────
Net Assets £ 57,414 £ 43,563
══════ ══════
The funds of the charity
Unrestricted Funds 15 47,693 38,331
Restricted Funds 15 9,721 5,232
────── ──────
£ 57,414 £ 43,563
Total charity funds ══════ ══════

The 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 directors acknowledge their responsibilities for :

7

BEAR PIT THEATRE LTD (REGISTERED NUMBER 07889440)

BALANCE SHEET (CONTINUED)

AT 31 MARCH 2025

The 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 annual accounts required by the Companies Act 2006 and are for circulation to the members of the company.

These accounts were approved by the Trustees on 14 October 2025 and signed on their behalf by:

R Ganner ………………………………………………….. Trustees W Mahmood …………………………………………………..

The notes on pages 9 to 15 form part of these accounts.

8

BEAR PIT THEATRE LTD

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

1. STATUTORY INFORMATION

Bear Pit Theatre Ltd is a private company limited by guarantee. The company is registered in England under number 07889440 and the address of the registered office is Barclays Bank Chambers, Stratford upon Avon, Warwickshire CV37 6AH. The company’s place of business is The Bear Pit, Rother Street, Stratford upon Avon, Warwickshire CV37 6LU.

2. ACCOUNTING POLICIES

a) Basis of accounting

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice and 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) – (Charities SORP (FRS 102)), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Companies Act 2006.

Bear Pit Theatre Ltd 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 notes.

b) Income

Income is derived from performances, theatre hire, donations, collections and fundraising events held during the year and is included in the year in which it becomes receivable.

c) Expenditure

All expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis.

d) Tangible fixed assets

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

Leasehold improvements – over the life of the lease Fixtures and fittings – 25% reducing balance basis Computer and other equipment – 25% straight line basis Website – 33[1] /3% straight line basis

e) Stocks

Stocks are valued at the lower of cost and net realisable value.

9

BEAR PIT THEATRE LTD

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

3. INCOME FROM DONATIONS

2025 2024
Unrestricted Restricted Total Total
funds funds
£ £ £ £
Donations and sponsorship 39 - 39 10
Grants - 6,680 6,680 (2,500)
────── ────── ────── ──────
£ 39 £ 6,680 £ 6,719 £ (2,490)
══════ ══════ ══════ ══════

In 2024 £10 was attributable to unrestricted funds and £(2,500) was attributable to restricted funds.

4. INCOME FROM CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES

Performance income 36,962 - 36,962 35,796
Theatre hire 18,490 - 18,490 23,633
Cinema 3,581 - 3,581 1,172
Bar 32,904 - 32,904 30,191
Deposit account interest 96 - 96 74
Insurance claim 12,009 - 12,009 -
(cancelled performance) ────── ────── ────── ──────
£ 104,042 £ - £ 104,042 £ 90,866
══════ ══════ ══════ ══════

In 2024 all income from charitable activities was attributable to unrestricted funds.

5. EXPENDITURE ON CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES

Advertising 3,233 - 3,233 2,712
Bar expenses 15,842 - 15,842 17,237
Depreciation 8,018 2,191 10,209 19,096
General expenses 739 - 739 701
Governance costs (see note 6) 9,091 - 9,091 8,508
Heat and light 5,689 - 5,689 3,474
Insurance 2,586 - 2,586 1,775
Performance costs 24,211 - 24,211 17,861
Rent 13,877 - 13,877 13,797
Repairs and renewals 7,480 - 7,480 4,244
Ticketing - - - 668
Donations 3,953 - 3,953 -
────── ────── ────── ──────
£ 94,719 £ 2,191 £ 96,910 £ 90,073
══════ ══════ ══════ ══════

In 2024 £86,785 of the expenditure was charged to unrestricted funds and £3,288 to restricted funds.

10

BEAR PIT THEATRE LTD

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

6. GOVERNANCE COSTS

6.
GOVERNANCE COSTS
2025 2024
Unrestricted Restricted Total Total
funds funds
£ £ £ £
Bank and card machine charges 1,304 - 1,304 1,424
Computer expenses 2,585 - 2,585 1,957
General expenses 34 - 34 13
Meeting expenses 241 - 241 40
Professional fees 4,800 - 4,800 4,800
Subscriptions - - - 96
Bank loan interest 127 - 127 178
────── ────── ────── ──────
£ 9,091 £ - £ 9,091 £ 8,508
══════ ══════ ══════ ══════

In 2024 all governance costs were charged to unrestricted funds.

