REG - Lok'nStore Group - Preliminary Results for year ended 31 July 2020

Lok'n StoreAnnouncement

02/11/2020 07:00

RNS Number : 8311D
  
Lok'nStore Group PLC
  
02 November 2020
  
 

LOK'NSTORE GROUP PLC

("Lok'nStore" or "the Group")
 
Preliminary Results for the year ended 31 July 2020
 
Lok'nStore Group Plc, a leading company in the UK self-storage market announces results for the year ended 31 July 2020.
Highlights of Lok'nStore Group plc results 2020 
Continued growth and strong new store opening programme
 
Resilient trading 
ü Group Revenue £18.04 million up 6.44% (2019: £16.95 million) 
ü Group Adjusted EBITDA2 £9.65 million up 10.4% (2019: £8.75 million)
ü Operating profit £5.79 million up 12.2% (2019: £5.16 million before exceptional items3)
ü Store Management Fees £0.99 million up 21.4% (2019: £0.82 million)
ü Occupancy up 5.9% (2019: 6.0%), pricing level
ü Bad debt written off in year only 0.15% of Group Revenue (2019: 0.26%)
 
Cash flow growth drives dividend increase - ninth consecutive year of growth
ü Cash available for Distribution (CAD) 4 per share up 12.3% to 21.3 pence (2019: 18.9 pence)
ü Annual dividend 13 pence per share up 8.3% (2019: 12 pence per share)
 
Steady increase in asset value
ü Adjusted Total Assets5 £229.4 million up 6.8% on last year (2019: £214.7 million) 
ü Adjusted Net Asset Value6 per share up 4.7% to £5.56 (2019: £5.31)
 
Conservative use of debt 
ü Loan to value ratio7 19.3% (2019: 16.1%) net of cash
ü Net debt of £38.3 million (2019: £29.3 million)
ü Average cost of debt 1.69% (2019: 2.11%)
ü £75 million bank facility extended by one year to April 2025 
 
Healthy pipeline of new landmark stores8 to deliver further growth 
ü Pipeline9 of 14 new stores taking total stores to 49 
ü Secured Pipeline will add 40.1% to owned trading space and 32.5% to total portfolio
 
Positive outlook 
ü Revenue, profits and asset values all moving ahead
ü Good growth since year- end, strategy unchanged
 
For all of the definitions of the terms used in the highlights above refer to the notes section below. 
 
Commenting on the Group's results, Andrew Jacobs, Executive Chairman of Lok'nStore Group said, 
 
"This year Lok'nStore's revenue, profits and asset values all moved ahead and trading since the year end has been good. We are raising the annual dividend by 8.3% to 13 pence per share, our ninth consecutive year of increasing dividends.
 
"14 new sites will add considerably to future sales and earnings growth, enabling further increases in dividends. Our strategy remains to open more landmark stores in an under-supplied market while maintaining a conservative balance sheet, leading to an exciting period of growth."
 
   Enquiries:




Lok'nStore:
Andrew Jacobs, Executive Chairman
Ray Davies, Finance Director


01252 521 010




finnCap Ltd 
Julian Blunt / Giles Rolls, Corporate Finance
Alice Lane, ECM


020 7220 0500




Camarco
Billy Clegg / Tom Huddart 


0203 757 4980
 
 
 




 
Notes - What we mean when we say … (and why we use these key performance indicators (KPIs)) 
 
In addition to IFRS accounting performance measures we use some Alternative Performance Measures (APMs) to help us understand how the underlying business is performing. The following table identifies those measures and explains what we mean when we use them and importantly why we use them and what they tell you about our business and performance.
 
1.   Continuing Operations - The Group's document storage business was sold on 31 January 2019 and its disposal constitutes a discontinued operation. Separate reporting of discontinued operations is important in providing users of financial statements with the information necessary to determine the effects of a disposal on the ongoing continuing operations of our business. To ensure a clear separation of the financial performance of Continuing Operations, Discontinued Operations are shown separately on the Statement of Comprehensive Income as a profit on disposal (after tax) which combines operating profit with the profit arising on its disposal. The profit on discontinued operations is then aggregated with profit on continuing operations in determining the Group's total profit for the year.
 
2.     Group Adjusted EBITDA - Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation - This measure strips away non-cash charges, finance charges and tax and now also reflects the removal of property lease costs from operating expenses as a result of the implementation of IFRS 16. Adjusted EBITDA is defined as EBITDA before losses or profits on disposal, share-based payments, acquisition costs, exceptional items, finance income, finance costs and taxation.
 
3.     Exceptional Items - refers to one-off items of a non-operational nature which arose during the year, often relating to asset disposals, and are unlikely to be recurring. (Refer Note 3(c) of the Financial Statements).
 
4.     CAD - Cash Available for Distribution - is calculated as Adjusted EBITDA less total net finance cost, less capitalised maintenance expenses, New Works Team costs and current tax. This measure also excludes the impact of IFRS16 and includes leasing charges as normal operating costs of each store, and gives clarity on the recurring operating cash flow of the business.  This measure is designed to show the capacity of the business to generate ongoing net operating cash that can be used to pay dividends to shareholders or pay down debt. The calculation of the Cash Available for Distribution is set out in the Business and Financial Review.
 
5.     Adjusted Total Assets - The value of adjusted total assets of £229.4 million (2019: £214.7 million) is calculated by adding the independent valuation of the leasehold properties of £16.7 million (2019: £18.7 million) less their corresponding net book value (NBV) £3.7 million (2019: £4.0 million) to the total assets in the Statement of Financial Position of £216.4 million (2019: £200.0 million). This provides clarity on the significant value of the leasehold stores as trading businesses which under accounting rules on leases are only presented at their book values within the Statement of Financial Position. Total assets now include the Right of Use Assets as a result of the implementation of IFRS 16 of £11.8 million. The comparative periods have been adjusted accordingly (2019: £13.0 million).
 
6.     NAV - Net Asset Value per share - Adjusted net asset value per share is the net assets adjusted for the valuation of leasehold stores (properties held under leases) and deferred tax divided by the number of shares at the year-end.  The shares held in the Group's employee benefits trust and treasury shares are excluded from the number of shares. The calculation of the Net Asset Value per share is set out in the Business and Financial Review.
 
7.     LTV - Loan to Value Ratio - measures the debt of the business expressed as a percentage of total property assets giving a perspective on the gearing of the business. The calculation is based on net debt (excluding IFRS 16 lease liabilities) of £38.3 million as set out in note 17 (2019: £29.3 million) as a percentage of the total properties independently valued by JLL and including development land assets of £29.9 million totalling £198.3 million (2019: £181.2 million) as set out in the Business and Financial Review. 
 
8.     Average Cost of Debt
The average cost of debt is calculated by taking the total interest paid on the Group's Revolving Credit Facility in the quarterly/weekly charging periods throughout the year and taking an average based on the whole financial year. Apart from the Group's Revolving Credit Facility the Group has no other debt.
 
9.     Pipeline Sites - means sites for new stores that either we have exchanged contracts on or have agreed heads of terms and are progressing with our lawyers towards completion. We have 14 pipeline sites of which 10 are contracted and 4 are with lawyers. Leicester, which was included in the pipeline sites at 31 July 2020, opened in August 2020 after the year-end. 
 
10.  Adjusted Store EBITDA is Group Adjusted EBITDA (see 2 above) before the deduction of central and head office costs.  Unlike Group Adjusted EBITDA this measure excludes the impact of IFRS16 and includes leasing charges as normal operating costs of each store.  The measure is designed to give clarity on the recurring operating cash flow of the business and provides important information on the underlying performance of the trading stores and shows the cash generating core of the business. Use of this metric enables us to provide additional information on store EBITDA contributions (after leasing costs) and the margins analysed between freehold and leasehold stores and according to the age of the stores. This analysis is set out in a table in the Business and Financial Review. 
 
11.  Gearing - refers to the level of a company's debt related to its equity capital, usually expressed in percentage form. It is a measure of a company's financial leverage and shows the extent to which its operations are funded by lenders versus shareholders. Gearing can be measured by a number of ratios and we use the debt-to-equity ratio in this document. The calculation of the gearing percentage, also referred to as the net debt to equity ratio is set out in Note 17 of the Financial Statements.
 
12.  Group Adjusted EBITDAR - EBITDAR is Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation amortisation and rent. The measure is designed to give clarity on the effect of the rent payable by leasehold stores and how its elimination enables an analytical comparison between freehold stores operating performance (which do not pay rent) and leasehold stores operating performance. This analysis is set out in a table in the Business and Financial Review.
 
13.  Cost Ratio - calculates the ratio of the total operating costs of the business as set out in the Business and Financial Review, expressed as a percentage of total group revenue (note 2), giving a perspective on the cost efficiency of the business when compared to the cost ratio of the previous year.
 
14.  LFL- Like for Like - This measure is used to give transparency on improvements in the operating business unrelated to the opening of new stores or closure of old stores therefore giving visibility of the true trading picture. The like for like key performance measure is only used where its use is particularly relevant to illustrate a performance metric not otherwise apparent. 
 
 
See also the glossary
 
 
Chairman's Statement
 
I am delighted to be reporting on this solid set of results with Lok'nStore continuing to deliver on our commitment to sustainable growth.
 
The full-year results can be summarised as:
 
·      Strong operating performance resulting in revenue and adjusted EBITDA profit growth
·      Pipeline of 149 stores
·      Growing asset value 
·      Increased dividend 
·      Continuing to invest in our landmark store opening programme
 
The detail behind these results is discussed further in our Business and Financial Review. 
 
Continued investor interest in the self-storage sector together with market transactions of self-storage operations underpins the value of our assets today and our strategy to open more landmark stores.
 
Increased dividend
The Board is confident in the strength of the business and capacity of the management team to trade effectively through this period, as demonstrated by these results, and accordingly deems it appropriate to continue to pursue the Group's progressive dividend policy.  
 
Lok'nStore's increasing dividend payments to shareholders reflect the growth in the underlying Cash Available for Distribution (CAD) which is up 12.5% over the year. 
 
For the ninth consecutive year, and in line with our stated aim to provide predictable dividend growth, we are proposing to increase the annual dividend by 1 pence per share. The Group will therefore pay a final dividend of 9 pence per share on 8 January 2021 following the interim dividend payment of 4 pence per share in June 2020 making a total annual dividend of 13 pence per share, up 8.33% from 12 pence last year.  The dividend is well covered by the Cash Available for Distribution of 21.3 pence per share, a pay-out ratio of 61%.  
 
The final dividend will be paid to shareholders on the register on 27 November 2020.  The ex-dividend date will be 26 November 2020. The final deadline for Dividend Reinvestment Election by investors is 11 December 2020. 
 
Board changes
On 3 August 2020 Lok'nStore Group announced the following Board changes, positioning the business for its next stage of growth.  With effect from 1 August 2020:

·         Neil Newman-Shepherd has been promoted to Managing Director. Neil has worked in the self-storage industry since 2003 and with Lok'nStore since 2006. Neil has served on the Lok'nStore Board since 2015 as Group Sales Director and will now take an increasing level of responsibility for the day to day operations of the Group's business. Neil's part in the success of Lok'nStore over recent years has been significant and we look forward to his continued contribution to our future growth.

 

·      Andrew Jacobs became Executive Chairman and continues to manage the overall strategic direction and property aspects of Lok'nStore.

 

·      Simon Thomas stepped down from his role as Non-Executive Chairman and now continues to serve as non-executive director. I would like to express my thanks to Simon Thomas for his many years support in the role of Chairman at Lok'nStore.

 

We were also delighted to welcome Jeff Woyda as an independent Non-Executive Director with effect from 1 September 2020.  During his extensive and varied career Jeff has held a number of senior executive positions and is currently Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer of Clarkson plc, a FTSE 250 company and the world's leading provider of integrated shipping services and investment banking capabilities to the shipping and offshore markets.

 
 
 
IFRS 16
The Group has applied IFRS 16 for the first time this year.  IFRS 16 introduces new requirements with respect to lease accounting by removing the distinction between operating and finance leases and requiring the recognition of a Right of Use Asset and a corresponding lease liability in the Statement of Financial Position.
 
The prior period financial comparatives contained within these statements have been restated to reflect the first-time adoption of IFRS 16 which changes previously reported EBITDA, interest and depreciation numbers in the Statement of Comprehensive Income. Further details of these restatements can be found in note 1.
 
Lok'nStore will continue to report on CAD which aims to look through the statutory accounts and give a clear picture of the ongoing ability of the Group to generate positive cash flow from the operating business that can be used to pay dividends to shareholders to pay down debt or to invest in new stores. 
 
Investment in our stores
While we invested £12.0 million in sites and store development this year, we are able to report a year-end loan-to-value (LTV) ratio of only 19.3% (2019: 16.1%) and net debt of £38.3 million (2019: £29.3 million) (Refer to Note 17). 
 
The Group continues to find high quality sites for new landmark stores. Trading at our new stores has been reassuring and this underpins our confidence that our secured pipeline of ten more landmark stores will add further momentum to sales and earnings growth, adding 48.0% more high quality trading space to our owned portfolio. We are on-site at Salford and will shortly be commencing development of our Warrington and Wolverhampton stores. 
 
Managed Stores 
Our growth strategy includes increasing the number of stores we manage for third party owners. This enables the Group to earn revenue without having to commit our capital, to amortise fixed central costs over a wider operating base and drive further traffic to our website which benefits our entire operation. We generated managed store income of c. £1.0 million this year, up 21.4% from the previous year. 
 
Managed store income is generated from our existing platform and central management, resulting in a high effective profit margin.  Our current pipeline includes an additional 4 managed stores which will take the total number of managed stores to 16. 
 
Our People 
We rely on our amazing people to deliver these impressive results, even more so now in these difficult circumstances. During the Covid-19 pandemic the dedication of our colleagues has shone through more than ever, allowing us to support our customers during this unprecedented period.   
 
We will continue to invest in training to develop and deepen their skills. We have reviewed our pay levels to ensure that all of our employees are paid fairly and we continue to promote equity ownership to our colleagues via our Share Investment Plan and the granting of options. 
 
We do this because it makes business sense and directly contributes to our strategic and operational objectives which are to: 
 
·      Steadily increase cash available for distribution (CAD) per share enabling a predictable growth of the dividend from a strong asset base with conservative levels of debt 
·      Fill existing stores and improve pricing
·      Acquire more sites to build new landmark stores
·    Increase the number of stores we manage for third parties
 
Coronavirus update 
On 11 March 2020 the World Health Organization declared a global pandemic which has profoundly altered the business landscape. The Board outlines below how it has dealt effectively with this unprecedented situation. 
 
Although Self-Storage is a service business our facilities are not used intensively.  Customer footfall is always comparatively low and our stores have only a few people in them at any given time, even under normal circumstances.   
 
At Lok'nStore the health and safety of our customers and colleagues is our principal priority. To date the vast majority of our team members have remained well.  Of the small number of colleagues who have had to self-isolate, either because they or someone they live with have shown symptoms, all have recovered and are back at work. We are also pleased to be able to report that no colleagues have been hospitalised due to the virus.
 
Many of our customers are providing critical services distributing medical and other essential supplies.  We include the NHS, GP surgeries, care and home support services and government departments amongst our customers and we are proud to serve them at this difficult time. 
 
Storage, logistics and transport are important parts of the distribution network and as such were not selected for closure by the Government, even at the peak of the crisis.  Our objective is to continue to keep our stores open so that our customers can continue to operate. All of our stores have remained open since the pandemic was declared and remain open at time of writing.  You can read more about how we have maintained a Covid-19 safe environment in our Business and Financial Review. 
 
Robust liquidity and cash flow
At 31 July 2020 the Group had cash balances of £13.1 million, which has since increased to £13.9 million at the date of this Report. The Group has a £75 million five-year revolving credit facility which, following a one-year extension executed during the year now runs until April 2025. This provides ample liquidity for the Group's current needs.  Cash balances combined with undrawn committed facilities at the year-end amounted to £36.7 million. The Group is not obliged to make any repayments on its loan facility prior to its expiration in April 2025.  
 
Cash inflow from operating activities before investing and financing activities was £9.7 million in the year to 31 July 2020, and we continue to generate strong cash flows. Self-storage revenue was up 6.3% year-on-year. 
 
The Group has a resilient business model with strong cash flows and a flexible and conservative debt structure.  These features have served us well during the year enabling the business to continue to trade effectively, despite the challenges of the pandemic.
 
Debt, IFRS 16 and bank covenants
The average cost of bank debt on drawn facilities for the period was 1.69%. (2019: 2.11%).  All of the Group's total drawn bank debt of £51.3 million is unhedged, which means we have benefited immediately from the reduction in base lending rate during the year. At the date of this Report the Group's current cost of debt is running at 1.56%.
 
Interest cover has remained very strong during the year and, based on the current quarter, is in excess of 7 times against a Group banking covenant of 2.5 times.  At the period end our loan-to-value ratio based on net bank debt was 19.3% versus a covenant of 60% providing a large cushion against any unforeseen circumstances. Both the Loan to Value and Senior Interest covenants continue to be tested excluding the effects of IFRS 16.
 
Capital Expenditure 
Self-storage benefits from the short lead time between breaking ground and store opening of only around 12 months. Despite our expanding pipeline of new stores, and with the completion of the Leicester store in August 2020, we are currently only on site in one location where we have purchased and are fitting-out the new store in Salford for an outlay of around £7.0 million. We intend to start building work on the Warrington site in November 2020.  We have a high degree of flexibility regarding start dates for further building at other sites. We can therefore adapt and flex our development program to react to changing economic circumstances.  
 
Positive Outlook for Growth
Our results for the financial year are robust and trading since the year end has been positive.  This has all been achieved despite the current deeply unsettled external circumstances.  With Lok'nStore's resilient business model and flexible and conservative debt structure the Board is confident the Company will continue to thrive under its proven and highly experienced management team and staff. We look to the future with confidence.
 
Andrew Jacobs
 
 
Executive Chairman 
30 October 2020
 
 
Strategic Report 
 
The UK Self-Storage Market
 
The UK Self-Storage Market at a glance 
The Self-Storage Association UK Annual Industry Survey 2020 reports that the UK Self Storage industry is made up of 1,900 sites offering 49 million square feet of space.
 




Square Feet of Self Storage per head of Population


Annual Turnover of UK Self Storage Industry


Average Store Size




UK
0.7 


Australia
1.9


US
9.4 


 
£766 million


 
28,700 sq. ft. 




 


1% rise in occupancy across the industry in 2019


Only 48% of people have a good awareness of self-storage 



 
 
 
 
 



 
Market overview
As reported in the Self-Storage Association UK (SSA UK) Annual Industry Survey 2020 the UK self-storage market continues to grow but remains under-developed relative to Australia and the US. In the UK there are an estimated 1,900 self-storage facilities providing 49 million square feet of storage space.  With a population of 66.65 million people in the UK this equates to only 0.73 square feet per person compared to 9.44 square feet per person in the USA and 1.89 square feet in Australia. The UK has 41% of all European self-storage space.
 
The structure of the UK industry is changing. When the industry first emerged companies were predominately single owner sites often located in industrial areas but larger operators (defined as operators managing 10 or more sites), such as Lok'nStore, have recently been developing purpose built stores in retail facing locations offering customers a higher standard of product and service.
 
The main barriers to entry to the market remain the difficulty in finding and securing suitable sites as well as gaining the appropriate planning consents. As a result, according to the SSA UK, larger operators now own or manage around 30% of facilities which translates to 40% of market share in terms of revenue and space. Currently Lok'nStore is the 4th largest operator in the UK by number of stores. 
 
Drivers of demand for self-storage
Demand for self-storage by both business and household customers is driven by a specific need based on changing circumstances as well as economic activity and business confidence. 
 
For household customers their need is often linked to a life event where they will need space temporarily, for example to support a house sale, but increasingly householders are using storage on a semi-permanent basis to free up space at home or store belongings they don't have room for.
 
Business customers use self-storage for a variety of purposes including storage of goods, excess or seasonal stock, document archiving or storage of equipment and tools. Businesses tend to store for longer than household customers and take larger units, although they also take advantage of self-storage for temporary periods to support seasonal sales or office moves or refurbishments. 
 
Lok'nStore's Opportunity in the Market
The Self-Storage Association UK (SSA UK) Annual Industry Survey 2020 notes that public awareness of and demand for self-storage is increasing. We know that on average customers chose a store within 5 miles of their home or business. With a pipeline of 10 secured stores and a further 4 stores progressing through the acquisitions process, Lok'nStore is well placed to attract these customers and add further momentum to the growth of our sales and profits.
 
Combining the Group's competitive strengths (recognised brand, excellent customer service, rigorous cost control) and the attractive market dynamics of the storage sector (growing sector, under supply, resilience during economic downturn) with our strong balance sheet and flexible operating and ownership model (see our portfolio strategy), we believe Lok'nStore can take advantage of the opportunities presented and continue its growth without significantly increasing risk. 
 
 
Our Business Model:
Our overriding objective is to steadily increase the Cash Available for Distribution (CAD) enabling a predictable growth of the dividend from a strong asset base and conservatively geared balance sheet.
 




 
What we do
 


 
How we create value
 


 
Sharing value with our stakeholders
 




·    Buy (or lease) prominent sites
·    Build (or refurbish) landmark, highly visible orange storage centres 
·    Offer clean, dry, secure storage to business and household customers 
·    Offer managed storage services to third party owners
 


·    Take a flexible approach to site selection
·    Increase our asset base
·    Careful cost control
·    Drive store EBITDA growth through a closely managed occupancy and pricing strategy
·    Earn fees from managing stores on behalf of others
·    Carefully balanced use of Leverage


Shareholders 
·    High quality earnings 
·    Growing NAV
·    Progressive dividend policy
 
Customers
·    Easy to locate stores
·    Friendly and high level customer service 
·    Wide range of storage solutions
·    Transparent and open contracts
 
Our people
·    Development opportunities through the Lok'nStore Academy
·    Uncapped bonus scheme for all
·    Share ownership plans
·    Strong health and safety approach
 




 
36 UK Stores currently trading
(including 12 Managed Stores)


 
£18 million revenue
 
 


 
·    13 pence annual dividend per share
·    5 Star customer reviews on trust pilot
·    £0.39 million (2019: £0.44 million paid out in bonuses to store teams
 




 
Our strategy:
 




Our objectives


Achievements in 2020


Strategy in action




Steadily increase cash available for distribution (CAD) per share 


Cash Available for Distribution (CAD) per share up 12.3% to 21.28 pence (2019:18.95 pence).
 


8.33 % increase in annual dividend to 13 pence per share. 




Fill existing stores and improve pricing


We continued to improve our online visibility through evolution of our search engine strategy.
We focussed on developing our teams' sales and customer service through the Lok'nStore Academy. 
These actions resulted in a 4% increase in new customers over the year.  Excluding the lockdown period, this would have increased 12.6% year on year.
 


Self-storage unit occupancy up 5.9% 
 
Self-storage pricing broadly flat. 
 




Acquire more sites to build new landmark stores


Leicester store opened immediately post year-end year - in prominent location. 
 
