11th Nov 2014 14:00
NORTHACRE PLC
(the ''Company'' or ''Group'')
Results for the six months ended 31st August 2014
11th November 2014
Northacre PLC is pleased to announce its interim financial results for the six months ended 31st August 2014. The Interim Report and Accounts for the period then ended will be available shortly on the Company's website www.northacre.com.
Extracts from the Company's Interim Report and Accounts are shown below.
Enquiries:
Northacre PLC
Niccolò Barattieri di San Pietro (Chief Executive Officer)
020 7349 8000
finnCap Limited (Nominated Adviser and Broker)
Stuart Andrews
Henrik Persson
020 7220 0500
Chairman's Statement
The market remains strong albeit there are signs that the price increases in the property market, which we have seen over the past 12 months, are decelerating.
This is in part due to concern over the potential introduction of a mansion tax in the event of a change of government after the election in May 2015.
There are other factors, although individually of limited concern, but when combined do contribute to some uncertainty. The more important of these are:
- economic growth within the Eurozone in particular Germany;
- concern over development in China; and
- geopolitical issues such as the Middle East, Ukraine and Hong Kong.
Northacre PLC has in the past remained reasonably unaffected by downturns in the property market where its product has proven to be resilient to external market prices and therefore we remain confident for its long-term prospects.
Klas Nilsson
Non-Executive Chairman
Chief Executive's Statement
The last six months were very demanding. We were pushing forward our current projects while trying to acquire new sites.
Business Development
In my view there have been some interesting opportunities in the last six months and they were pursued alongside Abu Dhabi Financial Group LLC (ADFG, formerly Abu Dhabi Capital Management LLC - ADCM), our majority shareholder.
These opportunities included the redevelopment of the Post Office (owned by the Science Museum) on Exhibition Road, London. We put a strong bid together and were selected to progress to the interview stages but ultimately we were not chosen as the preferred bidder.
There are a couple of other opportunities that the Group is pursuing at the moment of which we should know the outcome by the end of the callendar year.
Current developments
1 Palace Street
During the last few months we have fully redesigned the existing consented scheme and have submitted a new planning application at the beginning of August 2014. We are confident that we will get a positive outcome which will then allow us to start the stripping out and implementing the façade retention/demolition program.
Vicarage Gate House
The construction and fit out program is progressing well with practical completion expected towards the end of April 2015. We are a few weeks behind program, mainly due to the difficulties in achieving the desired quality with both the façade and fenestration. These issues are now mostly resolved and the program is moving forward swiftly.
There have been no new sales over the summer months however viewing activity has picked up considerably over the last month. We have had three offers below the asking price which have been rejected by the directors of the company. We are confident that as we get closer to practical completion we will have more potential sales.
33 Thurloe Square
As discussed in my last statement, prior to starting the redevelopment we received an unsolicited bid of £12.75m which represented a significant premium to the market. The transaction was completed on 24th June 2014 and resulted in a net IRR of over 30% for our investors and a substantial return for Northacre PLC in terms of development management fees, performance fee and return on our invested equity.
13&14 Vicarage Gate
Strip out started towards the end of June 2014 and has now been completed. We have also completed about two thirds of the structural work and we are now in the process of negotiating the main contract with Rackham Construction who have also done all the work until now.
We are looking to start marketing the property close to completion time however we have already had an offer, which has been accepted, for the first floor apartment. This offer comes in just shy of £3,000 per square foot and is in line with our expected end values once the project is completed. It also represents a very substantial premium in the neighbourhood.
Current developments (continued)
Chester Square
We have spent considerable time on the planning side as there are several components to this. We prepared a basement planning application which has now been submitted. The joining of two units together to create a new separate unit was agreed in principle with the council and we will be submitting a formal planning application during the first week of December 2014. Lastly we will also be submitting a listed building application in order to address any layout issues. We are planning to start the basement works in late January 2015.
Prince Edward Mansions
On 1st August 2014 we announced the completion of the acquisition of 22 Prince Edward Mansions by Northacre Capital (7) Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Northacre PLC. The acquisition for £3.7m was payable in cash on completion and the subsequent development project will be financed by a combination of Northacre's existing cash resources and a bank loan.
