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Hollywood Bowl Group

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FY2016 Annual Report · Hollywood Bowl Group
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6

Annual Report and Accounts
2016

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Our 
 mission 

We endeavour to 
ensure our customers 
become loyal fans 
of our brands
as we create fun-filled, safe and great value 
experiences to surprise and delight them on 
every visit

We will only recruit 
the most energetic 
and engaging 
individuals 
who share our values and are proud to be 
part of our culture. We will provide our teams 
with a fun and supportive environment, with 
opportunities to develop rewarding careers

We will always run 
our business with 
long-term objectives 
and will responsibly and ethically manage 
any risks that arise. We will be a rewarding 
investment for our shareholders and will 
deliver attractive returns

Highlights

£

+23.9%
total revenue 
growth

£29.4m
adjusted 
EBITDA1

+6.8%
Like-for-like 
revenue growth1

+10.3%
operating 
profit growth

1  Refer to Financial Review section (page 16) for definitions of adjusted EBITDA (Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation) and like-for-like revenue growth.

Contents

Strategic Report

Governance 

02  Company Overview

04  Chairman’s Statement

05  Chief Executive’s Review

08  Market Overview

10  Business Model

12  Strategy

14  Key Performance Indicators

16  Financial Review

20  Principal Risks

22  Corporate Social Responsibility

25  Letter from the Chairman

26  Board of Directors

28  Corporate Governance Report 

31  Nomination Committee Report

32  Audit Committee Report

35   Chair of the Remuneration Committee’s 

Annual Statement

36  Directors’ Remuneration Policy

42  Annual Report on Remuneration

46  Directors’ Report

49  Statement of Directors’ Responsibilities

50  Independent Auditor’s Report

Financial Statements 

54   Consolidated Statement  
of Comprehensive Income

55   Consolidated Statement  
of Financial Position

56   Consolidated Statement  
of Changes in Equity

57   Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows

58  Notes to the Financial Statements

78   Company Statement of Financial Position

79   Company Statement of Changes in Equity

79   Company Statement of Cash Flows

80  Notes to the Company Financial Statements

82  Company Information

01

Financial StatementsStrategic ReportGovernanceCompany Overview

The UK ten-pin 
bowling market 
 leader 

We are the UK’s largest ten-pin bowling operator, 
specialising in operating large, high-quality bowling centres 
that offer a family entertainment experience. Our centres are 
predominantly located in out-of-town, multi-use leisure 
parks (alongside cinema and casual dining sites) and large 
retail parks. Each centre offers at least 16 bowling lanes, 
on-site dining, licensed bars and state-of-the-art family 
games arcades.

Bowling
Bowling is our core and 
fastest-growing revenue 
stream, and we operate 
1,307 lanes across 
54 centres 

48%
of revenue

02

24%
of revenue

Amusements
Family-focused arcades offer 
traditional games such as 
air hockey and basketball 
hoops, games with prizes and  
state-of-the-art video games

Hollywood Bowl Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2016Our brands

Our core brand, with 34 centres situated in prime 
locations at leisure parks 

8 centres situated in prime locations at leisure 
parks. Refurbishing and rebranding to 
Hollywood Bowl

12 centres, mainly in non-prime locations

Drink
Licensed bars are located 
in every centre, offering 
a wide range of soft 
and alcoholic drinks

l   Hemel Hempstead 

support office
« Hollywood Bowl
n  Bowlplex

  AMF Bowling
  Opening 2017

18%

of revenue

54

centres

10%
of revenue

Food
Ranges from a standard 
menu to higher-end food 
offering with Harry’s Diner 
and Hollywood Diner

03

Financial StatementsStrategic ReportGovernanceChairman’s Statement

A  milestone  
year for the 
group

Peter Boddy
Chairman

We were delighted to achieve a major 
Group milestone this year and list on the Main 
Market of the London Stock Exchange on 
21 September 2016, and I welcome our new 
shareholders to this exciting business. 

We focus on offering a high-quality bowling 
experience, with an emphasis on family-
friendly entertainment, and we are well-placed 
to take advantage of the forecast growth in the 
UK ten-pin bowling market.

Our proposition is extremely competitive, and 
we have identified a number of opportunities 
to drive further growth. We have a strong 
pipeline of new centres, and our refurbishment 
programme aims to refurbish and rebrand 
between 7 and 10 centres each year.

Hollywood Bowl Group has had an 
excellent year. Highlights include the 
acquisition of Bowlplex in December 2015, 
adding 11 new sites to our portfolio, and 
the successful rebranding of 3 of these 
centres into Hollywood Bowl, as well as 
an increase in like-for-like and total Group 
revenue, and EBITDA. 

This financial performance demonstrates the 
strength of our proven operating model with 
superior customer service, high-quality product 
offering and a disciplined pricing strategy.

Our strong balance sheet has been further 
strengthened by our listing, which has also 

given us greater flexibility to capitalise on 
growth opportunities and to generate long-term 
value for all shareholders. Our enhanced public 
profile and status with customers, landlords, 
developers and business partners will assist 
in the recruitment of key management and 
employees, as well as provide our management 
and employees with the opportunity to be 
owners of this great business and give access 
to capital markets to deliver our strategy.

I believe that good corporate governance 
is vital to support our future sustainable 
growth and the Board, which has extensive 
experience of running companies in the leisure 
and retail sectors, is committed to the highest 
standards of corporate governance. At IPO 
we appointed Nick Backhouse as the Senior 
Independent Non-Executive Director and 
Chairman of the Audit Committee and Claire 
Tiney as a Non-Executive Director and Chair 
of the Remuneration Committee. Nick and 
Claire bring significant additional experience 
and support to the Board and have already 
made a significant contribution to the Board’s 
discussions. Our Corporate Governance 
Report describes the work we have done 
throughout the IPO process to develop our 
Board and Committee processes and to 
support the development of a robust 
governance structure.

We intend to adopt a progressive dividend 
policy while maintaining an appropriate level 
of dividend cover. While we have only just 

started operating as a publicly-listed company, 
the Board is pleased to recommend a final 
dividend for the year ending 30 September 
2016 of 0.19 pence per Ordinary Share, 
reflecting the short period of the financial 
year that the Group was listed.

I would like to record my thanks to the Board 
and to the whole team for their commitment 
and dedication to the Group over 2016. 
I believe that attracting, motivating and 
retaining employees of the right calibre is 
vital to the continued success of the Group, 
and in 2017 we will introduce a scheme to 
give all our team the opportunity to become 
shareholders of the business.

A key element of our culture is the promotion 
of corporate social responsibility within our 
business and our local communities, which 
we believe supports continued generation 
of sustainable value and enhances our ability 
to deliver on our strategic objectives. 

I have been enormously impressed by the 
progress of Hollywood Bowl Group over the 
past year and I am very excited to continue as 
Chairman. I believe we are well-positioned to 
create value for both institutional and employee 
shareholders as we work every day to generate 
the right levels of positive energy to deliver the 
best possible experience for our customers.

Peter Boddy
Chairman
13 December 2016

04

Hollywood Bowl Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2016Chief Executive’s Review

Delivering  
 sustainable,   
profitable 
growth

Stephen Burns
Chief Executive 
Officer

I am delighted to present my first Chief 
Executive’s Review statement following our 
listing on the Main Market of the London 
Stock Exchange in September 2016.

It has been a fantastic year for Hollywood 
Bowl Group. The transformational acquisition 
of Bowlplex, the continued successful roll-out 
of our refurbishment programme and our 
customer-focused operating model, have 
combined to deliver revenue growth of 
23.9 per cent on the prior year, and 6.8 
per cent on a like-for-like basis. This led to 
Group adjusted EBITDA1 of £29.4m, showing 
a 42.6 per cent increase over the year. 

Hollywood Bowl Group is the UK ten-pin 
bowling market leader, with 54 centres 
across the UK operating out of a high-quality 
property portfolio. Our ongoing refurbishment 
programme and investment in new centres 
over FY2016 has increased our scale, resulting 
in reduced operational and capital costs, 
improving margins and higher returns.

Our enhanced offering is gaining more traction 
with our core family customer group, which is 
coming to our venues more frequently, 
and extending their experience once there. 
Our state-of-the-art centres, coupled with 
our strong covenant, makes us an attractive 
choice for landlords looking for a leisure 
operator. This underpins the growth of our 
estate and our future development pipeline.

Strategic progress
Our strategy focuses around 2 core elements: 
organic growth and investment-led growth 
and we are pleased with the progress we 
have made in FY2016.

Like-for-like growth 
Our rise in like-for-like growth has a number 
of drivers, including an increasing number 
of visits per customer. The branded bowling 
industry average frequency of visit per 
customer is circa 1 times per year. Hollywood 
Bowl Group has outperformed this, increasing 
its average to 1.32 for FY2016. This result is 
testament to our refurbishment programme, 
which has resulted in more customers 
experiencing our high-quality environment. 
We have invested in enhancing service levels 
and are also using our Customer Relationship 
Management (CRM) system and customer 
database to encourage more regular visits 
and to promote other revenue streams via 
targeted campaigns. 

We continue to work to increase spend per 
game by improving the customer experience 
and ‘dwell time’ in each centre. The average 
spend per game rose from £8.12 to £8.63 in 
FY2016, while the number of games played 
increased from 10.4m in FY2015 to 12.1m in 
FY2016. Our prices remain among the lowest 
of the major multiple ten-pin bowling operators 
which we believe provides scope to more 
effectively target promotions without impacting 
the Group’s relative price competitiveness. 

1  Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation 

and amortisation.

05

Financial StatementsStrategic ReportGovernance 
Chief Executive’s Review
continued

“ Our focus 

remains on 
delivering an 
exceptional 
experience for 
every customer, 
every time, 
increasing value 
for shareholders.”

VIP lanes now 
in 23 centres

Stephen Burns 
Chief Executive Officer

The introduction of Hollywood Diner has 
increased food spend of customers on-site 
over FY2016 by 19 per cent year-on-year 
against the rest of the estate. Our high-quality 
amusements offering has complex and 
engaging games, and is well maintained, 
resulting in shortened repair call-out times, 
leading to an increase in average amusements 
spend per game of 8.8 per cent in FY2016. 
The introduction of VIP lanes, currently in 
23 centres, which cost an additional £1 per 
game per person, have also driven 
incremental increases in spend per game. 

Refurbishment and conversion 
programme
We completed 8 full refurbishments in FY2016 
including the rebrand of 3 Bowlplex centres  
in Oxford, Basingstoke and Poole Tower Park 
to Hollywood Bowl. Refurbishments have 
included a full refresh of all external signage, 
the introduction of new bowling environments, 
a new customer-friendly scoring system, new 
dining concepts such as the Hollywood Diner, 
as well as the introduction of VIP lanes. The 
8 refurbishments are on track to outperform 
our 33 per cent targeted Return on 
Investment (ROI).

Development of our property portfolio
We aim to grow the portfolio through new 
openings and selective acquisitions. We have 
integrated the 11 Bowlplex centres acquired 
in December 2015, with initial returns from 
the first 3 rebrandings delivering above 
expectations. We intend to refurbish an 
average of 3 Bowlplex centres a year, to bring 
them in line with the higher standards across 
the remainder of the Group’s estate.

Ongoing focus on our existing portfolio has 
also paid dividends, with a surrender and 
new lease arrangement on our Liverpool 
centre, which should result in an estimated 
£450,000 benefit in FY2017, and includes a 
clause to relocate next to a new cinema on 
the redeveloped Edge Lane Park in 2018.

Focus on people
We operate centres in a range of different 
markets and each one draws on our central 
support network to fulfil their local customer-
led ambitions. Our people are instrumental 
in the running of our business and we are 
passionate that diversity in our employee 
base, combined with high levels of employee 
well-being and job satisfaction, is integral 
to delivering a high-quality customer 
experience. Our Net Promoter Score 
(NPS) level of 58 per cent is testament 
to our successful approach. 

06

Hollywood Bowl Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2016Outlook 
The new financial year has started well and 
in line with the Board’s expectations. October 
through to the Easter holidays is a key trading 
period for any indoor leisure-based business 
and we have been pleased with the 
performance to date.

The Bowlplex centres are now fully 
integrated and reaping the benefits from the 
introduction of the Group’s operating model, 
with revenues up 9.4 per cent year-on-year. 
The refurbishment and rebrand of the 
Brighton Bowlplex will be completed in time 
for the Christmas 2016 trading period, and 
we are on course to complete between 7 
and 10 refurbishments/rebrands in FY2017. 

Our property pipeline is at its strongest in 
our history. We are on schedule to open in the 
Southampton Watermark development during 
December 2016, and in the intu shopping 
centre in Derby during April 2017. We are 
also in advanced stages of negotiation with 
landlords on 4 further potential new sites with 
4 others under review. We are well-positioned 
to deliver on our target of opening 2 new 
centres per year.

3 months into our life as a listed business, 
our strategic priorities and financial results 
are progressing well. Our focus remains on 
delivering an exceptional experience for every 
customer, every time, increasing value 
for shareholders.

Stephen Burns
Chief Executive Officer
13 December 2016

We are committed to providing an inclusive 
and supportive environment for all our 
people, with opportunities to develop 
rewarding careers. 

Centre Managers and Assistant Managers 
receive an uncapped bonus for hitting their 
profit budget which, in turn, entitles them to 
share in a proportion of any amount achieved 
over targeted management profit (EBITDA 
pre-property costs), subject to also meeting 
customer engagement and satisfaction targets.

In November 2016, we introduced a share 
scheme, granting free shares for centre 
management, and all team members will 
also have the opportunity to invest in additional 
shares via a Share Incentive Plan (SIP) in the 
near future.

Use of technology
Our technology platform offers scalability 
and flexibility to support future growth. 
Over FY2016, we continued to invest in 
the development of our sophisticated CRM 
system to enable and improve customer 
targeting. Our web-based reservation and 
CRM system has been a key enabler of 
growth. Accordingly we prioritised the 
migration of the Bowlplex centres so that 
all 54 centres now use this system. 

We have also made further improvements to 
our proprietary scoring system, enabling us to 
deliver a more personalised communications 
flow pre- and post-visit, as well as enhancing 
the ‘in-centre experience’ and encouraging 
multi-bowler data capture throughout the 
game. We will continue to deploy our 
proprietary scoring system in our centres 
as part of refurbishment and new 
centre openings.

Our digital marketing programme has 
driven significant revenue and remains a key 
strategic area. This focus on understanding 
the customer and using targeted marketing 
to reach them has allowed us to respond 
to consumer trends in order to drive more 
frequent customer visits.

Our history1

2010

The Original Bowling Company is formed, 
merging 18 AMF Centres and 24 Hollywood 
Bowl centres acquired from Mitchells & Butlers

2011

Stephen Burns joins the Group as Business 
Development Director. Introduction of talent 
development programme

2012

New CRM and reservations system 
introduced

2013

Opened Rochester and Milton Keynes 
centres. Maidstone centre relocated. 
Stephen Burns becomes Managing Director

2014

Opened Cheltenham, closed Havant centre. 
Launched award-winning employee brand. 
Stephen Burns becomes Chief Executive 
Officer; Laurence Keen joins as Finance 
Director. Epiris backs management buyout

2015

Completed acquisition of 16 Bowlplex centres. 
Divested 6 centres following CMA review

2016

Hollywood Bowl Group plc admitted to the 
Main Market of the London Stock Exchange. 
Our 55th centre to open in Southampton 
in December

1  Calendar year

07

Financial StatementsStrategic ReportGovernanceMarket Overview

Market  leader  and 
well-positioned 
in the wider 
leisure sector

The ten-pin bowling market is part of the wider UK leisure 
sector and offers a competitively-priced family leisure 
experience and broad customer appeal. 

The UK leisure sector was worth an 
estimated £80.3bn in 2015, of which ten-pin 
bowling had a market share of 0.3 per cent. 
The UK ten-pin bowling market generated 
estimated sales of £303m in 2015, of which 
Hollywood Bowl Group had a market share 
of approximately 33 per cent1. 

Recent growth 
The amount of total sites in the UK ten-pin 
bowling market has remained relatively static 
over the past 5 years, as a number of 
independent sites have closed while 
Hollywood Bowl Group and QLP have 
opened centres.

Competitive landscape
There are 4 types of operator2 within the 
UK ten-pin bowling market:

•  Major multiples (estimated 71 per cent 

market share) operating 5 or more centres 
(which includes Hollywood Bowl Group).

•  Other multiples (estimated 5 per cent 
market share), operating fewer than 
5 centres.

•  Urban bowling operators (estimated 7 per 
cent market share) operating smaller sites 
with a focus on the ‘urban’ market and an 
emphasis on food and beverage sales, 
catering to professionals.
Independent operators (estimated 17 
per cent market share) operating single 
centres, which are typically smaller and 
situated in tertiary locations.

• 

However, from 2013 to 2015, ten-pin bowling 
was the fastest-growing segment of the UK 
leisure sector, with 6 per cent revenue growth 
compared to an average growth of 3 per cent 
across the wider UK leisure sector3.

This growth was largely driven by the 
major multiples, as they have invested in 
reinvigorating customer engagement through 
CRM platforms, refocusing the bowling 
proposition towards family leisure, improving 
ancillary product offerings and driving 
operating improvements. Hollywood Bowl 
Group delivered the greatest growth in this 
market segment, with a CAGR of 10.7 per cent 
over 2013 to 2015.

Number of centres by 
operator in 2016

9
Big Apple

9
Namco

31
MFA

36
Tenpin

54
Hollywood  
Bowl Group

08

Hollywood Bowl Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2016260

252

243

232

220

205

189

This indicates that there is significant potential 
for ten-pin bowling centre roll-out in the UK 
given the extent of under-served regions and 
opportunities to increase participation 
through improved customer propositions 
and competitive pricing relative to other 
leisure experiences.

Hollywood Bowl Group is leading the 
way in driving growth in the major multiple 
segment with our refurbishment and new 
site development programme and focused 
strategy of driving repeat visits and a higher 
spend per game.

The Group has identified at least 20 
potential new sites in the medium term. 
This assessment incorporates factors 
such as catchment size and demography; 
competitor presence; and centre type 
and availability. 

From our established opening model, 
relationships with landlords, strong covenant 
and continued maintenance programme 
across the estate, Hollywood Bowl Group is 
well-positioned to capitalise on the market 
growth potential. 

Growth of major multiples £m 

2019  est

2018  est

2017  est

2016

2015

2014

2013

Source: Pragma Consulting Report (June 2016).

Market growth opportunities
As with the wider UK leisure market, growth 
in ten-pin bowling is predominantly driven by 
macroeconomic factors such as increases 
in GDP, consumer confidence and 
disposable income. 

The major multiples segment of the UK 
ten-pin bowling market is forecast to grow by 
a CAGR of 4.3 per cent per annum from 2015 
to 2019, greater than the total UK leisure 
sector forecast growth of 3 per cent4.

This growth is expected to be underpinned 
by developing new sites, continued 
refurbishment of existing centres and 
improvement in the customer experience, 
increasing participation in ten-pin bowling, 
visit frequency and spend per game. There is 
also scope for major multiples to increase 
their share of the ten-pin bowling market as 
weaker operators, particularly independent 
operators and other multiples, become less 
competitive or exit the market. 

By comparing visits to ten-pin bowling 
centres with visits to the cinema, it is evident 
that the opportunity to increase the size of 
the ten-pin bowling market in the UK is 
significant5, in terms of both numbers of 
centres and frequency of visits. 

In the UK, ten-pin bowling is a relatively 
low-frequency activity compared to other 
forms of leisure such as the cinema. 67 per 
cent of consumers have not participated in 
ten-pin bowling over the past 12 months, 
compared to 32 per cent for cinemas6. This 
could be due to the accessibility of bowling 
sites – an estimated 47 per cent of the UK 
population live within a 15-minute drive of a 
bowling centre, compared to 69 per cent 
living within a 15-minute drive of a cinema7. 

Key:
1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 7, Pragma Consulting Report (June 2016).
6, Mintel Leisure Report 2015.

UK leisure sector1

£80.3bn
(2015)

UK ten-pin bowling sector1

£303m
(2015)

Market growth3

Ten-pin bowling  
market
6%
CAGR

Leisure sector
3% 
CAGR

09

Financial StatementsStrategic ReportGovernanceBusiness Model

Investing in a  
 quality  customer 
experience 

At Hollywood Bowl Group  
we have an unrelenting focus  
on delivering the best leisure 
experience for every customer.

All of our brands offer high-
quality family entertainment and 
excellent customer service.

To enhance the quality of  
our offering and increase the 
frequency of customer visits,  
we continually invest in  
training and technology-led 
innovation and in developing 
exciting, fun-filled customer 
environments and products.

Revenues

Investment

Bowling
The inclusive game where the competition 
is healthy and everyone gets to celebrate.

Refurbishment
Our ongoing refurbishment programme covers 
all internal areas and external signage.

Amusements
We make it playful with fun-filled family 
focused arcades combining traditional and 
leading edge games.

Food
Classic American favourites to enjoy after 
the game or as part of our party packages.

Drink
It’s always sociable in our welcoming bar 
areas that increase customer dwell time.

Rebranding
Rebranding of Bowlplex to our core brand 
Hollywood Bowl.

New development
Strategic expansion in the property  
portfolio through a new centre pipeline.

Spick and span
Ongoing maintenance and regular  
refresh of our amusements offer.

Hollywood 
Diner

VIP  
lanes

Upgraded American-themed diners 

Delivering a premium bowling experience 

10

Hollywood Bowl Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2016 
 
Customer 
engagement

Team and  
culture 

CRM
Sophisticated CRM systems to support 
understanding of customer needs and 
targeted marketing.

Digital 
Digital marketing drives traffic to a high-
conversion responsive website.

Customer contact centre
A 50-seat customer contact centre to 
manage all calls and take bookings.

Bowling scoring system
Improving customer engagement during 
and post-centre visit.

Talent
Management programmes are in place 
to attract, retain and nurture top talent.

Incentives
Highly-targeted incentive structure for our 
Centre Managers.

Positive culture
Our customer-focused culture promotes 
consistent behaviours and attitudes.

Scoring  
system

Team  
members

Driving customer engagement 

Enhancing our customers’ experience

11

Financial StatementsStrategic ReportGovernanceStrategy

Organic and 
investment 
led  growth 

Initiatives

Driving like-for-
like growth

Driving like-for-like growth by attracting new customers, increasing the frequency 
of visits and raising the spend per game. This strategy is supported by a focus on 
improving the customer experience through investments in technology, training our 
people, marketing and refurbishment.

Like-for-like revenue growth % 

In 2016, our like-for-like revenue grew by 6.8 per cent supported by 

average spend which increased by 4.3 per cent. With ancillary spend 

up 4.1 per cent, and bowling spend per game up 4.5 per cent, we are 

encouraged that our approach is gaining a greater share of wallet, 

with customers increasing their dwell time in our centres.

Refurbishment 
programme

Undertaking 7 to 10 refurbishments per year over the medium term to generate improved 
sales and profitability at existing centres. Future refurbished centres will benefit from the 
introduction of new dining concepts such as Hollywood Diner and an upgraded bar 
offering, as well as investment in the bowling experience – including the introduction 
of VIP lanes. These all support higher prices and a higher spend per game, as well as 
driving game volumes and visit frequency.

Number of centres refurbished/rebranded

In FY2016, we refurbished/rebranded 8 centres with an average ROI 

greater than 33 per cent. We have 7–10 more refurbishments planned 

for FY2017 and are confident we can maintain this level of ROI as we 

continue to roll out our family-focused model.

Conversion of 
Bowlplex estate

We gained 11 centres from the acquisition of Bowlplex in December 2015. We aim to 
refurbish and rebrand an average of 3 Bowlplex centres a year, bringing them in line with 
the higher standards across the remainder of the Group’s estate. 

Average centre revenue for Bowlplex £m

New centres and 
acquisitions

We plan to open 2 new centres per year, dependent on them meeting our acquisition 
criteria and rental prices. There are opportunities to achieve further growth through 
the acquisition of existing bowling sites from other operators and improving their 
operations by converting them into Hollywood Bowl centres as per the current 
Bowlplex rebranding strategy.

Number of new Group centres  

Focus on people

Our people underpin our business model. They are the external face of our business 
and are all responsible for ensuring that our customers enjoy the greatest possible 
experience every time they visit. Promoting internal team succession is a key focus 
for the Group.

12

We have refurbished and rebranded 3 Bowlplex centres to Hollywood 

Bowl centres in FY2016, with 8 more still to be refurbished and 

rebranded. The average revenue per Bowlplex centre for FY2016 was 

£1.68m compared to the prior year of £1.55m.

Our new centre pipeline is strong, with Southampton due to open in 

December 2016 and Derby in April 2017. We also have a number of 

other key opportunities in advanced stages. All 11 centres in FY2016 

were part of the Bowplex acquisition.

In FY2016 we ran our third Centre Manager and Assistant Managers in 

Training programmes and introduced a new talent programme, ‘Senior 

Leadership Development’. The success of these programmes is clear: 

in FY2016, 51 per cent of our management positions were filled 

internally, a 25 per cent increase on FY2015.

Refurbishment spend £m 

2016

2015

2014

2016

2015

2014

2013

2012

2016

2015

2014

2013

2012

2016

2015

2016

2015

2014

6.8

9.1

8.1

8

7

5

2

2,860

2,417

1,129

480

1.68

1.55

11

1

1

Hollywood Bowl Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2016Driving like-for-

like growth

Driving like-for-like growth by attracting new customers, increasing the frequency 

of visits and raising the spend per game. This strategy is supported by a focus on 

improving the customer experience through investments in technology, training our 

people, marketing and refurbishment.

Refurbishment 

programme

Undertaking 7 to 10 refurbishments per year over the medium term to generate improved 

sales and profitability at existing centres. Future refurbished centres will benefit from the 

introduction of new dining concepts such as Hollywood Diner and an upgraded bar 

offering, as well as investment in the bowling experience – including the introduction 

of VIP lanes. These all support higher prices and a higher spend per game, as well as 

driving game volumes and visit frequency.

Conversion of 

Bowlplex estate

We gained 11 centres from the acquisition of Bowlplex in December 2015. We aim to 

refurbish and rebrand an average of 3 Bowlplex centres a year, bringing them in line with 

the higher standards across the remainder of the Group’s estate. 

New centres and 

acquisitions

We plan to open 2 new centres per year, dependent on them meeting our acquisition 

criteria and rental prices. There are opportunities to achieve further growth through 

the acquisition of existing bowling sites from other operators and improving their 

operations by converting them into Hollywood Bowl centres as per the current 

Bowlplex rebranding strategy.

Focus on people

Our people underpin our business model. They are the external face of our business 

and are all responsible for ensuring that our customers enjoy the greatest possible 

experience every time they visit. Promoting internal team succession is a key focus 

for the Group.

We operate high-quality family entertainment 
centres. We will continue to achieve this by driving 
like-for-like growth, undertaking refurbishment 
where necessary, developing new centres and 
investing in our people. By doing this, we will 
provide a great customer experience, achieve 
profitable growth and deliver strong 
returns on capital invested. 

KPIs

Progress

Like-for-like revenue growth % 

2016

2015

2014

Number of centres refurbished/rebranded

2016

2015

2014

2013

2012
Refurbishment spend £m 

2016

2015

2014

2013

2012

Average centre revenue for Bowlplex £m

2016

2015

Number of new Group centres  

2016

2015

2014

6.8

9.1

8.1

8

7

5

2

2,860

2,417

1,129

480

1.68

1.55

11

1

1

In 2016, our like-for-like revenue grew by 6.8 per cent supported by 
average spend which increased by 4.3 per cent. With ancillary spend 
up 4.1 per cent, and bowling spend per game up 4.5 per cent, we are 
encouraged that our approach is gaining a greater share of wallet, 
with customers increasing their dwell time in our centres.

