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2025-03-31-accounts

Year Ended 31 March 2025

UTOPIA THEATRE CIO

Trustees' Report and Financial Statements

TRUSTEES' ANNUAL REPORT

Objectives and Activities

Utopia Theatre CIO ("the Charity") is a charitable incorporated organisation established to promote theatrical arts and cultural education. The Charity's objectives include producing high-quality theatre productions and delivering community and educational programmes that engage diverse audiences. Key activities during the year involved staging theatrical productions and running creative workshops and outreach initiatives in line with the Charity's purposes. The trustees confirm that they have had regard to the Charity Commission's public benefit guidance in planning and carrying out these activities.

Achievements and Performance

During the year, Utopia Theatre CIO successfully produced several performances and creative projects. Notably, a summer production was staged (the "Anna Hibiscus' Song" production) and a major theatrical work ( "Death and the King's Horseman" ) was delivered, receiving positive audience feedback. In addition, the Charity conducted community engagement through its Creative Hub (artist development programs, dance/fitness club, learning club for youth) and outreach workshops/masterclasses. These activities enriched the community and provided opportunities for emerging artists. The trustees are pleased to report that these achievements align with the Charity's aims and demonstrate the public benefit of its work.

Financial Review

The financial statements have been prepared on the accruals basis in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102). The Charity's total incoming resources for the year amounted to £874,956 , while total resources expended were £857,700 , resulting in a net surplus of £17,256 for the year. This surplus is primarily attributable to successful grant funding and the recovery of Theatre Tax Relief credit from HMRC during the year. All restricted grants received were fully expended on their intended projects, and accordingly there were no balances on restricted funds . The opening balance of £34,056 was also fully applied to restricted activities during the year. Unrestricted funds increased by the year's surplus, strengthening the Charity's free reserves.

On 31 March 2025, total funds were £119,757 , all of which were unrestricted general funds following the full utilisation of restricted project grants during the year.

The unrestricted general fund represented approximately 1.6–1.7 months of expenditure at 2024/25 activity levels, based on total charitable expenditure of £857,700. The trustees consider this level of free reserves to be modest but acceptable, on the basis that grant and tax credit income (including Theatre Tax Relief) has been secured and, where not yet received in cash at year end, is recognised within debtors.

The trustees have reviewed the Charity's reserves policy to ensure adequate reserves are maintained for sustainability and liquidity purposes.

Structure, Governance and Management

Utopia Theatre CIO is governed by a board of trustees in accordance with its CIO Constitution. The trustees who served during the year are listed in the administrative details of these accounts. The board meets regularly to oversee the Charity's operations and strategic direction. Day-to-day management is delegated to the Artistic Director and senior staff, who report to the trustees. The Charity employs a small core staff and engages freelance artistic professionals as needed for productions. The trustees oversee financial controls, risk management, and compliance with legal and regulatory requirements. No trustee received any remuneration or benefit from the Charity; trustees are reimbursed only for reasonable expenses incurred in their role (if any).

The Charity has appropriate safeguarding, financial management, and health & safety policies in place. During the year, an independent examination of the accounts was carried out in line with regulatory requirements.

Trustees' Responsibilities

The trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustees' Annual Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and UK Accounting Standards. The trustees confirm that the accounts have been prepared on a going concern basis and give a true and fair view of the Charity's financial activities and financial position. In preparing these accounts, the trustees have followed the applicable SORP and accounting policies described in the notes. The trustees are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Charity and taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

This Trustees' Annual Report was approved by the board of trustees on 27[th] January 2026

and is signed on their behalf by:

Maxine Greaves

Chair of the Board of Trustees

Date: 27[th] January 2026

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES (including Income & Expenditure Account)

For the year ended 31 March 2025 (Accruals basis)

In the Statement of Financial Activities (SOFA) below, income and expenditures are split between unrestricted and restricted funds, as required by the Charities SORP. All activities derive from continuing operations. All amounts are stated in pounds sterling (£).

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS

1. Basis of Preparation and Accounting Policies

Basis of Accounting

These financial statements are prepared under the historical cost convention, in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) second edition and applicable UK accounting standards. The accounts comply with the Charities Act 2011 and the Financial Reporting Standard 102. The Charity is a public benefit entity for the purpose of FRS 102. The accounts are prepared on a going concern basis. All figures are presented in GBP (£) to the nearest pound.