This project is a sought-after period mansion block located in the heart of Notting Hill, London. The concept is to create an exclusive 2,675 square foot lateral penthouse apartment, with the potential use of outdoor terraces. We are aiming to finalise the planning application by mid-November 2014 with completion due in Autumn 2015.
The Lancasters
The freehold interest in the property has now been transferred to the residents. We are in the process of finalising the last few snagging items which we expect to complete before the year end.
Outlook
In the last months we observed a period of strong growth. With the general election in May 2015, we feel that the prime London residential market will become somewhat subdued until then. However, if further tax burdens are implemented, the UK is still only coming into line with other countries and the many plusses for London still hold firm; undoubtedly the most important dynamic is a lack of supply and cumulative growth of 20% is anticipated between 2014 and 2018.
Niccolò Barattieri di San Pietro
Chief Executive Officer
Financial Review
Consolidated Interim Statement of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited)
The Group's revenue for the six month period increased by £1.7m to £2.6m (2013: £0.9m) due to increase in development fee income by £2.2m. Intarya's revenue decreased by £0.5m to £0.2m (2013: £0.7m) as a result of lower activity in interior design side of business. The reported development fee income of £2.4m (2013: £0.2m) included fees from all current projects: Vicarage Gate House, 13 & 14 Vicarage Gate, 1 Palace Street, 33 Thurloe Square and Chester Square.
Investment income of £0.5m (2013: £15m) represented dividends received following the sale of the 33 Thurloe Square project in June 2014 and bank interest. Administrative expenses were at a similar level of £2.5m as the comparative period (2013: £2.4m). The Group reported a profit before taxation of £0.5m (2013: £13m).
Consolidated Interim Statement of Financial Position (Unaudited)
The Group has improved its cash position in comparison to last year and as at 31st August 2014 had cash and cash equivalents of £18.3m (2013: £7.4m). This was as a result of raising additional £12.5m cash by issuing new shares and through a cashbox acquisition, as well as receipt of final dividends from The Lancasters Development in December 2013.
Following the capital raise and receipt of final dividends from The Lancasters Development the Group invested in two new projects, 1 Palace Street and 33 Thurloe Square. As at 28th February 2014, the Group had provided a total of £10.3m in cash for these two projects, representing an equity investment of £8.8m in respect of 1 Palace Street and £1.5m through a combination of equity investment and shareholder loan in respect of 33 Thurloe Square. Following the sale of 33 Thurloe Square in June 2014, the shareholder loan of £1.5m was repaid.
In accordance with International Accounting Standards, the investments in development projects that have been classified as available for sale financial assets in the Consolidated Interim Statement of Financial Position (Unaudited) represent, where appropriate, the equity value in each of the development schemes and any fair value adjustments. As at 31st August 2014 the total of £8.8m represents the fair value of the investment in 1 Palace Street and 33 Thurloe Square projects. In comparison, last year amount of £7.1m related to the fair value of The Lancasters Development. The total of £7.1m represented the remaining dividends due to the Group from The Lancasters Development which was received in December 2013.
In addition the Group acquired a new project, 22 Prince Edward Mansions, in August 2014. As at 31st August 2014 the Group provided a total of £4.0m in cash for this project and the full amount is disclosed as inventories in the Consolidated Interim Statement of Financial Position (Unaudited).
Capital and Reserves
On 14th August 2014 the Directors declared a dividend of 35.43p per share (2013: 40p per share) with the payment date of 5th September 2014. A total dividend liability as at 31st August 2014 of £14.99m is included in current liabilities, trade and other payables. Following the payment of the dividend, the Directors do not recommend the payment of a further dividend as the funds of the Company are fully employed.