10 stores in planning or development. 
 
Planning permissions achieved at Warrington, Stevenage, Wolverhampton
 


Acquired a new site in Salford 
 




Increase the number of stores we manage for third parties


Gloucester, and Oldbury managed stores opened during the year.
 
We have 4 managed store sites with lawyers.


Acquired 2 new sites for managed Stores in Chester and Kettering 




 
 
Managing Director's Review:
 




Total Self-Storage Revenue up 6.1%


Adjusted Store EBITDA up 10.4%


Unit Occupancy up 5.9%




 "Improving operating performance and asset values."
Neil Newman-Shepherd
Managing Director
 
Lok'nStore Group has delivered another excellent year successfully implementing on all of our strategic objectives. Revenue, profits and asset values have once again all moved ahead. Our large pipeline of new stores will substantially increase the proportion of our store space which is new or purpose-built and will add further momentum to the growth of sales and profits with plenty of new capacity contributing to our growth over the coming years. 
 
Robust Trading
Group revenue for the year was £18.04 million, up 6.44% year on year (2019: £16.95 million) driven by occupancy increases in both old and new stores. This revenue growth led to a 10.4% increase in Group Adjusted EBITDA.  
 
ü Total self-storage revenue £17.0 million up 6.1% (2019: £16.00 million) 
ü Adjusted Store EBITDA £9.59 million up 6.7% (2019: £8.99 million) 
ü Unit occupancy up 5.9% (2019: 6.0%)
ü Unit pricing level
 
Total Adjusted Store EBITDA in self-storage, a key performance indicator of profitability and cash flow of the business, increased 6.7% to £9.59 million (2019: £8.99 million). The overall Adjusted EBITDA margin across all stores was higher at 56.1% (2019: 55.8%) with the Adjusted Store EBITDA margins of the freehold stores at 61.9% (2019: 61.8%) and the leasehold stores at 42.9% (2019: 43.1%).
 
Over the course of the year unit occupancy rose by a healthy 5.9% and unit pricing was level. 
 
By the year-end we had 12 managed stores following the opening of the 2 new managed stores in Gloucester and Oldbury. 
 
As the business develops the balance of the stores continues to shift towards landmark freehold stores and managed stores which have a higher than average adjusted store EBITDA margin at 61.9% and 100% respectively versus 56.1% across all stores.  The impact of this will be to continue to increase the average store EBITDA margin of the Group overall, and this effect is accentuated by operating more stores from a relatively fixed central cost base.  In this context the new stores in the pipeline will make a larger than average contribution to Group profits as they become established trading units. 
 
In the table below we show how the performance of the stores varies between freehold and leasehold stores. Currently 45.1% of Lok'nStore owned trading space is freehold, 23.7% is leasehold and 31.2% is in managed stores. 
 
Inevitably the leaseholds trade on lower margins due the rent payable, but nevertheless the 42.9% margins achieved is substantial, and leads to a higher return on capital than the freehold stores which require much larger capital expenditure to buy the land and buildings. The freehold stores produce 76.8% (2019: 75.2%) of the Adjusted store EBITDA and account for 91.6% (2019: 89.7%) of valuations (including secured pipeline stores).
 
As we build out the current secured pipeline we will be operating from 54.8% freehold space, leasehold space will decline to 17.9% of space and managed stores will increase to 27.3% of total space operated. 
 
This mix of tenures with their different risk and return characteristics provides flexibility in the balance sheet and opportunities to create value throughout the cycle.   
 
 
Portfolio Analysis and Performance Breakdown
 




 


 


 


 


 


 


When fully Developed 




Portfolio Analysis and Performance Breakdown


Number of stores


% of Valuation


% of Adjusted Store EBITDA


Adjusted Store EBITDA margin (%)


% lettable space


Number of Stores


Total % lettable space




As at 31 July 2020


 




Freehold 


15


76.5


76.8


61.9


45.1


23


54.8




Leaseholds


8


8.4


23.2


42.9


23.7


8


17.9




Managed Stores 


12


-


-


100


31.2


14


27.3




Total Stores Trading


35


-


-


-


-


45


-




Pipeline Stores 


10*


 


 


 


 


 


 




Owned


8


15.1


-


-


-


-


-




Managed Stores 


2


-


-


-


-


-


-




Total Stores


45


100


100


56.1


100


45


100




 
*Applies to the 10 contracted stores only.
 
In the table below we show how the performance breaks down across the stores, based on age of store. Clearly older stores have had more time to fill up and produced 67.4% EBITDAR margins. Over time as new stores and pipeline sites go through their life cycle they will progress towards similar margins, adding substantially to revenues and profits.
 
Operating Performance at a glance (Lok'nStore owned stores only)
 




Weeks Old


Contracted
Pipeline


Under 100


100 to 250


over 250


Total




Year Ended 31 July 2020


 


 


 


 


 




Sales £000


 


357


2,089


14,644


17,090




Stores Adjusted EBITDA £'000


 


(129)


1,314


8,403


9,588




EBITDA Margin (%) 


 


(36.2%)


62.9%


57.4%


56.1%




Stores Adjusted EBITDAR £'000


 


(129)


1,314


9,870


11,055




EBITDAR Margin (%) 


 


36.2%


62.9%


67.4%


64.7%




As at 31 July 2020 ('000 sq. ft.) 


 


 


 


 


 




Maximum Net Area 


476


193


49


945


1,542




Freehold ('000 sq. ft.) 


355


193


49


537


1,134




Short Leasehold ('000 sq. ft.) 


-


-


-


408


408




Number Stores 


 


 


 


 


 




Freehold 


8


2


3


10


23




Short Leasehold 


-


-


-


8


8




Total Stores 


8


2


3


18


31




Table covers Lok'nStore owned stores only.
In respect of the Farnborough Store (over 250 weeks) the total store revenue includes a £100,000 contribution receivable from Group Head Office.  
 
Ancillary Sales
Ancillary sales which consist of boxes and packaging materials, insurance and other sales increased 5.1% (2019: 11.0%) over the year accounting for 11.0% of self-storage revenues (2019: 11.1%).  
 
Marketing
New customers are typically drawn to Lok'nStore as a result of three key drivers:
 

·       Our distinctive landmark stores
·       Google and other search engines
·       Existing or previous customers and customer referrals

 
Store visibility remains pivotal to our marketing efforts. With their prominent positions, distinctive design and bright orange elevations our stores raise the profile of the Lok'nStore brand and help to generate a substantial proportion of our business.  Our new landmark stores are located in highly prominent locations and we continually invest in new signage and lighting at our existing stores as well as creating striking designs for our new landmark stores, to promote and enhance their visual prominence and engage the local community. 
 
The internet continues to be the main media channel for our advertising. Our website at www.loknstore.co.uk is one of the most established self-storage websites in the UK.  The website delivers a high level of customer experience across desktop and mobile devices.  Any new development of the website begins with a mobile first focus.  60% of visits to the website in the year were from a mobile device, up 6% year on year.  This is a very dynamic area and we are committed to its continued development.  We believe the internet provides a strong competitive advantage for the major operators such as Lok'nStore with relatively large marketing budgets.
 
Pipeline of New Stores
Against this background of ever improving operating performance we have invested £12.0 million (2019: £14.0 million) in new store development this year and we have a new store pipeline of 10 secured stores by the reporting date, which will take the total to 45 stores. These will all be purpose built landmark stores in highly prominent locations and will add substantially to the Group's capacity for revenue, profit and asset growth. We have 4 further store acquisitions progressing through the legal process which will take the total to 49 stores.
 
Our Covid-19 safe response
Since March, we have been responding to the evolving guidance from the governments in England and Wales regarding the pandemic, as well as the guidelines issued by the Self-Storage Association.  I am extremely proud of the way our teams across the business have met the challenge and adapted so well in an uncertain environment.   
 
Self-Storage is a service business but our facilities are not used intensively.  Customer footfall is always comparatively low and our stores have few people in them at any given time, even under normal circumstances.   
 
Many of our customers provide critical services distributing medical and other essential supplies.  We include the NHS, GP surgeries, care and home support services and government departments amongst our customers and we are proud to provide them with an efficient service at this difficult time. 
 
Management reacted swiftly earlier in the year in response to the crisis with a comprehensive range of key measures undertaken for colleagues and customers alike.
 
Here is a summary of the key measures we have taken:
 
For our colleagues
·      Colleagues have been provided with PPE including face masks, visors and hand sanitiser.
·      Our stores have been fitted with Perspex safety screens on desks and clear Covid-19 signage.
·      During lockdown, we reduced store opening hours and store colleagues worked reduced hours, with no loss of pay.
·      We have paid our team members and directors as normal, including those working reduced hours or self-isolating.
·      All bonus systems remained unchanged so colleagues still had the opportunity to increase their earning potential. 
·     8 out of 167 team members had a period of furlough during which Lok'nStore maintained their salary at its normal level. All of these employees were furloughed to enable them, where necessary, to either shield or care for someone shielding.
·     Most of our team members come to our stores by car, by bike or walking.  For the small number of colleagues who rely on public transport we have worked with them to find alternative methods. 
·   We are in regular communication with our store colleagues, updating them on the latest advice from Public Health England and the Government. We have also put in place contingency plans around reduced staffing levels to cope with increased absences as a result of self-isolation or illness.
 
For our customers
·      All of our stores have remained open since the 23 March 2020.
·    We remain vigilant with our daily cleaning programme and our staff have intensified cleaning of the most commonly touched areas and of shared equipment such as trolleys.   
·     New customers can access our reception areas one at a time to ensure strict social distancing guidelines wearing a face covering. 
·      Existing customers are still able to access their storage units as normal without any face to face contact with our team members.  
·      Customers can still communicate with our friendly teams by telephone, email or live chat.  
·     Where a customer has approached us with a short-term financial burden, we have worked with them to find a mutual solution. 
·      To further support our customers from the 20 March 2020 no new storage rate reviews have been issued to customers until further notice.
 
Future
Lok'nStore has a resilient business model and has had an excellent year, successfully implementing our strategic objectives; trading has remained strong since the year- end.  That all of this has been achieved in the face of the current deeply unsettled external circumstances is all the more pleasing and a tribute to all involved.
 
Against the background of a strong performance from our existing stores, we have a current pipeline of 14 new stores which will add considerable momentum to sales and earnings growth in the future. 
 
Neil Newman-Shepherd
Managing Director
30 October 2020
 
 
Property review
 
Store and portfolio strategy
 
Each of our operating stores is a profitable unit in its own right. Therefore, our strategy is to continue to increase the number of stores we operate without stretching our balance sheet. The core focus of this strategy is the acquisition of highly prominent freehold locations in busy towns and cities in England where we will build well branded landmark stores.
 
Flexible approach to site acquisition
All of the projects noted below are part of our strategy of actively managing our operating portfolio to ensure we are maximising both trading potential and value. This includes strengthening our distinctive brand, increasing the size and number of our stores and replacing stores or sites where it will increase shareholder value. 
 
We prefer to own freeholds if possible, and where opportunities arise, we will seek to acquire the freehold of our leasehold stores. However, we are happy to take leases on appropriate terms and benefit from the advantages of a lower entry cost, with further options to create value later in the store's development. We also consider selling established stores on sale and manage back contracts in order to recycle the capital and protect the balance sheet. Indeed, some of our stores have been freehold, leasehold and managed stores during their operating life cycle! Our most important consideration is always the trading potential of the store rather than the property tenure.
 
As at 31 July 2020, Lok'nStore operated 35 stores. Of these Lok'nStore owns 15 freehold stores and 8 stores are held under commercial leases. All of our leasehold stores are inside the Landlord and Tenant Act providing us with a strong security of tenure. 12 further sites operate under management contracts. The opening of Leicester immediately post year-end takes the number of trading stores at the date of this Report to 36.
 
The average unexpired term of the Group's leaseholds is approximately 9 years and 7 months as at 31 July 2020. 
Store pipeline
 
·      4 new store opportunities identified and are progressing with lawyers
 
·      10 contracted stores are under development of which 8 will be owned freehold by Lok'nStore and 2 will be managed stores
 
·    Current Pipeline of 10 contracted stores adds 32.5% of extra trading space to the overall portfolio, 40.1% to our owned portfolio and 15.9% to the managed portfolio
 
Growth from new stores and more new stores to come
Lok'nStore's strong operating cash flow, solid asset base, and tactical approach to its store property portfolio provide the Group with opportunities to improve the terms of its property usage in all stages of the economic cycle. Our focus on the trading business gives us many opportunities and our property decisions are always driven by the requirements of the trading business. 
 
Here is a summary of our current contracted pipeline;
 
Bedford - Planning application in process
 
Bournemouth - Planning application in process
 
Cheshunt - Planning application in process. We have signed an agreement to share this site with a discount food retailer mitigating our development costs and generating excellent footfall for the site.
 
Chester - Planning application in process 
 
Kettering - Design in process
 
Leicester - Opened August 1st 2020 post balance sheet
 
Salford - On site. The store is due to open in April 2021.   
 
Stevenage - Planning permission granted
 
Warrington - Planning permission granted.  We aim to be onsite in November 2020 
Wolverhampton - Planning permission has been granted. We aim to be onsite towards the end of 2020  
 
Managed Stores 
Lok'nStore manages an increasing number of stores for third party owners. Under this model Lok'nStore can provide a turnkey package for investors wishing to own trading self-storage assets. The investor supplies all the capital for the project which Lok'nStore manages. Lok'nStore will buy, build and operate the stores under the Lok'nStore brand and within our current management structure. 
 
Under a managed store contract Lok'nStore receives a standard monthly management fee based on revenue, a performance fee based on certain objectives and fees on a successful exit. We also charge acquisition, planning and branding fees. This enables the Group to earn revenue from our expertise and knowledge of the self-storage industry without committing our capital, to amortise fixed central costs over a wider operating base and drive further traffic to our website which benefits our entire operation.
 
All of the operating expenses of the store are paid for by the third party out of the store revenue with Lok'nStore receiving various fees and performance bonuses. This strategy improves the risk adjusted return of the business by increasing the operating footprint, revenues and profits without committing capital.
   
Following the managed store opening of Gloucester in February 2020 and Oldbury in June 2020, we now have twelve stores trading under management contracts at 31 July 2020.  Chester and Kettering are in the design stage and will add a further two stores to the managed store portfolio.
 
We generated managed store income of £991,298 this year, up 21.4% (2019: £816,676) from the previous period. We expect this to continue increasing steadily over the coming years as more managed stores are opened.   
 
New Store pipeline
As at 31 July 2020, we have 10 new stores secured in our Current Pipeline9.  All are in prominent locations with large catchment areas and little established competition and demonstrate the Group's ability to source high quality sites adding to future sales and earnings growth. These eye-catching buildings, with their distinctive orange Lok'nStore branded livery and prominent signage, create highly visible landmarks, which continue to be a big source of new customers. 
 
When this contracted development pipeline of 10 sites has been completed Lok'nStore will operate from 45 stores including 14 managed stores. In addition, 3 further new store opportunities are progressing with lawyers. The 10 secured pipeline sites represent a combination of 8 owned and 2 managed stores. These will add 561,497 sq. ft. of new capacity adding 61.1% to freehold trading space and 15.9% to the managed store portfolio delivering a 32.5% increase in overall trading space. 
 




Analysis of Stores


No of


 
Stores


Pipeline


Pipeline


Pipeline




As at 31 Jul 2020


Stores


 
Trading


Total 


Secured 


With lawyers




 


 


 


 


 


 




Freehold (JLL)


15


15


 


 


 




Leaseholds (JLL)


8


8


 


 


 




Pipeline (Freehold)


9


 


9


8


1




Pipeline (Leasehold)


1


 


1


 


1




Managed Stores (Trading)


12


12


 


 


 




Managed Stores (Pipeline)


4


 


4


2


2




Total


49


35


14


10


4




 
Growing Store property assets and Net Asset Value
ü Adjusted Total Assets £229.4 million5 up 6.8% on last year (2019: £214.7 million) 
ü Adjusted Net Asset Value of £5.56 per share up 4.7% on last year (2019: £5.31 per share)
 
Lok'nStore has a strong and growing asset base. Our freehold and leasehold stores have been independently valued by Jones Lang LaSalle (JLL) at £168.4 million (Net Book Value (NBV) £56.6 million) as at 31 July 2020 (2019: £162.7 million: NBV £57.9 million). The change in property valuation is referred to further in the Financial Review section of the Strategic Report and is detailed in note 11b of the notes to the financial statements.  
 
Adding our stores under development at cost and land and buildings held at director valuation, our total property valuation is £200.2 million (2019: £183.7 million). The increase in the values of properties which were also assessed by JLL last year was 3.5% (2019: 9.1%).
 
Financial Review:
 
ü Group Revenue £18.04 million up 6.44 % (2019: £16.95 million)  
ü Group Adjusted EBITDA2 (£9.65 million up 10.4% (2019 Restated: £8.75 million) 
ü Operating profit (before exceptional items3) £5.79 million up 12.2% (2019: £5.16 million)
ü Cash available for Distribution (CAD)4 £6.17 million up 12.5% (2019: £5.49 million)
ü Final proposed dividend up 8.0% to 9.0 pence per share (2019: 8.33 pence per share)  
ü Cash balances £13.1 million (2019: £13.7 million)
 
Lok'nStore is a robust business which generates an increasing cash flow from its strong asset base with a low LTV of 19.3% and a low average cost of debt of 1.69%.   The value of the Group's property assets underpins a flexible business model with stable and rising cash flows and low credit risk giving the business a firm base for growth.
 
IFRS 16
The Group has applied IFRS 16 for the first time in this financial year.  IFRS 16 introduces significant changes to lessee accounting by removing the distinction between operating and finance leases and requiring the recognition of a Right of Use Asset and a corresponding lease liability in the Statement of Financial Position.
 
The prior year financial comparatives contained within these statements have been restated to reflect the first-time adoption of IFRS 16 which changes previously reported EBITDA, interest and depreciation numbers in the Statement of Comprehensive Income. Further details of these restatements can be found in note 1.
 
Lok'nStore will continue to report on the Cash available for Distribution (CAD) which aims to look through the statutory accounts and give a clear picture of the ongoing ability of the Company to generate positive cash flow from the operating business that can be used to pay dividends or pay down debt. As mentioned above CAD was up 12.5% for the year.
Both the Loan to Value and Senior Interest covenants set out in our bank facility agreements continue to be tested excluding the effects of IFRS 16.  For covenant calculation purposes, debt / LTV will continue to exclude Right of Use Assets and the corresponding lease liabilities created by IFRS 16.  Operating lease costs will continue to be a deduction in the calculation of EBITDA, in accordance with the accounting principles in force prior to 1 January 2019, when testing the Senior Interest covenant.
  
Extension of existing £75 million Banking Facility to April 2025
The Group has agreed a one-year extension on its existing joint banking facility with Royal Bank of Scotland plc and Lloyds Bank plc. The £75 million five-year revolving credit facility which was executed last year included an extension option which has now been implemented. 
 
The interest rate margin is set at the London Inter-Bank Offer Rate (LIBOR) plus 1.50%-1.75% based on a loan to value covenant test. This rate is 1.50% currently and our current all in debt cost on £51.3 million drawn is averaging 1.6%-1.7%.
 
The facility which was due to expire in April 2024, will now run until April 2025 providing funding for more landmark site acquisitions.  The facility includes an accordion agreement to borrow a further £25 million in the future not yet committed.
 
Bank covenants and margin are unaffected by this extension of term. 
 
Management of interest rate risk
 
ü Average cost of debt 1.69% (2019: 2.11%)
 
With £51.3 million of gross debt currently drawn against the £75 million bank facility the Group is not committed to hedging but will keep the matter under review. It is not the intention of the Group to enter into any hedging arrangement at this time given our low level of net debt, low loan to value ratio and high interest cover. 
 
 
 
Earnings per share
The calculations of earnings per share are based on the following profits and numbers of shares. 
 




 


Group
2020
£'000


Group
2019
£'000
Restated**




Profit for the financial year - Continuing Operations


2,974


3,161




Profit for the financial year - Discontinued Operations


-


2,182




Total profit for the financial year attributable to owners of the parent


2,974


5,343




 


 


 




 


2020
No. of shares


2019
No. of shares




Weighted average number of shares


 


 




For basic earnings per share


28,976,967


28,921,229




Dilutive effect of share options1


517,257


481,848




For diluted earnings per share


29,494,224


29,403,077




 




Earnings per share 


Group
2020
pence


Group
2019
pence




 


 


Restated**




Basic


 


 




Continuing Operations


10.26p


10.93p




Discontinued Operations


-


            7.55p




Total basic earnings per share


10.26p


18.48p




Diluted


 


 




Continuing Operations


10.08p


10.75p




Discontinued Operations


-


7.42p




Total diluted earnings per share


10.08p


18.17p




 
** details of the restatements following the adoption of IFRS 16 are made in note 1 to the financial statements. 
 
1 Further options that could potentially dilute EPS in the future are excluded from the above because they are not dilutive in the period presented. Full details of share options are included in note 22.
 
Basic earnings per share were 10.26 pence (2019: 18.48 pence per share - restated) and diluted earnings per share were 10.08 pence (2019: 18.17 pence per share - restated). 
 
On a normalised basis stripping out the contribution from the Saracen business and the corresponding profit on disposal in 2019, basic earnings per share for the continuing operations were 10.26 pence (2019: 10.93 pence per share - restated) and diluted earnings per share were 10.08 pence (2019: 10.75 pence per share - restated).
 
Costs - Continuing Operations
 
ü Group operating costs amounted to £8.26 million for the year (2019: Restated £8.02 million) up by 3.0%.
ü Cost ratio13 reduced further to 45.8% (2019 Restated: 47.3%)
 
We have a strong record of disciplined control of our group operating costs. In the year operating costs (stripping out the IFRS 16 effect of the property lease costs) were up 3% year-on-year. Group operating costs amounted to £8.26 million for the period, a 3.0% increase year on year (2019 Restated: £8.02 million) and we provide a breakdown below. 
 
Future cost increases are likely to be driven by the expansion of the business in the areas of rates, staffing and marketing.   Overall cost increases are mainly driven by the expansion of the business and we are seeing little other cost pressures.
 
Property costs are our largest cost category and increased by 9.2%. These costs mainly constitute rent and rates and have risen in recent years as we felt the effects of higher rates bills and as we opened our new landmark stores which are generally larger.  Staff costs increased by 2.1% as we staffed the new stores and paid performance bonuses to all our store colleagues. 
The decrease in overhead costs is principally due to a lower level of legal and professional costs related to work on rent reviews, corporate tax and compliance work and costs arising on aborted store acquisitions compared to the previous year.
 




Group Costs


Increase (decrease)
in costs %


 


Year ended 
31 July 2020
£'000


 


Year ended 
31 July 2019
£'000
Restated**




Property costs


9.2


 


4,392


 


 4,022




IFRS 16 restatement - leases


8.2


 


(1,467)


 


(1,356)




Restated property and premises costs


9.7


 


2,925


 


2,666




Staff costs


2.1


 


4,196


 


4,111




Overheads


(8.4)


 


1,139


 


1,244




Total 


3.0


 


8,260


 


8,021




 
Cash flow and financing
At 31 July 2020 the Group had cash balances of £13.1 million (2019: £13.7 million). Cash inflow from operating activities before investing and financing activities was £9.7 million (2019: £9.5 million). 
 