In FY2016, we refurbished/rebranded 8 centres with an average ROI 
greater than 33 per cent. We have 7–10 more refurbishments planned 
for FY2017 and are confident we can maintain this level of ROI as we 
continue to roll out our family-focused model.

We have refurbished and rebranded 3 Bowlplex centres to Hollywood 
Bowl centres in FY2016, with 8 more still to be refurbished and 
rebranded. The average revenue per Bowlplex centre for FY2016 was 
£1.68m compared to the prior year of £1.55m.

Our new centre pipeline is strong, with Southampton due to open in 
December 2016 and Derby in April 2017. We also have a number of 
other key opportunities in advanced stages. All 11 centres in FY2016 
were part of the Bowplex acquisition.

In FY2016 we ran our third Centre Manager and Assistant Managers in 
Training programmes and introduced a new talent programme, ‘Senior 
Leadership Development’. The success of these programmes is clear: 
in FY2016, 51 per cent of our management positions were filled 
internally, a 25 per cent increase on FY2015.

13

Financial StatementsStrategic ReportGovernanceKey Performance Indicators

How we 
measure our  
 performance 

We monitor our performance by regularly 
reviewing Key Performance Indicator (KPI) 
metrics, and we use these to give us a 
thorough understanding of the drivers of 
our performance, our operations and our 
financial condition.

KPIs

Some of the measures described are not measures of financial 
performance under generally accepted accounting principles, 
including International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), 
and should not be considered in isolation or as an alternative 
to the IFRS financial statements. 

Revenue £m

Revenue generating capex £m

2016

2015

2014

2013

106.6

2016

86.0

2015

78.7

2014

70.2

2013

3.5

3.7

2.9

6.0

2012
Revenue is generated from customers visiting the centres and bowling 
or spending money on one of the ancillary revenue streams – 
amusements, diner or bar.

2012
Capital expenditure on refurbishments, rebrands and new centres.  
This does not include any maintenance capex.

Like-for-like revenue growth %

Net debt/(cash) £m

2016

2015

2014

6.8

9.1

8.1

2016

2015

2014

20.8

24.6

36.0

Like-for-like revenue is total revenue excluding any new centres, closed 
2013
centres, acquisitions and any other non like-for-like revenue.
2012

(6.4)

2013

2012
Net debt is defined as borrowings from bank facilities less cash and 
cash equivalents.

14

Hollywood Bowl Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2016KPIs

Gross profit %

Adjusted EBITDA £m

2016

2015

2014

2013

83.9

2016

82.6

2015

81.9

81.4

2014

2013

29.4

20.6

14.6

11.0

2012
Gross profit per cent is calculated as revenue minus the cost of 
sales and any irrecoverable VAT, divided by revenue. Bowling has a 
100 per cent gross profit while each of the revenue streams have an 
associated cost of sales.

2012
Adjusted EBITDA is calculated as operating profit before depreciation, 
amortisation, exceptional items and other income.

Profit/(loss) before tax £m

Operating cash flow £m

2016

2015

2014

2013

(1.8)

(3.6)

2.6

4.8

2016

2015

2014

2013

23.7

15.4

9.7

10.0

2012
Profit/(loss) before tax from the financial statements.

2012
Operating cash flow is calculated as Adjusted EBITDA less working 
capital less maintenance capital expenditure less corporation tax paid.

Adjusted EBITDA margin %

Total average spend per game £

2016

2015

2014

2013

27.5

2016

23.9

2015

18.6

2014

15.7

2013

8.63

8.12

7.54

7.13

2012
Adjusted EBITDA margin is calculated as adjusted EBITDA divided by 
total revenue.

2012
Total average spend per game is defined as total revenue divided by 
the number of bowling games played.

15

Financial StatementsStrategic ReportGovernanceFinancial Review

A  strong  
performance 
in a year of 
progress

Summary

Total number of centres

Number of games played

Revenue

Gross profit

Group adjusted EBITDA1

Group operating cash flow2

Group expansionary capital 

expenditure

30 September
 2016 
£’000

30 September 
2015 
£’000

54

12.1m

£106.6m

83.9%

£29.4m

£23.7m

44

10.4m

£86.0m

82.6%

£20.6m

£15.4m

£3.5m

£2.4m

1  Group adjusted EBITDA (earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and 

amortisation) reflects the underlying trade of the overall business and excludes 
any one-off benefits (VAT rebates for prior years), and costs (the net costs on 
two property transactions – Liverpool and Avonmeads – restructuring costs 
for Bowlplex acquisition and IPO related expenses). It is our view that these are 
not recurring costs.

2  Group operating cash flow is calculated as Group adjusted EBITDA less working 

capital and maintenance capital expenditure.

Our Group adjusted EBITDA growth has been achieved through 
continued customer focus and ensuring that each of our centres offers a 
great family experience on every visit. Group adjusted EBITDA increased 
by 42.6 per cent during the year mainly due to revenue growth over this 
period. This has been driven through the acquisition of Bowlplex 
(December 2015) as well as the growth of the core estate through 
refurbishments and continued spend on maintenance capital.

Growth drivers 
The strength of the Group’s strategy is reflected in our revenue 
performance for the year, which was driven by 3 main areas: the 
acquisition of Bowlplex in December 2015; growth in spend per game; 
and like-for-like growth in the number of games.

16

Laurence Keen
Chief Financial 
Officer

Bowlplex revenues since acquisition were £15.6m and increased  
9.4 per cent versus prior year over the same period. This was in part 
due to the implementation of the Group’s process and procedures, 
including the Customer Contact Centre (CCC), CRM and reservation 
system and rebranding of 3 centres during the second half of FY2016 
to Hollywood Bowl.

Over the past 12 months, we have invested in refurbishing 5 centres 
which are on track to deliver above 33 per cent ROI, as well as 
rebranding 3 Bowlplex centres, with extremely encouraging returns 
of 94 per cent on capital invested (although with less than 26 weeks 
post-investment for these 3 centres, we urge caution in extrapolating 
this out to the full year). VIP lanes are also now operating in 23 centres 
and customers continue to enjoy the surprise and delight element 
of this.

The continued investment in our centres and teams delivered like-for-like 
revenue growth of 6.8 per cent.

Like-for-like revenue is defined as total revenue excluding any new 
centre openings, acquisitions (2016: £15.6m), closed centres (2016: 
£0.3m, 2015: £1.4m) from the current or prior year, and any other non 
like-for-like income (VAT on children’s shoes and ‘no-shows’ 2016: 
£0.4m) and is used as a key measure of same centre growth.

Given the challenging summer with unprecedented dry and hot weather 
over the school holidays, we are pleased with our record sales 
performance over this period. 

Group revenue increased by 23.9 per cent (£20.6m) to £106.6m, from 
£86.0m in the year ended 20 September 2015. 

Hollywood Bowl Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2016Gross margin
Gross profit margin improved from 82.6 per cent to 83.9 per cent 
primarily as a result of the full-year effect of new food and drink 
contracts, and improved terms on amusements for the like-for-like 
estate post the Bowlplex acquisition. The slight change in revenue 
mix also helped margins, with bowling increasing its share from 
47.97 per cent to 48.21 per cent, with a 100 per cent gross profit.

“ The strength of the Group’s 

strategy is reflected in 
our revenue performance and 
EBITDA margin for the year.”

Administrative expenses
Administration expenses increased by 31.7 per cent driven primarily by 
the acquisition of Bowlplex.

30 September
 2016 
£’000

30 September 
2015 
£’000

Employee costs
Other fixed property
Maintenance and supplies
Other expenses
Corporate costs
(Profit)/loss on disposal of property, 

plant and equipment

Depreciation and amortisation
Exceptional items (excludes other 

income of £1,395,000)

20,024
26,332
1,796
3,848
8,822

(745)
9,809

6,558

76,444

16,658
22,343
1,545
2,203
7,737

17
8,266

(722)

58,047

Administrative expenses increased to £76.4m in the full year to 
30 September 2016, from £58.0m in the previous year. Property 
and employee costs are the largest expenses in the business, with the 
year-on-year increase primarily the result of the acquisition of Bowlplex in 
December 2015. Property costs on a constant basis stayed static across 
both years, at £22.0m with rent reviews and property rates increases 
netted off by a reduction in utility usage with the full-year effect of LED 
lighting and a lower insurance charge in the year. Employee costs on a 
constant centre basis increased from £16.5m to £16.9m, driven by the 
national living wage and national minimum wage impacts.

Total maintenance and supply costs increased by 16.2 per cent due to 
Bowlplex centres as well as purchasing new balls to ensure customers 
are receiving a great experience in our centres. 

Group adjusted EBITDA
Group adjusted EBITDA increased during the year mainly due 
to revenue growth over the 12-month period, driven through the 
acquisition of Bowlplex as well as the growth of the core estate 
through refurbishments and continued spend on maintenance capital 
to ensure that all centres are inviting family entertainment centres.

Depreciation increased from £7.8m in 2015 to £9.3m in 2016, largely 
as a result of the Bowlplex acquisition. Corporate costs increased by 
14 per cent to £8.8m in FY2016, from £7.7m in FY2015. This is due to 
the investment in specific business functions to support the integration 
of Bowlplex, more CCC heads, the inclusion of a proportion of the plc 
costs with Non-Executive Directors, while bonuses were materially the 
same as the prior year. Professional fees also rose in FY2016 as a result 
of advisers receiving 10 per cent of the rate rebates and an increase in 
audit fees, on account of the audit in a plc environment and a half-year 
audit for the purpose of IPO. As a percentage of total sales, total 
corporate costs represented 8.3 per cent in FY2016, against 8.9 per 
cent in FY2015.

Laurence Keen 
Chief Financial Officer

Group adjusted EBITDA

Operating profit
Depreciation
Amortisation

EBITDA
Exceptional items

Adjusted EBITDA

30 September
 2016 
£’000

30 September 
2015 
£’000

14,378
9,316
493

24,187
5,163

29,350

13,034
7,758
508

21,300
(722)

20,578

Management use EBITDA adjusted for exceptional items (adjusted 
EBITDA) as a key performance measure of the business.

Exceptional items
In FY2016, exceptional items totalled £5.2m, with the main 
components being a £1.4m VAT rebate; costs of £2.3m relating to the 
acquisition of Bowlplex; £2.3m of IPO costs; a £1.6m reverse premium 
for the Liverpool lease negotiation and a one-off cost of £0.6m for the 
allocation of free shares to employees (Centre Management) on IPO. 

In FY2015, exceptional items totalled £0.7m and consisted 
predominantly of £1.0m resulting from a sector-wide reassessment 
of rates in the period which meant that the majority of the Group’s 
centres were eligible for rebates. Included in this £1.0m are all the 
historical rebates back to April 2010 received by the Operating 
Group. Offsetting this rates rebate, an exceptional charge of £0.2m 
was recorded in relation to the investment by Electra Investments 
Limited in FY2014.

VAT rebate1
Rates rebate2
Property costs3
Acquisition related expenses4
Restructuring and legal costs5
IPO related expenses6
Share-based payments7

 30 September 
2016 
£’000

30 September 
2015 
£’000

1,395
79
(648)
(2,334)
(757)
(2,298)
(600)

(5,163)

–
1,009
–
(163)
(124)
–
–

722

1  The Group was able to make a one-off retrospective reclaim in respect of overpaid 
VAT relating to customers who were ‘no-shows’ and children’s shoe hire. This VAT 
rebate relates to a rebate for FY2012 to 2015. This has been classified as other 
income in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income. Going forward this 
will not be classified as exceptional income as it will be recognised within revenue.
2  There was a sector-wide property rating appeal which was settled during FY2015 
and resulted in a majority of the Group’s centres receiving one-off rebates for the 
period from April 2010 onwards. Most of this was received in FY2015. With the new 
rating list effective from April 2017, the normal rates appeals process will be followed 
and in-year refunds will not be included within exceptional costs. 

3  For FY2016 this includes profit for the sale of the Avonmeads Centre (£0.8m) and a 
reverse premium (£1.6m) for exiting a lease rental contract for the Liverpool centre.

17

Financial StatementsStrategic ReportGovernanceFinancial Review
continued

4  Costs relating to the acquisition of Bowlplex in December 2015. These costs 
include legal and research fees in connection with the lengthy CMA process 
which was part of the acquisition.

5  Costs relating to restructuring in readiness for, and subsequent to the acquisition 
of the Kanyeco Group in September 2014, and the acquisition of Bowlplex in 
December 2015. Also includes costs for the management of the Group by Epiris.
6  Costs associated with the IPO of Hollywood Bowl Group plc on the London Stock 
Exchange on 21 September 2016. Costs include legal and accounting transaction 
fees along with corporate banking costs.

7  Allocation of shares to employees on IPO date. Shares issued to employees have 

been recorded at fair value, being the strike price at IPO. This comprises the fair 
value of the shares (£527,000) and the employers’ national insurance expense 
(£73,000). This was a one-off allocation of shares to employees as part of the IPO. 
Share-based payments and other Long Term Incentive Plans (LTIPs) will not be 
included in exceptional items as these are envisaged to be recurring and part of 
the normal course of business going forward.

Finance costs
Net interest payment and other finance charges increased by 46.2 
per cent from £8.1m for FY2015 to £11.9m in FY2016, driven primarily by 
an increase in subordinated shareholder loans (£1.2m) and the write off 
of £3.0m of capitalised financing fees and the costs of cancelling an 
interest rate swap, both done as part of the listing.

Taxation
The Group has incurred a tax charge of £1.4m for the year compared 
to £1.2m for the year to 30 September 2015.

Earnings
Profit for the year was £1.2m which was lower than the prior year 
by £2.4m as a result of the factors discussed in the notes above.

Basic earnings per share was 1.12p, while adjusted earnings per share 
was 13.23p. This is calculated by excluding exceptional costs and 
shareholder loan interest.

Dividend
Although the business only listed on 21 September 2016 it intends 
to pay a dividend of 0.19 pence per share. Subject to shareholder 
approval at the AGM on 23 February 2017, this will be paid on 
24 March 2017 to shareholders on the register on 24 February 2017.

Cash flows
The Group continues to deliver strong cash generation with Group 
operating cash flow 53.8 per cent higher at £23.7m (2015: £15.4m) 
due to an increase in EBITDA and efficient use of working capital, 
offset by increased investment in maintenance capital as the estate 
grows. All of this resulted in an increase in Group operating cash flow 
conversion to 80.7 per cent (2015: 74.8 per cent).

Group adjusted EBITDA
Movement in working capital
Maintenance capital expenditure1
Taxation

Operating cash flow
Operating cash flow conversion

Expansionary capital expenditure
Disposal proceeds
Exceptional items
Interest paid
Acquisition of subsidiary
Cash acquired in subsidiary
Cash flows from financing activities

30 September
 2016 
£’000

30 September 
2015 
£’000

 29,350 
 2,468 
 (5,768)
 (2,352)

 23,698 
80.7%

 (3,468)
 1,430 
 (2,484)
 (2,093)
 (22,801)
 970 
 (724)

 20,578 
 1,074 
 (4,419)
 (1,835)

 15,398 
74.8%

 (2,407)
 – 
 722 
 (2,304)
 – 
 – 
 (693)

Net cash flow

 (5,472)

 10,716

1  Maintenance capital expenditure includes amusements capital and £1.28m of 

amusements disposal proceeds.

Liquidity and capital resources
The Group’s liquidity requirements arise primarily from its growth 
strategy, make interest payments on its indebtedness and meet the 
working capital requirements of the business. The Operating Group’s 
principal sources of liquidity have been its cash flow from operating 
activities, its bank loans and its subordinated shareholder loans.

In preparation for the IPO, the Group undertook a capital 
reorganisation and refinancing, and executed a complex steps 
plan which included the creation of a new holding company, share 
exchanges and repayment arrangements for previous shareholders 
and bank debt. By applying the principles of reverse acquisition 
accounting in accordance with IFRS 3 ‘business combinations’, the 
results of the Group are presented as if Hollywood Bowl Group plc 
had always owned Kanyeco Limited. Further details about the 
accounting for the IPO are included in Note 2. 

There was no primary raise at IPO. A new term loan was agreed at  
the time of the IPO, which reduced the Group’s bank debt down 
to £30m. As a result of the IPO and the refinancing, combined with 
strong trading, net debt decreased to £20.8m. 

Incorporation and capital reduction
On 13 June 2016, Hollywood Bowl Group plc was incorporated and 
registered in England and Wales under the Companies Act 2006 as 
a public limited company.

The Company has reduced its share capital by means of a 
court-sanctioned reduction in capital in order to provide it with the 
distributable reserves required to support the intended dividend policy. 
The capital reduction received court approval on 9 November 2016 
and is detailed in the post balance sheet events note.

18

Hollywood Bowl Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2016 
Capital expenditure

Maintenance
Amusements supplier
Refurbishment
New centres

Landlord contributions

Net disposal (proceeds)/costs

Total capital expenditures

4,439
2,607
2,860
608

–

(2,708)

7,806

2,675
2,194
2,417
1,263

(1,255)

(450)

6,844

Maintenance capital spend increased by a total of £1.3m (30 per cent) 
due to the increased number of sites during the year as well as the 
requirement for a higher spend in the Bowlplex sites to bring them 
up to the Group’s technical standards, which in turn provides the 
customer with an overall better experience. 

Expansionary capital expenditure increased by 18 per cent as the 
refurbishment programme continued, with 5 centres being refurbished, 
as well as higher spends on the 3 Bowlplex rebrands undertaken during 
the financial year. Management views centres as typically needing 
refurbishment every 6 to 8 years. Expansionary capital expenditure 
also includes some spend on the FY2017 openings in Southampton 
and Derby.

Refurbishments completed in the financial year were:

•  Leeds
•  Surrey Quays
•  Manchester
•  Birmingham
•  Bolton
•  The 3 Bowlplex rebrands in FY2016:

•  Poole Tower Park;
•  Oxford;
•  Basingstoke.

30 September
 2016 
£’000

30 September 
2015 
£’000

Balance sheet

30 September
 2016 
£’000

30 September 
2015 
£’000

ASSETS
Non-current assets
Property, plant and equipment
Intangible assets

Current assets
Cash and cash equivalent
Trade and other receivables
Inventories

Total assets

LIABILITIES
Current liabilities
Trade and other payables
Borrowings
Corporation tax payable

Non-current liabilities
Other payables
Borrowings
Deferred tax liabilities
Provisions
Derivative financial instruments

Total liabilities

NET ASSETS/(LIABILITIES)

Equity attributable to 

shareholders

Share capital
Share premium
Merger reserve
Capital redemption reserve
Retained earnings

TOTAL EQUITY/(DEFICIT)

Laurence Keen
Chief Financial Officer
13 December 2016

37,264
79,228

116,492

9,224
9,634
1,018

19,876

136,368

18,866
–
1,034

19,900

6,941
29,403
2,230
3,476
55

42,105

62,005

74,363

71,512
51,832
(49,897)
99
817

74,363

30,854
66,186

97,040

14,696
8,023
703

23,422

120,462

14,127
1,009
637

15,773

7,886
92,285
1,765
2,904
134

104,974

120,747

(285)

49,932
–
(49,847)
–
(370)

(285)

19

Financial StatementsStrategic ReportGovernancePrincipal Risks

Effective risk 
 management 

The Board retains ultimate responsibility for 
the Group’s risk management framework and 
annually reviews the Group’s principal risks. 

In order to gain a full understanding of the risk exposure of the Group 
we have reviewed each area of the business, and each member of  
the senior leadership team has classified the risk, taking into account 
the likelihood of their occurrence and the scale of the impact (both 
financial and reputational) on the business. Each department is 
responsible for evaluating current controls and drawing up plans to 
improve the controls and manage the risk where appropriate. Details 
of the risk and controls are recorded on the Group’s risk register which 
is a working document and will be updated throughout the year and 
presented to the Board half-yearly.

The Board has carried out a robust assessment of the principal risks 
facing the Group, including those that would threaten the Group’s 
business model, future performance, solvency and liquidity. The risk 
factors addressed below are those which we believe to be the most 
material to us in implementing our business model and strategy, and 
which could adversely affect the operations, revenue, profit, cash flow 
or assets of the Group. Additional risks and uncertainties currently 
unknown to us, or which we currently believe are immaterial, may also 
have an adverse effect on the Group. 

Type of risk

Financial

Financial

Information technology 
/operational

Operational

Operational

Operational

20

Risk

Potential effect

Mitigation

Adverse economic 
conditions may have an 
effect on Group results

Adversely impacted by a 
failure to review funding 
arrangements when they 
become due, or a failure to 
meet banking covenants

Failure in the stability or 
availability of information 
through IT systems

A decline in spend on 
discretionary leisure 
activity could lead to a 
reduction in profits

Covenant breach

Customers not being 
able to book through 
the website or CCC, and 
inability to collect revenue

Operational business 
failures from key suppliers 
(non-IT)

Unable to provide 
customers with a full 
experience

Any disruption which 
affects Group relationship 
with amusements 
suppliers

Loss of key personnel – 
Centre Managers

Amusements income

Lack of direction at centre 
level and therefore effect 
on customers

The majority of sites are based in high footfall areas that 
should stand up against a recessionary decline. The Board 
continually reviews its revenue streams for opportunities to 
enhance the customer experience

The Group has considerable headroom on current facility with 
gross debt significantly below market opportunity for funding. 
We prepare short-term and long-term cash flow, EBITDA and 
covenant forecasts to ensure any risks are identified early. 
Tight controls exist over the approval for capex and expenses

Systems are backed up to our Disaster Recovery Centre. 
The reservations system also has an offline mode, so 
customers could still book but the CCC and online booking 
facility would be down. A back-up system exists for CCC to 
take credit card payments offline. A full audit process exists 
for offline functionality

The Group has key suppliers in food and drink with tight 
Service Level Agreements stated in contracts, with other 
supplier options that know our business and could be 
introduced if needed at short notice. Centres hold between 
14 and 21 days of food, drink and amusements product

Regular key supplier meetings between our Head of 
Amusements, and Namco and Gamestech. Key issues 
are discussed as well as future plans. There are biannual 
meetings between the Board and Namco

The Company runs a Centre Manager in Training (CMIT) 
programme annually, which identifies potential Centre 
Managers and develops them into these roles for the 
future. At any one time, there are 5–7 CMITs across the 
Group who are able to step into a Centre Manager role if 
required. The CMITs can run a centre with support from 
the Regional Support Manager, as well as from other more 
experienced Centre Managers across the region

Hollywood Bowl Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2016Type of risk

Operational

Risk

Potential effect

Mitigation

Inability to recruit CCC 
team members or other 
head office support 
functions due to increased 
local competition or lack 
of local skills

Reduced CCC capacity 
and impact on head office 
functional delivery

We hold regular CCC recruitment events, and our in-house 
recruitment team supports all Head Office vacancies. 
We offer enhanced packages to extend the recruitment 
catchment area

Technical

Data protection breach

Regulatory

Failure to adhere to 
regulatory requirements 
such as Listing Rules, 
taxation, heath and safety, 
planning regulations and 
other laws

Breach leading to 
access of customer 
email addresses and 
subsequent impact on 
reputation with customer 
base 

The Group’s networks are all protected by firewalls 
and secure passwords. Security vulnerability scans are 
frequently run on firewalls to ensure they are secure. In 
addition, the Group plans to move to a new analytics 
system to allow the IT team to see real-time or historical 
threat analytics

The Group does not hold any customer financial 
payment information

Potential financial 
penalties and reputational 
damage

Expert opinion is sought where relevant. We run 
employment and continuous training and development for 
appropriately-qualified staff

The Board has oversight of the management of regulatory 
risk and ensures that each member of the Board is aware 
of their responsibilities. Health and safety risk assessments 
and audits are carried out by the internal audit team, who 
provide recommendations where necessary

While the principal risks and uncertainties could impact future performance, none of them are considered likely, individually or collectively, 
to affect the viability of the Group during the 3-year assessment period.

Viability statement
In accordance with provision C.2.2 of the UK Corporate 
Governance Code (the Code) the Directors have also assessed 
the Group’s prospects and viability over a 3-year period to 
30 September 2019. This 3-year assessment period was 
selected as it corresponds with the Board’s strategic planning 
horizon as well as the time period over which senior management 
are remunerated via LTIPs.

In making this assessment, the Directors took account of the 
Group’s current financial position, annual budget, 3-year plan 
forecasts and sensitivity testing. The Board also considered a 
number of other factors, including the Group business model, 
its strategy, risks and uncertainties. Based on this assessment, 
the Directors have a reasonable expectation that the Group will 
continue in operation and meet all its liabilities as they fall due 
during the period up to 30 September 2019.

While the Board has complied with provision C.2.2 of the Code 
in making this viability statement, the timing of the IPO in relation 
to the Group’s year end has necessarily placed constraints on 
the extent of the supporting assessments. The Board intends to 
develop and adopt a more sophisticated and holistic approach 
to its assessment of the Group’s prospects and liabilities under 
provision C.2.2 of the Code during the course of FY2017. The 
Group is operationally strong with a robust balance sheet and 
cash position, and has a track record of delivering profitable and 
sustainable growth, which is expected to continue.

Going concern
On 21 September 2016, the Group’s shares were admitted to 
trading on the Main Market of the London Stock Exchange and it 
entered into a new £30m, 5-year loan facility (see Note 20 to the 
Financial Statements for details). There was no primary fundraise 
at the IPO and all proceeds were distributed to existing 
shareholders. The Directors believe that this has:

•  Given the Group a stronger capital structure, enabling it to 

continue its growth strategy and make it even more attractive 
as a key tenant.

•  Allowed the Group access to a wider range of capital raising 
options, which could be used for acquisition opportunities.
•  Removed any private equity loan notes, which attract a higher 

rate of interest than normal bank facilities.

•  Provided the Group with a lower rate of interest on its bank 
loan facility, which will reduce interest payments and allow 
further investment of cash.

The Group is in a strong financial position to continue its 
operations for the foreseeable future. For these reasons, the 
Directors have adopted the going concern basis in preparing 
the Financial Statements.

The Directors have made this assessment after consideration 
of budgeted cash flows and related assumptions, and in 
accordance with the FRC’s Guidance on Risk Management, 
Internal Control and Related Financial and Business Reporting.

21

Financial StatementsStrategic ReportGovernanceCorporate Social Responsibility

Corporate social 
 responsibility 

A key element of our culture is the promotion of corporate social 
responsibility within our business, which we believe supports the 
continued generation of sustainable value and enhances our 
ability to deliver on our strategic objectives.

Our vision is to enhance the well-being of our 
people, customers and the communities in 
which we operate.

Customers
We believe bowling is an activity that 
promotes healthy competition and provides 
an inclusive, interactive experience, enabling 
families to spend quality time together and 
improve their well-being.

We are committed to ensuring access and 
delivering an inclusive, fun-filled experience for 
customers of all abilities, with concessionary 
rates available for a number of user groups. 

We recognise that poor diets are an important 
health challenge in the UK and are committed 
to improving the information available on the 
sourcing of our food products and nutritional 
values on our menus. We are developing our 
range of healthy eating and drinking choices, 
for example, super food salads for grown-ups 
and more vegetables for children. 

People
We employ over 1,700 people with more 
working during the school holidays, which are 
our busier periods. We provide our teams with 
structured inductions, including a focus on 
customer service, and health and safety 
training, ensuring they have a safe but fun-filled 
experience. All of our Centre Managers go 
through a team member induction before 
moving onto management training.

We believe that the diversity of our 
employees, combined with high levels of 
employee well-being and job satisfaction, is 
integral to delivering a high-quality customer 
experience. We are committed to providing 
an inclusive and supportive environment with 
opportunities to develop rewarding careers 

22

through multiple talent programmes and a flat 
leadership structure.

Our employees1

We want our team to have a career with 
us and we run a variety of programmes, 
including an annual Centre Manager In 
Training programme to identify potential 
Centre Managers and develop them into 
future leadership roles. Through our internal 
training programmes we promoted 58 of our 
team in FY2016, including 7 who became 
Centre Managers. 

