18th Dec 2015 07:00
18 December 2015
All Leisure Group plc
("All Leisure", the "Company" or the "Group")
Trading Update for the year ended 31 October 2015
Financial Update
Trading conditions have been challenging throughout the year, both for the Tours and Cruise divisions. The Group's interim report issued on 30 July 2015 said "the Board anticipates that full year performance will be below expectations and now expects the business to make a small loss for the full year."
Subsequent to this statement, trading in the final quarter of the year improved slightly, driven by better late bookings for September/October departures. Subject to audit, the Group now expects to have delivered broadly neutral profit before tax for the year.
Unaudited results show revenues for the year of £127.3 million (2014: £138.9 million), a reduction of £11.6 million. The 2014 figure included revenue of £4.3 million in relation to the vessel "mv Discovery" which was disposed in October 2014. Underlying Cruise division revenues fell by £2.2 million as a direct result of maintenance periods for both Voyager and Minerva in the first half year, offset by slightly better occupancy levels whilst the ships were operational. Revenue from the Tours division declined £5.1 million due to lower passenger numbers, partly offset by a 2% improvement in revenue/passenger.
Profit before Tax for the year is expected to be broadly neutral (2014: loss of £(7.2) million).
The Group closed the year to 31 October 2015 with unrestricted cash of £6.9 million (2014: £11.6 million) plus further restricted cash balances of £3.2 million (2014: £3.5 million). Subsequently on 30 November 2015 the Group received £3 million proceeds, less costs, for the sale and lease-back of the vessel "Hebridean Princess" with HP Shipping Limited, a company owned by a syndicate of investors led by Mr. Roger Allard, the Chairman and controlling shareholder of All Leisure Group.
Operational Highlights
Our "Travelsphere" and "Just You" brands continued to offer Escorted Tours to destinations across the world. Total passenger numbers for Tours were 36.2k (2014: 39.8k), with average revenue per passenger ahead 2%. Our "Just You" brand continued to grow passenger numbers, which was very pleasing.
In the Cruise business, passengers were 17.8k (2014: 17.9k), with slightly reduced capacity due to dry dock maintenance periods for both Voyager and Minerva, as reported at the half year. However occupancy of available cabins improved to 77% (2014: 76%).
Outlook
Trading conditions are expected to remain very challenging, especially in view of the escalating conflict in the Middle East and recent acts of terrorism, and the effect these events may have on consumers' propensity to travel.
Enquiries:
All Leisure Group PLC
Roger Allard (Executive Chairman) Tel: +44 1858 588 396
Ian Smith (Group Chief Executive Officer) Tel: +44 1858 588 396
Nigel Arthur (Group Finance Director) Tel: +44 1858 588 396
NOMAD and broker:
Panmure Gordon (UK) Limited
Andrew Godber/Charles Leigh-Pemberton Tel: +44 207 886 2500
Related Shares:
ALLG.L