Quarterlytics / REIT - Retail / Lok'nStore Group Plc

Lok'nStore Group Plc

lok · LSE
Claim this profile
Ticker lok
Exchange LSE
Sector
Industry REIT - Retail
Employees 51-200
← All annual reports
FY2012 Annual Report · Lok'nStore Group Plc
Sign in to download
Loading PDF…
Lok’nStore Group Plc
Annual Report and Accounts
For the year ended 31 July 2012

Stock code: LOK

L

o

k

’

n

S

t

o

r

e

G

r

o

u

p

P

l

c

A

n

n

u

a

l

R

e

p

o

r

t

a

n

d

A

c

c

o

u

n

t

s

f

o

r

t

h

e

y

e

a

r

e

n

d

e

d

3

1

J

u

l

y

2

0

1

2

www.loknstore.com
www.loknstore.com
www.loknstore.com

21813.04  2/11/2012 Proof 13 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Welcome to
Lok’nStore Group Plc

Introduction
Lok’nStore Group Plc is one of the leading companies in the fast growing UK self 
storage market. We have been listed on the Alternative Investment Market (AIM) since 
June 2000, and before that on the OFEX market from 1997. We opened our first 
self storage centre in Horsham in February 1995 and we have grown consistently, 
currently operating 22 stores in Southern England. Another 3 self storage centres will 
open in the coming year.

Our Business
We offer self storage and serviced document management. Self storage is available to both household 
and business customers at our highly branded Lok’nStore centres. Each centre is strategically located, 
mainly in the affluent South East of England in prominent locations within key towns and cities. 

We recently acquired Saracen records management, and can now offer businesses anything from 
secure storage of one media tape, to full management of their business documentation with 24 hour 
retrieval. We excel in offering the best in customer service at competitive prices for both our Lok’nStore 
and Saracen customers.

Use your phone’s barcode 
app to go to our website

For more information on Lok’nStore visit 
our website at www.loknstore.co.uk

Lok’nStore Group Plc  Annual Report and Accounts 201221813.04  2/11/2012 Proof 1301

Reasons to Invest in Lok’nStore

✔✔ The UK self storage market remains under-developed with only 0.5 
square feet per head of population compared with 7.4 square feet 
in the United States

✔✔ The specific property requirements of self storage coupled with 
challenging local planning regimes create significant barriers to 
entry, especially in Southern England

✔✔ The self storage business is highly cash generative with high profit 

margins on established stores and all customers paying on a rolling 
28 day basis

✔✔ Lok’nStore has a track record of strong and growing cash 

generation driving a rapidly increasing dividend 

✔✔ Major new store in Maidenhead opening next year

✔✔ Significant growth in third party asset management in Aldershot 

and Crawley

✔✔ Experienced board and executive management team with clear 

strategic direction and proven business model

“This has been another year of very solid underlying trading for 
the Group, during which we have secured an attractive new bank 
facility and fixed the interest rate on the majority of our current debt 
securing our funding costs at a historically low level. 

At an operating level we have continued to demonstrate an 
innovative approach to asset management, enabling the Group to 
increase its operational footprint while maintaining a strong balance 
sheet. With further valuable planning permissions obtained and 
renewed and the opening of the Aldershot and Maidenhead stores 
scheduled for 2013, we are poised to move ahead strongly over 
the next couple of years. Our new document storage business has 
made a good contribution in its first full year. 

The Board has decided to significantly increase the dividend to 5p 
for the full year, and it is intended that the Company’s future dividend 
payments will reflect the growth in the underlying cash generated by 
the business.

We have a secure financial base, an excellent development pipeline 
and robust trading which gives the Board the confidence to propose 
this step change in the dividend.”
Andrew Jacobs, Chief Executive Officer

The Big Friendly Storage Company

Our Business
02  Highlights
04  Chairman’s Review
06  Group at a Glance

Our Performance

08  Chief Executive’s Operating Review
12  Property Review
16  Financial Review

Our Governance
22  Board of Directors and Advisers
24  Directors’ Report
30  Corporate Governance
32  Directors’ Responsibilities in the

Preparation of Financial Statements

Our Financials

34  Independent Auditor’s Report to the
  Members of Lok’nStore Group Plc
35  Consolidated Statement of
Comprehensive Income
36  Consolidated Statement of

Changes in Equity
37  Company Statement of
Changes in Equity

38  Statements of Financial Position
39  Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows
40  Accounting Policies
46  Notes to the Financial Statements 
78  Glossary

www.loknstore.com  stock code: LOK          21813.04  2/11/2012 Proof 13Our FinancialsOur GovernanceOur PerformanceOur Business 
 
 
 
02

Highlights

 For the year ended 31 July 2012

Financial

Revenue 

Group 
EBITDA*

 18%

to £12.77m

 21%

to £3.97m

Adjusted Net Asset 
Value per Share**

£2.28

*  EBITDA is defined as profits before all 

depreciation and amortisation charges, 
losses or profits on disposal, share-
based payments, acquisition costs, and 
non-recurring professional costs, finance 
income, finance costs and taxation.

** Based on Cushman & Wakefield LLP valuation, 

before deferred taxation.

 ■ Revenue £12.77 million, up 18% (2011: £10.85 million)
 ■ Group EBITDA £3.97 million, up 21% (2011: £3.28 million)
 ■ Operating profit up 36% to £2.14 million (2011: £1.57 million)
 ■ Profit before interest up 35% to £1.94 million (2011: £1.44 million)
 ■ Annual dividend 5 pence per share, up 67% (2011: 3 pence per share)
 ■ Successful refinancing of £40 million bank facility with interest on  

£20 million of debt fixed at 3.525% 

Operational

Self storage:
Store EBITDA  

£5.0m

Store EBITDA  
Margin

46.5%

EBITDA is defined as profits from operations 
before all depreciation charges, losses or 
profits on disposal, share-based payments, 
acquisition costs, finance income, finance 
costs and taxation.

Self storage:
 ■ Store EBITDA £5.0 million up 3% (2011: £4.9 million)
 ■ Store EBITDA profit margins up 1 percentage point to 46.5% (2011: 45.5%)
 ■ Ancillary sales up 6% year-to-year

Document storage: (business acquired on 30 June 2011)
 ■ EBITDA profit £474,062 (2011: £43,493 loss)

Lok’nStore Group Plc  Annual Report and Accounts 201221813.04  2/11/2012 Proof 1303

Property

 ■ Planning permission obtained for new Maidenhead store incorporating  

Lidl discount food retailer – to open 2013

 ■ New management contract for a new store in Aldershot (construction and  

opening in 2013)

 ■ Planning permissions renewed at Southampton, Portsmouth and both of our 

Reading sites

 ■ Acquisition of Swindon freehold reducing rental cost

Post Balance Sheet:
 ■ Management contract on new Crawley store due to commence trading in Q4 2012

Key Metrics

 ■ Loan to value ratio of 32.3%1  (2011: 30.7%)
 ■ Funds from operations (‘FFO’)2 £3.24m = 13.0 pence per share 

(2011: 12.0 pence per share)

 ■ Adjusted NAV £2.28 per share3 (2011: £2.29 per share)

1  Calculation based on net debt of £25.7 million (2011: £24.4 million) and total property value of £79.7 million as set out on page 20.
2 Funds from Operations (‘FFO’) calculated as EBITDA minus Net Finance Cost on operating assets.
3  2012 Adjusted NAV £2.29 per share on a like for like basis (after adjusting for ‘fair value’ liability of Interest rate swaps taken out during the year).

www.loknstore.com  stock code: LOK          Our FinancialsOur GovernanceOur PerformanceOur Business21813.04  2/11/2012 Proof 1304

Chairman’s Review

 Simon G Thomas

“Lok’nStore is a strong business 
with a record of consistent profit 
growth and cash generation and 
has built a strong platform for the 
coming years.”
Simon G Thomas, Chairman

Well placed 
to grow

Strong Performance
We are pleased to report good results for 
Lok’nStore Group for the year ended 31 July 
2012. The Group has again increased revenue 
and reduced operating costs in our self storage 
business. Margins, operating profits and cash 
flow have all increased to record levels.  

With another period of solid underlying 
trading and a significant contribution from our 
document storage business in its first year 
the Board is confident of the Group’s trading 
outlook over the coming years.

The development of the new Maidenhead 
store is now moving forward, the Swindon 
East freehold has been acquired on favourable 
terms and a number of lease extensions and 
rent reductions have been agreed. Recently 
two more management contracts were signed 
for new stores in Aldershot and Crawley.

Your Board continues to focus on optimising 
the performance of the existing stores and 
sites within our existing portfolio, capital 
expenditure remains tightly controlled and 
interest costs have now been secured at a low 
level so cash flow continues to grow.

Our operational progress has been enhanced 
by the launch of our new state of the art 
website which is already performing very well.

Dividend
Increasing cash flow, positive news on 
operational developments and security of 
funding has prompted a re-evaluation of the 
dividend policy. Over the past few years we 
have maintained a steady, if modest dividend 
pay-out of one penny per share which was 
increased to 3 pence per share last year. 
The dividend this year is to be increased by 
67% to 5 pence (a final dividend of 4 pence 
per share) and we will adopt a progressive 
forward looking dividend policy following this 
step change. It is intended that the Company’s 
future dividend payments will reflect the 
growth in the underlying cash generated 
by the business and will be declared at the 
interim and final stage, the interim dividend 
representing approximately one-third of the 
total for the year.

New £40 million Five Year Facility 
with Lloyds TSB plc
Underlining the strength of the cash flow and 
the asset base, the Group has signed a new 
five year £40 million revolving credit facility with 
Lloyds TSB plc during the year. Effective from 
20 October 2011, the facility runs until 
19 October 2016. The facility is flexible and 
does not require any amortisation prior to 
maturity. The loan currently bears interest at 

the London Inter-Bank Offer Rate (LIBOR) plus 
2.35%. The interest cover and loan to value 
covenants are broadly in line with the previous 
facility.

The net interest charge in the coming year will 
rise to reflect the increase in the margin on 
this facility. Nevertheless the Group’s margin 
of 2.35% already looks very attractive against 
the current market, and our all-in cost of funds 
of around 3.34% puts us in a very strong 
competitive position.

Additionally, over recent months Lok’nStore 
has fixed the interest rate on 70% of its debt 
at 3.525% creating even greater certainty on 
future funding costs. Since the middle of 2008 
management has been aggressively managing 
down the interest payable and now feel it is 
appropriate to lock in to these historically low 
levels of interest.

Revenue
£ million

8
.
2
1

0
.
0
1

4
.
0
1

9
.
0
1

2009 2010 2011 2012

Lok’nStore Group Plc  Annual Report and Accounts 201221813.04  2/11/2012 Proof 1305

During the year the Group complied with all 
banking covenants. At 31 July 2012, we had 
£10.3 million of the facility undrawn and 
£4.0 million of cash (2011: £3.8 million). 
This new banking facility allows us to plan with 
certainty for the next five year period. 
The details are explained in the Financial 
Review section of this Report.

VAT
In the Government’s Annual Budget on 
21 March 2012 the Chancellor announced 
proposals to correct certain anomalies in 
the VAT regime including in its application to 
self storage. Previously some self storage 
companies operated within the VAT regime 
while others were outside it. With effect from 
1 October 2012 VAT was extended to include 
all self storage operations.

Unlike many operators in the self storage 
industry who have dis-applied VAT, Lok’nStore 
has always remained within the regime and 
‘opted to tax’ VAT on its storage services. 
Therefore this change will have no direct 
impact on the Group or its customers. 
However most of our larger competitors who 
were de-registered are responding to this 
change either by increasing prices to help them 
absorb the tax or by reducing margins. This 
clearly has and will continue to have a positive 
effect on Lok’nStore’s competitive position.

New document storage business
Following the purchase of Saracen Datastore 
Limited, a serviced document storage 
company, on 30 June 2011, Lok’nStore has 
now consolidated the accounting and other 
back office systems at its Farnborough Head 
Office. Marketing and HR functions have 
also been integrated into Lok’nStore’s head 
office structures. More details of progress 
achieved are explained in the Chief Executive’s 
Operating Review.

Properties and Net Asset Value
The year-end property valuation equates to a 
total value of properties held of £79.7 million 
(2011: £79.5 million).

Your Board continues to examine Lok’nStore’s 
property portfolio for asset management 
opportunities as demonstrated by its recent 
agreement to extend the term on another 
of the Group’s leasehold stores, the fourth 
such transaction over the last two years. 
Our property team remains alert to the 
opportunities that can appear in the current 
unsettled property market and an update of 
the current property opportunities is set out in 
the Property Review and in Note 29, Events 
after the Reporting Date.

The new venture at Aldershot and the 
new store in Maidenhead are expected to 
commence trading in 2013. The managed 
store in Crawley will open this year. These will 
increase the number of stores we manage to 
25 and will capitalise on our efficient operating 
systems and growing internet marketing 
presence. These agreements also demonstrate 
Lok’nStore’s ability to attract investment 
partners and create innovative ownership to 
drive the growth of the operating business.

Environmental Performance
Since 2005 Lok’nStore has measured its 
environmental performance. We are proud of 
our success in this important area and some 
of the highlights of this year’s environmental 
report are:

✔■

✔■

✔■

Indirect greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions 
intensity now down 81% since 2005
Total waste sent to landfill reduced for 
eighth successive year, now just a quarter 
of 2005 levels
Total water use again reduced, now halved 
from 2005 levels with intensity down by 70%

For details please see our full environmental 
report in the Directors’ Report.

Outlook
Lok’nStore is a strong business with a 
record of consistent profit growth and cash 
generation and has built a strong platform for 
the coming years. We will seek to continue to 
grow revenue against tightly controlled costs, 
and this will provide continued momentum to 
EBITDA. With Group EBITDA of £4.0 million 
up 21% on the previous year, the strength of 
the Group’s business model has been proven. 
Increasing the annual dividend by 67% and 
initiating a progressive dividend policy shows 
the Board’s confidence.

Our target is to continue to increase EBITDA 
per share over the coming years. We have 
carefully evaluated the opportunities and 
believe there is significant further growth 
focused on five key areas:

1. Developing new stores on a self-funded 
basis as at Reading and Maidenhead

2. Developing the other new sites we already 

own when appropriate

3. Opportunistic site acquisitions (as some 
banks look to reduce their exposure to 
property in the future)

4. Increasing the number of stores we manage 

for third parties

5. Building our document storage offering

These are growth opportunities where we have 
the operating experience to execute effectively 
and that we can fund from our existing cash 
flow and our new £40 million bank facility.

Lok’nStore’s efficient operating business, 
strong cash flow, and secure asset base 
ensures it is well placed to grow and prosper 
over the coming years. We have a dedicated 
and dynamic executive management team 
which remains committed to working for the 
interest of all shareholders, and providing 
steady growth in the value of Lok’nStore.

Simon G Thomas
Chairman
26 October 2012

Dividend 5 pence per Share

www.loknstore.com  stock code: LOK          Our FinancialsOur GovernanceOur PerformanceOur Business21813.04  2/11/2012 Proof 1306

Group at a Glance

Going from Strength to Strength
Lok’nStore Group Plc is a key player in the UK self storage and records 
management with currently 22 self storage and 3 document storage 
centres. In the coming year we will open 3 new self storage centres.

Across our business we aim to differentiate ourselves by offering excellent service to our customers delivered by our 133 
employees. As a testament to this service 22% of our customers come from referrals, existing customers and previous 
customers demonstrating the quality of our customer care.

At Lok’nStore Group Plc we have an excellent financial track record with EBITDA increasing 62% over the last 3 years. 
Over recent years our management team have focused their efforts on optimising the performance of the existing 
portfolio. The addition of the Saracen centres offering serviced records management, is a key step in furthering the 
Group’s success.

New Aldershot, Crawley and 
Maidenhead Stores

We will open our new store in Maidenhead (2013), a collaboration with 
Lidl, the chain of grocery stores. The new store will be opposite a busy 
retail park and close to Maidenhead town centre.

The Group will also be opening new stores in Crawley (2012) and 
Aldershot (2013) on behalf of investors. These two management 
agreements demonstrate our ability to attract investment partners who 
wish to capitalise on Lok’nStore’s marketing presence and efficient 
central systems, as well as the tax benefits of investing in self storage.

Lok’nStore is one of the leading self 
storage companies in the UK, with 
centres across the South and South 
East of England.

Overview
Lok’nStore offers both household and business customers differing sized 
steel storage rooms to rent on a weekly basis; 77.4% of our customers are 
households and 22.4% business customers. At Lok’nStore we provide clean, 
safe and secure storage which allows our customers to use their own space 
flexibly and efficiently at a competitive cost. 

Key Strengths
Lok’nStore gives a high degree of service as part of their offering, with 
each centre having a well-trained team of people to help customers 
efficiently use their space. Our Lok’nStore centres are fitted out to a high 
standard and maintain a common design and branding. They are well 
located, close to major urban centres, with car parking and easy access. 
Lok’nStore offers its customers a number of additional services such as 
insurance, fork lifts, boxes and other packaging.

Our 7,000 customers are well spread geographically across a range of 
very large to very small businesses and households across the income 
spectrum.

Lok’nStore Group Plc  Annual Report and Accounts 201221813.04  2/11/2012 Proof 1307

The UK Self Storage Market

In the UK self storage market there are an estimated 815 self storage 
facilities and approximately 29.6 million sq. ft. of storage space. With a 
population of 62 million people in the UK, this equates to 0.5 sq. ft. per 
person, compared to 7.4 sq. ft. per person in the USA* and 1.1 sq. ft. 
per person in Australia.**

The sector remains in good health. Total annual turnover for the UK 
self storage industry in 2011 was £355 million from approximately 400 
different operators. 15% of operators intend to open a new facility in 
2012 – down from 24% in 2011.***

*   2012 US Self Storage Almanac.
**   2011 Australasian Self Storage Association.
***  Drivers Jonas Deloitte 2012 Report for the Self Storage Association.

Lok’nStore’s Areas of Operation

Our current Lok’nStore self storage centres are spread across the South 
and South East of England. These centres have been providing low cost 
self storage services to householders, businesses and students since 
1995. We have 3 new secure storage facilities planned to open late 2012 
and in 2013.

Our Saracen sites are also strategically located for focusing on 
businesses in the South of England.

1  Aldershot (NEW, opening 2013)
2  Ashford
3  Basingstoke
4  Crawley (NEW, opening 2012)
5  Crayford
6  Eastbourne
7  Fareham
8  Farnborough
9  Harlow
10  Horsham
11  Luton
12  Maidenhead (NEW, opening 2013)
13  Milton Keynes

14  Northampton Central
15  Northampton Riverside
16  Poole
17  Portsmouth
18  Reading
19  Southampton
20  Staines
21  Sunbury
22  Swindon East
23  Swindon West
24  Tonbridge
25  Woking
26  Saracen Milton Keynes/Olney

27  Saracen Leatherhead

14

15

13

26

11

22 23

12

18

3

1
8

19

17

16

7

20
27

21

25

4

10

9

5

24

6

2

Key to map

Lok’nStore owned stores

Managed self storage centres

Saracen locations

www.loknstore.com  stock code: LOK          Our FinancialsOur GovernanceOur PerformanceOur Business21813.04  2/11/2012 Proof 1308

Chief Executive’s Operating Review

 Andrew Jacobs

“Margins, operating profits and 
cash flow have all increased to 
record levels.”
Andrew Jacobs, Chief Executive Officer

Profit Growth 
EBITDA
£ million

0
.
4

3
.
0 3
.
3

5
.
2

2009 2010 2011 2012

Sales and Earnings Up, 
Costs Down
Revenue for the year was £12.77 million, 
up 18% year on year (2011: £10.85 million), 
which resulted from an improved performance 
from the self storage business combined 
with the first substantial contribution from the 
acquisition of the document storage business.

With costs firmly under control this turnover 
growth translates into strong operating profit 
growth. Total store EBITDA in the self storage 
business, a key performance indicator of 
profitability and cash flow, increased 3% to 
£5.0 million (2011: £4.9 million). Group 
operating profit for the year is up 36% to 
£2.14 million (2011: £1.57 million).

Performance of 
Self Storage Centres
During the year occupancy increased by 
2.9% while pricing decreased 1.5%. We 
again managed to lower costs increasing the 
overall EBITDA margin across all stores by 
1 percentage point from 45.5% to 46.5%. The 
EBITDA margins of the freehold stores were 
59.1% (2011: 58.8%) and the leasehold stores 
achieved margins of 30.8% (2011: 29.0%). 
The occupancy of the stores was up 2.9 
percentage points to 58.3% (2011: 56.4%) of 
current lettable area.

At the end of July 2012 38.1% of Lok’nStore’s 
revenue was from business customers (2011: 
36.2%) and 61.9% was from household 
customers, (2011: 63.8%). By number of 
customers this breakdown was 22.4% 
business customers (2011: 22.5%) and 77.6% 
household customers (2011: 77.5%).

Operational Performance of owned Stores

Store analysis
Weeks old at 31 July 2012
Year ended 31 July 2012
Revenue* (£’000)
Store EBITDA (£’000)
EBITDA margin (%)
As at 31 July 2012
Maximum Area (’000 sq. ft.)

Freehold and long leasehold (’000 sq. ft.)
Short leasehold (’000 sq. ft.)

Number of stores
Freehold and long leasehold
Short leasehold
Total stores

Over 250

100–250

Under 100

Pipeline

Total

9,976
4,735
47.5

979

602
377

11
8
19

782
262
33.5

111

69
42

1
1
2

–
–
–

–

–
–

–
–
–

–
–
–

121

121
–

2
–
2

10,758
4,997
46.5

1,211

792
419

14
9
23

*  In respect of the Farnborough store revenue includes a contribution receivable from Group Head Office in respect of the space and facilities the store provides for the Head Office function. This income to the store and 

the corresponding charge to Head Office is netted down in the Group revenue figures. Revenue from sites under development is excluded.

Lok’nStore Group Plc  Annual Report and Accounts 201221813.04  2/11/2012 Proof 1309

Ancillary Sales
Ancillary sales which consists of boxes and 
packaging materials, insurance and other 
sales, increased by 6.0% over the year 
(2011: 1.2%) accounting for 10.1% of self 
storage revenues (2011: 9.9%). These ancillary 
sales are increasingly focused on insurance 
which increases the overall margin of these 
sales.

Despite the inexorable rise of internet 
marketing, around 43% (2011: 46%) of our 
business still comes from passing traffic and 
signage, so work on the visibility of our stores 
is also very important in our marketing effort. 
With their prominent positions, distinctive 
design and bright orange elevations, our 
stores help raise the profile of the whole 
Lok’nStore brand.

We continue to promote our insurance to 
new customers with the result that over 87% 
(2011: 86%) of new customers took our 
insurance over the year. This compares with 
71% (2011: 68%) of our total customer base 
who buy our insurance, and this provides us 
with built-in growth in our insurance sales as 
our customer base turns over.

Marketing
During the year our marketing efforts were 
increasingly focused on the internet with 
approximately 2.7% of revenue spent on 
advertising and marketing (including postage, 
printing and stationery) (2011: 3.1%). The 
internet produces an increasing proportion 
of our enquiries (54% in the year) and printed 
directories a decreasing proportion. For this 
year, internet enquiries were up 71.5% year 
on year and total enquiries up 20.7%. We 
will continue to manage our marketing budget 
with a strong focus on cost control and value 
for money.

Our store personnel are closely involved with 
sales and marketing initiatives and work with 
our head office team to ensure our marketing 
expenditure remains targeted and effective.

New Website
The internet is rapidly taking over as one of 
the main media channels for advertising and 
Lok’nStore is determined to respond to this 
change. Our new website at 
www.loknstore.co.uk was launched in the last 
week of February 2012 and for the year 54% 
of enquiries were from this source.

The new site has a much clearer navigation, 
making it easier for customers to find their 
way around the site and customers visiting 
the site are encouraged to book online to 
take advantage of our new online reservation 
system launched last year. We have also 
added a new “state of the art” space estimator 
to the site which is a key tool for customers 
booking online, enabling them to make an 
informed choice about the size of unit required. 

This is a very dynamic area and we are 
committed to continued development. We 
believe the internet particularly provides 
a strong competitive advantage for the 
major operators with many stores and large 
marketing budgets compared with those of the 
smaller operators. This also creates a selling 
point for our third party store management 
services by driving much more traffic to the 
website than can an individual operator at a 
manageable cost.

Source of Enquiries
For the year ended 31 July 2012

Web

Signage

Other

17%

 29%

 54%

Web

Signage

Other

17%

 29%

 54%

www.loknstore.com  stock code: LOK          21813.04  2/11/2012 Proof 13Our FinancialsOur GovernanceOur PerformanceOur Business10

Chief Executive’s Operating Review

 continued

Website Space Estimator

Use your phone’s barcode app to try 
our Space Estimator shown above

Integration of our Document 
Storage Business
Lok’nStore has for some years earned 
around 10% of its revenue from self-serviced 
document storage, and we are keen to 
grow this stable and profitable area of the 
business. Following the purchase of Saracen 
Datastore Limited, a serviced document 
storage company on 30 June 2011, we have 
broadened the offering to our customers 
delivering an excellent entry point to a wider 
market segment complementing Lok’nStore’s 
existing self storage activities. In its first full 
year the Saracen business added £2 million 
to Group revenue and £474,062 of EBITDA 
before inter-company management charges.

The integration of our new document storage 
business into our existing accounting and 
reporting systems is complete with the  
Lok’nStore Head office team having taken 
on most of the corporate and head office 
functions of Saracen including finance,  
marketing, HR & payroll. Our stores and head 
office are connected via a web-enabled system 
to deliver more automated and integrated 
processes and this has delivered cost 
efficiencies particularly in areas such as petty 
cash and expenses handling, as well as invoice 
processing and stock reporting and these are 
now also available to our document storage 
business. 

There are further property cost savings to be 
targeted in 2013 as the Saracen business 
consolidates its warehouse capacity. As part 
of this strategy additions of £0.33 million were 
made in the current period to fixtures, fittings 
and equipment.

Security
The safety and security of our customers and 
their goods remains our highest priority. We 
invest in CCTV, intruder and fire alarm systems 
and the remote monitoring of our stores out of 
hours. Importantly all of our stores are manned 
during opening hours.

Lok’nStore Group Plc  Annual Report and Accounts 201221813.04  2/11/2012 Proof 1311

All employees are eligible to participate in 
share ownership plans. Lok’nStore operates a 
Share Incentive Plan with 71% of employees 
participating in the Scheme (2011: 73%). 
This high level of participation is testament 
to the loyalty and commitment of our staff. 
Our personnel are committed and motivated 
and help maintain the exemplary levels of 
friendly service that Lok’nStore provides to its 
customers. I would like to thank all of our staff 
for their commitment to our business and for 
their hard work and efforts over the year to 
which the Group owes its continuing success.

Andrew Jacobs
Chief Executive Officer
26 October 2012

Employees
At 31 July 2012 we had 133 employees 
(2011: 128).

We treat our employees with dignity and 
respect and are committed to providing 
a positive attitude in the business and an 
enjoyable working environment. We have 
a professional, open culture where staff 
can exchange ideas and offer suggestions 
for work and business improvement. This 
encourages our staff to build on their skills, 
through appropriate training and regular 
performance review. Regular training courses 
at our Farnborough Head Office support these 
objectives where we have a large conference 
room which can accommodate all our training 
requirements for the foreseeable future. This 
reduces outgoings and increases and improves 
contact between Head Office and the stores by 
bringing staff into Head Office for their training. 
This in turn contributes to attracting and 
retaining the right people which is key to the 
success of Lok’nStore.

Corporate and Social 
Responsibilities
Lok’nStore conducts its business in a manner 
that reflects honesty, integrity and ethical 
conduct. We believe that the long-term 
success of the business is best served by 
respecting the interests of all our stakeholders. 
Management of social, environmental and 
ethical issues is of high importance to 
Lok’nStore. These issues are dealt with on a 
day-to-day basis by the Group’s managers 
with principal accountability lying with the 
Board of Directors. We look for opportunities to 
address our responsibility to the environment, 
and we pay close attention to our energy 
use, carbon dioxide emissions, water use 
and waste production. Each year Lok’nStore 
commissions a full assessment of the Group’s 
environmental impact and this is included 
elsewhere in the Directors’ Report.

