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2025-07-31-accounts

The Barn Theatre Trust Limited

Report of the Trustees and Unaudited Financial Statements

for the Year Ended 31 July 2025

The Barn Theatre Trust Limited

Contents of the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 July 2025

Page
Charity Information 1
Report of the Trustees 2
Independent Examiner's Report 5
Statement of Financial Activities 6
Balance Sheet 7
Notes to the Financial Statements 8

The Barn Theatre Trust Limited Company Information

TRUSTEES: IHH Major (Chairman)
JP Clayton
SJ Gennoe
RJ Gill (resigned 27 January 2025)
SE Grimmant
BE Holgate-Stuckey
MJ Merry
SJ Oliva Duarte
NK Rive
D Swanson
SECRETARY: LEA Miles
REGISTERED OFFICE: Barn Theatre
Handside Lane
Welwyn Garden City
Hertfordshire AL8 6ST
COMPANY REGISTERED
NUMBER: 01604619 (England and Wales)
REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 284143
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER A Del Basso FCCA
Jones Hunt & Keelings
Chartered Certified Accountants and Chartered Tax
Advisers
Broad House
1 The Broadway
Hatfield
Hertfordshire AL9 5BG
BANKERS: Co-operative Bank plc
PO Box 101
Balloon Street
Manchester M60 4EP
SOLICITORS: HRJ Foreman Laws
10 Parkway
Welwyn Garden City
Hertfordshire AL8 6HG

Page 1

The Barn Theatre Trust Limited

Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 31 July 2025

The trustees (who are also directors of the company for the purposes of the Companies Act 2006) present their report and unaudited financial statements for the year ended 31 July 2025. In preparing the annual report and financial statements, 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), the special provisions of Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies, applicable UK accounting standards and the Charities Act 2011.

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT

The charity is governed by its memorandum and articles of association, and is a company limited by guarantee, with no share capital. The liability of each member in the event of a winding-up is limited to £1.

The trustees who have acted during the year are named on page 1.

No trustee received any remuneration for services as a trustee. No trustee had any beneficial interest in any contract with the charity during the year.

Trustees are nominated from the charity's members and are elected at the Annual General Meeting. They are elected for a term of one year and may offer themselves for re-election each year. Trustees may not serve in the same defined area of responsibility for more than five years.

Most trustees have defined areas of responsibility but there are also up to five non-executive trustees who bring a range of valuable skills and knowledge to the management of the charity. The trustees meet at least ten times a year to discuss all aspects of the charity. Decision-making is generally by consensus, or by majority vote if necessary.

OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES

The charity's principal objective is to promote and advance education through the arts generally and through theatre and drama in particular. To achieve its charitable objectives, the charity organises theatrical productions and similar events, runs youth drama groups and adult training classes.

ACHIEVEMENTS

The Barn Theatre had a very successful season, both artistically and financially, with a number of shows selling out. In July 2025, it was 100 years since the first performance of a play in Welwyn Garden City, and we performed the same play A Midsummer Night’s Dream in the Barn Theatre and outdoors just as the original production had been offered. The studio productions and the social evenings have now developed into very successful events, and together they contributed £15,000 towards running costs and improvements to the theatre.

The Barn entered into further fixed price gas and electricity contracts in order to manage higher energy prices, further electrical works were carried out in the theatre to reduce energy usage, and further LED stage lights were installed in the studio and bar area.

VOLUNTEERS AND SUPPORTERS

The trustees take this opportunity to thank all the charity's supporters, without whom the charity could not function, and their generosity with donations and their time to maintain the Barn Theatre.

Page 2

The Barn Theatre Trust Limited

Report of the Trustees (continued) for the Year Ended 31 July 2025

FINANCIAL REVIEW

Overall, the charity's income was £255,086 (2024: £238,113). Within this total, theatre hire income was £10,212 (2024: £10,607).

Total expenditure increased to £185,982 from £176,603 last year, which was mainly due to increased production and box office costs.

The Barn received grants of £18,596 during the year (2024: £nil), and received a further bequest of nearly £18,000 from the estate of a past member of the Barn Theatre Club.

