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London & Associated Properties PLC

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FY2019 Annual Report · London & Associated Properties PLC
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LONDON & 
ASSOCIATED 
PROPERTIES

ANNUAL REPORT 2019

Contents

OVERVIEW
1 

LAP at a glance

2  Chairman’s statement and Chief Executive’s review 2019

STRATEGIC REPORT
4 

Financial and performance review 

10  Principal activities, strategy & business model

10  Risks and uncertainties

11  Bisichi risks and uncertainties

12  Key performance indicators

13  Corporate responsibility

GOVERNANCE
15  Directors & advisors

16  Directors’ report

19  Corporate Governance

21  Governance Statement by the Chairman of The Remuneration Committee

22  Annual remuneration report

26  Remuneration Policy Summary

28  Remuneration policy

31  Audit committee report

32  Directors’ responsibilities statement

33 

Independent auditor’s report

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
38  Consolidated income statement

38  Consolidated statement of comprehensive income

39  Consolidated balance sheet

40  Consolidated statement of changes in shareholders’ equity

41  Consolidated cash flow statement

42  Group accounting policies

49  Notes to the financial statements

75  Five year financial summary

Financial calendar

Annual General Meeting  
30 July 2020

Announcement of half year results to 30 June 2020 
Late August 2020

Announcement of annual results for 2020 
Late April 2021

OVERVIEW

OVERVIEW

LAP at a glance

London & Associated Properties PLC (“LAP”) is a main market listed group 
which invests in industrial and retail property in the UK while also managing 
property assets. LAP owns £76.6 million of property. As a property company 
we look to create environments where tenants can thrive.

The Group also holds a substantial investment in Bisichi PLC, which operates 
coal mines in South Africa and owns UK property. In accordance with IFRS 10 
the results of Bisichi have been consolidated in the group accounts.

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

Fully diluted net  
assets per share

43.04p
2018: 50.83p

KEY PROJECTS

IFRS net assets

£49.1m
2018: £55.7m

Properties portfolio  
valuation*

£74.8m
2018: £91.5m
*Includes investment properties, head leases 
assets held for sale and property inventory.  
Excludes properties under management.

KEY PROJECTS

HIGHLIGHT

 Directly owned

• Orchard Square, Sheffield

• Runcorn Manor Park Industrial Estate

• West Ealing development

• Kings Square, West Bromwich

•  Repositioning of property focus continues  

at Orchard Square, Sheffield

•  Runcorn Industrial portfolio being actively  

managed for rental growth

•  Ealing development property planning application  

in progress

Coal production

•  In South Africa, Black Wattle produced 1.28m metric tonnes of Run of Mine Coal in 2019 

(2018: 1.32m metric tonnes)

London & Associated Properties PLC 2019 1

OVERVIEW

Chairman’s statement and 
Chief Executive’s review 2019

While this statement focuses on LAP's performance in 2019, all eyes 
are currently on the outbreak of Covid-19 and its far-reaching impact 
on every aspect of the economy, including real estate.

have suffered less than many as a result of focusing primarily on 
value orientated locations which continue to remain relevant and 
where tenants have been better able to avoid insolvency procedures.

COVID-19 UPDATE
At LAP, our first priority will always be the health and safety of our 
staff, particularly those who will come into contact with members of 
the public on a daily basis. Our operational response to the virus was 
swift and decisive and we ensured that our staff were isolated from the 
public wherever possible, even before the lockdown was announced on 
23rd March. Since the lockdown, we have shuttered a number of our 
retail assets that have no essential retailers, and worked with both our 
staff and tenants to minimise contact where shops or takeaways 
have remained open.

Rent collection on the week around the March quarter day was 
approximately 50% (of £1.8m billed), rising to around 55% within a 
month. This compares with 65% around the March quarter day in 
2019. We are working hard with our managing agents to agree plans 
with our tenants that will allow them to pay rent over time. In some 
cases, this may be after they have reopened and been trading for a 
period. Many of our tenants are eligible for grants and we are working 
with them to access the grants that will enable them to continue to 
trade and pay the rent. Tenants owing around £600k have, so far, 
not engaged satisfactorily and are being pursued, although our 
efforts are being hampered by the current Government-imposed 
moratorium on legal action against tenants.

While March quarter day showed a significant drop in collection rates, 
we are bracing ourselves for a markedly lower level of collections in 
June. Almost all our tenants will have been closed since mid-March 
and this will have had a serious effect on their liquidity. We will again 
work with them to ensure that they are able to survive and pay us in 
due course.

So far, none of our tenants has commenced an insolvency procedure 
and all rents remain due and payable.

Currently we have unencumbered property worth £4.0m and 
unencumbered cash reserves of £4.3m. This money had been 
earmarked for future investment, although all non-essential capital 
expenditure is currently on hold to maintain sufficient liquidity to 
ensure that we can survive this lockdown.

We have not furloughed any head office staff. This is in part due to our 
decision to outsource much of our day-to-day property management to 
Carter Towler, a firm of chartered surveyors in Leeds. This move is 
cash neutral at day one, although we anticipate that it will lead to 
substantial savings in due course as we are able to reduce head office 
costs and other expenses. This change means that a previously fixed 
cost has been converted to a variable cost which will fluctuate with 
rental income. Our experience of the quality of the outsourcing 
services provided has been positive to date.

We will now turn to our 2019 results.

CONSOLIDATED RESULTS
2019 was a difficult year for real estate generally as political uncertainty 
weighed on investor sentiment. This was particularly acute in retail 
property as investors shied away from shopping centres particularly  
in mid-market towns with low levels of differentiation.

Our own property portfolio was revalued at £47.9m compared to 
£50.7m the year before. This 5.5% drop is a creditable performance 
given underlying negative sentiment towards the retail sector. We 

2  London & Associated Properties PLC 2019

Net assets fell from £55.7m to £49.1m. This reflects the reduction in 
the value of the property portfolio of £3.0m and the loss relating to our 
investment in Project Harrogate of £1.7m. These items together with 
other gains of £0.2m and a nil profit before revaluations (2018: £3.7m) 
led to a loss before tax of £4.5m compared with a profit of £1.3m for 
the same period last year.

DEBT MANAGEMENT
More positively we have reduced our borrowings by £15.4m to 
£41.2m improving gearing from 70.5% to 65.0%.

Our five year loans with Santander and Europa Mezzanine Finance 
expired in May 2019. Although these loans initially had totalled £45.0m, 
they had been paid down to a combined £28.3m by the start of 
2019. The loans were further reduced to £18.3m following the 
disposal of part of our shopping centre in Sheffield in July 2019, 
which we describe more fully below.

Many consider that the lending market for retail property reached a low 
during 2019. However, following an extensive review of all lenders still 
willing to finance retail property assets, we were able to agree terms 
with clients of PMM, specialist lenders, to refinance Orchard Square in 
Sheffield with a new £14m loan at an all-in rate of 6.95%. Although this 
debt is significantly more expensive than the previous loan on this asset, 
the new financing reflects the market and it should be noted that this 
was one of the only loans to be made against a shopping centre during 
the whole of 2019. Our successful refinancing reflects the quality of the 
asset as well as our strong reputation for asset management, allied to 
the fact that we have never defaulted on a loan.

The balance of the outstanding Santander loan was repaid from our 
cash resources leaving Wickersley uncharged. We have, however, 
since the financial year end, charged £2.35m of the Wickersley property 
to Metro Bank to enable us to access £2.27m of cash held by them 
in a locked account.

LAP PROPERTY ACTIVITIES

Orchard Square, Sheffield
While progressing with our efforts to develop this site for realisation, 
we have continued to manage it actively. Progress has been satisfactory, 
particularly given the harsh trading backdrop for shopping centres.  
The most significant deal that we completed was the disposal of a 
long-leasehold interest, for £9.5m, of our unit on Fargate – previously 
let to River Island at £0.5m a year. The buyer was Metro Bank, who 
will occupy the unit as a flagship bank at ground level with offices 
throughout the remainder of the building. 

As part of the development process we continue to reposition Orchard 
Square towards experiential retail, in particular food and beverage. We 
were carrying out works to create a street food market when the 
lockdown was announced. The management contract to operate this 
market is under offer to an established and successful market operator with 
experience of South Yorkshire and we expect to conclude this contract 
once the lockdown is lifted.

As part of the repositioning we have let two units at first floor adjacent 
to a large terrace to two restaurant operators. This includes an existing 
successful independent restaurateur who has opened a wood-fired pizza 
restaurant and a new venture that is selling macaroni cheese. Both 
units opened just before the lockdown and initial trading was strong.

OVERVIEW Chairman’s statement and Chief Executive’s review 2019

We also commissioned a large mural at first floor level to improve 
the public realm and appeal to a different type of consumer. The 
mural has received much positive media coverage.

to what had been a reasonable performance of the shopping centres 
against strong retail headwinds and reflected the poor investment 
market for secondary shopping centres.

Manor Park, Runcorn
We have had a successful year at Manor Park where we own eight 
freehold industrial units. During 2019 and the early part of 2020, we 
completed an extension of the 16,500 sq. ft. unit let to Bay-Lynx to 
add a further 6,000 sq. ft. As part of the deal, we have signed a new 
10 year lease, with a 5 year break, at a rent which is some 25% 
higher than before. 

This is the first deal that we have completed for a different asset 
class, where we have used the skill set which, for many years we 
have applied to investing in multi-let retail. We believe that this 
demonstrates the transferability of these skills and we look forward 
to completing further similar transactions in the future both at 
Manor Park and in other investments.

We also completed the re-gear of a lease on another unit and are 
about to refurbish a large self-contained unit which the tenant 
vacated towards the end of the year. We have received strong 
interest in the unit and are confident that not only will it be let 
quickly but also that we should see positive rental growth.

West Ealing
We acquired this residential development site in West Ealing in a 
joint venture with Bisichi plc and Metroprop, a developer, in 2018. 
Following a long pre-application process with Ealing Council, we 
have now submitted a planning application to develop 54 flats with 
ground floor retail. The application has been well received and we 
are negotiating some design details with the Council. The lockdown 
has interrupted the planning process but we expect to make progress 
over the next few months.

West Bromwich
This shopping centre continues to trade at full occupancy although 
there is some turnover of traders as is usual in a community-orientated 
shopping centre with a number of independent retailers. Prior to the 
lockdown, we had not struggled to find new occupiers.

In addition, Superdrug renewed their lease albeit at a rent some 45% 
lower than that agreed in 2009. Similarly, Bon Marche opted to keep 
their store following their administration in October at a rent some 
19% lower than was previously passing. 

Brixton
In July we completed the sale of 414 Coldharbour Lane in Brixton, 
the final asset from the Ocean Portfolio which we had acquired in 
2005. We received £2.35m compared to a 2018 book value of £1.25m. 
The buyer was the same as for Brixton Markets the previous year.  
As this property formed part of the collateral pledged to Metro Bank, 
the net cash receipts of £2.25m were held on deposit, but, as noted 
above, this cash has been released as a result of part of Wickersley 
being added to the collateral for the loan.

Project Harrogate
In May 2019, LAP announced that its partner, Oaktree Capital 
Management, had declined to inject further cash into the joint venture 
to cure a loan-to-value breach following the annual revaluation in March. 
As a result, the mezzanine lender, DRC, exercised its right to take over 
the equity of the joint venture and our stake became worthless. This 
has led to a write down of £1.7m. This was a most unsatisfactory end 

Following a refinancing in December 2017, in which we declined to 
participate, Oaktree owned approximately 97% of the equity and we 
were therefore unable to influence the decisions that led to the 
ultimate loss of control. 

DRAGON RETAIL PROPERTIES
Dragon had a good year as Boots the chemist, its principal tenant, 
signed a new 10 year lease with a 5 year break at £93,000 per annum, 
a 1.1% increase over the previous passing rent. This was an excellent 
result in the current retail climate. Dragon has a £1.2m loan against 
this property which expires in September 2020. We are talking to 
Santander, the existing lender, about a new loan or a short extension 
to enable us to refinance in an orderly manner. I will update 
shareholders on progress in due course.

BISICHI PLC
Bisichi PLC benefited from improved coal prices and stable operating 
costs but these advantages were offset by lower coal production and 
adverse exchange rates. This resulted in an operating profit before 
depreciation, fair value adjustments and exchange movements (adjusted 
EBITDA) of £7.4m, as compared with the £9.1m achieved in 2018.

Looking forward is more difficult. Bisichi’s South African coal mining 
and processing operations have been designated as essential business 
operations, which has allowed the Group’s operations to continue 
during lockdown periods, although with a reduced or socially distanced 
workforce to help safeguard the health and safety of our employees. 
In terms of the coal markets, Bisichi has seen the significant downturn 
in economic activity related to the Covid-19 pandemic have an impact 
on overall demand for coal in the international market. However, 
demand for their particular coal in the domestic market has to date 
remained more stable. The duration and extent of the impact of the 
Covid-19 pandemic on the Bisichi South African operations, particularly 
in terms of their coal markets, remains uncertain. Similarly, the pandemic 
may have a significant impact on rental revenue collections from 
Bisichi’s UK retail property portfolio, which is managed by LAP. 

Bisichi continues to do all it can to ensure that the health and safety of 
its employees and stakeholders are protected and that its operations 
can continue in an efficient manner. In the circumstances, the directors 
of Bisichi have decided that they will not be recommending a dividend 
for the financial year ending 31 December 2019, although they will 
keep this position under review in the coming months depending on 
how the situation evolves. LAP’s share of the dividend in 2019  
was £266,000.

SUMMARY
As mentioned above we have now entered a totally new chapter in 
economics. The effect of the coronavirus has been severe and is 
continuing to cause massive disruption across the UK. As the 
lockdown continues to be relaxed we feel that the location and 
quality of our portfolio remains a key advantage going forward. 

Sir Michael Heller, 
Chairman 

John Heller,  
Chief Executive

29 June 2020

London & Associated Properties PLC 2019 3

 
STRATEGIC 

REPORT

STRATEGIC 
REPORT

Financial and performance review

The financial statements for 2019 have been 
prepared to reflect the requirements of IFRS 
10. This means that the accounts of Bisichi PLC 
(a London Stock Exchange main market quoted 
company – BISI) (“Bisichi”), have been 
consolidated with those of LAP.

Bisichi continues to operate as a fully independent company and 
currently LAP owns only 41.52% of the issued ordinary share capital. 
However, because related parties also have shareholdings in Bisichi 
and there is a wide disposition of other shareholdings, LAP is deemed 
under IFRS 10 to have effective control of Bisichi for accounting 
purposes. This treatment means that the income and net assets of 
Bisichi are disclosed in full and the value attributable to the “non-
controlling interest” (58.48%) is shown separately in the equity section 
as a non-controlling interest. There is no impact on the net assets 
attributable to LAP shareholders.

Dragon Retail Properties Limited (“Dragon”) and West Ealing Projects 
Limited (West Ealing), are both 50:50 joint ventures with Bisichi and 
are also consolidated. Shareholders are aware that LAP is a property 
business with a significant investment in a listed mining company. 
The effect of consolidating the results, assets and liabilities of the 
property business and the mining company make the figures complex 
and less transparent. Property company accounts are already subject to 
significant volatility as valuations of property assets as well as derivative 
liabilities can be subject to major movements based on market sentiment. 
Most of these changes, though, have little or no effect on the cash 
position and it is, of course, self-evident that cash flow is the most 
important factor influencing the success of a property business. We 
explain the factors affecting the property business first, clearly 
separating these from factors affecting the mining business which 
we do not manage. Comments about Bisichi (the mining business) 
are based on information provided by the independent management 
of that company.

This report comments on the performance of each of the Group’s 
segments separately.

LONDON & ASSOCIATED PROPERTIES PLC
LAP’s main objectives in 2019 have been to:

•   Continue to provide environments in which tenants can thrive.

•   Improve the business’ operating cashflow on an ongoing basis.

•   Reduce exposure to the retail sector.

•   Ensure gearing is at an appropriate level.

•   Maintain sufficient cash in the business to enable it to react to 

opportunities when they arise.

During 2019, as a result of ongoing negative market sentiment in the 
retail property sector, sensible investment opportunities have been 
limited, so LAP has sought to reduce its gearing levels.

During the year the following key actions have been taken to meet 
these objectives:

•   Sale of part of the Sheffield development property, which has 

reduced LAP’s exposure to the retail sector, in particular mid-market 
fashion retail, and enabled LAP to reduce its debt by £9.3m.

•   Refinancing, in September 2019, of the debt outstanding against 
the Sheffield property, with a new £14m facility, the details of 
which are shown in note 18.

•   As part of this refinancing £3.5m of cash was utilised to unencumber 

another property secured against this loan, further improving 
LAP’s gearing.

•   Sale of the remaining property in Brixton, in July 2019, for £2.35m. 
This cash was held as security by the lender on the Brixton property 
at 31 December 2019. In May 2020, this cash was released to LAP, 
with a further property being substituted as security, improving 
liquidity.