Statement of Financial Activities

The Charity classifies its activities between unrestricted and restricted funds. The SOFA includes all income and expenditure for the year on an accruals basis. As required by the SORP, separate columns are used to distinguish restricted income funds (which may only be spent for particular purposes) from unrestricted funds. The net movement in funds for the year is reconciled to the opening and closing fund balances for each class of funds.

Income Recognition

Income is recognised once the Charity has entitlement to the resources, it is probable that the income will be received, and the amount can be measured reliably. Grant income and donations are included in the period in which they are receivable by the Charity, unless they are subject to donor-imposed conditions that specify a later period or performance-related conditions. In such cases, income is deferred or recognised as restricted income as appropriate.

Donations and grants received for the general purposes of the Charity are credited to unrestricted funds; those given for specific projects or purposes are credited to restricted funds.

Income from Charitable Activities such as ticket sales, workshop fees, and venue hire is recognised as income when the related event or service is provided.

Theatre Tax Relief (TTR): Income from the HMRC theatre tax credit scheme is recognised as other income in the year to which the underlying production expenditure relates and when the Charity is entitled to receipt. Where receipt is outstanding at year-end, it is included within accrued income (debtors).

Expenditure Recognition

Expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under appropriate activity headings. Charitable activities expenditure includes all costs related to delivering the Charity's aims, including production costs, outreach program costs, support costs, and governance costs. All expenses (including grants payable) are recognised when a constructive obligation arises. Irrecoverable VAT is included with the expense items to which it relates.

Allocation of Support and Governance Costs

Support costs (administration, premises, utilities, etc.) and governance costs (audit/accountancy fees) are included within charitable activities expenditure as they are incurred in support of the Charity's objectives. Governance costs (audit and financial administration) for the year are disclosed in Note 3.

Tangible Fixed Assets

Tangible assets (equipment, fixtures, fittings) are capitalised at cost and depreciated over their useful economic lives. Depreciation is provided so as to write off the cost of assets less their residual values on a straight-line basis over 3 to 5 years or the appropriate useful life. A full year's depreciation is charged in the year of acquisition. The Charity's policy is to capitalise individual asset purchases over £1,000. Assets costing below this threshold are expensed in the SOFA in the year of purchase.

Impairment

The carrying values of fixed assets are reviewed for impairment if events or changes in circumstances indicate the assets might be overstated.

Debtors / Receivables

Debtors are recognised at the settlement amount due. This includes trade receivables for services provided, funding or grants receivable, Gift Aid/tax recoverable, and other accrued income earned (e.g., amounts due under funding agreements or the theatre tax relief claim). Provision is made for any debts that are considered doubtful. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid net of any discounts due.

Cash at Bank and In Hand

Cash includes cash held in current and deposit bank accounts accessible on demand.

Creditors and Liabilities

Creditors are recognised when the Charity has a present obligation (legal or constructive) resulting from a past event, that will probably result in the transfer of funds to a third party, and the amount due can be measured or estimated reliably. Creditors and accruals are recorded at their settlement amount due. This category includes trade creditors for goods and services, accruals for costs incurred but not yet invoiced, deferred income, and amounts owed to HMRC or pension providers at the year end.

Deferred Income

If the Charity receives income in advance of the period to which it relates (e.g., grant funding for use in a future accounting period or ticket income for events after year-end), such income is deferred and included in creditors until the performance or timing condition is met, at which point it is recognised as income.

Fund Accounting

Unrestricted funds are those funds which the trustees are free to use in furtherance of the Charity's objects at their discretion. This includes any designated funds set aside by trustees from unrestricted funds for a specific purpose (none at present).

Restricted funds are funds that have been given to the Charity to be used for specific purposes only (imposed by the donor or through the terms of an appeal). The Charity's restricted funds at year end represent grants and donations received for particular projects which have not yet been fully expended. Note 8 provides a reconciliation of the movement on each fund with opening and closing balances as required by the SORP. Where restricted funds are fully expended on their purpose in the same period they are received, the net movement on that fund is zero.

The Retained Earnings or General Fund represents the accumulated surplus of unrestricted income funds.

Going Concern

The trustees have assessed that there are no material uncertainties about the Charity's ability to continue as a going concern for at least 12 months from the approval of these accounts. The Charity has a reasonable level of reserves and anticipated incoming resources, including ongoing grant funding commitments and debtor balances of £147,100 at 31 March 2025 (of which £128,447 relates to Theatre Tax Relief claim subsequently received in January 2026—see Note 11). The trustees are satisfied that the Charity has adequate resources to continue as a going concern for at least 12 months from the date of approval of these financial statements.