The donation from the Barn Theatre Club was £16,908, up from £11,387 in 2024, reflecting the Club’s rise in bar profits.

Overall, the charity made a profit of £69,104 (2024: £61,510). The charity’s reserves at the year-end stood at £907,262 (2024: £838,158). The trustees are satisfied with the charity’s financial position at the end of the year.

RESERVES POLICY

The trustees’ reserves policy is to hold sufficient liquid funds to meet at least six month’s operating expenses, excluding the costs of putting on shows and teaching fees, which they believe will ensure the short-term viability of the charity. At the balance sheet date, the charity's total funds had increased by £69,104, to £907,262. Of this sum, £740,286 is represented by fixed assets. With the charity being largely self-financing, the net current assets of £166,976 (2024: £120,517) will adequately fund day-today activities and some small residual expenditure on necessary improvements. Therefore, they are satisfied with the charity’s position at the year-end. Over the medium term, the trustees aim to build up reserves to fund an expansion of the charity's activities and further improve the Barn Theatre.

LEGAL FRAMEWORK AND STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES' RESPONSIBILITIES

Charity and company law require the trustees to prepare financial statements for the charity for each financial year that give a true and fair view of the charity's financial activities during the year, its surplus or deficit for the year and its financial position at the end of the year. In preparing the attached financial statements, the trustees are required to:

In addition, the trustees have responsibility for maintaining proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and which enable them to ensure that financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They also have responsibility for safeguarding the assets of the charity and for taking reasonable steps to prevent and detect fraud and other irregularities.

The trustees must, in determining how amounts are presented in the statement of financial activities and balance sheet, have regard to the substance of the reported transaction or arrangement, in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and practice.

Page 3

The Barn Theatre Trust Limited

Report of the Trustees (continued) for the Year Ended 31 July 2025

PUBLIC BENEFIT

The trustees confirm that they have complied with the duty in section 17(5) of the Charities Act 2011 to have due regard to public benefit guidance published by the Charity Commission.

The charity's activities are for the public benefit in a number of ways:

Youth Groups and Training

Five groups provide a basic grounding in performance skills to young people in the community. Members of the youth groups performed during the Welwyn Youth Drama Festival and were cast in Barn auditorium productions whenever appropriate. There are waiting lists for all five of the youth groups.

Performances

The charity was able to put on nine main-house productions and three studio shows, drawing on the existing and new talent from a membership that stands at 440. Ticket prices for main productions were maintained at £15 during the season.

Other Activities

The building is available for other activities, and room-hires to local dance schools, an art class, and the NHS continued at normal levels, and brought in valuable income. In addition, the theatre was hired by an outside film school.

This report has been prepared in accordance with the special provisions of Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.

SIGNED ON BEHALF OF THE TRUSTEES

……………………………………… IHH Major - Chairman of Trustees

……………………………….

Date

Page 4

The Barn Theatre Trust Limited

Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of

The Barn Theatre Trust Limited

I report to the charity's trustees on my examination of the accounts of the company for the year ended 31 July 2025.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the charity's trustees (and also the directors of the company for the purposes of company law), you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 ('the 2006 Act').

Having satisfied myself that the accounts of the company are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the 2006 Act and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of your charity's accounts as carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 ('the 2011 Act'). In carrying out my examination, I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act.

Independent examiner's statement

Since your charity's gross income exceeded £250,000 your examiner must be a member of a listed body. I can confirm that I am qualified to undertake the examination because I am a member of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants, which is one of the listed bodies.

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with my examination which give me cause to believe that, in any material respect:

  1. accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 386 of the 2006 Act; or

  2. the accounts do not accord with the accounting records; or

  3. the accounts do not comply with relevant 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 Charities SORP (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.

A Del Basso FCCA Jones Hunt & Keelings Chartered Certified Accountants and Chartered Tax Advisers Broad House 1 The Broadway Hatfield Hertfordshire AL9 5BG

Date….................................