•   Outsourcing LAP’s property management activities to a third party 
provider, while retaining key strategic management. This is part of 
ongoing efforts to reduce overheads and improve operating 
cashflow. The full benefit of these changes is not expected to  
be seen until late 2020 and beyond.

•   Development of the largest asset, Orchard Square, Sheffield, to 
refocus its use, reflecting the changing ways in which the public 
interacts with the city centre. In the current early stages of 
development, this is being achieved using existing cash resources.

As the business moves into 2020, on a more stable financial footing 
as a result of these actions, the key objectives remain the same.

The business continues to look for investment opportunities, particularly 
within the industrial sector and is taking further actions to improve 
its efficiency and its operating cashflow. The business continues to 
develop and refurbish its properties to provide environments in 
which tenants can thrive.

4  London & Associated Properties PLC 2019

STRATEGIC REPORT Financial and performance review

INCOME STATEMENT

BUSINESS ANALYSIS
Rental income
Service charge income
Proceeds from sale of trading properties
Management income from third party properties
LAP Revenue
Direct property costs
Impairment of inventory
Costs of sale of trading properties 
Overheads
Depreciation
Operating (loss)/profit 
Finance income
Finance expenses
Result before valuation movements 
Other segment items
Net decrease on revaluation of investment properties
Decrease in value of other investments
Adjustment to interest rate derivative
Revaluation and other movements
LAP loss for the year before taxation

Note: The figures exclude inter-company transactions.

LAP generates the majority of its income from property rentals, 
property management fees and development activities.

Rental income is down £236,000 year on year, although like for like 
rental income is up by £13,000, 0.3%, which in view of market 
conditions is a positive result.

In July 2019, part of our development property in Sheffield was sold 
for £9.5m . This was previously held at £10.3m, being the agreed sale 
price, less costs, at the date of the last Annual Report. The subsequent 
reduction in sales price has resulted in a trading loss of £1.0m. The 
gross revenue of £9.5m and total cost of the sale of £10.5m are 
shown in the Income Statement. The value of the Sheffield property, 
which is held as inventory, was reduced by £1.75m at 31 December 
2019.

Net property costs after taking into account costs recovered through 
service charges have decreased by £0.3m to £1.2m, mostly as a 
result of the sale of Brixton Markets in 2018.

Overheads have reduced by £0.8m in the year to £3.2m. Lower 
Directors’ bonuses in LAP of £0.7m (pre employers NIC) accounted 
for the majority of this. Following the adoption of IFRS 16 in 2019, 
£0.2m of office rent payments are no longer recognised as an 
overhead cost, rather the right-of-use asset created at 1 January 2019 
has been depreciated by £0.2m in the year and an interest charge of 
£0.047m recognised on the lease liability. 

Finance expenses have reduced by £0.6m, predominantly due to the 
reduction in total debt of LAP, following the sale of part of Sheffield, the 
subsequent repayment of debt held against that property and then 
the refinancing of this debt package.

2019
£’000 

 4,813 
 628 
 9,500 
 607 
 15,548 
(1,823)
(1,750)
(10,491)
(3,230)
(215)
(1,961)
 58 
(2,552)
(4,455)

(1,498)
(1,749)
 169 
(3,078)
(7,533)

2018
£’000 

 5,049 
 802 
– 
 718 
6,569
(2,269)
–
– 
(4,035)
(9)
256
 37 
(3,111)
(2,818)

(2,170)
– 
 265 
(1,905)
(4,723)

Revaluation movements in the year include a £1.5m decrease (4.3%)  
in the value of investment properties to £33.7m. This was driven by 
increasing yields in the year, within the retail property sector, with  
a more minor impact from reduced rental values.

Revaluation movements in the year also include the previously 
announced write off of LAP’s investment with Oaktree Capital 
Management (HRGT Shopping Centres LP) of £1.7m. This is 
explained in the Statement by the Chairman and Chief Executive. 
LAP acted as asset and property manager of the properties in the 
joint venture. Its annual gross fees of approximately £0.4m ended 
when our management agreement was terminated in September 
2019. This is reflected in management income from third parties in 
the segmental analysis for 2019 in note 1. While the impact of this 
loss in income has been mitigated in 2020 by an overhead reduction 
arising from the outsourcing of our day to day management role to a 
new provider, it is still expected to have a net negative impact of 
approximately £0.2m in 2020.

Excluding the loss on sale and the impairment of trading properties in 
the year, the adjusted loss before valuation movements was £1.7m. 
This excludes management income and dividends received from 
Bisichi. Reducing this loss through the activities described above and 
generating more rental income remains a key focus for the business.

London & Associated Properties PLC 2019 5

STRATEGIC REPORT Financial and performance review

BALANCE SHEET

Segment assets
- Non-current assets – property
- Non-current assets – property, plant & equipment
Assets held for sale
Trading assets
- Cash & cash equivalents
- Non-current assets – other
- Current assets – others
Total assets excluding investment in joint ventures, assets held for sale and trading
Segment liabilities
Borrowings
Current liabilities
Non-current liabilities
Total liabilities
Net assets

Note: The figures exclude inter-company transactions.

2019 
£’000 

2018 
£’000 

 33,718 
 946 
– 
 26,915 
 5,709 
– 
 686 
 67,974 

(30,764)
(5,750)
(3,156)
(39,670)
 28,304 

 35,011 
 106 
2,285 
38,556 
11,345
1,748
1,947
90,998

(45,352)
(6,372)
(3,122)
(54,846)
 36,152 

The reduction in non-current property assets is largely as a result  
of a £1.5m (4.3%) reduction in the valuation of LAP’s investment 
properties.

The reduction to zero in the value of the other non-current assets 
relates entirely to the HRGT Shopping Centres LP joint venture and 
is discussed above.

The increase in property, plant and equipment follows the inclusion 
under IFRS 16 of a value for the rented head office building occupied 
by the Company. This was reclassified as an asset valued at £1.054m 
on 1 January 2019 and has been depreciated by £0.211m in the year, 
having a net book value of £0.843m at 31 December 2019. The 
present value of future rentals of £0.861m is included within liabilities.

In May 2019, LAP sold its Brixton property for £2.35m, shown as an 
asset held for sale in 2018. After costs there was no profit or loss on 
this transaction as the gain had been reflected in the 2018 accounts

Trading assets include Sheffield Orchard Square, which is currently 
being developed for sale and a residential development property in 
West Ealing. Both of these properties are held at the lower of cost 
and net realisable value.

Borrowings have reduced by £14.6m. We repaid loans to Santander 
(£21.5m) and Europa (£6.8m) which had a blended interest rate of 
5.33%. As part of this debt repayment a new non-recourse loan of 
£14.0m was placed, with Phoenix CRE Sàrl, at a current interest rate  
of 6.95%. The loan has a minimum and maximum LIBOR agreement 
limiting the interest rate to between 6.95% and 7.45%. The increase 
in the interest rate of the new loan reflects the market for retail 
property lending in the UK currently.

LAP’s debt now consists of the £14m facility expiring in September 
2022, a debenture of £10m repayable in August 2022 and a £3.9m 
facility expiring in 2028. As in previous years, all loans and debentures 
are secured on core property and cash deposits and are covenant 
compliant at the year end.

GEARING
Total borrowings
Less cash and cash equivalents
Net borrowings
Total Equity

2019
£’000
30,764
(5,709)
25,055
28,304
88.5%

2018
£’000
43,352
(11,345)
32,077
36,152
88.7%

The business has not set a target gearing level but monitors its debt and asset values constantly to maintain an appropriate level, taking into 
account market sentiment, the availability and cost of debt and cash flow forecasts.

CASH FLOW

CASH FLOW FROM OPERATIONS
Cash inflows / (outflows) from operating activities
Cash inflows from investing activities
Cash outflows from financing activities
Net (decrease) / increase in cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents at 1 January
Cash and cash equivalents at 31 December

 Note: The figures within the LAP cashflow include inter-company transactions.

6  London & Associated Properties PLC 2019

2019 
£’000
9,295
2,471
(17,402)
(5,636)

11,345
5,709

2018 
£’000
(272)
27,058
(17,550)
9,236

2,109
11,345

 
 
STRATEGIC REPORT Financial and performance review

The reduction in operating profit impacted cash flow negatively by 
£1.7m although this was offset by a saving in income tax paid of 
£1.1m. Additional investment in working capital of £1.9m as compared 
with last year’s investment of £1.6m meant that operating cash flow 
was £3.7m as compared with £4.8m. Additional asset purchases 
including extra reserves and investments totalling £3.8m, net repayment 
of borrowings £2.1m and dividends paid (£0.6m) resulted in a reduction 
in cash resources of £2.8m.

The Bisichi group’s financial position remains strong. Its net assets at 
31st December 2019 were £20.6 million (2018: £20.1 million). The 
group expects to continue achieving significant value in 2020 from 
its existing mining operation.

Bisichi continues to seek to expand its operations in South Africa 
through the acquisition of additional coal reserves. In the UK, 
management is looking forward to progressing its development in 
West Ealing and is currently investigating other major investment 
opportunities in the domestic property sector. This is in line with 
Bisichi’s overall strategy of balancing the high risk of the mining 
operations with a dependable cash flow and capital appreciation 
from the UK property investment operations.

DRAGON RETAIL PROPERTIES LIMITED
Dragon is a UK property investment company. The company has a 
Santander bank loan of £1.2m secured against its investment property, 
see note 18. It paid management fees of £88,000 (2018: £72,000) 
split equally between the two joint venture partners. Its results continue 
to be near breakeven after taxation. Dragon has net assets of £1.6m 
(2018: £1.5m).

ACCOUNTING JUDGEMENTS AND GOING CONCERN
The most significant judgements made in preparing these accounts 
relate to the carrying value of the properties, investments and interest 
rate hedges. The hedges have been valued by the hedge provider. 
The Group uses external property valuers to determine the fair value 
of most of its properties. 

Under IFRS10 the Group has included Bisichi PLC in the consolidated 
accounts, as it is deemed to be under the effective control of LAP 
and has therefore been treated as a subsidiary.

The Directors exercise their commercial judgement when reviewing 
the Group’s cash flow forecasts and the underlying assumptions on 
which the forecasts are based. The Group’s business activities, 
together with the factors likely to affect its future development, are 
set out in the Chairman and Chief Executive’s Statement and in this 
review. Further disclosure of specific factors affecting going concern 
are discussed in more detail in the going concern section of the group 
accounting policies of the financial statements. In addition, the 
Directors consider that Note 21 to the financial statements sets out 
the Group’s objectives, policies and processes for managing its 
capital; its financial risk management objectives; details of its 
financial instruments and hedging activities; and its exposure to 
credit risk, liquidity risk and other risks.

Cash inflows from operating activities in 2019 include net sale 
proceeds of £9.3m from the part sale of the Sheffield development 
property in July 2019. Other operating cashflow was at break-even.

Investing activities include:

•   The sale of Coldharbour Lane Brixton for £2.35m before costs  

in May 2019.

•   No substantial acquisitions were made in 2019.

Financing activities include:

•   The full repayment of the remaining Santander and Europa loans 

of £28.3m in September 2019.

•   A new £14.0m, 3 year term loan in September 2019, with  

Phoenix CRE Sàrl, at 5.95% above LIBOR where LIBOR has a 
minimum and maximum rate of 1.0% and 1.5% respectively.

WEST EALING PROJECTS LIMITED
West Ealing is a 50:50 joint venture between LAP and Bisichi created 
with the purpose of delivering a primarily residential development in 
West Ealing, London. The joint venture owns 90% of the property which 
is under development and on which £6.67m has been spent to date. 
There is a linked development loan of £3.61 million, described 
further in note 18.

BISICHI PLC (FORMERLY BISICHI MINING PLC)
Although the results of Bisichi PLC have been consolidated in these 
financial statements, the Board of LAP has no direct influence over 
the management of Bisichi. The comments below are based on the 
published accounts of Bisichi.

The Bisichi group results are stated in full in its published 2019 
financial statements which are available on its website  
www.bisichi.co.uk.

Bisichi has two core revenue streams – investment in retail property 
in the UK and coal mining in South Africa.

The Bisichi group profit before tax reduced to £3.0m (2018: £6.1m) 
mainly due to lower coal production and sales from the South African 
operations as well as a weakening in the South African Rand to UK 
Sterling. The weakening of the Rand offset the higher prices achieved 
for coal and stable operating costs achieved in 2019. 

UK retail property investments were valued at the year end at £11.75m 
(2018: £13.23m). The property portfolio is actively managed by LAP 
and generated rental income of £1.2 million in the year  
(2018: £1.1 million).

Bisichi has a South African structured trade finance facility with Absa 
Bank Limited for R100million (South African Rand) which covers the 
fluctuating working capital requirements of the South African 
operations. As part of the process and sale of the washing plant 
facilities from Black Wattle Colliery (Pty) Limited to its wholly owned 
subsidiary Sisonke Coal Processing (Pty) Limited (“Sisonke Coal 
Processing”), the R100million bank overdraft facility held by Black 
Wattle Colliery (Pty) Limited with Absa Bank Limited at 31 December 
2018 was replaced in January 2019 by a new structured trade 
finance facility for R100million held by Sisonke Coal Processing (“new 
trade facility”). The new trade facility is renewable annually at 25 
January and is secured against inventory, debtors and cash that are 
held in the South African operations. 

In December 2019, Bisichi repaid its £5.84million loan facility with 
Santander Bank PLC and signed a new £3.96million term loan facility 
with Julian Hodge Bank Limited. The new debt package has a five 
year term and is repayable at the end of the term in December 2024. 
The interest cost of the loan is 4.00% above LIBOR. The loan is 
secured by way of a first charge over the investment properties in 
the UK which are included in the financial statements at a value of 
£11,565,000. No banking covenants were breached by the group 
during the year.

London & Associated Properties PLC 2019 7

STRATEGIC REPORT Financial and performance review

LAP currently has unencumbered properties, valued at 31 December 
2019 at circa £4m.

To mitigate the cash impact of COVID-19 on the business, LAP is 
managing its expenditure until such time as the Directors consider 
the risks to have sufficiently subsided.
•   The Directors are not recommending a final dividend for the 

current financial year.

•  A number of staff located at our properties have been furloughed.
•  VAT payments have been deferred in line with the amended rules
•   All refurbishment and development capital expenditure has been 
suspended and projects placed on hold. There will be no material 
additional cost to the business of doing this.

•   We have actively reduced spending where possible following the 
cessation of trading at our properties. This will result in lower service 
charge costs for our tenants and a saving for the business on any 
vacant properties.

•   Material property acquisitions are on hold.

The Directors have produced a four year cashflow forecast with 
varying scenarios examining the sensitivity of LAP’s liquidity to the 
following variables:
•   Length of duration of COVID-19’s impact on the business
•   Value of delayed receipts from tenants over that period
•   Length of duration of delayed receipts from tenants
•   Loss in cash receipts from tenants never settling their lease 

obligations

•   Volume of tenants going into insolvency or administration and  

the length of time expected to re-let the property

The Directors have taken into consideration our experiences of tenant 
payments to date, information received directly from tenants about 
their financial position and expectations of our tenants’ future trading. 
The Directors anticipate that the effects of the closure of some of 
our properties will have a permanent effect on the results of the 
business in 2020 although are unable to estimate the quantum at 
this stage. 

LAP has three principal loans, as described in note 18, with the 
below maturity dates:
•  £10m Debenture  August 2022
•  £14m term loan  September 2022
•  £3.9m term loan  September 2028 (Bank break September 2023)

The £10m debenture and £3.9m term loan have remained compliant 
after the year end and are anticipated to continue to do so, based on 
the scenario forecasting.

The £14m term loan was covenant compliant in April 2020, but due 
to lower tenant receipts in March and April following the COVID-19 
lockdown there was insufficient cash in the subsidiary for it to meet 
its obligation to the lender. The Board agreed with the lender that 
the LAP Group will fund its subsidiary’s obligations under the loan 
agreement in April and is putting in place the same arrangement for 
July 2020. 

The Directors are satisfied that LAP has sufficient liquidity to meet its 
obligations under any of the scenarios examined and is committed to 
doing so.

The Board continues to monitor the situation and our modelling is 
updated continually.

STATEMENT REGARDING SECTION 172 OF THE UK 
COMPANIES ACT 
Section 172 of the UK Companies Act requires the Board to report on 
how the directors have had regard to the matters outlined below in 
performing their duties. During the year, the Directors consider that 
they have acted in a way, and have made decisions that would, most 
likely promote the success of the Group for the benefit of its members 
as a whole as outlined in the matters below: 

•   The likely consequences of any decision in the long term: see 
Principal Activity, Strategy & Business Model and Risks and 
Uncertainties on pages 10 to 11;

•   The interests of the Group’s employees; ethics and compliance; 

fostering of the Company’s business relationships with suppliers, 
customers and others; and the impact of the Group’s operations on 
the community and environment: see Corporate Responsibility and 
Sustainability reports on pages 13 to 14;

•   The need to act fairly between members of the Company: see the 

Corporate Responsibility section on page 14;

•   The desirability of maintaining a reputation for high standards of 

business conduct: see the Corporate Governance section on pages 
19 to 20

COVID-19 UPDATE

LAP
At this time, our main priority is the health and safety of our staff,  
tenants and the public. For that reason properties have been closed 
in line with government guidance, as described further in the 
Chairman's statement and Chief Executive’s Review.