As well as using cash generated from operations to fund some capital expenditure, the Group has a £75 million five year revolving credit facility which runs until April 2025. This provides sufficient liquidity for the Group's current needs.  Undrawn committed facilities at the year-end amounted to £23.7 million (2019: £32.0 million). 
 
Cash plus undrawn committed facilities amounts to £36.8 million leaving the business with plenty of headroom to keep acquiring and building new landmark stores. The bank facility has a further £25 million accordion not yet committed. 
 
Strong cash flow supports 8.33% annual dividend increase 
ü Annual dividend 13 pence per share up 8.33% (2019: 12 pence per share)
ü Cash Available for Distribution (CAD) of 21.28 pence per share (2019: 18.95 pence per share)
 
Cash available for Distribution (CAD) up 12.5% from Continuing Operations
Cash available for Distribution (CAD) provides a clear picture of ongoing cash flow available for dividends or debt repayment. The CAD was up 12.5% in the year compared to last year. 
 
To illustrate this fully the table below shows the calculation of CAD. 
 




Analysis of Cash Available for Distribution (CAD)
Based on Continued Operations 
 


Group
Year ended 
31 July 2020
 
£'000


Group
Year ended 
31 July 2019
Restated**
£'000




Group Adjusted EBITDA 
(per Statement of Comprehensive Income)
 


 
9,654


 
8,749




IFRS 16 restatement - leases 


(1,468)


(1,356)




Less: Net finance costs paid1


(1,046)


(903)




Capitalised maintenance expenses


(110)


(99)




New Works Team


(89)


(90)




Current tax (note 8)


(768)


(811)




Total deductions


(3,481)


(3,259)




Cash Available for Distribution


6,173


5,490




 


 


 




Increase in CAD over last year


12.5%


8.8%




 


 


 




 


Number


Number




Closing shares in issue (less shares held in EBT)


29,010,078


28,960,574




CAD per share (annualised)


21.28p


  18.95p




Increase in CAD per share over last year


12.3%


8.8%




 


 


 




** details of the restatements following the adoption of IFRS 16 are made in note 1 to the financial statements. 
1 Net finance costs represent finance costs paid per the cash flow statement of £1.07 million less bank interest received £0.03 million to give the true cash flow effect.
 
Gearing11  (excluding IFRS16 lease liabilities)
At 31 July 2020 the Group had £51.3 million of gross bank borrowings (2019: £43.0 million) representing gearing of 31.3% (2019: 25.0%) on net debt of £38.3 million (2019: £29.3 million).  After adjusting for the uplift in value of short leaseholds which are stated at depreciated historic cost in the statement of financial position, gearing is 28.3% (2019: 22.2%). After adjusting for the deferred tax liability carried at year-end of £26.8 million gearing drops to 23.6% (2019: 19.0%). 
 
Gearing11  (including IFRS16 lease liabilities)
At 31 July 2020 the Group had £51.3 million of gross bank borrowings (2019: £43.0 million) and £12.5 million of lease liabilities (2019: £13.7 million) representing gearing of 41.8% (2019: 36.8%) on net debt of £50.7 million (2019: £42.9 million).  After adjusting for the uplift in value of short leaseholds which are stated at depreciated historic cost in the statement of financial position, gearing is 37.7% (2019: 32.7%). After adjusting for the deferred tax liability carried at period end of £26.8 million gearing drops to 31.5% (2019: 27.9%). 
 
Capital expenditure
The Group has an active store development programme and has grown through a combination of building new stores, existing store improvements and relocations. 
 
Capital expenditure during the period totalled £12 million (2019: £14.0 million). This was primarily the completions of the Stevenage and Salford acquisitions, deposits paid on the Warrington, Chester and Kettering sites, together with ongoing construction and fit out works at our site in Leicester. There was also planning and pre-development works at our Wolverhampton, Bedford, Bournemouth, Stevenage and Cheshunt sites. The figure includes £382,190 of capitalised interest in respect of the development sites.
 
The Group has capital expenditure contracted but not provided for in the financial statements of £2.97 million (2019: £5.56 million). We carefully evaluate the ongoing economic and trading position before making any further capital commitments.
 
Purchase of treasury shares:  The Group did not buy or sell any treasury shares during the year. We are proposing to renew our ongoing authority to buy back shares at this year's AGM to ensure the Group continues to have flexibility to make purchases should it be considered to be in the best interests of shareholders to do so. 
 
Post-year-end, on 25 September 2020, Lok'nStore, bought back 8,000 ordinary shares of 1p each in the market at a price of 519.0 pence per Ordinary Share. On 2 October 2020 Lok'nStore bought back 29,972 ordinary shares of 1p each in the market at a price of 517.5 pence per Ordinary Share.
 
Following the Buyback, the issued share capital of the Company is 29,641,559 Ordinary Shares of which the 37,972 Ordinary Shares acquired are now held in treasury.  The total number of voting rights in the Company, excluding Treasury shares will therefore be 29,603,587. (Refer note 31 - Events after the Reporting Date).
 
Strong balance sheet, efficient use of capital, conservative level of debt
ü    Revolving Credit Facility (RCF) £75 million with accordion up to £100 million
ü    £12.0 million invested in new store pipeline (2019: £15.1 million14)
ü    Net debt £38.3 million (2019: £29.3 million)
ü    Loan to Value Ratio (LTV) net of cash 19.3% (2019: 16.1%) 
ü    Cost of debt averaged 1.69% in the year (2019: 2.21%) on £51.3 million drawn (2019: £43.0 million)
 
14 Including purchase of the The Box Room (Self-Storage) Limited for £1.13 million in cash. 
 
Lok'nStore is a robust business with an excellent credit model, low debt and gearing and which is strongly cash generative from an increasing asset base.  Its increased bank facilities at low rates of interest position the business well for the future.
 
Statement of Financial Position
Net Group assets at the year-end were £121.4 million up 4.1% (2019 Restated: £116.6 million). Freehold properties were independently valued at 31 July 2020 at £151.7 million up 5.3% (2019: £144.0 million). Please refer to the table of property values below.
 
The Parent Company's net assets have increased as a result of the dividend of paid up from Lok'nStore Limited, the principal operating business.
Taxation
The Group has made a current tax provision against earnings in this period of £0.92 million (2019: £0.81 million) based on a corporation tax rate of 19% (2019: 19%).  The deferred tax provision which used to be calculated at forward corporation tax rates of 17% is now calculated at the substantively enacted corporation tax rate and has therefore reverted to 19%. The deferred tax provision is substantially a tax provision against the potential crystallisation (sales) of revalued properties and past 'rolled over' gains amounts to £26.8 million. (2019: £22.4 million). (See Note 20).
 
Market Valuation of Freehold and Leasehold Land and Buildings 
It is the Group's policy to commission an independent external valuation of its properties at each financial year-end.  
 
Our fifteen freehold properties are held in the statement of financial position at fair value and have been valued by JLL. Refer to note 11(b) - property, plant and equipment and also to the accounting policies for details of the fair value of trading properties. 
 
The valuations of the leasehold stores held as leases are not taken onto the statement of financial position. However, these have also been valued and these valuations have been used to calculate the Adjusted Net Asset Value position of the Group. The value of our leases in the valuation totals £16.73 million (2019: £18.73 million) and we have reported by way of a note the underlying value of these leasehold stores in our revaluations and adjusted our Net Asset Value (NAV) calculation accordingly to include their value. This ensures comparable NAV calculations.
 
A deferred tax liability arises on the revaluation of the properties and on the rolled-over gain arising from the disposal of some trading stores. It is not envisaged that any tax will become payable in the foreseeable future on these disposals due to the availability of rollover relief.  It is not the intention of the Directors to make any significant disposals of operational stores, although individual disposals may be considered where it is clear that added value can be created by recycling the capital into other store opportunities.
 
The Board will continue to commission independent valuations on its trading stores annually to coincide with its year-end reporting.
 
Analysis of Total Property Value




 


No of stores/sites


31 July 2020 Valuation
£


No of stores/sites


31 July 2019 Valuation
£




Freehold stores valued by JLL1 


15


151,675,000


15


144,000,000




  Short leasehold stores valued by JLL2 


8


16,725,000


8


18,725,000




Freehold land and buildings at Director valuation 3


1


1,931,457


1


2,509,070




Subtotal


24


170,331,457


24


165,234,070




Sites in development at cost4


10


29,884,683


6


18,441,750




Total 


34


200,216,140


30


183,675,820




 
1     Includes related fixtures and fittings (refer to note 11b)
2        The eight leaseholds valued by JLL are all within the terms of the Landlord and Tenant Act (1954) giving a degree of security of tenure. The average length of the leases on the leasehold stores valued was 9 years and 7 months at the date of the 2020 valuation (2019 valuation: 11 years and 0 months).  
3     For more details refer note 11b - Directors valuation
4    Includes £382,190 (31.07.2019: £332,326) of capitalised interest during the year.
 
Total freeholds account for 91.6% of property valuations (2019: 89.8%).
 
Increase in Adjusted Net Asset Value per Share           
ü Adjusted Net Asset Value per share up 4.7% to £5.56 (2019 Restated: £5.31)
 
Adjusted Net Assets per Share are the net assets of the Group adjusted for the valuation of leasehold stores and deferred tax divided by the number of shares at the year-end. 
 
The shares currently held in the Group's employee benefits trust (own shares held) and in treasury (zero) are excluded from the number of shares.
 
At July 2020, the Adjusted Net Asset Value per share (before deferred tax) increased 4.7% to £5.56 from £5.31 last year.  This increase is a result of higher property values on our existing stores as the strength of our landmark stores is recognised, combined with cash generated from operations less dividend payments, offset in part by an increase in the shares in issue due to the exercise of a small number share options during the year. 
 




 
 
Analysis of Adjusted Net Asset Value (NAV)


Group
31 July 
2020
£'000


Group
31 July 
2019
(Restated**)
£'000




 
Net assets
Adjustment to include short leasehold stores at valuation
Add: JLL leasehold stores valuation
 
Deduct: leasehold properties and their fixtures and fittings at NBV


 
121,382
 
16,725
 
(3,707) 


 
116,550
 
18,725
 
(3,905) 




 


134,400


131,370




 
Deferred tax arising on revaluation of leasehold properties1


 
(2,473)


 
(2,519)




 
Adjusted net assets


 
131,927


 
128,851




 
Shares in issue


 
Number
('000s)


 
Number
('000s)




Opening shares in issue
Shares issued for the exercise of options


29,584
49


29,499
85




Closing shares in issue
Shares held in EBT


29,633
(623)


29,584 
(623)




 
Closing shares for NAV purposes


 
29,010


 
28,961




 
Adjusted Net Asset Value per share after deferred tax provision


 
£4.55


 
£4.45




                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 


 


 




 
 
Adjusted Net Asset Value per share before deferred tax provision


Group
31 July 
2020
£'000


Group
31 July 
2019
Restated**
£'000




 
Adjusted net assets


 
131,927


 
128,851




Deferred tax liabilities and assets recognised by the Group 


26,760


22,385




 
Deferred tax arising on revaluation of leasehold properties1                                                                                                                                                                               


 
2,473


 
2,519




 
Adjusted net assets before deferred tax


 
161,160


 
     153,755




 
Closing shares for NAV purposes


 
29,010


 
28,961




 
Adjusted Net Asset Value per share before deferred tax provision


 
£5.56


 
£5.31




 
** details of the restatements following the adoption of IFRS 16 are made in note 1 to the financial statements. 
 
1           A deferred tax adjustment in respect of the uplift in the value of the leasehold properties has been included, calculated by applying a tax rate of 19% (2019: 17%). Although this is a memorandum adjustment as leasehold properties are included in the Group's financial statements at cost and not at valuation, this deferred tax adjustment is included in the adjusted net asset value calculation in order to maintain a consistency of tax treatment between freehold and leasehold properties.
 
Summary
Lok'nStore Group operates within the UK self-storage sector which is still relatively immature. With a low loan to value and flexible bank facilities through to 2025 this market presents an excellent opportunity for further growth of the business. Recently opened landmark stores and our strong pipeline of more landmark stores demonstrate the Group's ability to use those strengths to exploit the opportunities available.
 
Principal Risks and Uncertainties:
 
Principal Risks and Uncertainties in operating our Business 
Risk management has been a fundamental part of the successful development of Lok'nStore. The process is designed to improve the probability of achieving our strategic objectives, keeping our employees safe, protecting the interests of our shareholders and key stakeholders, and enhancing the quality of our decision-making through understanding the risks inherent in both the day-to-day operations and the strategic direction of the Group as well as their likely impact. 
 
Management of our risks helps us protect our reputation which is very important to the ability of the Group to attract customers, particularly with the growth of social media. We always try to communicate clearly with our customers, suppliers, local authorities and communities, employees and shareholders and to listen and take account of their views. 
 
Our Risk Management Governance 
The Board has overall responsibility for the management of the Group's risks. As the Group's strategic direction is reviewed and agreed the Board identifies the associated risks and works to reduce or mitigate them using an established risk management framework in conjunction with the executive management team. This is a continuing and evolving process as we review and monitor the underlying risk elements relevant to the business.
 
Risk Management Framework 
The risk register covers all areas of the business including property, finance, employees, insurance, customers, strategy, governance and disaster recovery.  The risks are categorised by risk area and rated based on a combination of 'likelihood' and 'consequences and impact' on the business. The combination of these two becomes the 'risk factor' and any factor with a rating over 15 is reported to the Board.
 
Risk Management Team
Ray Davies, Finance Director, is the Board member responsible for ensuring that the risk management and related control systems are effective and that the communication channels between the Board and the Executive Management team are open and working correctly. The Executive Management Team is responsible for the day to day management of the risk factors. Responsibility for identifying, managing and controlling the risk is assigned to an individual as shown on the risk register depending on the business area. Reporting against the risks forms part of the monthly executive management meeting and the risk factor may be amended if applicable. There are also sub-committees for particular risk areas which meet regularly. The Risk Management and Reporting Structure is shown below.
 
 
Our Risk Management and Reporting Structure 
 




The Board




Reviews Risk Register in full twice a year
Considers specific risk areas as raised by the Executive Board




Executive Board Committee




Reviews risks at monthly executive management meetings and if material requests for the Board to consider risk at next scheduled Board Meeting (or earlier if necessary)




Capex Committee


Property Risk Committee




Meets Monthly
Manages proposed capital expenditure, actual spend, rolling capex requirements 


Meets Periodically 
Considers: 
Risks associated with properties including Health and Safety 
Environmental Impact




 
Principal Risks
 
The principal risks our business faces and our key mitigations are outlined in the table below.
 




Risk


Description


Key mitigation




Interest Rate and Liquidity Risk 
 


The main risks arising from the Group's financial instruments are interest rate risk and liquidity risk (for details please see note 17).


§  Regular review by the Board (full details are set out in the Financial Review). 
§  Debt and interest are low relative to assets and earnings.
§  Could reduce debt, if required, by executing 'Sale and Manage-Back arrangements on mature stores.




Tax Risk 
 


Changes to tax legislation may impact the level of corporation tax, capital gains tax, VAT and stamp duty land tax which would in turn affect the profits of the company. 


§  Regular monitoring of changes in legislation.
§  Use of appointed professional advisers and trade bodies.




Property Valuation Risk 
 


The external independent valuations of the stores are sensitive to both operational trading performance of the stores and also wider market conditions. It follows that a reduction in operational performance or a deterioration of market conditions could have a material adverse impact on the Net Asset Value (NAV) of the Group. 


§  Regular monitoring of any changes in market conditions and transactions occurring within our marketplace.
§  Use of independent professional valuers expert in the self-storage sector.
§  Past experience from the financial crisis of 2008 shows the sector has been resilient to a market downturn.
§  Store properties are all UK based and predominately located in the affluent South of England and therefore not exposed to overseas/international/currency risks etc.
§  Strong operational management teams with the skills, experience and motivation to continue to drive operational performance.




Property Acquisition  


Acquiring new sites is a key strategic objective of the business but we face significant competition from other uses such as hotels, car showrooms and offices as well as from other self-storage operators.


§  We hold weekly property meetings to manage the search process and property purchases. 
§  Use of property acquisition consultants.
§  Regular communication with agents. 
§  Attendance at industry relevant property events. 




Planning Permission


The process of gaining planning permissions remains challenging.
 


§  Where we can we acquire sites subject to planning. 
§  We work with an established external planning consultant. 
§  Our property team has over 20 years' experience.




Construction


Poor construction may affect the value of the property and/ or the efficient operation of the centre. 
 


§  We use a design and build contract with a variety of established contractors. 
§  We use external project managers.
§  All projects are overseen by our property team which has over 20 years' experience.




Maintenance/Damage


Damage to properties through poor maintenance or flood or fire could render a centre inoperable.


§  Regular site checks by team members.
§  Rolling maintenance plan for all stores.
§  Comprehensive disaster recovery plan. 
§  Appropriate insurance cover. 




Increased Competition 
 


An increasing number of competitors in the industry may negatively impact Lok'nStore's existing operations (e.g. pricing / available sites)
 


§  Established criteria for site selection including: 
o  Prominent locations
o  High visibility
o  Distinctive designs and bright orange elevations and strong signage to attract customers
§  Continued investment in the Group's website and internet marketing.
§  Ensure high levels of customer service through training and monitoring.




Employee Retention


Loss of employees may affect our ability to operate our stores and provide the high levels of customer service expected.


§  Aim to offer a good work/life balance and career development.
§  Regular reviews of remuneration levels against market.
§  Achievable bonus systems.
§  Generous Employee Share Schemes. 
§  High quality training via Lok'nStore Academy 
§  Intranet for improved communications. 
§  Established Employee rewards program.




IT System Breach
 


A breach of our IT systems might adversely affect the operations of the business and our reputation. 


§  Strong and regularly reviewed IT security systems. 
§  Well communicated policies and procedures for handling and managing a systems breach.




Covid-19 Risk


A spread of the virus and social protection measures introduced by Government may adversely affect the operations and financial performance of the business and adversely impact on the health of staff. 


§  Please refer to our Covid-19 Group Response section in the Managing Director's Review 




 
 
 
 
Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income 

For the year ended 31 July 2020

 




 


Notes


Group
Year ended
31 July 2020
 
£'000


Group
Year ended
31 July 2019
(Restated**)
           £'000




Revenue


2


 
18,041


         16,950




 


 


 


 




Total property, staff, distribution and general costs


3a


 
(8,387)


(8,201)




 
Adjusted EBITDA1


 


 
9,654


8,749




Amortisation of intangible assets


 


 
-


(83)




Depreciation 


6


(3,779)


 (3,461)




Equity settled share based payments


 


(88)


(46)




 


 


(3,867)


(3,590)




Profit on sale of land at store


3(c)


-


295




Costs of sale and manage-back of Crayford store


3(c)


-


(54) 




Deferred financing on bank loan written off


3(c)


-


(133) 




 


 


-


108




 


 


(3,867)


(3,482)




Operating profit


 


5,787


5,267




    


 


 


 




Finance income


4


29


31




Finance cost


5


(1,126)


(926)




 


 


 


 




Profit before taxation


 


4,690


4,372




Income tax expense


8


(1,716)


(1,211)




Profit for the period from continuing operations


 


2,974


3,161




Profit for the period from discontinued operations


12


-


2,182




 


 


 


 




Profit for the period      


 


2,974


5,343




 


 


 


 




Profit attributable to:


 


 


 




Owners of the parent


24a


2,974


5,343




 


 


 


 




Other Comprehensive Income 


 


 


 




Items that will not be reclassified to profit and loss


 


 


 




Increase in property valuation


 


8,849


13,765




Deferred tax relating to change in property valuation


 


 
(3,602)


 
(2,327)




Other comprehensive income


 


5,247


11,438




 


 


 


 




Total comprehensive income for the period


 


8,221


16,781




 




Attributable to:
Owners of the parent


 


 
8,221


 
    16,781




 
 
 
 
Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income 

For the year ended 31 July 2020

 
 
 




Earnings per share attributable to owners of the Parent


 


Group
Year ended
31 July 2020
 
£'000


Group
Year ended
31 July 2019
(Restated**)
           £'000




Basic


10


 


 




Continuing operations


 


10.26p


10.93p




Discontinued operations


 


-        


7.55p




Total basic earnings per share


 


10.26p


18.48p




 


 


 


 




Diluted


10


        


 




Continuing operations


 


10.08p


10.75p 




Discontinued operations


 


-        


7.42p




Total diluted earnings per share


 


10.08p


18.17p




 
1  Adjusted EBITDA is defined in the accounting policies section of the notes to this Report. 
** Details of the restatements following the adoption of IFRS 16 are made in note 1 to the financial statements.
 
Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity 

For the year ended 31 July 2020  

 
                                                                Attributable to owners of the Parent




 


Share
capital
£'000


Share
premium
£'000


Other
reserves
£'000


Revaluation
reserve
£'000


Retained
earnings
£'000
Restated**


Total
equity
£'000
Restated**




 
31 July 2018


295


10,350


8,363


64,899


19,344


103,251




Effect of new accounting standard - IFRS 16


-


-


-


-


(389)


(389)




As at 1 August 2018 - restated


295


10,350


8,363


64,899


18,955


102,862




 
Profit for the year


-


-


-


-


5,343


5,343




Other comprehensive income:


 


 


 


 


 


 




Increase in property valuation net of deferred tax


-


-


-


          11,438


-


11,438




Total comprehensive income for the year 


-


-


-


11,438


5,343


16,781




 
Transactions with owners:


 


 


 


 


 


 




Dividend paid


-


-


-


-


(3,279)


(3,279)




Share based payments


-


-


46


-


-


46




Transfers in relation to share based payments 


-


-


(51)


-


51


-




Deferred tax relating to share options


-


-


(1)


-


-


(1)




Exercise of share options


1


140


-


-


-


141




Total transactions with owners


1


140


(6)


- 


(3,228)


(3,093)




Reserve transfer on disposal of assets


-


-


-


(4,927)


4,927


- 




Transfer additional dep'n on revaluation net of deferred tax


-


-


-


(304)


304


-




 
31 July 2019


296


10,490


8,357


71,106


26,301


116,550




 


 


 


 


 


 


 




 
Profit for the year


-


-


-


-


2,974


2,974




Other comprehensive income:


 


 


 


 


 


 




Increase in property valuation net of deferred tax


-


-


-


5,247


-


5,247




Total comprehensive income for the year 


-


-


-


5,247


2,974


8,221




 
Transactions with owners:


 


 


 


 


 


 




Dividend paid


-


-


-


-


(3,572)


(3,572)




Share based payments


-


-


88


-


-


88




Transfers in relation to share based payments 


-


-


(14)


-


14


-




Deferred tax relating to share options


-


-


24


-


-


24




Exercise of share options


1


70


-


-


-


71




Total transactions with owners


1


70


98


- 


(3,558)


(3,389)




Reserve transfer on disposal of assets


-


-


-


- 


-


- 




Transfer additional dep'n on revaluation net of deferred tax


-


-


-


(378)


378


-




 
31 July 2020


297


10,560


8,455


75,975


26,095


121,382




 
** Details of the restatements following the adoption of IFRS 16 are made in note 1 to the financial statements. 
 
Company Statement of Changes in Equity

For the year ended 31 July 2020

                                                 
 
 




 


Share 
capital
£'000


Share
premium
£'000


Retained
earnings  
£'000


Other
reserves
£'000


Total
£'000




 
31 July 2018


295


10,350


                                        3,870


1,843


16,358




 
Profit for the year


-


-


3,774


 
-


 
3,774




Equity settled share based payments


-


-


-


46


46




Transfer in relation to share based payments


-


-


51


(51)


 
-




Exercise of share options


1


140


-


-


141




Dividends paid


-


                      -


(3,279)


-


 
(3,279)




 
31 July 2019


296


10,490


4,416


1,838


17,040




 
Profit for the year


-


-


14,792


 
-


14,792




Equity settled share based payments


-


-


-


88


88




Transfer in relation to share based payments


-


-


14


(14)


 
-




Exercise of share options


1


70


-


-


71




Dividends paid


-


                      -


(3,572)


-


(3,572)




 
31 July 2020


297


10,560


15,650


1,912


28,419




 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated and Company Statements of Financial Position

31 July 2020                                                                                Company Registration No. 04007169        

                                                                                                                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                




 


Notes


Group
31 July 
2020
 
£'000 


 Group 
31 July 
2019
(Restated**)
 £'000


 Group 
31 July 
2018
(Transition)
(Restated)**
 £'000


Company
31 July 
2020
 
£'000 


 Company
31 July 
2019
 
 £'000




Assets


 


 


 


 


 


 




Non-current assets


 


 


 


 


 


 




Intangibles


 


-


-


3,263


-


-




Property, plant and equipment


11b


187,258


168,938


152,580


-


-




Investments


13


-


-


-


2,552


2,464




Financial assets


 


361


361


361


-


-




Right of use assets


  11c


11,764


13,018


14,273


-


-




 


 


199,383


182,317


170,477


2,552


2,464




Current assets


 


 


 


 


 


 




Inventories


14


270


298


257


-


-




Trade and other receivables


15


3,628


3,707


4,476


25,867


14,576




Cash and cash equivalents


 


13,066


13,662


4,990


-


-




 
Total current assets


 


16,964


 
17,667


 
            9,723


 
25,867


 
14,576




Total assets


 


216,347


199,984


180,200


28,419


17,040




 


 


 


 


 


 


 




Liabilities


 


 


 


 


 


 




Current liabilities


 


 


 


 


 


 




 
Trade and other payables


  16


(4,676)


 (4,753)


          (5,159)


 
-


 
-




Lease liabilities


 


(1,298)


(1,171)


(1,035)


-


-




Taxation


 


(368)


(339)


(612)


-


-




 


 


(6,342)


(6,263)


(6,806)


-


-




 


 


 


 


 


 


 




Non-current liabilities 


 


 


 


 


 


 




Borrowings


   18


(50,705)


(42,331)


(37,170)


-


-




Lease liabilities


   10


(11,158)


(12,455)


(13,627)


-


-




Deferred tax


   20


(26,760)


(22,385)


(19,735)


-


-




 


 


(88,623)


(77,171)


(70,532)


-


-




Total liabilities


 


        (94,965)


(83,434)


(77,338)


-


-




 
Net assets


 


121,382


 
116,550


 
102,862


 
28,419


 
17,040




Equity


 


 


 


 


 


 




Equity attributable to owners of the parent


 


 


 


 


 


 




Called up share capital


21


297


296


295


297


296




Share premium


 


10,560


10,490


10,350


10,560


10,490




Other reserves


23


8,455


8,357


8,363


1,912


1,838




Retained earnings 


24


26,095


26,301


18,955


15,650


4,416




Revaluation reserve


 


75,975


71,106


64,899


-


-




 
Total equity 


 


121,382


            
116,550


            
102,862


            
28,419


            
17,040




                                                                                                                
** Details of the restatements following the adoption of IFRS 16 are made in note 1 to the financial statements. 
 
 
 
 
As permitted by section 408 Companies Act 2006, the parent company's statement of comprehensive income has not been included in these financial statements. The profit and comprehensive income for the year ended 31 July 2020 was £14.8 million (2019: £3.8 million).
 
Approved by the Board of Directors and authorised for issue on 30 October 2020 and signed on its behalf by:
                                                                        
Andrew Jacobs                                     Ray Davies
Chief Executive Officer                          Finance Director
 
 
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows 

For the year ended 31 July 2020

 
 
 




 


Notes


Group
Year ended
31 July 
2020
 
£'000 


Group
Year ended  
31 July 
2019
(Restated**)
 £'000




Operating activities


 


 


 




Cash generated from operations


26a


9,700


9,545




Income tax paid


 


(893)


(955)




 
Net cash from operating activities


 


8,807


8,590




 
Investing activities


 


 


 




Proceeds from disposal of discontinued operation 
(net of disposal costs and cash included in sale)


 


 
-


6,849




Proceeds of sale of land (net of disposal costs)


 


-


796




Proceeds of sale of store


 


-


7,418




Purchase of property, plant and equipment 


11b


(11,628)


(14,029)




Acquisition of subsidiary (net of cash acquired) 


 


-


(1,069)




Interest received


 


29


31




Net cash used in investing activities


 


(11,599)


(4)




 


 


 


 




Financing activities 


 


 




Proceeds from drawdown of new bank facility


   


          
          -


 
42,971




Repayment of bank borrowings on retiring bank facility


 


          -


(42,395)




Proceeds of bank borrowings utilised for store development


 


       
          8,351


 
5,653




Finance costs paid on bank refinancing


 


                (113)


 
(593)




Finance costs paid


 


(1,074)


 
(934)




Lease liabilities paid


 


(1,467)


(1,478)




Equity dividends paid


 


(3,572)


(3,279) 




Proceeds from issuance of ordinary shares (net)


 


71


141




 
Net cash from financing activities


 


2,196


     
86




Net (decrease) / increase in cash and cash equivalents in the period


 


(596)


8,672




Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period


 


13,662


 
                 4,990




Cash and cash equivalents at end of the period


 


13,066


 
                 13,662




 
** Details of the restatements following the adoption of IFRS 16 are made in note 1 to the financial statements. 
 
No statement of cash flows is presented for the Company as it had no cash flows in either year.
 
 
Accounting Policies
 
General Information
Lok'nStore Group plc is an AIM listed company incorporated and domiciled in England and Wales. The address of the registered office is One Fleet Place, London, EC4M 7WS, UK. Copies of this Annual Report and Accounts may be obtained from the Company's head office at 112 Hawley Lane, Farnborough, Hants, GU14 8JE or the investor section of the Company's website at http://www.loknstore.co.uk. The principal activities of the Group and the nature of its operations are described in the Strategic Report.                      
 
Basis of accounting
The preliminary financial information does not constitute full statutory accounts within the meaning of section 434 of the Companies Act 2006 but is derived from statutory accounts for the years ended 31 July 2020 and 31 July 2019, both of which are audited. The Preliminary Announcement is prepared on the same basis as set out in the statutory accounts for the year ended 31 July 2020. While the financial information included in this Preliminary Announcement has been prepared in accordance with the recognition and measurement criteria of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), as adopted by the European Union (EU), this announcement does not in itself contain sufficient information to comply with IFRSs.
 
The statutory accounts for the year ended 31 July 2020 have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and International Financial Reporting Interpretations Committee (IFRIC) Interpretations as adopted by the European Union and comply with those parts of the Companies Act 2006 that are applicable to companies reporting under IFRS. The Group has applied all accounting standards and interpretations issued by the International Accounting Standards Board and International Financial Reporting Interpretation Committee relevant to its operations and effective for accounting periods beginning on or after 1 August 2019. The statutory accounts for the year ended 31 July 2020 will be delivered to the Registrar of Companies following the Company's Annual General Meeting and will be available from the investor section of the Company's website at http://www.loknstore.co.uk. 
 
Statutory accounts for the year ended 31 July 2019 have been filed with the Registrar of Companies. The auditor's report for the year ended 31 July 2020 was unqualified, did not include a reference to any matter to which the auditor drew attention by way of emphasis without qualifying their report and did not contain any statement under section 498(2) or (3) of the Companies Act 2006. 
 
The financial statements have been prepared on the historic cost basis except that certain trading properties and non-current financial assets are stated at fair value. 
 
Standards adopted in the year 
IFRS 16, (Leases Accounting) The Group has applied IFRS 16 for the first time in this financial year.  IFRS 16 introduces significant changes to lessee accounting by removing the distinction between operating and finance leases and requiring the recognition of a Right of Use Asset and a corresponding lease liability in the Statement of Financial Position.
 
The prior year financial comparatives contained within these statements have been restated to reflect the first-time adoption of IFRS 16 which changes previously reported EBITDA, interest and depreciation numbers in the Statement of Comprehensive Income. Further details of these restatements can be found in note 1.
 
Standards in issue but not yet effective
At the date of authorisation of these financial statements the following standards, which have not been applied in these financial statements, were in issue but not yet effective. These standards, which are effective for annual periods beginning on or after 1 January 2020 have been adopted by the EU unless otherwise stated. 
 
·    Amendments to References to the Conceptual Framework in IFRS Standards; 
·    Amendments to IFRS 16, Covid-19 rent concession (effective 1 June 2020);
·    Amendments to IFRS 3, definition of a business;
·    IAS 8 Accounting Policies, Changes in Accounting Estimates and Errors: Definition of Material; 
·    IAS 1 Presentation of Liabilities (effective 1 January 2023 - not EU endorsed)
 
The Directors do not anticipate that the adoption of these revised standards and interpretations will have a significant impact on the figures included in the financial statements in the period of initial application.
 
 
 
Basis of consolidation
The consolidated financial statements incorporate the financial statements of the Company and entities controlled by the Company (and its subsidiaries) made up to 31 July each year. Control is achieved where the Company has power over the investee, exposure or rights to variable returns from the investee and the ability to use its power to vary those returns.
 
Intra-group transactions, balances, and unrealised gains and losses on transactions between Group companies are eliminated on consolidation, except to the extent that intra-group losses indicate an impairment. 
 
Goodwill
Goodwill arising on consolidation represents the excess of the consideration transferred, the amount of any non-controlling interest and the fair value of any previous interest in the acquired entity over the fair value of the identifiable assets and liabilities of a subsidiary at the date of acquisition.  Goodwill is recognised as a non-current asset.
 
Any deficiency of the consideration transferred, the amount of any non-controlling interest and the fair value of any previous interest in the acquired entity below the fair value of identifiable assets and liabilities of a subsidiary (i.e. discount on acquisition) is recognised directly in profit or loss.
Goodwill is reviewed for impairment at least annually. For the purposes of impairment testing, assets are grouped at the lowest levels for which there are separately identifiable cash flows, known as cash generating units, and goodwill is allocated to these units. If the recoverable amount of the cash generating unit is less than the carrying amount of the unit, the impairment loss is allocated first to reduce the carrying amount of any goodwill allocated to the unit and then to the other assets of the unit pro-rata on the basis of the carrying amount of each asset in the unit. Impairment losses in relation to goodwill are recognised immediately in profit or loss and are not reversed in subsequent periods.
 
Recoverable amount is the higher of fair value less costs to sell and value in use. In assessing value in use, the estimated future cash flows are discounted to their present value using a pre-tax discount rate that reflects current market assessment of the time value of money and the risks specific to the asset or CGU for which the estimate of future cash flows have not been adjusted.
 
Going concern
The Directors can report that, based on the Group's budgets and financial projections, which include the expected impact of Covid-19 on the Group, they have satisfied themselves that the business is a going concern. The impact of Covid-19 and the measures the Directors have taken to mitigate its effects are set out in 'Our Covid-19 safe response' section in the Managing Directors Review. 
 
The Board has a reasonable expectation that the Company and the Group have adequate resources and facilities to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future based on Group cash balances and cash equivalents of £13.1 million (2019: £13.7 million), undrawn committed bank facilities at 31 July 2020 of £23.7 million (2019: £32.0 million), and cash generated from operations in the year ended 31 July 2020 of £9.7 million (2019: £9.5 million). 
 
The Group has a bank facility of £75 million, with a further uncommitted £25 million accordion option taking the facility to £100 million. The increased facility will provide funding for new landmark site acquisitions and working capital to support the Group's ambitious growth plans. 
 
The facility is a combined agreement with Lloyds Bank and The Royal Bank of Scotland plc and runs until April 2025 with an option for a further one year extension. The interest rate is set at the London Inter-Bank Offer Rate (LIBOR) plus a 1.50%-1.75% margin based on a loan to value covenant test.  
 
The Group is fully compliant with all bank covenants and undertakings and is not obliged to make any repayments prior to expiration. The financial statements are therefore prepared on a going concern basis.
 
Revenue recognition
The Group recognises revenue when the amount of the revenue can be reliably measured and when goods are sold and title has passed. Revenue from services provided is recognised evenly over the period in which the services are provided.
 
a)   Self-storage revenue
Self-storage services are provided on a time basis. The price at which customers store their goods is dependent on size of unit and store location. Customers are invoiced on a four-weekly cycle in advance and revenue is recognised based on time stored to date within the cycle. When customers vacate they are rebated the unexpired portion of their four weekly advance payment (subject to a seven day notice requirement). Revenue is recognised evenly over the period of self-storage.
 
b)   Retail sales
The Group operates a packaging shop within each of its storage centres for selling storage related goods such as boxes, tape and bubble-wrap. Sales include sales to the public at large as well as self-storage customers. Sales of goods are recognised at point of sale when the product is sold to a customer.
 
c)   Insurance
Customers may choose to insure their goods in storage. The weekly rate of insurance charged to customers is calculated based on the tariff per week for each £1,000 worth of goods stored by the customer. This charge is retained by Lok'nStore and covers the cost of the block policy and other costs.  Customers are invoiced on a four-weekly basis for the insurance cover they use and revenue is recognised based on time stored to date within the cycle.
 
The Group provides insurance to customers through a block policy purchased from its insurer. Block policyholders supply VAT exempt insurance transactions as principals rather than insurance related services as intermediaries and accordingly insurance income received from the customer is recognised as revenue rather than offset against the costs of the block policy.
 
The key characteristics of a block policy are that:
 
· There is a contract between the block policyholder and the insurer which allows the block policyholder to effect insurance cover subject to certain conditions
· The Group acting in our own name as the block policyholder procures insurance cover for third parties from the insurer
· There is a contractual relationship between the block policyholder and third parties under which the insurance is procured
· The block policyholder stands in place of the insurer in effecting the supply of insurance to the third parties
· The Group is not exposed to any insured losses arising from its insurance activity.
 
d)   Management fee income
Management fees earned for managing stores not owned by the Group are recognised over the period for which the services are provided.  Fees are invoiced monthly based on revenue performance. Additional performance fees may be earned if an individual Managed Store EBITDA performance exceeds agreed thresholds. Periodic fees may also be earned for additional specific services provided and are invoiced when that service has been completed. Revenue is recognised for each performance condition once the condition has been met.
 
IFRS 16 - Leases 
Leases - the Group as lessee
 
Initial and subsequent measurement of the Right of Use Asset
A Right of Use Asset is recognised at commencement of the lease and initially measured at the amount of the lease liability, plus any incremental costs of obtaining the lease and any lease payments made at or before the leased asset is available for use by the group.
The Right of Use Asset is subsequently measured at cost less accumulated depreciation and any accumulated impairment losses.  The depreciation methods applied are as follows:
 
·      Leased property - on a straight-line basis over the shorter of the lease term.
The Right of Use Asset is adjusted for any re-measurement of the lease liability and lease modifications, as set out below.
 
Initial recognition of the lease liability
On commencement of a contract (or part of a contract) which gives the group the right to use an asset for a period of time in exchange for consideration, the group recognises a Right of Use Asset and a lease liability unless the lease qualifies as a 'short-term' lease or a 'low-value' lease.
 
Where the lease term is twelve months or less and the lease does not contain an option to purchase the leased asset, lease payments are recognised as an expense on a straight-line basis over the lease term. 
Leases where the underlying asset is 'low-value', lease payments are recognised as an expense on a straight-line basis over the lease term. 
 
 
Initial measurement of the lease liability
The lease liability is initially measured at the present value of the lease payments during the lease term discounted using the interest rate implicit in the lease, or the incremental borrowing rate if the interest rate implicit in the lease cannot be readily determined. 
 
The lease term is the non-cancellable period of the lease plus extension periods that the group is reasonably certain to exercise and termination periods that the group is reasonably certain not to exercise.
Lease payments include fixed payments, less any lease incentives receivable, variable lease payments dependant on an index or a rate (such as those linked to LIBOR) and any residual value guarantees.  Variable lease payments are initially measured using the index or rate when the leased asset is available for use.
 
Subsequent measurement of the lease liability
The lease liability is subsequently increased for a constant periodic rate of interest on the remaining balance of the lease liability and reduced for lease payments. Interest on the lease liability is recognised in profit or loss, unless interest is directly attributable to qualifying assets, in which case it is capitalised in accordance with the Group's policy on borrowing costs. 
 
Re-measurement of the lease liability
The lease liability is adjusted for changes arising from the original terms and conditions of the lease that change the lease term, the group's assessment of its option to purchase the leased asset, the amount expected to be payable under a residual value guarantee and/or changes in lease payments due to a change in an index or rate.  The adjustment to the lease liability is recognised when the change takes effect and is adjusted against the Right of Use Asset, unless the carrying amount of the Right of Use Asset is reduced to nil, when any further adjustment is recognised in profit or loss.
 
Adjustments to the lease payments arising from a change in the lease term or the lessee's assessment of its option to purchase the leased asset are discounted using a revised discount rate.  The revised discount rate is calculated as the interest rate implicit in the lease for the remainder of the lease term, or if that rate cannot be readily determined, the lessee's incremental borrowing rate at the date of reassessment.
 
Lease modifications
A lease modification is a change that was not part of the original terms and conditions of the lease and is accounted for as a separate lease if it increases the scope of the lease by adding the right to use one or more additional assets with a commensurate adjustment to the payments under the lease.
 
For a lease modification not accounted for as a separate lease, the lease liability is adjusted for the revised lease payments, discounted using a revised discount rate.  The revised discount rate use is the interest rate implicit in the lease for the remainder of the lease term, or if that rate cannot be readily determined, the lessee company's incremental borrowing rate at the date of the modification.
 
Where the lease modification decreases the scope of the lease, the carrying amount of the Right of Use Asset is reduced to reflect the partial or full termination of the lease.  Any difference between the adjustment to the lease liability and the adjustment to the Right of Use Asset is recognised in profit or loss. 
 
For all other lease modifications, the adjustment to the lease liability is recognised as an adjustment to the Right of Use Asset.
 
Critical accounting estimates and judgements
The preparation of financial statements under EU-IFRS requires management to make estimates and assumptions that may affect the application of accounting policies and the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, income and expenses. Actual outcomes may differ from these estimates and assumptions. The estimates and assumptions that have a significant risk of causing a material adjustment to the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities within the next financial year are discussed below.
 
a) Estimate of fair value of trading properties
The Group commissions an external valuation of its self-storage stores. This valuation uses a discounted cash flow methodology which is based on current and projected net operating income. Principal assumptions underlying management's estimation of the fair value are those relating to stabilised occupancy levels expected future growth in storage rents and operating costs, maintenance requirements, capitalisation rates and discount rates. A more detailed explanation of the background and methodology adopted in the valuation of the Group's trading properties is set out in note 11b. The carrying value of land and buildings held at valuation at the reporting date was £141.4 million (2019: £133.5 million) as shown in the table in note 11b. 
 
 
b) Assets in the course of construction and land held for store development ('Development property assets')
The Group's development property assets are held in the statement of financial position at historic cost and are not valued externally. In acquiring sites for redevelopment into self-storage facilities, the Group estimates and makes judgements on the potential net lettable storage space that it can achieve in its planning negotiations, together with the time it will take to achieve maturity occupancy level. In addition, assumptions are made on the storage fees that can be achieved at the store by comparison with other stores within the portfolio and within the local area. These judgements, taken together with estimates of operating costs and the projected construction cost, allow the Group to calculate the potential net operating income at maturity, projected returns on capital invested and hence to support the purchase price of the site at acquisition. Following the acquisition, regular reviews are carried out taking into account the status of the planning negotiations, and revised construction costs or capacity of the new facility, for example, to make an assessment of the recoverable amount of the development property. The Group reviews all development property assets for impairment at each reporting date in the light of the results of these reviews.  Once a store is opened it is valued as a trading store. 
 
The carrying value of development property assets at the reporting date was £29.9 million (2019: £18.4 million).  Please see note 11b for more details.
 
c)  Classification of self-storage facilities as owner occupied properties rather than investment properties
The Directors consider that Lok'nStore Group Plc is the parent company of a "Trading business" and is not wholly or mainly engaged in making investments. The holding of land is not a core activity. 
 
The Group is an integrated storage solutions business offering a range of services to its customers. We provide services to our customers under contracts for the provision of storage services which do not give them any property or tenancy rights and a large number of the stores we operate are from properties where we do not own the land or the buildings. The assets we do own are valued on the basis of the trading cash flows that the operating businesses generate. 
 
The Group continues to develop its managed stores business where it uses its operational and logistic expertise to provide a full range of services to customers in stores we manage for third party owners.  In recent years the Group has developed many new managed stores all of which are owned by third-party investors and managed by Lok'nStore.
 
Previously owned sites at Woking, Ashford, Swindon and Crayford, have been the subject of sale and manage-back transactions by which Lok'nStore has retained the management of the business when a third party owner acquired the business, land and buildings. All of this trading activity as well as the self-storage income earned from our leasehold stores' activity demonstrate that the holding of land is not a core activity because the trading operation is not dependent on the ownership of land. 
 
Furthermore, the Group has always and continues to comply with all of the usual accounting and tax protocols consistent with a trading business. As at the year-end, Lok'nStore operates 35 stores mainly in Southern England.  Of the 35 stores, Lok'nStore owns the freehold interest in 15 stores, 8 of the stores are held under commercial leases, with the remaining 12 managed stores operating under management contracts for third party owners.  One of the features of Lok'nStore's strategy is to increase the number of stores we manage for third parties selling our expertise in storage solutions management, operating systems and marketing, through management fees rather than retaining a proprietary interest in land and buildings. 
 
The classification of self-storage facilities as owner occupied properties rather than investment properties has resulted in the recognition of fair value gains in 2020 (net deferred of tax) of £5.6 million (2019: £11.4 million) in Other Comprehensive Income rather than the Income Statement.
 
d) Application of IFRS 16
The group uses judgement to assess whether the interest rate implicit in the lease is readily determinable.   When the interest rate implicit in the lease is not readily determinable, the group estimates the incremental borrowing rate based on its external borrowings secured against similar asset, adjusted for the term of the lease. 
 