Page 5

The Barn Theatre Trust Limited

Statement of Financial Activities (Including Income and Expenditure Account) As at 31 July 2025

2025
Unrestricted
Funds
Notes
£
Income:
Donations and legacies
3
18,758
Charitable Activities
4
184,331
Other Trading Activities
5
13,598
Other Income
Donation from Barn Theatre Club
16,908
Interest Receivable
2,895
Grants
6
6,798
Total Income
243,288
Expenditure on:
Charitable activities
182,628
Governance costs
3,354
Total Expenditure
9
185,982
Net income for the year
57,306
Fund transfer
11,798
Net movements in funds
69,104
Fund balances brought forward
838,158
Fund balances carried forward
15
907,262		 2,025
Restricted
Funds
£
-
-
-
-
-
11,798
11,798
-
-
-
11,798
(11,798)
-
-
-		 2025
Total
Funds
£
18,758
184,331
13,598
16,908
2,895
18,596
255,086
182,628
3,354
185,982
69,104
-
69,104
838,158
907,262		 2024
Total
Funds
£
61,739
151,677
13,308
11,387
2
-
238,113
173,603
3,000
176,603
61,510
-
61,510
776,648
838,158

The results for the year derive from continuing activities and there are no gains and losses other than those shown above.

The notes form part of these financial statements

Page 6

The Barn Theatre Trust Limited

Balance Sheet As at 31 July 2025

Notes
Fixed Assets
Tangible Assets
11
Current assets
Debtors
12
Cash at bank and in hand
Creditors
Amounts falling due within one year
13
Net current assets
Total assets less current liabilities
Creditors
Amounts falling due after more than one year
14
Net assets
Unrestricted funds
General funds
15
Designated funds
15
Total funds		 2025
£
23,277
155,586		 £
740,286
166,976		 2024
£
34,600
101,388		 £
723,348
120,517
178,863
11,887		 135,988
15,471
907,262
-		 843,865
5,707
838,158
114,810
723,348
838,158

The company is entitled to exemption from audit under Section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 for the year ended 31 July 2025. The members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its financial statements for the year ended 31 July 2025 in accordance with Section 476 of the Companies Act 2006.

The trustees 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 with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS102).

The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees and authorised for issue on

….......................... and were signed on its behalf by:

…........................................... IHH Major

The notes form part of these financial statements

Page 7

The Barn Theatre Trust Limited

Notes to the Financial Statements For the Year Ended 31 July 2025

1 ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of Preparation

The financial statements of the charity, which is a public benefit entity under FRS102, have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS102) ‘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 (FRS102) (Effective 1 January 2019)’, all applicable UK Accounting Standards, the Charities Act 2011 and the special provisions of Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies. The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention. The principles adopted in the preparation of the financial statements are set out below.

The presentation currency of the financial statements is the Pound Sterling (£).

Significant Judgements and Estimates

Estimates and judgements are periodically evaluated and are based on historical experience and other factors including expectations of future events that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results may differ from these estimates.

The company's critical accounting judgements and estimates are in respect of impairment of assets and depreciation.

Details of these judgements and estimates are described in the relevant accounting policy and detailed notes to the financial statements as set out below:

Fund Accounting

General funds are unrestricted funds and are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the charity and which have not been designated for other purposes.

Designated funds comprise unrestricted funds that have been set aside by the trustees for particular purposes. The aim and use of the charity's designated funds is set out in the notes to these financial statements.

Restricted funds are funds which are to be used in accordance with specific restrictions imposed by donors or which have been raised by the charity for particular purposes. The aim and use of any restricted fund is set out in the notes to these financial statements.

Income

All incoming resources are included in the Statement of Financial Activities (SOFA) at the fair value of the consideration when the charity becomes legally entitled to the income, when the amount can be quantified with reasonable accuracy and when there is virtual certainty that the income will be received.

Page 8

The Barn Theatre Trust Limited

Notes to the Financial Statements - continued For the Year Ended 31 July 2025

1 ACCOUNTING POLICIES continued

Expenditure

Expenditure is recognised on an accruals basis as a liability is incurred. Expenditure on costumes, properties and operating consumables is not carried as stock but is charged to the SOFA. Expenditure includes irrecoverable VAT, which is reported as part of the expenditure to which it relates.

