Final Results

Heavitree Brewery PLC 18 February 2008 The Heavitree Brewery PLC Trood Lane Matford Exeter EX2 8YP Contact: Mr G.J.Crocker - Managing and Finance Director 01392 217733 Mr R.J.Glanville - Director and Company Secretary 01392 217733 Mr A. Borrelli-- - Nominated Advisor 020 7408 4090 Date: 18 February 2008 Following a Board Meeting held today, 18 February 2008, the Directors announce the preliminary results for the year ended 31 October 2007. ISIN: GB0004182720 for 'A' Limited Voting Ordinary Shares ISIN: GB0004182506 for Ordinary Shares Chairman's statement Introduction The problems in our market caused by the fallout from the smoking ban and the miserable weather which hit this year's season for the South West have been further exacerbated by the economic squeeze now being experienced. A lack of confidence in central Government has only fanned the flames of uncertainty for the consumer. In spite of this, I am able to report that the Company has achieved satisfactory results for the year ended 31 October 2007, and remains well positioned to face the pressures within our industry. Results Turnover for the Group has decreased slightly for the period by 0.86%, and generated an operating profit of £1,652,000 against a restated operating profit for the previous year of £1,846,000. This shows a drop of 10.51%. Whilst income remains stable and costs continue to rise, our energies are concentrated on driving trade and controlling costs. The Managed House subsidiary, Heavitree Inns, produced an operating profit of £508,000 against last year's £522,000 which we recognised at the time as an extremely hard fought performance. Heavitree Incorporated, our American subsidiary, produced an operating loss of £6,000 which was the same as the previous year. A small piece of land was sold in the year for which we have received £28,000 on account. Our Agent in Houston reports continuing interest in land for development. Dividend The Directors recommend an unchanged final dividend of 7p per Ordinary and 'A' Limited Voting Ordinary Share. This, together with the interim dividend of 4.5p per share, makes a total dividend of 11.5p per share (2006 - 11p). The dividend will be paid on 14 April 2008, subject to shareholder approval at the Annual General Meeting on 11 April 2008, to shareholders on the Register at 7 March 2008. Property Sales We have sold four pubs this year. This is in accordance with the Company's continuing strategy of focusing our investment and expertise on operations which best position us in the marketplace. The houses we have sold are The Eagle Tavern in Exeter, The Royal Standard in Shaldon, Judge Jefferies in Exeter and The Bird in Hand in Witney. We also sold two unlicensed properties. In total, a gross book profit, before tax, of £1,426,000 was realised. We are currently marketing another four houses in line with this strategy, together with a small number of unlicensed properties. Pension Scheme The final salary scheme is still in the process of being wound up following the Company's decision to close it to future accrual. At the time of writing, our scheme actuary is still seeking quotes for securing the benefits accrued under the scheme through the purchase of bulk annuity contracts. I hope to have more information on this, and be able to report further as to the actual cost of the purchase of these annuities, at the half-year. Capital Investment The main investments during the year were expended on extending The Anchor Inn at Cockwood into the next door property, which we purchased in 2005, enlarging the kitchens at The Otter Inn at Weston, completing the roll-out of the cellar management systems across the whole estate and the strategic purchase of a cottage next door to one of our pubs in advance of a possible major development. One such major development is currently taking place at The Church House Inn at Stokenham, which is due to re-open prior to Easter. The estate will benefit from further refurbishments which are planned to take place this year. The Company remains committed to acquiring houses in strategic positions throughout the West Country. Repurchase of Shares The Company has continued to exercise its right to buy back its own shares, purchasing a further 79,000 'A' Limited Voting Ordinary and 28,000 Ordinary Shares, at an aggregate cost of £1,191,550, in the year. As reported and explained in detail at the half-year, this policy continues to return great value to shareholders. Personnel I would like to thank all our tenants and staff for their efforts in achieving this year's results. N H P TUCKER Chairman 18 February 2008 Group profit and loss account for the year ended 31 October 2007 As restated 2007 2006 Notes £000 £000 Turnover 13,296 13,412 Operating profit 1,652 1,846 Profit/(loss) on sale of tangible fixed assets 1,435 (74) Profit on sale of fixed asset investments - 842 Income from other fixed asset investments 1 1 Profit on ordinary activities before interest and taxation 3,088 2,615 Other interest receivable 6 10 Interest payable (403) (371) Other finance charges - FRS 17 (38) (59) Profit on ordinary activities before taxation 2,653 2,195 Taxation on profit on ordinary activities (601) (384) Profit attributable to shareholders 2,052 1,811 Dividends - equity dividends paid 2 (607) (533) Basic earnings per share 3 38.9p 34.0p Diluted earnings per share 3 38.7p 33.9p All revenues and costs relate to continuing operations. Group statement of total recognised gains and losses for the year ended 31 October 2007 As restated 2007 2006 £000 £000 Profit attributable to shareholders 2,052 1,811 Exchange difference on retranslation of net assets of subsidiary 1 (3) undertaking Actuarial gain recognised on pension scheme 572 174 Deferred tax relating to actuarial gain on pension scheme (160) (52) Deferred tax relating to change in tax rates on deferred tax on (43) - pension scheme Total recognised gains and losses relating to the year and since 2,422 1,930 last annual report Prior year adjustment (6) 2,416 Reconciliation of shareholders' funds for the year ended 31 October 2007 Note As restated 2007 2006 £000 £000 At 1 November 7,598 6,891 Total recognised gains and