Customers
We believe in clarity and transparency. 
Brochures and literature are written in plain 
English, explaining clearly our terms of 
business without hiding anything in the ‘small 
print’. We are open and honest about our 
products and services and do not employ 
pressure selling techniques or attempt to take 
advantage of any vulnerable groups. If we 
make a mistake we acknowledge it, deal with 
the problem quickly, and learn from our error. 
We listen to our customers as we know that 
they can help us improve our service to them. 
In return, 33% (2011: 34%) of our business 
comes from previous customers, existing 
customers taking more space, and customer 
referrals.

Suppliers
We are committed to conducting our business 
with suppliers in a fair and honest manner, 
with openness and integrity, operating in 
accordance with the terms and conditions 
agreed upon. We expect our suppliers to 
operate to these same principles.

www.loknstore.com  stock code: LOK          21813.04  2/11/2012 Proof 13Our FinancialsOur GovernanceOur PerformanceOur Business12

Property Review

“Expanding 
the operation 
of Lok’nStore 
while 
minimising 
capital outlay”

Pictured:
Aldershot, opening 2013 (Computer generated image)

Strong Cash Flows and Asset 
Base Underpin Opportunities
Lok’nStore’s strong cash flow and tactical 
approach to its property portfolio provides 
the Group with opportunities to improve the 
terms of its property usage in all stages of the 
economic cycle. Lok’nStore has both freehold 
and leasehold properties, and manages stores 
for third parties.

On 31 July 2012, Lok’nStore acquired the 
freehold interest of its existing Swindon East 
store for a consideration of £925,000. This was 
financed by drawing on the Company’s existing 
credit facility. The store has been trading since 
2001 in leasehold premises which carried an 
annual rent payable of £108,050. There will be 
a corresponding £108,050 positive impact to 
the Company’s EBITDA for the coming year. 
The implied yield at purchase of 11.7% is very 
attractive and with a current average cost 
of debt of just over 3% it will be immediately 
cash flow enhancing, increasing the financial 
strength of the Company while decreasing the 
operational gearing.

After this transaction 65% of Lok’nStore’s own 
self storage sq. ft. space is freehold and 35% 
is leasehold. Following the opening of 3 new 
stores over the coming year, Lok’nStore’s 
self storage business will be operating from 
13 freehold sites, 9 leasehold sites and 
3 managed stores.

Lower lease costs
Given the current property market weakness 
and Lok’nStore’s strong covenant, some 
landlords are keen to extend lease terms 
providing them with greater security on their 
future income stream in return for rent-free 
periods, reduced rents and capped rent 
increases.

During the year we extended the lease on one 
of our existing stores while also reducing the 
rent and service charges. The agreement will 
extend the lease by up to ten years and will 
produce an annual saving of around £60,000 
in rent and service charge over the coming five 
years, increasing the operating income of the 
store by approximately 25%.

The average length of the 7 leases which have 
been valued at the year-end is 14 years and 
6 months, (2011:15 years and 2 months). 
Eight out of nine of our leasehold stores are 
inside the Landlord and Tenant Act providing 
us with a strong security of tenure. The 
leasehold sites produced 30% of the store 
EBITDA in the year to July 2012 (2011: 28%).

Our property team will continue to pursue 
further value creating asset management 
opportunities to secure our trading operations, 
to improve cash flow and to reduce or cap our 
property costs.

Management Contracts
Aldershot: In June 2012, Lok’nStore signed 
an agreement to develop and manage a new 
self storage centre in Aldershot, Hampshire. 
It is the second store management contract 
for the Company and will be managed for 
outside investors under the Lok’nStore brand. 
Lok’nStore will contribute approximately £2.5 
million of development funds of the estimated 
£4.5 million total cost of development, and 
will manage the building and operation of the 
store. The other investors, including the original 
land owner have invested the remaining £2 
million.

Lok’nStore Group Plc  Annual Report and Accounts 201221813.04  2/11/2012 Proof 1313

Lok’nStore will manage the fit-out and the 
operation of the store under the Lok’nStore 
brand which will commence trading later in 
2012. The store is located in a prominent 
location and faces on to a busy roundabout on 
Gatwick Road in the centre of the Manor Royal 
business area.

Lok’nStore will generate a return by charging 
the Company a management fee with 
performance incentives.

Development Sites
Lok’nStore owns four development sites all 
with relevant planning permissions, two of 
which are for replacement stores at Reading 
and Southampton, and two are new locations 
in Maidenhead and Portsmouth North Harbour. 
All of these permissions have been renewed 
during the year. The Group has no immediate 
plans to progress development works at 
Portsmouth North Harbour and Southampton.

The property already has the benefit of a 
planning permission for a self storage facility 
and will be held in a separate limited liability 
partnership. The store will be located in a 
prominent location on the main Aldershot 
roundabout above the A331 with significant 
levels of passing traffic, and is expected to 
commence trading in 2013.

Lok’nStore will generate a return by charging 
a management fee for the construction, 
operation and branding of the store. This 
project is consistent with Lok’nStore’s strategy 
of expanding the operating footprint of the 
business while maintaining its strong balance 
sheet. The investors were attracted by 
Lok’nStore’s strong track record and the tax 
benefits of investing in self storage.

Crawley: In July 2012, the Group signed 
an agreement to manage a new self storage 
centre in Crawley, Sussex on behalf of an 
investor. Completion of the transaction took 
place after the year-end on 10 August 2012. 
This new larger site follows the same investor’s 
already successful store in Woking, Surrey 
which has been managed by Lok’nStore since 
2007. It is the third store management contract 
for Lok’nStore.

Maidenhead: This is a long leasehold site 
(the lease term runs until April 2076) of 
1.6 acres for which we originally secured 
planning permission for a store of up to 
83,000 sq. ft. of self storage. Following 
discussions to improve the value of the 
property further we signed an agreement to 
share the site with Lidl subject to planning 
permission. Lok’nStore’s application to build 
a new self storage facility incorporating a Lidl 
store received planning consent on 
29 December 2011.

Pictured:
Maidenhead, opening 2013 (Computer 
generated image)

www.loknstore.com  stock code: LOK          21813.04  2/11/2012 Proof 13Our FinancialsOur GovernanceOur PerformanceOur Business14

Property Review

 continued

Lok’nStore will now build a new “state of the 
art” self storage centre which provides space 
on the ground floor for Lidl’s food store. The 
new self storage centre will have around 
60,000 sq. ft. of self storage space. Lidl will 
share the ground floor space with Lok’nStore’s 
operation, increasing the traffic by an estimated 
1,000 cars a day. Lok’nStore will occupy its 
share of the ground floor and the entirety of the 
three floors above. The store will open in 2013.

The site is close to Maidenhead town centre 
and railway station and is very prominent 
to the retail park on the main road joining 
the town centre with the M4 motorway. The 
store will be of similar style and appearance 
to other recently opened Lok’nStore sites, 
with Lok’nStore’s strong branding adding 
to the visual attractiveness of the site. 
This collaboration will increase the visual 
prominence, brand recognition, passing traffic 
and footfall of the storage centre which are

key criteria for success. On completion of the 
new development Lok’nStore will manage 
1,143,000 sq. ft. of lettable self storage space 
over 23 stores.

The innovative financing of the scheme agreed 
with Lidl, will require only a modest capital 
input from Lok’nStore and so allows us to 
continue to expand the Group’s operating 
footprint without stretching the balance 
sheet. This transaction is typical of the type of 
opportunity your Board is pursuing, and we 
believe validates our strategy of a prudent but 
active approach. We believe Maidenhead is an 
excellent location for us, an affluent town right 
in the middle of our geographic coverage with 
little local competition. The town is also set to 
benefit from its position as the western terminal 
of Crossrail.

Reading: On 8 January 2008, Lok’nStore 
obtained planning permission for high-density 
residential development on the freehold site 
of its existing Reading store. The permission 
is for 112 flats on the 0.66 hectare site. On 
4 October 2011 this planning permission was 
renewed providing a further 3 years to execute 
on this project.

The Group also has planning permission for 
a new 53,500 sq. ft. self storage centre on its 
site opposite the existing store, an increase 
in space of 29%. On 16 November 2011 
this planning permission was also renewed 
providing a further 3 years to execute on this 
project. When market circumstances are 
appropriate the site of the existing store will 
be sold with the benefit of its permission for 
residential development and the proceeds will 
largely fund the development of the new store. 
The existing business will be transferred to the

Lok’nStore Group Plc  Annual Report and Accounts 201221813.04  2/11/2012 Proof 1315

Lok’nStore is committed to actively managing 
its portfolio and extracting further value from 
our prominently located development sites. 
The partnership with Lidl in Maidenhead 
and the Aldershot transaction both of which 
are expected to commence trading in 2013 
demonstrate our pioneering and committed 
approach to funding and developing new 
stores. Management contracts such as 
Aldershot and Crawley allow the Group to 
continue to expand the operating footprint of 
Lok’nStore while minimising capital outlay.

Andrew Jacobs
Chief Executive Officer
26 October 2012

Property Assets and 
Net Asset Value
Lok’nStore’s freehold and operating leasehold 
properties have been independently valued by 
C&W at £67.9 million as of 31 July 2012 (2011: 
£68.0 million) a decrease of 0.15%, compared 
to a historic cost value of £32.8 million (2011: 
£32.5 million). The increase in the freehold 
valuation not quite offsetting the amortised 
effect of the leasehold valuation (average 
lease length one year shorter compared to 
2011). Property valuation is referred to further 
in the Financial Review and is detailed in note 
11b of the notes to the financial statements. 
Adding our stores under development at cost, 
our total property valuation of £79.7 million 
(historic cost value £44.65 million) (2011: £79.5 
million; historic cost value £44.08 million). This 
translates into an adjusted net asset value of 
£2.28 per share (2011: £2.29 per share).

The value of the freehold and operating 
leasehold properties of £67.9 million includes 
a valuation of £970,000 for the recently 
purchased freehold interest in our Swindon 
East store. Excluding the Swindon East 
store the total 2012 valuation of the portfolio 
decreased by 1.57% on a like for like basis 
compared to 2011.

new store when it is complete. The prominence 
and modern look of the new store with its 
distinctive orange livery will position Lok’nStore 
in a highly visible and easily accessible location 
adjacent to the A33 at the gateway to Reading.

Portfolio
These projects are part of our strategy of 
actively managing our operating portfolio 
to ensure we are maximising its value for 
shareholders. This includes strengthening our 
distinctive brand, increasing or decreasing the 
size and number of our stores and moving 
or selling stores or sites when it will increase 
shareholder value.

We currently own and operate 21 stores 
with capacity of around 1.1 million sq. ft. of 
storage space when fully fitted. Twelve stores 
are held freehold or long leasehold and nine 
are leasehold. One further store is run under 
a management contract. With Crawley, 
Aldershot and Maidenhead opening this 
coming financial year this will total 25 stores 
under Lok’nStore’s management. With the un-
developed freehold sites at Portsmouth North 
Harbour, Southampton and Maidenhead total 
capacity of owned stores rises to around 1.2 
million sq. ft. Of this 65% will be held freehold 
and 35% leasehold. By valuation 85% of the 
total property portfolio is freehold and 15% 
leasehold. We prefer to acquire freeholds if 
possible, and where opportunities arise we will 
seek to acquire the freehold of our leasehold 
stores as we have done this year at Swindon. 
However we are happy to take leases on 
appropriate terms and benefit from the 
advantages of a lower entry cost, with further 
options to create value later in the store’s 
development.

22 stores open

www.loknstore.com  stock code: LOK          21813.04  2/11/2012 Proof 13Our FinancialsOur GovernanceOur PerformanceOur Business16

Financial Review

 Ray Davies

Trading
Total revenue for the year grew to £12.77 
million (2011: £10.85 million), an increase of 
18%. Operating profit for the year increased to 
£2.14 million, up 36% (2011: £1.57 million) and 
pre-tax profit for the year was £926,133 (2011: 
£938,280). The pre-tax profit figure was held 
back after taking a higher finance cost charge 
resulting from the refinancing. 

Self storage revenue increased by 0.7% to 
£10.8 million (2011: £10.7 million). Self storage 
EBITDA, before inter-company management 
charges, increased by 5.3% to £3.5 million 
(2011 £3.3 million).

A full years contribution of document storage 
revenue grew to £2.0 million (2011: £0.14 
million – one month only). Document storage 
EBITDA, before inter-company management 
charges, grew to £0.47 million (2011: loss 
£43,493 – one month only).

There is no current corporation tax liability to 
pay due to the availability of tax losses. Tax 
losses available to carry forward for offset 
against future profits amount to £1.15 million. 

Basic earnings per share were 2.94 pence 
(2011: 3.57 pence per share). Diluted earnings 
per share were 2.92 pence (2011: 3.54 pence 
per share).

“Lok’nStore is a well controlled 
business which generates 
increasing cash flow from its 
strong asset base.”
Ray Davies, Finance Director

Over recent years LIBOR rates have remained 
at very low levels. Lok’nStore has managed its 
debt aggressively and the average interest rate 
paid since July 2011 was 2.33% compared to 
1.84% for the year to 31 July 2011. However 
since this straddles the period of the new 
refinancing in October the prevailing interest 
rate on active loans as at 31 July 2012 is 
2.91%. Therefore finance costs (including 
amortised arrangement fees and non-utilisation 

New £40 million Five Year Bank 
Facility
The Group has signed a new five year £40 
million revolving credit facility with Lloyds TSB 
plc underlining the strength of the cash flow 
and the assets of the business. The facility 
has been in place since 20 October 2011 
and runs until 19 October 2016. The Group 
is not obliged to make any repayments prior 
to expiration. The loan bears interest at the 
London Inter-Bank Offer Rate (LIBOR) plus 
2.35% – 2.65% margin based on the loan to 
value (LTV) ratio. At Lok’nStore’s current LTV 
level this is 2.35%. The interest cover and LTV 
to value covenants are broadly in line with the 
previous facility. 

Lok’nStore Group Plc  Annual Report and Accounts 201221813.04  2/11/2012 Proof 1317

fees) for the year increased to £1,029,121 from 
£522,513 in 2011. Although the net interest 
charge in the coming year will rise to reflect a 
full-year charge based on the increase in the 
margin on this facility, nevertheless the Group’s 
margin of 2.35% already looks very attractive 
against the current market, and our all-in cost 
of funds of around 3.34% puts us in a very 
strong competitive position.

Management of Interest Rate Risk
During the year LIBOR rates have been volatile 
and have been particularly sensitive to news 
flow (or lack of news flow) emanating from the 
EU. Following agreement of the new banking 
facility in October 2011, the Board’s strategy 
has been to regularly review the Group’s 
interest rate hedging position and to monitor 
prevailing LIBOR and swap rates with a view to 
fixing a significant proportion of its floating debt 
when the time was considered opportune. On 
25 May 2012 the Group entered into a £10 
million interest rate swap with Lloyds TSB 

Bank plc effective from 31 May 2012 at fixed 
1 month sterling LIBOR rate of 1.2%. The 
swap fixes the interest rate on £10 million at an 
effective rate of 3.55% based on current 235 
basis points (bps) margin up to the expiration 
of the current banking facility in October 2016. 
Also on 30 May 2012 the Group entered into a 
£10 million interest rate swap with Lloyds TSB 
Bank plc also effective from 31 May 2012 at 
fixed 1 month sterling LIBOR rate of 1.15%. 
Similarly this fixes a second tranche of £10 
million at an effective rate of 3.5% based on 
current 235bps margin up to the expiration of 
the current banking facility in October 2016. 
Given the very low interest rate and the relatively 
small premium over our variable rate available 
on these swaps, the Board considered that it 
was a good time to lock in to these historically 
low interest rates. An effective interest rate of 
3.525% on this portion of our debt protects our 
cash flow and demonstrates the Group’s ability 
to secure market leading rates as a result of our 
financial strength and robust cash flow.

Lok’nStore has £29.7 million currently drawn 
against its £40 million revolving credit facility of 
which £20 million is now at a fixed interest rate. 
This leaves a balance of £9.7 million floating 
at a current all-in rate of around 2.95% and 
results in an overall weighted average rate of 
3.34%. No arrangement fees were incurred 
when fixing the rates. The £20 million fixed rate 
is treated as an effective cash flow hedge and 
its fair value stated as a liability. (See note 17b.)

Operating Costs
Group operating costs (excluding cost of sales 
of retail products) amounted to £8.5 million for 
the year including a full year of post-acquisition 
expenses of Saracen Datastore Limited 
acquired on 30 June 2011. Excluding Saracen, 
operating costs (excluding cost of sales of retail 
products) amounted to £7.11 million for the 
year (2011: £7.17 million) a decrease of 0.8%. 

Operating costs

Group
Property costs
Staff costs
Overheads
Distribution costs
Total 

Lok’nStore Limited†
Property costs
Staff costs
Overheads
Distribution costs
Total 

Saracen Datastore Limited
Property costs
Staff costs
Overheads
Distribution costs
Total 

Increase
in costs %

13.4
19.5
3.1
993.0
16.4

Increase/
(Decrease)
in costs %

0.5
1.2
(10.5)
–
(0.8)

2012
£’000

3,895
3,432
1,048
165
8,540

2012
£’000

3,409
2,801
902
–
7,112

2011
£’000

3,434
2,871
1,017
15
7,337

2011
£’000

3,392
2,767
1,007
–
7,166

Full year to 
31 July
2012
£’000

One month 
ended 31 July
2011
£’000

Increase
in costs %*

486
631
147
165
1,429

42
104
10
15
171

* Saracen Datastore Limited comparison figures for 2011 are for a one month period only therefore no percentage increase is presented this year.
† Includes a total adjustment of (£1,503) for expenses relating to Southern Engineering and Machinery Company a wholly owned subsidiary which owns the Southampton development site.

www.loknstore.com  stock code: LOK          21813.04  2/11/2012 Proof 13Our FinancialsOur GovernanceOur PerformanceOur Business18

Financial Review

 continued

Cash Flow, Interest and Financing
At 31 July 2012 the Group had cash balances 
of £4.0 million (2011: £3.8 million). Net debt 
increased from £24.4 million to £25.7 million. 

There was £29.7 million of gross borrowings 
(2011: £28.1 million) representing gearing of 
66.1% on net debt of £25.7 million (2011: 
62.8%). After adjusting for the uplift in value 
of leaseholds which are stated at depreciated 
historic cost in the statement of financial 
position, gearing is 54.9% (2011: 52.1%). After 
adjusting for the deferred tax liability carried 
at year-end of £10.1 million gearing drops to 
45.2% (2011: 42.5%). 

Cash inflow from operating activities before 
investing and financing activities was £3.1 
million (2011: £3.6 million). As well as using 
cash generated from operations to fund some 
capital expenditure, the Group has a five year 
revolving credit facility. This provides sufficient 
liquidity for the Group’s current needs. 
Undrawn committed facilities at the year-
end amounted to £10.3 million (2011: £11.9 
million). 

From 1 August 2009 under IAS 23 (‘Borrowing 
Costs’) we are required to capitalise 
interest against our development pipeline in 
accordance with changes to International 
Financial Reporting Standards. The Group’s 
date of adoption was 1 August 2009, (the 
first annual year commencing after the IAS 
23 effective date of 1 January 2009). All of 
the Group’s current qualifying assets predate 
the date of adoption and accordingly under 
the transitional adoption arrangements no 
borrowing costs have been capitalised against 
them in the year. A component of the interest 
cost incurred by the Group arises from the 
£11.9 million of development sites that the 
Group is currently carrying. The interest against 
this cost has not been capitalised but if it was 
the Group’s adjusted profit would have been 
approximately £275,859 higher for the year 
(2011: £212,330) on the assumption that the 
£11.9 million is fully funded by borrowings. 

By excluding the interest costs of carrying the 
development sites from the total net interest 
charge of £1,013,912 this means that the 
interest on the operating portfolio is £738,054 
for the year. Funds from operations (‘FFO’) 
represented by EBITDA minus interest on the 
operating portfolio is therefore £3.24 million 
equating to 13 pence per share, up 8% on last 
year (2011: 12 pence per share).

The Group has grown its business through a 
combination of new site acquisition, existing 
store improvements and relocations, and 
has concentrated on extracting value from 
its existing assets and developing through 
collaborative projects and management 
contracts. Consequently, capital expenditure 
(‘capex’) during the year totalled only £1.8 
million. This included some limited capex at 
existing stores, the purchase of the freehold 
interest in our Swindon East store, roof 
renovation with solar power at the Poole 
store and planning and other professional 
costs incurred in maximising the potential of 
the existing planning permissions. We also 
invested £0.3 million in further racking fit-out at 
the Saracen Olney warehouse. The Company 
has no further capital commitments beyond 
its £2.5 million development commitment at 
Aldershot and some minor works to existing 
properties.

Lok’nStore Group Plc  Annual Report and Accounts 201221813.04  2/11/2012 Proof 13 
19

Statement of Financial Position
Net assets at the year-end were £39.0 million 
(2011: £38.8 million). Freehold property 
values at 31 July 2012 were £56.1 million 
compared to £55.7 million at 31 July 2011. 
The total estimated final dividend to be paid in 
the current financial year is £999,746 (2011: 
£667,331) based on the number of shares 
currently in issue as adjusted for shares held in 
the Employee Benefit Trust and for shares held 
on treasury. This dividend is subject to approval 
by shareholders at the Annual General Meeting 
and has not been included as a liability in these 
financial statements.

Market Valuation of Freehold 
and Operating Leasehold Land 
and Buildings 
Our twelve freehold properties are held in the 
statement of financial position at fair value, 
and have been valued externally by Cushman 
and Wakefield (‘C&W’). Refer to note 11(b) – 
property, plant and equipment and also to the 
accounting policies for details of the fair value 
of trading properties. The leasehold stores are 
held as ‘operating leases’ and the valuations 
of these are not taken onto the statement of 
financial position. However seven of these have 
also been externally valued and these external 
valuations have been used to calculate the 
adjusted net asset value position of the Group.

On 31 July 2012 professional valuations 
were prepared by valuers C&W in respect of 
twelve freehold and seven operating leasehold 
properties. The valuation was prepared in 
accordance with RICS Appraisal and Valuation 
Standards Global and the UK 7th Edition. 

Analysis of Total Property Value

Freehold valued by C & W
Leasehold valued by C & W
Subtotal
Sites in development at cost
Total

The valuation has been provided for accounts 
purposes and, as such, is a Regulated 
Purpose Valuation as defined in the Red 
Book. The external valuation methodology 
provides for a purchaser acquiring a centre 
incurring purchase costs of 5.8% initially and 
sale plus purchaser’s costs totalling 7.8% are 
assumed on the notional sales in the tenth year 
in relation to the freehold stores. In practice 
we believe that it is unlikely that the bulk of 
Lok’nStore’s properties would be acquired 
other than in a corporate structure, in which 
case transaction costs would likely be lower 
(see note 11(b) in the notes to the financial 
statements for a more detailed description of 
the valuation methodology).

The valuation report indicates a total for 
properties valued of £67.9 million (NBV £32.8 
million) (2011: £68.0 million: NBV £32.5 
million). In relation to the existing store at 
Reading there is a prospect of redevelopment 
for residential use although it has been valued 
as a trading store. The valuations do not 
account for any further investment in existing 
stores since 31 July 2012. The development 
sites at Reading, Maidenhead, Portsmouth 
North Harbour and Southampton have not 
been valued and their asset value is stated at 
cost of £11.9 million which combined with the 
C&W valuation provides an aggregate property 
value of £79.7 million (2011: £79.5 million).

A deferred tax liability arises on the revaluation 
of the properties and on the rolled over gain 
arising from the disposal of the Kingston and 
Woking sites. It is not envisaged that any tax 
will become payable in the foreseeable future 
on these disposals due to the availability of 
rollover relief. In due course the site of the 
existing Reading store is likely to be sold with 
the benefit of its permission for residential 
development and the proceeds will be 
reinvested in our new store pipeline. It is not 
the intention of the Directors to make any other 
significant disposals of operational self storage 
centres, although individual disposals may be 
considered where it is clear that added value 
can be created by recycling the capital into 
other opportunities.

The Board will continue to commission 
independent valuations on its trading stores 
annually to coincide with its year-end reporting.

Under IFRS the valuations of our freehold 
property assets are included in the Statement 
of Financial Position at their fair value, but the 
IFRS rules do not permit the inclusion of any 
valuation in respect of our leasehold stores to 
the extent that they are classified as operating 
leases. The value of our operating leases in 
the valuation totals £11.8 million (2011: £12.3 
million). Instead we have reported by way of 
a note the underlying value of these leasehold 
stores in future revaluations and adjusted our 
Net Asset Value (‘NAV’) calculation accordingly 
to include their value. This will ensure 
comparable NAV calculations.

No. of
stores
12†
7
19
4
23

31 July 2012 
Valuation
£’000
56,050
11,830
67,880
11,850
79,730

No. of
stores
11‡
7
18
4
22*

31 July 2011 
Valuation
£’000
55,670
12,310
67,980
11,532
79,512

*  Two Leasehold stores were not valued (2011: three) as their remaining unexpired terms were insufficient to yield a value under the Cushman & Wakefield valuation methodology. 
†   Includes the Swindon store previously held as leasehold (not previously valued by C&W) and now owned as a freehold.
‡ 

Includes the current Reading store at its trading store valuation. The Reading site with planning permission for a new store is stated at cost and is included in sites in development at cost.

www.loknstore.com  stock code: LOK          21813.04  2/11/2012 Proof 13Our FinancialsOur GovernanceOur PerformanceOur Business20

Financial Review

 continued

Lok’nStore Group Plc  Annual Report and Accounts 201221813.04  2/11/2012 Proof 1321

Adjusted Net Asset Value per Share
Adjusted net assets per share is the net assets of the Group business adjusted for the valuation of leasehold stores and deferred tax divided by the 
number of shares at the year-end. The shares currently held in the Group’s employee benefit trust (own shares held) and in treasury are excluded from 
the number of shares.

Analysis of net asset value (NAV)
Total non-current assets
Adjustment to include leasehold stores at valuation
Add: C&W leasehold valuation*
Deduct: leasehold properties and their fixtures and fittings at NBV

Add: current assets
Less: current liabilities
Less: non-current liabilities (excluding deferred tax provision)
Less: derivative financial instruments

Adjusted net assets before deferred tax provision
Deferred tax
Deferred tax arising on revaluation of leasehold properties†

Adjusted net assets

Shares in issue
Opening shares
Shares issued for the exercise of options

Closing shares in issue
Shares held in treasury
Shares held in EBT
Closing shares for NAV purposes

Adjusted net asset value per share after deferred tax provision
Adjusted net asset value per share before deferred tax provision

31 July
2012
£’000

76,903

11,830
(3,910)
84,823

5,956
(4,106)
(29,223)
(496)
(27,869)

56,954
(10,073)
(1,822)

31 July
2011
£’000

76,537

12,310
(4,339)
84,508

5,710
(32,839)
(26)
—
(27,155)

57,353
(10,555)
(1,993)

45,059

44,805

Number

26,759
–

26,759
(1,142)
(623)
24,994

£1.80
£2.28

Number

26,759
–

26,759
(1,142)
(623)
24,994

£1.79
£2.29

*  The seven leaseholds valued by Cushman & Wakefield are all within the terms of the Landlord and Tenant Act (1954) giving a degree of security of tenure. The average length of the leases on the leasehold stores valued 

was 14 years and 6 months at the date of the 2012 valuation (2011 valuation: 15 years and 2 months).

†  A deferred tax adjustment in respect of the uplift in the value of the leasehold properties has been included. Although this is a memorandum adjustment as leasehold properties are included in the Group’s financial 

statements at cost and not at valuation, this deferred tax adjustment is included in the adjusted net asset value calculation in order to maintain a consistency of tax treatment between freehold and leasehold properties.