Significant Judgements and Estimates

In preparing these accounts, the trustees have made judgements in applying the Charity's accounting policies. Significant estimates include accruals of income (e.g., estimating the amount of theatre tax relief due based on qualifying expenditure) and provisions for any doubtful debts. The trustees are satisfied that these estimates are prudent and based on latest available information.

2. Income – Donations, Grants, and Charitable Activities

Donations and Grants

This includes voluntary income from funders and donors. Unrestricted donations and grants in 2024/25 totalled £300,300, comprising primarily a grant of £300,000 from Arts Council England National Portfolio funding to support the Charity's core programme (treated as unrestricted income), plus approximately £300 from other small donations.

Restricted grant income totalled £116,157 for the year. Major restricted grants included:

These grants were all subject to specific usage conditions and have therefore been classified as restricted funds. All such restricted income was expended on the intended projects during the year (see Note 8 for fund reconciliation).

Unrestricted grant income of £33,000 was received from Garfield Weston (£25,000), Church Burgesses (£5,000) and J G Greaves Trust (£3.000)

Income from Charitable Activities

This includes income earned from the Charity's direct charitable operations. In 2024/25, such income was £223,038, all of which was unrestricted. Key components were:

These amounts have been recognised as unrestricted income as they arise from the Charity's own activities and are not subject to external restrictions.

Other Income

Other income totalled £202,462, all unrestricted, and mainly comprises:

The Charity has claimed Theatre Tax Relief to support its productions, and the income is recognised in the year in which the qualifying expenditure was incurred. Of the TTR income of £199,218, the previous year claim of £70,771, which was not accrued for was received during the year; and £128,447 remained outstanding at 31 March 2025 (see Note 6 and Note 11).

3. Expenditure on Charitable Activities

All expenditure in 2024/25 was for charitable activities, as the Charity did not engage in separate fundraising, trading, or cost of raising donations beyond trivial amounts. Total expenditure on charitable activities

was £857,700 . This includes both direct costs of delivering productions and programmes, as well as support and governance costs.

Direct Costs of Theatrical Productions: £461,115

Approximately £461,115 was spent on the Charity's major theatre productions during the year. This includes all production-specific costs for:

These costs encompass:

These productions were partly funded by the restricted grants noted in Note 2, and the related restricted funds were fully spent on these costs. No expenditure on productions has been capitalised; all production costs are expensed in the SOFA.

Community and Educational Programmes: £70,995

The Charity spent approximately £70,995 on its creative learning, community, and outreach activities. This includes costs for:

These costs cover instructor fees, materials, venue hire for workshops, and associated participant costs. Part of these activities were funded by restricted grants (e.g., the Esmee Fairbairn Foundation grant was applied toward learning club and community outreach costs, fully utilising those restricted funds in the year).

Support and Governance Costs: £325,591

Support and administrative costs totalled approximately £325,591 and are included within charitable activities expenditure as they support the delivery of all the Charity's programmes.

Staff Costs (£208,772): The largest component comprises:

The Charity employed an average of 5 full-time equivalent employees (see Note 4).

Premises and Office Costs (£9,610):

Professional and Administrative Services (£59,259):

General Administration (£18,716):

Finance Costs (£463):

4. Staff Costs and Key Management

The Charity employed an average of 5 full-time equivalent (FTE) staff during the year. Total staff costs (including salaries, employer National Insurance, and pension contributions) were £196,772 .

Key management personnel (Artistic Director and operations lead) received a combined salary of approximately £50,000 from the Charity's unrestricted funds. All other staff members are engaged on full-time, part-time, or freelance/temporary contracts as required.

No trustee received any remuneration or benefit from the Charity during the year.

5. Tangible Fixed Assets

5. Tangible Fixed Assets
Cost £ Accumulated Depreciation £ Net Book Value £
At 1 April 2024 2,326 (2,235) 1
Additions – – –
Depreciation charge for year – - -
At 31 March 2025 2,326 (2,325) 1

Commentary: At year end, fixtures, fittings and office equipment had an original cost of £2,326 and accumulated depreciation of £2,325, giving a net book value of £1. The depreciation charge for the year was £0 and is included within charitable activities support costs. The assets are fully depreciated apart from a nominal residual value of £1.

6. Debtors – Amounts Due Within One Year

6. Debtors – Amounts Due Within One Year
£
Accrued income and grants receivable 128,447
Prepayments 1,472
Trade debtors 17,181
Total 147,100

Accrued income and grants receivable (£128,447): This represents income earned by 31 March 2025 but not yet received. This includes amounts due from funders and, in particular, the unpaid element of the Theatre Tax Relief (TTR) claim to HMRC relating to qualifying production expenditure for the year. Of the total TTR income of £199,218 recognised in the SOFA, £70,771 had been received before the year end, with the remaining £128,447 outstanding at 31 March 2025 (see Note 11).

