Final Results

Peel Hotels PLC 07 April 2004 PEEL HOTELS PLC PRELIMINARY ANNOUNCEMENT Derived from the audited results for financial period ended 15 February 2004 HIGHLIGHTS • Turnover up by 9.7% to £12.1 million (2003 - £11.0 million) • Operating profit, excluding income from Management Contract, up by 12% to £2.3 million (2003 - £2.0 million) • Pre-Tax profits down 20% to £1.41 million (2003 - £1.76 million) • 'Revpar' (Accommodation revenue per available room) improved by 2% • Dividend increased by 5% to 4.2p per share (2003 - 4.0p per share) PRESS ENQUIRIES TO ROBERT PEEL 020 7266 1100 CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT RESULTS Turnover grew by 9.7% to £12,070,444 benefiting from a full year's contribution from the Avon Gorge in Bristol and the George Hotel in Wallingford (2003 - 9 months). Operating profit was flat at £2,671,658 (2003: £2,708,779). Excluding income from the Management Contract, operating profit was £2,253,063 (2003: £2,012,416) an increase of 12%. Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation grew from £3,374,182 to £3,455,311, an increase of 2.4%. The pre-tax result decreased 20% to £1,406,636 from £1,760,528. After a full tax provision of 30% less allowances, earnings per share were 8.7p basic and 8.5p on a diluted basis. A £316,771 net increase in financial charges was partly due to the acquisition of the Avon Gorge and the George on 10 June 2002, and also due to the effects of financial instruments coming into play on 11 April 2003 and 24 June 2003. As at 15 February 2004 net debt stood at £16,584,425 representing loans totalling £15,793,686 and an overdraft of £926,478 less £135,739 cash at bank. Gearing on Shareholders' funds was 119% with interest covered 2.1 times. Net debt decreased £162,384 compared to the previous year. Total sales on the six owned hotels on a like for like basis grew by 3.6% and I am pleased to report that 'Revpar' (accommodation revenue per available room) increased 2% with occupancy up 1.1% and the average room rate up 0.8% in what was perceived to have been a difficult market. This is the sixth consecutive year that we have managed to increase our accommodation revenue per available room. I said in last year's Annual Report that Management Contract income would come to an end in 2003/2004 - at the year-end we continued to manage five hotels on behalf of Grace Hotels, but expect that will end imminently when the remaining hotels are sold. The performance of our six owned hotels was mixed in the financial year under review. The Golden Lion in Leeds had a disappointing year due to intensive competition and greatly increased hotel supply. Our hotels in Bristol, Bradford and Newcastle showed good growth, whilst the results of the Bull in Peterborough and the George in Wallingford were flat. Extreme diligence is necessary at all times in managing a cost base whilst sales growth is tough to achieve. Shareholders should note that the charge for depreciation increased to £783,653 some £118,250 or 17.8% more than the previous year, as a consequence of the Board's strategy of continually upgrading its properties. In pursuit of achieving high standards of maintenance in all our hotels a sum of £440,996 (2003: £289,479) was charged to profits for repairs and renewals of equipment and soft furnishings. FINANCIAL CHARGES Our average cost of borrowing moved up to 6.32% plus margin 1.25% during the year. In our half year statement I referred to two financial instruments. A 'cap and collar agreement' on £7 million of our long term loans came into effect on 24 June 2003 moving our borrowing rate to 6.99% plus 1.25% margin and the floating rate we enjoyed on the balance of our loans changed to a fixed rate on 11 April 2003 and is now set at 5.83% plus 1.25% margin. The effect of these two instruments can be illustrated as follows. If a current floating rate of 4% interest plus 1.25% margin was applied to our net debt as at the year end of £16,584,425, the financial charges would have been £870,682 some £394,340 less than we actually incurred. Although the collar agreement has and will penalise the company short term, should interest rates rise over the next few years to 4.99% and over, the company will pay a lesser comparative financial charge. Currently there is gentle upward pressure in the country on interest rates and the Board believes both financial instruments will ultimately work in the company's favour. The Board has recommended increasing the dividend from 4.0p per share to 4.2p per share amounting to £509,059, which, if approved by shareholders, will be paid on 14 May 2004 to shareholders on the register at 20 April 2004. CAPITAL EXPENDITURE