Summary
Lok’nStore is a well controlled business which generates increasing cash flow from its strong asset base. Looking at interest rate risk, given the 
low prevailing rates and the small premium over our variable rate available on our executed swap, we felt that it is a good time to lock in to these 
historically low interest rates. An effective interest rate of 3.525% on this portion of our debt protects our cash flow and demonstrates our excellent 
relationship with our lenders and the Group’s ability to secure market leading rates as a result of our financial strength and cash flow.

Ray Davies
Finance Director
26 October 2012

www.loknstore.com  stock code: LOK          21813.04  2/11/2012 Proof 13Our FinancialsOur GovernanceOur PerformanceOur Business22

Board of Directors and Advisers

1. 

2. 

3. 

4. 

5. 

6. 

Directors and Advisers

Directors
SG Thomas
Chairman

A Jacobs
Chief Executive Officer

RA Davies
Finance Director

CM Jacobs
Director

ETD Luker
Senior Non-Executive Director

RJ Holmes
Non-Executive Director

CP Peal
Non-Executive Director

I Wright
Non-Executive Director 
(Resigned 19 October 2012)

Secretary and Registered Office
Secretarial Solutions Limited
c/o Maclay Murray Spens LLP
One London Wall
London EC2Y 5AB

Nominated Adviser and Broker
Panmure Gordon (UK) Limited 
One New Change
London EC4M 9AF

Auditor
Baker Tilly UK Audit LLP
Chartered Accountants
25 Farringdon Street
London EC4A 4AB

7. 

1. Andrew Jacobs

2. Simon Thomas
3. Ray Davies
4. Colin Jacobs
5. Edward Luker
6. Richard Holmes
7. Charles Peal

Solicitors
Maclay Murray Spens LLP
One London Wall
London EC2Y 5AB

Registrars
Capita Registrars
Capita Group plc
The Registry
34 Beckenham Road
Beckenham
Kent BR3 4TU

Principal Bankers
Lloyds TSB plc
Lloyds Bank Corporate Markets
3rd Floor, 2 City Place
Beehive Ring Road
Gatwick
West Sussex RH6 0PA

Lok’nStore Group Plc  Annual Report and Accounts 201221813.04  2/11/2012 Proof 13 
 
23

7.  Charles Peal (57)
Non-Executive Director
Charles started his career in 1977 at 3i 
Group, the leading UK quoted Venture Capital 
Company. He was the Chief Executive of Legal 
and General Ventures from 1988 to 2000 and 
was a Director of various quoted private equity 
investment trusts and management buyouts. 
He is currently a Director of Warnborough 
Asset Management, an independent fund 
management business and Chairman of BLME 
Sharia’a Umbrella Fund SICAV-SIF.

Charles heads the Audit Committee.

Executive Directors

1.  Andrew Jacobs (53)
Chief Executive Officer
Andrew established Lok’nStore in February 
1995 after eight years’ experience as a 
stockbroker at Nomura International in London. 
He has an MPhil in Economics from Cambridge 
University and a BSc in Economics from the 
London School of Economics. Andrew is 
President and Deputy Chairman of Trucost plc, 
an environmental data company.

Andrew is responsible for strategy, corporate 
finance and property.

2.  Simon Thomas (52)
Chairman
Simon has been a Director of Lok’nStore since 
1997 after a successful career in the publishing 
and finance sectors. He co-founded the 
emerging markets investment trust business 
at LCF Edmond de Rothschild. He has also 
worked at Swiss Bank Corporation, Nomura 
International and Reed International. Simon 
is a Non-Executive Director of Trucost plc, an 
environmental data company.

Simon is responsible for the composition and 
performance of the Board.

3.  Ray Davies (55)
Finance Director
Finance Director. Joined Lok’nStore in 2004.
Ray, a chartered accountant, has held a 
number of senior finance positions in the 
construction, and health and fitness sectors. 
In 1992, he was appointed Group Finance 
Director and Company Secretary of Dragons 
Health Clubs plc during a period of rapid and 
sustained growth. Following its acquisition by 
Crown Sports plc in 2000, he was appointed 
Finance Director of Crown Sports Clubs 
Division and Company Secretary of Crown 
Sports plc, a company listed on the London 
Stock Exchange. From 1984 to 1992 Ray 
was Group Finance Director and Company 
Secretary of Mark Scott Construction Group.

Ray is responsible for finance, administration 
and risk management.

4.  Colin Jacobs (48)
Director
Director. Since founding in 1995.
Prior to joining Lok’nStore Colin worked for 
the Courts Group of Companies in sales and 
marketing functions.

Colin is responsible for identifying and 
negotiating new sites for Lok’nStore, and 
for business development.

Non-Executive Directors

5.  Edward Luker (63)
Senior Non-Executive Director
Edward is a well-known figure in the UK 
property industry, having worked for CB 
Richard Ellis for 33 years, where he has been 
a Director and Partner for 20 years. In 1997/8 
Edward was Chairman of the Investment 
Property Forum, the industry body, and has 
acted for a number of pensions in the creation 
of property investment funds. Edward is a 
Fellow of the Royal Institute of Chartered 
Surveyors and is currently Consultant 
and Chairman of the Investment Advisory 
Committee of CBRE Real Estate Finance 
Limited.

Edward sits on the Audit Committee and 
heads the Remuneration Committee.

6.  Richard Holmes (52)
Non-Executive Director
Richard is currently Marketing Director of 
Specsavers. Previously, Richard held a 
number of senior positions within the Boots 
organisation, including Director of Offer 
Development at Boots e-commerce business, 
Marketing Director of Boots the Chemist and 
Director of Health & Beauty. Richard was also 
Head of Strategy Development for Unilever’s 
worldwide dental business and holds an MSc 
in Economics from Warwick University and a 
BSc in Economics from the London School of 
Economics.

Richard sits on the Remuneration Committee.

www.loknstore.com  stock code: LOK          21813.04  2/11/2012 Proof 13Our FinancialsOur GovernanceOur PerformanceOur Business24

Directors’ Report

The Directors submit their report and the 
audited financial statements of the Company 
and of the Group for the year ended 31 July 
2012.

Principal Activity
The principal activity of the Group during the 
year was that of providing self storage and 
related services.

Review of the Business and 
Future Developments
A detailed account of the Group’s progress 
during the year and its future prospects are 
set out in the Chairman’s Review, Operating 
Review, Property Review and Financial Review. 

The key performance indicators are included 
within the Highlights on page 3 and the 
Financial Review.

Financial Instruments
The financial risk management objectives and 
policies of the Group, along with details of 
exposure to liquidity and cash flow risk are 
set out below and in note 16 to the financial 
statements.

Principal Business and
Operating Risks

Finance
Lok’nStore finances its current needs through 
a combination of strong operational cash flows 
and debt.

Cash deposits are placed with Lloyds TSB plc 
on a no-notice treasury deposit account which 
tracks base rate and currently yields 0.5% 
p.a. on all deposited balances. The Group’s 
cash position is reviewed daily and cash is 
transferred daily between these accounts and 
the Group’s operational current accounts as 
required.

The main risks arising from the Group’s 
financial instruments are interest rate risk and 
liquidity risk. The policies for managing these 
risks are regularly reviewed and agreed by 
the Board. Historically, no trading in financial 
instruments had been undertaken but during 
the year the Group entered into two separate 
swap arrangements. Full details are set out in 
the Financial Review. Further information on 
our treasury arrangements is set out in  
note 16.

Risk Management
Risk management has been a fundamental part 
of how we have controlled the development of 
Lok’nStore since its formation. We maintain a 
risk register which identifies and categorises 
our risks and provides an assessment of risk 
based on a combination of ‘likelihood’ and 
‘consequences and impact’ on the business. 
This is reviewed regularly by management 
and the Board and underpins our structured 
approach to identifying, assessing and 
controlling risks that emerge during the course 
of operating the business. Its purpose is 
to support better decision-making through 
understanding the risks inherent in both the 
day-to-day operations and the strategic 
direction of the Group and their likely impact. 
This is a continuing and evolving process as we 
review and monitor the underlying risk elements 
relevant to the business.

Market Risk
Self storage is a developing market with 
further opportunities for significant growth. 
Awareness of self storage and how it can 
be used by customers is well understood in 
the United States, but historically has been 
relatively low throughout the UK. Survey and 
anecdotal evidence suggest this awareness is 
rising quickly in the UK now. The rate of growth 
in branded self storage operations in good 
trading locations continues to be limited by 
the challenge of acquiring sites at appropriate 
prices and obtaining planning permission.

Lok’nStore invests in prime locations where its 
criteria for site selection are met and which will 
enable it to develop high quality stores which 
are prominent with high visibility and strong 
branding. We believe this will place us in a 
strong trading position and may discourage 
competitors from entering that local market. 
However it is possible that Lok’nStore may 
be unable to execute this strategy which will 
inhibit its growth. Further it is possible that 
an increasing number of competitors in the 
industry may negatively impact Lok’nStore’s 
existing operations.

We have a large customer base spread 
across 22* stores including those customers 
who have used Lok’nStore regularly over the 
years. Many of these periodically return as 
their circumstances and their storage needs 
change. Our self storage customers are a 
broad mix of both domestic and business, 
generating around 62%:38% respectively of 
our revenue (2011: 64%:36%).

*  One store is managed by Lok’nStore under a Management 

Services Agreement for another owner.

Property Risk
The acquisition of new sites for development 
into self storage centres is a key strategic 
objective of the business. We will continue 
to face significant competition for site 
locations from other uses such as hotels, car 
showrooms and offices as well as from the 
other self storage operators.

The process of gaining planning permissions 
remains challenging. Lok’nStore may take on 
the risk of obtaining planning permission when 
acquiring sites in the face of competitive bids. 
In these cases we are obliged to undertake the 
planning, environmental and other property due 
diligence under tight timescales which creates 
greater risk in the process.

Nevertheless Lok’nStore’s management has 
gained significant experience in operating 
in this property environment, acquiring sites 
on main roads in prominent locations and 
obtaining appropriate planning permissions.

We manage the construction of our properties 
carefully. The building of each store is handled 
through a design and build contract with 
established contractors. We employ our external 
team of professionals to monitor the progress of 
each development. The fitting of mezzanine floors 
and steel units is generally project managed in-
house using an established external professional 
team of sub-contractors who understand 
Lok’nStore’s particular specifications.

Credit Risk
Lok’nStore’s self storage credit model is strong 
with customers paying four weekly in advance 
in addition to an initial four weeks rental 
deposit. We retain a legal lien over customers’ 
goods which can then be sold to cover their 
unpaid bills. Credit control remains tight with 
£58,410 of bad debts written off during the year 
representing around 0.46% of revenue (2011: 
0.35%). There was £6,170 of additional costs 
associated with recovery (2011: £4,091). Given 
the tight credit conditions in the wider economy 
our own credit control indicators are resilient, 
showing no appreciable signs of weakening 
during the year with the number of late letters 
issued declining year-on-year and bad debts 
remaining at low levels.

Tax Risk
We regularly monitor proposed and actual 
changes in legislation in the tax regime affecting 
principally corporation tax, capital gains tax, VAT 
and Stamp Duty Land Tax (‘SDLT’). We work 
with our professional advisors and through trade 
bodies to understand and mitigate or benefit 
from their effects.

Lok’nStore Group Plc  Annual Report and Accounts 201221813.04  2/11/2012 Proof 1325

Corporate Social Responsibility 
and Employee Risk
The Corporate Social Responsibility and 
Employee Risk within the business are 
discussed within the Operating Review.

Reputational Risk
Lok’nStore’s business reputation is very 
important to the Group. Our management 
and staff work hard to protect and develop 
it. We always try to communicate clearly with 
our customers, suppliers, local authorities and 
communities, employees and shareholders 
and to listen and take account of their views. 
The Lok’nStore websites (www.loknstore.
co.uk www.loknstore.com and www.
saracendatastore.co.uk) are important avenues 
of communication and a source of information 
for employees, customers and investors. 
Employee communication is augmented by 
quarterly staff newsletters.

Dividend
In respect of the current year, the Directors 
propose that a final dividend of 4.00 pence 
per share will be paid to the shareholders 
on 17 December 2012 to shareholders on 

the register on 16 November 2012. The total 
estimated dividend to be paid is £999,746 
based on the number of shares currently 
in issue as adjusted for shares held in the 
Employee Benefit Trust and for shares held on 
treasury. This dividend is subject to approval 
by shareholders at the Annual General Meeting 
and has not been included as a liability in these 
financial statements.

Events after the Reporting Date
Events after the reporting date are fully 
described in Note 29.

Directors
The following Directors held office during the 
year and subsequently:

SG Thomas
A Jacobs
RA Davies
CM Jacobs

ETD Luker
RJ Holmes
CP Peal
I Wright (Resigned 
19 October 2012)

Details of the interests of the Directors in the 
shares of the Company are set out below and 

Directors’ Interests in Shares
Directors’ interests in the shares of the Company, including family interests, were as follows:

SG Thomas
A Jacobs
RA Davies
CM Jacobs
RJ Holmes
ETD Luker
CP Peal
I Wright

Andrew Jacobs is a beneficiary of ‘The Jacobs 
Family Directors Pension Scheme’ that holds 
310,350 (2011: 310,350) Ordinary Shares and 
Simon Thomas is a beneficiary of a pension 
fund ‘The Thomas Family Directors Pension 
Scheme’ that holds 231,190 (2011: 190,075) 
Ordinary Shares. The figures set out in the 
table above do not include the Ordinary Shares 
held in these pension funds. Simon Thomas’ 
and Andrew Jacobs’ overall beneficial holdings 
remain unchanged.

The Aylestone Pension Fund has a holding 
of 20,000 (2011: 20,000) Ordinary Shares 
representing less than 0.1% of the issued 
share capital. Colin Jacobs, a Director of 
Lok’nStore is interested in this transaction 
as one of the beneficiaries of the Aylestone 
Pension Fund.

Details of Directors’ share options are 
disclosed in notes 20, 21, 22 and 23.

details of their remuneration are disclosed in 
note 6 to the financial statements.

Biographical details of the Directors are set out 
on page 23.

Reappointment of Directors
In accordance with the Company’s Articles of 
Association, Colin Jacobs and Edward Luker 
retire by rotation and each being eligible offer 
themselves for re-election at the next Annual 
General Meeting (AGM). Richard Holmes who 
has over nine year’s tenure as a non-executive 
is now required under the Companies Act 
2006 to offer himself for re-election at every 
Annual General Meeting and accordingly offers 
himself for election at the next AGM. 

Ordinary Shares of 1 pence each

31 July 2012

31 July 2011

2,106,385
5,314,000
41,099
–
149,000
13,800
185,000
–

2,147,500
5,314,000
40,000
–
134,000
13,800
125,000
–

Directors’ and Officers’ Liability 
Insurance
The Company has liability insurance covering 
the Directors and Officers of the Company and 
its subsidiaries.

www.loknstore.com  stock code: LOK          21813.04  2/11/2012 Proof 13Our FinancialsOur GovernanceOur PerformanceOur Business26

Directors’ Report

 continued

Substantial Shareholdings
The Directors have been notified or are aware that the following are interested in 3% or more of the issued Ordinary Share capital of the Company as 
at 18 October 2012:

Laxey Partners
Andrew Jacobs
Simon Thomas
Artemis Investment Management
Charles Stanley Stockbrokers
Goldman Sachs 

Number of 
shares
7,437,959
5,314,000
2,106,385
1,135,000
905,992
896,071

% at
12 September 
2012
29.04
20.74
8.22
4.43 
3.54
3.50

Current rank
1
2
3
4
5
6

Total shares 
in issue 
(excluding 
treasury 
shares)

25,616,865

Policy on Payment of Suppliers
The Group does not follow any formal code or 
standard on payment practice. The Company’s 
policy, which is also applied by the Group, 
is to ensure that, in the absence of dispute, 
all suppliers are dealt with in accordance 
with standard payment practice, whereby all 
outstanding trade accounts are settled within 
the terms agreed with the supplier at the time 
of the supply or otherwise 30 days from invoice 
date.

At the year-end the credit taken from suppliers 
by the Group was 69 days (2011: 67 days).

Market Valuation of Freehold 
Land and Buildings
The changes in property, plant and equipment 
during the year and details of property 
valuations at 31 July 2012 are shown in 
note 11 to the Financial Statements. Further 
commentary on the property portfolio is 
contained in the Property Review and in the 
Financial Review.

Environment
Environmental Policy
Our Environmental Policy is to effectively 
manage our waste, control our polluting 
emissions and to encourage our suppliers to 
minimise their impact on the environment.

Environmental Management and 
Performance
Lok’nStore Group has been measuring its 
environmental impacts for the last eight 
years. Monitoring focuses on environmental 
key performance indicators (KPIs), namely 
greenhouse gas emissions (GHG), water use 
and waste.

Highlights for year ending 31 July 2012:

✔■

✔■

✔■

Indirect GHG emissions intensity now 
down 81% since 2005.
Total waste sent to landfill reduced for 
eighth successive year, now just a quarter 
of 2005 levels.
Total water use again reduced, now halved 
from 2005 levels with intensity down by 
70%.

Direct GHG emissions
This is the first full year report since 
the acquisition of the Saracen records 
management subsidiary. The acquisition has 
lifted the Group’s revenue, and inevitably 
increased some environmental impacts. 
Saracen’s business is serviced storage so the 
Company is responsible for the transportation 
impact, thereby lifting emissions from vans and 
cars on Company operations. These increased 
from 79 to 202 tonnes of carbon dioxide 
equivalents (CO2e) due to the document 
delivery and collection service now offered. 
However, like-for-like comparison in Lok’nStore 
Limited’s self storage business shows a 
reduction of 10% from 79 to 71 CO2e tonnes.

Emissions from gas boilers rose in absolute 
terms from 63 to 65 CO2e tonnes, but 
normalised to turnover reduce from 6 to 5 
CO2e tonnes per £m turnover.

Overall, after last year’s decrease to 142 CO2e 
tonnes, the Group’s carbon footprint has risen 
to 267 CO2e tonnes. Normalised to turnover, 
direct GHG emissions rose from 13 to 21 CO2e 
tonnes per £m.

Indirect GHG emissions (electricity)
For the fourth year running all of Lok’nStore 
Limited’s electricity was supplied by Green 
Energy plc.

In the course of the year, we have agreed that 
100% of the electricity supplied to Lok’nStore 
Limited by Green Energy will be from 
renewable sources. That change effectively 
eliminates Lok’nStore Limited’s indirect 
emissions from electricity consumption. For 
continuity of reporting however, this year we 
retain the policy of reporting emissions using 
the fuel mix of the supplier overall. On that 
measure, we are pleased to report that the 
Group’s indirect GHG emissions have again 
reduced on a normalised basis, and now stand 
81% below 2005 levels.

Latest available figures from Green Energy 
show it acquired 36% of its supply from 
renewable sources and the remaining 64% 
from combined heat and power (CHP) 
accredited generators. Accordingly the Group’s 
emissions from electricity have risen by 14% 
from 2011, in large part due to acquisition 
of Saracen. Absolute GHG emissions rose 
from 288 to 328 CO2e tonnes. Nevertheless, 
normalised to turnover, the impact reduced 
from 27 to 26 CO2e tonnes per £m turnover.

In the course of significant refurbishment at 
the Poole store this year, a solar panel array 
was successfully fitted on the new roof. During 
the reporting period, the system generated 
37MWh of electricity. Of this the bulk was 
used on site, providing 30% of the store’s 
annual electricity needs, with a balance of 5 
megawatts (MWh) exported back to the grid.

Lok’nStore Group Plc  Annual Report and Accounts 201221813.04  2/11/2012 Proof 1327

r
e
v
o
n
r
u
T
m
1
£

r
e
p
3

m

700

600

500

400

300

200

100

0

Figure 1: GHG emissions from electricity 
consumption

Figure 2: Landfill waste

Figure 3: Water use

s
e
n
n
o
t

e
2
O
C

1200

1000

800

600

400

200

0

r
e
v
o
n
r
u
T
m
1
£

r
e
p
t
e
2
O
C

140

120

100

80

60

40

20

0

s
e
n
n
o
t

1000

800

600

400

200

0

05

06

07

08

09

10

11

12

05

06

07

08

09

10

11

12

Absolute GHG emissions
GHG Emissions Intensity, CO2e tonnes per million Turnover

Absolute waste sent for disposal
Waste Intensity, tonnes per million Turnover

r
e
v
o
n
r
u
T
m
1
£

r
e
p
s
e
n
n
o
t

120

100

80

60

40

20

0

e
r
t
e
m
c
b
u
c

i

6000

4500

3000

1500

0

Figure 1 shows absolute and normalised GHG 
emissions from electricity consumption over 
the last eight years.

Figure 2 shows absolute and normalised landfill 
waste produced over the last eight years.

With the acquisition of Saracen, the Group 
has also begun to monitor its contracted 
waste produced (i.e. consumer waste sent 
to Saracen for disposal). In 2012, Saracen 
recycled 122 tonnes of shredded paper on 
behalf of its customers. It also sent small 
quantities of microfiche and computer 
hardware for specialist disposal, but these 
amounts are negligible.

Waste generation and recycling
In line with the Group’s waste management 
strategy, we continue to monitor waste 
generation and recycling levels.

For the eighth successive year Lok’nStore 
reduced the quantity of waste produced. Total 
waste sent to landfill and recycled fell from 
475 tonnes to 452 tonnes, a reduction in the 
total waste generated of 5%. The proportion of 
waste recycled has stayed constant at 49%.

We also monitor hazardous (sanitary) waste, 
but the amount is negligible.

Direct Impacts (Operational)

05

06

07

08

09

10

11

12

Absolute water use
Water Intensity, cubic metre per million Turnover

Water consumption
In 2012 we consumed 2,506 m3 of water, 
which is 155 m3 less than in the previous year 
and amounts to a 6% decrease. This reduction 
has been realised as a result of performance 
monitoring and rectification works where 
required. The Group will continue to look for 
opportunities to reduce water losses and 
wastage.

Figure 3 shows absolute and normalised water 
use over the last eight years.

Greenhouse Gases

Definition

Data source & Calculation Methods

Gas

Emissions from utility boilers.

Yearly consumption in kWh collected 
from fuel bills, converted according 
to Defra Guidelines.

Vehicle Fuel

Total
Total Greenhouse 
Gases

Petrol and diesel used by staff. Expense claims & MOT recorded 
mileage, converted according to 
Defra Guidelines.

Includes Carbon Dioxide (CO2), 
Methane (CH4) and Nitrous 
Oxide (N2O).

Calculated according to Defra 
Guidelines.

Waste

Landfill

Recycled

Definition

Data source & Calculation Methods

General office waste, which 
includes a mixture of paper, 
card, wood, plastics and  
metals.

General office waste recycled, 
primarily cardboard, and 
fluorescent lights.

Volume of waste generated per 
annum, calculated by recording the 
number of bins & skips removed, 
converted to tonnes according to 
Defra Guidelines.
Volume of waste recycled per 
annum, calculated by recording the 
number of bins & skips removed 
for recycling, converted to tonnes 
according to Defra Guidelines.

* Normalised based on annual revenue for the respective years.

Quantity

Absolute tonnes CO2e

2011

63

2012

 65 

79

 202 

142
142

 267 
 267 

Normalised* tonnes CO2e
per £m turnover

2011

6

7

13
13

2012

 5 

 16 

 21 
 21 

Quantity

Absolute tonnes

Normalised* tonnes
per £m turnover

2011

242

2012

 230 

2011

23

2012

 18 

 233

 223 

22

 17 

www.loknstore.com  stock code: LOK          21813.04  2/11/2012 Proof 13Our FinancialsOur GovernanceOur PerformanceOur Business 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
28

Directors’ Report

 continued

Indirect Impacts (Supply Chain)

Greenhouse Gases

Definition

Energy use

Directly purchased electricity, 
which generates Greenhouse 
Gases including CO2 emissions.

Data source & Calculation Methods

Yearly consumption of directly 
purchased electricity in kWh, 
converted according to supplier’s 
fuel mix.

Waste

Definition

Supplied water

Consumption of piped water.
No water directly abstracted
by the Group.

Data source & Calculation Methods

Yearly consumption of purchased 
water.

Indirect Impacts (Downstream)

Greenhouse Gases

Definition

Data source & Calculation Methods

Vehicle Fuel

Petrol and diesel used by 
customers in van hire fleet.

Recorded mileage, converted 
according to Defra Guidelines.

Quantity

Absolute tonnes CO2e

Normalised* tonnes CO2e
per £m turnover

2011

288

2012

 328 

2011

27

2012

 26 

Quantity

Absolute m3

2011

2,661

2012

2506

Normalised* tonnes
per £m turnover

2011

249

2012

 196 

Quantity

Absolute tonnes CO2e

2011

55

2012

51

Normalised* tonnes CO2e
per £m turnover

2011

5

5

2012

 4 

 4 

Total Greenhouse 
Gases

Includes Carbon Dioxide (CO2), 
Methane (CH4) and Nitrous 
Oxide (N2O).

* Normalised based on annual revenue for the respective years.

Calculated according to Defra 
Guidelines.

55

51

The above information is based on UK Government Environmental Key Performance Indicators: Reporting Guidelines for UK Business (2006). Figures are rounded up.

Lok’nStore Group Plc  Annual Report and Accounts 201221813.04  2/11/2012 Proof 1329

Auditor
A resolution to reappoint Baker Tilly UK Audit 
LLP, Chartered Accountants, as Auditor will 
be put to the members at the Annual General 
Meeting.

A formal notice together with explanatory 
circular and Form of Proxy will be sent to 
shareholders.

On behalf of the Board

Simon G Thomas
Chairman
26 October 2012

Share Buy-back Authority
Authority will be sought at the Company’s 
AGM on 30 November 2012 from shareholders 
to approve a share buy-back authority. The 
buy-back authority will only be exercised in 
circumstances where the Directors regard 
such purchases to be in the best interests of 
shareholders as a whole.

Statement of Disclosure of 
Information to the Auditor
The Directors who were in office at the date 
of approval of these financial statements have 
confirmed that, as far as they are aware, there 
is no relevant audit information of which the 
Auditor is unaware. Each of the Directors has 
confirmed that they have taken all the steps 
that they ought to have taken as Directors 
in order to make themselves aware of any 
relevant audit information and to establish that 
it has been communicated to the Auditor.

Annual General Meeting
The Company’s Annual General Meeting will 
be held on 30 November 2012 at 11.00 am at 
the offices of Maclay Murray Spens LLP, One 
London Wall, London EC2Y 5AB.

Health and Safety
The Board recognises the prime importance 
of maintaining high standards of Health & 
Safety and healthy working conditions for staff, 
customers, visitors, contractors and other 
people who may be affected by our business 
activities.

Lok’nStore has a Health and Safety Committee 
which meets to discuss issues relevant to 
Health and Safety within the Group under the 
overall supervision of Ray Davies, who carries 
Board responsibility for risk management. This 
meeting is chaired by the Facilities Manager, 
with the Committee comprising of three other 
staff members who each hold the position for 
one year.

The Health and Safety policy is reviewed by 
the Facilities Manager on an annual basis. It 
is also amended to include changes to Health 
and Safety Law as they occur. The Health and 
Safety policy clearly sets out the duties and 
responsibilities of the Chief Executive Officer, 
Managers and all staff within the Group.

Employee Benefit Trust
The Employee Benefit Trust owns 623,212 
shares (2011: 623,212), the costs of which 
are shown as a deduction from shareholders’ 
funds. The Company is holding in treasury a 
total of 1,142,000 of its own Ordinary Shares 
of 1 pence each with an aggregate nominal 
value of £11,420 for an aggregate cost of 
£2,092,902. At 31 July 2012 these treasury 
shares represent 4.27% of the Company’s 
issued share capital (2011: 4.27%). The 
total number of Ordinary Shares in issue is 
26,758,865 (2011: 26,758,865).

www.loknstore.com  stock code: LOK          21813.04  2/11/2012 Proof 13Our FinancialsOur GovernanceOur PerformanceOur Business30

Corporate Governance

Introduction
The UK Corporate Governance Code 
is intended to promote the principles of 
openness, integrity and accountability. The 
Group and Board fully support these principles. 
However, in view of the size and nature of 
the Group, the Directors have taken into 
consideration the recommendations of the 
Guidance for Smaller Quoted Companies on 
the Code produced by the Quoted Companies 
Alliance and applied the principles that they 
consider relevant to the Group.