losses relating to the year 2,422 1,930 Dividends 2 (607) (533) Consideration received by EBT on sale of shares 313 63 Consideration paid by EBT on purchase of shares (481) (759) Reserve credit for share-based payment plans 5 6 At 31 October 9,250 7,598 Group balance sheet at 31 October 2007 2007 2006 £000 £000 Fixed assets Tangible assets 15,263 16,650 Investments 20 20 15,283 16,670 Current assets Stocks 210 142 Assets held for sale 733 - Debtors 1,384 1,493 Cash at bank and in hand 738 435 3,065 2,070 Creditors: amount falling due within one year (7,510) (9,067) Net current liabilities (4,445) (6,997) Total assets less current liabilities 10,838 9,673 Creditors: amount falling due after more than one year (283) (296) Provisions for liabilities and charges Deferred taxation (243) (262) Net assets excluding pension liability 10,312 9,115 Pension liability (1,062) (1,517) 9,250 7,598 Capital and reserves Called up share capital 273 278 Capital redemption reserve 664 659 Other reserves 70 69 Own shares reserve (963) (1,335) Profit and loss account 9,206 7,927 Total shareholders' funds 9,250 7,598 Group statement of cash flows for the year ended 31 October 2007 2007 2006 Note £000 £000 Net cash inflow from operating activities 4 1,923 2,543 Returns on investments and servicing of finance Interest paid (403) (371) Interest received 6 10 Dividends received 1 1 Preference dividend paid (1) (1) Net cash outflow from returns on investments and servicing of finance (397) (361) Taxation Corporation tax paid (380) (316) Capital expenditure and financial investment Payments to acquire tangible fixed assets (1,558) (1,764) Receipts from sales of tangible fixed assets 2,972 222 Receipts from sales of fixed asset investments - 1,017 1,414 (525) Equity dividends paid (607) (533) Financing Consideration received by EBT on sale of shares 314 63 Consideration paid by EBT on purchase of shares (481) (760) Repayment of Directors' loans (2) (7) Loans from Directors 20 - (149) (704) Increase in cash 1,804 104 Reconciliation of net cash flow to movement in net debt for the year ended 31 October 2007 2007 2006 £000 £000 Increase in cash in the year 1,804 104 Cash (inflow)/outflow resulting from decrease in debt (18) 7 Net debt at 1 November (6,506) (6,617) Net debt at 31 October (4,720) (6,506) Notes to the preliminary announcement 1 Financial information These figures do not constitute full accounts within the meaning of Section 240 of the Companies Act 1985. They have been extracted from the statutory financial statements for the year ended 31 October 2007, on which the auditors have issued an unqualified audit report. The statutory financial statements have not yet been delivered to the Registrar of Companies. In preparing the financial statements for the current year, the Group has adopted FRS 20, 'Share-based payment'. The adoption of FRS 20 has resulted in a change of accounting policy for share-based payment transactions. The main impact of FRS 20 on the Group is the recognition of an expense and a corresponding entry to equity for employees' share options. The Group has applied FRS 20 retrospectively and has taken advantage of the transitional provisions for FRS 20 in respect of equity settled awards. As a result, the Group has applied FRS 20 only to equity settled awards granted after 7 November 2002 that had not vested on 1 November 2006. Comparative figures for the year ended 31 October 2006, set out within this announcement, have been restated to apply the provisions of FRS 20, increasing expenses and consequently decreasing operating profit for that period as shown below: 2006 £000 Operating profit as previously reported 1,852 Prior year adjustment - FRS 20 (6) Operating profit as restated 1,846 2 Dividends 2007 2006 £000 £000 Declared and paid during the year Equity dividends on Ordinary and 'A' Limited Voting Ordinary Shares Final dividend for 2006 - 7p (2005 - 6p) 389 321 First dividend for 2007 - 4.5p (2006 - 4p) 248 237 Less: dividends on shares held within employee share schemes (30) (25) 607 533 Proposed for approval at AGM (not recognised as a liability at 31 October) Equity dividends on Ordinary and 'A' Limited Voting Ordinary Shares Final dividend for 2007 - 7p (2006 - 7p) 371 370 3 Basic and diluted earnings per share The calculation of basic earnings per ordinary share is based on earnings of £2,052,000 (2006 restated - £1,811,000), being profit after taxation for the year, on 5,279,211 (2006 - 5,323,113) shares, being the weighted average number of Ordinary and 'A' Limited Voting Ordinary Shares in issue during the year after excluding those shares owned by The Heavitree Brewery PLC Employee Benefits Trust and by the Employee Share Option Scheme. The calculation of diluted earnings per ordinary share is based on earnings of £2,052,000 (2006 restated - £1,811,000), being profit after taxation for the year, on 5,307,220 (2006 - 5,349,453) shares, being the weighted average number of Ordinary and 'A' Limited Voting Ordinary Shares in issue during the year, as diluted for the share options in issue. The Ordinary Shares and the 'A' Limited Voting Ordinary Shares have equal dividend rights and therefore no separate calculation of earnings per share for the different classes has been given. 4 Group statement of cash flows Reconciliation of operating profit to net cash inflow from operating activities: As restated 2007 2006 £000 £000 Operating profit 1,652 1,846 Depreciation 661 654 (Increase)/decrease in stocks (53) 7 Decrease/(increase) in operating debtors 109 (195) (Decrease)/increase in operating creditors (293) 337 Net pension charge (158) (112) Share-based payment 5 6 Net cash inflow from continuing operating activities 1,923 2,543 5 General information The 2007 Annual Report and Financial Statements will be published and posted to shareholders on 12 March 2008. Further copies may be obtained by contacting the Company Secretary at The Heavitree Brewery PLC, Trood Lane, Matford, Exeter EX2 8YP. The Annual General Meeting will be held at the Registered Office on 11 April 2008 at 11.30am. Ends. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
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