A total of £1,263,003 was spent in the period. A new passenger lift was completed at the Midland in Bradford and bedroom upgrading is on-going. New central heating and hot water boilers were installed at the Golden Lion in Leeds and at the Caledonian Hotel in Newcastle. Nine bedrooms were redeveloped at the Bull in Peterborough and twenty three bedrooms were refurbished at the Caledonian in Newcastle. New property management systems were purchased at the Midland in Bradford and the Avon Gorge in Bristol as part of our ongoing plan to create a seamless accounting system throughout the estate. We temporarily closed the highly successful Billabong Bar in Newcastle after Christmas and, at the time of writing, are in the process of doubling its size. It is the second time we have doubled its size and we hope this will greatly increase sales in the current year. The Board has constantly reviewed its investment in Aire House, adjacent to the Golden Lion in Leeds, and has decided to take advantage of an extremely strong market for commercial property in this particular location by placing it on the market. This process is currently underway and the Board expect to achieve a satisfactory sale price. Aire House has planning permission for demolition and the building of forty five hotel bedrooms, but in view of the intense competition in Leeds and the frenzied construction of new hotels, we feel the sale option is the right course of action. NON STATUTORY INFORMATION Throughout the commentary on the results a number of non statutory financial numbers are quoted. These include: • Operating profit excluding income from the management contract. This is used to illustrate the ongoing, underlying performance of the company. Operating profit relating to the management contract for the financial year ended 15 February 2004 was £418,595 (2003 - £696,363). • Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation. The information to reconcile this can be seen in the profit and loss account. • Movement on sales on a like for like basis. This is used to illustrate the underlying performance of the hotels. 52 Weeks Ended 52 Weeks Ended 52 Weeks Ended 52 Weeks Ended 15 February 16 February 16 February 16 February 2004 2003 2003 2003 Total (pre (post Total acquisition) acquisition) £ £ £ £ Existing hotels 8,036,666 n/a n/a 7,902,159 Acquired hotels 3,347,240 981,170 2,101,310 3,082,480 SHAREHOLDERS We would encourage shareholders to take advantage of our shareholders' discount scheme. All shareholders are entitled to a 25% discount off the listed tariff, using a special reservations number, 020 7266 1100 or email info@peelhotel.com. Shareholders can identify the hotels we own and manage using the directory at the back of the Annual Report. We do hope you will visit our hotels and enjoy them. STAFF The Board would like to express their appreciation and thanks to all management and staff. In a competitive environment the key to increasing market share is our people's ability to display, at all times, a positive, friendly and caring attitude towards all our guests. THE FUTURE The continuing re-investment in our properties gives us confidence in being able to continue the improvement in Revpar. Whilst there is still good scope to grow our hotel profits organically, low inflation and a flat economy makes substantial turnover growth difficult to achieve, necessitating continuing efforts to contain our costs. We remain confident in the prospects of the hotels we own and are actively seeking planning gains to expand the facilities, whilst carefully reviewing acquisitions and management contract opportunities. PROFIT AND LOSS ACCOUNT For the 52 weeks ended 15 February 2004 Note 15 February 2004 16 February 2003 £ £ £ £ Turnover 12,070,444 11,000,362 Cost of sales (8,020,119) (6,932,448) Gross profit 4,050,325 4,067,914 Administrative expenses Depreciation (783,653) (665,403) Other (595,014) (693,732) (1,378,667) (1,359,135) Operating profit 2,671,658 2,708,779 Interest payable & similar (1,265,022) (1,006,344) charges Other interest receivable - 58,093 and similar income Profit on ordinary 1,406,636 1,760,528 activities before taxation Tax on profit on ordinary (351,659) (440,133) activities Profit on ordinary activities 1,054,977 1,320,395 after taxation Dividends 1 (509,059) (484,818) Profit retained 545,918 835,577 Earnings per share 2 Basic 8.7p 10.9p Diluted 8.5p 10.6p All transactions derived from continuing activities. Depreciation is no longer included within cost of sales, and is now shown separately on the face of the profit and loss account, as the directors believe this provides more meaningful information to the readers of financial