 
Notes to the Financial Statements

For the year ended 31 July 2020

 
1 Implementation of IFRS 16 - Leases
 
IFRS 16 represents a significant change to the way that the Group prepares its financial statements. The effective date of adoption is for accounting periods commencing after 1 January 2019 and the standard therefore applies to Lok'nStore's financial statements for the year ended 31 July 2020 and has been applied in these financial statements using the full retrospective approach.
 
IFRS 16 primarily affects the accounting by lessees and results in the recognition of the value of almost all leases on the balance sheet. The standard removes the current distinction between operating and financing leases and requires recognition of an asset (the right to use the leased item) and a financial liability to pay rentals. 
 
The application of IFRS 16 relates to the Groups property leases. The Group has no leases on any other types of assets.
 
The Statement of Financial Position: The Group's leases on its leased stores are recognised as a 'Right of Use Asset' and as a corresponding liability at the year-end. Each lease payment is allocated between the liability element and the finance cost element. The finance costs are charged to profit and loss over the lease period so as to produce a constant periodic rate of interest on the remaining liability for the period. The Right of Use Asset is depreciated on a weighted depreciation charge based on the individual lease term of the separate leases. Assets and liabilities arising from a lease will initially be measured on a present value basis which will include the fixed rental payments less any lease incentives receivable. If the interest rate implicit in the lease cannot be readily determined the lease payments will be discounted by the Group's incremental borrowing rate (cost of debt) to obtain an asset of similar value over a similar term with similar security. Right of Use Assets will be measured at cost comprising the initial measurement of the lease liability plus any initial direct costs (if any). The Group's current property lease commitments are reported in Note 27.
 
The Statement of Profit or Loss: This is affected because the total expense is typically higher in the earlier years of a lease and lower in later years. Additionally, the rent operating expense that would usually be  reported in these financial statements at £1.47 million (2019: £1.36 million) is replaced with interest and depreciation as a consequence of the 'capitalisation effect' of the leases, so the Group's key metric of Adjusted EBITDA increases significantly by the removal of the rent expense from the operating profit and loss.  Other performance measures including Operating Profit also increases although reported interest and depreciation will be higher. Accordingly, the key metrics and Alternative Performance Measures (APM's) have been updated for IFRS16 in the KPI's section above.
 
The Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows: While overall underlying cash flow is unaffected by the changes the presentation within the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows will change. Reported operating cash flows will be higher as cash payments for the principal portion of the lease liability are classified within financing activities. 
 
The effect on financial ratios such as gearing or leverage causes them to rise as the lease liability now forms part of net debt.
 
To give a broad overview of the numerical effect on the implementation of IFRS 16 as it would apply to the current period and comparative numbers we have:
 




 
 


Group
31 July 
2020
£'000


Group
31 July 
2019
               £'000
 




Continuing operations
Rents payable under leases 


1,467
 


1,356
 




Discontinued operations
Rents payable under leases 


-
 


122
 




Total rents payable under leases 


1,467
 


1,478
 




 
To ensure consistency and effective comparison with prior periods, the Group has elected to apply the full retrospective implementation approach with restatement of the comparative information. The transition date of initial application is therefore 1 August 2018.  The lease liability is initially measured at the present value of the lease payments that are not paid at the commencement date, discounted by using the rate implicit in the leases. Where this cannot be readily determined the Present Value of all future operating lease payments is calculated using 2.2% as an effective cost of debt as the discount rate. This calculates an opening Right of Use Asset (ROU) as at 1 August 2018 of £14.27 million. Correspondingly this is also the opening value of the lease liability following the capitalisation of the leases.
 
After the application of a weighted depreciation charge based on the individual lease term of the separate leases and the imputation of an interest charge at 2.2% as part of the amortisation of the lease liability a reconciliation of the total leases to the IFRS lease liability is shown below:
 
 




Continuing Operations 
Statement of Financial Position (extract)
 


Group
31 July 
2020
               £'000


Group
31 July 
2019
                                  £'000


Group
31 July 
2018
transition

£'000




 


IFRS 16


IFRS 16


IFRS 16




 


 


Restated


Restated




Right of Use Asset (ROU)


11,764


13,018


14,273




 


 


 


 




Equity - accumulated effect of restatement


692


608


389




 


12,456


13,626


14,662




 


 


 


 




Current Lease Liability


 


 


 




Amounts due within one year


1,298


1,171


1,035




Non-current Lease Liability


 


 


 




Amounts due in one to two years


1,327


1,298


1,171




Amounts due in three to five years


2,881


3,352


3,709




Amounts due in more than five years


6,950


7,805


8,747




Non-current Lease Liability


11,158


12,455


13,627




Total lease liability


12,456


13,626


14,662




 
 




Statement of Comprehensive Income (extract)


Group
31 July 
2020
               £'000


Group
31 July 
2019
            £'000


Group
31 July 
2018
transition

£'000




 


IFRS 16


IFRS 16


IFRS 16




 


 


Restated**


Restated**




Operating lease expense


1,467


1,356


1,191




 


 


 


 




Depreciation of Right of Use Asset (ROU)


(1,254)


(1,254)


(1,254)




Interest charged on lease liability


(296)


(321)


(325)




 


 


 


 




Impact on Comprehensive Income


(83)


(219)


(389)




 




Analysis of the effect within the Statement of Comprehensive Income


Group
31 July 
2020
              
 £'000


Group
31 July 
2019
                       
          £'000


Group
31 July 
2018
transition

£'000




 


IFRS 16


IFRS 16


IFRS 16




 


 


Restated**


Restated**




Increase in EBITDA


1,467


1,356


1,191




 


 


 


 




Increase / (decrease) in operating profit


213


101


(64)




Increase / (decrease) in PBT


(83)


(219)


(389)




 
 
The Group has applied a single discount rate equivalent to its effective cost of debt.  For more detailed information on the Groups cash commitments under its property leases refer to note 27 (Commitments under property leases).
 
 
 
Reconciliation of the impact of IFRS16 on the previously reported 
Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income 

For the year ended 31 July 2019

 




 


Notes


        Year ended
31 July
 2019
£'000
 


 
Impact of 
 IFRS 16
£'000
 
 


Year ended
31 July 2019
(Restated)
           £'000




Revenue


2


         16,950


 
-


         16,950




 


 


 


 


 




Total property, staff, distribution and general costs


3a


(9,557)


 
1,356


(8,201)




 
Adjusted EBITDA1


 


7,393


 
1,356


8,749




Amortisation of intangible assets


 


(83)


 
- 


(83)




Depreciation 


 


 (2,207)


(1,254)


 (3,461)




Equity settled share based payments


 


(46)


- 


(46)




 


 


(2,336)


(1,254)


(3,590)




Profit on sale of land at store


3(c)


295


-


295




Costs of sale and manage-back of Crayford store


3(c)


(54) 


-


(54) 




Deferred financing on bank loan written off


3(c)


(133) 


-


(133) 




 


 


108


-


108




 


 


(2,228)


(1,254)


(3,482)




Operating profit


 


5,165


 
102


5,267




    


 


 


 


 




Finance income


4


31


-


31




Finance cost - bank borrowings


5


(605)


- 


(605)




Finance cost - lease liabilities


5


-


(321)


(321)




 


 


(574)


(321)


(895)




Profit (loss) before taxation


 


4,591


(219)


4,372




Income tax expense


8


(1,211)


- 


(1,211)




Profit for the period from continuing operations


 


3,380


(219) 


3,161




Profit for the period from discontinued operations


12


2,182


 
- 


2,182




 


 


 


 


 




Profit for the period      


 


5,562


(219)


5,343




 


 


 


 


 




Profit attributable to:


 


 


 


 




Owners of the parent


24


5,562


(219)


5,343




 


 


 


 


 




Other Comprehensive Income 


 


 


 


 




Items that will not be reclassified to profit and loss


 


 


 


 




Increase in property valuation


 


13,765


                   -


13,765




Deferred tax relating to change in property valuation


 


 
(2,327)


                   -


 
(2,327)




  


 


11,438


                    - 


11,438




Items that may be subsequently reclassified to profit and loss


 


 


 


 




Other comprehensive income


 


11,438


                   -


11,438




 


 


 


 


 




Total comprehensive income for the period


 


17,000


                                     (219) 


16,781




 




Attributable to:
Owners of the parent


 


 
                  17,000


 
 (219)


 
16,781




 
Reconciliation of the impact of IFRS16 on the previously reported 
Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income 

For the year ended 31 July 2019

 
 




Earnings per share attributable to owners of the Parent


 


        
           Year ended
31 July
 2019
£'000
 


 
Impact of 
 IFRS 16
£'000
 
 


Year ended
31 July 2019
(Restated)
           £'000




Basic


10


 


 


 




Continuing operations


 


11.69p


 (0.76p)


10.93p




Discontinued operations


 


7.55p


                   -


7.55p




Total basic earnings per share


 


19.24p


 (0.76p)


18.48p




 


 


 


 


 




Diluted


10


 


        


 




Continuing operations


 


11.50p 


(0.75p)


10.75p 




Discontinued operations


 


7.42p


                   -


7.42p




Total diluted earnings per share


 


18.92p


 (0.75p)


18.17p




 
 
1  Adjusted EBITDA is defined in the accounting policies section of the notes to the financial report.
 
 
Reconciliation of the impact of IFRS16 on the previously reported 
Consolidated Statement of Financial Position

31 July 2019                                                                           

                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                




 


Notes


 
31 July 
2019
£'000
 


 Impact of 
 IFRS 16
£'000
 


  31 July 
               2019
(Restated)
 £'000




Assets


 


 


 


 




Non-current assets


 


 


 


 




Property, plant and equipment


11b


168,938


                   -


168,938




Financial assets


 


361


                   -


361




Right of Use Assets


11c


                   -


13,018


13,018




 


 


169,299


13,018


182,317




Current assets


 


 


 


 




Inventories


14


298


                   -


298




Trade and other receivables


15


3,707


                   -


3,707




Cash and cash equivalents


 


13,662


                   -


13,662




 
Total current assets


 


 
17,667


 
-


 
17,667




Total assets


 


186,966


13,018


199,984




 


 


 


 


 




Liabilities


 


 


 


 




Current liabilities


 


 


 


 




 
Trade and other payables


  16


 (4,753)


 
                   - 


 (4,753)




Lease liabilities


 


                   - 


(1,171)


(1,171)




Taxation


 


(339)


                   - 


(339)




 


 


(5,092)


(1,171)


(6,263)




 


 


 


 


 




Non-current liabilities 


 


 


 


 




Borrowings


   18a


(42,331)


- 


(42,331)




Lease liabilities


   19


- 


(12,455)


(12,455)




Deferred tax


   20


(22,385)


- 


(22,385)




 


 


(64,716)


(12,455)


(77,171)




 
Total liabilities


           


 
            (69,808)


                       (13,626)


 
(83,434)




 
Net assets


 


 
117,158


 
(608)


 
116,550




Equity


 


 


 


 




Equity attributable to owners of the parent


 


 


 


 




Called up share capital


21


296


                   -


296




Share premium


 


10,490


                   -


10,490




Other reserves


23


8,357


                   -


8,357




Retained earnings 


24


26,909


(608)


26,301




Revaluation reserve


 


71,106


                   -


71,106




 
Total equity 


 


            
117,158


 
(608)


            
116,550



 
 
 
 
 
 



 
 
 
                                                                                                                
Reconciliation of the impact of IFRS16 on the previously reported 
Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income 

For the year ended 31 July 2018

 




 


Notes


        Year ended
31 July
 2018
£'000
 


 
Impact of 
 IFRS 16
£'000
 
 


Year ended
31 July 2018
(Restated**)
           £'000




Revenue


 


         15,372


 
-


         15,372




 


 


 


 


 




Total property, staff, distribution and general costs


 


(8,739)


 
              1,190


(7,549)




 
Adjusted EBITDA1


 


6,633


 
1,190


7,823




Amortisation of intangible assets


 


(165)


 
- 


(165)




Depreciation 


 


 (1,880)


(1,254)


 (3,134)




Equity settled share based payments


 


(33)


- 


(33)




 


 


(2,078)


(1,254)


(3,332)




Carried interest - fees receivable


 


361


-


361




Receivables from warranty claims


 


230


-


230




 


 


591


-


591




 


 


(1,487)


(1,254)


(2,741)




Operating profit


 


5,146


 
(64)


5,082




    


 


 


 


 




Finance income


 


80


-


80




Finance cost - bank borrowings


 


(463)


- 


(463)




Finance cost - lease liabilities


 


-


(325)


(325)




 


 


(383)


(325)


(708)




Profit (loss) before taxation


 


4,763


(389)


4,374




Income tax expense


 


(1,459)


- 


(1,459)




Profit for the period from continuing operations


 


3,304


(389) 


2,915




Profit for the period from discontinued operations


 


453


 
- 


453




 


 


 


 


 




Profit for the period      


 


3,757


(389)


3,368




 


 


 


 


 




Profit attributable to:


 


 


 


 




Owners of the parent


 


3,757


(389)


3,368




 


 


 


 


 




Other Comprehensive Income 


 


 


 


 




Items that will not be reclassified to profit and loss


 


 


 


 




Increase in property valuation


 


15,723


                   -


15,723




Deferred tax relating to change in property valuation


 


 
(2,698)


                   -


 
(2,698)




  


 


13,025


                    - 


13,025




Items that may be subsequently reclassified to profit and loss


 


 


 


 




Other comprehensive income


 


13,025


                   -


13,025




 


 


 


 


 




Total comprehensive income for the period


 


16,782


                                     (389) 


16,393




 




Attributable to:
Owners of the parent


 


 
16,782


 
    (389)


 
16,393




 
 
Reconciliation of the impact of IFRS16 on the previously reported 
Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income 

For the year ended 31 July 2018

 
 




Earnings per share attributable to owners of the Parent


 


        
           Year ended
31 July
 2018
£'000
 


 
Impact of 
 IFRS 16
£'000
 
 


Year ended
31 July 2018
(Restated)
           £'000




Basic


10


 


 


 




Continuing operations


 


11.48p


 (1.35p)


10.13p




Discontinued operations


 


1.57p


                   -


1.57p




Total basic earnings per share


 


 
13.05p


 
(1.35p)
 


 
11.70p




 


 


 


 


 




Diluted


10


 


        


 




Continuing operations


 


11.28p 


(1.32p)


9.96p 




Discontinued operations


 


1.55p


                   -


1.55p




Total diluted earnings per share


 


12.83p


 (1.32p)


11.51p




 
 
1  Adjusted EBITDA is defined in the accounting policies section of the notes to the financial report.
 
 
 
Reconciliation of the impact of IFRS16 on the previously reported 
Consolidated Statement of Financial Position

31 July 2018                                                                           

                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                




 


Notes


 
31 July 
2018
£'000
 


 Impact of 
 IFRS 16
£'000
 


  31 July 
               2018
(Restated)
 £'000




Assets


 


 


 


 




Non-current assets


 


 


 


 




Intangible assets


 


3,263


                   -


3,263




Property, plant and equipment


 


152,580


                   -


152,580




Financial assets


 


361


                   -


361




Right of Use Assets


 


                   -


14,273


14,273




 


 


156,204


14,273


170,477




Current assets


 


 


 


 




Inventories


 


257


                   -


257




Trade and other receivables


 


4,476


                   -


4,476




Cash and cash equivalents


 


4,990


                   -


4,990




 
Total current assets


 


 
9,723


 
-


 
9,723




Total assets


 


165,927


14,273


180,200




 


 


 


 


 




Liabilities


 


 


 


 




Current liabilities


 


 


 


 




 
Trade and other payables


 


 (5,159)


 
                   - 


 (5,159)




Lease liabilities


 


                   - 


(1,035)


(1,035)




Taxation


 


(612)


                   - 


(612)




 


 


(5,771)


(1,035)


(6,806)




 


 


 


 


 




Non-current liabilities 


 


 


 


 




Borrowings


 


(37,170)


- 


(37,170)




Lease liabilities


 


- 


(13,627)


(13,627)




Deferred tax


 


(19,735)


- 


(19,735)




 


 


(56,905)


(13,627)


(70,532)




 
Total liabilities


 


 
            (62,676)


                       (14,662)


 
(77,338)




 
Net assets


 


 
103,251


 
(389)


 
102,862




 


 


 


 


 




 


 


 


 


 




Called up share capital


 


295


                   -


295




Share premium


 


10,350


                   -


10,350




Other reserves


 


8,363


                   -


8,363




Retained earnings 


 


19,344


(389)


18,955




Revaluation reserve


 


64,899


                   -


64,899




 
Total equity 


 


            
103,251


 
(389)


            
102,862



 
 
 
 
 
 



                                                                                                                

 
2          Revenue 
Analysis of the Group's revenue is shown below: 
 




 
Stores trading


Group
2020
£'000


Group
2019
£'000




 
Self-storage revenue


 
15,126


 
14,235




Insurance revenue


1,663


1,533




Retail sales


201


241




Total self-storage revenue - owned stores


16,990


16,009




Ancillary store revenue


4


44




Management fees - managed stores


991


817




Sub-total


17,985


16,870




Non-storage income


56


80




Total revenue per statement of comprehensive income


18,041


16,950




                                                                                                                                   
The Group's serviced archive and record management segment was sold in the prior year and is presented as a discontinued operation (see note 12).  Following the disposal, the Group has one operating segment, being self-storage in the UK.
 




3(a)       Property, staff, distribution and general costs


 


 




 


Group
2020
£'000


                                            Group
2019
£'000
Restated**




Property and premises costs


4,392


4,022




IFRS 16 restatement - leases


(1,467)


(1,356)




Restated property and premises costs


2,925


2,666




Staff costs


4,196


4,111




General overheads


1,139


1,244




Sub-total operating costs


8,260


8,021




Retail products cost of sales (see note 3b) 


127


180




 


8,387


8,201




** Details of the restatements following the adoption of IFRS 16 are made in note 1 to the financial statements. 
 
3(b)      Cost of sales of retail products
Cost of sales represents the direct costs associated with the sale of retail products (boxes, packaging etc.), and the ancillary sales of insurance cover for customer goods, all of which fall within the Group's ordinary activities.
 




 


Group
2020
£'000


Group
2019
£'000




Retail


98


121




Insurance


13


26




Other


16


33




 


127


180




 
3(c)       Other income and costs




 


Group
2020
£'000


Group
2019
£'000




Profit on sale of land at store 1


-


(295)




Costs of sale and manage-back Crayford store 2


-


54




Deferred financing on bank loan written off 3


-


133




 


-


(108)




2019:
1 Profit on sale of land at store: During the year land at the rear of our Southampton store with a fair value of £500,000 was sold for £800,000. There was £4,043 of associated costs of sale. 
2 Costs of sale and manage-back Crayford store:  On 28th February 2019 the Crayford store was sold at its fair value to an investment fund for £7.52 million in cash. Lok'nStore will continue to manage the store maintaining the operational footprint of the business and will receive management and performance fees.  Legal and professional costs associated with this transaction amounted to £54,483.
3 Deferred financing on bank loan written off. In April 2019, the Group executed a new bank facility increasing facilities available by £25 million to £75 million, with a further £25 million accordion option taking the facility to £100 million. The deferred element of the original financing costs of £133,307 was accordingly written off.
 
4          Finance income                                                                                    




 


Group
2020
£'000


Group
2019
£'000




Bank interest


29


24




Other interest


-


7




 


29


31




 
Interest receivable arises on cash and cash equivalents (see note 17).
 
5          Finance costs




 


Group
2020
£'000


Group
2019
£'000
Restated**




 
Bank interest


 
510


 
452




Non-utilisation fees


183


89




Bank loan arrangement fees


137


64




Interest on lease liabilities


296


321




 


1,126


926




** Details of the restatements following the adoption of IFRS 16 are made in note 1 to the financial statements. 
 
6          Profit before taxation                                                                 




 


Group
2020
£'000


Group
2019
£'000
Restated**




 
Profit before taxation is stated after charging:


 


 




Depreciation and amounts written off property, plant and equipment:


 


 




Owned assets


2,525


2,207




Depreciation of Right of Use Assets (IFRS 16) (note 1)


1,254


1,254




 


3,779


3,461




Amortisation of intangible assets


-


83




 


3,779


3,544




** Details of the restatements following the adoption of IFRS 16 are made in note 1 to the financial statements. 
 
Amounts payable to RSM UK Audit LLP and their associates for audit and non-audit services:
 




 


Group
2020
£'000


Group
2019
£'000




 




Audit services


 


 




- UK statutory audit of the Company and consolidated accounts


68


66




Other services


 


 




Other services supplied pursuant to such legislation


 


 




- interim review 


9


12




- other services


-


3




Tax services


 


 




- compliance services


23


23




- advisory services


9


31




 


109


135




 
 
Comprising:


 


 




Audit services


68


66




Non-audit services 


41


69




 


109


135




 
7          Employees                   




 


Group
2020
No.


Group
2019
No.




The average monthly number of persons (including Directors) employed by the Group during the year was:


 


 




Store management


142


132




Administration


25


24




 


167


156




                                    
                                                       




 


Group
2020
£'000


Group
2019
£'000




Costs for the above persons:


 


 




Wages and salaries


3,580


3,446




Social security costs


440


424




Pension costs


114


85




 


4,134


3,955




Share based remuneration (options)


88


46




 


4,222


4,001




 
Share based remuneration is separately disclosed in the statement of comprehensive income. Wages and salaries of £91,815 (2019: £90,436) have been capitalised as additions to property, plant and equipment as they are directly attributable to the acquisition of these assets. All other employee costs are included in staff costs in the statement of comprehensive income.
 
In relation to pension contributions, there was £15,183 (2019: £13,217) outstanding at the year-end. 
 
There were no employees employed by Lok'nStore Group Plc in the year (2019: nil).
 
 




Directors' Remuneration
2020


Emoluments
£


Bonuses
£


Benefits
£


 
Sub total
£


Pension
£


Gains on
share options
£


Total
£




Executive:


 


 


 


 


 


 


 




A Jacobs


225,233


36,500


6,107


267,840


-


-


267,840




RA Davies


165,797


13,300


4,845


183,942


6,631


-


190,573




N Newman-Shepherd


 
82,877


 
40,345


 
2,560


 
125,782


       
3,315


 
172,358


 
301,455




Non-Executive:


 


 


 


 


 


 


 




SG Thomas


31,518


-


4.808


36,326


-


-


36,326




RJ Holmes


22,743


-


-


22,743


-


-


22,743




ETD Luker


28,430


-


-


28,430


-


-


28,430




CP Peal


22,743


-


-


22,743


-


-


22,743




 


579,341


90,145


18,320


687,806


9,946


172,358


870,110




 




Directors' Remuneration
2019


Emoluments
£


Bonuses
£


Benefits
£


 
Sub total
£


Pension
£


Gains on
share options
£


Total
£




Executive:


 


 


 


 


 


 


 




A Jacobs


220,816


38,250


5,435


264,501


-


-


264,501




RA Davies


160,968


22,641


4,612


188,221


4,829


-


193,050




N Newman-Shepherd


78,931


64,034


2,364


145,329


2,631


-


147,960




Non-Executive:


 


 


 


 


 


 


 




SG Thomas


30,900


-


4,804


35,704


-


40,580


76,284




RJ Holmes


22,297


-


-


22,297


-


-


22,297




ETD Luker


27,873


-


-


27,873


-


-


27,873




CP Peal


22,297


-


-


22,297


-


-


22,297




 


 
564,082


 
124,925


 
17,215


 
706,222


 
7,460


 
40,580


 
754,262




                                                                                     
Details of the Directors remuneration is shown above.  Key management personnel are defined as the Directors of the Group and the additional participants in the Partnership Performance Plan (PPP).
 