We have received 64% of all rent in relation to the March quarter 
and we are expecting a similar amount to be paid in respect of the 
June quarter. Excluding VAT, LAP would normally expect to receive 
circa £1.2m in rent each quarter. 

LAP has unencumbered cash of £4.3m currently, all of which is held 
in UK bank accounts. There are no barriers, taxes or other costs to 
be paid in accessing this cash. The cash is available to meet any  
shortfalls brought about by the impacts on the business of COVID -19. 
These may include:
•  Delayed tenant payments
•  Unpaid debt due to tenant insolvencies
•  Additional costs to ensure our properties are safe for use

We are working with our tenants so that they pay their obligations to 
us when they are financially able. Many tenants are eligible for the 
various Government schemes set up in the wake of the Coronavirus 
pandemic and we are supporting them in accessing these, including:
•  Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme
•  Business Rates Relief
•  Business Support Grant Funds
•  Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme
•  Coronavirus Bounce Back Loan
•  Deferral of VAT payments

LAP has conducted a range of cashflow scenario testing and believes 
that its existing available cash resources are sufficient to meet its 
obligations, even in, what the Directors consider, is the worst case 
scenario. The Directors are of the opinion that LAP does not require 
additional funding to meet the cash impact of COVID-19 on the business.

LAP has no overdraft facility or undrawn credit lines and has three 
existing borrowing arrangements all of which are secured against its 
properties. No banking covenants have been breached and LAP has 
met all of its obligations under its agreements with lenders. The 
Directors see no impediment to LAP continuing to meet its obligations 
to lenders in the future.

8  London & Associated Properties PLC 2019

STRATEGIC REPORT Financial and performance review

DIVIDENDS AND FUTURE PROSPECTS
Due to the current economic uncertainties, the LAP Board has agreed 
that it will not be recommending a dividend for the financial year 
ending 31 December 2019.

The Group remains reasonably optimistic about our ability to weather 
the COVID-19 storm.  We have strong relations with our tenants and 
are in active discussion with a number of them to ensure that we are 
paid the rent that we are owed while they are able to continue trading 
once non-essential shops and restaurants are permitted to re-open.  
We have also refinanced two loans to ensure that further cash is now 
uncharged and available to spend if required. 

Looking through to our medium term trading, we intend to pursue our 
previously stated strategies.  These include further reducing the 
Group’s reliance on retail property although we feel that our value-
orientated properties with low reliance on fashion retailers have inbuilt 
defensive qualities.  We do not need to fire-sell assets therefore, but 
we are prepared to enter into negotiations with parties that have 
approached us to explore disposals or joint ventures to redevelop 
certain assets within our portfolio.  A number of these negotiations are 
ongoing although we are not yet able to say if any will come to 
fruition.

We will also pursue our policy of investing in other asset classes, 
including industrial property where we have enjoyed early success and 
in further joint ventures to undertake residential development. We will 
see through our development in Ealing to satisfactory planning 
consent and then either build it out or seek to sell our shares in the 
joint venture.

We will also pursue our strategy of developing our Sheffield shopping 
centre.  We have commenced initial preparation of a number of plans 
there which fit in with the Local Authority’s wider aspirations for the 
city centre.

BISICHI
Bisichi has consulted with the government authorities and its stakeholders 
in South Africa to determine and agree the appropriate measures to be 
taken across its South African mining and processing operations. Such 
measures have been focused on the health and safety of employees, 
assisting in the continuing provision of coal as an essential raw material, 
the security and integrity of the assets, and the ability to maintain 
operations at levels of activity that are aligned with government 
objectives and the country’s broader economic interests.

Bisichi continues to monitor and adhere to all of the South African 
government’s Covid-19 related guidelines and regulations including 
all updates and advice from the National Department of Health, the 
Department of Minerals Resources and Energy and the Office of  
the President. 

The Group’s South African coal mining and processing operations 
have been designated as essential business operations as they fall 
within the supply chains of other essential businesses as defined by the 
South African government. Since late March, Bisichi’s South African 
operations, have continued, although with a reduced or socially 
distanced workforce to safeguard the health and safety of employees.

Bisichi management have been fully engaged in managing the impact 
of the Covid-19 pandemic on its operations both in the UK and in 
South Africa. Bisichi management’s priorities are the health and safety 
of all of employees and stakeholders and the continuity of the 
business during this challenging time. 

In terms of business continuity, Bisichi’s South African coal mining and 
processing operations have been designated as essential business 
operations. At present, the final impact of the pandemic on Bisichi’s 
future prospects and financial performance remains uncertain. 
However, to date, the financial position has remained strong and at 
present, there are adequate financial resources to ensure the business 
remains viable for the foreseeable future and that liabilities are met. 

OVERALL POSITION
With a quality property portfolio comprising a majority of tenants 
with long leases supported by suitable financial arrangements, the 
Directors believe that the group property operations (including 
Bisichi and Dragon) are well placed to address the current business 
risks successfully, despite the continuing uncertain economic climate. 
The mining operations too, as a key industry in South Africa, have a 
positive future despite the pandemic risks. It is also relevant that LAP 
would be able to continue as a viable business if Bisichi were to face 
unexpected problems as there are no cross guarantees and LAP is 
not dependent on the income from Bisichi. 

The Directors therefore have a reasonable expectation that the 
Group and the Company have adequate resources to continue in 
operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus, they continue 
to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the 
annual financial statements.

TAXATION
The LAP Group tax strategy is to account for tax on an accurate and 
timely basis. We only structure our affairs based on sound commercial 
principles and wish to maintain a low tax risk position. We do not 
engage in aggressive tax planning.

The LAP Group (excluding Bisichi and Dragon) has unused tax losses 
and deductions with a potential value of £7.9m (2018: £7.2m). As LAP 
returns to profit, these tax losses and deductions should be utilised.

London & Associated Properties PLC 2019 9

STRATEGIC REPORT
STRATEGIC REPORT

Principal activities, strategy & business model

The LAP Group’s principal business model is the investment in and management and development of industrial and retail property through 
direct investment and joint ventures. 

The principal activity of Bisichi PLC is coal mining in South Africa. Further information is available in its 2019 Financial Statements which are 
available on their web site: www.bisichi.co.uk

STRATEGIC PRIORITIES ARE
Maximising income

Creating quality property

Capital strength

Maintain the value of investment  
in bisichi

OUR STRATEGY IS
By achieving an appropriate tenant mix and shopping experience we can increase footfall through 
the centres, hence increase tenant demand for space and enhance income.
We look to improve the consumer experience at all our centres by achieving an appropriate tenant 
mix and a vibrant trading environment through investment activity, enhancement, refurbishment 
and development.
We operate within a prudent and flexible financial structure. Our gearing policy provides financial 
stability whilst giving capacity and flexibility to look for further investments.
By encouraging the Bisichi management to maximise sustainable profits and cash distributions.

Risks and uncertainties

DESCRIPTION OF RISK
COVID-19 risk

DESCRIPTION OF IMPACT
Health and safety of employees and 
stakeholders. Risks related to business 
interruption and tenant failures as 
outlined below.

MITIGATION
Strategies for mitigating the risks have been defined 
and specific measures for achieving these are already 
underway. These include the measures outlined 
in the Chairman’s Statement and Financial & 
Performance Review sections of this report.

ASSET MANAGEMENT:
Tenant failure

Financial loss.

Leases not renewed

Financial loss.

Initial and subsequent assessment of tenant covenant 
strength combined with an active credit control function.
Lease expiries regularly reviewed. Experienced teams 
with strong tenant and market knowledge who 
manage appropriate tenant mix.
Regular reporting of current and projected position  
to the Board with efficient treasury management.

Asset liquidity (size and  
geographical location)
PEOPLE:
Retention and recruitment of staff

REPUTATION:
Business interruption

Assets may be illiquid and affect flexing 
of balance sheet.

Unable to retain and attract the best 
people for the key roles. 

Nomination Committee and senior staff review 
skills gaps and succession planning. Training and 
development offered.

Loss in revenue.

Impact on footfall.

Adverse publicity.

Documented Recovery Plan in place. 

General and terrorism insurance policies in place 
and risks monitored by trained security staff. 

Potential for criminal/civil proceedings.

Health and Safety policies in place. 

FINANCING:
Fluctuation in property 

Values

Impact on covenants and other loan 
agreement obligations.

Reduced availability of borrowing 
facilities

Insufficient funds to meet existing 
debts/interest payments and  
operational payments.

Loss of cash and deposits

Financial loss.

Fluctuation of interest rates

Uncertainty of interest rate costs.

CCTV in centres.

Secure income flows. 

Regular monitoring of LTV and IC covenants and 
other obligations.

Focus on quality assets.
Efficient treasury management. 

Loan facilities extended where possible.

Regular reporting of current and projected position  
to the Board.
Only use a spread of banks and financial institutions 
which have a strong credit rating.
Manage derivative contracts to achieve a balance 
between hedging interest rate exposure and 
minimising potential cash calls.

10  London & Associated Properties PLC 2019

STRATEGIC REPORT

Bisichi risks and uncertainties

Bisichi (although it is consolidated into group accounts as required by IFRS 10) is managed independently of LAP. The risks outlined below are 
an abbreviated summary of the risks reported by the Directors of Bisichi to the shareholders of that Company. Full details are available in the 
published accounts of Bisichi (www.bisichi.co.uk).

These risks, although critical to Bisichi, are of less significance to LAP which only has a minority investment of 41.52% in the company. In the 
unlikely event that Bisichi was unable to continue trading, it would not affect the ability of LAP to continue operating as a going concern. 

DESCRIPTION OF RISK
COVID-19 risk

DESCRIPTION OF IMPACT
Health and safety of employees and 
stakeholders and risks related to coal 
prices and demand and the value of 
UK property.

Coal prices can be impacted materially by market 
and currency variations
Mining operations are inherently risky. Mineral 
reserves, regulations, licensing, power availability, 
health and safety can all damage operations

Affects sales value and therefore 
margins.
Loss of production causing loss  
of revenue.

Currency risk

Cashflow variation because of mining risks, 
commodity price or currency variations

Affects realised sales value and 
therefore margins.
Variations can deliver significant 
shifts in cash flow.

MITIGATION
Strategies for mitigating the risks have 
been defined and specific measures for 
achieving these are already underway. 
These include the measures outlined 
in the Chairman’s Statement and 
Financial & Performance Review 
sections of this report.
Forward sales contracts are used to 
manage value expectations.
Use of geology experts, careful 
attention to regulations, health and 
safety training, employee dialogue to 
minimise controllable risks.
Regular monitoring and review of 
forward currency situation.
UK property investments used to 
offset high risk mining operations.

London & Associated Properties PLC 2019 11

STRATEGIC REPORT

Key performance indicators

The Group’s Key Performance Indicators are selected to ensure clear alignment between its strategy and shareholder interests.  
The KPIs are calculated using data from management reporting systems.

LIKE-FOR-LIKE INCOME*

4.0

2.0

0.0

-4.0

-8.0

9.0

8.0

6.0

4.0

2.0

0.0

75.0

50.0

25.0

0.0

2017

2018

2019

VOIDS 

2017

2018

2019

NET ASSETS PER SHARE

2017

2018

2019

STRATEGIC PRIORITY
KPI 
MAXIMISING INCOME – LIKE FOR LIKE PROPERTY INCOME
To increase the like-for-
like income from each 
property year on year.

Like-for-like rental income 
as a percentage of the 
prior year rental.

PERFORMANCE

The like-for-like rental income by 
property has remained broadly 
unchanged.

In the continuing difficult trading 
environment, this is considered 
satisfactory. 

MAXIMISING INCOME – OCCUPANCY
We aim to maximise 
the total income in our 
properties by achieving 
full occupancy.

The ERV of the empty 
units as a percentage of 
our total income.

Void levels increased to 8.38%, with 
a larger industrial unit in Runcorn 
currently being refurbished.

Movement in the net 
assets per share.

CAPITAL STRENGTH – GROWTH IN NET ASSET VALUE PER SHARE
The net assets per 
share is the principal 
measure used by the 
group for monitoring its 
performance and is an 
indicator of the level of 
reserves available for 
distribution by way of 
dividend.

The net assets per share reduced 
by 7.79 pence per share (15.3%) to 
43.04p.

12  London & Associated Properties PLC 2019

STRATEGIC REPORT

Corporate responsibility

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
Bisichi’s Black Wattle continues to strive to conduct business in a 
safe, environmentally and socially responsible manner. Some highlights 
of their Health, Safety and Environment performance in 2019:

•  Black Wattle Colliery recorded one Lost Time Injury during 2019. 

•  No cases of Occupational Diseases were recorded. 

•   Zero claims for the Compensation for Occupational Diseases 

We have employed the Financial Control definition to outline our 
carbon footprint boundary, reporting Scope 1 & 2 emissions only. 
Emissions from both landlord & tenant-controlled areas of LAP owned 
shopping centres and facilities fall within the footprint boundary. LAP 
has landlord-controlled areas in Kings Square, Orchard Square, 
Brewery Street, Shipley and Bridgend. Properties that we manage on 
behalf of others or are not wholly owned by LAP are excluded from 
our footprint boundary. 

were submitted.

They continue to be compliant and make progress in terms of their 
Social and Labour Plan and their various BEE initiatives. A fuller 
explanation of these can be found in Bisichi’s 2019 Financial 
Statements which are available on their web site:  
www.bisichi.co.uk

GREENHOUSE GAS REPORTING
We have reported on all emission sources required under the 
Companies Act 2006 (Strategic Report and Directors’ Reports) 
Regulations 2013 for the reporting period 1st January 2019 to 
31st December 2019. The emissions are detailed in Tables 1, 2  
and 3 below. 

Emissions for landlord-controlled areas have been calculated based 
on actual consumption data collected from each shopping centre. 
Emissions from tenant-controlled areas have been calculated based 
on floor area and energy consumption benchmarks for general retail 
services in the UK. 

We have used the ISO14046-1 Standard (2006) and guidance provided 
by UK’s Department of Environment and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) on 
voluntary and mandatory carbon reporting. Emission factors were 
used from UK Government’s GHG Conversion Factors for Company 
Reporting 20191. 

As well as reporting Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions, the regulations 
require that at least one intensity ratio is reported for the given 
reporting period. The intensity figure below shows the emissions  
in tCO2e per thousand pounds revenue.

Table 1. Landlord & tenant controlled areas

Scope 1 emissions

Scope 2 emissions

Table 2. LAP controlled areas

Scope 1 emissions

Scope 2 emissions

Table 3. Tenant controlled areas

Scope 1 emissions

Scope 2 emissions

EMISSIONS SOURCE
Natural gas (tCO2e)
Refrigerants (tCO2e)
Electricity (tCO2e)
Total tCO2e
Intensity ratio (tCO2e/£thousand)

EMISSIONS SOURCE
Natural gas (tCO2e)
Refrigerants (tCO2e)
Electricity (tCO2e)
Total tCO2e

EMISSIONS SOURCE
Natural gas (tCO2e)
Refrigerants (tCO2e)
Electricity (tCO2e)
Total tCO2e

2019
53
0
1,354
1,407
0.296

2019
53
0
104
157

2019
0
0
1,250
1,250

2018
169
0
2,519
2,688
0.514

2018
169
0
134
303

2018
0
0
2,385
2,385

1.  2019 Guidelines to DEFRA / DECC’s GHG Conversion Factors for Company Reporting”, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) and Department 

for Energy and Climate Change (DECC).

London & Associated Properties PLC 2019 13

STRATEGIC REPORT Corporate responsibility

Table 4. Coal mining carbon footprint

Emissions source:
  Scope 1 Combustion of fuel & operation of facilities
  Scope 1 Emissions from coal mining activities
  Scope 2 Electricity, heat, steam and cooling purchased for own use
  Total
Intensity:

Intensity 1 Tonnes of CO2 per pound sterling of revenue
Intensity 2 Tonnes of CO2 per pound of coal produced

2019
CO2E
TONNES

22,626
26,435
13,153
62,213

0.0013
0.0486

2018
CO2E
TONNES

21,348
27,428
12,177
60,953

0.0012
0.0462

DIVERSITY AND EQUALITY
The Board recognises the importance of diversity, both in its 
membership, and in the Group’s employees. It has a clear policy to 
promote diversity across the business. The Board considers that quotas 
are not appropriate in determining its composition and has therefore 
chosen not to set targets. All aspects of diversity, including but not 
limited to gender, are considered at every level of recruitment. 
Gender diversity of the Board and the Group is set out below.