Kasia Maciborska-Singh
Group Financial Controller
Northacre PLC
Consolidated Interim Statement of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited)
6 Months | 6 Months | Year | ||||||
ended | ended | ended | ||||||
Note | 31.8.2014 | 31.8.2013 | 28.2.2014 | |||||
Unaudited | Unaudited | Audited | ||||||
£'000 | £'000 | £'000 | ||||||
Continuing operations | ||||||||
Group revenue | 2 | 2,581 | 873 | 2,956 | ||||
Cost of sales | (19) | (457) | (1,294) | |||||
Gross profit | 2,562 | 416 | 1,662 | |||||
Administrative expenses | (2,508) | (2,429) | (4,869) | |||||
Group profit/(loss) from operations | 54 | (2,013) | (3,207) | |||||
Investment revenue | 466 | 15,046 | 15,063 | |||||
Profit on disposal of available for sale financial asset | - | - | 111 | |||||
Other gains | - | - | 336 | |||||
Profit before taxation | 520 | 13,033 | 12,303 | |||||
Taxation | 347 | 112 | (103) | |||||
Profit for the period attributable | ||||||||
to equity holders of the Company | 867 | 13,145 | 12,200 | |||||
Other comprehensive loss: | ||||||||
Changes in fair value of available for sale financial assets | 5 | - | (15,000) | (15,000) | ||||
Total comprehensive profit/(loss) for the period | 867 | (1,855) | (2,800) | |||||
Profit per ordinary share | 3 | |||||||
Basic | 2.05p | 49.18p | 39.51p | |||||
Diluted | 2.05p | 49.18p | 39.51p | |||||
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Northacre PLC
Consolidated Interim Statement of Financial Position (Unaudited)
31.8.2014 | 31.8.2013 | 28.2.2014 | |||||||||
Unaudited | Unaudited | Audited | |||||||||
Note | £'000 | £'000 | £'000 | ||||||||
Non-current assets | |||||||||||
Goodwill | 8,007 | 8,007 | 8,007 | ||||||||
Property, plant and equipment | 770 | 886 | 823 | ||||||||
Available for sale financial assets | 5 | 8,825 | 7,149 | 8,825 | |||||||
Investments | 6 | - | 2,154 | - | |||||||
17,602 | 18,196 | 17,655 | |||||||||
Current assets | |||||||||||
Inventories | 4,010 | 32 | 168 | ||||||||
Trade and other receivables | 1,961 | 4,514 | 6,668 | ||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | 18,270 | 7,388 | 21,240 | ||||||||
24,241 | 11,934 | 28,076 | |||||||||
Total assets | 41,843 | 30,130 | 45,731 | ||||||||
Current liabilities | |||||||||||
Trade and other payables | 7 | 16,860 | 2,561 | 6,616 | |||||||
Total liabilities | 16,860 | 2,561 | 6,616 | ||||||||
Equity | |||||||||||
Share capital | 1,058 | 668 | 1,058 | ||||||||
Share premium account | 22,565 | 18,552 | 22,565 | ||||||||
Merger reserve | - | - | 8,086 | ||||||||
Retained earnings | 1,360 | 8,349 | 7,406 | ||||||||
Total equity | 24,983 | 27,569 | 39,115 | ||||||||
Total equity and liabilities | 41,843 | 30,130 | 45,731 |
Northacre PLC
Consolidated Interim Statement of Cash Flows (Unaudited)
6 Months | 6 Months | Year | |||||||
ended | ended | ended | |||||||
31.8.2014 | 31.8.2013 | 28.2.2014 | |||||||
Unaudited | Unaudited | Audited | |||||||
£'000 | £'000 | £'000 | |||||||
Cash flows from operating activities | |||||||||
Profit for the period before tax | 520 | 13,033 | 12,303 | ||||||
Adjustments for: | |||||||||
Investment revenue | (466) | (15,046) | (15,063) | ||||||
Loss on disposal of investment | - | - | 1 | ||||||
Goodwill on acquisition less stamp duty paid | - | - | (368) | ||||||
Profit on sale of available for sale financial assets | - | - | (111) | ||||||
Fair value adjustment | - | - | (7,149) | ||||||
Depreciation and amortisation | 75 | 73 | 148 | ||||||
(Increase)/decrease in working capital | (3,543) | (2,792) | 503 | ||||||
Cash used in operations | (3,414) | (4,732) | (9,736) | ||||||
Corporation tax - consortium relief refunded | - | 764 | 3,293 | ||||||
Net cash used in operating activities | (3,414) | (3,968) | (6,443) | ||||||
Cash flows from investing activities | |||||||||
Purchase of property, plant and equipment | (22) | (40) | (52) | ||||||
Increase in investments | - | (2,154) | (8,824) | ||||||
Acquisition of subsidiary, net of cash acquired | - | - | 10,502 | ||||||
Interest received | 38 | 46 | 63 | ||||||
Dividends received | 428 | 15,000 | 15,000 | ||||||
Net cash generated from investing activities | 444 | 12,852 | 16,689 | ||||||
Cash flows from financing activities | |||||||||
Proceeds from issue of shares | - | - | 12,489 | ||||||
Dividends paid | - | (10,691) | (10,689) | ||||||
Net cash (outflow)/inflow from financing activities | - | (10,691) | 1,800 | ||||||
(Decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents | (2,970) | (1,807) | 12,046 | ||||||
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period | 21,240 | 9,195 | 9,194 | ||||||
Cash and cash equivalents at end of the period | 18,270 | 7,388 | 21,240 | ||||||
Cash and cash equivalents at 31st August 2014 and 31st August 2013 represent bank deposits held by the Group. |
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Northacre PLC
Consolidated Interim Statement of Changes in Equity (Unaudited)
Called Up | Share | Merger | Retained | Total | ||||||
Share | Premium | Reserve | Earnings | |||||||
Capital | Account | |||||||||
£'000 | £'000 | £'000 | £'000 | £'000 | ||||||
As at 1st March 2013 | 668 | 18,552 | - | 20,895 | 40,115 | |||||
Total comprehensive loss for the period | - | - | - | (1,855) | (1,855) | |||||
Transactions with owners of the Company: | ||||||||||
Dividends paid | - | - | - | (10,691) | (10,691) | |||||
As at 31st August 2013 | 668 | 18,552 | - | 8,349 | 27,569 | |||||
Total comprehensive loss for the period | - | - | - | (943) | (943) | |||||
Transactions with owners of the Company: | ||||||||||
Issue of Ordinary shares | 390 | 4,013 | 8,086 | - | 12,489 | |||||
As at 28th February 2014 | 1,058 | 22,565 | 8,086 | 7,406 | 39,115 | |||||
Total comprehensive profit for the period | - | - | - | 867 | 867 | |||||
Transactions with owners of the Company: | ||||||||||
Dividends declared | - | - | (8,086) | (6,913) | (14,999) | |||||
As at 31st August 2014 | 1,058 | 22,565 | - | 1,360 | 24,983 | |||||
Northacre PLC
Notes to the Unaudited Interim Financial Statements
For the Six Months ended 31st August 2014
1. Basis of Preparation and Accounting Policies
Basis of Preparation
The interim financial information for the six months ended 31st August 2014 and 31st August 2013 is unaudited. The interim financial information was approved by the Board of Directors on 11th November 2014.
The statutory financial statements for the year ended 28th February 2014, prepared under International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), have been reported on by the Group auditors and delivered to the Registrar of Companies. The audit report was unqualified and did not contain a statement under s498 of the Companies Act 2006.
These accounts have been prepared in accordance with International Accounting (IAS) 34 'Interim Financial Reporting'.
The interim financial information does not constitute statutory financial statements within the meaning of the Companies Act 2006.
Accounting Policies
The accounting policies adopted are consistent with those applied as at 28th February 2014 and those that the Directors expect to be adopted as at 31st December 2014. They are set out in full in the financial statements for the year ended 28th February 2014.
Going Concern
The Company and Group currently meet their day-to-day working capital requirements through monies received from The Lancasters Development and 33 Thurloe Square dividends and through fees receivable from its projects: Vicarage Gate House, 13-14 Vicarage Gate, 33 Thurloe Square, Chester Square and 1 Palace Street.
The Directors have prepared detailed cash flow projections for the period ending 31st December 2018 making reasonable assumptions about the levels and timings of income and expenditure, and in particular the timing of receipt of certain fees due from major developments. These projections show that the Group can meet its on-going working capital requirements. On this basis the Directors consider it appropriate to prepare the financial statements on a going concern basis.
Significant Judgements and Estimates of Areas of Uncertainty
In preparing these financial statements the Directors are required to make judgements and best estimates of the outcome of and in particular, the timing of revenues, expenses, assets and liabilities based on assumptions. These assumptions are based on historical experience and various other factors that are considered reasonable under the various circumstances. The estimates and assumptions are reviewed on a regular basis with any revisions being applied in the relevant period. The material areas where estimates and assumptions are made are:
- The valuation of goodwill;
- The valuation of available for sale financial assets; and
- The status and progress of the developments and projects.