Board

Senior  
managers

1

3

All team

957

1  As at 30 September 2016.

5

12

806

Training and 
investment

Hollywood Bowl Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2016 
We operate a bonus scheme which 
starts at Assistant Manager level and rewards 
the performance of the team across the 
centre. The scheme is based on personal 
performance as well as the outperformance of 
the centre versus profit target, and importantly 
includes a customer experience measure to 
ensure that we always remain on purpose. 

It is our belief that no individual should be 
discriminated against on the ground of race, 
colour, ethnicity, religious belief, political 
affiliation, gender, age or disability.

Communities
As an employer with multiple locations 
around the UK, we seek to support 
local communities and charities through 
fundraising, awareness and access. In 
FY2016, we launched an initiative with 
Neighbourly.com to connect with local 
charities and community projects in each 
of our centres and our Hemel Hempstead 
support centre. We provide support and 
awareness through cash pledges, additional 
fundraising, access to our centres and 
volunteering days.

Health and safety
Through the design of our centres and the 
training provided to our teams, safety is a key 
part of the Hollywood Bowl Group experience, 
and we are fully committed to providing a safe 
environment for both team members and 
visitors to our centres. We comply with all 
safety legislation and act on all reported 
incidents. As part of our internal audit 
reviews, we undertake safety audits. The 
output from these reviews, as well as any 
incident reports, is reviewed by the Directors 
on a monthly basis.

Environment
Hollywood Bowl Group has a strong and 
genuine commitment to conduct all of its 
operations in an ethical and responsible 
manner. This is demonstrated in our 
environmental and energy achievements.

Greenhouse gas
Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions for FY2016 
have been measured as required under the 
Large and Medium-Sized Companies and 
Groups (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 
2008 as amended in 2013, and the GHG 
Protocol Corporate Accounting and Reporting 
standards (revised edition), and the data has 
been provided by Schneider Electric through 
analysis of our utility invoices.

Scope 1 emissions

896 tCO2e

Scope 2 emissions

8,195 tCO2e

Total Scope 1 and 2 

emissions

9,091 tCO2e

Intensity ratio (tCO2e 

per centre)

162.3

Electricity usage
Our commitment to efficiently and ethically 
use natural resources is ongoing and since 
2010 we have reduced our intensity ratio for 
Scope 2 emissions (electricity per centre) by 
over 29 per cent.

These reductions in electricity usage 
have been achieved by a range of 
methods, including:

•  Changes to air handling plant, maximising 

efficiency of control strategies, and 
investing in new plant and machinery.

•  Changing lighting to LED. We have 

converted 75 per cent of our lighting to LED 
and continue to roll out this programme, 
aiming to convert over 80 per cent by the 
end of FY2017. The majority of the 
remaining lamps not converted are 
controlled by motion sensors in low 
footfall areas.

Community 
engagement

•  Behavioural change within our teams 
with conscious efforts to reduce 
electricity usage.

Waste recycling
We recycle the waste that we produce as 
part of our commitment to mitigate against 
the environmental impacts of our operations. 
At the start of FY2016 we were recycling 
70 per cent of our waste but due to the 
integration of the new Bowlplex centres into 
the estate this fell to 59 per cent in FY2016. 

The target for FY2017 is to once again 
achieve 70 per cent. We also recycle the 
cooking oil that we use; in FY2016 we 
achieved a 78 per cent recycling level, over 
2 per cent higher than in the previous year.

23

Financial StatementsStrategic ReportGovernanceGovernance

25 Letter from the Chairman
26 Board of Directors
28 Corporate Governance Report 
31 Nomination Committee Report
32 Audit Committee Report
35  Chair of the Remuneration Committee’s Annual Statement
36 Directors’ Remuneration Policy
42 Annual Report on Remuneration
46 Directors’ Report
49 Statement of Directors’ Responsibilities
50 Independent Auditor’s Report

24

Hollywood Bowl Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2016Letter from the Chairman

Peter Boddy
Chairman

“ The Board is 
committed 
to the highest 
standards 
of corporate 
governance.”

Peter Boddy
Chairman

Dear Shareholders
I am pleased to introduce our first Corporate Governance Report.

As we noted in our IPO Prospectus, the Board is committed to the 
highest standards of corporate governance and intends to comply 
with the requirements of the Code as it applies to smaller companies 
(ie those below the FTSE 350).

In preparing for listing, much work was carried out to ensure that 
the Board had constituted appropriate Committees and adopted 
relevant policies and procedures to support the development of 
a robust governance structure and compliance with the Code 
and other obligations of a company listed on the London Stock 
Exchange’s Main Market. We recognise that achieving a sound 
corporate governance structure is not a tick box exercise. Further work 
is required to ensure that our policies and procedures are successfully 
embedded throughout the business. We aim to lead by example in 
setting the culture and values of the Company that will help to deliver 
long-term success for shareholders and stakeholders. We have 
already started to make progress in these areas since the year end, 
and I look forward to reporting our further progress to you next year.

I believe that in Nick Backhouse and Claire Tiney we have 
appointed excellent independent Non-Executive Directors who 
both bring experience relevant to our sector and our new status 
as a listed company. Nick and Claire joined the Group in the lead 
up to the IPO and have both already made a significant contribution 
to the Board.

As the Company only listed on 21 September 2016, it is not 
practicable to expect full compliance with certain provisions of the 
Code for the year under review. Accordingly, this report includes 
a description of how the Company has applied the principles of the 
Code since 21 September 2016 and how it intends to apply those 
principles throughout FY2017.

Peter Boddy
Chairman
13 December 2016

25

Financial StatementsStrategic ReportGovernanceBoard of Directors

Peter Boddy
Non-Executive Chairman

Stephen Burns
Chief Executive Officer

Laurence Keen
Chief Financial Officer

Appointment
Peter joined the Group as Non-Executive 
Chairman in 2014. 

Committee membership
Chairman of the Nomination Committee.

Skills and experience
Peter currently holds chairmanships in 3 
other companies: Xercise4Less (the low-cost 
gym chain); Novus Leisure Limited, (operator 
of late night bars and clubs), and The Harley 
Medical Group, all of which are backed by 
private equity.

Prior to this, Peter held the positions of CEO or 
Managing Director in a number of successful 
private equity backed leisure sector companies 
including Fitness First UK, Megabowl Group 
Limited and Maxinutrition Limited. 

Peter has a degree in Economics from 
De Montfort University and an MBA from 
Warwick Business School.

Appointment
Stephen joined the Group as Business 
Development Director in 2011, being 
promoted to Managing Director in 2012 and 
becoming Chief Executive Officer in 2014.

Skills and experience
Before joining the Group, Stephen worked 
within the health and fitness industry, holding 
various roles within Cannons Health and 
Fitness Limited from 1999, becoming Sales 
and Client Retention Director from 2007 upon 
the successful acquisition of Cannons Health 
and Fitness Limited by Nuffield Health, and 
then becoming Regional Director in 2009. 

In 2011, Stephen was appointed to the 
operating board of MWB Business Exchange, 
a public company specialising in serviced 
offices, meeting and conference rooms, and 
virtual offices, looking after the CEC and 
outer London brands.

Appointment
Laurence joined the Group as Finance 
Director in 2014. 

Skills and experience
Laurence has a first class degree in Business, 
Mathematics and Statistics from the London 
School of Economics and Political Science. 
He is a qualified ICAEW Chartered Accountant 
and has also been a Fellow since 2012 (having 
qualified in 2000). 

His previous role was UK Development 
Director for Paddy Power from 2012. He has 
also held senior retail and finance roles for 
Debenhams PLC, Pizza Hut (UK) Limited 
and Tesco PLC.

26

Hollywood Bowl Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2016Nick Backhouse
Senior Independent 
Non-Executive Director

Appointment
Nick joined the Group as Senior Independent 
Non-Executive Director prior to Admission.

Committee membership
Chairman of the Audit Committee, member 
of the Nomination Committee and 
Remuneration Committee.

Skills and experience
Nick is the Senior Independent Director of the 
Guardian Media Group plc, a Non-Executive 
Director of Marston’s PLC where he also 
chairs the Audit Committee and is a Trustee 
of the Chichester Festival Theatre.

He was previously the Deputy Chief Executive 
Officer of the David Lloyd Leisure Group and a 
Non-Executive Director of All3Media Limited. 
He has also been Group Finance Director of 
National Car Parks and Chief Financial Officer 
for each of Freeserve plc and the Laurel Pub 
Company and was, prior to that, a Board 
Director of Baring Brothers. 

He is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered 
Accountants and has an MA in Economics 
from Cambridge University.

Claire Tiney
Non-Executive Director

Bill Priestley
Non-Executive Director

Appointment
Claire joined the Group as Non-Executive 
Director prior to Admission. 

Appointment
Bill was appointed to the Board prior 
to Admission.

Skills and experience
Bill is the Chief Investment Partner at Epiris, 
an independent private equity fund manager 
specialising in buyouts and co-investments, 
where he leads the investment team and sits 
on the Investment Committee.

Bill joined Epiris in 2014 after having previously 
held the roles of Co-Chief Executive Officer 
and Managing Director at LGV Capital, a 
mid-market private equity house owned by 
Legal & General PLC, where he worked for 
over 10 years. Bill has also worked at N M 
Rothschild & Sons and Barclays, and currently 
serves on the Boards of Innovia Group and 
TGI Fridays. Bill has a degree in Law from 
Cambridge University.

Committee membership
Chair of the Remuneration Committee, 
member of the Audit Committee and the 
Nomination Committee.

Skills and experience
Claire has over 20 years’ board level 
experience encompassing executive and 
non-executive roles in blue-chip retailing, 
property development and the services 
sector, across the UK and Western Europe.

Claire runs her own business as an HR 
Consultant, executive coach and facilitator, 
having spent 15 years as an Executive 
Director in a number of businesses including 
Homeserve plc, Mothercare plc and WH 
Smith Group plc. Most recently she was 
HR Director at McArthurGlen Group, the 
developer and owner of designer outlet 
villages throughout Europe. 

She was previously a Non-Executive 
Director of Family Mosaic and is currently 
a Non-Executive Director of Volution plc and 
of Topps Tiles plc. She has an MBA from 
Stirling University.

27

Financial StatementsStrategic ReportGovernanceCorporate Governance Report

UK Corporate Governance Code – Compliance Statement
The Company adopted the Code on 21 September 2016 on admission 
of its shares to the UKLA’s Official List and listing on the Main Market 
of the London Stock Exchange. Prior to that date it was not a premium 
listed company and was therefore not required to comply with the 
principles and provisions of the Code. Since 21 September 2016, and 
including the period between admission and the end of the financial 
year, the Company has applied all of the main principles of the Code 
as they apply to it as a ‘smaller company’ (defined in the Code as 
being a company below the FTSE 350) and has complied with all 
relevant provisions of the Code except as indicated below: 

Provision

Explanation

A.3.1 – The Chairman was not independent on appointment Page 29

B.6.1 – The Board has not carried out a 

performance evaluation

B.6.3 – The Non-Executive Directors have not formally 

evaluated the Chairman’s performance

C.2.3 – The Board has not, in the period since IPO, carried 
out a review of the effectiveness of the Company’s risk 
management and internal control systems

Page 30

Page 30

Page 34

C.3.1 and D.2.1 – The Audit and Remuneration 

Committees were not, until 24 November 2016, 
comprised only of independent Non-Executive Directors

Page 29

Board governance
Governance structure
The Company’s governance structure is designed such that the Board 
focuses on providing entrepreneurial leadership to the Group, sets the 
Group’s strategy, monitors performance and ensures that appropriate 
financial and human resources are in place for the Company to meet 
its objectives. The Board is also responsible for taking the lead in 
setting and embedding the Company’s culture, value and standards, 
and for ensuring that appropriate systems, procedures and controls 
are in place to support the effective assessment and management of 
risk and the safeguarding of shareholder interests.

The Board operates in accordance with the Company’s Articles of 
Association (Articles), and has established Audit, Remuneration and 
Nomination Committees to assist it in discharging its responsibilities. 
Each Committee has its own written terms of reference (available on the 
Company’s website) which have been reviewed since the IPO and 
will be reviewed annually.

Certain matters are specifically reserved for decision by the Board 
and documented in a written schedule which will also be reviewed 
annually. The schedule of matters reserved for the Board includes:

Strategy and management
•  Leadership of the Company, 
setting values and standards

•  Approving, developing and 
monitoring strategic aims 
and objectives

•  Oversight of Group operations

Structure and capital
•  Changes to capital or 
corporate structure
•  Changes to Group 
management and 
control structure

Financial reporting and 
controls
•  Approval of annual and half-
year financial statements
•  Approval of dividend policy
•  Approval of significant 

changes in accounting policy
•  Approval of treasury policies

Internal controls
•  Ensuring maintenance of 

sound internal control and risk 
management systems, and 
assessing their effectiveness

•  Approving Group risk 
appetite statements

Board membership
•  Changes to the structure, size 
and composition of the Board

•  Ensuring adequate 
succession planning
•  Appointments to the 

Board including the roles 
of Chairman, CEO, SID and 
Company Secretary

Remuneration
•  Determining the policy for 
the Directors and other 
senior executives

•  Determining Non-Executive 

• 

Director fees
Introduction of new SIPs or 
changes to existing plans to 
be put to shareholders

Corporate governance
•  Review of Group’s overall 
governance arrangements
•  Determining the independence 

of Directors

•  Considering the views 

of shareholders

•  Authorising any conflicts 

of interest

Other
•  Approval and monitoring of 
the Share Dealing Code

•  Approval of political donations
•  Approval of overall level of 
insurance for the Group

Key Board roles and responsibilities 
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
There is a clear division of responsibilities between the Chairman and 
Chief Executive Officer. The roles of the Chairman and Chief Executive 
Officer are held by different people (Peter Boddy and Stephen Burns 
respectively) and the purpose of each role is clear and distinct and set 
out in respective job descriptions. As Chairman, Peter is responsible 
for the leadership and overall effectiveness of the Board and setting 
the Board’s agenda; Stephen reports to Peter and the Board and is 
responsible for all executive management matters of the Group.

Senior Independent Director (SID)
Nick Backhouse was appointed as Senior Independent Director prior 
to Admission. In this role, Nick provides a sounding board for the 
Chairman, and will lead the Non-Executive Directors’ appraisal of the 
Chairman on an annual basis. Nick is also available to shareholders if 
they have concerns which contact through the normal channels of the 
Chief Executive Officer or Chairman has failed to resolve or for which 
such contact is inappropriate.

Non-Executive Directors 
The Non-Executive Directors have been appointed to provide 
objective and constructive challenge to management and to help 
develop proposals on strategy. The Chairman and Non-Executive 
Directors will meet regularly without the Executive Directors present.

28

Hollywood Bowl Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2016Pursuant to the Relationship Agreement entered into between Electra 
Private Equity Partners 2006 Scottish LP, its manager Epiris and the 
Company at the time of the IPO, the Electra Shareholders are entitled 
to appoint 1 nominee Non-Executive Director to the Board for so long 
as the Electra Shareholders are entitled to exercise or control, directly 
or indirectly, 10 per cent or more of the votes able to be cast on all or 
substantially all matters at general meetings of the Company. The first 
such appointee as nominee non-independent Non-Executive Director 
is Bill Priestley.

Board and Committee independence
The Board currently consists of 6 Directors (including the Chairman) 
2 of whom are considered to be independent as indicated in the 
table below:

Non-independent

Independent

Peter Boddy (Chairman)

Nick Backhouse (SID)

Bill Priestley (Electra Shareholders nominee) Claire Tiney

Stephen Burns (Chief Executive Officer)

Laurence Keen (Chief Financial Officer)

The Company, therefore, complies with provision B.1.2 of the Code as 
it applies to smaller companies as it has 2 independent Non-Executive 
Directors on the Board.

The Company does not comply with provision A.3.1 of the Code 
which requires that the Chairman should, on appointment, meet the 
independence criteria set out in provision B.1.1 of the Code. This is 
because, at Admission, the Chairman held shares in the Company 
and also held shares in Kanyeco Limited, the holding company of 
the Group prior to Admission. Nevertheless the Board considers that 
the fact of the Chairman’s shareholding in the Company (including its 
relative size) does not influence his independence of character and 
judgement within the meaning of Code provision B.1.1 and it does not 
influence him or the Board in the proper discharge of their duties and 
the operation of the business of the Group.

Although the Code does not expressly state that all members of the 
Audit and Remuneration Committees must be independent, the Board 
recognised that market practice and investor expectations are that 
they should be. Bill Priestley was therefore asked to step down as a 
member of the Audit and Remuneration Committees with effect from 
24 November 2016, and those Committees have comprised only 
independent Non-Executive Directors from that date.

Relationship Agreement 
On 16 September 2016, the Company and the Electra Shareholders 
entered into the Relationship Agreement which regulates aspects 
of the ongoing relationship between the Company and the Electra 
Shareholders. The principal purpose of the Relationship Agreement 
is to ensure that the Company is capable of carrying on its business 
independently of the Electra Shareholders and their associates, that 
transactions and relationships with the Electra Shareholders and 
their associates (including any transactions and relationships with any 
member of the Group) are at arm’s length and on normal commercial 
terms. The Relationship Agreement will continue for so long as: (i) the 
shares are listed on the premium listing segment of the Official List; and 
(ii) the Electra Shareholders, together with their associates, when taken 
together, hold 10 per cent or more of the issued share capital of 
the Company.

Under the Relationship Agreement, the Electra Shareholders are 
entitled to appoint to the Board 1 Non-Executive Director (as noted 
above) and 1 person to attend as an observer at each meeting of 
the Board and each meeting of the Remuneration Committee, Audit 
Committee and Nomination Committee. The Company has agreed to 
pay Epiris a fee of £50,000 per annum for so long as a Non-Executive 
Director appointed by the Electra Shareholders remains on the Board.

Board process 
Since Admission the Board has met on 4 occasions, with key 
matters discussed including reviewing the Group risk register, 
reviewing the terms of reference of its Committees and approving 
the 2016 Annual Report and financial statements. All Directors 
were present at each meeting. 

The Board intends to meet formally at least 10 times a year, with ad 
hoc meetings called as and when circumstances require it to meet at 
short notice. The Board has approved an annual calendar of agenda 
items to ensure that all matters are given due consideration and are 
reviewed at the appropriate point in the regulatory and financial cycle. 
At least once a year, the Board will undertake a full strategic review of 
the business operations as part of the budget review. 

All Directors are expected to attend all meetings of the Board and  
any Committees of which they are members, and to devote sufficient 
time to the Company’s affairs to fulfil their duties as Directors. The 
Non-Executive Directors’ letters of appointment currently anticipate 
that each Non-Executive Director will need to commit a minimum  
of 2 days per month to the Company but clarify that more time may  
be required. Non-Executive Directors will need to attend scheduled 
and emergency Board and Committee meetings, at least 1 site visit 
per year and the AGM. In addition, the Non-Executive Directors  
are expected to commit appropriate preparation time ahead  
of each meeting.

Since IPO, the Chairman and the Non-Executive Directors have 
visited a number of the Company’s centres in order to meet the 
local management teams and further develop their knowledge 
and understanding of the Company’s operations and the way the 
Company culture discussed by the Board is put into practice at 
centre level.

Where Directors are unable to attend a meeting, they are encouraged 
to submit any comments on papers or matters to be discussed to the 
Chairman in advance to ensure that their views are recorded and taken 
into account during the meeting. The Chairman and Non-Executive 
Directors will meet without the Executive Directors present on a 
number of occasions throughout the year.

Appointment and election
The Board considers all Directors to be effective, committed to their 
roles and have sufficient time to perform their duties. Accordingly, and 
in accordance with the Company’s Articles, all members of the Board, 
having not previously been elected by shareholders, will be offering 
themselves for election at the Company’s first Annual General Meeting 
(AGM) on 23 February 2017. 

All of the Directors have service agreements or letters of appointment 
and the details of their terms are set out in the Directors’ Remuneration 
Policy on page 39. 

29

Financial StatementsStrategic ReportGovernanceCorporate Governance Report 
continued

Training and induction
In preparation for listing, all Directors received an induction briefing from 
the Company’s legal adviser, CMS Cameron McKenna LLP, on their 
duties and responsibilities as Directors of a publicly quoted company. 
A full, formal and tailored induction programme will be developed for any 
new Directors joining the Board. The Chairman, with the support of the 
Company Secretary, will ensure that the development and ongoing 
training needs of individual Directors and the Board as a whole are 
reviewed and agreed at least annually.

Information and support
Agendas and accompanying papers are distributed to the 
Board and Committee members well in advance of each Board 
or Committee meeting. These include reports from Executive 
Directors, other members of senior management and external 
advisers. Members of senior management are invited to attend 
meetings to present relevant matters to the Board. All Directors have 
direct access to senior management should they require additional 
information on any of the items to be discussed. 

The Company Secretary will ensure that the Board is briefed on 
forthcoming legal and regulatory developments, as well as 
developments in corporate governance best practice.

The Board and the Audit Committee will also receive further regular 
and specific reports to allow the monitoring of the adequacy of the 
Company’s systems of internal controls. 

Evaluation and effectiveness
Given the short period of time between listing and the financial year 
end, and the fact that the independent Non-Executive Directors only 
joined the Group shortly prior to the IPO, the Board did not consider 
it appropriate to carry out a performance evaluation process prior 
to publication of the 2016 Annual Report. The Company has not 
therefore complied with provisions B.6.1 or B.6.3 of the Code in the 
period under review. The Board believes that a meaningful evaluation 
can only take place after it has been working together for a reasonable 
time, and therefore an agreed approach to evaluation will be developed 
and implemented before the end of FY2017 and annually thereafter. 
This will include consideration as to whether it is appropriate to carry 
out an externally facilitated evaluation process.

Conflicts of interest
The Company’s Articles set out the policy for dealing with Directors’ 
conflicts of interest and are in line with the Companies Act 2006. The 
Articles permit the Board to authorise conflicts and potential conflicts, 
as long as the potentially conflicted Director is not counted in the 
quorum and does not vote on the resolution to authorise. The Board 
has approved a procedure by which Directors are briefed on their duty 
to avoid conflicts of interests and required to immediately notify the 
Company Secretary when a conflict or potential conflict does arise in 
order that Board authorisation can be sought. If the Board determines 
that a conflict or potential conflict can be authorised, it may impose 
additional conditions to manage such conflicts of interest.

In addition, Directors are reminded at the beginning of each Board 
meeting to notify the Board of any further conflicts of interest in 
accordance with sections 175, 177 and 182 of the Companies 
Act 2006.

The information supplied to the Board and its Committees will be kept 
under review and formally assessed on an annual basis as part of the 
Board evaluation exercise to ensure it is fit for purpose and supports 
the Directors in effectively discharging their duties under the Companies 
Act, Listing Rules, Disclosure Guidance and the Code.

Relations with shareholders
As part of its ongoing investor relations programme, the Group aims to 
maintain an active dialogue with its shareholders, including institutional 
investors, to discuss issues relating to the performance of the Group 
including strategy and new developments. 

The Non-Executive Directors are available to discuss any matter 
shareholders might wish to raise, and the Chairman and independent 
Non-Executive Directors will attend meetings with investors and analysts 
as required. Investor relations activity is a standing item on the Board’s 
agenda and ensuring a satisfactory dialogue with shareholders and 
receiving reports on the views of shareholders is a matter reserved 
for the Board.

The Company’s first AGM since Admission will take place 
on 23 February 2017 at Investec Bank plc, 2 Gresham Street, 
London EC2V 7QP. The Chairman, and the Chairs of the Audit and 
Remuneration Committees, will be present to answer questions put 
to them by shareholders. The Annual Report and financial statements 
and Notice of the AGM will be sent to shareholders at least 20 working 
days prior to the date of the meeting. To encourage shareholders to 
participate in the AGM process, the Company will offer electronic proxy 
voting through both our registrar’s website and, for CREST members, 
the CREST service. Voting will be conducted by way of a poll and the 
results will be announced through the Regulatory News Service and 
made available on the Company’s website.

30

Hollywood Bowl Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2016Nomination Committee Report

Peter Boddy
Chairman of 
the Nomination 
Committee

“ We are focused 
on succession 
planning and 
ensuring an 
appropriate 
balance of skills 
on the Board.”

Peter Boddy 
Chairman

Committee members
Peter Boddy – Non-Executive Chairman
Nick Backhouse
Claire Tiney

Role and responsibilities
The role of the Nomination Committee is set out in its terms of reference 
which are available on the Company’s website. Its primary purpose is 
to develop and maintain a formal, rigorous and transparent procedure 
for identifying appropriate candidates for Board appointments and 
reappointments and to make recommendations to the Board. 

Specific duties of the Nomination Committee include:

• 

regularly reviewing the structure, size and composition (including 
the skills, knowledge, experience and diversity) of the Board  
and making recommendations to the Board with regard to 
any changes;

•  keeping under review the leadership needs of the organisation, 
both executive and non-executive, with a view to ensuring the 
continued ability of the organisation to compete effectively in the 
marketplace; and
review annually the time required from Non-Executive Directors.

• 

The Nomination Committee is also responsible for keeping under 
review Board succession plans and for making recommendations 
on the composition of the Board Committees.

Meetings
It is intended that the Nomination Committee will meet at least once 
per year and otherwise as required in order to discharge its duties. 
Only members of the Nomination Committee have the right to attend 
meetings, but other Directors, executives or advisers may be invited 
to attend all or part of any meeting as appropriate.

The Nomination Committee did not meet in the period between 
IPO and 30 September 2016, but has met on 1 occasion since 
30 September 2016 with all members of the Committee in attendance. 
The meeting focused on succession planning, a review of the 
Committee’s terms of reference and the Board Diversity Policy. 
We also reviewed the composition of the Board and its Committees, 
and recommended to the Board that Bill Priestley be asked to step 
down as a member of the Audit and Remuneration Committees to 
ensure they are fully independent in line with the Code and investor 
expectations. We are satisfied that we have a good balance of skills 
and experience on the Board to support the Company’s future 
development.

Diversity
The Company’s policy is that no individual should be discriminated 
against on the grounds of race, colour, ethnicity, religious belief, 
political affiliation, gender, age or disability, and this extends to 
Board appointments. The Board recognises the benefits of diversity, 
including gender diversity, on the Board, although it believes that all 
appointments should be made on merit, whilst ensuring that there is 
an appropriate balance of skills and experience within the Board. The 
Board currently consists of 17 per cent (1) female and 83 per cent (5) 
male Board members.

Annual evaluation
As the Nomination Committee has only been established for a short 
time, a formal performance evaluation has not been conducted. It is 
intended that a performance evaluation will be conducted in 2017 and 
reported on in the Company’s 2017 Annual Report.

Peter Boddy
Chairman of the Nomination Committee
13 December 2016

31

Financial StatementsStrategic ReportGovernanceAudit Committee Report

Nick Backhouse
Chairman of the 
Audit Committee

“ As a newly listed 
company, we 
recognise the 
importance of 
ensuring our 
systems and 
controls are 
robust and 
effective.”

Nick Backhouse
Chairman of the Audit Committee

Committee members
Nick Backhouse – Chairman
Claire Tiney

Dear Shareholders
On behalf of the Board, I am pleased to present the Audit Committee 
Report for the period ended 30 September 2016. 

The Hollywood Bowl Group plc Audit Committee was formally 
established by the Board in the lead up to IPO and I was appointed its 
Chairman when I became a Director of the Group. Claire Tiney and Bill 
Priestley joined me as the other members of the Committee, Bill having 
since stepped down as a member to ensure the Committee is fully 
independent in line with the Code and investor expectations. The Board 
is satisfied that by virtue of my qualification as a Chartered Accountant, 
my executive background in finance roles, and my experience as an 
audit committee chair in other non-executive positions, I have recent 
and relevant financial experience as recommended under provision 
C.3.1 of the Code as it applies to the Company.