DIRECTORS, EMPLOYEES AND GENDER 
REPRESENTATION
At the year end the LAP Group (excluding Bisichi and Dragon), had 6 
directors (6 male, 0 female), 2 senior managers (2 male, 0 female) and 
10 employees (5 male, 5 female).

BISICHI PLC
Bisichi PLC’s Group at the year end had 8 directors (7 male, 1 female), 
7 senior managers (6 male, 1 female) and 219 employees (150 male, 
69 female). 

Detailed information relating to the Bisichi Strategic Report is available 
in its 2019 financial statements.

Approved on behalf of the board of directors

Jonathan Mintz 
Finance Director

29 June 2020

ENVIRONMENT

United Kingdom
The Group’s principal UK activity is property investment, which involves 
renting premises to commercial businesses. We seek to provide those 
tenants with good quality premises from which they can operate in 
an efficient and environmentally friendly manner. Where possible, 
improvements, repairs and replacements are made in an environmentally 
efficient manner and waste re-cycling arrangements are in place  
at all the Company’s locations.

South Africa
The Bisichi group’s principal activity in South Africa is coal mining. 
Under the terms of the mine’s Environmental Management Programme 
approved by the Department of Mineral Resource (“DMR”), Black 
Wattle undertakes a host of environmental protection activities to 
ensure that the approved Environmental Management Plan is fully 
implemented. A performance assessment audit was conducted to 
verify compliance to their Environmental Management Programme 
and no significant deviations were found.

EMPLOYEE, SOCIAL, COMMUNITY AND HUMAN 
RIGHTS
The Group’s policy is to attract staff and motivate employees by 
offering competitive terms of employment. The Group provides 
equal opportunities to all employees and prospective employees 
including those who are disabled and operates in compliance with  
all relevant national legislation.

The Group believes that it is in the interest of shareholders to consider 
social and human rights issues when conducting business. Various 
policies and initiatives implemented by the Group that fall within 
these areas are discussed within this report.

ANTI-SLAVERY AND HUMAN TRAFFICKING
The Group is committed to the prevention of the use of forced labour 
and has a zero tolerance policy for human trafficking and slavery.  
The Group’s policies and initiatives in this area can be found within 
the Group’s Anti-slavery and human trafficking statement found  
on the Group’s website at www.lap.co.uk. 

14  London & Associated Properties PLC 2019

 
 
GOVERNANCE

Directors & advisors

EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS
Sir Michael Heller MA FCA*  
(Chairman)

John A Heller LLB MBA  
(Chief Executive)

Jonathan Mintz FCA  
(Finance Director) Appointed 11 February 2019

NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS 
Howard D Goldring BSC (ECON) ACA† 
Howard Goldring is Executive Chairman of Delmore Holdings Limited 
which specialises in the discretionary management of investment 
portfolios for pension funds, charities, family trusts and private clients. 
He also acts as an advisor providing high level asset allocation advice 
to family offices and pension schemes. He has been a member of the 
LAP Board since July 1992, and has almost 40 years’ experience of 
the real estate market. He was a director of Baronsmead VCT 2 PLC 
from 2010-2016, and has specialised in providing many companies 
with investor relations support.

Clive A Parritt FCA CF FIIA #† 
Clive Parritt joined the board on 1 January 2006. He is a chartered 
accountant with over 40 years’ experience of providing strategic, 
financial and commercial advice to businesses of all sizes. He is a 
director of Jupiter US Smaller Companies plc, chairman of BG Training 
Limited and a member of the Performance, Audit and Risk Committee 
of Arts Council England. Until April 2016 he was Group Finance 
Director of Audiotonix Limited (an international manufacturer of 
audio mixing consoles). He has chaired and been a director of a 
number of other public and private companies. Clive Parritt was 
President of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and 
Wales in 2011-12. He is Chairman of the Audit Committee and as 
Senior Independent Director he chairs the Nomination and 
Remuneration Committees.

Robin Priest MA 
Robin Priest joined the board on 31 July 2013. He is a senior advisor 
to Alvarez & Marsal LLP (“A&M”) and to a major listed German real 
estate investment fund manager. He has more than 38 years’ 
experience in real estate and structured finance. He was formerly 
Managing Director of A&M’s real estate practice, advising private 
sector and public sector clients on both operational and financial real 
estate matters. Prior to joining A&M, Robin was lead partner for Real 
Estate Corporate Finance in London with Deloitte LLP and before 
this he founded and ran a property company backed by private 
equity. He is also a trustee of London’s Oval House Theatre.

*   Member of the nomination committee  
†   Member of the audit, remuneration and nomination committees 
#   Senior independent director 

SECRETARY & REGISTERED OFFICE
Jonathan Mintz FCA 
24 Bruton Place 
London W1J 6NE 

AUDITOR
RSM UK Audit LLP 

PRINCIPAL BANKERS
Phoenix CRE Sàrl

Santander UK plc

Metro Bank plc

SOLICITORS
Pinsent Masons LLP

Wake Smith Solicitors Limited

STOCKBROKER
Shore Capital Markets Limited 

REGISTRARS & TRANSFER OFFICE
Link Asset Services 
Shareholder Services 
The Registry 
34 Beckenham Road 
Beckenham 
Kent 
BR3 4TU 

UK telephone: 0871 664 0300 
International telephone: +44 371 664 0300 
(Calls cost 12p per minute plus your phone company’s access charge. 
Calls outside the United Kingdom will be charged at the applicable 
international rate). 

Lines are open between 9.00am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday, 
excluding public holidays in England and Wales. 

Website: www.linkassetservices.com 
Email: enquiries@linkgroup.co.uk

Company registration number 
341829 (England and Wales)

WEBSITE
www.lap.co.uk

E-MAIL
admin@lap.co.uk

London & Associated Properties PLC 2019 15

GOVERNANCE

GOVERNANCE

Directors’ report

The Directors submit their report and the 
audited financial statements for the year 
ended 31 December 2019.

STRATEGIC REPORT
A comprehensive review and assessment of the Group’s activities during 
the year as well as its position at the year end and prospects for the 
forthcoming year are included in the Chairman and Chief Executive’s 
Statement and the Strategic Report. These reports can be found on 
pages 2 to 14 and should be read in conjunction with this report.

ACTIVITIES
The principal activities of the Group during the year were property 
investment and development, as well as investment in joint ventures 
and an associated company. The associated company is Bisichi PLC 
(Bisichi) in which the Company holds a 41.52 % interest. Bisichi is 
listed on the main market of the London Stock Exchange and operates 
in England and South Africa with subsidiaries which are involved in 
overseas mining and mining investment. The results, together with 
the assets and liabilities, of Bisichi are consolidated with those of LAP 
in accordance with the terms of IFRS 10 even though the Group only 
has a minority interest – under IFRS 10 the 58.48% majority interest 
is disclosed as a “non-controlling interest”.

BUSINESS REVIEW AND POST BALANCE SHEET EVENTS

Review of the Group’s development and performance
A review of the Group’s development and performance can be found 
below and should be read in conjunction with the Strategic Report 
on pages 4 to 14.

Details of any post balance sheet events are disclosed in Note 29 to 
the financial statements.

FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS
The Group continues to look for new opportunities to acquire real estate 
assets where it feels it can increase value by applying its intensive 
management skills. At the same time, it seeks to reduce its interest 
payments on its loans as they expire or where opportunities arise to 
refinance on better terms. We also seek to improve our existing estate 
through the continued pursuit of asset management initiatives.

PROPERTY ACTIVITIES
The Group is a long-term investor in property. It acquires properties, 
actively manages those assets to improve rental income, and thus 
seeks to enhance the value of its properties over time. In reviewing 
performance, the principal areas regularly monitored by the Group 
include:

•   Rental income – the aim of the Group is to maximise the 
maintainable income from each property by careful tenant 
management supported by sympathetic and revenue enhancing 
development. Income may be affected adversely by the inability of 
tenants to pay their rent, but careful monitoring of rent collection 
and tenant quality helps to mitigate this risk. Risk is also minimised 
by a diversified tenant base, which should limit the impact of the 
failure of any individual tenant.

16  London & Associated Properties PLC 2019

•   Cash flow – allowing for voids, acquisitions, development 

expenditure, disposals and the impact of operating costs and 
interest charges, the Group aims to maintain a positive cash flow 
over time.

•   Financing costs – the exposure of the Group to interest rate 
movements is managed partly by the use of swap and cap 
arrangements (see Note 21 for full details of the contracts in place) 
and also by using loans with fixed terms and interest rates. These 
arrangements are designed to ensure that our interest costs are 
known in advance and are always covered by anticipated  
rental income. 

•   Property valuations – market sentiment and economic conditions 

have a direct effect on property valuations, which can vary 
significantly (upwards or downwards) over time. Bearing in mind the 
long term nature of the Group’s business, valuation changes have 
little direct effect on the ongoing activities or the income and 
expenditure of the Group. Tenants generally have long term leases, 
so rents are unaffected by short term valuation changes. Borrowings 
are secured against property values and if those values fall very 
significantly, this could limit the ability of the Group to develop the 
business using external borrowings. The risk is minimised by trying 
to ensure that there is adequate cover to allow for fluctuations in 
value on a short term basis. 

It continues to be the policy of the Group to realise property assets 
when the valuation of those assets reaches a level at which the directors 
consider that the long-term rental yield has been reached. The Group 
also seeks to acquire additional property investments on an 
opportunistic basis when the potential rental yields offer scope for 
future growth.

INVESTMENT ACTIVITIES
The investments in joint ventures and Bisichi are for the long term.

LAP manages the UK property assets of Bisichi. However, the principal 
activity of Bisichi is overseas mining investment (in South Africa). 
While IFRS 10 requires the consolidation of Bisichi, the investment is 
held to generate income and capital growth over the longer term. It is 
managed independently of LAP and should be viewed by shareholders 
as an investment and not a subsidiary. The other listed investments 
are held as current assets to provide the liquidity needed to support 
the property activities while generating income and capital growth. 

Investments in property are made through joint ventures when the 
financing alternatives and spreading of risk make such an approach 
desirable. 

DIVIDEND
In the light of the current uncertain economic environment, the 
directors are not recommending payment of a final dividend for 
2019 (2018: 0.18p per share). 

GOVERNANCE Directors’ report

THE COMPANY’S ORDINARY SHARES HELD IN TREASURY
At 31 December 2019, 218,197 (2018: 218,197) ordinary shares were 
held in Treasury with a market value of £47,349 (2018: £56,731). At 
the Annual General Meeting (AGM) in June 2019 members renewed 
the authority for the Company to purchase up to 10 per cent of its 
issued ordinary shares. The Company will be asking members to renew 
this authority at the next AGM to be held on Wednesday 23 July 2020. 

finance and experience of dealing with challenging and complex 
assets and portfolios is of significant benefit to the business.

DIRECTORS’ INTERESTS 
The interests of the Directors in the ordinary shares of the Company, 
including family and trustee holdings, where appropriate, can be 
found on page 24 in the Annual Remuneration Report.

Treasury shares held at 1 January 2019 and 
at 31 December 2019

218,197 

Substantial shareholdings 

31 DEC 2019

31 DEC 2018

Treasury shares are not included in issued share capital for the purposes 
of calculating earnings per share or net assets per share and they do 
not qualify for dividends payable.

INVESTMENT PROPERTIES
The freehold and long leasehold properties of the Company, its 
subsidiaries and Bisichi were revalued as at 31 December 2019 by 
independent professional firms of chartered surveyors – Allsop LLP, 
London (71.1 per cent of the portfolio), Carter Towler, Leeds (26.0 per 
cent) – and by the Directors (2.9 per cent). The valuations, which are 
reflected in the financial statements, amount to £44.6m (2018: £47.4m). 

No property (2018: £2.3m) is included under current assets, as assets 
held for sale. 

Property of £26.9m (2018: £38.6m) is included under current assets, 
as inventory, at the lower of cost or net realisable value.

Taking account of prevailing market conditions, the valuation of the 
properties at 31 December 2019 resulted in a decrease of £3.0m 
(2018: decrease of £2.6m). The proportion of this revaluation 
attributable to the Group (net of taxation) is reflected in the 
consolidated income statement and the consolidated balance sheet. 

FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS 
Note 21 to the financial statements sets out the risks in respect of 
financial instruments. The board reviews and agrees overall treasury 
policies, delegating appropriate authority for applying these policies 
to the Chief Executive and Finance Director. Financial instruments are 
used to manage the financial risks facing the Group and speculative 
transactions are prohibited. Treasury operations are reported at each 
board meeting and are subject to weekly internal reporting. Hedging 
arrangements are in place for the Company, its subsidiaries and joint 
ventures in order to limit the effect of higher interest rates upon the 
Group. Where appropriate, hedging arrangements are covered in the 
Chairman and Chief Executive’s Statement and the Financial Review. 

DIRECTORS
Sir Michael Heller, J A Heller, H D Goldring, C A Parritt and R Priest 
were Directors of the company for the whole of 2019. Mr J Mintz 
was appointed as a Director on 11 February 2019.

R Priest is retiring by rotation at the Annual General Meeting in 2020 
and offers himself for re-election.

Robin Priest is a senior advisor to Alvarez & Marsal LLP (“A&M”) and 
to a German real estate investment fund manager. He has more than 
38 years’ experience in real estate and structured finance. He was 
formerly Managing Director of A&M’s real estate practice, advising 
private sector and public sector clients on both operational and 
financial real estate matters. Prior to joining A&M, Robin was lead 
partner for Real Estate Corporate Finance in London with Deloitte 
LLP and before this he founded and ran a property company backed 
by private equity. He is also a trustee of London’s Oval House Theatre. 
The board has considered the appointment of Robin Priest and 
recommends his re-election as Director. His knowledge of structured 

Sir Michael Heller  
and family
Cavendish Asset 
Management Limited
James Hyslop
Maland Pension Fund

NO.

%
48,080,511 56.35 48,080,511 56.35

NO.

%

8,211,044

9.62

8,061,044

9.45

4,886,258
3,323,383

5.73
3.89

4,886,258
2,931,198

5.73
3.44

The Company does not consider that the Heller family has a controlling 
share interest irrespective of the number of shares held as no individual 
party holds a majority and there is no legal obligation for shareholders 
to act in concert. The Directors do not consider that any single party 
has control.

The Company is not aware of any other holdings exceeding 3 per cent 
of the issued share capital.

SHARE CAPITAL AND TAKEOVER DIRECTIVE
The Company has one class of share capital, namely ordinary shares. 
Each ordinary share carries one vote. All the ordinary shares rank pari 
passu. There are no securities issued by the Company which carry 
special rights with regard to control of the Company. 

The identity of all significant direct or indirect holders of securities  
in the Company and the size and nature of their holdings is shown  
in “Substantial Shareholdings” above.

The rights of the ordinary shares to which the HMRC approved Share 
Incentive Plan relates are exercisable by the trustees on behalf of the 
employees.

There are no restrictions on voting rights or on the transfer of ordinary 
shares in the Company, save in respect of treasury shares. The rules 
governing the appointment and replacement of Directors, alteration 
of the articles of association of the Company and the powers of the 
Company’s Directors accord with usual English company law provisions. 
Each Director is subject to re-election at least every three years. 

The Company is not party to any significant agreements that take 
effect, alter or terminate upon a change of control of the Company 
following a takeover bid. The Company is not aware of any agreements 
between holders of its ordinary shares that may result in restrictions 
on the transfer of its ordinary shares or on voting rights.

There are no agreements between the Company and its Directors or 
employees providing for compensation for loss of office or employment 
that occurs because of a takeover bid.

STATEMENT AS TO DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION 
TO THE AUDITOR
The Directors in office at the date of approval of the financial 
statements have confirmed that, so 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 a Director in order to make them aware 
of any relevant audit information and to establish that it has been 
communicated to the auditor.

London & Associated Properties PLC 2019 17

GOVERNANCE Directors' report

INDEMNITIES AND INSURANCE 
The Articles of Association of the company provide for it to indemnify, 
to the extent permitted by law, directors and officers (excluding the 
Auditor) of the company, including officers of subsidiaries and associated 
companies, against liabilities arising from the conduct of the Group’s 
business. The indemnities are qualifying third party indemnity provisions 
of the Companies Act 2006 and each of these qualifying third party 
indemnities was in force during the course of the financial year ended 
31 December 2019 and as at the date of this Directors’ report. No 
amount has been paid under any of these indemnities during the year.

The Group maintains Directors and officers insurance, which is reviewed 
annually and is considered to be adequate by the Company and its 
insurance advisers.

DONATIONS
No political donations were made during the year (2018: £Nil). 
£2,250 of donations for charitable purposes were made during the 
year (2018: £2,800).

CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITY

Environment
The environmental considerations of the group’s South African coal 
mining operations are covered in the Bisichi PLC Strategic Report.