The highest paid Director did not accrue any pension rights during the year. The benefits in kind all relate to medical insurance premiums paid on behalf of the Directors. The number of Directors to whom retirement benefits are accruing under money purchase pension schemes in respect of qualifying service is two (2019: two).
 
8          Taxation




 


Group
2020
£'000
 


Group
2019
£'000
Restated**




Current tax:


 


 




UK corporation tax 


920


811




 
Deferred tax:


 


 




Origination and reversal of temporary differences


730


400




Adjustments in respect of prior periods


66


-




Total deferred tax 


796


400




Income tax expense for the year


1,716


1,211




** Details of the restatements following the adoption of IFRS 16 are made in note 1 to the financial statements. 
 
 
The charge for the year can be reconciled to the profit for the year as follows:




 


2020
£'000


2019
£'000
Restated**




 
Profit before tax


 
4,690


4,372




 
Tax on ordinary activities at the effective standard rate of corporation tax in the UK of 19% (2019: 19%)


 
 
931


880




Expenses not deductible for tax purposes


-


18




Depreciation of non-qualifying assets


229


355




Share based payment charges in excess of corresponding tax deduction


17


2




Impact of change in tax rate on closing deferred tax balances


806


-  




Adjustments in respect of prior periods - deferred tax


66


-  




Impact of change in tax rate on timing differences


(157)


(17) 




Write-back of over provision


(153)


- 




Other


(23) 


(27)




Income tax expense for the year


1,716


1,211




 


 


 




Effective tax rate


36%


28%




In addition to the amount charged to profit or loss for the year, deferred tax relating to the revaluation of the Group's properties of £3.7 million (2019: £2.3 million) has been recognised as a debit/credit directly in other comprehensive income (see note 20 on deferred tax). Impact of change in the tax rate on closing deferred tax balances arises because the deferred tax provision which used to be calculated at forward corporation tax rates of 17% is now calculated at the substantively enacted corporation tax rate and has therefore reverted to 19%. 
 
9          Dividends




 
Amounts recognised as distributions to equity holders in the year:


2020
£'000


2019
£'000




 


 


 




Final dividend for the year ended 31 July 2018 (7.67 pence per share)


-


2,217




Interim dividend for the year to 31 July 2019 (3.67 pence per share)


-


1,062




Final dividend for the year ended 31 July 2019 (8.33 pence per share)


2,413


-




Interim dividend for the year to 31 July 2020 (4.00 pence per share)


1,159


-




 


3,572


3,279




 
In respect of the current year the Directors paid an interim dividend of 4.0 pence per share to shareholders on 12 June 2020. The Directors propose that a final dividend of 9.00 pence per share will be paid to the shareholders. The total estimated final dividend to be paid is £2.6 million based on the number of shares in issue at 16 October 2020 as adjusted for shares held in the Employee Benefits Trust. 
 
This is subject to approval by shareholders at the Annual General Meeting and has not been included as a liability in these financial statements. The ex-dividend date will be 26 November 2020; the record date 27 November 2020; with an intended payment date of 8 January 2020. The final deadline for Dividend Reinvestment Election (DRIP) is 11 December 2020.
 
10         Earnings per share
 
The calculations of earnings per share are based on the following profits and numbers of shares. 




 


Group
2020
£'000


Group
2019
£'000
Restated**




Profit for the financial year attributable to continuing operations


2,974


3,161




Profit for the financial year attributable to discontinued operations


-


2,182




Total profit for the financial year attributable to owners of the parent


2,974


5,343




 


 


 




 


2020
No. of shares


2019
No. of shares




Weighted average number of shares


 


 




For basic earnings per share


28,976,967


28,921,229




Dilutive effect of share options1


517,257


481,848




For diluted earnings per share


29,494,224


29,403,077




 
1 Further options that could potentially dilute EPS in the future are excluded from the above because they are not dilutive in the period presented. Details of share options are included in note 22.




Earnings per share 


Group
2020
pence


Group
2019
pence
Restated**




Basic


 


 




Continuing operations


10.26p


10.93p




Discontinued operations


-


7.55p




Total basic earnings per share


 
10.26p


 
18.48p




Diluted


 


 




Continuing operations


10.08p


10.75p




Discontinued operations


-


7.42p




Total diluted earnings per share


10.08p


18.17p




 
** Details of the restatements following the adoption of IFRS 16 are made in note 1 to the financial statements. 
11(a)        Intangible assets                                                                                                                                




Group


 
 
Goodwill
£'000 


Contractual
customer
relationships 
£'000 


Total
£'000




Cost at 1 August 2018


1,110


3,309


4,419




Amortisation at 1 August 2018


-


(1,156)


(1,156)




Amortisation charge 


-


(83)


(83)




Amortisation at 31 July 2019


-


(1,239)


(1,239)




Disposal


(1,110)


(2,070)


(3,180)




Net book value at 31 July 2019 and 31 July 2020


-


-


-




                                                                                                                
All goodwill and customer relationships were allocated to the serviced document storage cash-generating unit (CGU) identified as a separate business segment.  
 
In the previous year, on 31 January 2019 Lok'nStore disposed of its serviced document storage business Saracen Datastore Limited ("Saracen") for £7.64 million in cash against its Net Book Value as at 31 July 2018 of £5.4 million and which included the value of the intangible assets. The recoverable amount exceeds the carrying amount of the CGU. 
 
11(b)     Property, plant and equipment  




Group


Development
property assets
at cost
£'000


Land and 
buildings 
at valuation
£'000 


Long leasehold land and  
buildings 
at valuation
£'000 


Short leasehold 
improvements
at cost
£'000 


Fixtures, 
fittings and 
equipment
at cost
£'000 


Motor
vehicles
at cost 
£'000 


Total
£'000




 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 




Cost or valuation


 


 


 


 


 


 


 




1 August 2018


16,570


108,486


11,438


2,648


27,186


17


166,345




Additions


6,667


2,804


1,493 


162


2,744


20


13,890




Additions - Acquisition of subsidiary


 
-


 
-


-


 
1,242


 
-


 
-


 
1,242




Reclassification 


(4,185)


17,116


(12,931)


-


-


-


-




Transfers


6


(6)


-


-


-


-


-




Disposals


(616)


(8,058)


-


-


(1,109)


-


(9,783)




Disposals - discontinued operations


- 


-


-


(84)


(2,267)


(7)


(2,358)




Revaluations


-


13,189


-


-


-


-


13,189




31 July 2019


18,442


133,531


-


3,968


26,554


30


182,525




 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 




Depreciation


 


 


 


 


 


 


 




1 August 2018


-


-


-


1,979


11,772


 14


13,765




Depreciation


-


1,004


-


156


1,091


5


2,256




Disposals


-


(428)


- 


-


(726)


-


(1,154)




Disposals -discontinued operations


 
-


 
- 


 
- 


 
(57)


 
(640)


 
(7)


 
(704)




Revaluations


-


(576)


- 


-


-


-


(576)




31 July 2019


-


-


-


2,078


11,497


12


13,587




 
Net book value at 31 July 2019


 
18,442


 
133,531


 
-


 
1,890


 
15,057


 
18


 
168,938




Cost or valuation


 


 


 


 


 


 


 




1 August 2019


18,442


133,531


-


3,968


26,554


30


182,525




Additions


11,443


149


-


29


389


-


12,010




Disposals


-


-


-


-


-


(20)


(20)




Revaluations


-


7,686


-


-


-


-


7,686




31 July 2020


29,885


141,366


-


3,997


26,943


10


202,201




 


 


 


-


 


 


 


 




Depreciation


 


 


 


 


 


 


 




1 August 2019


-


-


-


2,078


11,497


12


13,587




Depreciation


-


1,164


-


191


1,167


2


2,524




Disposals


-


- 


- 


-


-


(4)


(4)




Revaluations


-


(1,164)


- 


-


-


-


(1,164)




31 July 2020


-


-


-


2,269


12,664


10


14,943




Net book value at 31 July 2020


 
29,885


 
141,366


 
-


 
1,728


 
14,279


 
-


 
187,258



 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 



 
The Group has an active store development programme and in accordance with IAS 23 has material qualifying assets that take a substantial period of time to develop from acquisition to ultimate store opening. Accordingly borrowing costs of £382,190 (2019: £430,321) have been capitalised in the current year that are directly attributable to the acquisition, construction and fit-out of these qualifying store assets. The total amount is carried in development property assets.
 
If all property, plant and equipment were stated at historic cost the carrying value would be £91.6 million (2019: £81.7 million).
 
Capital expenditure during the year totalled £12.0 million (2019: £14.0 million). This was primarily the purchase of our Stevenage and Salford sites, the exchange of contracts at our Warrington site, and the completion of construction works at our Leicester store which opened post-balance sheet in August 2020.  Costs relating to the planning and pre-development works on our Bournemouth, Bedford, and Cheshunt sites also featured. 
 
Property, plant and equipment (non-current assets) with a carrying value of £187.3 million (2019: £168.9 million) are pledged as security for bank loans. 
 
Market Valuation of Freehold and Leasehold Land and Buildings
On 31 July 2020 an independent professional valuation was prepared by Jones Lang LaSalle Limited (JLL) in respect of 15 freehold, and 8 leasehold properties. The valuation was prepared in accordance with the RICS Valuation - Global Standards 2017, published by The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors ("the RICS Red Book") and the valuation methodology is explained in more detail below.  The valuations were prepared on the basis of Fair Value as a fully equipped operational entity having regard to trading potential. The valuation was provided for accounts purposes and as such, is a Regulated Purpose Valuation as defined in the Red Book. In compliance with the disclosure requirements of the RICS Red Book JLL have confirmed that:
 
·      This is the fourth year that JLL has been appointed to value the properties 
·      The valuers who prepared the valuation have the necessary skills and experience having been significantly involved in the sector 
·      JLL do not provide other significant professional or agency services to the Company
·      In relation to the preceding financial year of JLL the proportion of the total fees payable by the Company to the total fee income of the firm is less than 5% and is minimal.
 
The valuation report indicates a total valuation for all properties valued of £168.4 million (2019: £162.7 million) of which £151.7 million (2019: £144.0 million) relates to freehold properties, and £16.7 million (2019: £18.7 million) relates to properties held under leases. 
 
Freehold land and buildings are carried at valuation in the statement of financial position. Short leasehold improvements at properties held under leases are carried at cost rather than valuation in accordance with IFRS.
 
 
For the trading properties the valuation methodology explained in more detail below is based on fair value as fully equipped operational entities, having regard to trading potential. Of the £151.7 million (2019:144.0 million) valuation of the freehold properties £12.3 million (2019: £13.0 million) relates to the net book value of fixtures, fittings and equipment, and the remaining £139.4 million (2019: £131.0 million) relates to freehold and long leasehold properties.
 
The 2020 valuation includes and reflects movements in value which have resulted from the operational performance of the stores and movements in the investment environment.
 
Valuation Methodology
Jones Lang LaSalle Limited (JLL) have adopted the profits method of valuation, and cross checked with the direct comparison method based on recent transactions in the sector, which is the main method of pricing adopted by purchasers of self-storage properties.  
 
JLL have valued the assets on an individual basis and have disregarded any portfolio effect.
 
The profits method of valuation considers the cash flow generated by the trading potential of the self-storage facility.  Due to the specialised design and use of the buildings, the value is typically based on their ability to generate a net income from operating as self-storage facilities.  
 
JLL have constructed a discounted cash flow model. This sets out their explicit assumptions on the underlying cash flow that they believe could be generated by a Reasonably Efficient Operator at each of the properties, both at the valuation date and in the near future as the properties increase their occupancy and rates charged to customers.  Judgements are made as to the trading potential and likely long term sustainable occupancy.  
 
Stable occupancy depends upon the nature of demand, size of property and nearby competition, and allows for a reasonable vacancy rate to enable the operator to sell units to new customers. In the valuation the assumed stabilised occupancy level for the 23 trading stores (both freeholds and leaseholds) averages 84.9% (2019: 84.3%).
 
Expenditure is deducted (such as business rates, staff costs, repair and maintenance, utilities, marketing and bad debts) as well as an operator's charge which takes account of central costs.  JLL also make an allowance for long term capex requirements where applicable. The assumptions used by JLL include:-
 
·    The cash flow for freeholds runs for an explicit period of 10 years, after which it is capitalised at an all risks yield which reflects the implicit future growth of the business, or a hypothetical sale. 
·    The cash flow for leaseholds continues for the unexpired term of the lease. 
·    The discount rate applied has had regard to recent transactions, weighted average costs of capital and target return in other asset types with adjustments made to reflect differences in the risk and liquidity profile. 
·    The weighted average annual discount rate adopted (for both freeholds and leaseholds) is 8.70% (2019: 10.09%).  The yield arising from the first year of the projected cash flow is 6.08% (2019: 5.99%), rising to 8.13% (2019: 8.74%) in year five.
·    JLL have assumed purchasers' costs of 6.8% (2019: 6.8%).
·    The average assumed stabilised occupancy is 84.9% (2019: 84.3%).
·    The average exit yield assumed is 7.13% (2019: 7.22%).
 
The comparison method considers recent transactions where self-storage properties have sold, and then adjusts them based on a multiple of current earnings, and a capital value per square foot.  They are adjusted to reflect differences in location, physical characteristics, local supply and demand, tenure and trading levels.
 
JLL reported that the Lok'nStore portfolio has generally performed very well in terms of increasing occupancy over the course of the year which has driven the assumed stabilised occupancy higher.
 
For leaseholds the same methodology has been used as for freehold property, except that no sale of the assets in the 10th year is assumed, but the discounted cash flow is extended to the expiry of the lease. The average unexpired term of the Group's operating leaseholds is approximately 9 years and 7 months as at 31 July 2020 (11 years and 0 months: 31 July 2019). Valuations for stores held under leases are not reflected in the statement of financial position and the assets in relation to these stores are carried at cost less accumulated depreciation.
 
In 2011, one of the Group store's leases was renegotiated and includes a ten year option to renew the leases from March 2026 to March 2036.  The option to extend is only operable in the event that all four of the leases applicable to this store are extended and this option is personal to Lok'nStore or another "major self-storage operator", to be approved by the landlord (approval not to be unreasonably withheld).  The JLL valuation on this store is based on this Special Assumption that the option to extend the lease for 10 years is exercised. This is consistent with the approach taken in previous years. 
 
The fair value hierarchy within which the Fair Value measurements are categorised is level 3, in accordance with IFRS 13 fair value measurements.
 
Directors' valuation of land and property
 
The old Southampton store: Following the opening of the new Southampton store with the corresponding transfer of all customers from the old Southampton store, the vacant building was redeveloped for cruise parking.  In 2020 the Board concluded that management time and capital could be more effectively deployed within the self-storage business and the operation was closed.   Accordingly, the Directors placed their valuation on the current developed site at £2.0 million (2019: 2.5 million) which is their best estimate of the potential realisable value of the site in current market conditions.  
 
The total value of land and property carried at Director Valuation at 31 July 2020 is £2.0 million (2019: £2.5 million).
 
11 c)     Right of Use Assets (ROU)
 




 
Group property leases
 


Group
31 July 
2020
               
£'000


Group
31 July 
2019
                      £'000   
            


Group
31 July 
2018
transition

£'000




 


IFRS 16


IFRS 16


IFRS 16




 


 


Restated


Restated




Right of Use Asset (ROU) - opening balance


13,018


14,272


15,526




 


 


 


 




Depreciation of Right of Use Asset (ROU)


(1,254)


(1,254)


(1,254) 




Right of Use Asset (ROU) - closing balance


11,764


13,018


       14,272




** Details of the restatements following the adoption of IFRS 16 are made in note 1 to the financial statements. 
 
The application of IFRS 16 relates to the Groups property leases. The Group has no leases on any other types of assets.
 
To ensure consistency and effective comparison with prior periods, the Group has elected to apply the full retrospective implementation approach with reinstatement of the comparative information. The transition date of initial application is therefore 1 August 2018.  The Present Value of all future operating lease payments is calculated using 2.2% as an effective cost of debt as the single discount rate. This calculates an opening Right of Use Asset (ROU) as at 1 August 2018 of £14.3 million. 
 
The Right of Use Asset is depreciated on a depreciation charge based on the individual lease term of the separate leases.
 
12 Disposal of Saracen Datastore Limited 
On 31 January 2019 Lok'nStore disposed of its serviced document storage business Saracen Datastore Limited ("Saracen") for £7.64 million in cash against its Net Book Value as at 31 July 2018 of £5.4 million. 
 
In the short term the disposal proceeds were used to reduce overall Group borrowing and will improve all key banking ratios.  In the medium term the disposal proceeds will be used to fund the ongoing investment into our highly accretive development pipeline of new self-storage centres, fulfilling the Group's objective of growing asset value by recycling capital from lower growth assets into high growth landmark stores.  
 
The proceeds of disposal net of disposal costs was treated as a receipt in Investing Activities in the Consolidated Cash flow Statement and contributed £6.85 million to the increase in cash and cash equivalents in the previous year.
 
 
Key amounts relating to the discontinued operation are as follows:
 




 


31 July
2020
£'000


 


31 July
2019 
£'000
Restated**




Revenue


-


 


1,156




Expenses


-


 


(902)




EBITDA


-


 


254




Depreciation


-


 


(48)




Finance income /costs


-


 


3




Profit before tax


-


 


209




Tax


-


 


 8




Profit after tax


-


 


217




Profit on disposal of subsidiary


-


 


1,965




After tax disposal profit


-


 


1,965




Total profit on discontinued operations 


-


 


2,182




 
Before disposal, Saracen contributed £1.16 million to the Group's revenue and £0.25 million to its EBITDA in the period up to its disposal on 31 January 2019. The carrying value of Saracen's assets and liabilities that were sold on 31 January 2019 was as follows:
 




Assets
 
Non-current assets


£'000




Intangible assets


3,180




Property, plant and equipment


1,654




 


4,834




Current assets


 




Inventories


5




Receivables


722




Cash


  508




 


1,235




Total assets


6,069




Current liabilities


(603)




Non-current liabilities


(79)




Total liabilities


(682)




Net assets disposed of


5,387




Cash proceeds (net of fees/costs of disposal) 


7,352




Profit on disposal


1,965




 
The profit on disposal was included in profit on discontinued operations in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income. The Group believes that Substantial Shareholder Relief would be available on the gain made on the disposal of the shares.  Proceeds from disposal of discontinued operation (net of disposal costs and cash included in sale) is presented as an investing activity in the consolidated statement of cash flows.  
 
13 Investments
 




Company Investments in subsidiary undertakings


£'000




31 July 2018


2,418




Capital contributions arising from share-based payments


46




31 July 2019


2,464




Capital contributions arising from share-based payments


88




31 July 2020


2,552




The Company holds more than 20% of the share capital of the following companies, all of which are incorporated in England and Wales:  
 




                                                                                                                           


% of shares and voting rights held




 


Class of shareholding      


Directly


Indirectly


Nature of entity 




Lok'nStore Limited * #


Ordinary


100


-


Self-storage




Lok'nStore Trustee Limited1 * ♦


Ordinary


-


100


Trustee




Southern Engineering and Machinery Company Limited1 * #


Ordinary


-


100


Self-storage




Semco Machine Tools Limited2 * #


Ordinary


-


100


Dormant




Semco Engineering Limited2 * #


Ordinary


-


100


Dormant




Saracen Datastore Limited1 # @


Ordinary


- 


100  


 Serviced Document Storage          




ParknCruise Limited1 ♦


Ordinary


-


100


Dormant




The Box Room (Self Storage) Limited 1 ♦


Ordinary


-


100


Self-storage




 
1  These companies are subsidiaries of Lok'nStore Limited.
2  These companies are subsidiaries of Southern Engineering and Machinery Company Limited and did not trade during the year. 
*  These companies have taken the exemption from audit under Section 479A of the Companies Act 2006.
♦ The address of these companies is 112, Hawley Lane, Farnborough, Hants. GU14 8JE.
# The address of these companies is 1, Fleet Place London EC4M 7WS.
@ The serviced document storage business was sold in the previous year.
 
 
14         Inventories




 


Group
2020
£'000


Group
2019
£'000




Consumables and goods for resale


270


298




 
The amount of inventories recognised in cost of sales as an expense during the year was £97,966 (2019: £120,954).  (See Note 3(b)).
 
 
15         Trade and other receivables
                                                                                                                




 


Group
2020
£'000


Group
2019
£'000




Trade receivables


746


1,055




Other receivables


2,451


2,270




Prepayments and accrued income


431


382




 


3,628


3,707




The Directors consider that the carrying amount of trade and other receivables approximates their fair value.
Other receivables include monies receivable from the managed stores for services provided by the Group and also includes a £0.61 million VAT repayment owed to the Group by HMRC which was received post year-end. 
 
The following balances existed between the Company and its subsidiaries at 31 July:




 


 


 


 


 


 


 


Company
2020


Company
2019




 


 


 


 


 


 


 


       £'000


       £'000




Net amount due from Lok'nStore Limited


 


 


 


25,867


14,576




 
The amount due from Lok'nStore Limited is interest free. The balance is repayable on demand.
 
Trade receivables
In respect of its self-storage business the Group does not typically offer credit terms to its customers and hence the Group is not exposed to significant credit risk. All customers are required to pay in advance of the storage period. Late charges are applied to a customer's account if they are more than 10 days overdue in their payment. The Group provides for receivables based upon sales levels and estimated recoverability. There is a right of lien over the customers' goods, so if they have not paid within a certain time frame the Group has the right to sell the items they store to cover the debt owed by the customer. Trade receivables that are overdue are provided for based on estimated irrecoverable amounts, determined by reference to expected credit losses. 
 
For individual self-storage customers the Group does not perform credit checks. However, this is mitigated by the fact that all customers are required to pay in advance. Before accepting a new business customer who wishes to use a number of the Group's stores, the Group uses an external credit rating to assess the potential customer's credit quality and defines credit limits by customer. There are no customers who represent more than 5% of the total balance of trade receivables. 
 
Included in the Group's trade receivables balance are receivables with a carrying amount of £110,668 (2019: £55,049) which are past due at the reporting date for which the Group has not provided as there has not been a significant change in credit quality and the amounts are still considered recoverable. The Group holds a right of lien over its self-storage customers' goods if these debts are not paid. The average age of these receivables is 54 days past due (2019: 51 days past due).
 