Prepayments (£1,472): Insurance and professional service fees paid in advance.

Trade debtors (£17,181): Amounts owed by third parties for workshop fees, venue hire, and other incomegenerating activities.

7. Creditors – Amounts Falling Due Within One Year

£
Trade creditors 27,464
Other taxes and social security (PAYE/NI payable) 4,102
Other creditors (accrued expenses and deferred income) 13,417
Total 44,983

All creditors are expected to be settled within 12 months of the balance sheet date.

8. Analysis of Movement in Funds

Fund Reconciliation

Fund Reconciliation
General Fund
(Unrestricted) £
Project Grants Fund
(Restricted) £
Total £
Opening balance at 1 April
2024
68,445 34,056 102,501
Incoming resources 758,799 116,157 874,956
Expenditure (707,487) (150213) (857,700)
Transfers between funds - - –
Closing balance at 31 March
2025
119,757 0 119,757

Narrative on Fund Movement

Unrestricted General Fund: This fund comprises the Charity's free reserves, available to support ongoing operations and strategic priorities. The opening balance of £68,445 increased during the year due to:

Restricted Project Grants Fund: This fund represents grants and donations received to support particular productions and community programmes, including Arts Council England project grants and other trust and foundation income.

The opening restricted balance of £34,056 comprised unspent grant income brought forward from earlier years. During 2024/25, the Charity received £116,157 of new restricted income and incurred £150,213 of restricted expenditure on those projects.

In total, £150,213 (being opening restricted funds of £34,056 plus current-year restricted income of £116,157) was available to fund restricted activities..

As a result, the restricted fund balance at 31 March 2025 was £nil , and all project-specific funds have been fully applied in accordance with donor conditions.

9. Commitments and Contingencies

The Charity has no material commitments or contingent liabilities at 31 March 2025.

10. Related Party Transactions

The Charity has no related party transactions to disclose, other than trustee governance.

11. Events After the Reporting Period

In January 2026, the Charity received the outstanding balance of its Theatre Tax Relief claim of £128,447 from HMRC, being the unpaid portion of the total £199,218 TTR income recognised for the year. This receipt strengthened the Charity's cash position post year end.

No other material events have occurred between the reporting date and the date of approval of the accounts that require disclosure.

NOTES

  1. All figures are stated to the nearest pound (£).

  2. The independent examiner's report is attached separately.

  3. These financial statements were prepared by _______ and approved by the trustees on 27[th] January 2026

Charity Name Utopia Theatre CIO

No (if any) 1192008

Recei ts and a ments accounts p p y

For the period Period start date Period end date To from 01/04/2024 31/03/2025

Section A Receipts and payments

Unrestricted Restricted Endowment Total funds funds funds funds to the nearest to the nearest £ to the nearest £ to the nearest £ £

A1 Receipts

A1 Receipts to the nearest
£
to the nearest £ to the nearest £ to the nearest £
ACE - Lottery - 78,947 - 78,947
ACE - National Portfolio Organisation 300,000 - - 300,000
Esmee Fairbairn Foundation - 7,500 - 7,500
National Lottery Community Fund - - - -
Other Income 3,544 - - 3,544
Sheffield City Council - - - -
Sheffield Theatre - - - -
Theatre Tax Credit 199,218 - - 199,218
Utopia Theatre Limited - - - -
Direct Activity Income 219,637 - - 219,637
Garfield Weston Trust 25,000 - - 25,000
Church Burgesses Trust 5,000 - - 5,000
J G Greaves 3,000 - - 3,000
Learning Club 3,400 - - 3,400
Sheffield Town Trust 3,000 3,000
University of Sheffield 20,210 20,210
Leche Trust - 4,000 - 4,000
Skipton Building Society - 2,500 - 2,500
- - - -
Sub total(Gross income for
AR)
758,799 116,157 - 874,956

A2 Asset and investment sales, (see table).