Basis of Consolidation
The Group financial statements include the financial statements of the Company and its subsidiary undertakings. Subsidiary undertakings are all entities over which the Group has the power to govern the financial and operating policies of the subsidiary and therefore exercises control. The existence and effect of both current voting rights and potential voting rights that are currently exercisable or convertible are considered when assessing whether control of an entity is exercised. Subsidiaries are consolidated from the date at which the Group obtains the relevant level of control and are de-consolidated from the date at which control ceases.
Revenue
Revenue represents amounts earned by the Group in respect of services rendered during the period net of value added tax. Shares in development profits and performance fees are recognised when the amounts involved have been finally determined and agreed criteria for recognition have been fulfilled. Fees in respect of project management and interior and architectural design are recognised in accordance with the stage of completion of the contract.
Investments
Investments in subsidiaries, associates and joint ventures, and other investments are presented in the Group and Parent financial statements at cost, less any necessary provision or impairment.
Associates
Associates are entities over which the Group exercise significant influence but does not exercise control. Investments in associates are accounted for using the equity method of accounting and are initially recognised at cost, which includes goodwill identified on acquisition, net of any accumulated impairment loss. The Group's share of its associate's profits or losses after acquisition of its interest is recognised in profit or loss and cumulative post-acquisition movements are adjusted against the carrying amount of the investment. Where the Group's share of losses of an associate equals or exceeds the carrying amount of the investment, the Group only recognises further losses where it has incurred obligations or made payments on behalf of the associate.
Financial Assets
Available for sale financial assets consist of equity investments in other entities where the Group does not exercise either control or significant influence. The investments reflect capital contributions made in respect of projects undertaken with other partners in which the Group will be entitled to an eventual profit share.
Available for sale financial assets are shown at fair value at each reporting date with changes in fair value being shown in Other Comprehensive Income, or at cost less any necessary provision for impairment where a reliable estimate of fair value is not able to be determined.
Impairment of Assets
Assets that have an indefinite useful life are not subject to amortisation but are instead tested annually for impairment and are subject to additional impairment testing if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable.
Assets that are subject to depreciation and amortisation are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. Indicators of impairment are reviewed annually.
An impairment loss is recognised for the amount by which the asset's carrying amount exceeds its recoverable amount. The recoverable amount is the higher of an asset's fair value less costs to sell and value in use. Any impairment charge is recognised in profit or loss in the year in which it occurs. When an impairment loss, other than an impairment loss on goodwill, subsequently reverses due to a change in the original estimate, the carrying amount of the asset is increased to the revised estimate of its recoverable amount, up to the carrying amount that would have resulted, net of depreciation, had no impairment loss been recognised for the asset in prior years.
Business Combinations and Goodwill
Goodwill relating to acquisitions prior to 1st March 2006 is carried at the net book value on that date and is no longer amortised but is subject to annual impairment review. On acquisition, the assets, liabilities and contingent liabilities of a subsidiary are measured at their fair values at the date of acquisition. Any excess of the cost of acquisition over the fair values of the identifiable net assets acquired is recognised as goodwill. Any deficiency of the cost of acquisition below the fair values of the identifiable net assets acquired (i.e. discount on acquisition) is credited to profit or loss in the period of acquisition. Goodwill is tested annually for impairment.
Capital and Financial Risk Management
The Group manages its capital to ensure that the Group will be able to continue as a going concern, while maximising the return to shareholders through the optimisation of its debt and equity balance.
The capital structure of the Group consists of cash and cash equivalents and equity attributable to equity holders of the Parent Company, comprising issued capital, share premium account and retained profits.
The Group manages the capital structure and makes adjustments to it in the light of changes in economic conditions. In order to maintain or adjust the capital structure, the Group may adjust the amount of dividends payable to shareholders, return capital to shareholders, issue new shares or sell assets to reduce debt or increase capital.
The Board regularly reviews the capital structure, with an objective to minimise net debt whilst investing in the development opportunities.
The Group's activities expose it to a variety of financial risks and those activities involve the analysis, evaluation, acceptance and management of some degree of risk or combination of risks. Taking risks is core to the property business and the operational risks are an inevitable consequence of being in business. The Group's aim is to achieve an appropriate balance between risk and return and minimise potential adverse effects on the Group's performance.