Narrative Statement
Directors
There is a Board of Directors, which is set 
up to control the Group and consists of four 
Executive and three Non-Executive Directors. 
The Board considers all of the Non-Executive 
Directors to be independent of the Group 
save for Richard Holmes who by virtue of over 
nine years tenure as a Non-Executive is not 
considered to be independent. SG Thomas 
is Chairman of the Board and the Board has 
a formal schedule of matters reserved for its 
consideration and decision. This schedule 
includes approval of financial strategy, major 
investments, review of performance, monitoring 
risk, ensuring adequate capital resources 
are available and reporting to shareholders. 
The Chairman is not independent as he is a 
substantial shareholder of the Company and 
was formerly the Chief Executive.

The full Board meets every three months to 
discuss a range of significant matters including 
strategic decisions, major acquisitions and 
Group performance. A procedure to enable 
Directors to take independent professional 
advice if required has been agreed by the 
Board and formally confirmed by all Directors.

Each Board meeting receives the latest 
financial information available which consists 
of detailed management accounts with the 
relevant comparisons to budget. A current 
trading appraisal is given by the Executive 
Directors.

Each member of the Board is subject to 
the re-election provisions of the Articles of 
Association, which requires them to offer 
themselves for re-election at least once every 
three years. In the event of a proposal to 
appoint a new Director, this is discussed at a 
full Board meeting with each member being 
given the opportunity to meet the individual 
concerned prior to any formal decision being 
taken. Richard Holmes who has over nine 
years tenure as a Non-Executive is now 
required under the Companies Act 2006 to 
offer himself for re-election at every Annual 
General Meeting and accordingly offers himself 
for election at the next AGM.

Directors’ Remuneration
The Remuneration Committee consists of 
Edward Luker (Chairman of the Committee) 
and Richard Holmes. Edward Luker replaced 
Richard Holmes as Chairman during the year. 
The Committee meets and considers, within 
existing terms of reference, the remuneration 
policy and makes recommendations to 
the Board for each Executive Director. The 
Committee’s remuneration policy aims to 
design a package that will align the interests of 
Executive Directors and those of shareholders. 
The Executive Directors’ remuneration consists 
of a package of basic salary, bonuses and 
share options, which are linked to corporate 
achievements and these levels are determined 
by the Remuneration Committee. The details 
of each Director’s remuneration are set out in 
note 6 to the financial statements.

The Committee meets once a year and 
considers proposals from the Chairman and 
Chief Executive Officer.

Shareholders’ Relations
The Board has always sought good relations 
with the Company’s shareholders. Since 
last year the Company has written to all 
shareholders on five occasions: in January 
2012, (AGM Business and Strategy); March 
2012, (New Website); April 2012, (Interim 
results) and June 2012, (Update on strategic 
and operational progress) and finally in August 
2012 (Outlook and Dividend policy). The 
Directors meet and discuss the performance 
of the Group with shareholders during the 
year. Queries raised by a shareholder, either 
verbally or in writing, are promptly answered 
by whoever is best placed on the Board to 
do so. At the AGM the Board give a slide 
presentation of events and progress during the 
year and Directors are individually introduced 
to shareholders at the Meeting. Attendee 
shareholders are encouraged to mix and 
engage with the Directors after the formal 
business of the AGM has concluded.

Accountability and Audit
The Board believes that the Annual Report 
and Accounts play an important part in 
presenting all shareholders with an assessment 
of the Group’s position and prospects. The 
Chairman’s Review contains a detailed 
consideration of the Group’s position and 
prospects.

Internal Control
The Board is responsible for ensuring that the 
Group has in place a system of internal control. 
In this context, internal control is defined as 
those policies and processes established to 
ensure that business objectives are achieved 
cost effectively, assets and shareholder value 
are safeguarded, and laws, regulations and 
policies are complied with. Controls can 
provide reasonable but not absolute assurance 
that risks are identified and adequately 
managed to achieve business objectives and 
to minimise material errors, losses and fraud or 
breaches of laws and regulations.

Lok’nStore Group Plc  Annual Report and Accounts 201221813.04  2/11/2012 Proof 13 
31

The Committee is satisfied that the external 
Auditor remains independent in the discharge 
of their audit responsibilities.

The Board supports the highest standards in 
corporate governance, appropriate to its size, 
and continues to consider the UK Corporate 
Governance Code as well as the Group’s 
procedures to maintain proper control and 
accountability. In common with many small 
companies, a nomination committee has not 
been established and appointments to the 
Board are decided on by the Board as a whole. 

On behalf of the Board

Simon G Thomas
Chairman
26 October 2012

Audit Committee
The Company has an established Audit 
Committee, to whom the external Auditor, 
Baker Tilly UK Audit LLP, reports. The 
Committee consists of Charles Peal (Chairman 
of the Committee) and Edward Luker. It 
is responsible for the relationship with the 
Group’s external Auditor and the review of 
the Group’s financial reporting and internal 
controls.

The Committee meets a minimum of 
twice a year, prior to the announcement of 
interim and annual results to consider the 
Auditors’ Findings Report and consider any 
corresponding recommendations, and would, 
should it be necessary, convene at other times.

The Audit Committee also undertakes a formal 
assessment of the Auditor’s independence 
each year, which includes:

✔■

✔■

✔■

✔■

a review of non-audit services provided to 
the Group and related fees;
discussion with the Auditor of a written 
report detailing all relationships with the 
Company and any other parties that could 
affect independence or the perception of 
independence;
a review of the Auditor’s own procedures 
for ensuring the independence of the audit 
firm and partners and staff involved in the 
audit, including the regular rotation of the 
audit partner every five years; and
obtaining written confirmation from 
the Auditor that, in their professional 
judgement, they are independent.

An analysis of the fees payable to the external 
audit firm in respect of both audit and non-
audit services during the year is set out in note 
5 to the financial statements.

The Group operates a strict system of internal 
financial control, which is designed to ensure 
that the possibility of misstatement or loss is 
kept to a minimum. There is a comprehensive 
system in place for financial reporting and the 
Board receives a number of reports to enable 
it to carry out these functions in the most 
efficient manner. These procedures include the 
preparation of management accounts, forecast 
variance analysis and other ad hoc reports. 
There are clearly defined authority limits 
throughout the Group.

The Group continues to develop the internal 
audit function utilising operational management 
to make unannounced store visits as part of a 
process supported by audit control checklists 
and other procedures. This undertaking has 
contributed to sales by promoting efficient 
store management, but also addresses risk 
and credit control, cash and store banking, 
and space and customer management. The 
internal audit checks are designed to ensure 
any fraud or mismanagement is quickly 
identified.

The Group has a whistle blowing procedure 
within its staff handbook, which is issued to all 
staff. All employees may raise concerns about 
malpractice or improper or potentially illegal 
behaviour in confidence without concern of 
victimisation or disciplinary action.

Going Concern
The Directors can report that, based on the  
Group’s budgets and financial projections,  
they have satisfied themselves that the  
business is a going concern. The Board has  
a reasonable expectation that the Company  
and the Group have adequate resources and  
facilities to continue in operational existence  
for the foreseeable future based on Group  
cash balances of £4.0 million, (2011: £3.8  
million) undrawn committed facilities at  
31 July 2012 of £10.3 million and cash 
generated from operations in the year to  
31 July 2012 of £3.1 million (2011: £3.6 
million). During the year the Group signed a 
new five year £40 million revolving credit facility 
with Lloyds TSB plc underlining the strength of 
the cash flow and the assets of the business. 
The facility has been in place since 20 October 
2011 and runs until 19 October 2016. The 
Group is not obliged to make any repayments 
prior to expiration. The financial statements are 
therefore prepared on a going concern basis.

www.loknstore.com  stock code: LOK          21813.04  2/11/2012 Proof 13Our FinancialsOur GovernanceOur PerformanceOur Business32

Directors’ Responsibilities

 in the Preparation of Financial Statements

The Directors are responsible for preparing the 
Directors’ Report and the financial statements 
in accordance with applicable law and 
regulations.

Company law requires the Directors to prepare 
Group and Company Financial Statements 
for each financial year. The Directors are 
required by the AIM Rules of the London 
Stock Exchange to prepare Group financial 
statements in accordance with International 
Financial Reporting Standards (‘IFRS’) as 
adopted by the European Union (‘EU’) 
and have elected under company law to 
prepare the Company financial statements in 
accordance with IFRS as adopted by the EU.

The financial statements are required by law 
and IFRS as adopted by the EU to present 
fairly the financial position of the Group and 
the Company and the financial performance of 
the Group. The Companies Act 2006 provides 
in relation to such financial statements that 
references in the relevant part of that Act to 
financial statements giving a true and fair 
view are references to their achieving a fair 
presentation.

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 the 
Company and of the profit or loss of the Group 
for that period.

In preparing the Group and Company financial 
statements the Directors are required to:

a.  select suitable accounting policies and 

then apply them consistently;
b.  make judgements and accounting 

estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
c.  state whether they have been prepared in 
accordance with IFRSs as adopted by the 
EU; and

d.  prepare the financial statements on 
the going concern basis unless it is 
inappropriate to presume that the 
Group and the Company will continue in 
business.

The Directors are responsible for keeping 
adequate accounting records that are sufficient 
to show and explain the Group’s and the 
Company’s transactions and disclose with 
reasonable accuracy at any time the financial 
position of the Group and the Company 
and enable them to ensure that the financial 
statements comply with the Companies 
Act 2006. They are also responsible for 
safeguarding the assets of the Group and the 
Company and hence for taking reasonable 
steps for the prevention and detection of fraud 
and other irregularities.

The Directors are also responsible for the 
maintenance and integrity of the corporate and 
financial information on the Lok’nStore Group 
Plc websites.

Legislation in the United Kingdom governing 
the preparation and dissemination of financial 
statements may differ from legislation in other 
jurisdictions.

Lok’nStore Group Plc  Annual Report and Accounts 201221813.04  2/11/2012 Proof 1333

Financial Index

Contents

Page
34 Independent Auditor’s Report to the Members of Lok’nStore Group Plc

35 Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income

36 Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity

37 Company Statement of Changes in Equity

38 Statements of Financial Position

39 Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows

40 Accounting Policies

46 Notes to the Financial Statements

Page
46 Revenue
46 Segmental information
48 Cost of sales of retail products
49 Other costs
49 Professional fees and associated costs
49 Finance income
49 Finance costs
50 Profit before taxation
50 Employees
52 Taxation
52 Dividends
53 Earnings per share
53 Acquisition of subsidiary
54 Intangible assets
55 Property, plant and equipment
58 Property lease premiums
58 Investments
58 Inventories
59 Trade and other receivables
60 Trade and other payables
60 Financial instruments
63 Borrowings
64 Derivative financial instruments
64 Deferred tax
65 Share capital
66 Equity settled share-based payment plans
68 Enterprise Management Initiative Scheme
69 Unapproved Share Options
72 CSOP Approved Share Options
73 Other reserves
73 Retained earnings
74 Own shares
74 Cash flows
75 Commitments under operating leases
75 Events after the reporting date
76 Related party transactions
77 Capital commitments and guarantees
77 Bank borrowings
77 Contingent Liability – Value added tax

www.loknstore.com  stock code: LOK          21813.04  2/11/2012 Proof 13Our FinancialsOur GovernanceOur PerformanceOur Business34

Independent Auditor’s Report
 to the Members of Lok’nStore Group Plc

Opinion on the financial 
statements
In our opinion:

✔■

✔■

✔■

✔■

the financial statements give a true and fair 
view of the state of the Group’s and the 
parent’s affairs as at 31 July 2012 and of 
the Group’s profit for the year then ended;
the Group financial statements have been 
properly prepared in accordance with 
IFRSs as adopted by the European Union;
the parent financial statements have been 
properly prepared in accordance with 
IFRSs as adopted by the European Union 
and as applied in accordance with the 
Companies Act 2006; and
the financial statements have been 
prepared in accordance with the 
requirements of the Companies Act 2006.

Opinion on other matter 
prescribed by the 
Companies Act 2006
In our opinion the information given in the 
Directors’ Report for the financial year for 
which the financial statements are prepared is 
consistent with the financial statements.

Matters on which we are required 
to report by exception
We have nothing to report in respect of the 
following matters where the Companies Act 
2006 requires us 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 
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.

Euan Banks (Senior Statutory Auditor)
For and on behalf of BAKER TILLY UK AUDIT LLP
Statutory Auditor
Chartered Accountants
25 Farringdon Street
EC4A 4AB

26 October 2012

We have audited the Group and parent 
Company financial statements (‘the financial 
statements’) on pages 35 to 77. The financial 
reporting framework that has been applied 
in their preparation is applicable law and 
International Financial Reporting Standards 
(IFRSs) as adopted by the European Union 
and, as regards the parent Company financial 
statements, as applied in accordance with the 
provisions of the Companies Act 2006.

This report is made solely to the Company’s 
members, as a body, in accordance with 
Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the Companies Act 
2006. Our audit work has been undertaken 
so that we might state to the Company’s 
members those matters we are required 
to state to them in an Auditor’s report and 
for no other purpose. To the fullest extent 
permitted by law, we do not accept or 
assume responsibility to anyone other than the 
Company and the Company’s members, as a 
body, for our audit work, for this report, or for 
the opinions we have formed.

Respective responsibilities of 
Directors and Auditor
As more fully explained in the Directors’ 
Responsibilities Statement on page 32, the 
Directors are responsible for the preparation 
of the financial statements and for being 
satisfied that they give a true and fair view. Our 
responsibility is to audit and express an opinion 
on the financial statements in accordance with 
applicable law and International Standards on 
Auditing (UK and Ireland). Those standards 
require us to comply with the Auditing 
Practices Board’s (APB’s) Ethical Standards for 
Auditors.

Scope of the audit of the financial 
statements
A description of the scope of an audit of 
financial statements is provided on the APB’s 
website at www.frc.org.uk/apb/scope/private.
cfm.

Lok’nStore Group Plc  Annual Report and Accounts 201221813.04  2/11/2012 Proof 13Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income

For the year ended 31 July 2012

35

Revenue
Cost of sales of retail products
Property and premises costs
Staff costs
General overheads
Distribution
Total costs
EBITDA†

Amortisation of intangible assets
Depreciation based on historic cost
Additional depreciation based on revalued assets

Loss on sale of motor vehicles
Equity settled share based payments

Operating profit†

Professional and related costs – management contract set-up
Professional costs – acquisition of Saracen Datastore Limited
Profit before interest

Finance income
Finance cost

Profit before taxation
Income tax expense

Profit for the financial year

Profit attributable to:
Owners of the parent
Non-controlling interest

Other Comprehensive Income 

Increase/(decrease) in property valuation
Deferred tax relating to decrease in property valuation
Decrease in fair value of cash flow hedges
Deferred tax relating to cash flow hedges 
Other comprehensive income

Total comprehensive income for the year
Attributable to:
Owners of the parent
Non-controlling interest

Earnings per share
Basic
Diluted

*  EBITDA and operating profit are defined in the accounting policies section of the notes to the financial statements.

Year ended
31 July 2012
£’000

Year ended
31 July 2011
£’000

Notes

1a
2a
2b
2b
2b
2b

20

2c
2c

3
4

5
7

25

12,765
(251)
(3,895)
(3,432)
(1,048)
(165)
(8,791)

3,974

(165)
(1,304)
(273)
(1,742)
(4)
(92)
(1,838)

10,846
(228)
(3,435)
(2,885)
(1,017)
–
(7,565)

3,281

–
(1,354)
(262)
(1,616)
–
(100)
(1,716)

2,136

1,566

(196)
–

1,940

15
(1,029)

926
(155)

771

753
18

771

48
523
(496)
114

189

960

942
18
960

–
(129)

1,437

24
(523)

938
(52)

886

892
(6)

886

(2,494)
1,216
–
–

(1,278)

392

(386)
(6)
(392)

9
9

3.01p
2.99p

3.57p
3.54p

www.loknstore.com  stock code: LOK          21813.04  2/11/2012 Proof 13Our FinancialsOur GovernanceOur PerformanceOur Business36

Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity

For the year ended 31 July 2012

1 August 2010

Profit/(loss) for the year

Other comprehensive income:
Decrease in property valuation
Deferred tax relating to
  decrease in property valuation
Other comprehensive income
Total comprehensive income

Transactions with owners:
Non-controlling interest arising
  on acquisition of subsidiary
Dividend paid

Transfer additional dep’n on

revaluation net of deferred tax

Equity-settled share-based
  payments

31 July 2011

Profit for the year

Other comprehensive income:
Increase in property valuation
Deferred tax relating to increase

in property valuation

Decrease in fair value of cash

flow hedges

Deferred tax relating to cash

flow hedges 

Other comprehensive income

Total comprehensive income

Transactions with owners:
Dividend paid

Transfer additional dep’n on

revaluation net of deferred tax

Equity-settled share-based
  payments

Share
capital
£’000

268

Share
premium
£’000

698

Other
reserves
£’000

13,009

Revaluation
reserve
£’000

21,635

Retained
earnings
£’000

3,498

Attributable
to owners of
the parent
£’000

39,108

–

–

–
–
–

–
–
–

–

–

–

–

–
–
–

–
–
–

–

–

–

–

–
–
–

–
(250)
(250) 

–

99

–

893

893

(2,494)

1,216
(1,278)
(1,278)

– 
–
–

(196)

–

–

(2,494)

–
–
893

–
–
–

196

–

1,216
(1,278)
(385)

– 
(250)
(250) 

–

99

Non-
controlling
interest
£’000

–

(6)

–

–
–
(6)

260
–
260

–

–

Total
equity
£’000

39,108

887

(2,494)

1,216
(1,278)
(391)

260
(250)
10 

–

99 

268

698 

12,858

20,161

4,587

38,572

254

38,826

–

–

–

–

–
–

–

–
–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–
–

–

–
–

–

–

–

–

–

(496)

114
(382)

(382)

(917)
(917)

–

92

–

753

753

18

771

48

523

–

–
571

571

–
–

(205)

–

–

–

–

–
–

753

–
–

205

–

48

523

(496)

114
189

942

(917)
(917)

–

92

–

–

–

–
–

18

–
–

–

–

48

523

(496)

114
189

960

(917)
(917)

–

92

31 July 2012

268

698

11,651

20,527

5,545

38,689

272

38,961

Lok’nStore Group Plc  Annual Report and Accounts 201221813.04  2/11/2012 Proof 13 
 
 
 
 
 
Company Statement of Changes in Equity

For the year ended 31 July 2012

37

1 August 2010
Loss for the year

Dividend paid
Total transactions with owners

Equity-settled share-based payments
31 July 2011

Loss for the year

Dividend paid
Equity-settled share-based payments
31 July 2012

Share
capital
£’000

268

Share
premium
£’000

698

– 

–
–

–

–

–
–

–

268

698

–

–
–

–

–
–

Retained
earnings
£’000

(169)

(169)

–
–

–

(338)

(194)

–
–

268

698

(532)

Other
reserves
£’000

6,714

–

(250)
(250)

99

6,563

Total
£’000

7,511

(169)

(250)
(250)

99

7,191

–

(194)

(917)
92

5,738

(917)
92

6,172

www.loknstore.com  stock code: LOK          21813.04  2/11/2012 Proof 13Our FinancialsOur GovernanceOur PerformanceOur Business38

Statements of Financial Position

31 July 2012

Company Registration No. 4007169

Assets

Non-current assets

Intangible assets

Property, plant and equipment

Property lease premiums

Investments

Amounts due from subsidiary undertakings

Current assets

Inventories

Trade and other receivables

Cash and cash equivalents

Total assets

Liabilities

Current liabilities

Trade and other payables

Current tax liabilities

Borrowings

Non-current liabilities 

Borrowings

Derivative financial instruments

Deferred tax

Total liabilities

Net assets

Equity

Equity attributable to owners of the parent

Called up share capital

Share premium

Other reserves

Retained earnings/(deficit)

Revaluation reserve

Total equity attributable to owners of the parent

Non-controlling interests

Total equity

Group
31 July 2012
£’000

Group
31 July 2011
£’000

Company
31 July 2012
£’000

Company
31 July 2011
£’000

Notes

11a

11b

11c

12

30

13

14

15

7

17a

17a

17b

18

19

24

25

4,253

69,470

3,180

–

–

4,419

69,174

2,944

–

–

76,903 

76,537

140

1,855

3,961

110

1,821

3,779

5,956

82,859

5,710

82,247

(4,084)

–

(22)

(4,656)

(60)

(28,124)

(4,106)

(32,840)

(29,223)

(496)

(26)

–

(10,073) 

(10,555) 

(39,792)

(10,581)

(43,898)

38,961 

(43,421)

38,826 

–

–

–

1,682

4,490

6,172

–

–

– 

–

–

–

– 

1,590

5,601

7,191

– 

– 

–

– 

6,172

7,191 

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

– 

–

–

– 

–

–

–

– 

– 

6,172

7,191

268

698

11,651

5,545

20,527

38,689

272

268

698

12,858 

4,587

20,161

38,572

254

38,961

38,826

268 

698

5,738

(532) 

– 

6,172

–

6,172

268 

698 

6,563 

(338) 

– 

7,191

–

7,191

Approved by the Board of Directors and authorised for issue on 26 October 2012 and signed on its behalf by:

Andrew Jacobs
Chief Executive Officer

Ray Davies
Finance Director

Lok’nStore Group Plc  Annual Report and Accounts 201221813.04  2/11/2012 Proof 13 
 
 
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows

For the year ended 31 July 2012

39

Operating activities
Cash generated from operations

Net cash from operating activities

Investing activities
Purchase of property, plant and equipment and property lease premiums
Acquisition of subsidiary (net of cash acquired)
Proceeds from disposal of property, plant and equipment
Interest received
Net cash used in investing activities

Financing activities
Proceeds from new borrowings
Repayment of borrowings 
Arrangement fees – refinancing of Group revolving credit facility
Repayment of borrowings – subsidiary bank loan
Finance costs paid
Equity dividends paid
Net cash used in financing activities

Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents in the year
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the year
Cash and cash equivalents at end of the year

No statement of cash flows is presented for the Company as it had no cash flows in either year.

Year ended
31 July 2012
£’000

Year ended
31 July 2011
£’000

Notes

27a

3,143

3,600

3,143

3,600

10

(2,074)
–
10
15

(2,049)

29,681
(28,195)
(555)
– 
(926)
(917)

(912)

182

3,779

3,961

(787) 
(3,563) 

–
24 

(4,326) 

–
–
–
(39)
(570)
(250)

(859)

(1,585)

5,364 

3,779

www.loknstore.com  stock code: LOK          21813.04  2/11/2012 Proof 13Our FinancialsOur GovernanceOur PerformanceOur Business40

Accounting Policies

IAS 27*

IAS 28*

IFRS 1*

IFRS 7* 

IFRS 9*

IFRS 10*

IFRS 11* 

Separate Financial Statements 
(amended 2011). Effective for 
accounting periods commencing 
on or after 1 January 2013.
Investments in associates and 
Joint ventures (amended 2011). 
Effective for accounting periods 
commencing on or after 1 January 
2013.
First-time adoption of IFRS 
– Amendments; Effective for 
accounting periods commencing 
on or after 1 January 2013.
Financial Instruments: Disclosures 
– Amendment; Offsetting Financial 
Assets and Financial Liabilities; 
Effective for accounting periods 
commencing on or after 1 July 
2011. Effective for accounting 
periods commencing on or after  
1 January 2013.
Financial Instruments. Effective for 
accounting periods commencing 
on or after 1 January 2015.
Consolidated Financial Statements. 
Effective accounting periods 
commencing on or after 1 January 
2013.
Joint Arrangements. Effective 
accounting periods commencing 
on or after 1 January 2013.

IFRS 12*  Disclosure of Interests in Other 

IFRS 13* 

IAS 32

Entities. Effective accounting 
periods commencing on or after  
1 January 2013.
Fair Value Measurement. Effective 
accounting periods commencing 
on or after 1 January 2013.
Financial Instruments – 
Presentation – Amendment; 
Offsetting Financial assets and 
Financial Liabilities. Effective for 
accounting periods commencing 
on or after 1 January 2014.

* Not yet endorsed by the EU.

The Directors do not anticipate that the 
adoption of these Standards will have a 
significant impact on the financial statements 
of the Group.

General Information
Lok’nStore Plc is an AIM listed company 
incorporated and domiciled in England and 
Wales. The address of the registered office is 
One London Wall, London EC2Y 5AB, UK. 
Copies of this Annual Report and Accounts 
may be obtained from the Company’s head 
office at 112 Hawley Lane, Farnborough, 
Hants, GU14 8JE, or the investor section of the 
Company’s website at http://www.loknstore.
com.

Basis of accounting
The annual financial statements have been 
prepared in accordance with International 
Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and 
International Financial Reporting Interpretations 
Committee (IFRIC) Interpretations as adopted 
by the European Union and comply with 
those parts of the Companies Act 2006 that 
are applicable to companies reporting under 
IFRS. The Group has applied all accounting 
standards and interpretations issued by the 
International Accounting Standards Board and 
International Financial Reporting Interpretation 
Committee relevant to its operations and 
effective for accounting periods beginning on 
or after 1 August 2011.

The financial statements have been prepared 
on the historic cost basis except that certain 
trading properties and derivative financial 
instruments are stated at fair value.

Adoption of new and revised 
standards
Standards in issue but not yet effective
At the date of approval of these financial 
statements, the following standards and 
interpretations which were in issue but not yet 
effective:

IAS 1

IAS 19

IAS 12*

Presentation of financial statements 
– Amendment; Presentation of 
items of other comprehensive 
income. Effective for accounting 
periods commencing on or after 1 
July 2012.
Employee benefits – Amendments; 
Effective for accounting periods 
commencing on or after 1 January 
2013.
Income Taxes – Amendment; 
Deferred Tax; Recovery of 
Underlying Assets; Effective for 
accounting periods commencing 
on or after 1 January 2012.

There were no other Standards or 
Interpretations, which were in issue but not 
yet effective at the date of authorisation of 
these financial statements, that the Directors 
anticipate will have a material impact on the 
financial statements of the Group.

Basis of consolidation
Intra-Group transactions, balances, and 
unrealised gains and losses on transactions 
between Group companies are eliminated on 
consolidation, except to the extent that intra-
Group losses indicate an impairment.

Goodwill
Goodwill arising on consolidation represents 
the excess of the consideration transferred, 
the amount of any non-controlling interest 
and the fair value of any previous interest 
in the acquired entity over the fair value of 
the identifiable assets and liabilities of a 
subsidiary at the date of acquisition. Goodwill 
is recognised as an asset.

Any deficiency of the consideration transferred, 
the amount of any non-controlling interest 
and the fair value of any previous interest in 
the acquired entity below the fair value of 
identifiable assets and liabilities of a subsidiary 
(i.e. discount on acquisition) is recognised 
directly in profit or loss.

Goodwill is reviewed for impairment at least 
annually. For the purposes of impairment 
testing, assets are grouped at the lowest 
levels for which there are separately identifiable 
cash flows, known as cash generating units, 
and goodwill is allocated to these units. If the 
recoverable amount of the cash generating unit 
is less than the carrying amount of the unit, the 
impairment loss is allocated first to reduce the 
carrying amount of any goodwill allocated to 
the unit and then to the other assets of the unit 
pro-rata on the basis of the carrying amount 
of each asset in the unit. Impairment losses in 
relation to goodwill are recognised immediately 
in profit or loss and are not reversed in 
subsequent periods.

Recoverable amount is the higher of fair value 
less costs to sell and value in use. In assessing 
value in use, the estimated future cash flows 
are discounted to their present value using 
a pre-tax discount rate that reflects current 
market assessment of the time value of money 
and the risks specific to the asset for which the 
estimate of future cash flows have not been 
adjusted.