32

The Committee’s role is to assist the Board with the discharge of its 
responsibilities in relation to internal and external audits and controls, 
including reviewing the Group’s annual financial statements, considering 
the scope of the annual audit and the extent of the non-audit work 
undertaken by external auditors, advising on the appointment of 
external auditors and reviewing the effectiveness of the internal control 
systems in place within the Group. 

It is our intention to meet at least 3 times per year, and although we did 
not meet formally prior to the IPO we have met on 2 occasions since the 
year end, principally to discuss matters in connection with the Annual 
Report and financial statements, but also to set our schedule for 
2016–17. A summary of the matters we discussed is set out in the 
following report. Key points to draw to your attention are:

Significant accounting judgements
The significant accounting judgements identified by the finance team 
and the external audit were discussed by the Audit Committee at our 
meeting on 30 November. Details of the significant judgements and 
how they have been addressed are set out on page 33.

Risk management and internal control
The Group’s systems of risk management and internal control 
were reviewed extensively as part of the pre-IPO process, and it was 
concluded that the systems currently in place are satisfactory and work 
effectively. As a newly listed company, we recognise the importance of 
ensuring these systems are robust and effective and we expect to 
work with the finance team to ensure they are kept under review and 
developed where necessary during the coming financial year.

We have also supported management in the development of the 
process underlying the Board’s long-term viability statement (see page 
21). As noted in that statement, we will continue to develop this process 
during 2017 so that a more sophisticated and holistic approach is 
adopted for the viability statement in the 2017 Annual Report.

External auditor
The Committee has reviewed our external auditor’s (KPMG LLP) 
independence and performance and following that review we have 
recommended that KPMG LLP be reappointed as the Group’s auditor 
at the next AGM.

We have discussed a policy for the provision of non-audit services 
by the external auditor and the Committee will ensure that the policy, 
which is described in the following report, is implemented and operated 
effectively in accordance with the requirements of the new EU Statutory 
Audit regime.

Annual evaluation
As the Audit Committee has only been established for a short time, we 
have not conducted a formal performance evaluation but will do so in 
advance of FY2017 end.

We have made good progress since the IPO and will continue to work 
with the management team and the Board to ensure our governance 
and control processes operate effectively to support the delivery of the 
Group’s strategy.

Nick Backhouse
Chairman of the Audit Committee
13 December 2016

Hollywood Bowl Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2016Duties and responsibilities
The Audit Committee’s duties and responsibilities are set out in its 
terms of reference which are available on the Company’s website.

Meetings and attendees
The Group did have an established Audit Committee in the years 
prior to the IPO which met on an annual basis to consider the financial 
statements. The current Hollywood Bowl Group plc Audit Committee 
was established at IPO and will normally meet not fewer than 3 times 
a year. 

The internal and external auditors have the right to attend meetings. 
Outside of the formal meeting programme, the Audit Committee 
Chairman will maintain a dialogue with key individuals involved in the 
Company’s governance, including the Chairman, the Chief Executive 
Officer, the Chief Financial Officer and the external audit lead Partner.

Activity since IPO
The Audit Committee did not meet in the period between IPO and 
30 September 2016, but has met on 2 occasions since the year end. 

All members of the Committee attended both meetings, and matters 
discussed included:

•  Reviewing the Committee’s terms of reference and recommending 

changes to the Board;

•  Review of the Company’s risk register and considering the process 

to support the long-term viability statement;

•  Consideration of the Group’s policy on the provision of non-audit 

services by the external auditor;

•  Reviewing the Group’s whistleblowing arrangements; and
•  Reviewing the Annual Report and financial statements and 

recommending their approval by the Board.

Significant issues considered in relation to 
the financial statements
Significant issues and accounting judgements are identified by the 
finance team and the external audit process and are reviewed by the 
Audit Committee. The significant issues considered by the Committee 
in respect of the year ended 30 September 2016 are set out in the 
table below.

Significant accounting judgements table

Significant issues and judgements

How the issues were addressed

Accounting for the IPO and IPO-related costs

Goodwill impairment assessment

Estimated useful life of Property, Plant and 
Equipment (PPE)

The Audit Committee considered management’s judgements in applying the principles of 
reverse acquisition accounting under IFRS3 “Business Combinations” as described in Note 2 
to the Financial Statements. The Audit Committee also reviewed and challenged the accounting 
treatment and disclosure of the transaction costs incurred as part of the IPO process, and 
concluded that the judgements made by management in accounting for the IPO and IPO 
costs were reasonable and appropriate.

Impairment reviews have been performed by management at 30 September 2016. The cash flow 
forecasts used were based on the budget approved by the board with assumed growth rates 
thereafter. The Audit Committee reviewed and considered the key assumptions around future 
growth rates and discount rates used, and is satisfied that there is no impairment of goodwill as 
at 30 September 2016. Please refer to Note 13 to the Financial Statements for further information.

The Audit Committee reviewed management’s estimate of the useful life of PPE, and in particular 
considered management’s judgement that there should be no impairment of PPE at the Group’s 
underperforming centres. The Audit Committee was satisfied that PPE were fairly stated as at 
30 September 2016.

33

Financial StatementsStrategic ReportGovernanceAudit Committee Report
continued

Risk management and internal control
The Board has overall responsibility for setting the Group’s risk appetite 
and ensuring that there is an effective risk management framework. 
The Board has, however, delegated responsibility for review of the risk 
management methodology and effectiveness of internal controls to the 
Audit Committee. Given the short period between IPO and the year end, 
the Committee has taken the view that a review of the effectiveness of 
the risk management and internal control systems before the publication 
of this report was neither feasible or necessary especially as they were 
reviewed as part of the pre-IPO process. The Company does not 
therefore strictly comply with provision C.2.3 of the Code for the 
period since IPO. The Audit Committee intends to keep the risk 
management and internal control systems under review going 
forward and to support the Board in carrying out an annual review 
of their effectiveness. The Audit Committee will provide oversight and 
advice to the Board on current risk exposures and future risk strategy. 
Further details of the Group’s risk management approach, structure and 
principal risks are set out in the Strategic Report on pages 20 and 21.

The Group’s system of internal control comprises entity-wide high-level 
controls, controls over business processes and centre level controls. 
Policies and procedures, including clearly defined levels of delegated 
authority, have been communicated across the Group. Internal controls 
have been implemented in respect of the key operational and financial 
processes which exist within the business. These policies are designed 
to ensure the accuracy and reliability of financial reporting and govern 
the preparation of financial statements. The Board is ultimately 
responsible for the Group’s system of internal controls and risk 
management and will discharge its duties in this area by:

•  Holding regular Board meetings to consider the matters reserved 

for its consideration;

•  Receiving regular management reports which provide an 

assessment of key risks and controls;

•  Scheduling annual Board reviews of strategy including reviews 
of the material risks and uncertainties facing the business;
•  Ensuring there is a clear organisational structure with defined 

responsibilities and levels of authority;

•  Ensuring there are documented policies and procedures 

in place; and

•  Reviewing regular reports containing detailed information regarding 

financial performance, rolling forecasts, actual and forecast 
covenant compliance and financial and non-financial KPIs.

In reviewing the effectiveness of the system of internal controls, the 
Audit Committee will, going forward:

•  Review the risk register compiled and maintained by senior 
managers within the Group and question and challenge 
where necessary; 

•  Regularly review the system of financial and accounting 

controls; and

•  Report to the Board on the risk and control culture within the Group.

The Audit Committee has not identified, nor been advised of, any failings 
or weaknesses in the internal control systems or risk management 
processes that are determined to be significant. As part of its ongoing 
review the Audit Committee will consider the FRC’s 2014 ‘Guidance on 
Risk Management, Internal Control and Related Financial and 
Business Reporting’.

Internal audit
The Group has an internal audit function which focuses on performing 
regular testing over the processes and controls implemented across 
centres. Internal audit findings are presented to the relevant Centre 
Manager and the Chief Financial Officer for review. The Audit Committee 
will keep under review the effectiveness of the internal audit function, 
and whether the scope of its work should be extended to cover 
processes and controls at a wider Group level.

External auditor
The Audit Committee is responsible for overseeing the Group’s 
relationship with its external auditor, KPMG LLP. This includes 
the ongoing assessment of the auditor’s independence and the 
effectiveness of the external audit process, the results of which inform 
the Committee’s recommendation to the Board as to the auditor’s 
appointment (subject to shareholder approval) or otherwise.

Appointment and tenure
KPMG LLP was first appointed as the external auditor of the Company 
in 2007. The current lead audit Partner, Mike Woodward, has been in 
place for 10 years, and will rotate off as lead Partner not later than the 
end of the September 2017 audit.

In accordance with the Code and EU legislation, the Committee 
intends to put the external audit out to tender at least every 10 years 
post-IPO.

Non-audit services
The engagement of the external audit firm to provide non-audit 
services to the Group can impact on the independence assessment, 
and the Company has, therefore, adopted a policy which requires 
Audit Committee approval for any non-audit services the value of 
which exceeds £25,000. The engagement of the external auditor 
to provide any non-audit services for less than £25,000 must be 
discussed by the Chief Financial Officer with the Audit Committee 
Chairman in advance. The policy recognises that certain non-audit 
services may not be carried out by the external auditor (in accordance 
with the EU Statutory Audit regime). 

During the year ended 30 September 2016, KPMG LLP were engaged 
to provide non-audit services relating to the Bowlplex acquisition and 
subsequent site disposal, and certain tax related services. Significantly 
KPMG LLP also provided certain non-audit services in respect of the 
IPO, including the preparation of reports on the Company’s historic 
financial position. As a result, given the work on the IPO, the fees paid 
to KPMG LLP in respect of non-audit services during the year totalled 
£968,000, representing 645 per cent of the total audit fee. KPMG LLP 
has not been engaged to provide any non-audit services to the Group 
since the IPO.

Whistleblowing
The Company has adopted procedures by which employees may, 
in confidence, raise concerns relating to possible improprieties in 
matters of financial reporting, financial control or any other matter. 
The whistleblowing policy applies to all employees of the Group. 
The Audit Committee is responsible for monitoring the Group’s 
whistleblowing arrangements and the policy will be reviewed 
periodically by the Board. We have reviewed these arrangements 
since year end and the Committee is satisfied that they are effective, 
facilitate the proportionate and independent investigation of reported 
matters, and allow appropriate follow up action to be taken.

34

Hollywood Bowl Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2016Chair of the Remuneration Committee’s Annual Statement

Claire Tiney
Chair of the 
Remuneration 
Committee

“ A policy that 
aligns all 
stakeholders and 
the business 
strategy and is 
fair to all 
concerned.”

Claire Tiney 
Chair of the Remuneration Committee

Committee members
Claire Tiney – Chair
Nick Backhouse 

Dear Shareholders
As Chair of the Remuneration Committee, I am pleased to present the 
report of the Board covering the policy and practice for the first time as 
a listed company.

This report has been prepared in accordance with the Large and 
Medium-sized Companies and Groups (Accounts and Reports) 
(Amendment) Regulations 2013, the UKLA Listing Rules and the Code. 
The report is split into 3 parts:

•  The Annual Statement by the Chair of the Remuneration 

Committee.

•  The Directors’ Remuneration Policy (the Policy) which sets out the 
Company’s remuneration policy for Directors and the key factors 
that were taken into account in setting the Policy. This Policy will be 
put to a binding shareholder vote at the AGM on 23 February 2017 
and will apply for 3 years from the date of approval.

•  The Annual Report on Remuneration which sets out payments 
made to the Directors and details the link between Company 
performance and remuneration for FY2016. The Annual Report 
on Remuneration together with this letter is subject to an advisory 
shareholder vote at the AGM. 

In the IPO Prospectus we set out some of the core principles for our 
Policy. These have been further developed and are set out in detail in 
the Policy.

Remuneration highlights for FY2016
At the time of listing, executive reward was carefully reviewed and 
scrutinised to ensure appropriate remuneration arrangements were in 
place to support the next phase of the Company’s growth strategy. 
This included:

•  Transitioning from a private equity backed business to a listed 

company with the associated development of a new policy and 
associated incentive plans.

•  Linking the remuneration of Executive Directors to the performance 
of the Company. The Policy aims to support a high performance 
culture. Annual bonus measures are based on Group financial 
performance over the year and paid part in cash (up to a maximum 
of 65 per cent of the award) and part in shares deferred for 2 years.

•  The launch of the new LTIP with the first grants to be made during 

FY2017. Awards will vest at the end of 3 years subject to satisfaction 
of a performance condition measuring EPS in the final year 
of the performance period.

Key activities of the Remuneration Committee
The Remuneration Committee’s key activities during FY2016 and in the 
period since the IPO were focused on the:

•  Agreement of the Remuneration Committee’s terms of reference;
•  Formulation of the Company remuneration policy as a 

listed company;

•  Setting the policy for the Chairman’s fee, and with the Board, the 

Non-Executive Director fees;
Implementing the Company’s new LTIP;

• 
•  Determining the level of bonus payments in respect of this financial 

year; and

•  Drafting the Company’s first Directors’ Remuneration Report as a 

listed company.

My philosophy and that of the Remuneration Committee can be 
encapsulated in having a policy that aligns all the stakeholders and the 
business strategy, enables us to retain and recruit executives in a 
competitive sector, sets challenging targets and is fair to all concerned. 

I hope that you find the information in this report helpful and I look 
forward to your support at the Company’s AGM. 

I am always happy to hear from the Company’s shareholders and you 
can contact me via the Company Secretary if you have any questions on 
this report or more generally in relation to the Company’s remuneration.

Claire Tiney
Chair of the Remuneration Committee
13 December 2016

35

Financial StatementsStrategic ReportGovernanceDirectors’ Remuneration Policy

Remuneration Policy
Introduction
The Policy as set out below will be put to a binding shareholder vote at 
the AGM on 23 February 2017 and will apply for the period of 3 years 
from the date of approval.

UK Corporate Governance Code
The Remuneration Committee is comfortable that the proposed 
Policy is in line with the provisions of the Code. In particular, the Policy 
contains the following components which address key elements of the 
2014 Code:

•  A LTIP with a 3-year performance period designed to promote the 

long-term success of the Company;

•  Malus and clawback provisions for the annual bonus and LTIPs to 

enable the Company to recover sums paid or withhold the payment 
of any sum in the event of material misstatement resulting in an 
adjustment in the audited consolidated accounts of the Company or 
action or conduct which, in the reasonable opinion of the Board, 
amounts to employee misbehaviour, fraud or gross misconduct.

Discretion
The Remuneration Committee has discretion in several areas of 
policy as set out in this report. The Remuneration Committee may also 
exercise operational and administrative discretions under relevant plan 
rules approved by shareholders as set out in those rules. In addition, the 
Remuneration Committee has the discretion to amend the Policy with 
regard to minor or administrative matters where it would be, in the 
opinion of the Remuneration Committee, disproportionate to seek or 
await shareholder approval.

Differences in policy from the wider employee population
The Group aims to provide a remuneration package for all 
employees that is market competitive and operates the same 
reward and performance philosophy throughout the business. 
As with many companies, the Group operates variable pay plans 
primarily focused on the senior management level.

Policy summary
The Remuneration Committee determines the Policy for the Executive 
Directors, Chairman and other senior executives for current and 
future years.

The Remuneration Committee considers that a successful policy 
needs to be sufficiently flexible to take account of future changes in 
the Company’s business environment and in remuneration practice. 
The Policy is designed around the following key principles:

•  Shareholder alignment – Ensure a strong link between reward and 
individual and Company performance to align the interests of 
Executive Directors, senior management and employees with those 
of shareholders.

•  Competitive remuneration – Maintain a competitive package 

against businesses of a comparable size and nature in order to 
attract, retain and motivate high-calibre talent to help ensure the 
Company’s continued growth and success as a listed company.

•  Strategic alignment – Provide a package with an appropriate 

balance between short and longer-term performance targets linked 
to the delivery of the Company’s business plan.

•  Performance focused compensation – Encourage and support a 

high performance culture.

•  Setting appropriate performance conditions in line with the agreed 

risk profile of the business. 

The Remuneration Committee will review annually the remuneration 
arrangements for the Executive Directors and key senior management 
drawing on trends and adjustments made to all employees across the 
Group and taking into consideration:

•  business strategy over the period;
•  overall corporate performance;
•  market conditions affecting the Company;
•  changing practice in the markets where the Company competes for 

talent; and 

•  changing views of institutional shareholders and their 

representative bodies.

36

Hollywood Bowl Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2016 
The following table sets out each element of remuneration and how it supports the Company’s short and long-term strategic objectives.

How the element supports 
our short and long-term 
strategic objectives

Salary
Provides a base level of 
remuneration to support 
the recruitment and 
retention of Executive 
Directors with the 
necessary experience and 
expertise to deliver the 
Company’s strategy.

Benefits
Provides a competitive 
level of benefits.

Pensions
Currently Executive 
Directors receive an 
employer’s contribution 
equal to 5 per cent of 
base salary.

Annual Bonus Plan
The Annual Bonus Plan 
provides a significant 
incentive to the 
Executive Directors 
linked to achievement in 
delivering goals that are 
closely aligned with the 
Company’s strategy and 
the creation of value for 
shareholders. 

Operation

Opportunity

Performance metrics used, weighting  
and time period applicable

Salaries are reviewed annually and any 
changes are effective from 1 November. 

When determining an appropriate level 
of salary, the Remuneration Committee 
considers:

None

Base salaries will be set at an 
appropriate level with a comparator 
group of comparable sized listed 
companies and will normally 
increase with increases made to 
the wider employee workforce. 

•  Remuneration practices within 

the Company;

•  The performance of the individual 

Executive Director;

•  The individual Executive Director’s 
experience and responsibilities;

•  The general performance of 

the Company;

•  Salaries within the ranges paid by 

companies in the comparator group 
used for remuneration benchmarking; 
and

•  The economic environment.

The Executive Directors receive benefits 
which include, but are not limited to, family 
private health cover, death in service life 
assurance, income protection insurance 
and travel expenses for business-related 
travel (including tax if any). 

The Remuneration Committee recognises 
the need to maintain suitable flexibility 
in the determination of benefits that 
ensure it is able to support the objective 
of attracting and retaining employees. 
Accordingly, the Remuneration Committee 
would expect to be able to adopt 
benefits such as relocation expenses, 
tax equalisation and support in meeting 
specific costs incurred by Directors.

On recruitment, the Committee retains 
discretion to provide pension funding up 
to the maximum opportunity in the form 
of a salary supplement, which would not 
form part of the salary for the purposes of 
determining the extent of participation in 
the Company’s incentive arrangements.

The Remuneration Committee will 
determine the bonus payable after the 
year end based on performance against 
objectives and targets. Bonus payments 
per individual will be both proportionate 
to the overall size of the bonus pot and 
each individual’s performance versus their 
personal objectives.

Annual bonuses are paid part in cash and 
part in shares deferred for 2 years. The 
maximum proportion of an annual bonus 
which may be paid in cash is 65 per cent.

On change of control the Remuneration 
Committee may pay bonuses on a pro rata 
basis measured on performance up to the 
date of change of control.

Annual bonus payments will be subject to 
malus at the Remuneration Committee’s 
discretion in the event of leaving for a 
competitor or gross misconduct.

Individuals who are recruited or 
promoted to the Board may, on 
occasion, have their salaries set 
below the targeted Policy level until 
they become established in their 
role. In such cases subsequent 
increases in salary may be higher 
than the average until the target 
positioning is achieved. 

The Committee recognises that the 
current base salaries for Executive 
Directors are below the market level 
but when setting the base salaries 
has given regard to the considerable 
shareholding in the Company of the 
current Executive Directors and a 
desire to focus the remuneration 
structure on a long-term strategy.

The maximum will be set at the 
cost of providing the benefits 
described.

None

15 per cent of base salary 
per annum.

None

The maximum bonus opportunity 
is 100 per cent of base salary.

The bonus payout is based on Group financial 
performance measured over the financial year.

The Remuneration Committee retains discretion in 
exceptional circumstances to change performance 
measures and targets and the weightings attached 
to performance measures part-way through a 
performance year if there is a significant and material 
event which causes the Remuneration Committee 
to believe the original measures, weightings and 
targets are no longer appropriate. Discretion may 
also be exercised in cases where the Remuneration 
Committee believe that the bonus outcome is not a 
fair and accurate reflection of business performance.

The Remuneration Committee is of the opinion that 
given the commercial sensitivity arising in relation 
to the detailed financial targets used for the annual 
bonus, disclosing precise targets for the bonus plan 
in advance would not be in shareholder interests. 
Actual targets, performance achieved and awards 
made will be published at the end of the performance 
periods so shareholders can fully assess the basis for 
any payouts under the annual bonus.

37

Financial StatementsStrategic ReportGovernanceDirectors’ Remuneration Policy
continued

Operation

Opportunity

Award maximum of 150 per cent 
of base salary.

The maximum opportunity under 
the initial LTIP awards to be made 
during FY2017 may not exceed 100 
per cent of base salary.

Awards are granted annually to Executive 
Directors in the form of nil cost options or 
conditional awards of shares. These will 
vest at the end of a 3-year period subject to:

• 

the Executive Director’s continued 
employment at the date of vesting; and

•  satisfaction of the performance 

conditions.

The Remuneration Committee may award 
dividend equivalents on awards to the 
extent that these vest.

Malus and clawback provisions will apply.

How the element supports 
our short and long-term 
strategic objectives

Long-Term Incentive 
Plan (LTIP)
Awards are designed to 
incentivise the Executive 
Directors to maximise 
total shareholder returns 
by successfully delivering 
the Company’s objectives 
and to share in the 
resulting increase in total 
shareholder value. 

The use of EPS as a 
performance metric 
ensures Executive 
Directors are focused on 
ensuring the annual profit 
performance targeted by 
the Annual Bonus Plan 
flows through to long-term 
sustainable EPS growth.

Performance metrics used, weighting  
and time period applicable

The awards will vest subject to the satisfaction of a 
performance condition measuring EPS in the final 
year of the performance period. 

The Remuneration Committee may use 
different measures for subsequent awards, as 
appropriate. No material change will be made to 
the type of performance conditions without prior 
shareholder consultation.

The Remuneration Committee retains discretion in 
exceptional circumstances to change performance 
measures and targets and the weightings attached 
to performance measures part-way through a 
performance period if there is a significant and 
material event which causes the Remuneration 
Committee to believe the original measures, 
weightings and targets are no longer appropriate.

Discretion may also be exercised in cases where the 
Remuneration Committee believe that the vesting 
outcome is not a fair and accurate reflection of 
business performance.

All-Employee Plan
To encourage wide 
employee share 
ownership and thereby 
align employees’ interests 
with shareholders.

The Company has a Share Incentive Plan 
(SIP) in which the Executive Directors are 
eligible to participate (which is HMRC 
approved and is open to all eligible staff). 
The Company also has the facility to 
operate a sharesave scheme.

Shareholding 
requirement
To support long-term 
commitment to the 
Company and the 
alignment of Executive 
Director interests with 
those of shareholders.

The Remuneration Committee has 
adopted formal shareholding guidelines 
that will encourage the Executive Directors 
to build up over a 5-year period and 
then subsequently hold a shareholding 
equivalent to a percentage of base 
salary. Adherence to these guidelines is 
a condition of continued participation in 
the equity incentive arrangements.

UK scheme in line with HMRC limits 
as amended from time to time.

None

200 per cent of salary.

None

The base fees for Non-Executive 
Directors are set with reference to 
the market rate.

None

In general the level of fee increase 
for the Non-Executive Directors will 
be set taking account of any change 
in responsibility and will take into 
account the general rise in salaries 
across the UK workforce.

The Company will pay reasonable 
expenses incurred by the Chairman 
and Non-Executive Directors.

Chairman and Non-
Executive Director fees
Provides a level of fees 
to support recruitment 
and retention of Non-
Executive Directors with 
the necessary experience 
to advise and assist 
with establishing and 
monitoring the Company’s 
strategic objectives.

The Board as a whole is responsible 
for setting the remuneration of the 
Non-Executive Directors, other than 
the Chairman whose remuneration 
is considered by the Remuneration 
Committee and recommended to 
the Board.

Non-Executive Directors are paid a base 
fee. An additional payment is paid to the 
Senior Independent Director in respect 
of the additional duties of this role. No 
additional fees are paid to Non-Executive 
Directors or the Chairman of the Company 
for the membership or chairmanship 
of committees.

Fees are reviewed annually, based 
on equivalent roles in an appropriate 
comparator group used to review salaries 
paid to the Executive Directors.

Non-Executive Directors do not participate 
in any variable remuneration or benefits 
arrangements.

38

Hollywood Bowl Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2016Recruitment policy
The Company’s approach when setting the remuneration of any 
newly recruited Executive Director will be assessed in line with the same 
principles for the Executive Directors, as set out in the Policy table. The 
Remuneration Committee’s approach to recruitment remuneration is to 
pay no more than is necessary to attract candidates of the appropriate 
calibre and experience needed for the role from the market in which the 
Company competes. The Remuneration Committee is mindful that it 
wishes to avoid paying more than it considers necessary to secure the 
preferred candidate and will have regard to guidelines and shareholder 
sentiment regarding one-off or enhanced short-term or long-term 
incentive payments made on recruitment and the appropriateness 
of any performance measures associated with an award.

The remuneration package for a new Executive Director would be set in 
accordance with the terms of the Company’s approved Policy. Given a 
new Executive Director would not have the significant shareholding of 
the current Executive Directors, the base salary on recruitment may 
be higher than the incumbent and they will be entitled to a pension 
contribution of up to 15 per cent of salary, in line with the Policy. In the 
year of recruitment, the maximum variable pay will be 250 per cent of 
salary (other than in exceptional circumstances where up to 350 per 
cent of salary may be made if sign-on compensation is provided).

The Remuneration Committee’s policy is not to provide sign-on 
compensation. However, in exceptional circumstances where the 
Remuneration Committee decides to provide this type of compensation 
it will endeavour to provide the compensation in equity, subject to a 
holding period during which cessation of employment will generally result 
in forfeiture and subject to the satisfaction of performance targets. The 
maximum value of this one-off compensation will be proportionate to the 
overall remuneration offered by the Company and in all circumstances is 
limited to 100 per cent of salary. The Committee will carefully consider 
this matter to ensure consistency with the principles outlined earlier, 
particularly in relation to shareholder alignment, and will take appropriate 
external advice before finalising a decision in this regard and where 
practical consult with the Company’s key shareholders.

The Remuneration Committee’s policy is not to provide buyouts as 
a matter of course. However, should the Remuneration Committee 
determine that the individual circumstances of recruitment justify the 
provision of a buyout, the equivalent value of any incentives that will be 
forfeited on cessation of a Director’s previous employment will be 
calculated taking into account the following:

• 

• 

the proportion of the performance period completed on the date 
of the Director’s cessation of employment;
the performance conditions attached to the vesting of these 
incentives and the likelihood of them being satisfied; and 

•  any other terms and conditions having a material effect on their 

value (lapsed value);

The Remuneration Committee may then grant up to the same value 
as the lapsed value, where possible, under the Company’s incentive 
plans. To the extent that it was not possible or practical to provide the 
buyout within the terms of the Company’s existing incentive plans, 
a bespoke arrangement would be used.

Where an existing employee is promoted to the Board, the Policy set out 
above would apply from the date of promotion but there would be no 
retrospective application of the Policy in relation to subsisting incentive 
awards or remuneration arrangements. Accordingly, prevailing elements 
of the remuneration package for an existing employee would be 
honoured and form part of the ongoing remuneration of the person 
concerned. These would be disclosed to shareholders in the 
Remuneration Report for the relevant financial year.

The Company’s policy when setting fees for the appointment of new 
Non-Executive Directors is to apply the Policy which applies to current 
Non-Executive Directors.

Service agreements and letters of appointment
Each of the Executive Directors’ service agreements is for a rolling 
term and may be terminated by the Company or the Executive Director 
by giving 6 months’ notice.