The Group's risk management policies are designed to identify and analyse these risks, to set appropriate risk limits and controls, and to monitor the risks by means of a reliable up-to-date information system. The Group regularly reviews its risk management policies and systems to reflect changes in markets, products and emerging best practice.
Risk management is carried out by the Board of Directors. Directors are responsible for the identification of the major business risks faced by the Group and for determining the appropriate course of action to manage those risks. The most important types of risk are credit risk, liquidity and market risk. Market risk includes currency, interest rate and other price risks.
2. Segmental Information
Segmental information is presented in respect of the Group's business segments. The business segments are based on the Group's corporate and internal reporting structure. Segment results and assets include items directly attributable to a segment as well as those that can be allocated to a segment on a reasonable basis. The segmental analysis of the Group's business as reported internally to management is as follows:
Revenue | 6 Months | 6 Months | Year | |||
ended | ended | ended | ||||
31.8.2014 | 31.8.2013 | 28.2.2014 | ||||
Unaudited | Unaudited | Audited | ||||
£'000 | £'000 | £'000 | ||||
Development management | 2,368 | 150 | 901 | |||
Interior design | 213 | 723 | 1,992 | |||
Architectural design | - | - | 63 | |||
2,581 | 873 | 2,956 |
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Profit/(loss) before taxation | 6 Months | 6 Months | Year | |||
ended | ended | ended | ||||
31.8.2014 | 31.8.2013 | 28.2.2014 | ||||
Unaudited | Unaudited | Audited | ||||
£'000 | £'000 | £'000 | ||||
Development management | 832 | 13,212 | 12,365 | |||
Interior design | (308) | (171) | (105) | |||
Architectural design | (4) | (8) | 43 | |||
520 | 13,033 | 12,303 |
Assets | 31.8.2014 | 31.8.2013 | 28.2.2014 | |||||
Unaudited | Unaudited | Audited | ||||||
£'000 | £'000 | £'000 | ||||||
Development management | 41,722 | 29,487 | 45,139 | |||||
Interior design | 92 | 560 | 454 | |||||
Architectural design | 29 | 83 | 138 | |||||
41,843 | 30,130 | 45,731 | ||||||
Liabilities | 31.8.2014 | 31.8.2013 | 28.2.2014 | |||||
Unaudited | Unaudited | Audited | ||||||
£'000 | £'000 | £'000 | ||||||
Development management | 15,663 | 1,035 | 5,260 | |||||
Interior design | 497 | 722 | 551 | |||||
Architectural design | 700 | 804 | 805 | |||||
16,860 | 2,561 | 6,616 | ||||||
3. Profit per share | 6 Months | 6 Months | Year | ||||
ended | ended | ended | |||||
31.8.2014 | 31.8.2013 | 28.2.2014 | |||||
Unaudited | Unaudited | Audited | |||||
Weighted average number of shares in issue | 42,335,538 | 26,723,643 | 30,879,049 | ||||
Profit for the period attributable to equity holders of the Company (£'000) | 867 | 13,145 | 12,200 | ||||
Basic profit per share (pence) | 2.05 | 49.18 | 39.51 | ||||
Diluted profit per share (pence) | 2.05 | 49.18 | 39.51 | ||||
There were no potentially dilutive instruments in issue during the current or preceding periods. All amounts shown relate to continuing and total operations.
4. Dividends | ||||||
Interim dividends of 35.43p per share were declared on 14th August 2014 and paid on 5th September 2014 (2013: 40p per share). The number of shares in issue was 42,335,538 (2013: 26,723,643) and the total payment amounted to £14.99m (2013: £10.69m). | ||||||
5. Available for sale financial assets
Unaudited | ||||||||
£'000 | ||||||||
At 1st March 2013 | 22,149 | |||||||
Dividend received | (15,000) | |||||||
At 31st August 2013 | 7,149 | |||||||
Derecognition | (7,149) | |||||||
Increase in 1 Palace Street and 33 Thurloe Square fair value | 8,825 | |||||||
At 28th February 2014 | 8,825 | |||||||
Changes in the period | - | |||||||
At 31st August 2014 | 8,825 |
The decrease in available for sale financial assets of £7.149m represents derecognition of the available for sale financial assets following the acquisition of Lancaster Gate (Hyde Park) Limited on 16th December 2013.