The group’s UK activities are principally property investment whereby 
premises are provided for rent to commercial businesses. The group 
seeks to provide those tenants with good quality premises from which 
they can operate in an efficient and environmentally efficient manner 
and waste re-cycling arrangements are in place at all the company’s 
locations.

Greenhouse gas emissions
Details of the group’s greenhouse gas emissions for the year ended 
31 December 2019 can be found on pages 13 and 14 of the 
Strategic Report.

Employment
The group’s policy is to attract staff and motivate employees by offering 
competitive terms of employment. The group provides equal 
opportunities to all employees and prospective employees including 
those who are disabled. The Bisichi PLC Strategic Report gives details of 
the Bisichi group’s activities and policies concerning the employment, 
training, health and safety and community support and social 
development concerning the Bisichi group’s employees in South Africa.

GOING CONCERN
The directors have reviewed the cash flow forecasts of the Group and 
the underlying assumptions on which they are based. The directors 
have reviewed the COVID-19 scenario forecasts and the underlying 
assumptions on which they are based, which are described in more 
detail in the COVID-19 section of the Strategic Report. The Group’s 
business activities, together with the factors likely to affect its future 
development, are set out in the Chairman’s and Chief Executive’s 
Statement and Financial Review. In addition, Note 21 to the financial 
statements sets out the Group’s objectives, policies and processes 
for managing its capital; its financial risk management objectives; 
details of its financial instruments and hedging activities; and its 
exposure to credit risk and liquidity risk.

With secured long term banking facilities, sound financial resources and 
long term leases in place the Directors believe it remains appropriate to 
adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the annual 
financial statements.

The Bisichi directors continue to adopt the going concern basis of 
accounting in preparing the Bisichi annual financial statements.

18  London & Associated Properties PLC 2019

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
The Corporate governance report can be found on pages 19 and 20 
of the annual report and accounts.

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
The Annual General Meeting will be held at 24 Bruton Place, London, 
W1J 6NE on Thursday 30 July 2020 at 10.00 a.m. Items 1 to 7 will 
be proposed as ordinary resolutions. More than 50 per cent. of 
shareholders’ votes cast at the meeting must be in favour for those 
ordinary resolutions to be passed. The Directors consider that all of the 
resolutions to be put to the meeting are in the best interests of the 
Company and its shareholders as a whole and accordingly the board 
unanimously recommends that shareholders vote in favour of all of 
the resolutions as the Directors intend to do in respect of their own 
beneficial holdings of ordinary shares. Please note that the following 
paragraphs are only summaries of certain of the resolutions to be 
proposed at the Annual General Meeting and do not represent the 
full text of the resolutions. You should therefore read this section in 
conjunction with the full text of the resolutions contained in the notice 
of Annual General Meeting which accompanies this Directors’ Report.

ORDINARY RESOLUTIONS

Resolution 7 – Authority to allot securities
Paragraph 7.1.1 of Resolution 7 would give the Directors the authority 
to allot shares in the Company and grant rights to subscribe for or 
convert any security into shares in the Company up to an aggregate 
nominal value of £2,836,478. This represents approximately 1/3 (one 
third) of the ordinary share capital of the Company in issue (excluding 
treasury shares) as at 26 June 2020 (being the last practicable date 
prior to the publication of this Directors’ Report).

In line with guidance issued by the Institutional Voting Information 
Service (IVIS), paragraph 7.1.2 of Resolution 7 would give the directors 
the authority to allot shares in the Company and grant rights to 
subscribe for or convert any security into shares in the Company up 
to a further aggregate nominal value of £2,836,478, in connection with 
an offer by way of a rights issue. This amount represents approximately 
another 1/3 (one third) of the ordinary share capital of the Company 
in issue (excluding treasury shares) as at 26 June 2020 (being the last 
practicable date prior to the publication of this Directors’ Report).

The Directors’ authority will expire on the earlier of 31 August 2021 or 
the next AGM. The Directors do not currently intend to make use of 
this authority. However, if they do exercise the authority, the Directors 
intend to follow best practice as recommended by the IVIS regarding 
its use (including as regards the Directors standing for re-election in 
certain cases).

OTHER MATTERS
RSM UK Audit LLP has expressed its willingness to continue in office 
as auditor. A proposal will be made at the Annual General Meeting 
for its reappointment.

By order of the board 

Jonathan Mintz 
Secretary

For and on behalf of London & Associated Properties PLC

29 June 2020 
24 Bruton Place  
London 
W1J 6NE

GOVERNANCE

Corporate Governance

The Company has adopted the Corporate 
Governance Code for Small and Mid-Size Quoted 
Companies (the QCA Code) published by the 
Quoted Companies Alliance. The QCA Code 
provides governance guidance to small and 
mid-size quoted companies. The paragraphs 
below set out how the Company has applied 
this guidance during the year. The Company  
has complied with the QCA Code  
throughout the year. 

PRINCIPLES OF CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
The board promotes good corporate governance in the areas of risk 
management and accountability as a positive contribution to business 
prosperity. The board endeavours to apply corporate governance 
principles in a sensible and pragmatic fashion having regard to the 
circumstances of the business. The key objective is to enhance  
and protect shareholder value.

BOARD STRUCTURE
During the year the board comprised the Chairman, the Chief Executive, 
one other executive Director and three non-executive Directors. 
Their details appear on page 15. The board is responsible to 
shareholders for the proper management of the Group.

The Directors’ responsibilities statement in respect of the accounts is set  
out on page 32. The non-executive Directors have a particular responsibility 
to ensure that the strategies proposed by the executive Directors are fully 
considered. To enable the board to discharge its duties, all Directors have 
full and timely access to all relevant information and there is a procedure 
for all Directors, in furtherance of their duties, to take independent 
professional advice, if necessary, at the expense of the Group. The board 
has a formal schedule of matters reserved to it and normally has eleven 
regular meetings scheduled each year. Additional meetings are held for 
special business when required. 

The board is responsible for overall Group strategy, approval of major 
capital expenditure and consideration of significant financial and 
operational matters.

The board committees, which have written terms of reference, deal 
with specific aspects of the Group’s affairs: 

•   The nomination committee is chaired by C A Parritt and comprises 
one other non-executive Director and the executive Chairman. 
The committee is responsible for proposing candidates for 
appointment to the board, having regard to the balance and 
structure of the board. In appropriate cases recruitment consultants 
may be used to assist the process. All Directors are subject to 
re-election at a maximum of every three years.

•   The remuneration committee is responsible for making 

recommendations to the board on the Company’s framework of 
executive remuneration and its cost. The committee determines 
the contract terms, remuneration and other benefits for each of 
the executive directors, including performance related bonus 
schemes, pension rights, option grants and compensation payments. 

The board itself determines the remuneration of the non-executive 
Directors. The committee comprises two non-executive Directors 
and it is chaired by C A Parritt. The executive Chairman of the board 
is normally invited to attend. The Annual Remuneration Report is 
set out on pages 22 to 25.

•   The audit committee comprises two non-executive Directors and 

is chaired by C A Parritt. The audit committee report, with its terms 
of reference, is set out on page 31. The Chief Executive and 
Finance Director are normally invited to attend.

BOARD AND BOARD COMMITTEE MEETINGS HELD 
IN 2019
The number of regular meetings during the year and attendance was 
as follows:

Sir Michael Heller  Board

Nomination committee
Remuneration committee
Board
Audit committee
Board
Audit committee
Board
Audit committee
Nomination committee
Remuneration committee
Board
Audit committee
Nomination committee
Remuneration committee
Board

J A Heller* 

J Mintz* 

C A Parritt

H D Goldring 

R Priest

MEETINGS 
HELD
10
1
1
10
2
10
2
 10
 2
 1
 1
10
2
1
1
10

MEETINGS 
ATTENDED
9
1
1
10
2
10
2
 10
 2
 1
 1
9
2
1
1
10

*Attended audit committee by invitation.

PERFORMANCE EVALUATION – BOARD, 
BOARD COMMITTEES AND DIRECTORS
The performance of the board as a whole, its committees and the 
non-executive Directors is assessed by the Chairman and the Chief 
Executive and is discussed with the senior independent non-executive 
Director. Their recommendations are discussed at the nomination 
committee prior to proposals for re-election being recommended to 
the board. The performance of executive Directors is discussed and 
assessed by the remuneration committee. The senior independent 
Director meets regularly with the Chairman, executive and non-
executive Directors individually outside of formal meetings. The 
Directors will take outside advice in reviewing performance but  
have not found this to be necessary to date.

London & Associated Properties PLC 2019 19

There are no internal control issues to report in the annual report 
and financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2019. Up 
to the date of approval of this report and the financial statements, 
the board has not been required to deal with any related material 
internal control issues. The Directors confirm that the board has 
reviewed the effectiveness of the system of internal control as 
described during the period.

COMMUNICATION WITH SHAREHOLDERS
Prompt communication with shareholders is given high priority. 
Extensive information about the Group and its activities is provided in 
the Annual Report. In addition, a half-year report is produced for each 
financial year and published on the Company’s website. The Company’s 
website www.lap.co.uk is updated promptly with announcements 
and Annual Reports upon publication. Copies from previous years 
are also available on the website. 

The share price history and market information can be found at 
http://www.londonstockexchange.com/prices-and-markets/markets/
prices.htm. The company code is LAS. 

There is a regular dialogue with the Company’s stockbrokers and 
institutional investors. Enquiries from individuals on matters relating 
to their shareholdings and the business of the Group are dealt with 
promptly and informatively.

The Company’s website is under continuous development to enable 
better communication with both existing and potential new 
shareholders. 

THE BRIBERY ACT 2010
The Company is committed to acting ethically, fairly and with integrity 
in all its endeavours and compliance with the Company’s anti–bribery 
code is monitored closely. 

GOVERNANCE Corporate Governance

INDEPENDENT DIRECTORS
The senior independent non-executive Director is C A Parritt. The 
other independent non-executive Directors are H D Goldring and R 
Priest. Delmore Holdings Limited (Delmore) is a Company in which H 
D Goldring is the majority shareholder and the Executive Chairman. 
Delmore provides consultancy services to the Company on a fee 
paying basis. R Priest provides services to the Company on a fee 
paying basis. C A Parritt also provides some advisory services as part 
of his accounting practice.

The board encourages all three non-executive Directors to act 
independently and does not consider that length of service of any 
individual non-executive Director, nor any connection with the above 
mentioned consultancy and advisory companies, has resulted in the 
inability or failure to act independently. In the opinion of the board 
the three non-executive Directors continue to fulfil their roles as 
independent non-executive Directors. Their background and skills 
are set out on page 15.

The independent Directors exchange views regularly between board 
meetings and meet when required to discuss corporate governance 
and other issues concerning the Group.

INTERNAL CONTROL
The Directors are responsible for the Group’s system of internal control 
and for reviewing its effectiveness at least annually, and for the 
preparation and review of its financial statements. The board has 
designed the Group’s system of internal control in order to provide 
the Directors with reasonable assurance that assets are safeguarded, 
that transactions are authorised and properly recorded and that material 
errors and irregularities are either prevented or would be detected 
within a timely period. However, no system of internal control can 
eliminate the risk of failure to achieve business objectives or provide 
absolute assurance against material misstatement or loss. The key 
elements of the control system in operation are:

•   The board meets regularly on full notice with a formal schedule of 
matters reserved for its decision and has put in place an organisational 
structure with clearly defined lines of responsibility and with 
appropriate delegation of authority;

•   There are established procedures for planning, approval and 

monitoring of capital expenditure and information systems for 
monitoring the Group’s financial performance against approved 
budgets and forecasts;

•   The departmental heads are required annually to undertake a full 

assessment process to identify and quantify the risks that face their 
departments and functions, and assess the adequacy of the 
prevention, monitoring and modification practices in place for those 
risks. In addition, regular reports about significant risks and associated 
control and monitoring procedures are made to the executive 
Directors. The process adopted by the Group accords with the 
guidance contained in the document “Internal Control Guidance for 
Directors on the Combined Code” issued by the Institute of 
Chartered Accountants in England and Wales. The audit committee 
receives reports from external auditors and from executive Directors 
of the Group. During the period the audit committee has reviewed the 
effectiveness of the system of internal control as described above. The 
board receives periodic reports from all committees.

•   There are established procedures for the presentation and review of 
the financial statements and the Group has in place an organisational 
structure with clearly defined lines of responsibility and with 
appropriate delegation of authority. 

20  London & Associated Properties PLC 2019

GOVERNANCE

Governance statement by the Chairman 
of the remuneration committee

The remuneration committee is pleased to present 
its report for the year ended 31 December 2019. 
The report is presented in two parts in accordance 
with the remuneration regulations.

The first part is the Annual Remuneration Report which details 
remuneration awarded to Directors and non-executive Directors 
during the year. The shareholders will be asked to approve the 
Annual Remuneration Report as an ordinary resolution (as in 
previous years) at the AGM in July 2020. 

The current remuneration policy, which details the remuneration policy 
for directors, can be found at www.lap.co.uk. The current remuneration 
policy was subject to a binding vote which was approved by shareholders 
at the AGM in June 2017. The approval will continue to apply for a  
3 year period up to the AGM on 30 July 2020. 

The second part details the Remuneration Policy for Directors.  
This policy is subject to a binding vote which will be proposed to 
shareholders at the AGM in 2020 and if approved will apply for a  
3 year period commencing from the conclusion of the AGM.

Both of the reports have been prepared in accordance with The 
Large and Medium-sized Companies and Groups (Accounts and 
Reports) (Amendment) Regulations 2013.

The Company’s auditor, RSM UK Audit LLP is required by law to 
audit certain disclosures and where disclosures have been audited 
that is indicated.

C A Parritt 
Chairman, Remuneration Committee

29 June 2020

London & Associated Properties PLC 2019 21

GOVERNANCE

Annual remuneration report

THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION HAS BEEN AUDITED 

Single total figure of remuneration for the year ended 31 December 2019 

Executive Directors
Sir Michael Heller*
Sir Michael Heller - Bisichi
J A Heller
J Mintz

Non-executive Directors
H D Goldring*+
C A Parritt*+
R Priest*

Total 

SALARY  

AND FEES
£’000

BONUSES
£’000

BENEFITS
£’000

PENSIONS
£’000

TOTAL  
BEFORE SHARE 
OPTIONS
£’000 

SHARE  

OPTIONS
£’000 

TOTAL  
2019
£’000 

7
82
533
143
765

18
37
35
90
855

-
200
-
50
250

-
-
-
-
250

59
-
43
-
102

9
-
-
9
111

-
-
-
12
12

-
-
-
-
12

66
282
576
205
1,129

27
37
35
99
1,228

n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
-

n/a
n/a
n/a
-
-

66
282
576
205
1,129

27
37
35
99
1,228

J A Heller has an entitlement to an employer pension contribution of £72,000 at 31 December 2019, but has elected for this not to be paid. 

Single total figure of remuneration for the year ended 31 December 2018 

SALARY  

AND FEES
£’000

BONUSES
£’000

BENEFITS
£’000

PENSIONS
£’000

TOTAL  
BEFORE SHARE 
OPTIONS
£’000 

SHARE  

OPTIONS
£’000 

Executive Directors
Sir Michael Heller*
Sir Michael Heller - Bisichi
J A Heller
A K Thapar

Non-executive Directors
H D Goldring*+
C A Parritt*+
R Priest*

Total 

*   Note 25 “Related party transactions”

7
82
533
161
783

18
40
35
93
876

350
200
300
60
910

-
-
-
-
910

55
2
37
11
105

8
-
-
8
113

-
-
-
10
10

-
-
-
-
10

412
284
870
242
1,808

26
40
35
101
1,909

n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
-

n/a
n/a
n/a
-
-

TOTAL  
2018
£’000 

412
284
870
242
1,808

26
40
35
101
1,909

+    Members of the remuneration committee for years ended 31 December 2018 and 31 December 2019. C A Parritt was the chair of the remuneration committee 

throughout both years.

Benefits include the provision of car, health and other insurance  
and subscriptions.

Sir Michael Heller is a director of Bisichi PLC, (a subsidiary for IFRS 10 
purposes) and received a salary from that company of £82,500 
(2018: £82,500) for services. He also received a bonus of 
 £200,000 in each year.

Although Sir Michael Heller receives reduced remuneration in respect 
of his services to LAP, the Company does supply office premises, property 
management, general management, accounting and administration 
services for a number of companies in which Sir Michael Heller has an 
interest. The board estimates that the annual value of these services, if 
supplied to a third party, would have been £300,000 (2018: £300,000). 
Further details of these services are set out in Note 25 to the financial 
statements “Related party transactions”.

22  London & Associated Properties PLC 2019

J A Heller is a director of Dragon Retail Properties Limited, (a subsidiary 
for IFRS 10 purposes) and received benefits from that company of 
£9,632 (2018: £6,500) for services. This is included in the 
remuneration figures disclosed above.

Using its discretion the Committee awarded a bonus of £50,000  
to J Mintz in recognition of his considerable contribution to the  
cost cutting programme.