 
Ageing of past due but not impaired receivables 




 


Group
2020
£'000


Group
2019
£'000




0-30 days


16


14




30-60 days


16


4




60+ days


79


37




Total


111


55




 
Movement in the allowance for credit losses


 


 




 


Group


Group




 


2020


2019




 


£'000


£'000




Balance at the beginning of the year


191


165




Impairment losses recognised


20


39




Amounts written off as uncollectible


(22)


(13)




Balance at the end of the year


189


191




 
The concentration of credit risk is limited due to the customer base being large and unrelated. Accordingly, the Directors believe that there is no further provision required.
 




Ageing of impaired trade receivables
 


Group
2020 
£'000


Group
2019 
£'000




0-30 days


-


-




30-60 days


-


-




60+ days


189


191




Total


189


191




 
 
16         Trade and other payables




 


Group
2020
£'000


Group
2019
£'000




Trade payables


1,275


640




Taxation and social security costs


137


388




Other payables


777


1,115




Accruals and deferred income


2,487


2,610




 


4,676


4,753




 
The Directors consider that the carrying amount of trade and other payables approximates fair value.
17         Financial instruments
 
Capital management and gearing
The Group manages its capital to ensure that entities in the Group will be able to continue as a going concern while maximising the return to shareholders through the optimisation of the debt and equity balance. The capital structure of the Group consists of debts, which include the borrowings disclosed in note 18, cash and cash equivalents and equity attributable to the owners of the parent, comprising issued capital, reserves and retained earnings as disclosed in the Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity.  The Group's banking facilities require that management give regular consideration to interest rate hedging strategy. The Group has complied with this during the year.
 
The Group's Board reviews the capital structure on an on-going basis. As part of this review, the Board considers the cost of capital and the risks associated with each class of capital. The Group seeks to have a relatively conservative gearing ratio (the proportion of net debt to equity) balancing the overall level with the opportunities for the growth of the business. The Board considers at each review the appropriateness of the current ratio in light of the above. The Board is currently satisfied with the Group's gearing ratio. 
 
The gearing ratio at the year-end is as follows:
 




Gearing - Bank Borrowings


Group
2020
£'000


Group
2019
£'000




 


 


Restated**




Gross debt


(51,322)


(42,972) 




Cash and cash equivalents


13,066


13,662




Net debt


(38,255)


(29,310) 




Total equity - balance sheet


121,382


116,550




IFRS 16 restatement


692


608




Adjusted total equity


122,074


117,158




Net debt to equity ratio


31.3%


25.0%




 




Total Gearing - Bank Borrowings and lease liabilities


Group
2020
£'000


Group
2019
£'000




 


 


Restated**




Gross debt - bank borrowings


(51,322)


(42,972) 




Gross debt - lease liabilities


(12,455)


(13,626)




Cash and cash equivalents


13,066


13,662




Net debt


(50,711)


(42,936) 




Total equity - balance sheet


121,382


116,550




Net debt to equity ratio


41.8%


36.8%




 
The modest increase in the Group's gearing ratio arises principally through the combined effect of an increase in the value of its trading properties, and the cash generated from operations. These effects on gearing were offset by the purchase of our Stevenage and Salford sites, the exchange of contracts at our Warrington site, and the completion of construction works at our Leicester store which opened post-balance sheet in August 2020.  Costs relating to the planning and pre-development works on our Bournemouth, Bedford, and Cheshunt sites also featured.
 
Exposure to credit and interest rate risk arises in the normal course of the Group's business. 
 
A Derivative financial instruments and hedge accounting
The Group's activities expose it primarily to the financial risks of interest rates.  The Group previously has hedged through the deployment of interest rate swaps although the Group had no such instruments in place at 31 July 2019 or 31 July 2020. The Board continues to keep its hedging policy under periodic review.
 
B Debt management
Debt is defined as non-current and current borrowings, as detailed in note 18. Equity includes all capital and reserves of the Group. The Group is not subject to externally imposed capital requirements.
 
The Group borrows through a joint revolving credit facility with Royal Bank of Scotland plc and Lloyds Banking Group secured on its store portfolio and other Group assets, excluding intangibles, with a net book value of £187.3 million (2019 Restated: £168.9 million). Borrowings are arranged to ensure the Group fulfils its strategy of growth and development of its stores and to maintain short-term liquidity. As at the reporting date the Group has a committed revolving credit facility of £75 million (2019: £75 million). This facility provides for an accordion of £25 million which although uncommitted can take the facility to £100 million and runs to 2025 with an option of a one year extensions. Undrawn committed facilities at the year-end amounted to £23.7 million (2019: £32.0 million).   
 
C Interest rate risk management
The Group's policy on interest rate management is agreed at Board level and is reviewed on an on-going basis. All borrowings are denominated in Sterling and are detailed in note 18. The Group has a number of revolving loans within its overall revolving credit facility and as such is exposed to interest rate risks at the time of renewal arising from any upward movement in the LIBOR rate.  
 
Cash balances held in current accounts attract no interest but surplus cash is transferred daily to a treasury deposit account which earns interest at the prevailing money market rates1. All amounts are denominated in Sterling. The balances at 31 July 2020 are as follows:
                                                                                                                                                     




 


Group
2020
£'000


Group
2019
£'000




 
Variable rate treasury deposits1


 
11,608


 
12,232




SIP trustee deposits


63


63




Cash in operating current accounts


1,385


1,357




Other cash and cash equivalents


10


10




Total cash and cash equivalents


13,066


13,662




 
1   Money market rates for the Group's variable rate treasury deposit track Royal Bank of Scotland plc base rate.  
 
The Interest rate between August 2019 and 28th May 2020 was 0.30% on balances greater than £1m and 0.20% on balances below £1m. This rate had been in place since 2nd August 2018. On 29th May 2020, the rate on the account changed to a flat rate of 0.01% Gross/AER on all balances.  The rate attributable to the variable rate deposits at 31 July 2020 was 0.01%. 
 
The Group reviews the current and forecast projections of cash flow, borrowing and interest cover as part of its monthly management accounts review. In addition, an analysis of the impact of significant transactions is carried out regularly, as well as a sensitivity analysis of the impact of movements in interest rates on gearing and interest cover. 
 
D Interest rate sensitivity analysis
Over the longer term, significant changes in interest rates may have an impact on consolidated earnings.
 
At 31 July 2020, it is estimated that an increase of one percentage point in interest rates would have reduced the Group's annual profit before tax by £513,222 (2019: £429,717) and conversely a decrease of one percentage point in interest rates would have increased the Group's annual profit before tax by £513,222 (2019: 429,717). There would have been no effect on amounts recognised directly in other comprehensive income. The sensitivity has been calculated by increasing by 1% the average variable interest rate of 1.69% applying to the variable rate borrowings of £51.3 million in the year (2019: £43.0 million / 2.11%). 
 
E Cash management and liquidity
Ultimate responsibility for liquidity risk management rests with the Board of Directors, which has built an appropriate liquidity risk management framework for the management of the Group's short, medium and long-term funding and liquidity management requirements. The Group manages liquidity risk by maintaining adequate reserves, banking facilities and reserve borrowing facilities by continuously monitoring forecast and actual cash flows and matching the maturity profiles of financial assets and liabilities. Included in note B above is a description of additional undrawn facilities that the Group has at its disposal to further reduce liquidity risk.
 
Short-term money market deposits are used to manage liquidity whilst maximising the rate of return on cash resources, giving due consideration to risk.
 
F Foreign currency management
The Group operates solely in the United Kingdom and as such all of the Group's financial assets and liabilities are denominated in Sterling and there is no exposure to exchange risk. 
 
G Credit risk
The credit risk management policies of the Group with respect to trade receivables are discussed in note 15. There has not been a significant change in credit quality. The Group has a robust credit model with customers paying four-weekly in advance for their storage.  The Group has no significant concentration of credit risk, with exposure spread across over 12,500 customers and with no individual self-storage customer accounting for more than 1% of total revenue and no group entities under common control (e.g. Government) accounting for more than 10% of total revenues. The Group holds a right of lien over its self-storage customers' goods if customer debts are not paid although this is used relatively infrequently within the context of overall customer numbers and only ever as a final stage in the debt recovery process.
 
The credit risk on liquid funds is limited because the counterparty is a bank with high credit ratings assigned by international credit-rating agencies, in line with the Group's policy which is to borrow from major institutional banks when arranging finance.
 
The Group's maximum exposure to credit risk at 31 July 2020 was £2.40 million (2019: £3.38 million) on receivables and £13.1 million (2019: £13.7 million) on cash and cash equivalents. 
 
H Maturity analysis of financial liabilities
The undiscounted contractual cash flow maturities are as follows:
 




2020 - Group


Trade
and other
payables
£'000


Borrowings
£'000


Interest on
borrowings
£'000




Over five years


-


-


-




From two to five years


-


51,322


2,364




From one to two years


-


-


865




Due after more than one year


-


51,322


3,229




Due within one year


2,585


-


865




Total contractual undiscounted cash flows


2,585


51,322


4,094




 


 


 


 




2019 - Group


Trade
and other
payables
£'000


Borrowings
£'000


Interest on
borrowings
£'000




Over five years


-


-


-




From two to five years


-


42,972


2,474




From one to two years


-


-


906




Due after more than one year


-


42,972


3,380




Due within one year


2,199


-


906




Total contractual undiscounted cash flows


2,199


42,972


4,286




 
I Fair values of financial instruments                                                                           




 


Group
2020
£'000


Group
2019
£'000




Categories of financial assets and financial liabilities


 


Restated**




Financial assets


 


 




Trade and other receivables 1


3,610


3,992




Cash and cash equivalents


13,066


13,662




Financial liabilities 


 


 




Trade and other payables


(2,585)


(2,199)




Lease liabilities


(12,456)


(13,626)




Bank loans


(50,705)


 (42,331)




 
1 Includes £361,460 relating to fees receivable in 2022 from the Aldershot managed store currently classified as a non-current asset (measured at fair value). 
 
 
The fair values of the Group's cash and short-term deposits and those of other financial assets equate to their carrying amounts. The Group's receivables and cash and cash equivalents are all carried at amortised cost. 
 
The amounts are presented net of provisions for doubtful receivables and allowances for impairment are made where appropriate. Trade and other payables and bank borrowings are all classified as financial liabilities measured at amortised cost.
 
J Company's financial instruments
The Company's financial assets are amounts owed by subsidiary undertakings amounting to £25.9 million (2019: £14.6 million) which are classified as loans and receivables, and the investment in its subsidiary undertaking of £2.55 million (2019: £2.46 million). These amounts are denominated in Sterling, are non-interest bearing, are unsecured and fall due for repayment within one year. No amounts are past due or impaired. The Company has no financial liabilities.
 
18         Borrowings
                                                                                                                




Bank borrowings


Group
2020 
£'000


Group
2019

£'000




Non-current


 


 




Bank loans repayable in more than two years


 


 




 but not more than five years


 


 




Gross


51,322


42,972




Deferred financing costs


(617)


(641)




Net bank borrowings


50,705


42,331




Non-current borrowings


50,705


42,331




 
The Group has a joint £75 million five year revolving credit facility banking facility with Lloyds Bank and Royal Bank of Scotland plc. The facility provides an accordion £25 million which can take the facility to £100 million and runs to April 2025 with an option of a one year extension. 
 
The Group currently has £51.3 million drawn against its facility which is secured with RBS and Lloyds jointly by legal charges and debentures over the freehold and leasehold properties and other tangible assets of the business with a net book value of £187.8 million (2019 £168.9 million) together with cross-company guarantees from Group companies. 
 
On 14 July 2020, the Group implemented a one year extension on its existing joint banking facility. The facility which was due to expire in April 2024, will now run until April 2025 providing funding for more landmark site acquisitions.
  
The £75 million five year revolving credit facility set the interest rate margin at the London Inter-Bank Offer Rate (LIBOR) plus 1.50%-1.75% based on a loan to value covenant test. This rate is 1.50% currently and our current all in debt cost on £51.2 million drawn is averaging 1.6%-1.7%.
 
Bank covenants and margin are unaffected by this extension of term. 
 
19 Lease liabilities
 
To ensure consistency and effective comparison with prior periods, the Group has elected to apply the full retrospective implementation approach with reinstatement of the comparative information. The transition date of initial application is therefore 1 August 2018.  
 
The lease liability is initially measured at the present value of the lease payments that are not paid at the commencement date, discounted by using the rate implicit in the leases. Where this cannot be readily determined the Present Value of all future operating lease payments is calculated using 2.2% as an effective cost of debt as the discount rate. 
 
After the application of a weighted depreciation charge based on the individual lease term of the separate leases and the imputation of an interest charge at 2.2% as part of the amortisation of the lease liability the total lease liabilities stated under the first-time adoption of IFRS 16 is shown below. The impact of the adoption of IFRS 16 is also set out in note 1 of the financial statements.
 




Lease liabilities attributable to Right of Use Assets


Group
2020 
£'000


Group
2019
                £'000




 


 


Restated**




 


 


 




Current lease liabilities


 


 




Amounts due within one year


1,298


1,171




 


 


 




Non-current lease Liabilities


 


 




Amounts due in one to two years


1,326


1,298




Amounts due in three to five years


2,881


3,352




Amounts due in more than five years


6,950


7,805




Non-current lease liabilities


11,157


12,455




Total lease liabilities


12,455


13,626




 
 




Lease liabilities attributable to Right of Use Assets


Group
2020 
£'000


Group
2019
                £'000




 


 


Restated**




Balance  B/Fwd


13,626


14,662




Lease repayments


(1,467)


(1,356)




Lease interest (non-cash)


296


320




Total lease liabilities


12,455


13,626




** Details of the restatements following the adoption of IFRS 16 are made in note 1 to the financial statements. 
 
The application of IFRS 16 relates to the Groups property leases. The portfolio of property leases all have similar characteristics. Subject to periodic future rent reviews, typically every five years, there are no variable lease payments. The Group has no leases on any other types of assets.
 
The total cash outflow for leases is set out in note 27 (Commitments under property leases).
 
 
20         Deferred tax                                                                               




Deferred tax liability


Group
2020
£'000


Group
2019
£'000




 
Liability at start of year


 
22,385


 
19,735




Charge to income for the year - continued operations


796


400




Charge to income for the year - discontinued operations


-


32




Total charge to income for the year 


796


432




 


 


 




Tax charged directly to other comprehensive income


3,602


2,327




Tax credited - disposal of subsidiary


-


(134)




Initial recognition on acquisition of subsidiary


-


24




(Credit) / debit to share based payment reserve


(23)


1




Liability at end of year


26,760


22,385




 
 
 
The following are the major deferred tax liabilities and assets recognised by the Group and the movements during the year:
 




 


Accelerated
Capital
Allowances
£'000


Other
temporary
differences
£'000


Revaluation of
properties
£'000


Rolled
over gain
on disposal
£'000


 
 
Share
options
£'000


Total
£'000




 


 


 


 


 


 


 




At 1 August 2019


2,879


383


14,568


2,146


(241)


19,735




Charge/ (credit) to income for the year


336


(14) 


-


- 


               -


322




Charge to other comprehensive income


 
-


 
-


 
2,327


 
-


 
- 


2,327




Reclassification following store disposal 


 
-


 
-


 
(558)


 
558


 
- 


-




Charge to share based payment reserve


-


-


-


-


1 


1  




At 31 July 2019


3,215


369


16,337


2,704


(240)


22,385




Charge/ (credit) to income for the year


 
434


110


- 


               252


-


 
796




Charge to other comprehensive income


 
-


 
-


 
3,602


 
-


 
-


 
3,602




Charge to share based payment reserve


-


-


-


-


 
(23)


 
(23)




At 31 July 2020


3,649


479


19,939


2,956


(263)


26,760




 
The increase in the deferred tax liability arises substantially from a combination of an increase in the valuation of the Group's stores and a rise in forward tax rates which used to be calculated at forward corporation tax rates of 17% and is calculated at the substantively enacted corporation tax rate and has therefore reverted to 19%. The deferred tax provision is substantially a tax provision against the potential crystallisation (sales) of revalued properties and past 'rolled over' gains and amounts to £26.8 million (2019: £22.4 million) - the crystallisation of which is within the Board's control.
 
21         Share capital




 


 


2020


2019




Authorised:


 


£'000


£'000




35,000,000 ordinary shares of 1 penny each (2019: 35,000,000)


 


350


350
 




 


 


 


 




Allotted, issued and fully paid ordinary shares


 


£'000


£'000




Balance at start of year


 


296


295




Options exercised during the year 85,171 (2019: 195,692)


 


1


1




Balance at end of year


 


297


296




 


 


 
Called up,


 
Called up,




 


 


allotted and


allotted and




 


 


fully paid


fully paid




 


 


Number


Number




Number of shares at start of the year 


 


29,583,786


29,498,615




Options exercised during the year


 


49,504


85,171




Number of shares at end of the year


 


29,633,290


29,583,786




 
The Company has one class of ordinary shares which carry no right to fixed income.
 
22         Equity settled share-based payment plans   
The Group operates three equity-settled share-based payment plans; one, approved and two unapproved share option schemes. 
 
The Company has the following share options:
 




2020


 


As at


 


 


 


As at




Summary


 


31 July 2019


 


 


Lapsed/


31 July 2020




 


 


No of options


Granted


Exercised


surrendered


No of options




 


 


 


 


 


 


 




Unapproved Share Options 


 


750,851


8,945


(44,692)
 


- 


715,104




Unapproved Share Options (PPP Scheme) 


 


540,000


290,000


-


-


830,000




Approved CSOP Share Options 


 


94,939


11,079


(4,812)


(3,271)


97,935




Total


 


1,385,790


310,024


(49,504)


(3,271)


1,643,039




 




2019


 


As at


 


 


 


As at




Summary


 


31 July 2018


 


 


Lapsed/


31 July 2019 




 


 


No of options


Granted


Exercised


surrendered


No of options




 


 


 


 


 


 




Unapproved Share Options (refer note 24(a))


 


817,551
 


3,300


(70,000)


- 


750,851
 




Unapproved Share Options (PPP Scheme)


 


140,000


400,000


-


-


540,000




Approved CSOP Share Options


 


92,199


15,673


(9,952)


(2,981)


94,939




Total


 


1,049,750


418,973


(79,952)


(2,981)


1,385,790



 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 



 
The following table shows options held by Directors under all schemes.  
 




 


Total
 at 31 July 2019


Options granted


Options 
Exercised/lapsed
 


  Unapproved Scheme 


Approved
 CSOP share options


Total
 at 31 July 2020




2020


 


 


 


 


 


 




Executive Directors


 


 


 


 


 


 




A Jacobs - Unapproved


206,087


-


-


206,087


-


206,087




A Jacobs - PPP 


80,000


40,000


-


120,000


-


120,000




A Jacobs - total


286,087


40,000


-


326,087


-


326,087




RA Davies - Unapproved


246,977


-


- 


246,977


-


246,977




RA Davies - CSOP


7,742


-


-


-


7,742


7,742




RA Davies - PPP 


80,000


40,000


-


120,000


-


120,000




RA Davies total


334,719


40,000


- 


366,977


7,742


374,719




N Newman-Shepherd - Unapproved


172,421


-


(36,822) 


135,599


-


135,599




N Newman-Shepherd - CSOP


10,661


-


(2,043) 


-


8,618


8,618




N Newman-Shepherd - PPP 


120,000


60,000


- 


180,000


-


180,000




N Newman-Shepherd total


303,082


60,000


(38,865) 


315,599


8,618


324,217




Non-Executive Directors


 


 


 


 


 


 




SG Thomas - Unapproved


5,217


-


-


5,217


-


5,217




All Directors total


929,105


140,000


(38,865)


1,013,880


16,360


1,030,240



 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 



 
 
 




 


Total
 at 31 July 2018


Options granted


Options 
Exercised/lapsed
 


  Unapproved Scheme 


Approved
 CSOP share options


Total
 at 31 July 2019




2019


 


 


 


 


 


 




Executive Directors


 


 


 


 


 


 




A Jacobs - Unapproved


206,087


-


-


206,087


-


206,087




A Jacobs - PPP 


-


80,000


-


80,000


-


80,000




A Jacobs - total


206,087


80,000


-


286,087


-


286,087




RA Davies - Unapproved


246,977


-


- 


246,977


-


246,977




RA Davies - CSOP


7,742


-


-


-


7,742


7,742




RA Davies - PPP 


-


80,000


-


80,000


-


80,000




RA Davies total


254,719
 


80,000


- 


326,977


7,742


334,719




N Newman-Shepherd - Unapproved


172,421


-


- 


172,421


-


172,421




N Newman-Shepherd - CSOP


10,661


-


- 


-


10,661


10,661




N Newman-Shepherd - PPP 


-


120,000


- 


120,000


-


120,000




N Newman-Shepherd total


183,082


120,000


- 


292,421


10,661


303,082




Non-Executive Directors


 


 


 


 


 


 




SG Thomas - Unapproved


25,217


-


(20,000)


5,217


-


5,217




All Directors total


669,105


280,000


(20,000)


910,702


18,403


929,105



 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 



 
The grant of options to Executive Directors and senior management is recommended by the Remuneration Committee on the basis of their contribution to the Group's success. The options vest after two and a half, three or five years, subject to the performance criteria attached to the options. 
 
Under the CSOP Approved Share Option scheme and the Unapproved Share Options scheme, the exercise price of the options is equal to the closing mid-market price of the shares on the trading day previous to the date of the grant. Exercise of an option is subject to continued employment or in the case of unapproved options at the discretion of the Board. The life of each option granted is six and a half to seven years. There are no cash settlement alternatives.
 
Under the CSOP Approved Share Option scheme and the Unapproved Share Options scheme, the expected volatility is based on a historical review of share price movements over a period of time, prior to the date of grant, commensurate with the expected term of each award. The expected term is assumed to be six and a half years which is part way between vesting (two and a half to three years after grant) and lapse (10 years after grant). The risk free rate of return is the UK gilt rate at date of grant commensurate with the expected term (i.e. six and a half years years).
 
Under the Partnership Performance Plan, the expected volatility is based on a historical review of share price movements over a period of time, prior to the date of grant, commensurate with the expected term of each award. For options granted on 31 July 2020, the expected term is assumed to be 12.4 years, which is halfway between vesting and lapse. For options granted on 31 January 2020, the expected term is assumed to be 11.2 years. The vesting date is based upon the assumption that the CAD and/or NAV targets are met at the same time as the share price target is met, and the lapse date is the fifteenth anniversary of the grant. The risk free rate of return is the UK gilt rate at date of grant commensurate with the expected term (i.e. 12.4 years).
 
The total charge for the year relating to employer share-based payment schemes was £87,990 (2019: £46,221), all of which relates to equity-settled share-based payment transactions. 
 