Lok’nStore Group Plc  Annual Report and Accounts 201221813.04  2/11/2012 Proof 13 
41

When determining whether goodwill is impaired 
the carrying value of the cash generating unit 
is adjusted to include the goodwill attributable 
to the non-controlling interest when the non-
controlling interest has been measured as 
a proportionate share of the net identifiable 
assets of the subsidiary. 

Non-controlling interests
Non-controlling interests are measured at the 
proportionate share of the non-controlling 
interest’s identifiable net assets in the relevant 
subsidiary.

Profit or loss and each component of other 
comprehensive income are allocated between 
the owners of the parent and non-controlling 
interests even if this results in the non-
controlling interest having a deficit balance.

Transactions with non-controlling interests that 
do not result in loss of control are accounted 
for as equity transactions. Any differences 
between the adjustment to the non-controlling 
interest and the fair value of consideration paid 
or received are recognised in equity.

Going concern
The Directors can report that, based on the 
Group’s budgets and financial projections, 
they have satisfied themselves that the 
business is a going concern. The Board has 
a reasonable expectation that the Company 
and the Group have adequate resources and 
facilities to continue in operational existence for 
the foreseeable future based on Group cash 
balances and cash equivalents of £4.0 million 
(2011: £3.8 million), and undrawn committed 
bank facilities at 31 July 2012 of £10.3 million 
(2011: £11.9 million), and cash generated from 
operations in the year to 31 July 2012 of 
£3.1 million (2011: £3.6 million). During the 
year the Group signed a new five year 
£40 million revolving credit facility with Lloyds 
TSB plc. The facility has been in place since 
20 October 2011 and runs until 19 October 
2016. The Group is not obliged to make any 
repayments prior to expiration. The financial 
statements are therefore prepared on a going 
concern basis.

Revenue recognition
Revenue comprises the fair value of the 
consideration received or receivable for goods 
and services provided in the ordinary course of 
the Group’s activities, net of discount, VAT and 
after eliminating sales within the Group.

The Group recognises revenue when the 
amount of the revenue can be reliably 
measured and when goods are sold and title 
has passed. Revenue from services provided is 
recognised evenly over the period in which the 
services are provided.

a.  Self storage revenue

 Self storage services are provided on a 
time basis. The price at which customers 
store their goods is dependent on size 
of unit and store location. Customers 
are invoiced on a four-weekly cycle in 
advance and revenue is recognised based 
on time stored to date within the cycle. 
When customers vacate they are rebated 
the unexpired portion of their four weekly 
advance payment (subject to a seven day 
notice requirement).

b.  Retail sales

 The Group operates a ‘pack shop’ within 
each of its storage centres for selling 
storage related goods such as boxes, tape 
and bubble-wrap. Sales include sales to 
the public at large as well as self storage 
customers. Sales of goods are recognised 
at point of sale when the product is sold to 
a customer.

c. 

Insurance
 Customers may choose to insure their 
goods in storage. The weekly rate of 
insurance charged to customers is 
calculated based on the tariff per week 
for each £1,000 worth of goods stored 
by the customer. This charge is retained 
by Lok’nStore and covers the cost of the 
block policy and other costs. Customers 
are invoiced on a four-weekly basis for the 
insurance cover they use and revenue is 
recognised based on time stored to date 
within the cycle.

d.  Van hire

 The utilisation of vans and their hire to 
customers is solely to promote and 
encourage prospective customers to use 
our self storage centres and to facilitate 
their moves as efficiently as possible. Vans 
are hired out typically for a day and only to 
Lok’nStore customers and are not hired 
out to the general public at large. Revenue 
is recognised at the point of hire when the 
deposit is taken.

e.  Management fee income

 Management fees earned for managing 
stores not owned by the Group are 
recognised over the period for which the 
services are provided.

f.  Serviced archive and records 

management
 Customers are invoiced typically monthly 
in advance for the archive storage of 
their boxes, tapes and files and revenue 
is recognised based on time stored to 
date within the monthly cycle. In respect 
of the provision of additional services, 
such as document box or tape collection 
and retrieval from archive, customers 
are invoiced typically monthly in arrears 
and revenue is recognised in line with the 
provision of these services.

Segmental information
In accordance with the requirements of IFRS 8 
Operating Segments, the Group has reviewed 
its identifiable business segments and the 
information used and provided internally to 
the Board, which is considered to be the 
Chief Operating Decision Maker, in order to 
make decisions about resource allocation 
and performance management. Historically, 
there has been one business segment as the 
Group’s net assets, revenue and profit before 
tax were attributable to one principal activity 
operating under one unified business, being 
the provision of self storage accommodation 
and related services. These all arise in the 
United Kingdom.

Following the acquisition of Saracen Datastore 
Limited on 30 June 2011 the Group is now 
also involved in offsite records storage and 
document and tape archiving.  Financial 
information is reported to the Board with 
revenue and profit analysed between self 
storage activity and serviced archive and 
records management activity.

www.loknstore.com  stock code: LOK          21813.04  2/11/2012 Proof 13Our FinancialsOur GovernanceOur PerformanceOur Business 
 
 
 
 
 
42

Accounting Policies

continued

EBITDA
Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and 
amortisation (‘EBITDA’), is defined as profits 
from operations before all depreciation and 
amortisation charges, losses or profits on 
disposal, share-based payments, acquisition 
and other non-recurring set-up costs, finance 
income, finance costs and taxation.

Store EBITDA
Store EBITDA is defined as EBITDA (see 
above) but before central and head office 
costs.

Operating profit
Operating profit is defined as profit after all 
costs except acquisition and other non-
recurring set-up costs, finance income, finance 
costs and taxation.

Taxation
Income tax expense represents the sum of the 
current tax payable and deferred tax.

Current tax payable or recoverable is based 
on taxable profit for the year. Taxable profit 
differs from profit as reported in the statement 
of comprehensive income because some items 
of income or expense are taxable or deductible 
in different years or may not be taxable or 
deductible. The Group’s liability for current tax 
is calculated using tax rates and laws that have 
been enacted or substantively enacted by the 
reporting date.

Deferred tax is the tax expected to be payable 
or recoverable in the future arising from the 
temporary differences between the carrying 
amounts of assets and liabilities in the financial 
statements and the corresponding tax bases 
used in the computation of taxable profit. It is 
accounted for using the ‘balance sheet liability 
method’. Deferred tax liabilities are generally 
recognised for all taxable temporary differences 
and deferred tax assets are recognised to the 
extent that it is probable that taxable profits 
will be available against which deductible 
temporary differences can be utilised.

The carrying amount of deferred tax assets is 
reviewed at each reporting date and reduced 
to the extent that it is no longer probable that 
sufficient taxable profits will be available to 
allow all or part of the asset to be recovered.

Deferred tax is calculated at the tax rates that 
are expected to apply in the period when 
the liability is settled or the asset realised, 
based on tax rates that have been enacted or 
substantively enacted by the reporting date.

Tax is charged or credited to profit or loss, 
except when it relates to items charged or 
credited directly to other comprehensive 
income, in which case the tax is also 
recognised directly in other comprehensive 
income.

Retirement benefits
The amount charged to profit or loss in respect 
of pension costs is the contributions payable 
to money purchase schemes in the year. 
Differences between contributions payable in 
the year and contributions actually paid are 
shown as either accruals or prepayments in the 
statement of financial position. There are no 
defined benefits schemes.

Equity share-based payments
The cost of providing share-based payments to 
employees is charged to profit or loss over the 
vesting period of the related share options. The 
cost is based on the fair value of the options 
determined using the Black-Scholes pricing 
model, which is appropriate given the vesting 
and other conditions attaching to the options. 
The value of the charge may be adjusted to 
reflect expected and actual levels of vesting.

Advantage has been taken of the exemption 
available in IFRS 2 – Share-based payments  
to exclude share options granted before  
7 November 2002 (15,000 options).

Property lease premiums
Costs relating to the acquisition of long leases 
are classified as a non-current asset in the 
statement of financial position. Costs may 
include lease premiums paid on entering such 
a lease and other related costs.

Property, plant and equipment
Freehold properties and long leasehold 
properties (classified as finance leases) are 
measured at fair value. A comprehensive 
external valuation is performed at each 
reporting date.

Short leasehold improvements, fixtures, fittings 
and equipment, and motor vehicles are carried 
at cost less accumulated depreciation.

Assets in the course of construction and 
land held for pipeline store development 
(‘development property assets’) are carried 
at cost, less any recognised impairment loss. 
Depreciation of these assets commences 
when the assets are ready for their intended 
use.

Depreciation is provided on all property, 
plant and equipment other than freehold 
land and development property assets at 
rates calculated to write each asset down 
to its estimated residual value evenly over its 
expected useful life as follows:

Freehold property
Long leasehold 
property
Short leasehold 
improvements
Fixtures, fittings and 
equipment
Computer 
equipment
Motor vehicles

over 50 years straight line
over unexpired lease 
period or renewal term
over unexpired lease 
period or renewal term
10% to 15% reducing 
balance
over two years straight 
line
25% reducing balance

The assets’ residual values, useful lives and 
methods of depreciation are reviewed and 
adjusted if appropriate on an annual basis. 
An item of property, plant and equipment is 
derecognised upon disposal or when no future 
economic benefits are expected from its use 
or disposal.

The additional depreciation arising from the 
revaluation of freehold and long leasehold 
properties is separately presented on the face 
of the statement of comprehensive income 
and transferred from the revaluation reserve to 
retained earnings each year.

Intangible assets 
(other than goodwill)
Customer relationships acquired in a business 
combination are measured initially at fair value 
and are subsequently amortised on a straight-
line basis over their estimated useful lives (20 
years).

Lok’nStore Group Plc  Annual Report and Accounts 201221813.04  2/11/2012 Proof 1343

Impairment of property, plant and 
equipment and intangible assets 
(other than goodwill)
At each reporting date the Group reviews the 
carrying amounts of its property, plant and 
equipment and intangible assets to determine 
whether there is any indication that those 
assets have suffered an impairment loss. If 
any such indication exists the recoverable 
amount of the asset is estimated in order to 
determine the extent, if any, of the impairment 
loss. Where it is not possible to estimate the 
recoverable amount of an individual asset the 
Group estimates the recoverable amount of 
the cash-generating unit to which the asset 
belongs. If the recoverable amount of an asset 
or cash-generating unit is estimated to be less 
than its carrying amount, the carrying amount 
of the asset or cash-generating unit is reduced 
to its recoverable amount. An impairment 
loss is recognised immediately in profit or 
loss. Where an impairment loss subsequently 
reverses, the carrying amount of the assets or 
cash-generating unit is increased to the revised 
estimate of its recoverable amount, not to 
exceed the carrying amount that would have 
been determined had no impairment loss been 
recognised for the asset or cash-generating 
unit in prior years. A reversal of an impairment 
loss is recognised immediately in profit or loss.

Leased assets and obligations
Where assets are financed by leasing 
agreements that give rights approximating to 
ownership (‘finance leases’), the assets are 
treated as if they had been purchased outright. 
The amount capitalised is the present value of 
the minimum lease payments payable during 
the lease term. The corresponding leasing 
commitments are shown as obligations to 
the lessor. Lease payments are treated as 
consisting of capital and interest elements, 
and the interest is charged to profit or loss 
in proportion to the remaining balance 
outstanding.

All other leases are ‘operating leases’ and the 
annual rentals are charged to profit or loss 
on a straight-line basis over the lease term. 
Payments made on entering into or acquiring a 
leasehold that is accounted for as an operating 
lease are amortised over the lease term once 
the property is brought into use.

Investments
Shares in subsidiary undertakings are 
considered long-term investments and are 
classified as non-current assets in the Parent 
Company’s statement of financial position. All 
investments are stated at cost. Provision is 
made for any impairment in the value of non-
current asset investments.

Derivative financial instruments 
and hedge accounting
The Group’s activities expose it to interest 
rate risk. The Group uses interest rate swap 
contracts to hedge these exposures. The 
Group does not use derivative financial 
instruments for speculative or for any other 
purposes.

The use of financial derivatives is governed 
by the Group’s policies as approved by the 
Board of Directors. The Group documents 
its risk management objectives and strategy 
for undertaking hedging transactions within 
the Group’s Risk Register. The Group also 
documents its assessment both at hedge 
inception and on an on-going basis to assess 
whether the derivatives that are used are 
effective in offsetting changes in fair value or 
cash flows of the hedged items.

Derivative financial instruments are measured 
at fair value and the fair values of the hedged 
derivative instruments are disclosed in note 
17b. Movements on the hedging reserve 
in other comprehensive income are shown 
in note 24. The full fair value of a hedging 
derivative is classified as a non-current asset 
or liability when the remaining hedged item has 
more than 12 months to run, and as a current 
asset or liability when the remaining maturity of 
the hedged item is less than 12 months.

Instruments quoted in an active market are 
measured at their current bid price. For 
instruments that are not quoted in an active 
market, the fair value is estimated using a 
valuation technique. Techniques that are used 
by the Group include comparisons to recent 
market transactions or reference to other 
instruments which are substantially the same, 
discounted cash flow analysis and option 
pricing models. Inputs to such techniques rely 
on market inputs where such information is 
readily available. Where such information is not 
available entity-specific inputs are used.

Inventories
Inventories are stated at the lower of cost and 
net realisable value. Cost is determined on 
a first in, first out basis. Net realisable value 
is based upon estimated selling prices less 
any costs of disposal. Provision is made for 
obsolete and slow moving items.

Financial instruments
Financial assets and financial liabilities are 
recognised when the Group becomes a party 
to the contractual provision of the instrument.

Bank borrowings and finance 
costs
Interest-bearing bank loans are recorded at the 
proceeds received net of direct issue costs. 
Issue costs are amortised against the carrying 
value amount of the loan over the period of the 
loan with the cost recognised in profit and loss 
as part of finance costs.

Borrowing costs are recognised in profit or 
loss in the year in which they are incurred, 
unless the costs are incurred as part of the 
development of a qualifying asset, when 
they will be capitalised. A qualifying asset is 
an asset that necessarily takes a substantial 
period of time to get ready for its intended 
use. Commencement of capitalisation is the 
date when the Group incurs expenditure for 
the qualifying asset, incurs borrowing costs 
and undertakes activities that are necessary 
to prepare the assets for their intended use. 
In the case of suspension of activities during 
extended periods, the Group suspends 
capitalisation. The Group ceases capitalisation 
of borrowing costs when substantially all of the 
activities necessary to prepare the asset for 
use are complete.

All of the Group’s current qualifying assets 
predate the date of adoption and accordingly, 
under the transitional adoption arrangements, 
no borrowing costs have been capitalised in 
the current year or in prior years.

www.loknstore.com  stock code: LOK          21813.04  2/11/2012 Proof 13Our FinancialsOur GovernanceOur PerformanceOur Business44

Accounting Policies

continued

Cash flow hedges
Hedges of exposures to variable cash flows 
attributable to a particular risk associated 
with a recognised asset or liability or a highly 
probable forecast transaction that could 
affect profit or loss are accounted for as 
cash flow hedges when the hedging criteria 
has been achieved. The Group uses cash 
flow hedges to account for the hedging of 
variable rate borrowings. The effective portion 
of changes in the fair value is recognised in 
other comprehensive income whilst the gain 
or loss on the ineffective portion is recognised 
immediately in profit or loss.

Amounts accumulated in other comprehensive 
income are recycled to profit or loss in the 
periods when the hedged item affects profit or 
loss. However when a forecast transaction that 
is hedged results in the recognition of a non-
financial asset, the gains and losses previously 
deferred into other comprehensive income are 
transferred from other comprehensive income 
and included in the initial measurement of the 
cost of the asset.

Loans and receivables
Trade receivables, loans, and other receivables 
that have fixed or determinable payments 
that are not quoted in an active market are 
classified as loans and receivables. Loans 
and receivables are initially recognised at fair 
value less transaction costs and subsequently 
measured at amortised cost using the effective 
interest method, less any impairment. Interest 
income is recognised by applying the effective 
interest rate, except for short-term receivables 
when the recognition of interest would be 
immaterial.

Liabilities and equity
Financial liabilities and equity instruments 
issued by the Group 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 Group after deducting all 
of its liabilities and includes no obligation to 
deliver cash or other financial assets. Equity 
instruments issued by the Group are recorded 
at the proceeds received, net of direct issue 
costs. Interest bearing loans and overdrafts 
are initially measured at fair value net of direct 
transaction costs and are subsequently 
measured at amortised cost, using the effective 
interest rate method. Any difference between 
the proceeds net of transaction costs and 
the settlement or redemption of borrowings is 
recognised over the term of the borrowing.

Trade payables are initially recognised at fair 
value and are subsequently stated at amortised 
cost using the effective interest rate method.

Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents comprises cash 
and short-term deposits and other short-
term highly liquid investments that are readily 
convertible to a known amount of cash. The 
carrying amounts of these assets approximate 
to their fair value and the risk of changes in 
value is not significant.

Impairment of financial assets
Financial assets are assessed for indications 
of impairment at each reporting date. Financial 
assets are impaired where there is objective 
evidence that, as a result of one or more 
events that occurred after the initial recognition 
of the financial asset, the estimated future cash 
flows from the asset have been reduced.

The carrying amount of the financial asset 
is reduced by the impairment loss directly 
for all financial assets with the exception 
of trade receivables, where the carrying 
amount is reduced through the use of an 
allowance account. When a trade receivable is 
considered uncollectible, it is written off against 
the allowance account. Subsequent recoveries 
of amounts previously written off are credited 
against the allowance account. Changes in the 
carrying amount of the allowance account are 
recognised in profit or loss.

Net debt
Net debt comprises the borrowings of the 
Group less cash and liquid resources.

Provisions
Provisions are recognised when the Group has 
a present obligation as a result of a past event 
which it is probable will result in an outflow 
of economic benefits that can be reliably 
estimated.

Employee Benefit Trust
The Group operates an employment benefit 
trust and has de facto control of the shares 
held by the trust and bears their benefits and 
risks. The Group records certain assets and 
liabilities of the trust as its own. Finance costs 
and administrative expenses are charged as 
they accrue.

Own shares
The cost of own shares held by the employee 
benefit trust (‘ESOP shares’) and treasury 
shares is shown as a deduction from retained 
earnings. Earnings per share are calculated on 
the net shares in issue.

Critical accounting estimates and 
judgements
The preparation of consolidated financial 
statements under IFRS requires management 
to make estimates and assumptions that 
may affect the application of accounting 
policies and the reported amounts of assets 
and liabilities, income and expenses. Actual 
outcomes may differ from these estimates and 
assumptions. The estimates and assumptions 
that have a significant risk of causing a material 
adjustment to the carrying amounts of assets 
and liabilities within the next financial year are 
discussed below.

a.  Estimate of fair value of trading properties

 The Group values its self storage 
stores using a discounted cash flow 
methodology which is based on current 
and projected net operating income. 
Principal assumptions underlying 
management’s estimation of the fair 
value are those relating to stabilised 
occupancy levels; expected future growth 
in storage rents and operating costs, 
maintenance requirements, capitalisation 
rates and discount rates. A more detailed 
explanation of the background and 
methodology adopted in the valuation of 
the Group’s trading properties is set out in 
note 11b. The carrying value of freehold 
properties held at valuation at the reporting 
date was £56.1 million (2011: £55.7 
million) as shown in the table on page 19.

 Cushman & Wakefield’s (‘C&W’s’) valuation 
report comments on valuation uncertainty 
resulting from the global banking crisis 
coupled with the economic downturn 
which has resulted in there being a low 
number of transactions in the market for 
self storage property.

Lok’nStore Group Plc  Annual Report and Accounts 201221813.04  2/11/2012 Proof 13 
 
45

d.  Dilapidations

 The Group has a number of stores 
operating under leasehold tenure. From 
time to time, in accordance with the 
Group’s stated objective to maximise 
shareholder value, it may choose not 
to renew a lease, particularly where 
alternative premises have been sourced 
and customers can be moved into the 
new premises. In these circumstances the 
Group may incur repairing and decoration 
liabilities (‘dilapidations’) based on the 
tenant’s obligation to the landlord to keep 
the leasehold premises in good repair 
and decorative condition. Landlords in 
these circumstances will normally serve 
a schedule of dilapidations on the tenant 
setting out a list of items to be remedied. 
This may also refer to obligations on the 
tenant to reinstate any alterations works 
previously undertaken by the tenant under 
a Licence for Alterations. Such claims 
will always be negotiated robustly by 
Lok’nStore and may require legal, valuation 
and surveyors’ expertise, particularly if it 
can be shown that the landlord’s interest 
in the premises has not been diminished 
by the dilapidations. As such, evaluations 
of actual liabilities are always a critical 
judgement and any sums provided to be 
set aside can only be an estimate until a 
settlement is concluded.

 The carrying value of the provision for 
dilapidations at the reporting date was £nil 
(2011: £nil).

 C&W note that although there were a 
number of transactions in 2007, the only 
two significant transactions since 2007 
are the sale of a 51% share in Shurgard 
Europe which was announced in January 
2008 and completed on 31 March 2008 
and the sale of the former Keepsafe 
portfolio by Macquarie to Alligator Self 
storage which was completed in January 
2010. However, C&W have reflected 
negative sentiment in their capitalisation 
rates and they have reflected current 
trading conditions in their cash flow 
projections for each property. C&W state 
that there is therefore greater uncertainty 
attached to their opinion of value than 
would be anticipated during more active 
market conditions.

 The Board concur with this view.

b.  Assets in the course of construction and 
land held for pipeline store development 
(‘Development property assets’)
 The Group’s development property 
assets are held in the statement of 
financial position at historic cost and 
are not valued externally. In acquiring 
sites for redevelopment into self storage 
facilities, the Group estimates and makes 
judgements on the potential net lettable 
storage space that it can achieve in its 
planning negotiations, together with 
the time it will take to achieve maturity 
occupancy level. In addition, assumptions 
are made on the storage rent that can 
be achieved at the store by comparison 
with other stores within the portfolio and 
within the local area. These judgements, 
taken together with estimates of operating 
costs and the projected construction 
cost, allow the Group to calculate the 
potential net operating income at maturity, 
projected returns on capital invested and 
hence to support the purchase price 
of the site at acquisition. Following the 
acquisition, regular reviews are carried 
out taking into account the status of 
the planning negotiations, and revised 
construction costs or capacity of the 
new facility, for example, to make an 
assessment of the recoverable amount 
of the development property. The Group 
reviews all development property assets for 
impairment at each reporting date in the 
light of the results of these reviews. Once 
a store is opened, it is valued as a trading 
store.

 The Group holds planning permissions 
on its entire pipeline of sites as a result 
of the work undertaken to complete the 
pre–planning and planning phases required 
on each site. During this year it has been 
engaged with the four sites to examine 
whether the potential of the existing 
permissions could be further maximised. 
The movement in costs is as a result of this 
work.

 The carrying value of development 
property assets at the reporting date 
was £11.9 million (2011: £11.5 million) of 
which £3.18 million (2011: £2.94 million) 
relating to the long lease at Maidenhead is 
classified as a property lease premium and 
is shown separately in the statement of 
financial position.

c.  Estimate of fair value of intangible assets 

acquired in business combination
 The relative size of the Group’s intangible 
assets, excluding goodwill, makes the 
judgements surrounding the estimated 
useful lives important to the Group’s 
financial position and performance. At  
31 July 2012 intangible assets, excluding 
goodwill, amounted to £3.1 million (2011: 
£3.3m).

 The valuation method used and key 
assumptions are described in note 11b.

 The useful life used to amortise intangible 
assets relates to the expected future 
performance of the assets acquired and 
management’s judgement of the period 
over which economic benefit will be 
derived from the asset. The estimated 
useful life of customer relationships of 20 
years principally reflects management’s 
view of the average economic life of 
the customer base and is assessed 
by reference to customer churn rates. 
Typically, the customer base for a 
serviced archive business is relatively 
inert. Corporate customers do not tend to 
switch service providers and indeed they 
incur box withdrawal charges should they 
do so. An increase in churn rates may lead 
to a reduction in the estimated useful life 
and an increase in the amortisation charge.

www.loknstore.com  stock code: LOK          21813.04  2/11/2012 Proof 13Our FinancialsOur GovernanceOur PerformanceOur Business 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
46

Notes to the Financial Statements continued

 For the year ended 31 July 2012

1a  Revenue
Analysis of the Group’s revenue is shown below:

Stores trading
Self storage revenue
Other storage related revenue
Ancillary store rental revenue
Management fees
Sub-total
Stores under development
Non-storage income
Sub-total
Serviced archive and records management revenue
Total revenue per statement of comprehensive income

2012
£’000

9,550
1,111
5
20
10,686

88
10,774
1,991

12,765

2011
£’000

9,523
1,060
5
21
10,609

93
10,702
144

10,846

1b  Segmental information
IFRS 8 Operating Segments requires operating segments to be identified on the basis of internal reports about components of the Group that 
are regularly reviewed by the Board to allocate resources to the segments and to assess their performance. Historically, there has been one 
business segment as the Group’s net assets, revenue and profit before tax were attributable to one principal activity, the provision of self storage 
accommodation and related services.

Following the purchase of Saracen Datastore Limited on 30 June 2011, the Group also provides offsite records storage and document and tape 
archiving services.  The acquisition broadens the offering to clients and is seen as an excellent entry point to a wide market segment complimenting 
Lok’nStore’s existing self storage activities.

All of the Group’s activities occur in the United Kingdom.

Financial information is reported to the Board with revenue and profit analysed between self storage activity and serviced archive and records 
management activity.

Segment revenue comprises of sales to external customers and excludes gains arising on the disposal of assets and finance income. Segment profit 
reported to the Board represents the profit earned by each segment before acquisition costs and other non-recurring set-up costs, finance income, 
finance costs and tax. For the purposes of assessing segment performance and for determining the allocation of resources between segments, the 
Board uses a measure of adjusted EBITDA (as defined in the accounting policies) and reviews the non-current assets attributable to each segment 
as well as the financial resources available. All assets are allocated to reportable segments. Assets that are used jointly by segments are allocated to 
the individual segments on a basis of revenues earned. All liabilities are allocated to individual segments other than borrowings and tax. Information 
is reported to the Board of Directors on a product basis as management believe that the activity of self storage and the activity of serviced archive 
and records management expose the Group to differing levels of risk and rewards due to the length, nature, seasonality and customer base of their 
respective operating cycles.