The remuneration figures disclosed for H D Goldring include fees paid to 
his company, Delmore Holdings Limited for consultancy services provided 
to the Group. This is detailed in Note 25 to the financial statements.

The remuneration figures for C A Parritt include fees paid to his 
accountancy practice for consultancy services provided to the Group. 
This is detailed in Note 25 to the financial statements.

R Priest provides consultancy services to the Group. This is detailed 
in Note 25 to the financial statements.

GOVERNANCE Annual remuneration report

Summary of directors’ terms

Executive Directors
Sir Michael Heller
John Heller
Jonathan Mintz
Non-executive Directors
H D Goldring
C A Parritt
R Priest

DATE OF  

CONTRACT

1 January 1971
1 May 2003
11 February 2019

1 July 1992
1 January 2006
31 July 2013

UNEXPIRED TERM

NOTICE PERIOD

Continuous
Continuous
Continuous

Continuous
Continuous
Continuous

6 months
12 months
3 months

3 months
3 months
3 months

TOTAL PENSION ENTITLEMENTS 
One director had benefits under money purchase schemes. Under his contract of employment, he was entitled to a regular employer contribution 
(currently £15,000 a year). There are no final salary schemes in operation. No pension costs are incurred on behalf of non-executive Directors.

SHARE INCENTIVE PLAN (SIP)
In 2006 the Directors set up an HMRC approved share incentive plan (SIP). The purpose of the plan, which is open to all eligible LAP executive 
Directors and head office based staff, is to enable them to acquire shares in the Company and give them a continuing stake in the Group.  
The SIP comprises four types of share – (1) free shares under which the Company may award shares of up to the value of £3,000 each year, 
(2) partnership shares, under which members may save up to £1,500 per annum to acquire shares, (3) matching shares, through which the 
Company may award up to two shares for each share acquired as a partnership share, and (4) dividend shares, acquired from dividends paid 
on shares within the SIP.

1. Free shares: No free shares were issued for 2019 bonuses or for 2018 bonuses. 

2. Partnership shares: No partnership shares were issued between November 2018 and October 2019.

3.  Matching shares: The partnership share agreements for the year to 31 October 2018 provide for two matching shares to be awarded free 
of charge for each partnership share acquired. No partnership shares were acquired in 2018 (2017: nil). Matching shares will usually be 
forfeited if a member leaves employment in the Group within five years of their grant.

4.  Dividend shares: Dividends on shares acquired under the SIP will be utilised to acquire additional shares. Accumulated dividends received 

on shares in the SIP to 31 December 2019 amounted to £Nil (2018: £Nil).

Dividend shares issued:

Directors:

J A Heller
  A K Thapar
Staff
Total at 31 December 

NUMBER OF MEMBERS

NUMBER OF SHARES

VALUE OF SHARES

2019 

2018

2019

2018

-
-
-
-

1
1
-
2

-
-
-
-

448
579
-
1,027

2019
£

-
-
-
-

2018
£

125
161
-
286

The SIP is set up as an employee benefit trust. The trustee is London & Associated Securities Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of LAP, and all 
shares and dividends acquired under the SIP will be held by the trustee until transferred to members in accordance with the rules of the SIP. 

SHARE OPTION SCHEMES
The Company has an HMRC approved scheme (Approved Scheme). It was set up in 1986 in accordance with HMRC rules to gain HMRC 
approved status which gave the members certain tax advantages. There are no performance criteria for the exercise of options under the 
Approved Scheme, as this was set up before such requirements were considered to be necessary. No Director has any options outstanding 
under the Approved Scheme nor were any options granted under the Approved Scheme for the year ended 31 December 2019.

A share option scheme known as the “Non-approved Executive Share Option Scheme” (Unapproved Scheme) which does not have HMRC 
approval was set up during 2000. At 31 December 2019 there were no options to subscribe for ordinary shares outstanding. The exercise of 
options under the Unapproved Scheme is subject to the satisfaction of objective performance conditions specified by the remuneration 
committee which conforms to institutional shareholder guidelines and best practice provisions. Further details of this scheme are set out in 
Note 23 “Share Capital” to the financial statements.

London & Associated Properties PLC 2019 23

 
GOVERNANCE Annual remuneration report

PAYMENTS TO PAST DIRECTORS 
No payments were made to past Directors in the year ended 31 December 2019.

PAYMENTS FOR LOSS OF OFFICE
No payments for loss of office were made in the year ended 31 December 2019. 

STATEMENT OF DIRECTORS’ SHAREHOLDINGS AND SHARE INTERESTS

Directors’ interests
The interests of the Directors in the ordinary shares of the Company, including family and trustee holdings, where appropriate, were as follows:

Sir Michael Heller
H D Goldring
J A Heller 
C A Parritt 
R Priest
J Mintz

BENEFICIAL  
INTERESTS

NON-BENEFICIAL 
INTERESTS

31 Dec 19
5,749,341
19,819
1,872,041
36,168
-
-

1 Jan 19
5,753,541
19,819 
1,867,841
36,168
-
-

31 Dec 19
19,277,931
-
†14,073,485
-
-
-

1 Jan 19
19,277,931
-
†14,073,485
-
-
-

† These non-beneficial holdings are duplicated with those of Sir Michael Heller.

The beneficial holdings of Directors shown above include their interests in the Share Incentive Plan.

No share awards were made to the Directors in the year, and accordingly no discretion was exercised in determining any award or bonus 
payment as a result of any share price appreciation.

THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION IS UNAUDITED:
The graph illustrates the Company’s performance as compared with a broad equity market index over a five year period. Performance is 
measured by total shareholder return. The directors have chosen the FTSE All Share – Total Return Index as a suitable index for this 
comparison as it gives an indication of performance against a large spread of quoted companies. 

The middle market price of London & Associated Properties PLC ordinary shares at 31 December 2019 was 21.7p (2018: 26p). During the 
year the share middle market price ranged between 18.5p and 26p. 

Total Shareholder Return

130

120

110

100

90

80

70

60

50

40

30

01/01/2015

01/01/2016

01/01/2017

01/01/2018

01/01/2019

01/01/2020

–– London & Associated Properties

–– FTSE All Share Index

24  London & Associated Properties PLC 2019

GOVERNANCE Annual remuneration report

REMUNERATION OF THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OVER THE LAST TEN YEARS 

YEAR
2019
2018
2017
2016
2015
2014
2013
2012
2011
2010
2009

CEO
J A Heller
J A Heller
J A Heller
J A Heller
J A Heller
J A Heller
J A Heller
J A Heller
J A Heller
J A Heller
J A Heller

CHIEF EXECUTIVE SINGLE  
TOTAL FIGURE OF  
REMUNERATION 
£’000
576
870
487
569
762
835
716
417
671
577
982

ANNUAL BONUS PAYMENT 
AGAINST MAXIMUM  
OPPORTUNITY*
%
0%
20%
11%
18%
41%
49%
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a

LONG-TERM INCENTIVE  
VESTING RATES  
AGAINST MAXIMUM  
OPPORTUNITY*
%
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a

*There were no formal criteria or conditions to apply in determining the amount of bonus payable or the number of shares to be issued prior to 2014.

PERCENTAGE CHANGE IN CHIEF EXECUTIVE’S REMUNERATION (AUDITED) 
The table below shows the percentage change in Chief Executive remuneration for the prior year compared to the average percentage change 
for all other Head Office based employees. To provide a meaningful comparison, the same group of employees (although not necessarily the 
same individuals) appears in the 2018 and 2019 group. The remuneration committee chose head office based employees as the comparator 
group as this group forms the closest comparator group.

Base salary and allowances
Taxable benefits
Annual bonus
Total

CHIEF EXECUTIVE 
£’000

HEAD OFFICE EMPLOYEES* 
£’000

2019
533
43
0
576

2018
533
37
300
870

% CHANGE
0%
16.2%
-100%
-33.8%

2019
279
78
37
394

2018
256
72
383
711

% CHANGE
9.0%
8.3%
-90.3%
-44.6%

*Head office employees consist of those employed by the business for the whole of 2018 and 2019 and differ from those included in the calculation in the previous Annual Report.

RELATIVE IMPORTANCE OF SPEND ON PAY
The total expenditure of the Group on remuneration to all employees (Note 26 refers) is shown below:

Employee Remuneration
Distributions to shareholders

STATEMENT OF IMPLEMENTATION OF 
REMUNERATION POLICY
The policy was approved at the AGM in June 2017 and was effective 
from 6 June 2017. The vote on the remuneration policy is binding in 
nature. The Company may not then make a remuneration payment or 
payment for loss of office to a person who is, is to be, or has been a 
director of the Company unless that payment is consistent with the 
approved remuneration policy, or has otherwise been approved by  
a resolution of members. It is to be presented for approval at the 
forthcoming AGM.

Resolution to approve the Remuneration Report (12 June 2019)
Resolution to approve the Remuneration Policy (6 June 2017)

2019
£’000 

2018
£’000 

9,614
0

9,889
256

CONSIDERATION BY THE DIRECTORS OF MATTERS 
RELATING TO DIRECTORS’ REMUNERATION
The Remuneration Committee considered the executive Directors’ 
remuneration and the Board considered the non-executive Directors’ 
remuneration in the year ended 31 December 2019. No increases were 
awarded and no external advice was taken in reaching this decision. 

SHAREHOLDER VOTING
At the Annual General Meeting on 12 June 2019, there was an advisory 
vote on the resolution to approve the Remuneration Report, other 
than the part containing the remuneration policy.

In addition, on 6 June 2017, there was a binding vote on the resolution 
to approve the Remuneration Policy. The results are detailed below:

% OF VOTES  
FOR 
72.91
83.14 

% OF VOTES  
AGAINST 
27.09
16.69 

NUMBER OF VOTES 
WITHHELD
41,952
89,602

Although more than 20% of shareholders voted against the approval of the remuneration report at the 2019 AGM, the Remuneration 
Committee and the Board believe that the current remuneration policy (approved by shareholders in 2017) is still appropriate. They have 
noted that a number of shareholders voted against the remuneration report. However, they believe that it is essential to reward executive 
directors at a commercial rate and that the payments are in accordance with the agreed Policy.

London & Associated Properties PLC 2019 25

GOVERNANCE

Remuneration policy summary

The remuneration policy summary below is an 
extract of the group’s current remuneration policy 
on directors’ remuneration, which was approved by 
a binding vote at the 2017 AGM. The approved 
policy took effect from 6 June 2017. 

A copy of the full policy can be found at www.lap.co.uk.

PURPOSE
ELEMENT
EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS

Base salary 

Pension 

To recognise:
Skills  
Responsibility 
Accountability  
Experience  
Value
To provide competitive retirement benefits

Benefits 

To provide a competitive benefits package

Annual  
bonus

To reward and incentivise

POLICY

OPERATION

OPPORTUNITY AND PERFORMANCE CONDITIONS

Considered by remuneration committee on appointment
Set at a level considered appropriate to attract, retain, motivate  
and reward the right individuals

Reviewed annually whenever there is a  

change of role or operational responsibility

Paid monthly in cash

There is no prescribed maximum salary or maximum rate of increase

No individual director will be awarded a base salary in excess of £700,000 a year

No specific performance conditions are attached to base salaries

Company contribution offered at up to 10% of base salary as part of 
overall remuneration package

Contractual benefits include:
Car or car allowance 
Group health cover 
Death in service cover 
Permanent health insurance
In assessing the performance of the executive team, and in particular  
to determine whether bonuses are merited the remuneration committee 
takes into account the overall performance of the business, as well as 
individual contribution to the business in the period

Share  
options 

To provide executive directors with a  
long-term interest in the company

Share options may be granted under existing schemes (see page 23)
Where it is necessary to attract, retain, motivate and reward the right 
individuals, the directors may establish new schemes to replace any 
expired schemes

Share incentive 
plan (SIP)

To offer a shorter term incentive in the 
company and to give directors a stake  
in the group

NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS 

To recognise:
Skills 
Responsibility 
Experience 
Risk 
Value

Base salary

Pension
Benefits

Share  
options

Offered to executive directors and head office staff

Maximum participation levels are set by HMRC Of any bonus awarded, Directors may opt to have maximum of £3,000 per year  

Considered by the board on appointment
Set at a level considered appropriate to attract, retain and motivate  
he individual 
Experience and time required for the role are considered on 
appointment

No pension offered
No benefits offered except to one non-executive director who is 
eligible for health cover (see annual remuneration report page 22)

Non-executive directors do not participate in the share option schemes

The contribution payable by the Company is 

included in the director’s contract of employment 

remuneration package

Company contribution offered at up to 10% of base salary as part of overall 

Paid into money purchase schemes

No specific performance conditions are attached to pension contributions

The committee retains the discretion to approve 

The costs associated with benefits offered are closely controlled and reviewed on  

changes in contractual benefits in exceptional 

circumstances or where factors outside the 

control of the Group lead to increased costs  

(e.g. medical inflation)

an annual basis

No director will receive benefits of a value in excess of 30% of their base salary

No specific performance conditions are attached to contractual benefits

The remuneration committee determines the 

level of bonus on an annual basis

The current maximum bonus will not exceed 200% of base salary in any one year 

but the remuneration committee reserves the power to award up to 300% in an 

In assessing performance consideration is given 

to the level of net rental income, cash flow, voids, 

realised development gains and income from 

managing joint ventures. Achieved results are 

then compared with expectation taking account  

of market conditions

Bonuses are generally offered in cash or shares

Offered at appropriate times by the  

remuneration committee

exceptional year

Performance conditions will be assessed on an annual basis

The performance measures applied may be financial, non-financial, corporate, 

divisional or individual and in such proportion as the remuneration committee 

considers appropriate

Entitlements to share options granted under the Approved Option scheme are  

not subject to performance criteria. Share Options granted under the Unapproved 

Scheme are subject to the performance criteria specified in the Scheme rules

The aggregate number of shares over which options may be granted under all of  

the company’s option schemes (including any options and awards granted under the 

company’s employee share plans) in any period of ten years, will not exceed, at the 

time of grant, 10 % of the ordinary share capital of the company from time to time

Share options will be offered by the remuneration committee as appropriate

paid in ‘Free Shares’ under the SIP scheme rules

Reviewed annually

No individual non-executive director will be awarded a base salary in excess of 

£40,000 a year

No performance conditions are attached to base salaries

The committee retains the discretion to approve 

The costs associated with benefits offered are closely controlled and reviewed on  

changes in contractual benefits in exceptional 

circumstances or where factors outside the 

control of the Group lead to increased costs  

(e.g. medical inflation)

an annual basis

No non-executive director will receive benefits in excess of £10,000 a year

No specific performance conditions are attached to contractual benefits

Notes to the Remuneration Policy
The remuneration committee considers the performance measures outlined in the table above to be appropriate measures of performance 
and that the KPIs chosen align the interests of the directors and shareholders. 