758,799 799 116,157 157 - 874,956

Sub total

Total receipts 758,799

----- Start of picture text -----
116,157
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A3 Payments

Anna Hibiscus Song 20,519 113,003 133,522 Death and the King's Horseman 312,013 4,000 316,013 Creative Hub 23,398 3,000 26,398 Crown of Blood 11,579 11,579 Inclusive Ageing Project 20,210 20,210 Youth Academy 200 10,000 - 10,200 Direct Activity Costs 14,187 14,187 Wages and salaries 185,267 185,267 Pensions 3,743 3,743 Employer's NI 7,762 7,762 Temporary staff and recruitment 8,513 8,513 Staff training and welfare 3,536 3,536 Travel and subsistence 7,340 7,340 Entertaining 42 - - 42 Rent 746 - - 746 Rates 1,472 1,472 Light and heat 1,346 1,346 Cleaning 2,499 2,499 Telephone and internet 2,005 2,005 Stationery and printing 8,712 8,712 Subscriptions 1,892 1,892 Bank charges 551 - - 551 Insurance 1,104 1,104 Equipment expensed - Software 1,325 1,325 Repairs and maintenance 1,146 1,146 Sundry expenses 1,896 1,896 Accountancy fees 12,604 12,604 Consultancy fees 45,655 45,655 Access costs - Advertising and PR 24,974 24,974 Other legal and professional 1,000 1,000 Interest payable 463 - - 463 Sub total 707,487 150,213 - 857,700

A4 Asset and investment purchases, (see table)

A4 Asset and investment
purchases,(see table)
- - - -
Tangible Assets
- - - -
Sub total
- - - -
Total payments 707,487 150,213 - 857,700
Net of receipts/(payments) 51,312 -
34,056
- 17,256
A5 Transfers between funds -
-
A6 Cash funds last year end 68,445 34,056 - 102,501
Cash funds this year end 119,757 - - 119,757

Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period

Categories Details

Bank accounts Reserves

B1 Cash funds

Total cash funds

(agree balances with receipts and payments account(s))

Unrestricted
funds
to nearest £
17,640
102,117
-
119,757
OK
Restricted
funds
to nearest £
-
-
-
-
OK

Unrestricted Restricted funds funds

B2 Other monetary assets

Details

Accrued Income Prepayments Trade Debtors

to nearest £
128,447
1,472
17,181
-
-
-
to nearest £
128,447 -
1,472 -
17,181 -
- -
- -
- -

B3 Investment assets

Details

Fund to which Cost (optional) asset belongs - - - -

-

B4 Assets retained for the charity’s own use

B5 Liabilities

Signed by one or two trustees on behalf of all the trustees

Details

Net Fixed Asset

Details

Trade Creditors Other Taxes & Social Security Other Creditors

Signature

Fund to which Cost (optional) asset belongs Unrestricted 1 - - - - - - - -

Fund to which
liability relates
ACE NPO
ACE NPO
ACE NPO
Amount due
(optional)
ACE NPO 27,464
ACE NPO 4,102
ACE NPO 13,417
-
-

Print Name

Maxine Greaves

Breakspear Park, GF Suite F G22, 36 Breakspear Way Hemel Hempstead, Herts HP2 4TZ 07512 093697; 0704 305 0050 (fax) ayo@crownkingaccounting.co.uk www.crownkingaccounting.co.uk

Our ref: AOPL-NHL188 Thursday, 29 January 2026

Independent Examiner’s Report

I have examined the accounts of Utopia Theatre CIO for the year ended 31 March 2025. The trustees are responsible for preparing these accrual-based accounts in accordance with the Charities Act 2011 and the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 . Charity Commission guidance notes that such an independent examination provides assurance to trustees that the charity’s funds have been properly accounted for and that accounting records have been kept. In carrying out my examination, I have followed all applicable Directions issued by the Commission under section 145 of the Charities Act 201. The accounts have been prepared on an accruals basis under the Charities SORP (FRS 102) as reported by the trustees. I have checked that the accounts comply with all relevant legal requirements and the Charities SORP for accruals accounts, and I found no issues in this respect.

Independent Examiner’s Statement

I have completed my examination of the accounts. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention giving me cause to believe that, in any material respect:

I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

Signed: ___

Name: Ayo Oyebade

Qualification: Fellow of the Association of International Accountants

Address: Regus at Breakspear Park, 36 Breakspear Way, Hemel Hempstead, Herts HP2 4TZ Date: 29[th] January 2026

Crownking Accounting Services is a trading style of AYO OYEBADE PRODUCTIONS LIMITED Registered in England & Wales; Registration no. 06642818; Registered office: 40 Brookfield House, Selden Hill, Hemel Hempstead, Herts HP2 4FA. Director – Ayo Oyebade

Ayo Oyebade is a Fellow of the Association of International Accountants, no. 71353