statements. Comparative figures have been restated for this change. There are no recognised gains and losses for the current financial year and preceding financial year other than the retained profit of £545,918 (2003 - £835,577) shown above. BALANCE SHEET As at 15 February 2004 15 February 16 February 2004 2003 £ £ Fixed assets Tangible assets 32,844,401 32,365,051 Current assets Stocks 81,519 76,672 Debtors 991,809 870,436 Cash at bank and in hand 135,739 134,363 1,209,067 1,081,471 Creditors (due within one year) (4,080,962) (3,298,041) Net current liabilities (2,871,895) (2,216,570) Total assets less current liabilities 29,972,506 30,148,481 Creditors (due after one year) (14,809,146) (15,767,283) Provision for liabilities & charges (1,184,784) (948,540) Total assets 13,978,576 13,432,658 Capital and reserves Called up share capital 1,212,046 1,212,046 Share premium account 8,519,477 8,519,477 Profit and loss account 4,247,053 3,701,135 Equity shareholders' funds 13,978,576 13,432,658 Approved by the board on 6 April 2004 Robert Peel, Director John Perkins, Director CASH FLOW STATEMENT For the 52 weeks ended 15 February 2004 Note 52 weeks to 52 weeks to 15 February 16 February 2004 2003 £ £ £ £ Net cash inflow from 3 3,264,814 3,635,528 operating activities Returns on investments & servicing of finance Interest paid (1,136,284) (768,714) Net cash outflow from (1,136,284) (768,714) returns on investments and servicing of finance Taxation UK corporation tax paid (191,922) (272,345) Tax paid (191,922) (272,345) Capital expenditure Purchase of tangible fixed (1,263,003) (1,239,852) assets Net cash outflow from (1,263,003) (1,239,852) capital expenditure Acquisition of businesses - (9,774,884) Equity dividend paid (484,818) (424,216) Net cash inflow/(outflow) 188,787 (8,844,483) before financing Financing Share issue cost - * (35,323) New long term loans - 7,150,000 Less: loan arrangement fees - (97,960) Loan repayments (984,540) (667,270) Net cash (outflow)/inflow (984,540) 6,349,447 from financing Decrease in cash (795,753) (2,495,036) * These costs relate to the equity issue in the 52 weeks ended 17 February 2002. Reconciliation of net debt (Decrease) in cash (795,753) (2,495,036) (Decrease)/increase in debt 984,540 (6,384,770) Reduction/(increase) in net debt 188,787 (8,879,806) resulting from cash flows Non cash changes (26,403) (48,980) Reduction/(increase)in net debt 162,384 (8,928,786) in the year (16,746,809) (7,818,023) Net debt at beginning of year Net debt at end of year 4 (16,584,425) (16,746,809) NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS For the 52 weeks ended 15 February 2004 1. Dividends Final proposed dividend of 4.2p per share (2003 - 4p) 509,059 484,818 2. Earnings per share Basic Calculated on the average number of shares in issue 12,120,457 12,120,457 during the year and on profit after taxation £1,054,977 £1,320,395 Diluted Calculated on average of number of shares 12,445,067 12,436,057 available during year and on the profit after taxation £1,054,977 £1,320,395 In calculating the diluted earnings per share, the weighted average number of shares is adjusted for the dilutive effect of the share options by 324,610 (2003 - 315,600), giving an adjusted number of shares of 12,445,067 (2003 - 12,436,057). 3. Reconciliation of operating profit to net cash inflow from operating activities 2004 2003 £ £ Operating profit 2,671,658 2,708,779 Depreciation charges 783,653 665,403 Increase in stocks (4,847) (20,461) Increase in debtors (150,106) (87,124) (Decrease)/increase in creditors (35,544) 368,931 Net cash inflow from operating activities 3,264,814 3,635,528 4. Analysis of net debt At beginning of Cash Non At end of year flow cash year changes £ £ £ £ Cash at bank and in hand 134,363 1,376 - 135,739 Bank overdrafts (129,349) (797,129) - (926,478) 5,014 (795,753) - (790,739) Debt due within one year (984,540) - - (984,540) Debt due after one year (15,767,283) 984,540 (26,403) (14,809,146) Total (16,746,809) 188,787 (26,403) (16,584,425) 5. The financial information set out above does not constitute the company's statutory accounts for periods ended 15 February 2004 and 16 February 2003 but is derived from those accounts. Statutory accounts for 2003 have been delivered to the Registrar of Companies and those for 2004 will be delivered following the company's annual general meeting. The auditors reported on those accounts; their reports were unqualified and did not contain statements under section 237 (2) or (3) of the Companies Act 1985. 6. The annual report for the period ended 15 February 2004 will be posted to shareholders by 20 April 2004. 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