26  London & Associated Properties PLC 2019

GOVERNANCE Remuneration policy summary

ELEMENT

PURPOSE

EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS

Base salary 

To recognise:

Skills  

Responsibility 

Accountability  

Experience  

Value

POLICY

OPERATION

OPPORTUNITY AND PERFORMANCE CONDITIONS

Considered by remuneration committee on appointment

Set at a level considered appropriate to attract, retain, motivate  

and reward the right individuals

Reviewed annually whenever there is a  
change of role or operational responsibility
Paid monthly in cash

There is no prescribed maximum salary or maximum rate of increase
No individual director will be awarded a base salary in excess of £700,000 a year
No specific performance conditions are attached to base salaries

The contribution payable by the Company is 
included in the director’s contract of employment 
Paid into money purchase schemes
The committee retains the discretion to approve 
changes in contractual benefits in exceptional 
circumstances or where factors outside the 
control of the Group lead to increased costs  
(e.g. medical inflation)

Company contribution offered at up to 10% of base salary as part of overall 
remuneration package
No specific performance conditions are attached to pension contributions
The costs associated with benefits offered are closely controlled and reviewed on  
an annual basis
No director will receive benefits of a value in excess of 30% of their base salary
No specific performance conditions are attached to contractual benefits

The remuneration committee determines the 
level of bonus on an annual basis
In assessing performance consideration is given 
to the level of net rental income, cash flow, voids, 
realised development gains and income from 
managing joint ventures. Achieved results are 
then compared with expectation taking account  
of market conditions
Bonuses are generally offered in cash or shares
Offered at appropriate times by the  
remuneration committee

The current maximum bonus will not exceed 200% of base salary in any one year 
but the remuneration committee reserves the power to award up to 300% in an 
exceptional year
Performance conditions will be assessed on an annual basis
The performance measures applied may be financial, non-financial, corporate, 
divisional or individual and in such proportion as the remuneration committee 
considers appropriate

Entitlements to share options granted under the Approved Option scheme are  
not subject to performance criteria. Share Options granted under the Unapproved 
Scheme are subject to the performance criteria specified in the Scheme rules
The aggregate number of shares over which options may be granted under all of  
the company’s option schemes (including any options and awards granted under the 
company’s employee share plans) in any period of ten years, will not exceed, at the 
time of grant, 10 % of the ordinary share capital of the company from time to time
Share options will be offered by the remuneration committee as appropriate

Share incentive 

plan (SIP)

To offer a shorter term incentive in the 

company and to give directors a stake  

in the group

Offered to executive directors and head office staff

Maximum participation levels are set by HMRC Of any bonus awarded, Directors may opt to have maximum of £3,000 per year  

paid in ‘Free Shares’ under the SIP scheme rules

Reviewed annually

No individual non-executive director will be awarded a base salary in excess of 
£40,000 a year
No performance conditions are attached to base salaries

The committee retains the discretion to approve 
changes in contractual benefits in exceptional 
circumstances or where factors outside the 
control of the Group lead to increased costs  
(e.g. medical inflation)

The costs associated with benefits offered are closely controlled and reviewed on  
an annual basis
No non-executive director will receive benefits in excess of £10,000 a year
No specific performance conditions are attached to contractual benefits

London & Associated Properties PLC 2019 27

Pension 

To provide competitive retirement benefits

Company contribution offered at up to 10% of base salary as part of 

Benefits 

To provide a competitive benefits package

Contractual benefits include:

overall remuneration package

Car or car allowance 

Group health cover 

Death in service cover 

Permanent health insurance

Annual  

bonus

To reward and incentivise

In assessing the performance of the executive team, and in particular  

to determine whether bonuses are merited the remuneration committee 

takes into account the overall performance of the business, as well as 

individual contribution to the business in the period

Share  

options 

To provide executive directors with a  

long-term interest in the company

Share options may be granted under existing schemes (see page 23)

Where it is necessary to attract, retain, motivate and reward the right 

individuals, the directors may establish new schemes to replace any 

expired schemes

NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS 

Base salary

To recognise:

Skills 

Responsibility 

Experience 

Risk 

Value

Pension

Benefits

Share  

options

Considered by the board on appointment

Set at a level considered appropriate to attract, retain and motivate  

Experience and time required for the role are considered on 

he individual 

appointment

No pension offered

No benefits offered except to one non-executive director who is 

eligible for health cover (see annual remuneration report page 22)

Non-executive directors do not participate in the share option schemes

GOVERNANCE

Remuneration policy

INTRODUCTION

Set out below is the LAP Group policy on directors’ 
remuneration (excluding Bisichi). This will be proposed 
for a binding vote at the 2020 AGM. If approved the 
policy will take effect from 30 July 2020.

In setting the policy, the Remuneration Committee has taken 
the following into account:

•   The need to attract, retain and motivate individuals of a 

calibre who will ensure successful leadership and 
management of the company

•   The LAP Group’s general aim of seeking to reward all 

employees fairly according to the nature of their role and 
their performance

FUTURE POLICY TABLE

ELEMENT
PURPOSE
EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS

Base salary 

Pension 

To recognise:
Skills  
Responsibility 
Accountability  
Experience 
Value
To provide competitive retirement benefits

Benefits 

To provide a competitive benefits package

Annual  
bonus

To reward and incentivise

POLICY

OPERATION

OPPORTUNITY AND PERFORMANCE CONDITIONS

Considered by remuneration committee on appointment
Set at a level considered appropriate to attract, retain, motivate  
and reward the right individuals

Company contribution offered at up to 10% of base salary as part  
of overall remuneration package

Contractual benefits include:
Car or car allowance 
Group health cover 
Death in service cover 
Permanent health insurance
In assessing the performance of the executive team, and in particular  
to determine whether bonuses are merited the remuneration committee 
takes into account the overall performance of the business, as well as 
individual contribution to the business in the period

Share  
options 

To provide executive directors with 
a long-term interest in the company

Share options may be granted under existing schemes (see page 23)
Where it is necessary to attract, retain, motivate and reward the right 
individuals, the directors may establish new schemes to replace any 
expired schemes

Share incentive 
plan (SIP)

To offer a shorter term incentive in the 
company and to give directors a stake in  
the group

NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS 

To recognise:
Skills 
Responsibility 
Experience 
Risk 
Value

Base salary

Pension
Benefits
Share  
options

Offered to executive directors and head office staff

Maximum participation levels are set by HMRC Of any bonus awarded, Directors may opt to have maximum of £3,000 per year paid 

Considered by the board on appointment
Set at a level considered appropriate to attract, retain and motivate  
the individual 
Experience and time required for the role are considered on 
appointment

No pension offered
No benefits offered except in exchange for sacrificing fees. 
Non-executive directors do not participate in the share option schemes

Notes to the Remuneration Policy
The changes made to the remuneration policy impose greater limitation on maximum bonuses payable to executive directors and add greater 
clarity to the arrangements for share options. There have been no other significant changes made to the proposed future remuneration policy 
from its predecessor.

28  London & Associated Properties PLC 2019

Reviewed annually whenever there is a change 

of role or operational responsibility

Paid monthly in cash

There is no prescribed maximum salary or maximum rate of increase, although any 

increase in excess of inflation is unlikely, unless there are changes in responsibility.

No individual director will be awarded a base salary in excess of £575,000 a year

No specific performance conditions are attached to base salaries

The contribution payable by the Company 

is included in the director’s contract of 

employment 

Paid into money purchase schemes

Company contribution offered at up to 10% of base salary as part of overall 

remuneration package

No specific performance conditions are attached to pension contributions

The committee retains the discretion to approve 

The costs associated with benefits offered are closely controlled and reviewed on an 

changes in contractual benefits in exceptional 

circumstances or where factors outside the 

control of the Group lead to increased costs 

annual basis

(e.g. medical inflation)

No director will receive benefits of a value in excess of 30% of their base salary

No specific performance conditions are attached to contractual benefits

The remuneration committee is using its discretion 

to determine the level of bonus on an annual basis

The current maximum bonus will not exceed 80% of base salary in any one year 

but the remuneration committee reserves the power to award up to 150% in an 

In assessing performance consideration is given 

to the level of net rental income, cash flow, 

voids, realised development gains and income 

from managing joint ventures, as well as NAV 

changes. Achieved results are then compared 

with expectation taking account of market 

conditions

Bonuses are generally offered in cash or shares

Offered at appropriate times by the  

remuneration committee

exceptional year

Performance conditions will be assessed on an annual basis

The performance measures applied may be financial, non-financial, corporate, 

divisional or individual and in such proportion as the remuneration committee 

considers appropriate

The aggregate number of shares over which options may be granted under all of the 

company’s option schemes (including any options and awards granted under the 

company’s employee share plans) in any period of ten years, will not exceed, at the 

time of grant, 10% of the ordinary share capital of the company from time to time

Share options will be offered by the remuneration committee at their discretion and 

will be subject to appropriate performance criteria at the time.

in ‘Free Shares’ under the SIP scheme rules

Reviewed annually

No individual non-executive director will be awarded a base salary in excess of 

£40,000 a year

No performance conditions are attached to base salaries

GOVERNANCE Remuneration policy

•   Remuneration packages offered to similar companies within the 

same sector

•   The need to align the interests of shareholders as a whole with the 

long-term growth of the Group; and

•   The need to be flexible and adjust with operational changes 

throughout the term of this policy

The remuneration of non-executive directors is determined by the 
board, and takes into account additional remuneration for services 
outside the scope of the ordinary duties of non-executive directors.

FUTURE POLICY TABLE

ELEMENT

PURPOSE

EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS

Base salary 

To recognise:

Skills  

Responsibility 

Accountability  

Experience 

Value

POLICY

OPERATION

OPPORTUNITY AND PERFORMANCE CONDITIONS

Considered by remuneration committee on appointment

Set at a level considered appropriate to attract, retain, motivate  

and reward the right individuals

Reviewed annually whenever there is a change 
of role or operational responsibility
Paid monthly in cash

There is no prescribed maximum salary or maximum rate of increase, although any 
increase in excess of inflation is unlikely, unless there are changes in responsibility.
No individual director will be awarded a base salary in excess of £575,000 a year
No specific performance conditions are attached to base salaries

The contribution payable by the Company 
is included in the director’s contract of 
employment 
Paid into money purchase schemes
The committee retains the discretion to approve 
changes in contractual benefits in exceptional 
circumstances or where factors outside the 
control of the Group lead to increased costs 
(e.g. medical inflation)
The remuneration committee is using its discretion 
to determine the level of bonus on an annual basis
In assessing performance consideration is given 
to the level of net rental income, cash flow, 
voids, realised development gains and income 
from managing joint ventures, as well as NAV 
changes. Achieved results are then compared 
with expectation taking account of market 
conditions
Bonuses are generally offered in cash or shares
Offered at appropriate times by the  
remuneration committee

Company contribution offered at up to 10% of base salary as part of overall 
remuneration package
No specific performance conditions are attached to pension contributions

The costs associated with benefits offered are closely controlled and reviewed on an 
annual basis
No director will receive benefits of a value in excess of 30% of their base salary
No specific performance conditions are attached to contractual benefits

The current maximum bonus will not exceed 80% of base salary in any one year 
but the remuneration committee reserves the power to award up to 150% in an 
exceptional year
Performance conditions will be assessed on an annual basis
The performance measures applied may be financial, non-financial, corporate, 
divisional or individual and in such proportion as the remuneration committee 
considers appropriate

The aggregate number of shares over which options may be granted under all of the 
company’s option schemes (including any options and awards granted under the 
company’s employee share plans) in any period of ten years, will not exceed, at the 
time of grant, 10% of the ordinary share capital of the company from time to time
Share options will be offered by the remuneration committee at their discretion and 
will be subject to appropriate performance criteria at the time.

Share incentive 

plan (SIP)

To offer a shorter term incentive in the 

company and to give directors a stake in  

the group

Offered to executive directors and head office staff

Maximum participation levels are set by HMRC Of any bonus awarded, Directors may opt to have maximum of £3,000 per year paid 

in ‘Free Shares’ under the SIP scheme rules

Reviewed annually

No individual non-executive director will be awarded a base salary in excess of 
£40,000 a year
No performance conditions are attached to base salaries

The remuneration committee considers the performance measures outlined in the table above to be appropriate measures of performance 
and that the KPIs chosen align the interests of the directors and shareholders. 

For details of remuneration of other company employees please see page 25

London & Associated Properties PLC 2019 29

Pension 

To provide competitive retirement benefits

Company contribution offered at up to 10% of base salary as part  

of overall remuneration package

Benefits 

To provide a competitive benefits package

Contractual benefits include:

Car or car allowance 

Group health cover 

Death in service cover 

Permanent health insurance

Annual  

bonus

To reward and incentivise

In assessing the performance of the executive team, and in particular  

to determine whether bonuses are merited the remuneration committee 

takes into account the overall performance of the business, as well as 

individual contribution to the business in the period

Share  

options 

To provide executive directors with 

a long-term interest in the company

Share options may be granted under existing schemes (see page 23)

Where it is necessary to attract, retain, motivate and reward the right 

individuals, the directors may establish new schemes to replace any 

expired schemes

NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS 

Base salary

To recognise:

Skills 

Responsibility 

Experience 

Risk 

Value

Pension

Benefits

Share  

options

Considered by the board on appointment

Set at a level considered appropriate to attract, retain and motivate  

Experience and time required for the role are considered on 

the individual 

appointment

No pension offered

No benefits offered except in exchange for sacrificing fees. 

Non-executive directors do not participate in the share option schemes

GOVERNANCE Remuneration policy

REMUNERATION SCENARIOS
An indication of the possible level of remuneration that would be 
received by each Executive director in the year commencing 30 July 
2020 in accordance with the directors’ remuneration policy is  
shown below.

Sir Michael Heller

  Bonus

   Salary, benefits 
and pension

300

100%

417

28%

72%

750

75%

25%

Minimum

On target

Maximum

  Bonus

   Salary, benefits 
and pension

576

100%

729

21%

79%

1,376

75%

25%

Minimum

On target

Maximum

  Bonus

   Salary, benefits 
and pension

180

100%

230

15%

85%

405

75%

25%

800

700

600

0
0
0
£

'

500

400

300

200

100

0

J A Heller

1,600

1,400

1,200

1,000

0
0
0
£

'

800

600

400

200

0

J Mintz

0
0
0
£

'

450

400

350

300

250

200

150

100

50

0

Minimum

On target

Maximum

The base salary level for Sir Michael Heller for the purpose of these 
graphs (and bonus calculations) is £300k as per note on page 22.

30  London & Associated Properties PLC 2019

ASSUMPTIONS 

Minimum
Consists of base salary, benefits and pension. Base salary, benefits and 
pension for 2020 are assumed at the levels included in the single total 
figure remuneration table for the year ended 31 December 2019.

On target
Based on the minimum, enhanced by a bonus calculated as the average 
percentage bonus awarded to the individual in the three years ended on 
31 December 2019. As outlined in the policy table above, the remuneration 
committee has discretion to award bonuses of up to 80% of base salary 
in any one year (up to 150% in an exceptional year).

Maximum
Based on the minimum, enhanced by the maximum bonus available 
in an exceptional year (150% of base salary).

APPROACH TO NEW RECRUITMENT 
REMUNERATION
All appointments to the board are made on merit. The components of the 
remuneration package (for a new director who is recruited within the life 
of the approved remuneration policy) would comprise base salary, pension, 
benefits and an opportunity to earn an annual bonus and be granted 
share options as outlined above. The approach to such appointments is 
detailed within the policy summary above. The company will pay 
remuneration to new directors at a level that will enable it to attract 
appropriately skilled and experienced individuals but which is not, in the 
opinion of the remuneration committee excessive.

SERVICE CONTRACTS
All executive directors have full-time contracts of employment with 
the company. Non-executive directors have contracts of service. No 
director has a contract of employment or contract of service with the 
company, its joint venture or associated companies with a fixed term 
which exceeds twelve months. Directors' notice periods (see the 
annual remuneration report) are set in line with market practice and 
are of a length considered sufficient to ensure an effective handover 
of duties should a director leave the company. 

All directors’ contracts as amended from time to time, have run from the 
date of appointment. Service contracts are kept at the registered office. 

POLICY ON PAYMENT FOR LOSS OF OFFICE
There are no contractual provisions that could impact on a termination 
payment. Termination payments will be calculated in accordance with 
the existing contract of employment or service contract. It is the policy of 
the remuneration committee to issue employment contracts to executive 
directors with normal commercial terms and without extended terms 
of notice which could give rise to extraordinary termination payments. 

CONSIDERATION OF EMPLOYMENT CONDITIONS 
ELSEWHERE IN THE COMPANY
In setting this policy for directors’ remuneration the remuneration 
committee has been mindful of the company’s objective to reward all 
employees fairly according to their role, performance and market forces. 
In setting the policy for Directors’ remuneration the committee has 
considered the pay and employment conditions of the other employees 
within the group, but no formal consultation has been undertaken 
with employees in drawing up the policy. The committee has not 
used formal comparison measures. 

CONSIDERATION OF SHAREHOLDER VIEWS
There have been no direct consultations with shareholders in 
formulating this policy, but the Committee has taken note of 
comments made at the 2019 AGM and the votes against the 
Remuneration report. In accordance with the regulations, an ordinary 
resolution for approval of this policy will be put to shareholders at 
the AGM on 30 July 2020.

GOVERNANCE
GOVERNANCE

Audit committee report

The committee’s terms of reference have been 
approved by the board and follow published 
guidelines, which are available on request from 
the company secretary.

At the year end the audit committee comprised two of the non-
executive directors – H D Goldring and C A Parritt, both of whom  
are Chartered Accountants.

The audit committee’s primary tasks are to:

•   review the scope of external audit, to receive regular reports from 
RSM UK Audit LLP and to review the half-yearly and annual accounts 
before they are presented to the board, focusing in particular on 
accounting policies and areas of management judgement  
and estimation;

•   monitor the controls which are in force to ensure the integrity  

of the information reported to the shareholders;

•   act as a forum for discussion of internal control issues and contribute 
to the board’s review of the effectiveness of the Group’s internal 
control and risk management systems and processes; 

•   to review the risk assessments made by management, consider key 
risks with action taken to mitigate these and to act as a forum for 
discussion of risk issues and contribute to the board’s review of 
the effectiveness of the Group’s risk management control  
and processes; 

•   consider once a year the need for an internal audit function;

•   advise the board on the appointment of the external auditors,  
the rotation of the audit partner every five years and on their 
remuneration for both audit and non-audit work; discuss the 
nature and scope of their audit work and undertake a formal 
assessment of their independence each year, which includes:
i) 

 a review of non-audit services provided to the Group and 
related fees;

ii)    discussion with the auditors of their written report detailing 

all relationships with the Company and any other parties that 
could affect independence or the perception of independence;

iii)    a review of the auditors’ 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; 
and

iv)    obtaining a written confirmation from the auditors that,  
in their professional judgement, they are independent.