Other Grants

Income from grants, whether capital or revenue grants, is recognised when the charity has entitlement to the funds, any conditions attached to the grants have been met, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably. The charity sometimes receives grants that have conditions attached to them. If the satisfaction of those conditions is not certain, these grants are excluded from the SOFA and are instead included in Other Creditors (as they may need to be repaid).

Tangible Fixed Assets

Tangible fixed assets costing more than £500 are capitalised and included at cost, including any incidental expenses of acquisition. The trustees review the charity's investment in fixed assets annually for any indications of impairment and make such provisions as are considered necessary.

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

Fixtures and equipment - 20% on reducing balance basis

Freehold property is the charity's theatre, which is a converted wooden barn. This has been improved periodically, but the original structure is about 290 years old and is a Grade II listed building. As the Barn has a very long useful life and a high residual value, in the opinion of the trustees any provision for depreciation would not be material (either for the year or cumulatively). Although this is a departure from the requirements of the Companies Act 2006, the trustees believe that a depreciation charge would distort the true and fair view presented by the accounts.

Measurement of Financial Instruments

The company has elected to apply the provisions of Section 11 ‘Accounting for financial assets and financial liabilities’ of Charities SORP (FRS 102) to all of its financial instruments.

Financial instruments are recognised in the company’s balance sheet when the company becomes party to the contractual provisions of the instrument.

Financial assets and liabilities are offset, with the net amounts presented in the financial statements, when there is a legally enforceable right to set off the recognised amounts and there is an intention to settle on a net basis or to realise the asset and settle the liability simultaneously.

Basic financial assets, which include debtors, are initially measured at transaction price, including transaction costs, and are subsequently carried at amortised cost using the effective interest method unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, when the transaction is measured at the present value of the future receipts discounted at a market rate of interest. The ammortised cost is assessed at the end of each reporting period for objective evidence of impairment. If objective evidence of impairment is found, an impairment loss is recognised in the statement of financial activities. Financial assets classified as receivable within one year are not amortised.

Page 9

The Barn Theatre Trust Limited

Notes to the Financial Statements - continued For the Year Ended 31 July 2025

1 ACCOUNTING POLICIES continued

Going Concern

At the time of approving the financial statements, the trustees have a reasonable expectation that the charity will continue to operate for at least the next twelve months and so these financial statements have again been prepared on the going concern basis.

2. LEGAL STATUS OF THE CHARITY

The charity is a company limited by guarantee and has no share capital. The liability of each member in the event of winding up is limited to £1.

3. INCOME FROM DONATIONS

4.
INCOME FROM CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES
Promotion of education through theatre
Youth drama workshops and similar
Income from agent activities
5.
INCOME FROM OTHER TRADING ACTIVITIES
Income from theatre and room hire
Income from costume and property hire
6.
GRANTS
Other Grants
Donations and related gift aid tax recoveries to further the charity's general activities		 2025
2024
£
£
18,758
61,739
2025
2024
£
£
164,927
137,018
16,426
11,320
2,978
3,339
184,331
151,677
2025
2024
£
£
10,212
10,607
3,386
2,701
13,598
13,308
2025
2024
£
£
18,596
-
18,596
-

7. TAXATION

The company is a registered charity and no liability for corporation tax has arisen on its activities

8. STAFF COSTS

The charity has no employees and has not incurred any staff costs.

Page 10

The Barn Theatre Trust Limited

Notes to the Financial Statements - continued For the Year Ended 31 July 2025

9. TOTAL EXPENDITURE

The net expenditure for the year for the charity is stated after charging

Depreciation - owned assets
Independent examiner's remuneration
The charity's expenditure on activities is made up as follows:
Charitable activities
Production Costs
Programmes & publicity
Depreciation
Office and sundry
Teaching fees
& expenses
Box Office Costs
Premises expenses
Governance costs
Accountancy & similar
Total Expenditure		 2025
2024
£
£
6,358
5,240
3,354
3,000
Theatrical
2025
2024
Other
Production
Total
Total
£
£
£
£
-
50,243
50,243
45,158
-
21,772
21,772
24,856
-
6,358
6,358
5,240
-
8,419
8,419
6,496
-
11,747
11,747
11,701
-
11,521
11,521
9,094
-
72,568
72,568
71,058		 2025
2024
£
£
6,358
5,240
3,354
3,000
-
182,628
182,628
173,603
3,354
-
3,354
3,000
3,354
182,628
185,982
176,603

10. FUNDS RECEIVED AS AGENT

During the year, the charity received £11,338 (2024: £10,039) as agent. The fees receivable for acting as agent were £2,978 (2024: £3,339) and are included as income in the accounts. The amount paid to principals was £8,360 (2024: £6,700). At the year-end, there were no amounts held as agent.

11. TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS

TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS
COST:
At 1 August 2024
Additions
At 31 July 2025
DEPRECIATION:
At 1 August 2024
Charge for year
At 31 July 2025
NET BOOK VALUE
At 31 July 2025
At 31 July 2024		 Freehold
Fixtures &
Property
Equipment
Total
£
£
£
695,818
143,091
838,909
-
23,296
23,296
695,818
166,387
862,205
-
115,561
115,561
-
6,358
6,358
-
121,919
121,919
695,818
44,468
740,286
695,818
27,530
723,348

The Barn Theatre (which is the charity's freehold property) has an insurable value of £3.65 million.

Page 11

The Barn Theatre Trust Limited Notes to the Financial Statements - continued For the Year Ended 31 July 2025

12. DEBTORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR

Other debtors
Prepayments and accrued income
Owed by related company
13. CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR
Accrued expenses
Deferred income
Bank loan		 2025
2024
£
£
637
637
9,380
10,356
13,260
23,607
23,277
34,600
2025
2024
£
£
3,354
5,429
2,525
2,587
6,008
7,455
11,887
15,471

Deferred income comprises advance ticket sales for theatrical productions. All deferred income of the previous year was released in the year.

A Bounce Back Loan was taken out in April 2020 and no interest was charged nor anything repayable for the first twelve months. The loan is repayable within six years from the date it was taken out and the interest rate is 2.5% pa.

14. CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN MORE THAN ONE YEAR

Bank loan (1 - 5 years)
STATEMENT OF FUNDS
General funds
Charitable funds
Designated funds
Fixed Asset fund
Restricted funds
Total funds		 2025
2024
£
£
-
5,707
At 1 August
Income
Expenditure
Transfers
At 31 July
2024
2025
£
£
£
£
£
114,810
243,288
185,982
(5,140)
166,976		 2025
2024
£
£
-
5,707
723,348
-
-
16,938
740,286
-
11,798
-
(11,798)
-
838,158
255,086
185,982
-
907,262

15. STATEMENT OF FUNDS

Designated funds

The Fixed Asset fund represents funds that have been invested, or set aside for investment, in fixed assets. Such funds are not available for general purposes. At the balance sheet date, the trustees made a transfer from general funds so that the balance on the Fixed Asset fund was equivalent to the net book value of the charity's fixed assets at 31 July 2025.

Restricted funds

During the year grants amounting to £11,798 were received for the specific purpose of purchasing a portable lift to enable access to the stage for wheelchair users. These grants were fully utilised during the year.

16 ANALYSIS OF CHARITY NET ASSETS BETWEEN FUNDS

Fund balances at 31 July 2025 are represented by
Tangible fixed assets
Current Assets
Current Liabilities		 General
Designated
Restricted
General
Funds
Funds
Funds
Funds
£
£
£
£
-
740,286
-
740,286
178,863
-
-
178,863
(11,887)
-
-
(11,887)
166,976
740,286
-
907,262

Page 12

The Barn Theatre Trust Limited

Notes to the Financial Statements - continued For the Year Ended 31 July 2025

17. TRUSTEE REMUNERATION AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

The charity is controlled by the trustees. No trustee received any remuneration or reimbursement during the year (or the previous year) and were not involved in any transactions with the charity.

The trustees are also directors of The Barn Theatre Club Limited ('the Club'), which operates the bar at the Barn Theatre and receives subscription income from members. Each year, the Club donates its taxable profits to the charity; this year they amounted to £16,908 (2024: £11,387).

During the year:

and the Club:

At the balance sheet date, the Club owed £13,260 (2024: £23,607) to the charity. No arrangements have been made regarding the payment of interest on, or the repayment of, this loan.

Page 13