The Company is committed to invest £10m into the 1 Palace Street development. At 31st August 2014 the Company had paid £8.825m of this commitment.
The £15 investment in 33 Thurloe Square represents a 15% equity stake. The property held by the investment was sold in June 2014. At 28th February 2014 the Company had paid costs of £1.5m in relation to this project which have been treated as a shareholder loan and included within trade and other receivables in the Consolidated and Company Statements of Financial Position. The shareholder loan was repaid in July 2014 following the disposal of the project.
6. Investments
31.8.2014 | 31.8.2013 | 28.2.2014 | |||||
Unaudited | Unaudited | Audited | |||||
£'000 | £'000 | £'000 | |||||
33 Thurloe Square | - | 1,404 |
| - | |||
1 Palace Street | - | 750 |
| - | |||
- | 2,154 | - |
The amount of £2.154m disclosed as investments as at 31st August 2013 related to the initial investments in 33 Thurloe Square and 1 Palace Street projects. These investments were reclassified at 28th February 2014 as available for sale financial assets of £0.654m and a shareholder loan of £1.5m.
7. Trade and Other Payables
31.8.2014 | 31.8.2013 | 28.2.2014 | |||||
Unaudited | Unaudited | Audited | |||||
£'000 | £'000 | £'000 | |||||
Trade payables | 215 | 255 | 297 | ||||
Social security and other taxes | 58 | 44 | 535 | ||||
Other payables | 5 | 8 | 5 | ||||
Accruals and deferred income | 1,583 | 2,254 | 5,779 | ||||
Dividends payable | 14,999 | - | - | ||||
16,860 | 2,561 | 6,616 |
8. Capital commitments
As per the announcement dated 18th September 2013, the Company is committed to invest £10m in Palace Revive Limited, a special purpose company financed by a variety of institutional investors, established to acquire a property at 1 Palace Street. The Company paid £8.825m in the period to 31st August 2014 with a further £1.175m equity contribution paid on 14th October 2014.
9. Related Party Transactions
Nature of | 31.8.2014 | 31.8.2013 | 28.2.2014 | Nature of | ||||||
Relationship | Unaudited | Unaudited | Audited | Transactions | ||||||
£'000 | £'000 | £'000 | ||||||||
K.B. Nilsson | 1 | (61) | - | (57) | Consultancy fees for services provided for the 1 Palace Street project for the period 1st March 2014 to 31st August 2014 | |||||
E.B. Harris | 2 | (15) | (15) | (30) | Non-executive Directors Fees representing a balance at the end of the period | |||||
E.B. Harris | 2 | (15) | (15) | (30) | Non-executive Directors Fees representing amounts accrued during the period | |||||
M. Williams | 3 | - | (15) | (10) | Non-executive Directors Fees representing amounts paid during the period | |||||
A. de Rothschild | 4 | (18) | (5) | (18) | Non-executive Directors Fees representing a balance at the end of the period | |||||
M.A. AlRafi | 5 | - | (10) | (10) | Executive Directors fees representing amounts paid during the period | |||||
M.A. AlRafi | 5 | - | (975) | (975) | Bonus of £1,000,000 was payable from The Lancasters Development dividends. £25,000 was paid on 28th November 2012 and the balance of £975,000 was paid post year end on 28th March 2014 | |||||
ADCM Ltd | 6 | (642) | (500) | (1,100) | Consultancy fees charged during the period; £1,200,000 was paid in March 2014 | |||||
ADCM Ltd | 6 | (40) | - | 117 | Expenses charged by ADCM Ltd as per the consultancy agreement | |||||
Palace Revive Developments Limited | 7 | - | - | 2,705 | Development management fees received during the period as per development management agreement | |||||
Palace Revive Developments Limited | 7 | 18 | - | 59 | Expenses paid on behalf of Palace Revive Developments Limited during the period | |||||
Palace Real Estate Partners LP | 8 | - | - | 8,825 | Amount invested by Northacre PLC into Palace Real Estate Partners LP during the period |