7. NET INCOME FOR THE YEAR

7.
NET INCOME FOR THE YEAR
2025 2024
£ £
This is stated after charging :
Operating leases £ 11,194 £ 10,997
Depreciation £ 10,209 £ 19,096
Independent Examination £ 4,800 £ 4,800
══════ ══════

8. EMPLOYEES AND DIRECTORS

The average number of employees during the year was 7 (2024 - 6), all of whom were directors/ trustees. No member of the board of trustees received any emoluments or reimbursed expenses.

9. CORPORATION TAX

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 to the extent that these are applied to its charitable objects.

11

BEAR PIT THEATRE LTD

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

10. TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS

Leasehold
Computer		 Leasehold
Computer		 Leasehold
Computer
Website
Website		 Fixtures Fixtures Total
improvements
and other		 and fittings
equipment
Cost : £ £ £ £
£
1 April 2024 79,174 11,705 5,760 80,873
177,512
Additions 6,971 - - 5,115
12,086
────── ────── ──────
──────
──────
31 March 2025 86,145 11,705 5,760 85,988
189,598
────── ────── ──────
──────
──────
Depreciation :
1 April 2024 69,855 7,417 5,760 61,867
144,899
Charge for the year 2,035 2,144 - 6,030
10,209
────── ────── ──────
──────
──────
31 March 2025 71,890 9,561 5,760 67,897
155,108
────── ────── ──────
──────
──────
Net book value :
31 March 2025 £ 14,255 £ 2,144 £ -
£		 18,091
£ 34,490
══════ ══════ ══════
══════
══════
31 March 2024 £ 9,319 £ 4,288 £ -
£		 19,006
£ 32,613
══════
══════ ══════
══════
══════
11.
DEBTORS AND PREPAYMENTS
2025 2024
Unrestricted
Restricted		 Total Total
funds funds
£ £ £ £
Insurance claim 12,009 - 12,009 -
Theatre hire - - - 1,272
Cinema 751 - 751 -
Prepayments 2,090 - 2,090 7,003
────── ──────
 ──────
──────
£ 14,850 £ - £ 14,850 £ 8,275
══════ ══════
 ══════
══════
12.
CASH AT BANK AND ON DEPOSIT
Lloyds current account 9,933 2,573 12,506 11,962
Lloyds deposit account 1,816 - 1,816 6,790
Cash in hand 300 - 300 300
────── ────── ────── ──────
£ 12,049 £ 2,573 £ 14,622 £ 19,052
══════ ══════
 ══════ ══════
13.
CREDITORS :amounts falling due within one year
Accruals 3,962 - 3,962 4,313
Coronavirus Bounce Back Loan 2,000 - 2,000 2,000
Other creditors 201 - 201 7,508
────── ────── ────── ──────
£ 6,163 £ - £ 6,163 £ 13,821
══════ ══════ ══════ ══════

12

BEAR PIT THEATRE LTD

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

14. CREDITORS : amounts falling due after more than one year

2025 2024
Unrestricted
Restricted		 Total Total
funds Funds
£ £ £ £
Coronavirus Bounce Back Loan 2,000 - 2,000 4,000
────── ────── ────── ──────
£ 2,000 £ - £ 2,000 £ 4,000
══════ ══════ ══════ ══════
15. ANALYSIS OF CHARITABLE FUNDS
Balance Income Expenditure Balance
1 April 2024 31 March 2025
Current year £ £ £ £
Unrestricted funds 38,331 104,081 94,719 47,693
Restricted funds 5,232 6,680 2,191 9,721
────── ────── ────── ──────
£ 43,563 £ 110,761 £ 96,910 £ 57,414
══════ ══════ ══════ ══════
Balance Income Expenditure Balance
1 April 2023 31 March 2024
Previous year £ £ £ £
Unrestricted funds 34,240 90,876 86,785 38,331
Restricted funds 11,020 (2,500) 3,288 5,232
────── ────── ────── ──────
£ 45,260 £ 88,376 £ 90,073 £ 43,563
══════ ══════ ══════ ══════
Analysis of movements in restricted funds – current year
Balance Income Expenditure Balance
1 April 2024 31 March 2025
£ £ £ £
Grants towards lighting 112 4,980 668 4,424
Seat sponsorship 500 - 87 413
Transformation Project: phase 2 2,479 - 310 2,169
Theatres Trust Grant 417 - 52 365
Community cinema 1,724 - 862 862
Grant towards emergency exit - 1,700 212 1,488
────── ────── ────── ──────
£ 5,232 £ 6,680 £ 2,191 £ 9,721
══════ ══════ ══════ ══════