Lok’nStore Group Plc  Annual Report and Accounts 201221813.04  2/11/2012 Proof 13 
 
47

 Serviced 
archive &
records 
management
2012
£’000

Self storage
2012
£’000

Total
2012
£’000

10,774

1,991

12,765

3,500
185
3,685
(1,498)
–
(4)
(92)

2,091

474
(185)
289
(79)
(165)
–
 –

45

3,974
–
3,974
(1,577)
(165)
(4)
(92)

2,136

(196)
15

(1,029) 

926
(155)

771

Total
2011
£’000

 Serviced 
archive &
records 
management
2011
£’000

Self storage
2011
£’000

10,702

3,325
(1,609)
(100)

1,616

144

10,846

(44)
(7)
 –

(51)

3,281
(1,616)
(100)

1,565

(129)
24
(522) 

 938
(52)

886

1b  Segmental information continued
The segment information for the year ended 31 July 2012 is as follows:

2012

Revenue from external customers

EBITDA
Management charges
Adjusted EBITDA
Depreciation
Amortisation of intangible assets
Loss on disposal – motor vehicles
Equity settled share based payments
Segment profit
Central costs not allocated to segments:
Professional fees – management contract set-up
Finance income
Finance costs
Profit before taxation
Income tax expense
Consolidated profit for the financial year

2011

Revenue from external customers

Adjusted EBITDA
Depreciation
Equity settled share based payments
Segment profit
Central costs not allocated to segments:
Professional fees – acquisition of Saracen Datastore Limited
Finance income
Finance costs
Profit before taxation
Income tax expense
Consolidated profit for the financial year

Corporate transactions and the treasury function are managed centrally and therefore are not allocated to segments. Sales between segments are 
carried out at arm’s length. The serviced archive segment with over 330 customers has a greater customer concentration with its ten largest corporate 
customers accounting for 39% (2011: 40%) of revenue its top 50 accounting for 68.8% (2011: 71.1%) and its top 100 accounting for 84.0% (2011: 
75.7%) of revenue. The self storage segment with over 6,700 customers has no individual self storage customer accounting for more than 1% of total 
revenue and no group of entities under common control (e.g. Government) accounts for more than 10% of total revenues.

www.loknstore.com  stock code: LOK          21813.04  2/11/2012 Proof 13Our FinancialsOur GovernanceOur PerformanceOur Business48

Notes to the Financial Statements continued

 For the year ended 31 July 2012

1b  Segmental information continued

2012

Segment and total assets

Segment liabilities
Borrowings (not allocated to segments)
Derivative financial instruments (not allocated to segments)
Total liabilities

Capital expenditure

2011

Segment and total assets

Segment liabilities
Borrowings (not allocated to segments)
Total liabilities

Capital expenditure

 Serviced 
archive &
records 
management
2012
£’000

Self storage
2012
£’000

Total
2012
£’000

77,065

5,794

82,859

(13,089)

(1,068)

(14,157)
(29,245)
(496)

(43,898)

1,465

374

1,839

 Serviced 
archive &
records 
management
2011
£’000

Self storage
2011
£’000

Total
2011
£’000

77,153

5,094

82,247

(14,504)

(767)

(15,271)
(28,150)

(43,421)

674

29

703

The amounts presented to the Board with respect to total assets and total liabilities are measured in a manner consistent with the financial statements 
and are allocated based on the operations of the segment. Borrowings are managed centrally on a Group basis and are therefore not allocated to 
segments. 

2a  Cost of sales of retail products
Cost of sales represents the direct costs associated with the sale of retail products (boxes, packaging etc.), the ancillary sales of insurance cover for 
customer goods and the provision of van hire services, all of which fall within the Group’s ordinary activities.

Retail
Insurance
Van hire
Other

Serviced archive consumables and direct costs

2012
£’000

103
21
35
3
162
89
251

2011
£’000

133
22
56
–
211
17
228

Lok’nStore Group Plc  Annual Report and Accounts 201221813.04  2/11/2012 Proof 13 
 
49

2012
£’000

3,895
3,432
1,048
165
8,540

2012
£’000

196
–
196

2012
£’000

15

2012
£’000

814
201
14
1,029

2011
£’000

3,435
2,885
1,017
–
7,337

2011
£’000

–
129
129

2011
£’000

24

2011
£’000

520
–
2
522

2b  Other costs

Property and premises costs
Staff costs
General overheads
Distribution costs

2c  Professional fees and associated costs

Legal fees and associated costs – management contract setup costs 
Legal and professional fees – acquisition of Saracen Datastore Limited

3 

Finance income

Bank interest

All interest receivable arises on cash and cash equivalents (see note 16).

4 

Finance costs

Bank interest
Non-utilisation fees and amortisation of bank loan arrangement fees
Other interest

Most interest payable arises on bank loans classified as financial liabilities measured at amortised cost (see note 17).

www.loknstore.com  stock code: LOK          21813.04  2/11/2012 Proof 13Our FinancialsOur GovernanceOur PerformanceOur Business50

Notes to the Financial Statements continued

 For the year ended 31 July 2012

5  Profit before taxation

Profit before taxation is stated after charging:
Depreciation and amounts written off property, plant and equipment:
– owned assets
– assets held under finance leases and hire purchase
Amortisation of intangible assets
Operating lease rentals – land and buildings

Amounts payable to Baker Tilly UK Audit LLP and their associates for audit and non-audit services:
Audit services
– UK statutory audit of the Company and consolidated accounts
Other services
– the auditing of accounts of associates of the Company pursuant to legislation
Other services supplied pursuant to such legislation
– interim review 
Tax services
– compliance services
– advisory services 
Other services
Corporate finance services

Comprising:
Audit services
Non-audit services: 

6  Employees

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

Costs for the above persons:
Wages and salaries
Social security costs
Pension costs

Share based remuneration (options)

2012
£’000

2011
£’000

1,556
21
165
1,729

1,613
3
–
1,397

41

16

7

27
56
11
–

158

57
101

158

2012
No.

102
31
133

2012
£’000

2,717
256
34
3,007
92
3,099

41

16

7

16
33
1
41

155

57
98

155

2011
No.

87 
21
108

2011
£.’000

2,260
208
37
2,505
100
2,605

Share based remuneration is separately disclosed in the statement of comprehensive income. Wages and salaries of £106,213 (2011: £105,066) have 
been capitalised as additions to property, plant and equipment as they are directly attributable to the acquisition of these assets. All other employee 
costs are included in staff costs in the statement of comprehensive income.

In relation to pension contributions, there was £2,948 (2011: £4,167) outstanding at the year-end. 

Lok’nStore Group Plc  Annual Report and Accounts 201221813.04  2/11/2012 Proof 1351

6  Employees continued
Directors’ remuneration

2012
Executive:
A Jacobs 
SG Thomas 
RA Davies
CM Jacobs
Non-Executive:
RJ Holmes
ETD Luker
CP Peal
I Wright

2011
Executive:
A Jacobs 
SG Thomas 
RA Davies
CM Jacobs
Non-Executive:
RJ Holmes
ETD Luker
CP Peal
I Wright

Emoluments
£

Bonuses
£

Benefits
£

Subtotal
£

Gains on
share options
£

200,000
50,000
99,653
55,590

20,000
25,000
20,000
–
470,243

10,000
2,500
8,000
2,500

–
–
–
–
23,000

3,150
3,267
1,916
2,586

–
–
–
–
10,919

213,150
55,767
109,569
60,676

20,000
25,000
20,000
–
504,162

–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–

Emoluments
£

Bonuses
£

Benefits
£

Subtotal
£

Gains on
share options
£

200,000
50,000
96,750
54,500

20,000
25,000
20,000
–
466,250

14,000
3,500
10,000
4,500

–
–
–
–
32,000

2,562
2,674
1,732
2,182

– 
– 
– 
–
9,150

216,562
56,174
108,482
61,182

20,000
25,000
20,000
–
507,400

–
–
– 
–

–
–
–
–
–

Total
£

213,150
55,767
109,569
60,676

20,000
25,000
20,000
–
504,162

Total
£

216,562
56,174
108,482
61,182

20,000
25,000
20,000
–
507,400

During the year services, including reimbursement of expenses, totalling £309,578 (2011: £302,896) were provided by Value Added Services LLP 
(VAS), a limited liability partnership in which Andrew Jacobs and Simon Thomas have a beneficial interest. The amount paid to Value Added Services 
LLP which is directly attributable to Andrew Jacobs and Simon Thomas is shown in the Directors’ emoluments table above but not included in the 
total employee costs above. There were performance bonuses earned and payable to VAS for the year of £12,500 (2011: £17,500). See note 30 on 
‘Related party transactions’ for further information.

Pension contributions of £15,062 (2011: £14,663) were paid by the Group on behalf of RA Davies and are not included in the Directors’ emoluments 
table above. The highest paid Director did not accrue any pension rights during the year. The benefits in kind all relate to medical insurance premiums 
paid on behalf of the Directors.

The number of Directors to whom retirement benefits are accruing under money purchase pension schemes in respect of qualifying service is one 
(2011: one).

www.loknstore.com  stock code: LOK          21813.04  2/11/2012 Proof 13Our FinancialsOur GovernanceOur PerformanceOur Business 
52

Notes to the Financial Statements continued

 For the year ended 31 July 2012

7 

Taxation

Current tax:
UK corporation tax at 25% (2011: 27%)
Deferred tax:
Origination and reversal of temporary differences
Impact of change in tax rate on closing balance
Adjustments in respect of prior periods
Total deferred tax
Income tax expense for the year

The charge for the year can be reconciled to the profit for the year as follows:

Profit before tax
Tax on ordinary activities at the standard rate of corporation tax in the UK of 25% (2011: 27%)
Expenses not deductible for tax purposes
Depreciation of non-qualifying assets
Share based payment charges in excess of corresponding tax deduction
Impact of change in tax rate
Amounts not recognised in deferred tax
Utilisation of loss against pre-acquisition profits 
Adjustments in respect of prior periods – deferred tax
Other
Income tax expense for the year
Effective tax rate

2012
£’000

–

376
(351)
130
155
155

2012
£’000

926
232
18
103
22
(351)
–
–
130
1 
155
17%

2011
£’000

(13)

451
(230)
(156)
65
52

2011
£’000

938
253
3
88
27
(230)
44
28
(156)
(5) 
52
6%

The UK’s main rate of corporation tax is expected to reduce to 23% from 1 April 2013. The applicable rate for this period is 25%. 
In addition to the amount charged to profit or loss for the year, deferred tax relating to the revaluation of the Group’s properties of £522,585 (2011: 
£1,216,374) and the fair value of cash flow hedges of £114,057 (2011: £nil) has been recognised as a credit directly in other comprehensive income 
(see note 18 on deferred tax).

8   Dividends

Amounts recognised as distributions to equity holders in the year:

Final dividend for the year ended 31 July 2010 (0.67 pence per share)
Interim dividend for the six months to 31 January 2011 (0.33 pence per share)
Final dividend for the year ended 31 July 2011 (2.67 pence per share)
Interim dividend for the six months to 31 January 2012 (1.00 pence per share)

2012
£’000

2011
£’000

–
–
667
250

917

167
83
–
–

250

In respect of the current year the Directors propose that a final dividend of 4.00 pence per share will be paid to the shareholders. The total estimated 
dividend to be paid is £999,746 based on the number of shares currently in issue as adjusted for shares held in the Employee Benefit Trust and for 
shares held on treasury. This is subject to approval by shareholders at the Annual General Meeting and has not been included as a liability in these 
financial statements. The ex-dividend date will be 14 November 2012; the record date 16 November 2012; with an intended payment date of 17 
December 2012.

Lok’nStore Group Plc  Annual Report and Accounts 201221813.04  2/11/2012 Proof 1353

9  Earnings per share
The calculations of earnings per share are based on the following profits and numbers of shares.

Profit for the financial year attributable to owners of the parent

Weighted average number of shares
For basic earnings per share
Dilutive effect of share options*
For diluted earnings per share

2012
£’000

753

2011
£’000

892

2012
No. of shares

2011
No. of shares

24,993,653
186,893
25,180,546

24,993,653
201,741
25,195,394

623,212 (2011: 623,212) shares held in the Employee Benefit Trust and 1,142,000 (2011: 1,142,000) Treasury shares are excluded from the above.

* Further options that could potentially dilute EPS in the future are excluded from the above because they are not dilutive in the period presented. Full details of share options are included in notes 20 to 23.

Earnings per share
Basic
Diluted

2012
£’000

3.01p
2.99p

2011
£’000

3.57p 
3.54p

10  Acquisition of subsidiary
On 30 June 2011 Lok’nStore Limited acquired 90.6% of the issued share capital of Saracen Datastore Limited (‘Saracen’), a company incorporated 
in England & Wales. Saracen provides serviced archive and records management. The cash consideration was £3.7 million. Andrew Jacobs and Ray 
Davies joined the Saracen Board to provide the majority of the Directors of the Board of Saracen Datastore Limited which, together with Lok’nStore’s 
majority shareholding, gives it control.

Saracen, which is headquartered in Leatherhead, was established in 1991 and has three sites across the South East of England providing over 
100,000 sq. ft. of offsite records storage and document and tape archiving space.  For the year ended July 2012, Saracen achieved turnover of 
£2.0 million and adjusted EBITDA of £0.5 million before inter-company management charges of £185,000.

The transaction was accounted for using the acquisition method of accounting. The goodwill is attributable to the synergies that are expected to 
arise in the post-acquisition period and the skilled labour force of the acquired business. The contractual customer relationships have been separately 
valued and included an assessment of the value of the skilled labour force.

None of the goodwill is expected to be deductible for income tax purposes. The following table summarises the consideration paid for Saracen and 
the amounts of assets and liabilities assumed recognised at the acquisition date, as well as the fair value at the acquisition date of the non-controlling 
interest in Saracen.

www.loknstore.com  stock code: LOK          21813.04  2/11/2012 Proof 13Our FinancialsOur GovernanceOur PerformanceOur Business54

Notes to the Financial Statements continued

 For the year ended 31 July 2012

10  Acquisition of subsidiary continued
Net assets acquired

Assets
Property, plant and equipment
Intangible assets – customer relationships
Inventories
Trade and other receivables
Cash and cash equivalents
Total assets

Liabilities
Trade and other payables
Other payables
Current tax liabilities
Deferred tax liabilities (note 18)
Deferred tax liabilities arising on initial recognition of intangible assets (note 18)
Bank loan
Finance leases
Total liabilities

Fair value of identifiable assets and liabilities
Non-controlling interest
Goodwill

Total consideration

11a  Intangible assets

Group
Cost and net book value at 1 August 2010

Acquisition of subsidiary – Saracen Datastore Limited (note 10)
Amortisation charge*

Cost and net book value at 31 July 2011
Amortisation charge 
Net book value at 31 July 2012

Book Value
£’000

Fair Value
Adjustments
£’000

401
–
9
596
87

1,093

(529)
(21)
(69)
(33)
–
(39)
(83)

(774)

319

(30)

–

–
3,309
–
–
–

3,309

–
–
–
–
(827)
–
–

(827)

2,481 

(230)

1,110

Fair
Value
£’000

401
3,309
9 
596
87 

4,402

(529) 
(21) 
(69) 
(33)
(827)
(39)
(82) 

(1,601) 

2,800

 (260)

1,110

289

3,361

3,650

Contractual
customer
relationships
£’000 

–

3,309
– 

3,309
(166)

3,143

Goodwill
£’000 

–

1,110
–

1,110
–

1,110

Total
£’000

–

4,419
–

4,419
(166)

4,253

All goodwill is allocated to the serviced archive cash-generating unit (CGU) identified as a separate business segment.

*  Due to the proximity of the acquisition to the reporting date, no amortisation was provided for in the financial statements in 2011. The remaining amortisation period of the contractual customer relationships at 31 July 

2012 is 18 years and 11 months (2011: 19 years 11 months).

The fair value of the contractual customer relationships was estimated by using an income based approach and applying principles set down by the 
International Valuation Standards Council in Guidance Note 4 (Valuation of Intangible Assets).

The fair value estimates and values in use for impairment purposes are based on estimated future cash flows and the following key assumptions:

 — a discount rate of 11%
 — estimated useful lives of customer relationships of 20 years based on a substantially inert and contractually committed customer base
 — long term sustainable growth rates of 2.75%
 — an application of contributory asset charges (CAC) recognising the contributions to cash flow from tangible assets, working capital and the 

workforce

 — a forward corporation tax rate of 23%

Lok’nStore Group Plc  Annual Report and Accounts 201221813.04  2/11/2012 Proof 1355

Total
£’000

80,369 
703
402
–
(2,987)

78,487

8,189
1,616
(492)

9,313

157
30
58
–
–

245

66
23
–

89

155

69,174

245
10
–
(38)
–

217

89
34
–
–
(24)
–

99

118

78,487
1,838
–
(38)
(640)

79,648

9,313
1,577
–
–
(24)
(687)

10,179

69,470

Development
property 
assets
at cost
£’000

Land and
buildings
at valuation
£’000 

Short 
leasehold
improvements
at cost
£’000

Fixtures,
fittings and
equipment
at cost
£’000 

Motor
vehicles
at cost
£’000 

7,934
261
–
392
–

8,587

–
–
–

–

54,131
278
–
(392)
(2,987)

51,030

–
492
(492)

–

8,587

51,030

8,587
83
–
–
–

8,670

–
–
–
–
–
–

–

51,030 
1,294
184
–
(640)

51,868

–
505
182
–
–
(687)

 –

8,670

51,868 

2,540
57
–
–
–

2,597

1,350
117
–

1,467

1,130

2,597
31
(114)
–
–

2,514

1,467
126
(182)
9
–
–

1,420

1,094

15,607
77
344
–
–

16,028

6,773
984
–

7,757

8,271

16,028
420
(69)
–
–

16,379 

7,757
912
–
(9)
–
–

8,659

7,719

11b  Property, plant and equipment

Group
Cost or valuation
1 August 2010
Additions
Assets acquired on acquisition of subsidiary
Reclassification
Revaluations
31 July 2011

Depreciation
1 August 2010
Depreciation
Revaluations
31 July 2011
Net book value at 31 July 2011
Cost or valuation
1 August 2011
Additions
Reclassification
Disposals
Revaluations
31 July 2012

Depreciation
1 August 2011
Depreciation
Transfers
Reclassification
Disposals
Revaluations
31 July 2012
Net book value at 31 July 2012

If all property, plant and equipment were stated at historic cost the carrying value would be £44.65 million (2011: £44.08 million).

Capital expenditure (‘capex’) during the year totalled £1.8 million (2011: £0.7 million). This included small limited expenditures at existing stores, the 
purchase of the freehold interest in our Swindon East store, roof renovation with solar power at the Poole store and further racking at the Saracen 
Olney store. It also included planning and other professional costs incurred in maximising the potential of our existing planning permissions.

Property, plant and equipment (non-current assets) with a carrying value of £69.5 million (2011: £69.2 million) are pledged as security for bank loans 
(see note 17). The Maidenhead property (see note 11c) is also pledged as security for the bank loans.

The net book value of assets held under finance leases at 31 July 2012 was £116,080 (2011: £136,674) and the depreciation charge includes 
£20,593 in relation to these assets.

www.loknstore.com  stock code: LOK          21813.04  2/11/2012 Proof 13Our FinancialsOur GovernanceOur PerformanceOur Business56

Notes to the Financial Statements continued

 For the year ended 31 July 2012

11b  Property, plant and equipment continued
Market Valuation of Freehold and Operating Leasehold Land and Buildings
On 31 July 2012, a professional valuation was prepared by valuers Cushman & Wakefield LLP (C&W) in respect of twelve freehold and seven 
leasehold properties. The valuation was prepared in accordance with the RICS Valuation Standards, Global and UK 7th Edition, published by The 
Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (‘the Red Book’). The valuations were prepared on the basis of Market Value or Market Value as a fully 
equipped operational entity having regard to trading potential, as appropriate. The valuation was provided for accounts purposes and as such, is a 
Regulated Purpose Valuation as defined in the Red Book. In compliance with the disclosure requirements of the Red Book C&W have confirmed that:

✔■

The members of the RICS who have been the signatories to the valuation provided to the Company for the same purposes as this valuation have 
been the signatories since January 2004.

✔■ C&W have prepared eight previous valuations for the same purpose as this valuation on behalf of the Company.
✔■ C&W do not provide other significant professional or agency services to the Company.

✔■

In relation to the preceding financial year of C&W the proportion of the total fees payable by the Company to the total fee income of the firm is less 
than 5%.

The valuation report indicates a total valuation for all properties valued of £67.9 million (2011: £68.0 million) of which £56.1 million (2011: £55.7 million) 
relates to freehold properties, and £11.8 million (2011: £12.3 million) relates to properties held under operating leases.

Freehold land and buildings are carried at valuation in the statement of financial position. Short leasehold improvements at properties held under 
operating leases are carried at cost rather than valuation in accordance with IFRS.

For the trading properties the valuation methodology explained in more detail below is based on market value as fully equipped operational entities, 
having regard to trading potential. The total valuation of trading properties has therefore been allocated by the Directors between freehold properties 
and the fixtures, fittings and equipment in the valued properties which are held at cost. Of the £56.1 million valuation of the freehold properties £4.3 
million (2011: £4.7 million) relates to the net book value of fixtures, fittings and equipment, and the remaining £51.9 million (2011: £51.0 million) relates 
to freehold properties.

The 2012 valuation includes and reflects movements in value which have resulted from the operational performance of the stores and movements 
in the investment environment. In relation to the existing store at Reading, although it currently has residential development potential following the 
grant of planning permission for 112 apartments it remains an operating self storage facility and has been valued as such. Additionally the freehold 
development land site in Reading situated opposite the existing store, which has the benefit of an appropriate planning consent for a self storage 
facility, has been stated at cost and any additional uplift based on the assumption that a substantial number of the existing store’s customers will 
transfer to the new store when built has been ignored in the financial statements. The valuations do not account for any further investment in existing 
stores since July 2012.

Valuation Methodology
C&W have adopted different approaches for the valuation of the leasehold and freehold assets as follows:

Freehold property
The valuation is based on a discounted cash flow of the net operating income projected over a 10-year period and a notional sale of the asset at the 
end of the 10th year.

Assumptions
a.  Net operating income is based on projected revenue received less projected operating costs together with a central administration charge 

representing 6% of the estimated annual revenue subject to a cap and a collar. The initial net operating income is calculated by estimating the net 
operating income in the first 12 months following the valuation date.

b.  The net operating income in future years is calculated assuming straight-line absorption from day one actual occupancy to an estimated 
stabilised/mature occupancy level. In the valuation the assumed stabilised occupancy level for the 18 trading stores (both freeholds and 
leaseholds) averages 68.26% (2011: 70.16%). The projected revenues and costs have been adjusted for estimated cost inflation and revenue 
growth.

c.  The capitalisation rates applied to existing and future net cash flows have been estimated by reference to underlying yields for industrial and retail 

warehouse property, yields for other trading property types such as hotels and student housing, bank base rates, 10-year money rates, inflation 
and the available evidence of transactions in the sector. On average for the 18 stores the yield (net of purchaser’s costs) arising from the first 
year of the projected cash flow is 6.31% (2011: 5.49%). This rises to 11.38% (2011: 11.72%) based on the projected cash flow for the first year 
following estimated stabilisation in respect of each property.

d.  The future net cash flow projections (including revenue growth and cost inflation) have been discounted at a rate that reflects the risk associated 

with each asset. The weighted average annual discount rate adopted (for both freeholds and leaseholds) is 12.05% (2011: 12.18%).

e.  Purchaser’s costs of 5.8% have been assumed initially and sale plus purchaser’s costs totalling 7.8% are assumed on the notional sales in the 

10th year in relation to the freehold stores.

Lok’nStore Group Plc  Annual Report and Accounts 201221813.04  2/11/2012 Proof 1357

11b  Property, plant and equipment continued
Leasehold property
The same methodology has been used as for freehold property, except that no sale of the assets in the 10th year is assumed, but the discounted 
cash flow is extended to the expiry of the lease. The average unexpired term of the Group’s operating leaseholds is approximately 14 years and 6 
months as at 31 July 2012 (15 years and 2 months as at 31 July 2011). Valuations for stores held under operating leases are not reflected in the 
statement of financial position and the assets in relation to these stores are carried at cost less accumulated depreciation.

In 2011, one of the Group store’s leases was renegotiated and includes a ten year option to renew the lease from March 2026 to March 2036. The 
option to extend is only operable in the event that all four of the leases applicable to this store are extended and this option is personal to Lok’nStore 
or another “major self storage operator”, to be approved by the landlord (approval not to be unreasonably withheld). The C&W valuation on this store 
is based on this special assumption that the option to extend the lease for 10 years is exercised. This is consistent with the approach taken in 2011.

Market Uncertainty
C&W’s valuation report comments on valuation uncertainty resulting from the global banking crisis coupled with the economic downturn which have 
caused a low number of transactions in the wider property market and in particular in the market for self storage property. 

Although there were a number of self storage transactions in 2007, C&W have noted that the only significant transactions since 2007 are:

1. The sale of a 51% share in Shurgard Europe which was announced in January 2008 and completed on 31 March 2008;
2. The sale of the former Keepsafe portfolio by Macquarie to Alligator Self storage which was completed in January 2010; and
3. The purchase by Shurgard Europe of 80% interests held by its joint venture partner (Arcapita) in its two European joint venture vehicles, First 

Shurgard and Second Shurgard. The price paid was 172 million Euros and the transaction was announced in March 2011. The two joint ventures 
owned 72 self storage properties.

Four smaller transactions took place in 2011 at West Molesey, Cambridge, Dartford and St Albans.

C&W state that due to the lack of comparable market information in the self storage sector, there is a greater uncertainty attached to their opinion of 
value than would be anticipated during more active market conditions.

It has been held that valuers may properly conclude within a range of values. This range is likely to be greater in an illiquid market where inherent 
uncertainty exists and a greater degree of judgement must therefore be applied.

Immature stores
C&W have assessed the value of each property individually. The degree of uncertainty relating to immature stores is greater than in relation to the 
balance of the properties due to there being even less market evidence that might be available for more mature properties and portfolios.

C&W state that in practice, if an actual sale of the properties were to be contemplated then any immature low cash flow stores would normally be 
presented to the market for sale grouped with other more mature assets owned by the same entity, in order to alleviate the issue of negative or low 
short term cash flow. This approach would enhance the marketability of the Group of assets and assist in achieving the best price available in the 
market by diluting the cash flow risk.

C&W have not adjusted their opinion of Market Value to reflect such a grouping of the immature assets with other properties in the portfolio and all 
stores have been valued individually. However, they highlight the matter to alert the Group to the manner in which the properties might be grouped in 
order to maximise their attractiveness to the market place.

C&W have not assumed that the entire portfolio of properties owned by the entity would be sold as a single lot and the value for the whole portfolio in 
the context of a sale as a single lot may differ significantly (either higher or lower) from the aggregate of the individual values for each property in the 
portfolio.

www.loknstore.com  stock code: LOK          21813.04  2/11/2012 Proof 13Our FinancialsOur GovernanceOur PerformanceOur Business 
 
58

Notes to the Financial Statements continued

 For the year ended 31 July 2012

11c  Property lease premiums
£3.2 million of costs relating to the long lease at Maidenhead is classified as a non-current asset in the statement of financial position (2011: £2.9 
million). This represents a lease premium paid on entering the lease and other related costs. The lease runs until 31 March 2076. A peppercorn rent is 
payable until 2027 and a market ground rent thereafter.

Group
Balance 1 August
Additions during the year
Balance 31 July

Investments

12 
Investments in subsidiary undertakings
31 July 2010
Capital contributions arising from share-based payments
31 July 2011
Capital contributions arising from share-based payments
31 July 2012

31 July
2012
£’000

2,944
236
3,180

31 July
2011
£’000

2,861
83
 2,944

£’000

1,490
100

1,590
92

1,682

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

Lok’nStore Limited
Lok’nStore Trustee Limited*
Southern Engineering and Machinery Company Limited
Semco Machine Tools Limited†
Semco Engineering Limited*
Saracen Datastore Limited*

Class of shareholding 

Directly

Indirectly

Nature of business 

% of shares and voting rights held

Ordinary
Ordinary
Ordinary
Ordinary
Ordinary
Ordinary

100
–
100
–
–
– 

Self storage
–
Trustee
100
Land
–
Dormant
100
Dormant
100
90.6  Records Management
& Serviced Archive
Services 

*  These companies are subsidiaries of Lok’nStore Limited.
†  These companies are subsidiaries of Southern Engineering and Machinery Company Limited and did not trade during the year.

The fair value of these investments has not been disclosed because it cannot be measured reliably as there is no active market for these equity 
instruments. The Company currently has no plans to dispose of these investments.

13 

Inventories

Consumables and goods for resale

Group
2012
£’000

140

Group
2011
£’000

110

Company
2012
£’000

–

Company
2011
£’000

–

The amount of inventories recognised as an expense during the year was £135,673 (2011: £149,843).

Lok’nStore Group Plc  Annual Report and Accounts 201221813.04  2/11/2012 Proof 13 
59

14  Trade and other receivables

Trade receivables
Other receivables
Prepayments and accrued income

Group
2012
£’000

1,225
163
467
1,855

Group
2011
£’000

1,164
167
490
1,821

Company
2012
£’000

Company
2011
£’000

–
–
–
–

–
– 
–
–

The Directors consider that the carrying amount of trade and other receivables approximates their fair value.