The Remuneration Committee’s policy for setting notice periods is that 
a 6-month period will apply for Executive Directors. The Remuneration 
Committee may in exceptional circumstances arising on recruitment, 
allow a longer period, which would in any event reduce to 6 months 
following the first year of employment.

Name

Position

Date of 
service 
agreement

Notice 
periods by 
Company 
(months)

Notice 
periods by 
Director 
(months)

Stephen Burns

CEO 24 June 2016

Laurence Keen 

CFO 24 June 2016

6

6

6

6

The Non-Executive Directors of the Company (including the Chairman) 
do not have service contracts. The Non-Executive Directors are 
appointed by letters of appointment. Each independent Non-Executive 
Director’s term of office runs for an initial period of 3 years unless 
terminated earlier upon written notice or upon their resignations.

The initial terms of the Non-Executive Directors’ positions are subject 
to their election by the Company’s shareholders at the AGM scheduled 
to be held on 23 February 2017 and to re-election at any subsequent 
AGM at which the Non-Executive Directors stand for re-election.

The details of each Non-Executive Director’s term which they are 
currently serving are set out below:

Name

Date of 
appointment

Current 
term 
(full years)

Notice 
periods by 
Company 
(months)

Notice 
periods by 
Director 
(months)

Peter Boddy

24 June 2016

Nick Backhouse

14 June 2016

Claire Tiney

14 June 2016

Bill Priestley

24 June 2016

3

3

3

3

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

39

Financial StatementsStrategic ReportGovernanceDirectors’ Remuneration Policy
continued

Illustrations of the application of the Policy 
The chart below illustrates the remuneration that would be paid to each of the Executive Directors, based on salaries with effect from 
21 September 2016 under 3 different performance scenarios: (i) Minimum; (ii) On-target; and (iii) Maximum. The elements of remuneration have 
been categorised into 3 components: (i) Fixed; (ii) Annual Bonus; and (iii) LTIP, with the assumptions set out below:

Element

Fixed

Description

Minimum

Salary, benefits and pension

Included

On-Target

Included

Maximum

Included

Annual Bonus

Annual bonus

No variable payable

60% of maximum bonus

100% of maximum bonus

LTIP

Award under the LTIP

No annual minimum. 
Multiple year and variable

60% of the maximum award

100% of the maximum award

In accordance with the regulations, share price growth has not been included. In addition, dividend equivalents have not been added to LTIP 
share awards for the purposes of this illustration.

CEO £’000 

Maximum

On-target

Minimum

2015

2013

263

263

263

250

250

150

150

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

800

Salary, benefits and pensions

Bonus

LTIP

At minimum, variable remuneration is 0 per cent of salary; on-target, variable remuneration represents 120 per cent of salary and at maximum, 
variable remuneration represents 200 per cent of salary.

CFO £’000 

Maximum

179

170

170

2015

On-target

179

102

102

2013

Minimum

179

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

800

Salary, benefits and pensions

Bonus

LTIP

At minimum variable remuneration is 0 per cent of salary; at target, variable remuneration represents 120 per cent of salary and at maximum, 
variable remuneration represents 200 per cent of salary.

Payment for loss of office
The Remuneration Committee will honour Executive Directors’ contractual entitlements. Service contracts do not contain liquidated damages 
clauses. If a contract is to be terminated, the Remuneration Committee will determine such mitigation as it considers fair and reasonable in each 
case. There are no contractual arrangements that would guarantee a pension with limited or no abatement on severance or early retirement. There is 
no agreement between the Company and its Executive Directors or employees, providing for compensation for loss of office or employment that 
occurs because of a takeover bid. The Remuneration Committee reserves the right to make additional payments where such payments are made in 
good faith in discharge of an existing legal obligation (or by way of damages for breach of such an obligation); or by way of settlement or compromise 
of any claim arising in connection with the termination of an Executive Director’s office or employment.

When determining any loss of office payment for a departing individual the Remuneration Committee will always seek to minimise cost to the 
Company whilst seeking to address the circumstances at the time. 

40

Hollywood Bowl Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2016 
Remuneration element

Treatment on exit

Salary, benefits and pension 

Salary, benefits and pension will normally be paid over the notice period. The Company has discretion 
to make a lump sum payment on termination equal to the salary, value of benefits and value of Company 
pension contributions payable during the notice period. In all cases the Company will seek to mitigate 
any payments due.

Annual Bonus Plan

Good leaver reason – pro-rated to time and performance for year of cessation.

LTIP

Good leaver reason – pro-rated to time and performance in respect of each subsisting LTIP award.

Other reason – no bonus payable for year of cessation.

A good leaver reason is defined as a cessation for a reason other than resignation (save in circumstances 
in which the participant successfully claims constructive dismissal) or dishonesty, fraud, gross 
misconduct or any other circumstances justifying summary dismissal.

Other reason – lapse of any unvested LTIP awards.

The Remuneration Committee has the following elements of discretion:

•  To determine that an executive is a good leaver. It is the Remuneration Committee’s intention to 

only use this discretion in circumstances where there is an appropriate business case which will be 
explained in full to shareholders.

•  To pro-rate the maximum number of shares to the time from the date of grant to the date of cessation. 

The Remuneration Committee’s policy is generally to pro-rate to time. It is the Remuneration 
Committee’s intention to only use this discretion in circumstances where there is an appropriate 
business case which will be explained in full to shareholders.

Change of control
The Remuneration Committee’s policy on the vesting of incentives on a change of control is summarised below:

Name of incentive plan

Annual Bonus Plan

LTIP

Change of control

Discretion

Pro-rated to time and performance to the date 
of the change of control.

The Remuneration Committee has discretion 
to continue the operation of the Plan to the 
end of the bonus year.

The number of shares subject to subsisting 
LTIP awards vesting on a change of control will 
be pro-rated to time and performance.

The Remuneration Committee retains absolute 
discretion regarding the proportion vesting, 
taking into account time and performance.

There is a presumption that the Remuneration 
Committee will pro-rate to time. The 
Remuneration Committee will only waive  
pro-rating in exceptional circumstances where 
it views the change of control as an event 
which has provided a material enhanced value 
to shareholders which will be fully explained 
to shareholders. In all cases the performance 
conditions must be satisfied.

Statement of conditions elsewhere in the Company
The Remuneration Committee considers pay and employment conditions across the Company when reviewing the remuneration of the Executive 
Directors and other senior employees. In particular, the Remuneration Committee considers the range of base pay increases across the Group. 
While the Company does not directly consult with employees as part of the process of reviewing executive pay and formulating the Policy set 
out in this report, the Company does receive updates from the Executive Directors on their discussions and reviews with senior management 
and employees. 

The Company does not use remuneration comparison measurements.

Consideration of shareholder views
The Remuneration Committee takes the views of shareholders seriously and these views are taken into account in shaping policy and practice. 
Shareholder views are considered when evaluating and setting remuneration strategy and the Remuneration Committee commits to consulting 
with key shareholders prior to any significant changes to its Policy. 

41

Financial StatementsStrategic ReportGovernanceAnnual Report on Remuneration

Single total figure of remuneration (audited)
Executive Directors (audited)
The table below sets out the single total figure of remuneration and breakdown for each Executive Director in respect of FY2016. Comparative 
figures for FY2015 have also been provided. Figures provided have been calculated in accordance with the UK disclosure requirements: the Large 
and Medium-Sized Companies and Groups (Accounts and Reports) (Amendment) Regulations 2013 (Schedule 8 to the Regulations).

Salary1  
(£’000)

Benefits  
(£’000)

Bonus  
(£’000)

LTIP  
(£’000)

Pension  
(£’000)

Total  
(£’000)

Name

Stephen Burns2

Laurence Keen2 

2016

2015

2016

180.3

160.0

133.1

130

1.7

1.5

2015

1.4

0.8

2016

2015

2016

2015

2016

111.2

120.0

86.8

105.0

nil

nil

nil

nil

8.2

6.3

2015

7.7

6.2

2016

2015

301.4

289.1

227.7

242.0

1  Executive Director salaries were reviewed on Admission and increased with effect from 21 September 2016 to £250,000 for Stephen Burns and £170,000 for Laurence Keen.
2  For the period from the Group restructure (16 September 2016) to the year end, the salary received by Stephen Burns and Laurence Keen was £10,000 and £7,000 

respectively. These amounts are included in the total salary figures for 2016.

Non-Executive Directors (audited) 
The table below sets out the single total figure of remuneration and breakdown for each Non-Executive Director. 

Peter Boddy – Chair3

Nick Backhouse – Senior Independent Director, Chair – Audit Committee

Claire Tiney – Chair – Remuneration Committee

Bill Priestley

2016

Taxable 
benefits 
(£’000)

–

–

–

–

Fees 
(£’000)

56

15

13

–

Total 
(£’000)

56

15

13

–

Fees 
(£’000)

55

–

–

–

2015

Taxable 
benefits 
(£’000)

–

–

–

–

Total 
(£’000)

55

–

–

–

3  For the period from the Group restructure (16 September 2016) to the year end, Peter Boddy received a fee of £3,000. This amount is included in the total fees received 

by Peter Boddy in 2016.

Bill Priestley is appointed to the Board as a representative of the Electra Shareholders in accordance with the provisions of the Relationship 
Agreement. The Company has agreed to pay Electra Partners a fee of £50,000 per annum for so long as a Non-Executive Director appointed 
by the Electra Shareholders remains on the Board.

Additional information regarding single figure table (audited)
The Remuneration Committee considers that performance conditions for all incentives are suitably demanding, having regard to the business 
strategy, shareholder expectations, the markets in which the Group operates and external advice. To the extent that any performance condition 
is not met, the relevant part of the award will lapse. There is no retesting of performance. 

Bonus awards (audited)
Cash bonuses were awarded to Stephen Burns (£112,200) and Laurence Keen (£86,800) in respect of the year ended 30 September 2016. 
The awards were made in accordance with arrangements in place prior to the IPO.

Long-term incentives awarded in 2016 (audited)
There were no awards made during FY2016. The first awards under the new LTIP plans will be made during FY2017.

Payments to past Directors/payments for loss of office (audited)
No payments were made to past Directors or for loss of office.

Statement of Directors’ shareholdings and share interests (audited)
Shareholding requirements in operation at the Company are currently 200 per cent of base salary for the CEO and the CFO. Executive Directors 
are required to build up their shareholdings over a reasonable amount of time which would normally be 5 years. The number of shares of the 
Company in which current Directors had a beneficial interest and details of long-term incentive interests as at 30 September 2016 are set out in 
the table below.

Director

Stephen Burns

Laurence Keen

Shareholding 
requirement  
(percentage 
of salary)

Current  
shareholding 
(percentage 
of salary)

200

200

2,211

1,464

Beneficially 
owned 
shares4

3,276,041

1,475,325

Unvested LTIP 
interests subject 
to performance 
conditions

Shareholding 
requirement 
met?

–

–

Yes

Yes

4  The share price of 168.75 pence as at 30 September 2016 has been taken for the purpose of calculating the current shareholding as a percentage of salary. Unvested LTIP 

shares and options do not count towards satisfaction of the shareholding guidelines.

42

Hollywood Bowl Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2016Non-Executive Directors are not subject to a shareholding requirement. Details of their interests in shares are set out below:

Director 

Peter Boddy

Nick Backhouse

Claire Tiney

Bill Priestley

Shares held 
30 September
 2016

863,596

15,625

3,125

31,250

No changes in interests of the Executive or Non-Executive Directors set out above have taken place between 30 September 2016 and the date 
of this report.

Comparison of overall performance and pay
It should be noted that the Company listed on 21 September 2016 and, therefore, has limited listed share price history until the financial year 
end on 30 September 2016. Therefore it is not felt to be appropriate to present a comparison of performance versus a comparator in the 
report this year.

Chief Executive Officer historic remuneration
The table below sets out the total remuneration delivered to the Chief Executive Officer over the last 2 years, valued using the methodology 
applied to the single total figure of remuneration. The Remuneration Committee does not believe that the remuneration payable in its earlier years 
as a private company bares any comparative value to that paid in its later years and, therefore, the Remuneration Committee has chosen to 
disclose remuneration only for the 2 most recent financial years:

Chief Executive Officer

Total single figure (£’000)

Annual bonus payment level achieved (percentage of maximum opportunity) 

LTIP vesting level achieved (percentage of maximum opportunity) 

It should be noted that the Company only introduced the LTIP on Admission.

2016

301.4

N/A

N/A

2015

289.1

N/A

N/A

Change in Chief Executive Officer’s remuneration compared with employees
The following table sets out the change in the remuneration paid to the Chief Executive Officer from 2015 to 2016 compared with the average 
percentage change for employees. 

The Chief Executive Officer’s remuneration disclosed in the table below has been calculated to take into account base salary, taxable benefits 
and annual bonus (including any amount deferred). The employee pay (on which the average percentage change is based) is calculated using the 
increase in the earnings of full-time UK employees using P60 and P11d data from tax years 2015 and 2016. Part time employees have been excluded 
from the analysis. The employee analysis is done on a matched basis such that the same individuals appear in the 2015 and 2016 populations.

Chief Executive Officer

Total pay

Number of employees

Average per employee

Salary

£’000

2016

180

2015

160

19,8381

16,740

1,745

11.42

1,586

12.1

Percentage 
change

12.5

18.5

10.0

-5.9

Taxable benefits

£’000

2016

1.7

89

1,745

0.1

2015

1.4

61

1,386

0.1

Percentage 
change

21.4

45.9

10.0

-49.0

Bonus

£’000

2016

111.2

2,273

1,745

1.3

2015

120.0

2,311

1,386

1.7

Percentage 
change

-7.3

-1.6

10.0

-21.9

1  This excludes exceptional share-based payments for 2016 as these are deemed to be non-recurring costs.
2  This reduction is due to the addition of Bowlplex employees.

43

Financial StatementsStrategic ReportGovernanceAnnual Report on Remuneration
continued

Relative importance of the spend on pay
The table below sets out the relative importance of spend on pay in FY2016 and FY2015 compared with other disbursements. All figures provided 
are taken from the relevant Company Accounts.

Profit distributed by way of dividend

Overall spend on pay including Executive Directors

Disbursements 
from profit 
in FY2016
(£m)

Disbursements 
from profit 
in FY2015
(£m)

0.3

–

22,3851

19,259

Percentage  

change

N/A

16.2

1  This excludes exceptional share-based payments for 2016 as these are deemed to be non-recurring costs.

Shareholder voting at general meetings
This is the Company’s first year as a public company and therefore the FY2017 AGM will be the first. This means that there is no historic voting to 
disclose on the Company’s executive remuneration. 

Implementation of Policy in FY2017 
The Remuneration Committee proposes to implement the Policy for FY2017 as set out below:

Salary
The salaries for FY2017 are set out below:

Name

Stephen Burns

Laurence Keen

Salary

20171

2016

Percentage 
change

£250,000

£180,000

£170,000

£132,250

39

29

1  Note that the salary increases for FY2017 were with effect from 21 September 2016 following a review of base salary levels prior to Admission.

Changes to Non-Executive Directors’ Fees
No changes are proposed to the current fee components in place. Breakdown of fee components will remain as follows:

Chairman fee

Senior Independent Director fee

Base fee

Chairman of Audit Committee fee

Chair of Remuneration Committee fee

Benefits and pension
No changes are proposed to benefits or pension.

£80,000

£5,000

£45,000

No additional fee

No additional fee

Annual Bonus Plan
The maximum bonus opportunity for the Executive Directors is 100 per cent of salary.

Annual bonus outcomes will be determined purely based on achievement of financial targets.

The Remuneration Committee is of the opinion that given the commercial sensitivity arising in relation to the detailed financial targets used for the 
annual bonus, disclosing precise targets for the Annual Bonus Plan in advance would not be in shareholder interests. Actual targets, performance 
achieved and awards made will be published at the end of the performance periods so shareholders can fully assess the basis for any payouts under 
the Annual Bonus Plan.

LTIP award
It is intended that the first grant under the LTIP will be made during FY2017.

The initial LTIP awards for the Executive Directors will be:

•  CEO 100 per cent of salary; and
•  CFO 100 per cent of salary.

44

Hollywood Bowl Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2016The proportion of the awards vesting will be based on adjusted EPS performance measured in the final year of the 3-year performance period. 
The awards will vest based on the following adjusted EPS targets:

Adjusted EPS for the final year of the performance period

Vesting

12.25 pence
12.25 pence – 13.75 pence
13.75 pence

25%
Vesting determined on a straight line basis
100% 

Adjusted EPS is defined as stated in the Company’s accounts and is subject to such adjustments as the Board in its discretion determines are fair 
and reasonable.

Composition and terms of reference of the Remuneration Committee 
The Board has delegated to the Remuneration Committee, under agreed terms of reference, responsibility for the Policy and for determining 
specific packages for the Chairman, Executive Directors and such other senior employees of the Group as the Board may determine from time to 
time. The terms of reference for the Remuneration Committee are available on the Company’s website, www.hollywoodbowlgroup.com, and from 
the Company Secretary at the registered office. 

All members of the Remuneration Committee are Non-Executive Directors. Claire Tiney (Chair) and Nick Backhouse, who are both independent 
Non-Executive Directors, were appointed on 14 June 2016. Bill Priestley was appointed as a member of the Remuneration Committee on 24 June 
2016, but stepped down with effect from 24 November 2016 to ensure that the Committee is fully independent in line with the Code and investor 
expectations. The Remuneration Committee receives assistance from the CEO, CFO and Company Secretary, who attend meetings by invitation, 
except when issues relating to their own remuneration are being discussed. The Remuneration Committee met 3 times during the period between 
IPO and the date of this report. All members attended each meeting. 

Advisers to the Remuneration Committee 
Following a formal tendering process carried out by the Board prior to the IPO of the Company, the Committee has engaged the services of 
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (PwC) as independent remuneration adviser.

During the financial year, PwC advised the Company on all aspects of Policy for Executive Directors and members of the Executive Team and the 
associated drafting for the Prospectus. PwC also provided advice to the Company in relation to the drafting and implementation of executive and 
employee incentives and advice in relation to Company pension arrangements. 

The Remuneration Committee is satisfied that the advice received was objective and independent. PwC is a member of the Remuneration 
Consultants Group and the voluntary code of conduct of that body is designed to ensure objective and independent advice is given to 
remuneration committees. 

PwC received a fixed fee of £17,500 for their advice during the year to 30 September 2016.

On behalf of the Board

Claire Tiney
Chair of the Remuneration Committee
13 December 2016

45

Financial StatementsStrategic ReportGovernanceDirectors’ Report

The Directors present their report for the year ended 30 September 
2016. Additional information which is incorporated by reference into 
this Directors’ Report, including information required in accordance 
with the Companies Act 2006 and Listing Rule 9.8.4R of the UK 
Financial Conduct Authority’s Listing Rules, can be located as follows:

Disclosure

Location

Future business developments

Strategic Report – pages 4 to 23

Greenhouse gas emissions

CSR Report – page 23

Financial risk management 
objectives and policies (including 
hedging policy and use of 
financial instruments)

Details of long-term 
incentive schemes

Directors’ responsibilities 
statement

Notes 27 and 28 to the financial 
statements – pages 74 to 76

Directors’ Remuneration Report – 
page 38

Page 49

On 13 June 2016 the Company was incorporated as Marilyn plc. 
On 14 June 2016 it was renamed as Hollywood Bowl Group plc.

Directors
The Directors of the Company who held office during the year are:

Peter Boddy1
Stephen Burns1
Laurence Keen1
Bill Priestley1
Nick Backhouse
Claire Tiney

appointed 13 June 2016
appointed 14 June 2016
appointed 14 June 2016
appointed 13 June 2016
appointed 14 June 2016
appointed 14 June 2016

1  Served as Directors of Kanyeco Limited, the holding Company of the Group prior 

to the IPO.

The roles and biographies of the Directors as at the date of this report 
are set out on pages 26 and 27.

Results and dividend
The results for the year are set out in the consolidated statement of 
comprehensive income on page 54. The Directors recommend the 
payment of a final dividend of 0.19 pence per share on 24 March 2017 
subject to approval at the AGM on 23 February 2017, with a record 
date of 24 February 2017.

Articles of Association
The rules governing the appointment and replacement of Directors are 
set out in the Articles. The Articles may be amended by a special 
resolution of the Company’s shareholders.

Share capital
Details of the Company’s share capital, including changes during 
the year, are set out in Note 22 to the financial statements. As at 
30 September 2016, the Company’s share capital consisted of 
150,000,000 Ordinary Shares of 47 pence each, and 1 deferred share 
with a nominal value of £1,012,141.96 (the IPO Deferred Share). The IPO 
Deferred Share was subsequently cancelled on 9 November pursuant to 
a court approved capital reduction in accordance with the Companies 
Act 2006, and as described in the Company’s IPO Prospectus published 
on 16 September 2016. As a result, the Company’s share capital as at 
7 December 2016, being the latest practicable date prior to publication of 
the Annual Report, consists of 1 class of Ordinary Shares of 1 pence 
each which do not carry rights to fixed income.

46

Ordinary Shareholders are entitled to receive notice of, and to attend 
and speak at, any general meeting of the Company. On a show of 
hands every shareholder present in person or by proxy (or being a 
corporation represented by a duly authorised representative) shall 
have 1 vote, and on a poll every shareholder who is present in person 
or by proxy shall have 1 vote for every share of which he/she is the 
holder. The Notice of AGM specifies deadlines for exercising voting 
rights and appointing a proxy or proxies

Other than the general provisions of the Articles (and prevailing 
legislation) there are no specific restrictions of the size of a holding 
or on the transfer of the Ordinary Shares except as follows:

• 

• 

restrictions on Electra Private Equity Partners 2006 Scottish LP (the 
‘Principal Selling Shareholder’) as a result of the Principal Selling 
Shareholder entering into a lock-in deed with the Company and its 
sponsor (Investec) restricting the transfer of Ordinary Shares held 
by the Principal Selling Shareholder immediately after Admission for 
a period of 12 months ending on 16 September 2017; and
restrictions on certain Directors and senior managers of the 
Company (the ‘Management Selling Shareholders’) as a result of 
the Management Selling Shareholders entering into a lock-in deed 
with the Company and its sponsor (Investec) restricting the transfer 
of the legal and/or beneficial interest in Ordinary Shares held by the 
Management Selling Shareholders immediately after Admission for 
a period of 2 years ending on 16 September 2018.

The Directors are not aware of any agreements between holders of the 
Company’s shares that may result in the restriction of the transfer of 
securities or on voting rights. No shareholder holds securities carrying 
any special rights or control over the Company’s share capital. 

Authority for the Company to purchase its own shares 
Subject to authorisation by shareholder resolution, the Company may 
purchase its own shares in accordance with the Act. Any shares which 
have been bought back may be held as treasury shares or cancelled 
immediately upon completion of the purchase.

Prior to listing, the Company was generally and unconditionally 
authorised by its shareholders to make market purchases (within 
the meaning of section 693 of the Companies Act 2006) of up to 
a maximum of 7,050,000 of its Ordinary Shares. The Company has 
not repurchased any of its Ordinary Shares under this authority, 
which is due to expire at the AGM to be held on 23 February 2017, 
and accordingly has an unexpired authority to purchase up to 
7,050,000 Ordinary Shares.

Directors’ interests
The number of Ordinary Shares of the Company in which the Directors 
were beneficially interested as at 30 September 2016 are set out in the 
Directors’ Remuneration Report on pages 42 and 43.

Directors’ indemnities 
The Company’s Articles provide, subject to the provisions of UK 
legislation, an indemnity for Directors and officers of the Company and 
the Group in respect of liabilities they may incur in the discharge of 
their duties or in the exercise of their powers. 

Directors’ and officers’ liability insurance cover is maintained by the 
Company and is in place in respect of all the Company’s Directors at 
the date of this report. The Company will review its level of cover on an 
annual basis.

Hollywood Bowl Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2016Compensation for loss of office
The Company does not have any agreements with any Executive Director or employee that would provide compensation for loss of office or 
employment resulting from a takeover except that provisions of the Company share schemes may cause options and awards outstanding under 
such schemes to vest on a takeover. Further information is provided in the Directors’ Remuneration Policy on page 40.

Significant interests
The table below shows the interests in shares notified to the Company in accordance with the Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules as at 
30 September 2016, and 7 December 2016 (being the latest practicable date prior to publication of the Annual Report):

Name of shareholder

Electra Private Equity Partners 2006 Scottish LP

Schroders plc & Schroder Investment Management Limited

Soros Fund Management

BlackRock, Inc

J O Hambro Capital Management Limited

At 30 September 2016

At 14 November 2016

Number of 
Ordinary Shares 
of 47 pence
 each held

Percentage of 
total voting 
rights held

Number of 
Ordinary Shares 
of 1 pence 
each held

Percentage of 
total voting
 rights held

26,702,364

19,221,250

9,625,000

7,812,566

7,612,500

17.80

12.81

6.42

5.21

5.08

26,702,364

19,923,548

9,625,000

7,812,566

7,612,500

17.80

13.28

6.42

5.21

5.08

Employee involvement and policy regarding disabled persons 
The Company actively encourages employee involvement and consultation, and places emphasis on keeping its employees informed of the 
Group’s activities and financial performance by such means as employee briefings and publication (via the Group’s intranet) to all staff of relevant 
information and corporate announcements. The Company also publishes a weekly staff bulletin. Further information about our employees, 
including how we incentivise them, can be found in our Corporate Social Responsibilty report on page 22.

Applications for employment by disabled persons are always fully considered, bearing in mind the aptitudes of the applicant concerned. 
In the event of members of staff becoming disabled, every effort is made to ensure that their employment with the Group continues and that 
appropriate training is arranged. It is the policy of the Group that the training, career development and promotion should, as far as possible, 
be identical to that of other employees.

Political donations
The Company did not make any political donations during the year.

Change of control – significant agreements
There are a number of agreements that may take effect after, or terminate upon, a change of control of the Company, such as commercial 
contracts, bank loan agreements and property lease arrangements. None of these are considered to be significant in terms of their likely impact 
on the business as a whole.

Relationship Agreement
Details of the Relationship Agreement entered into between the Principal Selling Shareholder, Electra Partners LLP and the Company can 
be found in the Corporate Governance Report on page 29. The Relationship Agreement ceases to apply if the Company’s shares cease to be 
admitted to the premium segment of the Official List, or if the collective holding of the Electra Shareholders (the Principal Selling Shareholder 
and Electra Partners LLP) and any of their associates falls below 10 per cent of the issued share capital of the Company.

47

Financial StatementsStrategic ReportGovernanceDirectors’ Report 
continued

Audit information 
Each of the Directors at the date of the approval of this report 
confirms that:

•  so far as the Director is aware, there is no relevant audit information 

• 

of which the Company’s auditor is unaware; and
the Director has taken all the reasonable steps that he/she ought to 
have taken as a Director to make himself/herself aware of any 
relevant audit information and to establish that the Company’s 
auditor is aware of the information.

The confirmation is given and should be interpreted in accordance 
with the provisions of section 418 of the Companies Act 2006.

Auditor
KPMG LLP have indicated their willingness to continue in office and 
a resolution seeking to reappoint them will be proposed at the 
forthcoming AGM.

Annual General Meeting
The AGM will be held at Investec Bank plc, 2 Gresham Street,  
London EC2V 7QP on 23 February 2017 at 10.00am. The notice 
convening the meeting, together with details of the business to be 
considered and explanatory notes for each resolution, is distributed  
to shareholders with this Annual Report. It is also available at  
www.hollywoodbowlgroup.com, where a copy can be viewed  
and downloaded.

Post-balance sheet events
There have been no material post-balance sheet events as at the date 
of this report.

The Strategic Report on pages 4 to 23 and this Directors’ Report 
have been drawn up and presented in accordance with, and in 
reliance upon, applicable English company law and any liability of  
the Directors in connection with these reports shall be subject to  
the limitations and restrictions provided by such law.