Nature of Relationship
1. K.B. Nilsson is a Director of the Company.
2. E.B. Harris is a Director of the Company, and a member of E.C. Harris LLP.
3. M. Williams was a Director of the Company (resigned on 27th March 2013).
4. A. de Rothschild was a Director of the Company (resigned 11th February 2014).
5. M.A. AlRafi was a Director of the Company (resigned on 25th June 2013).
6. ADCM Ltd is a fully owned subsidiary of ADFG LLC, the Group's ultimate parent company.
7. Palace Revive Developments Limited is a company controlled by ADCM Ltd.
8. Palace Real Estate Partners LP is a partnership that controls Palace Revive Developments Limited.
10. Events after the reporting date
Interim dividends of 35.43p per share were paid on 5th September 2014. The total payment amounted to £14.99m.
On 19th September 2014 Northacre Capital (7) Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Northacre PLC, signed a loan facility agreement with the Royal Bank of Scotland PLC. The facility is for a maximum of £3.15m and was signed to finance the development of the Prince Edward Mansions project. The repayment date is the earlier of:
- the latest expiry date of the current interest period outstanding as at the date of completion of the sale of the project and
- the date which falls 18 months after the date on which the loan is drawn.
The first tranche shall be drawn within 3 months from 5th September 2014. The interest payable was agreed at 3.25% per annum above LIBOR. In addition the Company will pay a £31,500 arrangement fee, a quarterly monitoring fee of £2,500 per quarter and a fee of 1.25% of the highest amount outstanding at any time under the loan agreement.
The loan is secured on a first legal change over the property and its associated assets, a guarantee of £120,000 from Northacre PLC to Northacre Capital (7) Limited, a change over a cash held by Northacre PLC and a change over all assets present and future of Northacre Capital (7) Limited.
11. Other Information
The interim statement was approved by the Directors on 11th November 2014.
A copy of the announcement will be made available on our website:
www.northacre.com
Independent Review Report to
Northacre PLC
Introduction
We have been engaged by the Company to review the condensed set of financial statements in the half-yearly financial report for the six months ended 31stAugust 2014 which comprises the consolidated statement of comprehensive income, the consolidated statement of financial position, the consolidated statement of cash flows, the consolidated statement of changes in equity and the related notes. We have read other information contained in the half-yearly financial report and considered whether it contains any apparent misstatements or material inconsistencies with the information contained in the condensed set of financial statements.
This report is made solely to the Company in accordance with International Standard on Review Engagements (UK and Ireland) 2410 'Review of Interim Financial Information Performed by the Independent Auditor of the Entity' issued by the Auditing Practices Board for use in the United Kingdom. Our work is undertaken so that we might state to the Company those matters we are required to state to them in an independent review report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the Company, for our review work, for this report, or for the conclusions we have formed.
Directors' Responsibilities
The half-yearly financial report is the responsibility of, and has been approved by, the Directors. The Directors are responsible for preparing the half-yearly financial report in accordance with the Rules of the Alternative Investment Market.
As disclosed in note 1, the annual financial statements of the Group are prepared in accordance with IFRS as adopted by the European Union. The condensed set of financial statements included in this half-yearly financial report has been prepared in accordance with International Accounting Standard 34, 'Interim Financial Reporting' as adopted by the European Union.
Our Responsibility
Our responsibility is to express to the Company a conclusion on the condensed set of financial statements in the half-yearly report based on our review.
Scope of Review
We conducted our review in accordance with International Standard on Review Engagements (UK and Ireland) 2410 'Review of Interim Financial Information Performed by the Independent Auditor of the Entity' issued by the Auditing Practices Board for use in the United Kingdom. A review of interim financial information consists of making enquiries, primarily of persons responsible for financial and accounting matters, and applying analytical and other review procedures. A review is substantially less in scope than an audit conducted in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK and Ireland) and consequently does not enable us to obtain assurance that we would become aware of all significant matters that might be identified in an audit. Accordingly we do not express an audit opinion.
Conclusion
Based on our review, nothing has come to our attention that causes us to believe that the condensed set of financial statements in the half-yearly financial report for the six months to 31st August 2014 is not prepared, in all material respects, in accordance with International Accounting Standard 34 as adopted by the European Union and the Rules of the Alternative Investment Market.
Kingston Smith LLP
Chartered Accountants
Devonshire House
60 Goswell Road
London EC1M 7AD
11th November 2014
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