Trade receivables
In respect of its self storage business the Group does not typically offer credit terms to its customers and hence the Group is not exposed to 
significant credit risk. All customers are required to pay in advance of the storage period. Late charges are applied to a customer’s account if they 
are more than 10 days overdue in their payment. The Group provides for receivables based upon sales levels and estimated recoverability. There is a 
right of lien over the customers’ goods, so if they have not paid within a certain time frame, the Company has the right to sell the items they store to 
cover the debt owed by the customer. Trade receivables that are overdue are provided for based on estimated irrecoverable amounts, determined by 
reference to past default experience.

For individual self storage customers the Group does not perform credit checks, however this is mitigated by the fact that all customers are required 
to pay in advance, and also to pay a deposit of four weeks’ storage income. Before accepting a new business customer who wishes to use a number 
of the Group’s stores, the Group uses an external credit rating to assess the potential customer’s credit quality and defines credit limits by customer. 
There are no customers who represent more than 5% of the total balance of trade receivables.

In respect of its serviced archive and records management business, customers are invoiced typically monthly in advance for the archive storage 
of their boxes, tapes and files. The provision of additional services, such as document box or tape collection and retrieval from archive, typically 
are invoiced monthly in arrears. The serviced archive segment with over 330 customers has a greater customer concentration than the self storage 
segment, with its ten largest corporate customers accounting for 40% of revenue.

Included in the Group’s trade receivables balance are receivables with a carrying amount of £382,270 (2011: £249,239) which are past due at the 
reporting date for which the Group has not provided as there has not been a significant change in credit quality and the amounts are still considered 
recoverable. The Group holds a right of lien over its self storage customers’ goods if these debts are not paid. The average age of these receivables is 
52 days past due (2011: 52 days past due).

Ageing of past due but not impaired receivables

0–30 days
30–60 days
60+ days
Total

Movement in the allowance for doubtful debts

Balance at the beginning of the year
Impairment losses recognised
Amounts written off as uncollectible
Balance at the end of the year

Group
2012
£’000

137
204
41
382

Group
2012
£’000

101
58
(22)
137

Group
2011
£’000

114
93
42
249

Group
2011
£’000

81
43
(23)
101

www.loknstore.com  stock code: LOK          21813.04  2/11/2012 Proof 13Our FinancialsOur GovernanceOur PerformanceOur Business60

Notes to the Financial Statements continued

 For the year ended 31 July 2012

14  Trade and other receivables continued
The concentration of credit risk is limited due to the customer base being large and unrelated. Accordingly, the Directors believe that there is no further 
provision required in excess of the allowance for doubtful debts.

Ageing of impaired trade receivables

0–30 days
30–60 days
60+ days
Total

15  Trade and other payables

Trade payables
Taxation and social security costs
Other payables
Accruals and deferred income

Group
2012
£’000

–
–
137
137

Group
2011
£’000

–
–
101
101

Group
2012
£’000

767
294
911
2,112
4,084

Group
2011
£’000

1,084
449
913
2,210
4,656

Company
2012
£’000

Company
2011
£’000

–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–

The Directors consider that the carrying amount of trade and other payables and accruals and deferred income approximates fair value.

16  Financial instruments
The Group manages its capital to ensure that entities in the Group will be able to continue as going concerns while maximising the return to 
stakeholders through the optimisation of the debt and equity balance. The capital structure of the Group consists of debts, which includes the 
borrowings disclosed in note 17, cash and cash equivalents and equity attributable to the owners of the parent, comprising issued capital, reserves 
and retained earnings as disclosed in the Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity. The Group’s banking facilities require that management give 
regular consideration to interest rate hedging strategy. The Group has complied with this during the year.

The Group’s Board reviews the capital structure on an on-going basis. As part of this review, the Board considers the cost of capital and the risks 
associated with each class of capital. The Group seeks to have a conservative gearing ratio (the proportion of net debt to equity). The Board considers 
at each review the appropriateness of the current ratio in light of the above. The Board is currently satisfied with the Group’s gearing ratio.
The gearing ratio at the year-end is as follows:

Debt
Cash and cash equivalents
Net debt
Statement of financial position equity
Net debt to equity ratio

Group
2012
£’000

(29,708)
3,961
(25,747)
38,961
66.1%

Group
2011
£’000

(28,168)
3,778
(24,390)
38,826
62.8%

The modest increase in the Group’s gearing ratio arises through the combined effect of an increase in net debt arising from the purchase of the 
Swindon East property, and a decrease in the C&W valuation of its freehold properties and the requirement to provide for the first time the liability 
arising on the market to market ‘fair value’ of the two interest rate swaps executed during the year. Cash generated from operations partially offset the 
effect. 

Exposure to credit and interest rate risk arises in the normal course of the Group’s business.

Lok’nStore Group Plc  Annual Report and Accounts 201221813.04  2/11/2012 Proof 1361

16  Financial instruments continued
A Derivative financial instruments and hedge accounting
The Group’s activities expose it primarily to the financial risks of interest rates. During the year the Group executed two separate interest rate swaps 
with Lloyds TSB plc and these are reported fully in the Financial Review.

B Debt management
Debt is defined as non-current and current borrowings, as detailed in note 17. Equity includes all capital and reserves of the Group. The Group is not 
subject to externally imposed capital requirements.

The Group borrows through a senior five year term revolving credit facility, arranged through Lloyds TSB Group plc secured on its existing store 
portfolio and other Group assets with a net book value of £83.1 million (2011: £82.2 million). Borrowings are arranged to ensure the Group fulfils its 
strategy of growth and development of its store portfolio and to maintain short-term liquidity. As at the reporting date the Group has a committed 
revolving credit facility of £40 million (2011: £40 million). This facility expires on 19 October 2016. Undrawn committed facilities at the year-end 
amounted to £10.3 million (2011: £11.9 million).

C Interest rate risk management
The Group’s policy on interest rate management is agreed at Board level and is reviewed on an on-going basis. All borrowings are denominated in 
Sterling and are detailed in note 17. The Group has a number of revolving loans within its overall revolving credit facility and as such is exposed to 
interest rate risks at the time of renewal arising from any upward movement in the LIBOR rate. During the year the Group entered into two cash flow 
hedging interest rate swaps in order to reduce the risk of such upward movements in LIBOR rate. These instruments are detailed in note 17b.

The following interest rates applied during the financial year:
1. London Inter-Bank Offer Rate (LIBOR) plus 2.35%–2.65% Lloyds TSB plc margin based on a loan to value covenant test for the revolving advances 

amounting to £29.7 million.

2. 40% of the applicable margin in 1 above for non-utilisation (i.e. that part of the facility which remains undrawn from time to time). As at 31 July 2012 

the prevailing non-utilisation charge is calculated at a rate of 0.94%.

3. Rates prevailing on the Group’s Interest rate swaps. See note 17b.

Cash balances held in current accounts attract no interest but surplus cash is transferred daily to a treasury deposit account which earns interest at 
the prevailing money market rates*. All amounts are denominated in Sterling. The balances at 31 July 2012 are as follows:

Variable rate treasury deposits*
Bank deposits
SIP trustee deposits
Cash in operating current accounts
Other cash and cash equivalents
Total cash and cash equivalents

Group
2012
£’000

3,612
–
39
256
54
3,961

Group
2011
£’000

3,538
65
31
106
39
3,779

* Money market rates for the Group’s variable rate treasury deposit track Lloyds TSB plc base rate. The rate attributable to the variable rate deposits at 31 July 2012 was 0.5%.

The Group reviews the current and forecast projections of cash flow, borrowing and interest cover as part of its monthly management accounts 
review. In addition, an analysis of the impact of significant transactions is carried out regularly, as well as a sensitivity analysis of the impact of 
movements in interest rates on gearing and interest cover.

www.loknstore.com  stock code: LOK          21813.04  2/11/2012 Proof 13Our FinancialsOur GovernanceOur PerformanceOur Business62

Notes to the Financial Statements continued

 For the year ended 31 July 2012

16  Financial instruments continued
D Interest rate sensitivity analysis
In managing interest rate risk the Group aims to reduce the impact of short-term fluctuations on the Group’s earnings, without jeopardising its flexibility. 
Over the longer term, permanent changes in interest rates may have an impact on consolidated earnings.

At 31 July 2012, it is estimated that an increase of one percentage point in interest rates would have reduced the Group’s annual profit before tax by 
£96,815 (2011: £282,729) and conversely a decrease of one percentage point in interest rates would have increased the Group’s annual profit before 
tax by £96,815 (2011: £282,729). There would have been no effect on amounts recognised directly in other comprehensive income. The sensitivity 
has been calculated by increasing by 1% the average variable interest rate applying to the variable rate borrowings in the year of 9.7 million, namely 
2.33% (2011: 1.84%).

E Cash management and liquidity
Ultimate responsibility for liquidity risk management rests with the Board of Directors, which has built an appropriate liquidity risk management 
framework for the management of the Group’s short, medium and long-term funding and liquidity management requirements. The Group manages 
liquidity risk by maintaining adequate reserves, banking facilities and reserve borrowing facilities by continuously monitoring forecast and actual cash 
flows and matching the maturity profiles of financial assets and liabilities. Included in note B above is a description of additional undrawn facilities that 
the Group has at its disposal to further reduce liquidity risk.

Short-term money market deposits are used to manage liquidity whilst maximising the rate of return on cash resources, giving due consideration to risk.

F Foreign currency management
The Group operates solely in the United Kingdom and as such all of the Group’s financial assets and liabilities are denominated in Sterling and there is 
no exposure to exchange risk.

G Credit risk
The credit risk management policies of the Group with respect to trade receivables are discussed in note 14. The Group’s self storage business has 
no significant concentration of credit risk, with exposure spread across 6,700 customers in our stores and no individual customer accounts for more 
than 1% of revenue. The serviced archive business with over 330 customers has a greater concentration of credit risk with its ten largest corporate 
customers accounting for 39% of revenue and its top 50 delivering 68.8% of revenue and its top 100 delivering 84.0% of revenue.

The credit risk on liquid funds is limited because the counterparty is a bank with high credit ratings assigned by international credit-rating agencies, in 
line with the Group’s policy which is to borrow from major institutional banks when arranging finance.

The Group’s maximum exposure to credit risk at 31 July 2012 was £1,265,638 (2011: £1,208,122) on receivables and £3,960,772 (2011: £3,778,524) 
on cash and cash equivalents.

H Maturity analysis of financial liabilities
The undiscounted contractual cash flow maturities are as follows:

2012 – Group

From two to five years
From one to two years
Due after more than one year
Due within one year
Total contractual undiscounted cash flows

2011 – Group

From two to five years
From one to two years
Due after more than one year
Due within one year
Total contractual undiscounted cash flows

Trade
and other
payables
£’000
–
–
–
2,327

Borrowings
£’000
29,681
5
29,686
22

Interest on
borrowings
£’000
1,535
692
2,227
696

2,327

29,708

2,923

Trade
and other
payables
£’000
–
–
–
2,818

2,818

Borrowings
£’000
–
26
26
28,142

28,168

Interest on
borrowings
£’000
–
6
6
282

288

Lok’nStore Group Plc  Annual Report and Accounts 201221813.04  2/11/2012 Proof 1316  Financial instruments continued
I Fair values of financial instruments

Categories of financial assets and financial liabilities
Financial assets
Trade and other receivables
Cash and cash equivalents
Financial liabilities
Trade and other payables
Bank loans
Finance lease payables

63

2012
£’000

1,266 
3,961

2011
£’000

1,208 
3,779

(2,327)
(29,219)
(26)

(2,818)
(28,072)
(78)

The fair values of the Group’s cash and short-term deposits and those of other financial assets equate to their carrying amounts. The Group’s 
receivables and cash and cash equivalents are all classified as loans and receivables and carried at amortised cost. The amounts are presented net of 
provisions for doubtful receivables and allowances for impairment are made where appropriate. Trade and other payables and bank borrowings are all 
classified as financial liabilities measured at amortised cost.

J Company’s financial instruments
The Company’s only financial assets are amounts owed by subsidiary undertakings amounting to £4.5 million (2011: £5.6 million) which are classified 
as loans and receivables. These amounts are denominated in Sterling, are non-interest bearing, are unsecured and fall due for repayment within one 
year. No amounts are past due or impaired. The Company has no financial liabilities.

17a  Borrowings

Non-current
Bank loans repayable in more than two years but not more than five years
Gross
Deferred financing costs
Net bank borrowings
Finance lease liabilities
Non-current borrowings

Current
Bank loans repayable in less than one year
Gross
Deferred financing costs
Net bank borrowings
Finance lease liabilities
Current borrowings
Total borrowings

Group
2012
£’000

Group
2011
£’000

Company
2012
£’000

Company
2011
£’000

29,682
(463)
29,219
5
29,224

–
–
–
21
21

29,245

–
 –
–
26
26

28,090
(18)
28,072
 52
28,124

28,150

–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–

–

–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–

–

The £40 million revolving credit facility with Lloyds TSB plc is secured by legal charges and debentures over the freehold and leasehold properties and 
other assets of the business with a net book value of £83.1 million together with cross-company guarantees from Group companies. The revolving 
credit facility is for a five-year term and expires on 19 October 2016. The Group is not obliged to make any repayments prior to expiration. The loans 
bear interest at the London Inter-Bank Offer Rate (LIBOR) plus 2.35%–2.65% Lloyds TSB plc margin based on a loan to value covenant test while the 
interest cover and loan to value covenants are broadly in line with the previous facility.

www.loknstore.com  stock code: LOK          21813.04  2/11/2012 Proof 13Our FinancialsOur GovernanceOur PerformanceOur Business64

Notes to the Financial Statements continued

 For the year ended 31 July 2012

17a  Borrowings continued
Finance lease liabilities
Lease liabilities are effectively secured as the rights to the leased asset revert to the lessor in the event of default and are as follows:

Gross finance liabilities – minimum lease payments
Within one year
Later than one year and no later than five years
Later than five years

Future finance charges on finance leases

The present value of finance lease liabilities is as follows:

Gross finance liabilities – minimum lease payments
Within one year
Later than one year and no later than five years

Group
2012
£’000

Group
2011
£’000

Company
2012
£’000

Company
2011
£’000

27
6
–
33
(7)

26

Group
2012
£’000

21
5
26

66
32
–
98
(20)

78

–
–
–
–
–

–

–
–
–
–
–

–

Group
2011
£’000

Company
2012
£’000

Company
2011
£’000

52
26
78

–
–
–

–
–
–

17b  Derivative financial instruments
On 25 May 2012, the Group entered into a £10 million interest rate swap as a cash flow hedge with Lloyds TSB Bank plc effective from 31 May 2012 
at a fixed 1 month sterling LIBOR rate of 1.2%. On 30 May 2012, the Group entered into a £10 million interest rate swap with Lloyds TSB Bank plc 
also effective from 31 May 2012 at a fixed one-month sterling LIBOR rate of 1.15%. Both swaps run up to the expiration of the current banking facility 
in October 2016. The balance of the drawn facility of £9.7 million remains at a floating rate.

3032816LS Interest rate swap
3047549LS Interest rate swap

Currency
GBP
GBP

Principal

£’000 Maturity date
20/10/2016
20/10/2016

10,000
10,000
20,000

Fair value
£’000
(258)
(238)
(496)

The fair value of the interest rate swaps of £495,900 has been recognised in other comprehensive income in the year.

18  Deferred tax

Deferred tax liability
Liability at start of year
Charge to income for the year
Tax credited directly to other comprehensive income
Saracen – initial recognition of intangible assets on acquisition
Saracen – other deferred tax recognised on acquisition
Liability at end of year

Group
2012
£’000

10,555
154
(636)
–
–
10,073

Group
2011
£’000

10,846
65
(1,216)
827
33
10,555

Lok’nStore Group Plc  Annual Report and Accounts 201221813.04  2/11/2012 Proof 1365

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

At 1 August 2010 
Charge/(credit) to income for the year
Charge/(credit) to other comprehensive 
income
Saracen 
– Initial recognition of intangible assets
– Recognised on acquisition
At 31 July 2011 
Charge/(credit) to income for the year
Charge/(credit) to other comprehensive 
income
At 31 July 2012

Accelerated
Capital
Allowances
£’000

1,480
(206)

–

–
33

1,307
127

–

1,434

Tax
losses
£’000

(1,093) 
494

–

–
–

(599) 
367

–

(232)

Intangible
Assets
£’000

Other
temporary
differences
£’000

Revaluation of
properties
£’000

–
–

–

827
–

827
(104)

–

723

–
24

–

–
–

24
(2)

(114)

(92)

8,002
(65)

(1,216) 

–
–

6,721
(51)

(523)

6,147

Rolled
over gain
on disposal
£’000

2,457
(182)

–

–
–

2,275
(182)

–

2,093

Total
£’000

10,846
65

(1,216)

827
33

10,555
155

(637)

10,073

At the reporting date, the Group has unused revenue tax losses of approximately £1.15 million (2011: £2.63 million) available to carry forward against 
future profits of the same trade. A deferred tax asset of £0.23 million (2011: £0.60 million) has been recognised in respect of such losses. This asset 
offsets against the deferred tax liability position in respect of accelerated capital allowances and other temporary differences. The losses can be 
carried forward indefinitely.

A potential deferred tax asset of £55,371 (2011: £39,195) arises in respect of the share options in existence at 31 July 2012 but has not been 
recognised in the accounts. No deferred tax asset arises in relation to the remainder of the share options as at 31 July 2012 as the share price at the 
year-end is below the exercise price of the options.

The UK’s main rate of corporation tax is expected to reduce to 23% from 1 April 2013 with a further reduction to 22% from 1 April 2014. Due to the 
difficulty of predicting the amount of capital expenditure over this period, it is not possible to accurately quantify the effect of the rate change on the 
deferred tax position over this period. 

19  Share capital

Authorised:
35,000,000 ordinary shares of 1 pence each (2011: 35,000,000)

Allotted, issued and fully paid ordinary shares

Number of shares at 31 July 2011 and 31 July 2012

The Company has one class of ordinary shares which carry no right to fixed income.

2012
£’000

2011
£’000

350

350

2012
£’000

268

2011
£’000

268

Called up, 
allotted and 
fully paid
£’000

Number

26,758,865

268

www.loknstore.com  stock code: LOK          21813.04  2/11/2012 Proof 13Our FinancialsOur GovernanceOur PerformanceOur Business66

Notes to the Financial Statements continued

 For the year ended 31 July 2012

20  Equity-settled share-based payment plans
The Group operates two equity-settled share-based payment plans, an approved and an unapproved share option scheme, the rules of which are 
similar in all material respects. The Enterprise Management Initiative Scheme (‘EMI’) is closed to new grants of options as the Company no longer 
meets the HMRC small company criteria.

The Company has the following share options:

Summary

Enterprise Management Initiative Scheme
Unapproved Share Options
Approved CSOP Share Options
Total
Options held by Directors
Options not held by Directors
Total

Summary

Enterprise Management Initiative Scheme
Unapproved Share Options 
Approved CSOP Share Options
Total
Options held by Directors
Options not held by Directors
Total

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

2012 
Executive Directors
A Jacobs
SG Thomas
RA Davies
CM Jacobs
Non-Executive Directors
RJ Holmes
ETD Luker
CP Peal

As at 
31 July 
2011

349,166
2,164,386
232,002
2,745,554
1,830,000
915,554
2,745,554

As at 
31 July 
2010

491,901
2,192,213
179,019
2,863,133
1,655,000
1,208,133
2,863,133

Granted

Exercised

Lapsed/
surrendered

–
277,789 
52,211
330,000
175,000
155,000
330,000

Granted

–
240,517
62,983
303,500
175,000
128,500
303,500

–
–
–
–
–
–
–

– 
–
(500)
(500)
–
(500)
(500)

Exercised

Lapsed/
surrendered

–
–
–
–
–
–
–

(142,735)
(268,344)
(10,000)
(421,079)
–
(421,079)
(421,079)

 Unapproved 
Scheme

Approved 
CSOP
share options

EMI Scheme

–
–
98,039
79,173

–
–
–
177,212

500,000 
500,000 
528,431 
216,082 

 10,000
15,000
10,000
1,779,513

–
–
23,530
24,745

–
–
–
48,275

As at
31 July
2012

349,166
2,442,175
283,713
3,075,054
2,005,000
1,070,054
3,075,054

As at
31 July
2011

349,166
2,164,386
232,002
2,745,554
1,830,000
915,554
2,745,554

Total

500,000 
500,000 
650,000 
320,000 

10,000
15,000
10,000
2,005,000

Lok’nStore Group Plc  Annual Report and Accounts 201221813.04  2/11/2012 Proof 1367

20  Equity-settled share-based payment plans continued

2011
Executive Directors
A Jacobs
SG Thomas
RA Davies
CM Jacobs
Non-Executive Directors
RJ Holmes
ETD Luker
CP Peal

EMI Scheme

 Unapproved 
Scheme

Approved 
CSOP
share options

–
–
98,039
79,173

–
–
–
177,212

450,000
450,000
478,431
191,082

 10,000
15,000
10,000
1,604,513

–
–
23,530
24,745

–
–
–
48,275

Total

450,000
450,000
600,000
295,000

10,000
15,000
10,000
1,830,000

The grant of options to Executive Directors and senior management is recommended by the Remuneration Committee on the basis of their 
contribution to the Group’s success. The options vest after three years. No options have been granted under the EMI approved scheme in the year 
(2011: nil).

The exercise price of the options is equal to the closing mid-market price of the shares on the trading day previous to the date of the grant. The 
exercise of options awarded has been subject to a key non-market performance condition being the achievement of an annual revenue target of £10 
million. This condition has now been achieved. Exercise of an option is subject to continued employment. The life of each option granted is seven 
years. There are no cash settlement alternatives.

The expected volatility is based on a historical review of share price movements over a period of time, prior to the date of grant, commensurate with 
the expected term of each award. The expected term is assumed to be six years which is part way between vesting (three years after grant) and lapse 
(10 years after grant). The risk free rate of return is the UK gilt rate at date of grant commensurate with the expected term (i.e. six years).

The total charge for the year relating to employer share-based payment schemes was £91,821 (2011: £99,639), all of which relates to equity-settled 
share-based payment transactions.

The Group has taken advantage of the exemption available under IFRS 2 to exclude options granted before 7 November 2002 from the share-based 
payment charge and so 15,000 of the Group’s options are excluded from the share-based payment calculations detailed below.

The total fair value of the options granted in the year was £96,284 (2011: £121,154).

www.loknstore.com  stock code: LOK          21813.04  2/11/2012 Proof 13Our FinancialsOur GovernanceOur PerformanceOur Business68

Notes to the Financial Statements continued

 For the year ended 31 July 2012

21  Enterprise Management Initiative Scheme
The Company operates a share option scheme under the Enterprise Management Initiative (‘EMI’).

The share options granted will only be exercisable upon the achievement of one of the following performance criteria:

1. The revenue for any period commencing after the date of grant has exceeded £10 million.
2. The profits for any period commencing after the date of grant has exceeded £3 million.
3. The share price has exceeded £5.
4. Control of the Company changes.

Since the year ended 31 July 2007, revenue has exceeded £10 million and therefore the performance criterion has been met.

Movements in the year are shown in the table below.

Outstanding at 1 August
Granted during the year
Forfeited during the year
Exercised during the year
Expired during the year
Outstanding at 31 July
Exercisable at 31 July

Weighted*
average
exercise
price
2012
pence

121.23
–
–
–
–
121.23
121.23

Weighted*
average
exercise
price
pence

121.23
–
102.81
–
n/a*
121.23
121.23

Options
2010
number

491,901
–
(91,655)
–
(51,080)
349,166
349,166

Options
2012
number

349,166
–
–
–
–
349,166
349,166

*  Options granted prior to November 2002 Weighted average price excludes options that were granted prior to November 2002.

The share price at the year-end was 108.5 pence per share. The share price ranged from 89.2 pence per share to 119.0 pence per share during the 
year. The exercise prices for shares exercisable at 31 July ranged from 93.0 pence per share to 156.0 pence per share. The options outstanding at  
31 July 2012 had a weighted average contractual life of 1.7 years (2011: 2.7 years). The inputs into the Black-Scholes model used to value the 
options, are as follows:

Date of grant

21 July 2003
27 November 2003
19 January 2004
20 January 2004
30 July 2004
29 July 2005
31 July 2006

Expected life 
(years)

Share price at 
date of grant 
(pence)

Exercise price 
(pence)

Expected 
volatility
(%)

Expected 
dividend yield
(%)

Risk free 
interest rate 
(%)

Fair value 
charge per 
award (pence)

6
6
6
6
6
6
6

66.50
105.50
100.00
100.00
113.00
150.00
156.00

93.00
93.50
102.00
102.00
113.00
152.00
156.00

26.82
34.48
33.82
33.80
32.31
30.46
29.18

0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00

4.05
4.95
4.60
4.60
5.11
4.24
4.72

14.90
49.81
41.05
41.04
47.20
56.94
60.22

The following table shows options held by Directors under this scheme.

CM Jacobs
CM Jacobs
CM Jacobs
RA Davies

As at 31 July 
2011

25,000
22,759
31,414
98,039
177,212

Granted

Surrendered

As at 31 July 
2012

Exercise price 
(pence)

–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–

25,000
22,759
31,414
98,039
177,212

102
113
152
102

Date from 
which 
exercisable

20/01/07
30/07/07
30/07/08
19/01/07

Expiry date

20/01/14
30/07/14
30/07/15
19/01/14

Lok’nStore Group Plc  Annual Report and Accounts 201221813.04  2/11/2012 Proof 1369

22  Unapproved Share Options
The Company issues unapproved share options.

The share options exercisable from 8 July 2002 and 31 May 2003 will only be exercisable upon the achievement of one of the following performance 
criteria:

1. Group revenue exceeds £5 million.
2. Share price exceeds 150 pence.
3. Control of the Company changes.

Since year ended 31 July 2002, the Company’s revenue has exceeded £5 million and therefore the performance criteria has been met.

All other options will only be exercisable upon achievement of one of the following performance criteria:
1. The revenue for any period commencing after the date of grant has exceeded £10 million.
2. The profits for any period commencing after the date of grant has exceeded £3 million.
3. The share price has exceeded £5.
4. Control of the Company changes.

Since year ended 31 July 2007, the Company’s revenue has exceeded £10 million and therefore the performance criteria has been met.

Movements in the year are shown below:

Outstanding at 1 August
Granted during the year
Forfeited during the year
Exercised during the year
Expired during the year
Outstanding at 31 July
Exercisable at 31 July

Weighted
average
exercise
price
2012
pence

127.09
108.50
–
–
–
124.19
131.70

Options
2010
number

2,192,213
240,517
(268,344)
–
–
2,164,386
1,458,888

Weighted
average
exercise
price
pence

136.18
107.00
182.84
–
–
127.09
149.69

Options
2012
number

2,164,386
277,789
–
–
–
2,442,175
1,796,888

Weighted average price excludes options that were granted prior to November 2002.