By order of the Board

Laurence Keen
Chief Financial Officer
13 December 2016

48

Hollywood Bowl Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2016Statement of Directors’ Responsibilities

The Directors are responsible for preparing the Annual Report and the 
Group and Parent Company financial statements in accordance with 
applicable law and regulations. 

Responsibility statement of the Directors in respect of the 
Annual Financial Report
We confirm that to the best of our knowledge:

• 

• 

the financial statements, prepared in accordance with the 
applicable set of accounting standards, give a true and fair view 
of the assets, liabilities, financial position and profit or loss of the 
Company and the undertakings included in the consolidation taken 
as a whole; and
the Strategic Report includes a fair review of the development and 
performance of the business and the position of the issuer and 
the undertakings included in the consolidation taken as a whole, 
together with a description of the principal risks and uncertainties 
that they face.

We consider the Annual Report and Accounts, taken as a whole, is 
fair, balanced and understandable and provides the information 
necessary for shareholders to assess the Group’s position and 
performance, business model and strategy.

By order of the Board

Stephen Burns
Chief Executive Officer
13 December 2016

Laurence Keen
Chief Financial Officer
13 December 2016

Company law requires the Directors to prepare Group and Parent 
Company financial statements for each financial year. Under that 
law they are required to prepare the Group financial statements in 
accordance with IFRSs as adopted by the EU and applicable law and 
have elected to prepare the Parent Company financial statements in 
accordance with UK Accounting Standards FRS 102 The Financial 
Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland. 

Under company law the Directors must not approve the financial 
statements unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view 
of the state of affairs of the Group and Parent Company and of their 
profit or loss for that period. In preparing each of the Group and 
Parent Company financial statements, the Directors are required to: 

•  select suitable accounting policies and then apply them 

consistently; 

•  make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent; 
for the Group financial statements, state whether they have been 
• 
prepared in accordance with IFRSs as adopted by the EU; 
for the Parent Company financial statements, state whether 
applicable UK Accounting Standards have been followed, subject 
to any material departures disclosed and explained in the Parent 
Company financial statements; and 

• 

•  prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless 

it is inappropriate to presume that the Group and the Parent 
Company will continue in business.

The Directors are responsible for keeping adequate accounting 
records that are sufficient to show and explain the Parent Company’s 
transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the 
financial position of the Parent Company and enable them to ensure 
that its financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They 
have general responsibility for taking such steps as are reasonably open 
to them to safeguard the assets of the Group and to prevent and detect 
fraud and other irregularities. 

Under applicable law and regulations, the Directors are also 
responsible for preparing a Strategic Report, Directors’ Report, 
Directors’ Remuneration Report and Corporate Governance 
Statement that complies with that law and those regulations. 

The Directors are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the 
corporate and financial information included on the Company’s website. 
Legislation in the UK governing the preparation and dissemination of 
financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions. 

49

Financial StatementsStrategic ReportGovernanceIndependent Auditor’s Report 
to the Members of Hollywood Bowl Group plc only

Opinions and conclusions arising from our audit 
1. Our opinion on the financial statements is unmodified 
We have audited the financial statements of Hollywood Bowl Group 
plc for the year ended 30 September 2016, set out on pages 54 to 81. 

In our opinion: 

•  The financial statements give a true and fair view of the state of the 
Group’s and of the Parent Company’s affairs as at 30 September 
2016, and of the Group’s profit for the year then ended; 

•  The Group financial statements have been properly prepared in 
accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards as 
adopted by the European Union; 

•  The Parent Company financial statements have been properly 

prepared in accordance with UK Accounting Standards, including 
FRS 102 ‘The Financial Reporting Standard Applicable in the UK 
and Republic of Ireland’; and 

•  The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with 

the requirements of the Companies Act 2006; and, as regards the 
Group financial statements, Article 4 of the IAS Regulation. 

2. Our assessment of risks of material misstatement 
In arriving at our audit opinion above on the financial statements the 
risks of material misstatement that had the greatest effect on our audit, 
in decreasing order of audit significance, were as follows: 

Non-recurring risks 
Accounting for the IPO (Share capital: £71.5 million, 
Share premium: £51.8 million, Merger reserve: £49.9 million, 
IPO related costs: £2.3 million, Debt: £29.4 million, Cost in 
relation to early repayment of debt in place prior to IPO: 
£2.9 million) 
•  Refer to page 33 (Audit Committee Report), page 58 and 63 

(Accounting policies) and pages 64, 72 and 73 (financial disclosures). 

The risk – In preparation for the IPO, the Group undertook a capital 
reorganisation and refinancing, and executed a complex step plan 
which included the creation of a new holding company, share 
exchanges, repayment arrangements for previous shareholders  
and its bank debt. 

The accounting treatments for the capital reorganisation requires the 
Directors to choose between accounting treatments that may be 
applicable. The appropriate accounting for the steps plan reflected a 
significant risk of material misstatement due to the magnitude and 
complexity of the accounting entries. 

Significant transaction costs were incurred as part of the process, 
including legal and professional fees in relation to the IPO. The 
accounting treatment for and disclosure of these transaction costs 
requires the Directors to apply significant judgement. 

Our response – Our audit procedures included the following: 

•  We tested the validity and appropriate reflection of each of the steps 
to create the new corporate structure. In doing so, we agreed that 
the share transactions recorded were consistent with the relevant 
Board and shareholders’ resolutions and their Registrar of 
Companies filings. We also evaluated the consistency of the amounts 
recorded with the underlying shareholder and loan agreements. 

•  We critically assessed the accounting treatment of these 

transactions adopted by the Group and challenged the Group’s 
assumptions in recording the accounting treatments and evaluated 
if they were in line with the appropriate legal requirements and 
accounting standards. 

•  We critically assessed and challenged the classification of the costs 
incurred during the IPO process within the financial statements by 
determining whether they (i) related directly to any debt issued or 
taken on, (ii) related directly to the extinguishment of the debt in 
place prior to IPO or (iii) related directly to the IPO activities. We 
agreed a sample of the transaction costs incurred to third party 
invoices to determine whether the classification in the financial 
statements was consistent with the nature of services provided 
(as noted above). In particular, we assessed the appropriateness 
of the presentation of transaction costs capitalised against financial 
liabilities or as an expense in the consolidated statement of 
comprehensive income. 

•  We also considered the adequacy and accuracy of the Group’s 
disclosures about the steps plan (within Note 22) to reflect the 
movement from the opening equity position at the start of the 
financial period to the closing equity position at the end of the 
financial year ended 30 September 2016. 

Recurring risks 
Goodwill impairment assessment (£75.0 million) 
•  Refer to page 33 (Audit Committee Report), page 61 (Accounting 

policies) and pages 68 and 69 (financial disclosures). 

The risk – Goodwill is the most quantitatively significant item on 
the Group balance sheet, and is subject to an impairment review 
at least annually. Whilst the annual impairment review of goodwill 
performed by the Group as at 30 September 2016 supports the 
carrying values above, we focused on this area as the preparation 
of these assessments involve a significant degree of judgement and 
is sensitive to changes in the future forecasts of cash flows and other 
assumptions such as growth and discount rates. 

50

Hollywood Bowl Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2016Our response – Our procedures included the following: 

•  We examined the Group’s budgeting procedures upon which 

the forecasts are based, and tested the integrity of the Group’s 
discounted cash flow model. We used our own valuation specialist 
to assist us in evaluating the assumptions and methodologies used 
by the Group, in particular those relating to discount rates. 
•  We compared the Group’s assumptions within their cash flow 

model to externally derived and historical data, as well as our own 
assessments in relation to key inputs, in particular – number of 
games, spend per game, growth and discount rates. We also 
performed a sensitivity analysis on the level of cash flows, discount 
rate and growth rate used in the impairment assessment to assess 
whether a reasonable possible change in these assumptions could 
trigger an impairment charge. 

•  We compared the sum of the discounted cash flows (ie, value in 

3. Our application of materiality and an overview of the 
scope of our audit 
The materiality for the Group financial statements as a whole was set at 
£0.6 million (2015: £1 million), determined with reference to a benchmark 
of Group profit before tax, normalised to: 

•  exclude certain of this year’s exceptional costs (as disclosed in 

Note 5), primarily in relation to IPO of £2.3 million, costs in relation 
to the renegotiation of Liverpool lease of £1.6m, acquisition related 
expenses of £2.3 million; and 
recognise an interest charge of £1.2m, which is reflective of the 
debt structure in place as at 30 September 2016 instead of the total 
interest charge of £8.8 million for the year, as disclosed in Note 9; 

• 

of which it represents 4 per cent. 

use of the Group) to the Group’s market capitalisation to assess the 
reasonableness of those cash flows. We also assessed whether 
the Group’s disclosures about the sensitivity of the outcome of the 
impairment assessment to changes in key assumptions reflected 
the risks inherent in the valuation of goodwill. 

In the prior year, materiality was set at £1 million, determined with 
reference to a benchmark of Group revenues, of which it represented 
1.2 per cent. Considering the profitability, size and risk profile of the 
Group in the prior year, revenue was considered an appropriate 
benchmark. 

Carrying amount of property, plant and equipment (‘PPE’) 
(£37.3 million) 
•  Refer to page 33 (Audit Committee Report), page 60 (Accounting 

policies) and pages 64 and 68 (financial disclosures). 

We report to the Audit Committee any corrected or uncorrected 
identified misstatements exceeding £30,000 (2015: £50,000), in 
addition to other identified misstatements that warranted reporting on 
qualitative grounds. 

The risk – Property, plant and equipment are the second most 
quantitatively significant item on the Group balance sheet and 
therefore, an area of our audit focus due to its size and the nature 
of the Group’s business. 

Our response – Our procedures included the following: 

For both the current and prior year, the Group audit team performed 
the audit of the Group as if it was a single aggregated set of financial 
information, at the Group’s head office in Hemel Hempstead. For both 
the audit was performed using the materiality level set out above and 
covered 100 per cent of the Group’s profit before tax, total revenues 
and total assets. 

•  We evaluated the appropriateness of the Group’s estimate of the 
useful life of PPE, comparing them with those adopted by similar 
businesses and reviewing historical data around replacement of 
PPE within the business. 

•  We examined the most recent years’ profitability of individual 

bowling sites to identify any indicators of PPE impairment, and 
reviewed the forecasts and value in use (including assumptions 
used and integrity of the cash flow model) of any underperforming 
sites to assess if an impairment charge needed to be recognised. 
•  As noted above, we compared the Group’s assumptions within the 
cash flow forecasts to externally derived and historical data, as well 
as our own assessments in relation to key inputs such as likely 
changes in the numbers of visitors and their spend per game; and 
in discount rates. We also performed a sensitivity analysis on the 
level of cash flows, discount rate and growth rate used in the 
impairment assessment to assess whether a reasonable possible 
change in these assumptions could trigger an impairment charge. 

4. Our opinion on other matters prescribed by the 
Companies Act 2006 is unmodified 
In our opinion: 

•  The part of the Directors’ Remuneration Report to be audited 

has been properly prepared in accordance with the Companies 
Act 2006; 

•  The information given in the Strategic Report and the Directors’ 

Report for the financial year for which the financial statements are 
prepared is consistent with the financial statements; and 

•  The information given in the Corporate Governance Report set out 
on page 34 with respect to internal control and risk management 
systems in relation to financial reporting processes and about share 
capital structures is consistent with the financial statements. 

51

Financial StatementsStrategic ReportGovernanceIndependent Auditor’s Report
to the Members of Hollywood Bowl Group plc only 
continued

Under the Listing Rules we are required to review: 

•  The Directors’ statements, set out on page 21, in relation to going 

concern and longer-term viability; and 

•  The part of the Corporate Governance Statement on page 28 

relating to the Company’s compliance with the 11 provisions of the 
2014 UK Corporate Governance Code specified for our review. 

We have nothing to report in respect of the above responsibilities. 

Scope and responsibilities 
As explained more fully in the Directors’ Responsibilities Statement,  
set out on page 49, the Directors are responsible for the preparation  
of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a  
true and fair view. A description of the scope of an audit of financial 
statements is provided on the Financial Reporting Council’s website  
at www.frc.org.uk/auditscopeukprivate. This report is made solely  
to the Company’s members as a body and is subject to important 
explanations and disclaimers regarding our responsibilities, published 
on our website at www.kpmg.com/uk/auditscopeukco2014a, which  
are incorporated into this report as if set out in full and should be read  
to provide an understanding of the purpose of this report, the work we 
have undertaken and the basis of our opinions. 

Mike Woodward (Senior Statutory Auditor) 
for and on behalf of KPMG LLP, Statutory Auditor 
Chartered Accountants 
58 Clarendon Road 
Watford 
WD17 1DE 

13 December 2016

5. We have nothing to report on the disclosures of 
principal risks 
Based on the knowledge we acquired during our audit, we have 
nothing material to add or draw attention to in relation to: 

•  The Directors’ statement of longer term viability on page 21, 

concerning the principal risks, their management, and, based on 
that, the Directors’ assessment and expectations of the Group’s 
continuing in operation over the 3 years to 30 September 2019 or 

•  The disclosures in Note 2 of the financial statements concerning 

the use of the going concern basis of accounting. 

6. We have nothing to report in respect of the matters on 
which we are required to report by exception 
Under ISAs (UK and Ireland) we are required to report to you if, based 
on the knowledge we acquired during our audit, we have identified other 
information in the Annual Report that contains a material inconsistency 
with either that knowledge or the financial statements, a material 
misstatement of fact, or that is otherwise misleading. 

In particular, we are required to report to you if: 

•  We have identified material inconsistencies between the knowledge 
we acquired during our audit and the Directors’ statement that they 
consider that the Annual Report and financial statements taken as 
a whole is fair, balanced and understandable and provides the 
information necessary for shareholders to assess the Group’s 
position and performance, business model and strategy; or 

•  The Audit Committee Report on pages 32 to 34 does not 
appropriately address matters communicated by us to the 
Audit Committee. 

Under the Companies Act 2006 we are required to report to you if, 
in our opinion: 

•  Adequate accounting records have not been kept by the Parent 

Company, or returns adequate for our audit have not been received 
from branches not visited by us; or 

•  The Parent Company financial statements and the part of the 

Directors’ Remuneration Report to be audited are not in agreement 
with the accounting records and returns; or 

•  Certain disclosures of Directors’ remuneration specified by law are 

not made; or 

•  We have not received all the information and explanations we 

require for our audit; or 

•  A Corporate Governance Statement has not been prepared by 

the Company. 

52

Hollywood Bowl Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2016Financial 
statements

54  Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income
55  Consolidated Statement of Financial Position
56  Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity
57  Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows
58 Notes to the Financial Statements
78  Company Statement of Financial Position
79  Company Statement of Changes in Equity
79  Company Statement of Cash Flows
80 Notes to the Company Financial Statements
82 Company Information

53

Financial StatementsStrategic ReportGovernanceConsolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income
Year ending 30 September 2016

Revenue
Cost of sales

Gross profit
Administrative expenses
Other income

Operating profit

  Underlying operating profit
  Exceptional items

Finance income
Finance expenses
Movement in derivative financial instrument

Profit before tax
Tax expense

Profit for the year attributable to equity shareholders
Other comprehensive income

Total comprehensive income for the year attributable to equity shareholders

Basic and diluted earnings per share (pence)

The accompanying notes on page 58 to 77 form an integral part of these financial statements. 

30 September 
2016 
£’000

30 September 
2015 
£’000

Note

3

6

5

9
9

10

11

106,632
(17,205)

89,427
(76,444)
1,395

14,378

19,541
(5,163)

22
(11,905)
79

2,574
(1,387)

1,187
–

1,187

1.12

86,044
(14,963)

71,081
(58,047)
–

13,034

12,312
722

8
(8,143)
(134)

4,765
(1,173)

3,592
–

3,592

3.56

54

Hollywood Bowl Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2016Consolidated Statement of Financial Position
As at 30 September 2016

30 September
 2016 
£’000

30 September 
2015 
£’000

Note

ASSETS
Non-current assets
Property, plant and equipment
Intangible assets

Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents
Trade and other receivables
Inventories

Total assets

LIABILITIES
Current liabilities
Trade and other payables
Loans and borrowings
Corporation tax payable

Non-current liabilities
Other payables
Loans and borrowings
Deferred tax liabilities
Accruals and provisions
Derivative financial instruments

Total liabilities

NET ASSETS/(LIABILITIES)

Equity attributable to shareholders
Share capital
Share premium
Merger reserve
Capital redemption reserve
Retained earnings

TOTAL EQUITY/(DEFICIT)

The accompanying notes on page 58 to 77 form an integral part of these financial statements. 

These financial statements were approved by the Board of Directors on 13 December 2016.

Signed on behalf of the Board

Laurence Keen
Chief Financial Officer

Company Registration Number: 10229630 

12
13

15
16
17

18
20

18
20
21
19
27

22
23
23
23
23

37,264
79,228

116,492

9,224
9,634
1,018

19,876

136,368

18,866
–
1,034

19,900

6,941
29,403
2,230
3,476
55

42,105

62,005

74,363

71,512
51,832
(49,897)
99
817

74,363

30,854
66,186

97,040

14,696
8,023
703

23,422

120,462

14,127
1,009
637

15,773

7,886
92,285
1,765
2,904
134

104,974

120,747

(285)

49,932
–
(49,847)
–
(370)

(285)

55

Financial StatementsStrategic ReportGovernanceConsolidated Statement of Changes in Equity 
For the year ended 30 September 2016

Equity at 30 September 2014
Issue of shares
Profit for the period

Equity at 30 September 2015
Shares issued during the year
Debt for equity swap
Issue of shares to employees
Shares re-organisation
Profit for the period

Equity at 30 September 2016

Share 
capital 
£’000

 42,499 
 7,433 
–

 49,932 
 100 
 21,424 
 155 
(99) 
–

 71,512 

Share 
premium 
£’000

–
–
–

–
–
 51,460 
 372 
–
–

 51,832 

Merger 
reserve 
£’000

(42,414) 
(7,433)
–

(49,847) 
(50) 
–
–
–
–

(49,897) 

Capital
 redemption 
reserve 
£’000

–
–
–

–
–
–
–
 99 
–

 99 

Retained 
earnings 
£’000

(3,962) 

–
3,592

(370) 
–
–
–
–
 1,187 

Total 
£’000

(3,877) 

–
3,592

(285) 
 50 
 72,884 
 527 
–
 1,187 

 817 

 74,363

56

Hollywood Bowl Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2016Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows 
For the year ended 30 September 2016

 30 September 
2016 
£’000

 30 September 
2015 
£’000

Note

Cash flows from operating activities
Profit before tax
Adjusted by:
Depreciation and impairment
Amortisation of intangible assets
Net interest expense
(Profit)/loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment
Movement on derivative financial instrument
Share-based payments

Operating profit before working capital changes
Decrease/(increase) in inventories
Decrease/(increase) in trade and other receivables
Increase in payables and provisions

Cash inflow generated from operations
Interest received
Income tax paid – corporation tax
Interest paid

Net cash inflow from operating activities

Investing activities
Acquisition of subsidiaries
Subsidiary cash acquired 
Purchase of property, plant and equipment
Purchase of intangible assets
Sale of assets

Net cash used in investing activities

Cash flows from financing activities
Issue of loan notes
Increase of bank loan
Payment of financing costs

Net cash flows used in financing activities

Net change in cash and cash equivalents for the period

Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the period 

Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period

The accompanying notes on page 58 to 77 form an integral part of these financial statements. 

2,574

9,316
493
11,883
(745)
(79)
526

23,968
108
5,115
143

29,334
7
(2,352)
(2,100)

24,889

(22,801)
970
(10,157)
(357)
2,708

(29,637)

10,000
(9,250)
(1,474)

(724)

(5,472)

14,696

9,224

12
13

15

4,765

7,758
508
8,135
17
134
–

21,317
(57)
(185)
1,310

22,385
8
(1,835)
(2,304)

18,254

–
–
(7,073)
(221)
450

(6,844)

70
(750)
(13)

(693)

10,717

3,979

14,696

57

Financial StatementsStrategic ReportGovernanceNotes to the Financial Statements

1. General information
Hollywood Bowl Group plc (together with its subsidiaries, the Group) is a public limited company and was admitted to the premium listing 
segment of the Official List of the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and to trade on the Main Market of the London Stock Exchange on 
21 September 2016. The Group is incorporated and domiciled in England and Wales. The registered office of the Parent Company is Focus 31, 
West Wing, Cleveland Road, Hemel Hempstead, HP2 7BW, United Kingdom. The registered Company number is 10229630. A list of the 
Company’s subsidiaries is presented in Note 15.

The Group’s principal activities are that of the operation of ten-pin bowling centres as well as the development of new centres and other 
associated activities.

The Directors of the Group are responsible for the consolidated financial statements.

2. Accounting policies
The principal accounting policies applied in the consolidated financial statements are set out below. These accounting policies have, unless 
otherwise stated, been applied consistently to all period presented in these consolidated financial statements. The financial information presented 
is at and for the financial years 30 September 2016 and 30 September 2015.

Hollywood Bowl Group plc was incorporated on 13 June 2016 as an acquisition vehicle for the purposes of achieving listing on the London Stock 
Exchange and the Company had no significant transactions prior to Admission on 21 September 2016. The Group acquired the entire share 
capital of Kanyeco Limited on 16 September 2016 in a share for share exchange. Consequently, for the consolidated financial statements of the 
Group, prepared under IFRS, the principles of reverse acquisition accounting under IFRS 3 ‘Business Combinations’ have been applied. The 
steps to restructure the Group had the effect of Hollywood Bowl Group plc being inserted above Kanyeco Limited of which the shareholders 
exchange their shares and loan notes for shares in Hollywood Bowl Group plc.

By applying the principles of reverse acquisition accounting, the Group is presented as if Hollywood Bowl Group plc has always owned the 
Kanyeco Group. The comparative income statement and balance sheet are presented in line with the previously presented consolidated financial 
statements of Kanyeco Limited. The comparative and current year consolidated reserves of the Group are adjusted to reflect the statutory share 
capital, share premium and merger reserve of Hollywood Bowl Group plc, as if it had always existed. The steps taken to restructure the Group 
are explained in more detail in Note 22. 

Statement of compliance
The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (EU-IFRS) as adopted 
for use in the EU, International Financial Reporting Interpretations Committee (IFRIC) interpretations and with those parts of the Companies Act 
2006 applicable to companies reporting under EU-IFRS. The functional currency of each entity in the Group is Pounds Sterling. The consolidated 
financial statements are presented in Pounds Sterling and all values are rounded to the nearest thousand, except where otherwise indicated.

Basis of preparation
The consolidated financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis under the historical cost convention as modified by the 
recognition of certain financial assets/liabilities (including derivative instruments) at fair value through the profit and loss.

The Company has elected to prepare its financial statements in accordance with FRS 102 Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and 
Republic of Ireland. On publishing the Parent Company financial statements here together with the Group financial statements, the Company has 
taken advantage of the exemption in s408 of the Companies Act 2006 not to present its individual statement of comprehensive income and 
related notes that form a part of these approved financial statements.

Judgements made by the Directors, in the application of these accounting policies that have significant effect on the financial statements and 
estimates with a significant risk of material adjustment in the next year are discussed below.

The Group beneath Hollywood Bowl Group plc, headed by Kanyeco Limited, previously first time adopted IFRSs in the year ended 30 September 
2014. In preparing the consolidated financial statements for Hollywood Bowl Group plc, the Directors have reflected, under reverse acquisition 
accounting, the amounts reported in the Group headed by Kanyeco Limited. The Directors have, however, opted to disclose the IFRS 
reconciliation for 30 September 2015 and 30 September 2014 in Note 31.

Standards issued not yet effective
During the year, a number of amendments to IFRS became effective and were adopted by the Group, none of which had a material impact on the 
Group’s net cash flows, financial position, total comprehensive income or earnings per share. 

58

Hollywood Bowl Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2016 
2. Accounting policies continued
At the date of authorisation of this financial information, certain new standards, amendments and interpretations to existing standards applicable 
to the Group have been published but are not yet effective, and have not been adopted early by the Group. The impact of these standards is not 
expected to be material. These are listed below:

Standard/interpretation

Content

IFRS 9 ‘Financial Instruments’ (2009) 
and amendment

IFRS 15 ‘Revenue from Contracts 
with Customers’

IFRS 16 ‘Leases’

IFRS 9 ‘Financial instruments’ is effective for 1 January 2018 periods 
commencing on or after 1 January 2018. IFRS 9 is a replacement for IAS 39 
‘Financial Instruments’ and covers 3 distinct areas. Phase 1 contains new 
requirements for the classification and measurement of financial assets and 
liabilities. Phase 2 relates to the impairment of financial assets and requires 
the calculation of impairment on an expected loss basis rather than the 
current incurred loss basis. Phase 3 relates to less stringent requirements 
for general hedge accounting.

IFRS 15 ‘Revenue from Contracts with Customers’, replaces IAS 18, 
‘Revenues’, and introduces a 5-step approach to revenue recognition 
based on performance obligations in customer contracts. The International 
Accounting Standards Board (IASB) has proposed to issue some 
clarifications and to defer the standard’s effective date of 1 January 2017 to 
1 January 2018. 

IFRS 16 sets out the principles for the recognition, 1 January 2019 
measurement, presentation and disclosure of leases for both parties 
to a contract, ie the customer (lessee) and the supplier (lessor). IFRS 
16 completes the IASB’s project to improve the financial reporting of 
leases and replaces the previous leases Standard, IAS 17 ‘Leases’, and 
related Interpretations. The effective date for the Group is also subject to 
EU endorsement.

Applicable for 
financial years 
beginning  
on/after

1 January 2018

1 January 2018

1 January 2019

Basis of consolidation
The consolidated financial information incorporates the financial statements of the Company and all of its subsidiary undertakings. The financial 
statements of all Group companies are adjusted, where necessary, to ensure the use of consistent accounting policies. Acquisitions are accounted 
for under the acquisition method from the date control passes to the Group. On acquisition, the assets and liabilities and contingent liabilities of a 
subsidiary are measured at their fair values at the date of acquisition. Any excess of the cost of acquisition over the fair values of the identifiable net 
assets acquired is recognised as goodwill.

Going concern
On 21 September 2016, the Group’s shares were admitted to trading on the Main Market of the London Stock Exchange and it entered into a 
new £30 million, 5-year loan facility (see Note 20 for details). There was no primary raise at the IPO and all proceeds were distributed to existing 
shareholders. The Directors believe that this has:

•  Given the Group a stronger capital structure, enabling it to continue its growth strategy and make it even more attractive as a key tenant
•  Allowed the Group access to a wider range of capital raising options, which could be used for acquisition opportunities
•  Removed any private equity loan notes, which attract a higher rate of interest than normal bank facilities
•  Provided the Group with a lower rate of interest on its bank loan facility, which will reduce interest payments and allow further investment 

of cash.

The Group is in a strong financial position to continue its operations for the foreseeable future. For these reasons, the Directors have adopted the 
going concern basis in preparing the Financial Statements.

The Directors have made this assessment after consideration of 3-year budgeted cash flows and related assumptions, and in accordance with 
the FRC’s Guidance on Risk Management, Internal Control and related Financial and Business Reporting.

Revenue recognition
Revenue is the total amount receivable by the Group for goods supplied, excluding VAT and discounts.

Revenue for food, drink and amusements is recognised when the risks and rewards of owning the product has been transferred to the buyer at 
the point of sale, which is when cash is received. Revenue arising from bowling is recognised when the customer actually plays, with deposits 
paid in advance being held on the balance sheet until that time and then recognised as income.

59

Financial StatementsStrategic ReportGovernanceNotes to the Financial Statements  
continued

2. Accounting policies continued
Employee benefits
(i) Short-term benefits
Wages, salaries, paid annual leave and sick leave, bonuses and non-monetary benefits are accrued in the period in which the associated services 
are rendered by employees of the Group.