13

BEAR PIT THEATRE LTD

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

15. ANALYSIS OF CHARITABLE FUNDS (CONTINUED)

Analysis of movements in restricted funds – previous year

Balance Income Expenditure Balance
1 April 2023 31 March 2024
£ £ £ £
Grant towards lighting 150 - 38 112
Seat sponsorship 616 - 116 500
Transformation Project: phase 2 4,957 - 2,478 2,479
Theatres Trust Grant 836 - 419 417
Community cinema 4,461 (2,500) 237 1,724
────── ────── ────── ──────
£ 11,020 £ (2,500) £ 3,288 £ 5,232
══════ ══════ ══════ ══════

The grant towards lighting fund was established in 2014 with a grant from Stratford District Council to purchase lighting. A further grant of £4,980 was received in 2025 from the council to purchase LED stage lighting.

The seat sponsorship fund was established in 2015 to purchase seating.

The transformation project: phase 2 was established in 2016 with grants towards upgrading the backstage area of the theatre.

The Theatres Trust grant fund was established in 2018 with a grant to install loading doors and a cooling system in the auditorium.

The community cinema fund was established in 2022 with a grant of £948 received from One Stop Community Partnership to be used towards purchasing a cinema screen. A further grant of £5,000 was received in the year to 31 March 2023 from the Town Trust to purchase cinema equipment, of this £ 2,500 was repaid to the Town Trust.

A grant of £1,700 was received from the Warwickshire County Council in 2025 to enhance accessibility to the theatre’s emergency exits.

14

BEAR PIT THEATRE LTD

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

16. ANALYSIS OF NET ASSETS BETWEEN FUNDS

Fixed assets
Stock
Debtors
Bank
Creditors		 2025
2024
Unrestricted
funds
Restricted
funds
Total
Unrestricted
funds
Restricted
funds
Total
£
£
£
£
£
£
27,342
7,148
34,490
27,531
5,082
32,613
1,615
-
1,615
1,444
-
1,444
14,850
-
14,850
8,275
-
8,275
12,049
2,573
14,622
18,902
150
19,052
(8,163)
-
(8,163)
(17,821)
-
(17,821)
──────
──────
──────
──────
──────
──────
£ 47,693
£ 9,721
£ 57,414
£ 38,331
£ 5,232
£ 43,563
══════
══════
══════
══════
══════
══════

17. GUARANTEE

Bear Pit Theatre Ltd is incorporated under the Companies Act 2006 and, not having a share capital, is limited by guarantee. The guarantee of each member is limited to a maximum of £1 and is for a maximum period of twelve months after ceasing to be a member. The position at the year end concerning members giving a guarantee was as follows :

2025 2024
Number of members 8 7
══════ ══════
Total members’ guarantees - members 8 7
- retired members - 4
────── ──────
£ 8 £ 11
══════ ══════

18. TRANSACTIONS WITH RELATED PARTIES

There were no related party transactions in the year.

19. OBLIGATIONS UNDER LEASING AGREEMENTS

The following payments are committed under non-cancellable operating leases:

Total Total
31 March 31 March
2025 2024
£ £
Land and Buildings
Expiring:
Within 1 year 3,343 11,194
Between 1 and 5 years - 3,343
More than 5 years - -
────── ──────
£ 3,343 £ 14,537
══════ ══════

15