The options outstanding at 31 July 2012 had a weighted average remaining contractual life of 5.7 years (2011: 6.2 years). The exercise prices for 
shares exercisable at 31 July 2012 ranged from 56.5 pence per share to 269.5 pence per share.

www.loknstore.com  stock code: LOK          21813.04  2/11/2012 Proof 13Our FinancialsOur GovernanceOur PerformanceOur Business70

Notes to the Financial Statements continued

 For the year ended 31 July 2012

22  Unapproved Share Options continued
The inputs into the Black-Scholes model used to value the options are as follows:

Date of grant

20 January 2004
30 July 2004
16 May 2005
29 July 2005
31 July 2006
28 November 2006
24 April 2007
31 July 2007
1 August 2007
1 August 2007
1 August 2007
1 August 2007
31 July 2008
31 July 2009
31 July 2010
31 July 2011
31 July 2012

Expected life 
(years)

Share price at 
date of grant 
(pence)

Exercise price 
(pence)

Expected 
volatility
(%)

Expected 
dividend yield
(%)

Risk free 
interest rate 
(%)

Fair value 
charge per 
award (pence)

6
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
6

100.00 
113.00
145.00
150.00
156.00
203.50
272.00
213.50 
211.00 
211.00 
211.00 
211.00 
130.50 
56.50 
85.00 
107.00 
108.50 

102.00 
113.00
148.00
152.00
156.00
148.00
269.50
213.50 
178.20 
93.00 
113.00 
152.00 
130.50 
56.50
85.00
107.00
108.50

33.80 
32.31
30.95
30.46
29.18
29.32
29.47
29.96
29.97
29.97
29.97
29.97
30.60
40.21
39.22
40.20
40.53

0.00 
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.37
0.47
0.47
0.47
0.47
0.47
0.77
1.77
1.56
0.93
3.38

4.60 
5.11
4.32
4.24
4.72
4.75
5.29
5.38
5.36
5.36
5.36
5.36
4.77
3.14
2.29
1.87
0.60

41.04 
47.20
55.48
56.94
60.22
103.85
105.52
82.24
94.44
140.00
127.77
106.64
47.40
20.49
29.62
39.98
29.18

Lok’nStore Group Plc  Annual Report and Accounts 201221813.04  2/11/2012 Proof 1371

22  Unapproved Share Options continued
The following unapproved share options have been granted to Directors of the Company.*

A Jacobs
A Jacobs
A Jacobs
A Jacobs
A Jacobs
A Jacobs
A Jacobs
A Jacobs
A Jacobs
A Jacobs
Total A Jacobs
S Thomas
S Thomas
S Thomas
S Thomas
S Thomas
S Thomas
S Thomas
S Thomas
S Thomas
S Thomas
Total S Thomas
R Davies
R Davies
R Davies
R Davies
R Davies
R Davies
R Davies
R Davies
R Davies
R Davies
Total R Davies
C Jacobs
C Jacobs
C Jacobs
C Jacobs
C Jacobs
C Jacobs
C Jacobs
C Jacobs
C Jacobs
C Jacobs
Total C Jacobs
ETD Luker
Total ETD Luker
R Holmes
Total R Holmes
C Peal
Total C Peal

As at
31 July
2011

50,000
50,000
50,000
50,000
50,000
50,000
50,000
50,000
50,000
–

450,000
50,000
50,000
50,000
50,000
50,000
50,000
50,000
50,000
50,000
–

450,000
1,961
50,000
100,000
100,000
50,000
50,000
50,000
26,470
50,000
–

478,431
2,241
25,000
18,586
25,000
25,000
45,000
25,000
255
25,000
–

191,082
15,000

15,000
10,000

10,000
10,000

10,000

Granted
£

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
50,000

50,000
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
50,000

50,000
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
50,000

50,000
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
25,000

25,000
–

–
–

–
–

–

Total 

1,604,513

175,000

Exercised/
lapsed
£

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–

–
–

–
–

–

–

Exercise price
(pence)

Date from 
which 
exercisable

102
113
152
156
213.5
13.5
56.5
85.0
107
108.5

102
113
152
156
213.5
13.5
56.5
85.0
107
108.5

102
113
152
156
213.5
130.5
56.5
85.0
107.0
108.5

113
148
152
205
269.5
130.5
56.5
85
107
108.5

21/01/07
30/07/07
30/07/08
31/07/09
31/07/10
31/07/11
31/07/12
30/07/13
31/07/14
31/07/15

21/01/07
30/07/07
30/07/08
31/07/09
31/07/10
31/07/11
31/07/12
30/07/13
31/07/14
31/07/15

21/01/07
30/07/07
30/07/08
31/07/09
31/07/10
31/07/11
31/07/12
30/07/13
31/07/14
31/07/15

30/07/07
16/05/08
30/07/08
28/11/09
24/04/10
31/07/11
31/07/12
31/07/13
31/07/14
31/07/15

Expiry
date

21/01/14
30/07/14
30/07/15
31/07/16
31/07/17
31/07/18
31/07/19
30/07/20
31/07/21
31/07/22

21/01/14
30/07/14
30/07/15
31/07/16
31/07/17
31/07/18
31/07/19
30/07/20
31/07/21
31/07/22

21/01/14
30/07/14
30/07/15
31/07/16
31/07/17
31/07/18
31/07/19
30/07/20
31/07/21
31/07/22

30/07/14
16/05/15
30/07/15
28/11/16
24/04/17
31/07/18
31/07/19
30/07/20
31/07/21
31/07/22

56.5

31/07/12

31/07/19

56.5

31/07/12

31/07/19

56.5

31/07/12

31/07/19

As at
31 July
2012

50,000 
50,000
50,000
50,000
50,000
50,000
50,000
50,000
50,000
50,000

500,000
50,000 
50,000
50,000
50,000
50,000
50,000
50,000
50,000
50,000
50,000

500,000
1,961
50,000
100,000
100,000
50,000
50,000
50,000
26,470
50,000
50,000

528,431
2,241
25,000
18,586
25,000
25,000
45,000
25,000
255
25,000
25,000

216,082
15,000

15,000
10,000

10,000
10,000

10,000

1,779,513

* In addition, 50,000 options are held by Value Added Services LLP, a company in which Andrew Jacobs and Simon Thomas have a beneficial interest.

www.loknstore.com  stock code: LOK          21813.04  2/11/2012 Proof 13Our FinancialsOur GovernanceOur PerformanceOur Business72

Notes to the Financial Statements continued

 For the year ended 31 July 2012

23  CSOP Approved Share Options
On 2 June 2010 the Group adopted a Company Share Option Plan (CSOP). The CSOP subsequently achieved HMRC approval on 28 June 2010. 
There are no performance conditions attached to share options issued under CSOP.

Movements in the year are shown below:

Outstanding at 1 August
Granted during the year
Forfeited during the year
Exercised during the year
Expired during the year
Outstanding at 31 July
Exercisable at 31 July

Weighted
average
exercise
price
2012
pence

90.97
108.50
107.86
–
–
94.17
–

Options
2012
number

52,211
277,789
(500)
–
–
283,713
–

Weighted
average
exercise
price
pence

85.00
107.00
85.00
–
–
90.97
 –

Options
2011
number

179,019
62,983
(10,000)
–
–
232,002
–

The options outstanding at 31 July 2012 had a weighted average remaining contractual life of 8.6 years (2011: 9.3 years). There were no options 
exercisable at 31 July 2012.

The inputs into the Black-Scholes model used to value the options are as follows:

Date of grant

30 July 2010
31 July 2011
31 July 2012

Expected Life 
(years)

Share price at 
date of grant 
(pence)

Exercise price 
(pence)

Expected 
volatility
(%)

Expected 
dividend yield
(%)

Risk free 
interest rate 
(%)

Fair value 
charge per 
award (pence)

6
6
6

85.00
107.00
108.50

85.00
107.00
108.50

39.22
40.20
40.50

1.56
0.90
3.40

2.29
1.87
0.60

29.62
39.98
29.18

The following CSOP approved share options have been granted to Directors of the Company.

R Davies
C Jacobs

As at
31 July
2011

23,530
24,745
48,275

Granted
£

Exercised/
lapsed
£

–
–
–

–
–
–

As at
31 July
2012

23,530
24,745
48,275

Exercise price
(pence)

85.00
85.00

Date from 
which 
exercisable

30/07/13
30/07/13

Expiry
Date

30/07/20
30/07/20

Lok’nStore Group Plc  Annual Report and Accounts 201221813.04  2/11/2012 Proof 1373

Total
£’000 

13,008
100
(250)

12,858

92
(382)
(917)

Merger
reserve
£’000

6,295
–
–

6,295

–
–
–

Other
distributable
reserve
£’000

Capital
redemption
reserve
£’000

Share-based
payment
reserve
£’000

5,403
–
(250)

5,153

–
–
(917)

34
–
–

34

–
–
–

34

1,276
100
–

1,376

92
–
–

6,295

4,236

1,468

11,651

24  Other reserves

Group
1 August 2010
Share based remuneration (options)
Dividend paid
1 August 2011

Share based remuneration (options)
Cash flow hedge reserve net of tax
Dividend paid
31 July 2012

Cash flow
hedge
reserve
£’000

–
–
–

–

–
(382)
–

(382)

The merger reserve represents the excess of the nominal value of the shares issued by Lok’nStore Group Plc over the nominal value of the share 
capital and share premium of Lok’nStore Limited as at 31 July 2001.

The other distributable reserve and the capital redemption reserve arose in the year ended 31 July 2004 from the purchase of the Company’s own 
shares and a cancellation of share premium.

25  Retained earnings

Group
1 August 2010
Profit attributable to owners of Parent for the financial year
Transfer from revaluation reserve
1 August 2011
Profit attributable to owners of Parent for the financial year
Transfer from revaluation reserve
31 July 2012

Retained
earnings 
before
deduction of
own shares
£’000

6,091
893
196

7,180
753
205

8,138

Own shares
(note 26)
£’000

(2,593)
–
–

(2,593)
–
–

(2,593)

Retained
earnings
Total
£’000

3,498
893 
196

4,587
753
205

5,545

The transfer from revaluation reserve represents the additional depreciation charged on revalued assets net of deferred tax.

The Own Shares Reserve represents the cost of shares in Lok’nStore Group Plc purchased in the market and held in the Employee Benefit Trust to 
satisfy awards made under the Group’s share incentive plan and shares purchased separately by Lok’nStore Limited for Treasury Account. These 
treasury shares have not been cancelled and were purchased at an average price considerably lower than the Group’s adjusted net asset value. These 
shares may in due course be released back into the market to assist liquidity of the Company’s stock and to provide availability of a reasonable line of 
stock to satisfy investor demand as and when required.

The Company has taken advantage of the exemption available under the Companies Act 2006 not to present the Company income statement of 
Lok’nStore Group Plc. The Company loss for the year was £193,995 (2011: £168,886).

www.loknstore.com  stock code: LOK          21813.04  2/11/2012 Proof 13Our FinancialsOur GovernanceOur PerformanceOur Business74

Notes to the Financial Statements continued

 For the year ended 31 July 2012

26  Own shares

1 August 2010
31 July 2011
31 July 2012

ESOP
shares
Number

623,212

623,212

623,212

ESOP
shares
£

499,910

499,910

499,910

Treasury
shares
Number

Treasury
shares
£

Own shares
total
£

1,142,000

2,092,902

2,592,812

1,142,000

2,092,902

2,592,812

1,142,000

2,092,902

2,592,812

Lok’nStore Limited holds a total of 1,142,000 of Lok’nStore Group Plc ordinary shares of 1p each for treasury with an aggregate nominal value 
of £11,420 purchased for an aggregate cost of £2,092,902 at an average price of £1.818 per share. These shares represent 4.27% of the Parent 
Company’s called-up share capital. The maximum number of shares held by Lok’nStore Limited in the year was 1,142,000. No shares were disposed 
of or cancelled in the year.

The Group operates an Employee Benefit Trust (‘EBT’) under a settlement dated 8 July 1999 between Lok’nStore Limited and Lok’nStore Trustee 
Limited, constituting an employees’ share scheme.

Funds are placed in the trust by way of deduction from employees’ salaries on a monthly basis as they so instruct for purchase of shares in the 
Company. Shares are allocated to employees at the prevailing market price when the salary deductions are made.

As at 31 July 2012, the Trust held 623,212 (2011: 623,212) ordinary shares of 1 pence each with a market value of £676,185 (2011: £666,837). No 
shares were transferred out of the scheme during the year (2011: nil).

No dividends were waived during the year. No options have been granted under the EBT.

27  Cash flows
(a) Reconciliation of profit before tax to cash generated from operations

Profit before tax
Depreciation
Amortisation of intangible assets
Professional costs – acquisition of Saracen
Equity settled share based payments
Loss on sale of motor vehicles
Interest receivable
Interest payable
Increase in inventories
Increase in receivables
(Decrease)/increase in payables
Cash generated from operations

2012
£’000

926
1,577
165
–
92
4
(15)
1,029
(30)
(34)
(571)
3,143

2011
£’000

938
1,616
–
129
100
–
(24)
522
(40)
(630)
989
3,600

Lok’nStore Group Plc  Annual Report and Accounts 201221813.04  2/11/2012 Proof 1375

31 July
2012
£’000
182
(1,540)
(1,358)
(24,389)
(25,747)

31 July
2011
£’000
(1,586)
(78)
(1,664)
(22,725)
(24,389)

27  Cash flows continued
(b) Reconciliation of net cash flow to movement in net debt
Net debt is defined as non-current and current borrowings, as detailed in note 17 less cash and cash equivalents.

Increase/(decrease) in cash in the year
Change in net debt resulting from cash flows
Movement in net debt in year
Net debt brought forward
Net debt carried forward

28  Commitments under operating leases
At 31 July 2012 the total future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases were as follows:

The Group as a lessee:
The minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating lease rentals are in aggregate as follows:

Land and buildings
Amounts due:
  Within one year
  Between two and five years
  After five years

Group
2012
£’000

1,618
6,090
6,087
13,795

Group
2011
£’000

Company
2012
£’000

Company
2011
£’000

1,578
5,920
8,405
15,903

–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–

Operating lease payments represent rentals payable by the Group for certain of its properties. Leases are negotiated for a typical term of 20 years and 
rentals are fixed for an average of five years.

The Group as lessor:
Property rental income earned during the year was £88,213 (2011: £92,450). This income is considered as ancillary and relatively short-term to the 
Group’s trading activities as these properties are sites held for their development potential as self storage centres and the rental income ceases when 
the buildings are demolished. These tenancies are therefore of a short term nature since tenants are served notice to vacate pending redevelopment of 
the site or if very short the leases run off to the end of their term. At the reporting date the Group had contracted with tenants, under non-cancellable 
leases, for the following future minimum lease payments:

Within one year

Group
2012
£’000

89

Group
2011
£’000

77

Company
2012
£’000

–

Company
2011
£’000

–

29  Events after the reporting date
Crawley Store – Management Contract secured: The Group signed an agreement to manage a new self storage centre in Crawley, Sussex on 
behalf of a third party investor. Completion of the transaction took place after the year-end on 10 August 2012. This new larger site follows the same 
investor’s already successful store in Woking, Surrey which has been managed by Lok’nStore since 2007. It is the third store management contract 
for Lok’nStore. The Group has provided a medium term interest-bearing loan of £250,000 to facilitate the investor’s purchase of the site, and will 
manage the fit-out and the operation of the store under the Lok’nStore brand.

www.loknstore.com  stock code: LOK          21813.04  2/11/2012 Proof 13Our FinancialsOur GovernanceOur PerformanceOur Business76

Notes to the Financial Statements continued

 For the year ended 31 July 2012

29  Events after the reporting date continued
VAT Tribunal decision: Following a longstanding dispute with HMRC on a VAT partial exemption issue, the matter was referred to a Tax Tribunal. The 
Tribunal Hearing took place in July 2012 to consider the matter and judgement was received in September 2012 in favour of Lok’nStore. Full details 
on this matter are provided under note 31c below.

Retirement of Non-Executive Director: On 19 October 2012, Ian Wright retired as a Non-Executive Director with immediate effect. The Board would 
like to thank Ian for his contribution since his appointment in May 2011.

30  Related party transactions
The following balances existed between the Company and its subsidiaries at 31 July:

Net amount due from Lok’nStore Limited

2012
£’000

4,490

2011
£’000

5,601

The amount due from Lok’nStore Limited is interest free. The balance is repayable on demand, however the Company has no present intention to 
demand repayment within one year and so the amount has been presented as a non-current asset as at 31 July 2011.

The Company provides share options for the employees of Lok’nStore Limited. The capital contributions arising from these share-based payments are 
separately disclosed under investments in note 12.

The aggregate remuneration of the Directors, who are the key management personnel of the Group, is set out below. Further information on the 
remuneration of individual Directors is found in note 6.

Short term employee benefits
Post-employment benefits
Share-based payments
Total

2012
£’000

504
15
59
578

2011
£’000

507
15
66
588

The Group has a service agreement for strategic services with Value Added Services LLP, a limited liability partnership in which Andrew Jacobs and 
Simon Thomas have a beneficial interest. The total fees payable to Value Added Services LLP are as shown in note 6. Fees are settled monthly and 
there were no outstanding amounts due to Value Added Services LLP at the year-end (2011: £Nil). The maximum balance outstanding at any time 
during the year was £24,252 (ex VAT) (2011: £24,252).

The Group uses Trucost plc, an environmental research company, to provide information and undertake performance assessment of the environmental 
effect of its business activities. Trucost plc is a company in which Andrew Jacobs and Simon Thomas have a beneficial interest. The total fees payable 
to Trucost plc in respect of its environmental assessment and reporting for the year was £6,000 (2011: £6,000). The balance outstanding to Trucost 
plc at year-end was £nil (2011: £nil).

The Group has an agreement with Keith Jacobs, a brother of Andrew Jacobs and Colin Jacobs, for the provision of marketing services and support 
on a consultancy basis. The fees payable to Keith Jacobs during the year under this arrangement were £21,310 (2011: £20,741). There were no 
amounts outstanding due to Keith Jacobs at the year-end (2011: £3,427). The maximum balance outstanding at any time during the year is £1,956 
(ex VAT) (2011: £3,427).

Lok’nStore Group Plc  Annual Report and Accounts 201221813.04  2/11/2012 Proof 1377

31a  Capital commitments and guarantees
The Group has capital expenditure contracted but not provided for in the financial statements of £2,555,116 (2011: £343,327) relating to the £2.5 
million development commitment at Aldershot and various other minor works.

31b  Bank borrowings
The Company has guaranteed the bank borrowings of Lok’nStore Limited. As at the year-end, that company had gross bank borrowings of £29.7 
million (2011: £28.1 million).

31c  Contingent Liability – Value added tax
As an ancillary activity, Lok’nStore acts as an intermediary in relation to supplies of exempt insurance to customers for which it receives a commission. 
In November 2007 Lok’nStore approached HMRC to request the implementation of a Partial Exemption Special Method (PESM). Lok’nStore has 
maintained that the standard partial exemption method, i.e. one based on the values of the various different income streams, resulted in a wholly 
distortive restriction of input tax. Lok’nStore remains of the view that revenue is a poor proxy for the ‘use’ of the majority of the input tax incurred by 
Lok’nStore and, as a consequence, the standard method does not provide a fair result.

Current Dealings with HMRC
On 25 February 2008, HMRC determined that it was appropriate to raise an assessment in the amount of £140,903 in respect of Lok’nStore’s 
partial exemption calculations, under the Standard Partial Exemption Method (“standard method”) for the VAT periods April 2005 through April 2007. 
Lok’nStore rejected the basis of this assessment and has advanced a number of other proposals and arguments in a bid to resolve this dispute. 
Following the formal rejection of the various proposals which were submitted for a PESM, a local review of the decision was requested which upheld 
the rejection of a PESM. This decision was appealed by Lok’nStore to the Tax Tribunal in September 2009. Counsel also confirmed that Lok’nStore 
should carry out a Standard Method Override Calculation (“SMO”) and that this should be calculated on the same basis as the proposed mixed floor 
space and values based method.

Position at Year End
There were two appeals lodged at the Tax Tribunal; one in respect of the proposed PESM going forward and the other in respect of the SMO 
calculations for the past VAT periods. It has been agreed with the Tribunal and HMRC that the second appeal (i.e. the SMO appeal) would be stood 
over pending the outcome of the first appeal in respect of the proposed PESM. The Tribunal Hearing took place in July 2012 to consider the matter 
and judgement was received in September in favour of Lok’nStore. The Judge found that while there was some link between overhead costs and 
the cost of insurance there was not a significant link and concluded that the standard method was not a fair proxy for use and went to find that our 
proposed method gave a more accurate proxy for use and should be accepted. HMRC have 56 days from the date of judgement to appeal and at the 
date of these accounts their position is not yet known.

Accordingly, in light of the potential for HMRC to appeal the judgement it is appropriate, as in previous years, to update on the range of outcomes, 
on a worst case scenario, the overall liability in relation to input tax claimed up to the end of July 2012 which may become repayable to HMRC totals 
£409,940 (2011: £369,193) based on the standard method restriction. Of this £222,609 (2011: £203,386) relates to capital expenditure inputs and 
£187,331 (2011: £165,807) relates to income statement items. Interest would be added to both totals. Alternatively, if our floor-based special method 
is unchallenged by HMRC, this will give a restriction of less that 0.1%, in which case the total amount of VAT (plus interest) to be assessed by HMRC 
would on the figures above give a de minimus result.

It remains the Group’s position to continue to report the position as a contingent liability until such time as HMRC’s time for appeal is passed. However 
while that outcome at present remains uncertain it is not considered that any material provision is necessary.

www.loknstore.com  stock code: LOK          21813.04  2/11/2012 Proof 13Our FinancialsOur GovernanceOur PerformanceOur Business78

Glossary 

Abbreviation
AGM
APD
Bps
C&W
CAC
Capex
CGU
CO2e
CSOP
EBT
EBITDA

EMI
EU
GHG
HMRC
IAS
IFRIC
IFRS
LIBOR
LTV
MWh
Operating Profit
PESM
RICS
SMO
sq. ft.
Store EBITDA
SWE
SWW
VAT

Annual General Meeting
Auditing Practices Board
Basis Points
Cushman & Wakefield
Contributory asset charges 
Capital Expenditure
Cash generating units
Carbon Dioxide Emissions
Company Share Incentive Plan 
Earnings Before Tax
Profits before all depreciation and amortisation charges, losses or profits on disposal, share-based payments, 
acquisition costs, and non-recurring professional costs, finance income, finance costs and taxation
Enterprise Management Incentive Scheme
European Union
Indirect greenhouse gas 
Her Majesty’s Revenue & Customs
International Accounting Standard
International Financial Reporting Interpretations Committee
International Financial Reporting Standards 
London Interbank Offered Rate
Loan to Value Ratio
Megawatt Hour
Earnings before interest and tax (EBIT)
Partial Exemption Special Method 
Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors
Standard Method Override Calculation
Square Foot
Store Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortisation
Swindon East
Swindon West
Value Added Tax

Lok’nStore Group Plc  Annual Report and Accounts 201221813.04  2/11/2012 Proof 13Our Stores and Locations

Lok’nStore

Head Office
Lok’nStore Plc
112 Hawley Lane
Farnborough
Hampshire, GU14 8JE
Tel  01252 521010
www.loknstore.co.uk
www.loknstore.com

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

Ashford, Kent
Wotton Road
Ashford
Kent, TN23 6LL
Tel  01233 645500
Fax  01233 646000
ashford@loknstore.co.uk

Basingstoke, Hampshire
Crockford Lane
Chineham
Basingstoke
Hampshire, RG24 8NA
Tel  01256 474700
Fax  01256 477377
basingstoke@loknstore.co.uk

Crayford, Kent
Block B
Optima Park
Thames Road
Crayford
Kent, DA1 4QX
Tel  01322 525292
Fax  01322 521333
crayford@loknstore.co.uk

Eastbourne, East Sussex
Unit 4, Hawthorn Road
Eastbourne
East Sussex, BN23 6QA
Tel  01323 749222
Fax  01323 648555
eastbourne@loknstore.co.uk

Fareham, Hampshire
26 + 27 Standard Way
Fareham Industrial Park
Fareham
Hampshire, PO16 8XJ
Tel  01329 283300
Fax  01329 284400
fareham@loknstore.co.uk

Farnborough, Hampshire
112 Hawley Lane
Farnborough
Hampshire, GU14 8JE
Tel  01252 511112
Fax  01252 744475
farnborough@loknstore.co.uk

Harlow, Essex
Unit 1 Dukes Park
Edinburgh Way
Harlow
Essex, CM20 2GF
Tel  01279 454238
Fax  01279 443750
harlow@loknstore.co.uk

Horsham, West Sussex
Blatchford Road
Redkiln Estate
Horsham
West Sussex, RH13 5QR
Tel  01403 272001
Fax  01403 274001
horsham@loknstore.co.uk

Luton, Bedfordshire
25 Brunswick Street
Luton
Bedfordshire, LU2 0HG
Tel  01582 721177
Fax  01582 721188
luton@loknstore.co.uk

Reading, Berkshire
5–9 Berkeley Avenue
Reading
Berkshire, RG1 6EL
Tel  0118 958 8999
Fax  0118 958 7500
reading@loknstore.co.uk

Southampton, Hampshire
Manor House Avenue
Millbrook
Southampton
Hampshire, SO15 0LF
Tel  02380 783388
Fax  02380 783383
southampton@loknstore.co.uk

Staines, Middlesex
The Causeway
Staines
Middlesex, TW18 3AY
Tel  01784 464611
Fax  01784 464608
staines@loknstore.co.uk

Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire
Etheridge Avenue
Brinklow
Milton Keynes
Buckinghamshire, MK10 0BB
Tel  01908 281900
Fax  01908 281700
miltonkeynes@loknstore.co.uk

Sunbury on Thames, Middlesex
Unit C, The Sunbury Centre
Hanworth Road
Sunbury
Middlesex, TW16 5DA
Tel  01932 761100
Fax  01932 781188
sunbury@loknstore.co.uk

Northampton Central
16 Quorn Way
Grafton Street Industrial Estate
Northampton, NN1 2PN
Tel  01604 629928
Fax  01604 627531
nncentral@loknstore.co.uk

Northampton Riverside
Units 1–4
Carousel Way
Northampton
Northamptonshire, NN3 9HG
Tel  01604 785522
Fax  01604 785511
northampton@loknstore.co.uk

Poole, Dorset
50 Willis Way
Fleetsbridge
Poole
Dorset, BH15 3SY
Tel  01202 666160
Fax  01202 666806
poole@loknstore.co.uk

Portsmouth, Hampshire
Rudmore Square
Portsmouth, PO2 8RW
Tel  02392 876783
Fax  02392 821941
portsmouth@loknstore.co.uk

Swindon (East), Wiltshire
Kembrey Street
Kembrey Park
Swindon
Wiltshire, SN2 8UY
Tel  01793 421234
Fax  01793 422888
swindoneast@loknstore.co.uk

Swindon (West), Wiltshire
16–18 Caen View
Rushy Platt Industrial Estate
Swindon
Wiltshire, SN5 8WQ
Tel  01793 878222
Fax  01793 878333
swindonwest@loknstore.co.uk

Tonbridge, Kent
Unit 6 Deacon Trading Estate
Vale Road
Tonbridge
Kent, TN9 1SW
Tel  01732 771007
Fax  01732 773350
tonbridge@loknstore.co.uk

Maidenhead, Berkshire
(opening 2013) NEW
Stafferton Way
Maidenhead
SL6 1AY

Managed stores

Aldershot, Hampshire
(opening 2013) NEW
251 Ash Road
Aldershot
GU12 4DD

Crawley, West Sussex
(opening 2012) NEW
Sussex Manor Business Park
Gatwick Road
Crawley
RH10 9NH

Woking, Surrey
Marlborough Road
Woking
GU21 5JG
Tel   01483 723333
Fax  01483 722444

Development locations

Southampton, Hampshire
Third Avenue
Millbrook
Southampton
SO15 0JX

North Harbour, Port Solent, 
Hampshire
Southampton Road
Portsmouth
PO6 4RH

Reading, Berkshire
A33 Reading Relief Road
Reading
Berkshire
RG1 6EL

Saracen

Head Office
Saracen
Unit 4–6, Leatherhead Trade Park
Station Road
Leatherhead
Surrey, KT22 7AG
Tel  0800 740 8700

www.saracendatastore.co.uk

Olney, Buckinghamshire
Unit 12, 
Stilebrook Road, 
Olney 
MK46 5EA

Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire
NHBC House, 
Davy Avenue, 
Knowlhill, 
Milton Keynes 
MK5 8FP
Tel  01908 393311

21813.04  2/11/2012 Proof 13L

o

k

’

n

S

t

o

r

e

G

r

o

u

p

P

l

c

A

n

n

u

a

l

R

e

p

o

r

t

a

n

d

A

c

c

o

u

n

t

s

f

o

r

t

h

e

y

e

a

r

e

n

d

e

d

3

1

J

u

l

y

2

0

1

2

Head Office

Lok’nStore Plc
112 Hawley Lane
Farnborough
Hampshire GU14 8JE
Tel 01252 521010

www.loknstore.co.uk
www.loknstore.com

21813.04  2/11/2012 Proof 13