(ii) Defined contribution plans
The Group operates on a defined contribution pension scheme for employees. The assets of the scheme are held separately from those of the 
Group. The annual contributions payable are charged to the statement of comprehensive income. The Group also contributes to the personal 
pension plans of the Directors.

(iii) Share-based payments
The Group operates an equity-settled share-based payment plan for its employees, under which the employees are granted equity instruments 
of Hollywood Bowl Group plc. The fair value of the services received in exchange for the equity instrument is recognised as an expense. The total 
amount expensed is determined by reference to the fair value of the instruments granted:

including any market performance conditions; and

• 
•  excluding the impact of any service and non-performance vesting conditions.

The cost of equity-settled transactions is recognised together with a corresponding increase in equity, over the period in which the performance 
conditions are fulfilled, ending on the date on which the relevant employees become fully entitled to the award.

Leases
(i) Operating leases
Leases where the lessor retains substantially all the risks and benefits of ownership of the asset are classified as operating leases. Rentals 
applicable to operating leases are charged against profits on a straight-line basis over the period of the lease.

•  Onerous leases are where the unavoidable costs of a lease exceed the economic benefit expected to be received from it, a provision is made 

for the present value of the obligation under lease.

•  Dilapidation provisions relate to potential rectification costs expected should the Group vacate any of its leased locations.

(ii) Hire purchase agreements and finance leases
Assets held under the hire purchase agreements and finance leases are capitalised and disclosed under property, plant and equipment at their 
fair value. The capital element of the future payments is treated as a liability and the interest element is charged to the statement of comprehensive 
income on a straight-line basis.

Dilapidation provision
A provision will be recorded if as lessee, the Group has a commitment to make good the property at the end of the lease, which would be for the 
cost of returning the leased property to its original state.

Property, plant and equipment
Property, plant and equipment is stated at historic cost, including expenditure that is directly attributable to the acquired item, less accumulated 
depreciation and impairment losses.

Depreciation is provided to write off cost, less estimated residual values, of all property, plant and equipment, except for investment properties 
and freehold land, evenly over their expected useful lives, calculated at the following rates:

Leasehold property 
Bowling lanes and pinspotters
Plant and machinery 
Fixtures, fittings and equipment
Office equipment

– lesser of lease period and 25 years 
– over 40 years
– over 8 years
– over 8 years
– over 3 years

The carrying value of the property, plant and equipment is compared to the higher of value in use and the fair value less costs to sell. If the carrying 
value exceeds the higher of the value in use and fair value less the costs to sell the asset then the asset is impaired and its value reduced by 
recognising an impairment provision.

60

Hollywood Bowl Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 20162. Accounting policies continued
Intangible assets
Goodwill arising on the acquisition of a subsidiary undertaking is the difference between the fair value of the consideration paid and the fair value 
of the assets and liabilities acquired. Positive goodwill is capitalised. Impairment tests on the carrying value of goodwill are undertaken:

•  At the end of the first full financial period following acquisition and at the end of every subsequent financial period.
In other periods if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be receivable.
• 

Software which is not an integral part of hardware assets is stated at historic cost, including expenditure that is directly attributable to the 
acquired item, less accumulated amortisation and impairment losses.

Amortisation is provided to write off cost, less estimated residual values, of all intangible assets, except for goodwill, evenly over their expected 
useful lives, calculated at the following rates:

Software 
Hollywood Bowl brand
Trademark 

– over 3 years 
– over 20 years
– over 20 years

Inventories
Inventories are carried at the lower of cost or net realisable value.

Net realisable value is calculated based on the revenue from sale in the normal course of business less any costs to sell. Due allowance is made 
for obsolete and slow moving items.

Impairment
(i) Impairment of financial assets
All financial assets (other than those categorised at fair value charged through the statement of comprehensive income) are assessed at the end 
of each reporting period as to whether there is any objective evidence of impairment as a result of one or more events having an impact on the 
estimated future cash flows of the asset.

An impairment loss in respect of loans and receivables financial assets is recognised in the statement of comprehensive income and is measured 
as the difference between the asset’s carrying amount and the present value of estimated future cash flows, discounted at the financial asset’s 
original effective interest rate.

In a subsequent period, if the amount of the impairment loss decreases and the decrease can be related objectively to an event occurring after 
the impairment was recognised, the previously recognised impairment loss is reversed through statement of comprehensive income to the extent 
that the carrying amount of the asset at the date the impairment is reversed does not exceed what the amortised cost would have been had the 
impairment not been recognised.

(ii) Impairment of non-financial assets
The carrying values of intangible assets are reviewed at the end of each reporting period for impairment when there is an indication that the assets 
might be impaired. Impairment is measured by comparing the carrying values of the assets with their recoverable amounts. The recoverable amount of 
the assets is the higher of the assets’ fair value less costs to sell and their value in use, which is measured by reference to discounted future cash flow. 

An impairment loss is recognised in the statement of comprehensive income immediately.

In respect of assets other than goodwill, and when there is a change in the estimates used to determine the recoverable amount, a subsequent 
increase in the recoverable amount of an asset is treated as a reversal of the previous impairment loss and is recognised to the extent of the 
carrying amount of the asset that would have been determined (net of amortisation and depreciation) had no impairment loss been recognised. 
The reversal is recognised in the statement of comprehensive income immediately.

Deferred taxation
Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognised where the carrying amount of an asset or liability in the consolidated statement of financial 
position differs from its tax base, except for differences arising on:

• 
• 

• 

the initial recognition of goodwill;
the initial recognition of an asset or liability in a transaction which is not a business combination and at the time of the transaction affects 
neither accounting or taxable profit; and
investments in subsidiaries where the Group is able to control the timing of the reversal of the difference and it is probable that the difference 
will not reverse in the foreseeable future.

Recognition of deferred tax assets is restricted to those instances where it is probable that future taxable profit will be available against which the 
difference can be utilised.

61

Financial StatementsStrategic ReportGovernanceNotes to the Financial Statements  
continued

2. Accounting policies continued
The amount of the asset or liability is determined using tax rates that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the balance sheet date and 
are expected to apply when the deferred tax liabilities or assets are settled or recovered. Deferred tax balances are not discounted.

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are offset when the Group has a legally enforceable right to offset current tax assets and liabilities and the 
deferred tax assets and liabilities relate to taxes levied by the same tax authority on either:

the same taxable Group company; or

• 
•  different entities which intend either to settle current tax assets and liabilities on a net basis, or to realise the assets and settle the liabilities 

simultaneously, in each future period in which significant amounts of deferred tax assets and liabilities are expected to be settled or recovered.

Operating segments
Operating segments are reported in a manner consistent with the internal reporting provided to the chief operating decision-maker. The chief 
operating decision-makers have been identified as the management team including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer.

The Board considers that the Group’s activity constitutes 1 operating and 1 reporting segment, as defined under IFRS 8. Management reviews 
the performance of the Group by reference to total results against budget.

The total profit measures are operating profit and profit for the period, both disclosed on the face of the consolidated statement of comprehensive 
income. No differences exist between the basis of preparation of the performance measures used by management and the figures in the Group’s 
financial information, as adjusted where appropriate.

Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents include cash in hand and deposits held on call, together with other short-term highly liquid investments which are 
not subject to significant changes in value and have original maturities of less than 3 months. The Group’s bank facilities are provided under 
a Group facility.

Equity
Equity comprises the following:

•  share capital: the nominal value of equity shares;
•  share premium reserve;
• 
retained earnings;
•  merger reserve; and
•  capital redemption reserve.

Financial instruments
Financial liabilities are classified according to the substance of the contractual arrangements entered into. An equity instrument is any contract 
that evidences a residual interest in the assets of the entity after deducting all of its financial liabilities.

Where the contractual obligations of financial instruments (including share capital) are equivalent to a similar debt instrument, those financial 
instruments are classified as financial liabilities. Financial liabilities are presented as such in the statement of financial position.

Where the contractual terms of share capital do not have any terms meeting the definition of a financial liability then this is classified as equity 
instrument. Dividends and distributions relating to equity instruments are debited directly to equity.

Financial assets
On initial recognition, financial assets are classified as either financial assets at fair value through the statement of comprehensive income, 
held-to-maturity investments, loans and receivables financial assets, or available-for-sale financial assets, as appropriate.

The Group classifies all its financial assets as loans and receivables. The classification depends on the purpose for which the financial assets 
were acquired.

Trade receivables and other receivables that have fixed or determinable payments that are not quoted in an active market are classified as loans 
and receivables financial assets. Loans and receivables financial assets are measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method, less 
any impairment loss. Interest income is recognised by applying the effective interest rate, except for short-term receivables when the recognition 
of interest would be immaterial. The Group’s loans and receivables financial assets comprise trade and other receivables, and cash and cash 
equivalents included in the Consolidated Statement of Financial Position.

Financial liabilities
Financial liabilities are recognised when, and only when, the Group become a party to the contractual provisions of the financial instrument.

All financial liabilities are recognised initially at fair value plus directly attributable transaction costs and subsequently measured at amortised cost 
using the effective interest method other than those categorised as fair value through the statement of comprehensive income.

62

Hollywood Bowl Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 20162. Accounting policies continued
Fair value through the statement of comprehensive income category comprises financial liabilities that are either held for trading or are designated 
to eliminate or significantly reduce a measurement or recognition inconsistency that would otherwise arise. Derivatives are also classified as held 
for trading unless they are designated as hedges.

A financial liability is derecognised when the obligation under the liability is discharged, cancelled or expires. When an existing financial liability is 
replaced by another from the same party on substantially different terms, or the terms of an existing liability are substantially modified, such an 
exchange or modification is treated as a derecognition of the original liability and the recognition of a new liability, and the difference in the 
respective carrying amounts is recognised in the statement of comprehensive income.

Equity instruments
Ordinary Shares are classified as equity. Incremental costs directly attributable to the issue of new shares or options are shown in equity as a 
deduction, net of tax, from proceeds. Dividends on Ordinary Shares are recognised as liabilities when approved for distribution.

Derivative financial instruments
The Group enters into derivative financial instruments to manage its exposure to interest rate risk. Derivatives are initially recognised at fair value 
on the date a derivative contract is entered into and are subsequently remeasured at their fair value at the end of each reporting period. The 
resulting gain or loss is recognised in the profit or loss account immediately. Derivatives are carried as financial assets when the fair value is 
positive and as financial liabilities when the fair value is negative.

A derivative is presented as a non-current asset or liability if the remaining maturity of the instrument is more than 12 months and is not expected 
to be realised or settled within 12 months. Other derivatives are presented as current assets or liabilities.

Exceptional items and other adjustments
Exceptional items and other adjustments are those that in management’s judgement need to be disclosed by virtue of their size, nature or 
incidence, in order to draw the attention of the reader and to show the underlying business performance of the Group more accurately. Such 
items are included within the statement of comprehensive income caption to which they relate and are separately disclosed either in the notes to 
the consolidated financial statements or on the face of the consolidated statement of comprehensive income.

Summary of critical accounting estimates and judgements
The preparation of financial information in conformity with EU-IFRS’s requires the use of certain critical accounting estimates. It also requires the 
Directors to exercise their judgement in the process of applying the accounting policies which are detailed above. These judgements are continually 
evaluated by the Directors and management, and are based on historical experience and other factors, including expectations of future events that 
are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances.

The key estimates and underlying assumptions concerning the future and other key sources of estimation uncertainty at the statement of financial 
position date, that have a significant risk of causing a material adjustment to the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities within the next financial 
period are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised if the 
revision affects only that period, or in the period of the revision and future periods if the revision affects both current and future periods.

The estimates and judgements which have a significant risk of causing a material adjustment to the carrying amount of assets and liabilities are 
discussed below:

•  Useful lives of depreciable assets
  Management reviews the useful lives of depreciable assets at each reporting date to ensure that the useful lives represent a reasonable 
estimate of likely period of benefit to the Group. Actual useful lives however, may vary due to unforeseen events. As detailed in Note 16, 
a reassessment of the useful life of bowling lanes and pinspotters was made in 2015.

Impairment of assets

• 
  EU-IFRS’s require management to undertake an annual test for impairment of indefinite life assets and, for finite life assets, to test for 

impairment if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable.

Impairment testing is an area involving management judgement, requiring assessment as to whether the carrying value of assets can be 
supported by the net present value of future cash flows derived from such assets using cash flow projections which have been discounted at 
an appropriate rate. In calculating the net present value of the future cash flows, certain assumptions are required to be made in respect of 
highly uncertain matters including management’s expectations of:

•  growth in EBITDA, calculated as adjusted operating profit before depreciation and amortisation;
• 
• 

long-term growth rates; and
the selection of discount rates to reflect the risks involved.

The Group prepares financial budgets on an annual basis, and monitors predicted financial performance and cash flow on a rolling monthly basis. 
These budgets and analyses are used in the calculations.

63

Financial StatementsStrategic ReportGovernance 
Notes to the Financial Statements  
continued

2. Accounting policies continued
  Changing the assumptions selected by management, in particular the discount rate and growth rate assumptions used in the cash flow 

projections, could significantly affect the Group’s impairment evaluation and hence results.

•  Valuation of intangible assets 

The determination of the fair value of assets and liabilities including goodwill and other intangibles arising on the acquisition of businesses 
which is expected to generate future economic benefits, is based, to a considerable extent, on management’s judgement.

The fair value of these assets is determined by discounting estimated future net cash flows generated by the asset where no active market for 
the assets exists. The use of different assumptions for the expectations of future cash flows and the discount rate would change the valuation 
of the intangible assets.

  Allocation of the purchase price affects the results of the Group, as finite life intangible assets are amortised, whereas indefinite lived intangible 
assets, including goodwill, are not amortised and could result in differing amortisation charges based on the allocation to indefinite life and 
finite life intangible assets.

•  Provisions 

Provisions have been made for dilapidations in respect of leased premises. These provisions are estimates, in particular the assumptions 
relating to restoration expenses, and the actual costs and timing of future cash flows are dependent on future events. Any differences between 
expectations and the actual future liability will be accounted for in the period when such determination is made.

3. Segmental reporting
Management consider that the Group consists of a single segment, and operates within the UK. No single customer provides more than 
10 per cent of the Group’s revenue.

4. Reconciliation of operating profit to adjusted EBITDA

Operating profit
Depreciation
Amortisation

EBITDA
Exceptional items

Adjusted EBITDA

30 September 
2016 
£’000

 30 September 
2015 
£’000

14,378
9,316
493

24,187
5,163

29,350

13,034
7,758
508

21,300
(722)

20,578

Management use EBITDA adjusted for exceptional items (adjusted EBITDA) as a key performance measure of the business. It is felt that this 
measure reflects the underling trading of the business.

5. Exceptional items
Exceptional items are disclosed separately in the financial statements where the Directors consider it necessary to do so to provide further 
understanding of the financial performance of the Group. They are material items or expense that have been shown separately due to the 
significance of their nature or amount: 

 30 September 
2016 
£’000

30 September 
2015 
£’000

VAT rebate1
Rates rebate2
Property costs3
Acquisition related expenses4
Restructuring and legal costs5
IPO related expenses6
Share-based payments7

64

1,395
79
(648)
(2,334)
(757)
(2,298)
(600)

(5,163)

–
1,009
–
(163)
(124)
–
–

722

Hollywood Bowl Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2016 
5. Exceptional items continued
1  The Group was able to make a one-off retrospective reclaim in respect of overpaid VAT relating to customers who were ‘no-shows’ and children’s shoe hire. This VAT rebate 
relates to a rebate for FY2012 to 2015. This has been classified as other income in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income. Going forward this will not be 
classified as exceptional income as it will be recognised within revenue.

2  There was a sector-wide property rating appeal which was settled during FY2015 and resulted in a majority of the Group’s centres receiving one-off rebates for the period 

from April 2010 onwards. Most of this was received in FY2015. With the new rating list effective from April 2017, the normal rates appeals process will be followed and in-year 
refunds will not be included within exceptional costs. 

3  For FY2016 this includes profit for the sale of the Avonmeads Centre (£0.8m) and a reverse premium (£1.6m) for exiting a lease rental contract for the Liverpool centre.
4  Costs relating to the acquisition of Bowlplex in December 2015. These costs include legal and research fees in connection with the lengthy CMA process which was part 

of the acquisition.

5  Costs relating to restructuring in readiness for, and subsequent to the acquisition of the Kanyeco Group in September 2014, and the acquisition of Bowlplex in December 

2015. Also includes costs for the management of the Group by Epiris.

6  Costs associated with the IPO of Hollywood Bowl Group plc on the London Stock Exchange on 21 September 2016. Costs include legal and accounting transaction fees 

along with corporate banking costs.

7  Allocation of shares to employees on IPO date. Shares issued to employees have been recorded at fair value, being the strike price at IPO. This comprises the fair value of the 
shares (£527,000) and the employers’ national insurance expense (£73,000). This was a one-off allocation of shares to employees as part of the IPO. Share-based payments 
and other LTIPs will not be included in exceptional items as these are envisaged to be recurring and part of the normal course of business going forward.

6. Profit from operations
Profit from operations includes the following:

Amortisation of intangible assets
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment
Operating leases:
– Property
Loss/(profit) on disposal of property, plant and equipment1

Auditor’s remuneration:
– Fees payable for audit of these financial statements
Fees payable for other services
– Audit of subsidiaries
– Taxation compliance services
– Other tax advisory services
– Services relating to corporate finance transactions2

30 September
 2016 
£’000

30 September
 2015 
£’000

493
9,316

13,514
(745)

75

75
6
225
737

1,118

508
7,758

11,543
17

–

72
 –
 –
26

98

1  This includes profit on sale of the Avonmeads Centre. See Note 5.
2  The services relating to corporate finance transactions includes £667,000 in relation to the IPO, and £70,000 in relation to the acquisition of Bowlplex in December 2015.

7. Staff numbers and costs
The average number of employees (including Directors) during the period was made up as follows:

Directors
Administration
Operations

Total staff

The cost of employees (including Directors) during the period was made up as follows:

Wages and salaries
Social security costs
Pension costs
Share-based payments

Total staff costs

30 September 
2016 
£’000

30 September 
2015
£’000

6
57
1,682

1,745

7
54
1,325

1,386

30 September 
2016 
£’000

30 September 
2015 
£’000

22,111
1,614
185
600

24,510

19,051
1,442
147
–

20,640

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Financial StatementsStrategic ReportGovernance 
Notes to the Financial Statements  
continued

8. Remuneration of Directors and key management personnel
(a) Directors’ emoluments
The Directors’ emoluments and benefits were as follows:

Salaries and bonuses
Pension contributions

Total

30 September1 
2016 
£’000

30 September2 
2015 
£’000

599
15

614

884
22

906

1  These are pro forma amounts for the full year. For FY2016 this includes 2 Executive Directors and 3 Non-Executive Directors.
2  For FY2015 this includes 4 Executive Directors and 1 Non-Executive Director.

The aggregate of emoluments of the highest paid Director were £301,000 (2015: £289,000) and company pension contributions of £8,000 
(2015: £8,000) were made to a defined contribution scheme on their behalf.

(b) Key management personnel
The Directors and the senior managers of the Group are considered to be the key management personnel of the Group. For 2015, the key 
management personnel were the Directors of Kanyeco Limited.

The remuneration of all key management (including Directors) was as follows:

Salaries and bonuses
Pension contributions

Total

9. Finance income and expenses

Interest on bank deposits

Finance income

Interest on bank borrowings
Unwinding of discount on provisions
Interest on loan notes
Exceptional finance costs

Finance expense

30 September 
2016 
£’000

30 September 
2015 
£’000

960
25

985

884
22

906

30 September 
2016 
£’000

30 September 
2015 
£’000

22

22

1,900
124
6,886
2,995

11,905

8

8

2,308
189
5,646
–

8,143

Exceptional finance costs comprise the write off of £2,858,000 of capitalised financing fees relating to the old bank facility that ended on IPO and 
£137,000 to settle the liability on an outstanding interest rate swap, which was ended on IPO.

10. Taxation

The tax expense is as follows:
– UK corporation tax
– Adjustment in respect of previous periods

Total current tax
Deferred tax:
Origination and reversal of temporary differences 
Adjustment in respect of prior years

Total deferred tax

Total tax expense

66

30 September 
2016 
£’000

30 September 
2015 
£’000

2,130
(42)

2,088

(701)
–

(701)

1,387

1,605
(168)

1,437

(170)
(94)

(264)

1,173

Hollywood Bowl Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 201610. Taxation continued
Factors affecting current tax charge/(credit):
The tax assessed on the profit for the period is different to the standard rate of corporation tax in the UK of 20 per cent (2015: 20 per cent). 
The differences are explained below:

30 September 
2016 
£’000

30 September 
2015 
£’000

Profit excluding taxation
Tax using the UK corporation tax rate of 20%
Reduction in tax rate on deferred tax balances
Non-deductible expenses
Tax exempt revenues
Over provided in prior years

Total tax expense included in profit or loss

2,574
515
(276)
1,234
(44)
(42)

1,387

4,765
977
–
458
–
(262)

1,173

The Group’s standard tax rate for the year ended 30 September 2016 was 20 per cent (2015: 20.5 per cent).

Factors that may affect future current and total tax charges
A reduction in the UK corporation tax rate from 20 per cent to 19 per cent (effective from 1 April 2017) was substantively enacted on 26 October 
2015. A further reduction to 17 per cent (effective from 1 April 2020) was substantively enacted on 15 September 2016. This will reduce the 
Group’s future current tax charge accordingly and the deferred tax liability at 30 September 2016 has been calculated based on these rates.

11. Earnings per share
Basic earnings per share is calculated by dividing the profit attributable to equity holders of Hollywood Bowl Group plc by the weighted average 
number of shares issued during the year. The weighted average number of shares for both the current and preceding years has been stated as it 
the Group share for share exchange (Note 22) has occurred at the beginning of the comparative year.

Basic and diluted
Profit for the year after tax (£’000)
Weighted average number of shares in issue for the period (number)
Earnings per share (pence)

There are no dilutive share arrangements.

30 September 
2016 

30 September 
2015 

1,187
105,843,170
1.12

3,592
100,880,334
3.56

Adjusted underlying earnings per share
Adjusted earnings per share is calculated by dividing adjusted underlying earnings after tax by the weighted average number of shares issued 
during the year.

30 September 
2016 

30 September 
2015 

Adjusted underlying earnings after tax (before exceptional costs and shareholder interest) (£’000)
Weighted average number of shares in issue for the period (number)
Adjusted earnings per share (pence)

14,004
105,843,170
13.23

7,901
100,880,334
7.83

Adjusted underlying earnings after tax is calculated as follows:

Profit before taxation
Exceptional items (Note 5)
Exceptional costs within finance expenses (Note 9)
Shareholder interest (Note 9)

Adjusted underlying profit before taxation
Less taxation

Adjusted underlying earnings after tax

2016 
£’000

2,574
 5,163 
 2,995 
 6,886 

 17,618

(3,614) 

 14,004 

2015 
£’000

 4,765 
(722) 
 – 
 5,646 

 9,689 
(1,788) 

 7,901

67

Financial StatementsStrategic ReportGovernanceNotes to the Financial Statements  
continued

12. Property, plant and equipment

 Long leasehold 
property 
£’000

Short leasehold 
property 
£’000

Plant, machinery 
and fixtures and 
fittings 
£’000

1,224
–
–

1,224
–
–
–

1,224

5
59
–

64
46
–

110

1,114
1,160
1,219

4,518
1,495
(33)

5,980
2,674
1,715
(20)

10,349

106
1,560
(33)

1,633
1,688
(10)

3,311

7,038
4,347
4,412

Total 
£’000

32,628
7,073
(1,554)

38,147
10,157
7,532
(4,496)

51,340

622
7,758
(1,087)

7,293
9,316
(2,533)

26,886
5,578
(1,521)

30,943
7,483
5,817
(4,476)

39,767

511
6,139
(1,054)

5,596
7,582
(2,523)

10,655

14,076

29,112
25,347
26,375

37,264
30,854
32,006

Goodwill 
£’000

Brand1 
£’000

Trademark 
£’000

Software 
£’000

Total 
£’000

62,014
–
–

62,014
–
13,020
–

75,034

–
–
–

–
–

–

75,034
62,014
62,014

3,360
–
–

3,360
–
–
–

3,360

12
168
–

180
168
–

348

3,012
3,180
3,348

798
–
–

798
–
4
–

802

4
62
–

66
50
–

116

686
732
794

340
221
(17)

544
357
154
(15)

1,040

23
278
(17)

284
275
(15)

544

496
260
317

66,512
221
(17)

66,716
357
13,178
(15)

80,236

39
508
(17)

530
493
(15)

1,008

79,228
66,186
66,473

Cost
At 1 October 2014
Additions
Disposals

At 30 September 2015
Additions
On acquisition (Note 30)
Disposals

At 30 September 2016

Accumulated depreciation
At 1 October 2014
Depreciation charge
Disposals

At 30 September 2015
Depreciation charge
Disposals

At 30 September 2016

Net book value
At 30 September 2016
At 30 September 2015
At 30 September 2014

13. Intangible assets

Cost
At 1 October 2014
Additions
Disposals

At 30 September 2015
Additions
On acquisition (Note 30)
Disposals

At 30 September 2016

Accumulated amortisation
At 1 October 2014
Amortisation charge
Disposals

At 30 September 2015
Amortisation charge
Disposals

At 30 September 2016

Net book value
At 30 September 2016
At 30 September 2015
At 30 September 2014

1  This relates to the Hollywood Bowl brand only.

68

Hollywood Bowl Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 201613. Intangible assets continued
EU-IFRSs requires that, on acquisition, intangible assets are recorded at fair value. As explained in Note 32, the Group has not applied the 
requirements of IFRS 3 to acquisitions that occurred before 1 October 2012.

Impairment testing is carried out at the cash-generating unit (CGU) level on an annual basis.

The recoverable amount of the CGU has been determined based on a value in use calculation using cash flow projections based on financial 
budgets approved by the Board covering a 3-year period. Cash flows beyond this period are extrapolated using the estimated growth rates stated 
in the key assumptions. The key assumptions used in the value in use calculations are as follows:

Discount rate
Growth rate

2016

9.8%
2.0%

2015

10.8%
2.0%

Discount rates reflect management’s estimate of return on capital employed required. This is the benchmark used by management to assess 
operating performance and to evaluate future capital investment proposals. These discount rates are derived from the Group’s weighted average 
cost of capital. Changes in the discount rates over the years are calculated with reference to latest market assumptions for the risk free rate, 
equity market risk premium and the cost of debt.

The key assumptions are number of games and spend per game. Based on these assumptions there is no impairment required.

Goodwill is tested for impairment on at least an annual basis, or more frequently if events or changes in circumstance indicate that the carrying 
value may be impaired. In the years under review, management’s value in use calculations have indicated no requirement to impair.

Sensitivity to changes in assumptions
The estimates of the recoverable amounts associated with the CGU affords significant head room over the carrying value, consequently any 
reasonable possible changes in these key assumptions would not cause the Group to recognise an impairment loss.

14. Investment in subsidiaries
Hollywood Bowl Group’s operating subsidiaries as at 30 September 2016 are as follows:

Name

Direct holding
Kanyeco Limited1

Company number

Principal activities

Country of business/incorporation

Proportion of Ordinary Shares 
directly held by Group 

09164276

Investment holding

England and Wales

100%

Indirect holdings
Khloeco Limited1
Kourtneyco Limited1
Kendallco Limited1
Blu Bidco Limited1
Bowling Acquisitions Holdings Limited1
The Original Bowling Company Limited
AMF Bowling (Eastleigh) Limited
MABLE Entertainment Limited
Milton Keynes Entertainment Limited
Bowlplex Limited
Bowlplex European Leisure Limited 
Wessex Support Services Limited
Wessex Support (Germany) Limited
Bowlplex Properties Limited

09164277
09164284
09176418
09506246
07323629
05163827
06998390
01094660
01807080
01250332
05539281
01513727
03253033
05506380

Investment holding
Investment holding
Investment holding
Investment holding
Investment holding
Ten-pin bowling
Dormant
Dormant
Dormant
Ten-pin bowling
Dormant
Dormant
Dormant
Dormant

England and Wales
England and Wales
England and Wales
England and Wales
England and Wales
England and Wales
England and Wales
England and Wales
England and Wales
England and Wales
England and Wales
England and Wales
England and Wales
England and Wales

100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%

1  These subsidiaries are controlled and consolidated by the Group and the Directors have taken the exemption from having an audit of its financial statements for the year 

ended 30 September 2016. This exemption is taken in accordance with the Companies Act s479A. 