 
23(a)     Other reserves




 


 


 
 


 
Capital


 
Share-based


 




 


Merger


Other


redemption


payment


 




 


reserve


reserve


reserve


reserve


Total




Group


£'000


£'000


£'000


£'000


£'000




1 August 2018


6,295


1,294


34


740


8,363




Share based remuneration (options)


-


-


-


46


46




IFRS 2 - transfer (to) / from retained earnings


-


-


-


(51)


(51)




Tax charge relating to share options


-


                   -


-


(1)


            (1)




31 July 2019


6,295


1,294


34


734


8,357




Share based remuneration (options)


-


-


-


88


88




IFRS 2 - transfer (to) / from retained earnings


-


-


-


(14)


(14)




Tax charge relating to share options


-


                -


-


24


24




31 July 2020


6,295


1,294


34


832


8,455




The merger reserve represents the excess of the nominal value of the shares issued by Lok'nStore Group plc over the nominal value of the share capital and share premium of Lok'nStore Limited as at 31 July 2001. The other distributable reserve and the capital redemption reserve arose in the year ended 31 July 2004 from the purchase of the Company's own shares and a cancellation of share premium.
 
Share based payment reserve
Under IFRS2 there is the option to make transfers from the share based payment reserve to retained earnings in respect of accumulated share option charges where the options have either been exercised or have lapsed post-vesting. The total amounts calculated and accordingly transferred to retained earnings amounted to £13,760 (2019: £51,295).
 
23(b)     Other reserves




 


 
Other


 
Share-based


 




 


reserve


payment


 




 


 


reserve


Total




Company


£'000


£'000


£'000




1 August 2019


1,114


729


1,843
 




Share based remuneration (options)


-


46


46




IFRS 2 - transfer to/from retained earnings


-


(51)


(51)




31 July 2019


1,114


724


1,838




Share based remuneration (options)


-


88


88




IFRS 2 - transfer to/from retained earnings


-


(14)


(14)




31 July 2020


1,114


798


1,912




 
 24a)      Retained earnings




 


 


 


 
Retained earnings 


 


 
Retained earnings




 


 


 


before deduction 


Own shares


 




 


 


 


of own shares


(Note 25)


Total




Group


 


 


£'000


£'000


£'000




 


 


 


Restated**


 


Restated**




1 August 2018


 


 


19,844


(500)


19,344




Effect of new accounting standard - IFRS 16


 


 


(389)


-


(389)




As at 1 August 2018 - restated  


 


 


19,455


(500)


18,955




Profit attributable to owners of
Parent for the financial year


 


 


 
5,343


 
-


 
5,343




Transfer from revaluation reserve
(Additional depreciation on revaluation)


 


 


304


-


304




Transfer from share based payment reserve (Note 23a)


 


 


51


-


51




Dividend paid


 


 


(3,279)


-


(3,279)




Asset disposals


 


 


4,927


-


4,927




31 July 2019


 


 


26,801


(500)


26,301




Profit attributable to owners of
Parent for the financial year


 


 


 
2,974


 
-


 
2,974




Transfer from revaluation reserve
(Additional depreciation on revaluation)


 


 


378


-


378




Transfer from share based payment reserve (Note 26a)


 


 


14


-


14




Dividend paid


 


 


(3,572)


-


(3,572)




31 July 2020


 


 


26,595


(500)


26,095




 
The transfer from revaluation reserve represents the additional depreciation charged on revalued assets net of deferred tax. 
 
The Own Shares Reserve represents the cost of shares in Lok'nStore Group plc purchased in the market and held in the Employee Benefit Trust to satisfy awards made under the Group's share incentive plan and shares purchased separately by Lok'nStore Limited for Treasury Account.
 
24(b)      Retained earnings




 


 


 


 
Retained earnings 


 


 
Retained




 


 


 


before deduction 


Own shares


earnings




 


 


 


of own shares


(Note 25)


Total




Company


 


 


£'000


£'000


£'000




1 August 2018


 


 


3,870


- 


3,870




 




Profit attributable to owners of
Company for the financial year


 


 


 
3,774


 
-


 
3,774




Transfer from share based payment reserve (Note 23a)


 


 


 
51


 
-


 
51




Dividend paid


 


 


(3,279) 


-


(3,279)




31 July 2019


 


 


4,416


- 


4,416




Profit attributable to owners of
Company for the financial year


 


 


 
14,792


 
-


 
14,792




 
Transfer from share based payment reserve (Note 23a)


 


 


 
14


 
-


 
14




Dividend paid


 


 


(3,572)


-


(3,572)




31 July 2020


 


 


15,650


- 


15,650




 
25         Own shares 




 


EBT


EBT


Treasury


Treasury


Own shares




 


shares


shares


shares


shares


total




 


Number


£


Number


£


£




 
31 July 2019 and 31 July 2020


 
623,212


 
499,910


 
-


 
-


 
499,910




 
 
The Group operates an Employee Benefit Trust (EBT) under a settlement dated 8 July 1999 between Lok'nStore Limited and Lok'nStore Trustee Limited, constituting an employees' share scheme.
Funds are placed in the trust by way of deduction from employees' salaries on a monthly basis as they so instruct for purchase of shares in the Company. Shares are allocated to employees at the prevailing market price when the salary deductions are made. 
 
As at 31 July 2020, the Trust held 623,212 (2019: 623,212) ordinary shares of 1 penny each with a market value of £3,552,308 (2019: £3,284,327). No shares were transferred out of the scheme during the year (2019: nil). 
 
No options have been granted under the EBT. The EBT waived its dividends in full. No other dividends were waived during the year.
 
26         Cash flows 
(a)  Reconciliation of profit before tax to cash generated from operations
 




 


 


 


Year 
ended
31 July
2020 
£'000


Year 
ended
31 July
2019 
£'000




 


 


 


 


Restated**




 
Profit before tax - continuing operations


 


 


 
4,690


 
4,372




Profit before tax - discontinued operations


 


 


-


2,174




Total profit before tax


 


 


4,690


6,546




Depreciation


 


 


3,779


3,695




Amortisation of intangible assets


 


 


-


83




Equity settled share based payments


 


 


88


46




Profit on sale of land at store


 


 


        -


(296)




Profit on disposal of Saracen business


 


 


-


(1,967)




Costs of sale and manage-back - Crayford store


 


 


-


54 




Deferred financing on bank loan written off


 


 


-


133




Interest receivable


 


 


(29)


(31)




Interest payable - bank borrowings


 


 


830


602




Interest payable - lease liabilities


 


 


296


342




Decrease / (increase) in inventories


 


 


28


(41)




Decrease in receivables


 


 


79


768




(Decrease) in payables


 


 


(61)


(389)




Cash generated from operations


 


 


9,700


9,545 




** Details of the restatements following the adoption of IFRS 16 are made in note 1 to the financial statements. 
 
(b) Reconciliation of net cash flow to movement in net debt
Net debt is defined as non-current and current borrowings, as detailed in note 18 less cash and cash equivalents.
 




 


 


 


 


Group
2020


Group
2019




 


 


 


 


£'000


£'000




 
Decrease / increase) in cash in the year


 


 


 


 
(596)


 
8,672




Change in net debt resulting from cash flows


 


 


 


(8,350)


(5,637)




Movement in net debt in year


 


 


 


(8,946)


3,035




Net debt brought forward


 


 


 


(29,310)


(32,345)




Net debt carried forward


 


 


 


(38,256)


(29,310)




 
 
27          Commitments under property leases
At 31 July 2020 the total future minimum lease payments as a lessee under non-cancellable leases were as follows:
                                                                                                                




 


 


 


 


 


Group 


Group 




 


 


 


 


 


2020


2019




Land and buildings


 


 


 


 


£'000


£'000




Amounts due:


1.   


 


 


 


 


 




Within one year


 


 


 


 


1,575


1,517




 
Between two and five years


 


 


 


 


 
5,041


 
5,358




After five years


 


 


 


 


7,811


8,165




 


 


 


 


 


14,427


15,040




 
Property lease payments represent rentals payable by the Group for certain of its properties. Typically, leases are negotiated for a term of 20 years and rentals are fixed for an average of five years.
 
Under the first-time adoption of IFRS 16, the Group's property leases on its leased stores are now recognised as a 'Right of Use Asset' and as a corresponding liability at the year-end. This is fully explained in Note 1 of the financial statements.
 
28          Related party transactions
The Company provides share options for the employees of Lok'nStore Limited. The capital contributions arising from these share-based payments are separately disclosed under investments in note 13.
 
The aggregate remuneration of the Directors, and the other key management personnel of the Group, is set out below.  Further information on the remuneration of individual Directors is found in note 7.
 
                                                                                                                




 


 


 


 


 


 


 


Group
2020


Group
2019




 


 


 


 


 


 


 


£'000


£'000




Short term employee benefits - Directors


 


 


 


 


965


892




Short term employee benefits - Other key management


 


 


 


 


328


311




Post-employment benefits - Directors


 


 


 


 


10


7




Post-employment benefits - Other key management


 


 


 


 


10


7




Share-based payments


 


 


 


 


 


 


88


46




Total


 


 


 


 


 


 


     1,401


            1,263



 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 



 
The Group recognises a number of management personnel that are important to retain within the business in order for it to achieve its strategic plan. Accordingly, these are recognised as key personnel and are participants in the Long Term Performance Plan. They are included in the table above. 
 
 
Group Director shareholdings - dividends received
In respect of the total dividends paid during the year of £3,572,001 (2019: £3,279,691), the Group Directors received the amounts set out in the table below: -
 
 




Director's Dividend Income


Holding


Final 2019


Interim 2020


 


Total 2020


Total 2019




 


 


8.33 pence per share


4.00 pence per 
share


 


 


 




 


No.


£


£


 


£


£




Executive:


 


 


 


 


 


 




 
A Jacobs


         5,203,600 


          433,460 


          208,144 


 


          641,644 


          590,202 




 
Ray Davies
 


             64,329 


              4,759 


              2,573 


 


              7,332 


              7,166 




 
N Newman-Shepherd


             17,164 


              1,430 


                566 


 


              1,996 


              1,570 




Non-Executive:


 


                          


 


 


 


 




 
SG Thomas


         1,530,000 


          127,473 


            61,200 


 


              188,673 


              192,677 




 
RJ Holmes


            273,674 


            22,797 


            10,947 


 


            33,744 


            31,035 




 
ETD Luker


             28,800 


              2,399 


              1,152 


 


              3,551 


              3,266 




 
CP Peal


644,222 


            53,064 


            25,769 


 


            78,833 


            58,914 




 


          7,761,789  


          645,382 


          310,351 


 


          955,733 


          884,830 




 
Managed Stores - Group Director shareholdings                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
Although the director holdings in Managed Stores falls outside of the definition of related party transactions they are disclosed here for transparency and are set out in the table below: -
 
 




Director


Chichester


Broadstairs


Exeter




 


No of shares


No of shares


No of shares




 
Andrew Jacobs


                         36,800 


                          
38,160 


                 
  240,000 




 
Charles Peal


-


-


                   500,000 




 
Simon Thomas 


-


-


                   160,000 




 
Total shareholding


                         36,800 


                          38,160 


                   
900,000 




 
Issued Share Capital


                       189,341 


                       189,690 


                
3,970,000 




% of Issued Share Capital


19.4%


20.1%


22.7%




 
29         Capital commitments and guarantees
The Group has capital expenditure contracted but not provided for in the financial statements of £2.97 million (2019: £5.56 million) relating to commitments to complete the purchase of a site in Warrington and on which contracts have been exchanged, building contracts on its Leicester development site as well as building retentions outstanding on the completed Maidenhead, Wellingborough and Ipswich stores.  
 
30         Bank borrowings
The Company has guaranteed the bank borrowings of Lok'nStore Limited, a subsidiary company. As at the year-end, that company had gross bank borrowings of £51.3 million (2019: £43.0 million). 
 
 
 
 
31         Events after the Reporting Date
 
i.    Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)   Update
Since the outbreak of the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) was declared a "Global Pandemic" by the World Health Organisation on the 11th March 2020, we have reported comprehensively on the up to date COVID 19 position and this is contained within the Chairman's Statement. Trading since the year-end has continued to be positive and is consistent with the strong finish to the financial year.
 
ii.   Leicester store opening
Following completion of its store development, the Leicester Store opened post year-end in early August 2020. The 57,500 sq. ft. store is in a highly prominent location opposite a major food retailer in the heart of Leicester's busy retail district. Early trading has been encouraging.
 
iii.  Share buyback  (Purchases in Own Shares)
On 25 September 2020, Lok'nStore, bought back 8,000 ordinary shares of 1p each ("Ordinary Shares") in the market at a price of 519.0 pence per Ordinary Share ("Buy-back"). The Ordinary Shares acquired will be held in treasury.
 
Lok'nStore announced that on 2 October 2020 it bought back 29,972 ordinary shares of 1p each ("Ordinary Shares") in the market at a price of 517.5 pence per Ordinary Share. The Ordinary Shares acquired will be held in treasury.
 
Following the Buyback, the issued share capital of the Company is 29,641,559 Ordinary Shares of which 37,972 are now held in treasury.  The total number of voting rights in the Company, excluding Treasury shares will therefore be 29,603,587.
 
iv.  Purchase of Peterborough Site
On 23 October 2020 the Group acquired a site in Peterborough.  The site occupies a central location in the city, prominently positioned on the access route to a large and busy retail park with neighbouring occupiers including B&Q, Aldi, Curry's and Argos.  The purchase is subject to the successful receipt of a planning permission for a 45,000 sq.ft. purpose built landmark self-storage facility. 
 
 
 
 
Glossary
Abbreviation
 
APM                                       Alternative performance measures
 
Adjusted EBITDA                 Earnings before all depreciation and amortisation charges, losses or profits on disposal, share-based payments, acquisition costs, and non-recurring professional costs, finance income, finance costs and taxation
 
Adjusted Store EBITDA      Adjusted EBITDA (see above) but before central and head office costs
 
AGM                                       Annual General Meeting 
 
APD                                        Auditing Practices 
 
Bps                                         Basis Points
 
CAC                                       Contributory asset charges
 
CAD                                       Cash available for Distribution 
 
Capex                                    Capital Expenditure
 
CGU                                       Cash generating units
 
CO2 e                                    Carbon Dioxide Equivalents 
 
CSOP                                     Company Share Option Plan 
 
EBT                                        Employee Benefit Trust
 
(eKPIs)                                   Environmental key performance indicators 
 
EMI                                         Enterprise Management Incentive Scheme
 
ESOP                                     Employee Share Option Plan
 
EU                                          European Union
 
GHG                                       Greenhouse gas
 
HMRC                                    Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs
 
IAS                                          International Accounting Standard
 
IFRIC                                      International Financial Reporting Interpretations Committee
 
IFRS                                       International Financial Reporting Standards
 
ISA                                          International Standards on Auditing
 
JLL                                         Jones Lang LaSalle
 
LIBOR                                    London Interbank Offered Rate
 
LFL                                         Like for like
 
LTV                                         Loan to Value Ratio
 
MWh                                       Megawatt Hour
 
NAV                                        Net Asset Value
 
NBV                                        Net Book Value
 
Operating Profit                   Earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) 
 
PPP                                        Partnership Performance Plan
 
PV                                           Photovoltaic
 
QCA                                       Quoted Companies Alliance
 
RICS                                       Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors 
 
SIP                                          Share Incentive Plan
 
SME                                       Small and medium sized enterprises
 
Sq. ft.                                      Square Feet
 
tCO2e                                    Tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent
 
TVR                                        Total voting rights
 
VAT                                        Value Added Tax
 
 
 
Our Stores
 




  Head Office - Lok'nStore plc
112 Hawley Lane
Farnborough
Hampshire 
GU14 8JE
Tel 01252 521010
www.loknstore.co.uk
www.loknstore.com


Central Enquiries
0800 587 3322
info@loknstore.co.uk
www.loknstore.co.uk
 




 
Owned Trading Stores     
        




Basingstoke, Hampshire
Crockford Lane
Chineham
Basingstoke
Hampshire 
RG24 8NA
Tel 01256 474700
basingstoke@loknstore.co.uk        
 


Bristol, Gloucestershire
Longwell Green Trade Park
Aldermoor Way
Bristol
Gloucestershire
BS30 7ET
Tel 0117 967 7055
Bristol@loknstore.co.uk
 


Cardiff, Wales
234, Penarth Road
Cardiff
Wales
CF11 8LR
Tel 0292 022 1901
Cardiff @loknstore.co.uk


Eastbourne, East Sussex
Unit 4, Hawthorn Road
Eastbourne
East Sussex 
BN23 6QA
Tel 01323 749222
eastbourne@loknstore.co.uk        
 




Fareham, Hampshire
26 + 27 Standard Way
Fareham Industrial Park
Fareham
Hampshire
PO16 8XJ
Tel 01329 283300
fareham@loknstore.co.uk


Farnborough, Hampshire
112 Hawley Lane
Farnborough
Hampshire 
GU14 8JE
Tel 01252 511112
farnborough@loknstore.co.uk


Gillingham, Kent
Courtney Road 
Gillingham 
Kent 
ME8 0RT
Tel 01634 366044
gillingham@loknstore.co.uk


Harlow, Essex
Edinburgh Way
Temple Fields
Harlow
Essex 
CM20 2GF
Tel 01279 882366
harlow@loknstore.co.uk
 




Hedge End, Southampton
Units 2 and 3 
Waterloo Industrial Estate Flanders Rd
Hedge End
Southampton 
SO30 2QT 
Tel 01489 787005
HedgeEnd@loknstore.co.uk
 


Horsham, West Sussex
Blatchford Road 
Redkiln Estate
Horsham
West Sussex 
RH13 5QR
Tel 01403 272001
horsham@loknstore.co.uk


Ipswich
Part of Site 7
Futura Park
Ipswich
IP3 9QH
Tel 01473 794940
exeter@loknstore.co.uk


Luton, Bedfordshire
27 Brunswick Street
Luton
Bedfordshire 
LU2 0HG
Tel 01582 721177
luton@loknstore.co.uk




Maidenhead, Berkshire
Stafferton Way
Maidenhead
Berkshire 
SL6 1AY
Tel 01628 878870
maidenhead@loknstore.co.uk


Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire
Etheridge Avenue
Brinklow
Milton Keynes
Buckinghamshire 
MK10 0BB
Tel 01908 281900
miltonkeynes@loknstore.co.uk
 


Northampton Central
16 Quorn Way
Grafton Street Industrial Estate
Northampton
Northamptonshire
NN1 2PN
Tel 01604 629928
nncentral@loknstore.co.uk
 


Northampton Riverside
Units 1-4, Carousel Way
Northampton
Northamptonshire
NN3 9HG
Tel 01604 785522
northampton@loknstore.co.uk




Poole, Dorset
50 Willis Way
Fleetsbridge
Poole
Dorset 
BH15 3SY
Tel 01202 666160
poole@loknstore.co.uk


Portsmouth, Hampshire
Rudmore Square
Portsmouth 
Hampshire
PO2 8RT
Tel 02392 876783
portsmouth@loknstore.co.uk


Reading, Berkshire
251 A33 Relief Road
Reading 
Berkshire
RG2 0RR
Tel 01189 588999
reading@loknstore.co.uk


Southampton, Hampshire
Third Avenue
Southampton
Hampshire 
SO15 0JX
Tel 02380 783388
southampton@loknstore.co.uk
        




Sunbury, Middlesex
Unit C, The Sunbury Centre
Hanworth Road
Sunbury on Thames
Middlesex TW16 5DA
Tel 01932 761100
sunbury@loknstore.co.uk


Tonbridge, Kent
Unit 6 Deacon Trading Estate
Vale Road 
Tonbridge
Kent 
TN9 1SW
Tel 01732 771007
tonbridge@loknstore.co.uk


Wellingborough, Northamptonshire
19/21 Whitworth Way
Wellingborough 
Northamptonshire
NN8 2EF
Tel 01634 366044
gillingham@loknstore.co.uk


 
 
 




Development locations - LNS Owned Stores
 




Bedford 
69 Cardington Road 
Bedford 
NK42 0BQ


Bournemouth, Dorset
Land at Wessex Field
Deansleigh Road 
Bournemouth 
Dorset
BH7 7DU
 


Cheshunt, Hertfordshire
Land lying on the South Side of Halfhide  Lane
Turnford 
Hertfordshire
 


Leicester
Part of land forming part of Freemens Common Road Leicester 
LE2 7SL
(Opened August 2020)
 




Stevenage, Hertfordshire
Part of Land at Plot 2000
Stevenage Business Park Gunnels Wood Road
Stevenage 
Hertfordshire
SG1 2BL
 


Warrington, Cheshire
Land at Winwick Road, Warrington
Cheshire
WA2 7PF


Wolverhampton, Staffordshire
Land at Pantheon Park Wednesfield Way
Wolverhampton 
Staffordshire
WV11 3DR


Salford, nr. Manchester
A57 Regent Road, 
Salford, 
Manchester, 
M5 4EA
 




 
 
Managed stores - Trading
 




Aldershot, Hampshire
251, Ash Road
Aldershot
Hampshire
GU12 4DD
Tel 0845 4856415
aldershot@loknstore.co.uk


Ashford, Kent  
Wotton Road
Ashford
Kent 
TN23 6LL
Tel 01233 645500
ashford@loknstore.co.uk
 


Broadstairs, Kent
Unit 2, Pyramid Business Park, Poorhole Lane,
Broadstairs, 
Kent   
CT10 2PT
Tel 01843 863253
broadstairs@loknstore.co.uk


Chichester, West Sussex
17, Terminus Road
Chichester
West Sussex
PO19 8TX 
Tel 01243 771840
chichester@loknstore.co.uk
 




Crawley, West Sussex
Sussex Manor Business Park
Gatwick Road
Crawley
West Sussex
RH10 9NH
Tel 01293 738530
crawley@loknstore.co.uk


Crayford, Kent
Block B
Optima Park 
Thames Road 
Crayford 
Kent 
DA1 4QX
Tel 01322 525292
crayford@loknstore.co.uk
 


Dover, Kent 
Honeywood Parkway
Whitfield
Dover
CT16 3FJ
Tel 01304 827353
dover@loknstore.co.uk


Exeter
1 Matford Park Road 
Exeter 
Devon
EX2 8ED 
Tel 01392 823989 
exeter@loknstore.co.uk




Gloucester
Land at Triangle Park 
Metz Way
Gloucester
GL4
(Opened February 2020) gloucester@loknstore.co.uk
 


Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire
Fortius Point, 
47, Maylands Avenue Hemel Hempstead 
Hertfordshire 
HP2 7DE
Tel 01442 240768
hemelhempstead@loknstore.co.uk
 


Oldbury
6 Churchbridge, 
Oldbury, 
West Midlands
B69 2AP
Tel 0121 5446309
(Opened February 2020)
Oldbury@loknstore.co.uk
 


Swindon, Wiltshire 
Kembrey Street 
Elgin Industrial Estate
Swindon
Wiltshire 
SN2 8UY
Tel 01793 421234
swindoneast@loknstore.co.uk
 




 


 


 


 




 
Managed stores - Under Development
 
 




Chester
58-64 Sealand Road, 
Chester CH1 4LD


 Kettering
Site between Pytchley Lane and Pytchley Road,
Kettering. NN15 6XB
 


 




 
 
                

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