69

Financial StatementsStrategic ReportGovernance 
Notes to the Financial Statements  
continued

15. Cash and cash equivalents
For the purpose of the statements of cash flows, cash and cash equivalents comprise the following:

Cash and cash equivalents

16. Trade and other receivables
There were no overdue receivables at the end of any period and none that have been impaired.

Trade receivables
Other receivables
Prepayments and accrued income

17. Inventories

Goods for resale

18. Trade and other payables

Current
Trade and other payables
Other payables
Accruals and deferred income
Taxation and social security

Total trade and other payables

Non-current
Other payables

30 September 
2016
£’000

30 September 
2015
 £’000

9,224

14,696

30 September 
2016 
£’000

30 September 
2015 
£’000

322
537
8,775

9,634

67
466
7,490

8,023

30 September 
2016 
£’000

30 September 
2015 
£’000

1,018

703

30 September 
2016 
£’000

30 September 
2015 
£’000

7,268
2,700
6,674
2,224

4,821
2,431
4,806
2,069

18,866

14,127

30 September 
2016 
£’000

30 September 
2015
 £’000

6,941

7,886

Other payables includes lease incentives received of £2,999,000 (30 September 2015: £3,147,000) which are expected to be released to profit 
and loss on a straight-line basis over the remaining term of each lease which range from 1 to 25 years, and extended credit of £3,943,000 
(30 September 2015: £4,739,000) from an amusements machine supplier. This creditor has not been discounted and the effect would not be 
material if it were.

70

Hollywood Bowl Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 201619. Accruals and provisions

Lease dilapidations provision

30 September 
2016 
£’000

30 September 
2015 
£’000

3,476

2,904

The dilapidations provision relates to potential rectification costs expected should the Group vacate its retail locations. There are no onerous 
leases within the estate. The movements in the dilapidations provisions are summarised below:

Dilapidations
 £’000

Total 
£’000

As at 30 September 2014
Utilised during the period
Unwind of discounted amount

As at 30 September 2015
On acquisition
Utilised during the period
Unwind of discounted amount

As at 30 September 2016

2,775
(60)
189

2,904
597
(149)
124

3,476

2,775
(60)
189

2,904
597
(149)
124

3,476

A provision is made for future expected dilapidation costs on the opening of all leasehold properties and is expected to be utilised on lease expiry.

It is not anticipated that the provision will be utilised within the foreseeable future as there are no sites currently earmarked for closure.

20. Loans and borrowings

Current
Bank loan

Borrowings (less than 1 year)

Non-current

Bank loan
Other loans

Borrowings (greater than 1 year)

Total borrowings

30 September 
2016 
£’000

30 September 
2015 
£’000

–

–

29,403
–

29,403

29,403

1,009

1,009

36,314
55,971

92,285

93,294

At 30 September 2015, other loans comprised unsecured subordinated shareholder loan notes from Electra Investments Limited and members of 
Company management which should have been paid due for repayment in 2021. Interest of 10 per cent per annum was being charged on these 
notes which accrued in accordance with the provisions of the loan note instrument.

On 16 September 2016, the outstanding loan notes were exchanged for shares in Hollywood Bowl Group plc.

Bank borrowings have the following maturity profile:

Due in less than 1 year
Less issue costs

Due 2 to 5 years
Due over 5 years
Less issue costs

30 September 
2016 
£’000

30 September 
2015 
£’000

–
–

–
30,000
–
(597)

29,403

1,500
(491)

1,009
12,750
25,000
(1,436)

37,323

71

Financial StatementsStrategic ReportGovernanceNotes to the Financial Statements  
continued

20. Loans and borrowings continued
The bank loans are secured by a fixed and floating charge over all assets. The loans carry interest at LIBOR plus a variable margin. The loans 
outstanding during FY2014 and FY2015 varied in accordance with the ratio of gross debt divided by EBITDA. During FY2014, FY2015 and FY2016 
the margins were 4 per cent and 4.5 per cent. 

On 21 September, the Group repaid the outstanding bank loans and entered into a £30m facility with Lloyds Bank plc. This facility is due for 
repayment in instalments over a 5-year period up to the expiry date of 20 September 2021. The first repayment of £0.75m is due 31 December 2017, 
and in 6-monthly instalments up to 31 December 2020. The remaining balance of £24.75m will be repayable at the expiry date of 20 September 
2021. In addition, the Group had an undrawn £5m revolving credit facility and undrawn £5m capex facility. All loans carry interest at LIBOR plus a 
margin, which varies in accordance with the ratio of net debt divided by EBITDA. The margin at 30 September 2016 is 2.25 per cent.

21. Deferred income tax asset/(liabilities)

Deferred income tax liabilities
Deferred taxation asset
Deferred taxation liability

Reconciliation of deferred tax balances
Balance at beginning of period
Arising on acquisition
Deferred tax (expense)/credit for the period

Balance at end of period

The components of deferred tax are:

Deferred tax asset
Differences between accumulated depreciation and capital allowances
Temporary differences
Unrelieved losses

Deferred tax liability
Differences between accumulated depreciation and capital allowances
Acquisition on ineligible items
Recognition on intangibles

30 September 
2016
 £’000

30 September 
2015
 £’000

76
(2,306)

(2,230)

 750
(2,515)

(1,765)

30 September 
2016
 £’000

30 September 
2015 
£’000

(1,765)
(1,166)
701

(2,230)

(2,029)
–
264

(1,765)

30 September 
2016 
£’000

30 September 
2015 
£’000

–
9
67

76

(134)
(1,650)
(522)

(2,306)

750
–
–

750

–
(1,879)
(636)

(2,515)

£’000

48,920
1,012

49,932

22. Share capital

‘A’ Ordinary Shares of £0.47 each
Deferred Shares at £1,012,142 each

30 September 2016

30 September 2015

Shares

150,000,0000
1

£’000

70,500
1,012

Shares

104,086,931
1

150,000,0001

71,512

104,086,932

The share capital of the Group is represented by the share capital of the Parent Company; Hollywood Bowl Group plc. This company was 
incorporated on 13 June 2016 to act as a holding company of the Group. Prior to this the share capital of the Group was represented by the share 
capital of the previous parent Kanyeco Limited.

However as stated in Note 2, “Accounting Policies”, the principles of reverse acquisition accounting under IFRS 3, “Business Combinations”, have 
been applied within these financial statements and therefore, the comparative share capital of the Group has been adjusted as if the Group had 
always existed.

The ‘A’ Ordinary Shares shall confer on each holder a right to attend, speak and vote at all meetings of the Company with 1 vote per share on a 
poll or written resolution. The Deferred Shares shall not confer any right to vote, receive notice of or attend general meetings of the Company.

The Ordinary Shares are entitled to dividends. The Deferred Shares shall not be entitled to any participation in the profits of the Company.

72

Hollywood Bowl Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 201622. Share capital continued
The table below summarises the movements in share capital of Hollywood Bowl Group plc during the year ended 30 September 2016:

At date of incorporation of Hollywood Bowl Group plc
Share for share exchange
Share reorganisation
Capitalisation of loan notes
Issue of new shares to employees
Redemption

Ordinary Shares

Shares

(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
(e)
(f)

1
99,865
103,987,066
45,584,121
328,947
–

150,000,000

Deferred Shares

£’000

1
49,933
(1,012)
21,424
154
–

70,500

Shares

49,500
49,500
1
–
–
(99,000)

1

£’000

50
50
1,012
–
–
(100)

1,012

(a)  Hollywood Bowl Group plc was incorporated on 13 June 2016 and issued 1 Ordinary Share of £500 at par and 1 Deferred Share of £49,500 at par.
(b)  On 16 September 2016 as part of the Group restructure the Company issued 99,865 Ordinary Shares and 49,500 Deferred Shares in exchange for the entire share capital in 

Kanyeco Limited.

(c)  The Company share capital was subsequently reorganised and converted into 104,086,931 Ordinary Shares with a nominal value of £0.47 each and 1 Deferred Share 

of £1,012,000.

(d)  The Company issued 45,584,121 Ordinary Shares with nominal value of £0.47 in exchange for settlement of the former ultimate parent loan notes and the management loan 

notes held within Khloeco Limited.

(e)  The Company issued 328,947 Ordinary Shares with nominal value of £0.47 to employees of the Group. These were issued to Hollywood Bowl EBT Limited to be 

subsequently allocated to employees.

(f)  The Deferred Shares held by Electra Investment Limited were transferred back to the Company for nil consideration.

23. Reserves
Share premium
Amount subscribed for share capital in excess of nominal value.

Retained earnings
The accumulated net profits and losses of the Group.

Capital redemption reserve and merger reserve
The capital redemption reserve represents the value of non-voting Ordinary Shares redeemed.

The merger reserve represents the excess over nominal value of the fair value consideration for the business combination which arose during the 
Company’s IPO listing, this was satisfied by the issue of shares in accordance with s612 of the Companies Act 2006.

24. Lease commitments
The Group had total commitments under non-cancellable operating leases set out below, which primarily relate to sites operating bowling alleys:

Within 1 year
In 2 to 5 years
In over 5 years

30 September 2016

30 September 2015

Land and 
buildings
£’000

13,587
53,564
114,723

181,874

Other 
£’000

35
127
–

162

Land and 
buildings
£’000

11,369
46,543
101,390

159,302

Other 
£’000

–
–
–

–

The Group has contingent lease contracts for 2 sites. There is a revenue based rent top up on these 2 sites. The total charged in the consolidated 
statement of comprehensive income in the current year for these top ups was £67,000. Based on current expectations these have not been 
included in the above.

25. Capital commitments
During the year ended 30 September 2016, the Group entered into a contract to open 2 new sites and refurbish existing sites for £4,195,000 
(2015: £nil). These commitments are expected to be settled in the following financial year.

73

Financial StatementsStrategic ReportGovernanceNotes to the Financial Statements  
continued

26. Related party transactions
30 September 2016
During the period Electra Partners LLP, an associate of Electra Private Equity plc charged a management fee of £98,000 to the Kanyeco Group.

The Kanyeco Group subordinated shareholder loan notes together with accrued interest of £72,935,000 owed to Electra Investments Limited and 
members of management of the Kanyeco Group, was acquired by Hollywood Bowl Group plc in exchange for share capital (see Note 22).

30 September 2015
During the period Electra Partners LLP, an associate of Electra Private Equity plc charged a management fee of £105,000 to the Kanyeco Group.

The Kanyeco Group held outstanding subordinated shareholder loan notes together with accrued interest of £56,744,000 owed to Electra 
Investments Limited and members of management of the Kanyeco Group.

27. Financial instruments 

Financial liabilities
Interest rate swap

30 September 
2016 
£’000

30 September 
2015 
£’000

55

134

The interest rate swap is classified as a Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy. The fair value of interest rate swap contracts are calculated by 
management based on external valuations received from the Group’s bankers and is based on anticipated future interest rate yields.

The Group entered into the following interest rate contract with the following terms:

Trade date

03/12/2014
03/12/2014

Type

Swap
Swap

Fixed rate

Notional amount

Start date

End date

1.082%
1.082%

8,000,000
18,666,667

03/12/2014
03/12/2014

30/09/2017
09/09/2017

On 21 September 2016, the interest rate swap for a national amount of £18,666,667 was terminated as part of a refinancing activity described in 
Note 20.

Fair value hierarchy
IFRS 7 requires fair value measurements to be recognised using a fair value hierarchy that reflects the significance of the inputs used in the 
value measurements.

Level 1: inputs are quoted prices in active markets.
Level 2: a valuation that uses observable inputs for the asset or liability other than quoted prices in active markets.
Level 3: a valuation using unobservable inputs ie a valuation technique.

There were no transfers between levels throughout the periods under review.

Fair values
All financial assets at the balance sheet dates, which comprise trade and other receivables, cash and cash equivalents are classified as loans and 
receivables. All financial liabilities which comprise trade and other payables and borrowings are classified as financial liabilities at amortised costs 
except for derivative financial instruments which are carried at fair value.

The following table shows the fair value of financial assets and financial liabilities within the Group, including their level in the fair value hierarchy. 
It does not include fair value information for financial assets or financial liabilities not measured at fair value as the carrying amount is a reasonable 
approximation of fair value.

30 September 
2016 
£’000

30 September 
2015 
£’000

Financial assets
Financial assets measured at fair value through statement of comprehensive income 
Financial assets that are debt instruments measured at amortised cost 
Financial liabilities
Financial liabilities measured at amortised cost

9,224
859

14,696
533

57,793

169,078

74

Hollywood Bowl Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 201628. Financial risk management
The Group’s activities expose it to a variety of financial risks: market risk (fair value interest rate risk, price risk); and credit risk: and liquidity risk.

Credit risk
Credit risk refers to the risk that a counterparty will default on its contractual obligations resulting in financial loss to the Group. In order to 
minimise this risk the Group endeavours only to deal with companies which are demonstrably creditworthy. In addition, a significant proportion of 
revenue results from cash transactions. The aggregate financial exposure is continuously monitored. The maximum exposure to credit risk is the 
value of the outstanding amount of trade receivables. The management do not consider that there is any concentration of risk within either trade 
or other receivables.

Trade and other receivables are primarily current balances and there are no material balances that are past due and are not impaired. 

Liquidity risk
Cash flow and fair value interest rate risk
The Group’s borrowings are a mixture of fixed rate subordinated shareholder loan notes and variable rate bank loans. Cash flow risk is therefore 
limited to the Group’s bank borrowings, and the Group holds fixed to floating interest rate swaps to mitigate the risk of future interest rate rises.

The Directors monitor the Group’s funding requirements and external debt markets to ensure that the Group’s borrowings are appropriate to its 
requirements in terms of quantum, rate and duration. The Directors acknowledge that a majority of fixed rate debt exposes the Group to fair value 
risk, but believe this risk to be within a reasonable tolerance for the current needs of the business, after taking account of expectations of future 
interest rate movements.

The Group currently holds cash balances to provide funding for normal trading activity. The Group also has access to both short-term and 
long-term borrowings to finance individual projects. Trade and other payables are monitored as part of normal management routine.

The table below summaries the maturity profile of the Group’s financial liabilities:

2016
Trade and other payables
Provisions
Borrowings

2015
Trade and other payables
Provisions
Borrowings

Within 
1 year 
£’000

16,642
–
854

17,496

12,058
–
3,319

15,377

1 to 2 
years 
£’000

2,501
233
787

3,521

1,580
–
4,044

5,624

2 to 5 
years 
£’000

More than 
5 years 
£’000

1,442
513
32,091

34,046

3,159
586
15,695

19,440

–
2,730
–

2,730

–
2,318
126,319

128,637

Total 
£’000

20,585
3,476
33,732

57,793

16,797
2,904
149,377

169,078

Capital risk management
The Group’s capital management objectives are:

(i)  to ensure the Group’s ability to continue as a going concern so that it can continue to provide returns for shareholders and benefits 

for other stakeholders; and

(ii)  to provide an adequate return to shareholders by pricing products and services commensurate with the level of risk.

To meet these objectives, the Group reviews the budgets and forecasts on a regular basis to ensure there is sufficient capital to meet the needs 
of the Group through to profitability and positive cash flow.

The capital structure of the Group consists of shareholders’ equity as set out in the consolidated statement of changes in equity. All working 
capital requirements are financed from existing cash resources and borrowings.

Market risk
Market risk is the risk that changes in market prices, such as foreign exchange rates, interest rates and equity prices will affect the Group’s 
income or the value of its holdings of financial instruments.

Interest rate risk
Interest rate risk is the risk that the fair value or future cash flows of a financial instrument will fluctuate because of changes in market interest 
rates. The Group’s exposure to the risk of changes in market interest rates relates primarily to the Group’s long-term debt obligations with floating 
interest rates. 

75

Financial StatementsStrategic ReportGovernanceNotes to the Financial Statements  
continued

28. Financial risk management continued
The Group manages its interest rate risk by entering into interest rate derivatives when it is considered appropriate to do so by management. 
At 30 September 2016, after taking into account the effect of interest rate swaps, 25 per cent of the Group’s borrowings were at fixed rates of 
interest. At 30 September 2014 and 2015, 67 per cent of the Group’s borrowings were at fixed rates of interest. 

The effect on the profit after tax of a notional 1 per cent movement in LIBOR is as follows:

Increase in interest rate of 1%
Decrease in interest rate of 1%

2016 
£’000

(128)
(7)

2015 
£’000

(169)
43

29. Events subsequent to the year end
Reduction of capital, cancellation of share premium account and cancellation of capital redemption reserve.

Pursuant to a resolution of the shareholders of the Company passed on 16 September 2016, The Company has completed a reduction of capital, 
cancellation of share premium account and cancellation of capital redemption reserve (the Reduction and Cancellation).

The Reduction and Cancellation was formally approved by the High Court of Justice on 9 November 2016. Following registration of the order of 
the High Order with Companies House, the Reduction and Cancellation became effective on 9 November 2016.

Following the Reduction and Cancellation the issued share capital of the Company consists of 150,000,000 Ordinary Shares of £0.01, as at 
9 November 2016.

The effect of the Reduction and Cancellation is to create distributable reserves to support the Board’s future dividend policy.

30. Purchase of trade and assets
The Group acquired the entire share capital of Bowlplex Limited on 9 December 2015 for a total consideration of £22,801,000. Acquisition related 
costs of £2,334,000 were also incurred and have been written off to the profit and loss account. The following table sets out the value of the net 
assets acquired.

Fair value 
£’000

Intangible assets
Property, plant and equipment
Inventories
Trade receivables
Prepayments
Cash at bank and in hand
Trade payables and other payables
Accruals
Provisions1

Net assets
Consideration paid

Goodwill 

Consideration paid has been satisfied by:
Cash

1  This includes dilapidations and deferred tax.

158
7,532
423
5,019
1,707
970
(3,993)
(271)
(1,764)

9,781
22,801

13,020

22,801

IFRS 3 looks into the existence of any intangible assets that meet the identifiable criteria for recognition other than as goodwill. These include 
marketing-related (including brands), customer related, contract based and technology based intangible assets. Each was considered separately 
by the Board and it was concluded that no value is attributable to other intangibles. 

The goodwill arising from this acquisition includes the various expected business synergies. The business was purchased with potential synergy 
cost benefits of circa £2.6m per annum (£2m from central support and the rest from contractual Group benefits). It was also identified that the 
potential within the Bowlplex sites is significant given their revenue performance vs the Hollywood Bowl site revenue performance.

For the period from acquisition to the year end, Bowlplex revenues were £15.6m and EBITDA was £3.7m.

76

Hollywood Bowl Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 201631. Transition to EU-IFRS 
The financial information prepared for the period ended 30 September 2016 is the first the Group has prepared in accordance with EU-IFRS. 
For periods up to and including FY2015, the Group prepared its financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles 
in the United Kingdom (UK GAAP).

Accordingly, the Group have prepared financial information which complies with EU-IFRS applicable for periods ending on or after 30 September 
2016, as described in the summary of significant accounting policies. In preparing the financial information, the Group opening statement of financial 
position was prepared as at 1 October 2014, the Group’s date of transition to EU-IFRS. IFRS 1 allows certain exemptions in the application of 
particular standards to prior periods in order to assist companies with the transition process. In this regard, the Group has not applied the 
requirements IFRS 3 to acquisitions that occurred before 1 October 2014. In restating its UK GAAP financial statements, the Group has made 
provision for additional lease incentives and reversed a charge for the amortisation of goodwill in accordance with accounting policies described 
below. The Group has also recognised certain non-current assets as intangible rather than tangible assets and recognised additional intangible 
assets on acquisition, and additional deferred tax liabilities.

An explanation of how the transition from UK GAAP to EU-IFRS has affected the Group’s financial position, financial performance and cash flows 
for the years ending 30 September 2014 and 30 September 2015 is set out in the following tables and the notes that accompany the tables.

A summary of the impact of transition to the consolidated statement of financial position is as follows:

Equity reported in accordance with UK GAAP
Transition adjustments:
Amortisation of intangibles
Lease incentives
Deferred tax
Acquisition expenses
Derivative instruments

Equity reported in accordance with EU-IFRS

30 September 
2015
 £’000

30 September 
2014
 £’000

(776)

(1,166)

3,469
(86)
195
(2,953)
(134)

(285)

247
(7)
2
(2,953)
–

(3,877)

Goodwill is not amortised but is subject to annual impairment review under EU-IFRS. Under UK GAAP, goodwill was amortised.

Lease incentives are recognised over the lease term, on a straight-line basis under EU-IFRS. Under UK GAAP, lease incentives are recognised over the shorter of the lease term 
and the period ending on a date from which it is expected the prevailing market rental will be payable, on a straight-line basis.

Deferred tax on the recognition of intangible assets acquired on a business combination is required to be recognised under EU-IFRS.

Acquisition expenses are expensed to the statement of comprehensive income under EU-IFRS. Under UK GAAP, acquisition expenses are capitalised and included as part of the 
total consideration paid.

Derivative financial instruments comprise interest rate swaps which are fair valued at each period end date under EU-IFRS, with any change in value taken to the statement of 
comprehensive income. Under UK GAAP derivative financial instruments were not valued on the balance sheet.

Total recognised gains and losses for the financial period per UK GAAP
EU-IFRS transition adjustments:
Amortisation of intangibles
Lease incentives
Deferred tax
Derivative instruments

Total comprehensive income per EU-IFRS

32. Dividend proposed

Proposed for approval by shareholders at AGM (not recognised as a liability at 30 September 2016)
Final dividend for 2016: 0.19p

30 September 
2015 
£’000

390

3,222
(79)
193
(134)

3,592

30 September 
2016
 £’000

286

77

Financial StatementsStrategic ReportGovernanceCompany Statement of Financial Position
For the period ended 30 September 2016

ASSETS
Non-current assets
Investments
Current assets
Trade and other receivables

Total assets

LIABILITIES
Current liabilities
Trade and other payables

Total liabilities

NET ASSETS

Equity attributable to shareholders
Share capital
Share premium
Capital redemption reserve
Retained earnings

TOTAL EQUITY

These financial statements were approved by the Board of Directors on 13 December 2016.

The accompanying notes on page 80 to 81 form an integral part of these financial statements.

Signed on behalf of the Board

Laurence Keen
Chief Financial Officer

Company Registration Number: 10229630 

30 September 
2016 
£’000

Note

4

5

6

7

49,982

72,662

122,644

1,602

1,602

121,042

71,512
51,832
99
(2,401)

121,042

78

Hollywood Bowl Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2016Company Statement of Changes in Equity
For the period ended 30 September 2016

Balance on incorporation
Group restructure share for share exchange
Total comprehensive loss for the period

Equity as at 30 September 2016

Share 
capital 
£’000

50
71,462
–

71,512

Share 
premium 
£’000

–
51,832
–

51,832

Capital 
redemption
 reserve 
£’000

–
99
–

99

Retained 
earnings 
£’000

–
–
(2,401)

(2,401)

Total
 £’000

50
123,393
(2,401)

121,042

The accompanying notes on page 80 to 81 form an integral part of these financial statements.

Company Statement of Cash Flows
For the period ended 30 September 2016

There were no cash transactions during the year on the basis that the Company did not have its own bank account in the year and all its receipts 
and payments have been channelled through the bank account of its subsidiary undertaking, the Original Bowling Company Limited.

79

Financial StatementsStrategic ReportGovernanceNotes to the Company Financial Statements

1. General information
Hollywood Bowl Group plc is a public limited company which is listed on the London Stock Exchange and is domiciled and incorporated in the 
United Kingdom under the Companies Act 2006. The Company was incorporated on 12 June 2016 and, therefore, no comparative information 
has been presented.

2. Summary of significant accounting policies
A summary of the significant accounting policies are set out below, these have been applied consistently throughout the period.

Basis of preparation
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Financial Reporting Standard 102, the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in 
the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) as issued in August 2014. The functional and presentation currency of the Company is Pounds Sterling. 
The financial statements are presented in Pounds Sterling and all values are rounded to the nearest thousand, except where otherwise indicated. 

The financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis under the historical cost convention.

The financial information presented is at and for a 104-day period ended 30 September 2016.

As permitted by section 408 of the Companies Act 2006, an entity statement of comprehensive income is not included as part of the published 
consolidated financial statements of Hollywood Bowl Group plc. The loss for the financial period dealt within the financial statements of the Parent 
Company is £2,401,000.

Investments in subsidiaries
Investments in subsidiaries are held at cost, which is the fair value of the consideration paid. Where consideration is paid by the way of shares, 
the excess of fair value of the shares over the nominal value of those shares is recorded in share premium. Investments in subsidiaries are 
reviewed for impairment at the end of each reporting date with any impairment charged to the statement of comprehensive income.

3. Directors’ remuneration
The Company has no employees other than the Directors. Full details of the Directors’ remuneration and interest are set out in Note 8 in the 
consolidated financial statements.

4. Investments
The investment made in the year relates to the share capital reorganisation of the Group as disclosed in Note 22 of the consolidated 
financial statements.

At the beginning of the period
Additions

At the end of the period

5. Trade and other receivables

Other receivables
Amounts owed by Group companies

6. Trade and other payables

Amounts owed by Group companies
Accruals and deferred income

80

Investment 
in subsidiary 
undertakings 
£’000

–
49,982

49,982

30 September 
2016 
£’000

1
72,661

72,662

30 September 
2016 
£’000

165
1,437

1,602

Hollywood Bowl Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 20167. Share capital

Allotted, called up and fully paid
‘A’ Ordinary Shares of £0.47 each
Deferred Shares at £1,012,142 each

Movement in share capital for the Company is as follows:

Issued on incorporation
Group restructure for share for share exchange (see Note 22 of the consolidated financial statements)

Balance at 30 September 2016

30 September 2016

Shares

£’000

150,000,000
1

150,000,001

70,500
1,012

71,512

£’000

50
71,462

71,512

8. Guarantee
The Company has given a guarantee over certain subsidiaries under s479A of the Companies Act 2006 such that the financial statements 
of these subsidiaries for the year ended 30 September 2016 will be exempt for audit (Note 14).

81

Financial StatementsStrategic ReportGovernanceCompany Information

Hollywood Bowl Group plc
Focus 31 
West Wing
Cleveland Road
Hemel Hempstead
Herts
HP2 7BW
Website: hollywoodbowlgroup.com

Company number 
10229630

Company Secretary
Prism Cosec
42-50 Hersham Road
Walton-on-Thames 
KT12 1RZ
Email: hollywoodbowl@prismcosec.com

Investor relations 
Tulchan Communications LLP
85 Fleet Street
London
EC4Y 1AE
Telephone: 020 7353 4200
Email: jmaceywhite@tulchangroup.com

Registrars
Capita Asset Services
The Registry
34 Beckenham Road
Beckenham
Kent
BR3 4TU
Telephone: 0871 664 0300
Email: shareholderenquiries@capita.co.uk

Auditor
KPMG WATFORD
58 Clarendon Road
Watford
WD17 1DE

Financial adviser and brokers
Investec
2 Gresham Street
London
EC2V 7QN

82

Hollywood Bowl Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2016Notes

83

Financial StatementsStrategic ReportGovernanceNotes

84

Hollywood Bowl Group plc Annual Report and Accounts 2016h

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