MEETINGS
The committee meets at least twice a year prior to the publication  
of the annual results and discusses and considers the half year results 
prior to their approval by the board. The audit committee meetings 
are attended by the external audit partner, chief executive, finance 
director and company secretary. During the year the members of the 
committee also meet on an informal basis to discuss any relevant 
matters which may have arisen. Additional formal meetings may be 
held as necessary.

During the past year the committee:

•   met with the external auditors, and discussed their reports to  

the audit committee;

•  approved the publication of annual and half year financial results;

•  considered and approved the annual review of internal controls;

•   decided that there was no current need for an internal audit 

function;

•   agreed the independence of the auditors and approved their fees 
for both audit and non-audit services as set out in Note 2 to the 
financial statements; and

•   reviewed and discussed with the auditors the results of the FRC 

Audit Quality Review in respect of the 2018 accounts and, noting 
that the FRC considered that limited improvements were required, 
we discussed the auditor's proposals to address these for the 
2019 audit; and, in addition

•   the chairman of the audit committee has also had separate 
meetings and discussions with the external audit partner.

FINANCIAL REPORTING 
As part of its role, the Audit Committee assessed the audit findings that 
were considered most significant to the financial statements, including 
those areas requiring significant judgement and/or estimation. When 
assessing the identified financial reporting matters, the committee 
assessed quantitative materiality primarily by reference to the carrying 
value of the group’s total assets, given that the group operates a 
principally asset based business. When determining quantitative 
materiality, the Board also gave consideration to the value of revenues 
generated by the group and net asset value, given that they are key 
trading and business KPIs. The qualitative aspects of any financial 
reporting matters identified during the audit process were also 
considered when assessing their materiality. Based on the 
considerations set out above we have considered quantitative errors 
individually or in aggregate in excess of approximately £1.5 million in 
relation to the consolidated balance sheet and £0.4 million for underlying 
profitability and £0.3 million for the Bisichi group to be material.

EXTERNAL AUDITOR
RSM UK Audit LLP held office throughout the period under review. 
In the United Kingdom London & Associated Properties PLC provides 
extensive administration and accounting services to Bisichi PLC, 
which has its own audit committee and employs BDO LLP, a 
separate and independent firm of registered auditor.

C A Parritt  
Chairman – Audit Committee

29 June 2020

London & Associated Properties PLC 2019 31

 
 
 
 
GOVERNANCE
GOVERNANCE

Directors’ responsibilities statement

DIRECTORS’ STATEMENT PURSUANT TO THE 
DISCLOSURE GUIDANCE AND TRANSPARENCY RULES
Each of the directors, whose names and functions are listed on 
page 15, confirms that to the best of each person’s knowledge:

a.  the financial statements, prepared in accordance with the applicable 
set of accounting standards, give a true and fair view of the assets, 
liabilities, financial position and profit of the Company and the 
undertakings included in the consolidation taken as a whole; and

b.  the Strategic Report contained in the Annual Report includes a fair 
review of the development and performance of the business and 
the position of the Company and the undertakings included in the 
consolidation taken as a whole, together with a description of the 
principal risks and uncertainties that they face.

The Directors are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of 
the corporate and financial information included on the London & 
Associated Properties PLC website.

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

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

English company law requires the Directors to prepare Group and 
Company financial statements for each financial year. The Directors 
are required under the Listing Rules of the Financial Conduct Authority 
to prepare Group financial statements in accordance with International 
Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”) as adopted by the European 
Union (“EU”) and have elected under English company law to prepare 
the Company financial statements in accordance with United Kingdom 
Generally Accepted Accounting Practice (United Kingdom Accounting 
Standards and applicable law) including FRS101 ‘Reduced  
Disclosure Framework’. 

The Group financial statements are required by law and IFRS adopted 
by the EU to present fairly the financial position and 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 English 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 each of 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.  for the Group financial statements, state whether they have been 
prepared in accordance with IFRS adopted by the EU and for the 
company financial statements state whether applicable UK accounting 
standards have been followed, subject to any material departures 
disclosed and explained in the financial statements; 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 and the Directors’ Remuneration 
Report comply with the Companies Act 2006 and, as regards the 
Group financial statements, Article 4 of the IAS Regulations. 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.

32  London & Associated Properties PLC 2019

GOVERNANCE
GOVERNANCE

Independent auditor’s report
TO THE MEMBERS OF LONDON & ASSOCIATED PROPERTIES PLC

OPINION
We have audited the financial statements 
of London & Associated Properties plc (the 
‘parent company’) and its subsidiaries (the 
‘group’) for the year ended 31 December 2019 
which comprise the consolidated income 
statement, the consolidated statement of 
comprehensive income, the consolidated 
balance sheet, the consolidated statement 
of changes in shareholders’ equity, the 
consolidated cash flow statement, the 
company balance sheet, the company 
statement of changes in equity and notes to 
the financial statements, including a summary 
of significant accounting policies. The financial 
reporting framework that has been applied in 
the preparation of the group financial 
statements is applicable law and International 
Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs) as 
adopted by the European Union. The financial 
reporting framework that has been applied in 
the preparation of the parent company 
financial statements is applicable law and 
United Kingdom Accounting Standards 
including FRS 101 “Reduced Disclosure 
Framework” (United Kingdom Generally 
Accepted Accounting Practice).

In our opinion: 

•   the financial statements give a true and fair view of the state of 

the group’s and of the parent company’s affairs as at 31 December 
2019 and of the group’s loss for the year then ended;

Scope

•   the group financial statements have been properly prepared in 
accordance with IFRSs as adopted by the European Union;

•   the parent company financial statements have been properly 

prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted 
Accounting Practice; and

•   the financial statements have been prepared in accordance with 
the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 and, as regards the 
group financial statements, Article 4 of the IAS regulations.

BASIS FOR OPINION
We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards 
on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law. Our responsibilities 
under those standards are further described in the Auditor’s 
responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of 

our report. We are independent of the group and parent company in 
accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit 
of the financial statements in the UK, including the FRC’s Ethical 
Standard as applied to listed public interest entities and we have 
fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these 
requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is 
sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.

CONCLUSIONS RELATING TO GOING CONCERN
We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in 
relation to which the ISAs (UK) require us to report to you where:

•   the directors’ use of the going concern basis of accounting in the 

preparation of the financial statements is not appropriate; or

•   the directors have not disclosed in the financial statements any 
identified material uncertainties that may cast significant doubt 
about the group’s or the parent company’s ability to continue to 
adopt the going concern basis of accounting for a period of at 
least twelve months from the date when the financial statements 
are authorised for issue.

SUMMARY OF OUR AUDIT APPROACH

Key audit matters

Group
•   Going concern

Materiality

•   Valuation of investment and 

development properties

Parent Company
•   None

Group
•   Overall materiality: £1.50 million  

(2018: £1.50 million)

Parent Company
•   Overall materiality: £0.65 million  

(2018: £0.65 million)

Our audit procedures covered 99.7%  
of revenue, 99.8% of net assets and 98.3% 
of loss before tax.

KEY AUDIT MATTERS
Key audit matters are those matters that, in our professional 
judgment, were of most significance in our audit of the group 
financial statements of the current period and include the most 
significant assessed risks of material misstatement (whether or not 
due to fraud) we identified, including those which had the greatest 
effect on the overall audit strategy, the allocation of resources in the 
audit and directing the efforts of the engagement team. These 
matters were addressed in the context of our audit of the group 
financial statements as a whole, and in forming our opinion thereon, 
and we do not provide a separate opinion on these matters.

London & Associated Properties PLC 2019 33

GOVERNANCE Independent auditor’s report

GOING CONCERN

Key audit matter  
description

How the matter was  
addressed in the audit

Following the year end, Covid-19 was declared a global pandemic and is having a 
significant and unprecedented impact on all sections of the global economy, the extent of 
which is not yet fully apparent. The potential risks to the Group include: 

•   tenants defaulting on, or deferring, rent payments resulting in cash flow difficulties for 

the Group;

•   reductions in asset values in the property market, which may cause the Group to 

breach loan to value covenants; and

•  tightening of lending conditions including covenants.

The financial statements are prepared on the going concern basis of accounting, and the 
above factors have an impact on the assessment of the Group’s ability to continue as a 
going concern. There is a risk, therefore, that the judgements involved in assessing going 
concern in the current climate are inappropriate, resulting in a material misstatement. 
There is also a risk that the disclosures made, including of whether there is a material 
uncertainty in relation to going concern, are inadequate or incomplete. 

Group management has set out its disclosures in relation to Covid-19 and going concern 
on pages 18 and 42.

We discussed with management the process they undertook to assess going concern, 
including the impact of Covid-19. We audited the Group’s assessment of going concern, 
including cash flow projections and forecast covenant compliance based on normal 
trading conditions, which were then sensitised to enable management to assess the 
potential impact of Covid-19.

The audit work included:

•  reviewing minutes of board meetings, and the board paper prepared on going concern

•   reviewing the base case forecasts in detail for the period to September 2021. We 

checked the mathematical accuracy of the model, and compared revenues and costs 
to the actual results for 2019, taking account of known and reasonably foreseeable 
changes;

•   considering the reasonableness of assumptions and the sensitivity analysis prepared by 

management;

•   checking projected covenant compliance to the model and against the loan 

agreements;

•   applying reverse stress tests to the model, which included a reduction in property 
revenues due to deferral of collection of 60% of rent to Q1 2021, non-payment of 
rents of 20% for the remainder of the 2020 calendar year and Q1 of 2021, and a 
reduction in property valuations of up to 20%. 

•   considering the likelihood and reasonableness of possible mitigating actions proposed 
by management, including the provision of additional security to cure possible loan to 
value covenant breaches, and alternative financing plans; and

•  reviewing the disclosures made in the financial statements in respect of going concern.

Key observations

The conclusions in relation to going concern are set out in the “Conclusions relating to 
going concern” paragraph above.

34  London & Associated Properties PLC 2019

GOVERNANCE Independent auditor’s report

VALUATION OF INVESTMENT AND DEVELOPMENT PROPERTIES

Key audit matter  
description

How the matter was  
addressed in the audit

Key observations

The group’s properties are accounted for in the financial statements as investment 
properties under IAS 40 and held at fair value, or as inventory where appropriate and 
held at the lower of cost and net realisable value. 
The majority of investment properties are valued by two firms of independent external 
valuers and these valuations are adopted in the financial statements. At 31 December 
2019 investment property valued at £44.6 million (note 8) was disclosed within non-
current assets in the financial statements. Separately, property inventory was carried at 
£26.9 million (note 12).
The directors’ assessment of the value of properties is considered a key audit matter 
due to the relative importance of these assets to the group’s financial statements, the 
potential impact of movements in the values of the assets, and the subjectivity and 
complexity of the valuation process, which involves significant judgements and estimates 
as disclosed on page 44 of the financial statements. 
The valuations are carried out by two firms of professional external valuers, together 
with, in respect of one property, an internal valuer in accordance with the methodology 
described in note 8. 

Investment properties
Our response included: 
•   agreeing the valuations of all properties recorded in the financial statements and 
subject to the external valuation process to the valuation reports prepared by the 
valuers. These reports covered all of the value of investment properties, except one 
property valued at £1.3 million which was subject to internal valuation;

•   assessing the qualifications and expertise of management’s valuers, considering their 
objectivity and any threats to their independence. We concluded that there was no 
threat which might impair the valuers’ independence and objectivity; 

•   meeting the valuers, both external and internal, to discuss and challenge the 
assumptions used and the movements in valuations observed in the year;

•   consulting an independent auditor’s expert on the valuation of certain properties in the 

portfolio whose values fell outside our expectations; and

•   comparing the key inputs to the valuation model to the underlying records of the 
leases and records of rents received and against our knowledge of market yields.

Development properties
Our response included: 
•  agreeing the cost of properties held as inventory to underlying records;
•   for the Sheffield property, held at a value of £21.3 million, we assessed the value of 

the related development project by 

  o   reviewing and challenging the assumptions made by management in respect of 

anticipated sales prices and development costs, and the forecast profit margin on 
the project;

  o   consulting an independent auditor’s expert in respect of these assumptions; and
  o   considering the adequacy of the impairment charge.

The carrying values of the properties are consistent with the valuation reports provided 
for investment properties. Properties held in inventory, after impairment, are carried at 
the lower of cost and net realisable value.

OUR APPLICATION OF MATERIALITY
When establishing our overall audit strategy, we set certain thresholds which help us to determine the nature, timing and extent of our audit 
procedures. When evaluating whether the effects of misstatements, both individually and on the financial statements as a whole, could reasonably 
influence the economic decisions of the users we take into account the qualitative nature and the size of the misstatements. Based on our 
professional judgement, we determined materiality as follows:

Overall materiality

Basis for determining overall  
materiality

Rationale for benchmark applied

Reporting of misstatements  
to the Audit Committee

GROUP

£1.50 million 

(2018: £1.50 million)

PARENT COMPANY

£0.65 million 

(2018: £0.65 million)

3% of net assets

2.5% of net assets

Net assets are the key criteria on which the performance of the group is measured, and the 
group regularly reports net asset value per share as a metric to shareholders.

Misstatements in excess of £37,500 and 
misstatements below that threshold that, in 
our view, warranted reporting on  
qualitative grounds. 

Misstatements in excess of £16,250 and 
misstatements below that threshold that, in 
our view, warranted reporting on qualitative 
grounds. 

London & Associated Properties PLC 2019 35

 
 
GOVERNANCE Independent auditor’s report

AN OVERVIEW OF THE SCOPE OF OUR AUDIT
The group consists of 31 components. 27 of these are based in the 
UK and four are based in South Africa. 

Full scope audits were undertaken for 28 components. This resulted 
in coverage of 99.8% of the group’s net assets, 99.7% of revenue 
and 98.3% of the loss for the period.

Of the above, full scope audits for eight components were 
undertaken by component auditors.

One other component was considered significant as it contained 
material amounts of inventory, the recognition of which is a key audit 
matter for the group. That component was subject to specific audit 
procedures, in respect of development properties. The remaining 
two components were subject to analytical review procedures at 
group level. 

OTHER INFORMATION
The directors are responsible for the other information. The other 
information comprises the information included in the annual report 
set out on pages 2 to 31 other than the financial statements and our 
auditor’s report thereon. Our opinion on the financial statements 
does not cover the other information and, except to the extent 
otherwise explicitly stated in our report, we do not express any form 
of assurance conclusion thereon. 

In connection with our audit of the financial statements, our responsibility 
is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether 
the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial 
statements or our knowledge obtained in the audit or otherwise 
appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material 
inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required 
to determine whether there is a material misstatement in the financial 
statements or a material misstatement of the other information. If, 
based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a 
material misstatement of this other information, we are required to 
report that fact. 

We have nothing to report in this regard.

OPINIONS ON OTHER MATTERS PRESCRIBED BY 
THE COMPANIES ACT 2006
In our opinion, the part of the directors’ remuneration report to be 
audited has been properly prepared in accordance with the 
Companies Act 2006.

In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of the 
audit:

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

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

•   the Strategic Report and the Directors’ Report have been prepared 

in accordance with applicable legal requirements.

36  London & Associated Properties PLC 2019

MATTERS ON WHICH WE ARE REQUIRED TO 
REPORT BY EXCEPTION
In the light of the knowledge and understanding of the group and 
the parent company and their environment obtained in the course of 
the audit, we have not identified material misstatements in the 
Strategic Report or the Directors’ Report.

We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in 
relation to which the Companies Act 2006 requires us to report to 
you if, in our opinion:

•  a dequate accounting records have not been kept by the parent 
company, or returns adequate for our audit have not been 
received from branches not visited by us; or

•   the parent company financial statements and the part of the 

directors’ remuneration report to be audited are not in agreement 
with the accounting records and returns; or

•   certain disclosures of directors’ remuneration specified by law are 

not made; or

•   we have not received all the information and explanations we 

require for our audit.

RESPONSIBILITIES OF DIRECTORS
As explained more fully in the directors’ responsibilities statement set 
out 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, and for such internal control as the directors determine 
is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that 
are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.

In preparing the financial statements, the directors are responsible 
for assessing the group’s and the parent company’s ability to continue 
as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going 
concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the 
directors either intend to liquidate the group or the parent company 
or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.

AUDITOR’S RESPONSIBILITIES FOR THE AUDIT OF 
THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether 
the financial statements as a whole are free from material 
misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an 
auditor’s report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a 
high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit 
conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material 
misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or 
error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, 
they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic 
decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements.

As part of our audit, we will consider the susceptibility of the group 
and parent company to fraud and other irregularities, taking account 
of the business and control environment established and maintained 
by the directors, as well as the nature of transactions, assets and 
liabilities recorded in the accounting records. Owing to the inherent 
limitations of an audit, there is an unavoidable risk that some material 
misstatements of the financial statements may not be detected, even 
though the audit is properly planned and performed in accordance 
with the ISAs. However, the principal responsibility for ensuring that 
the financial statements are free from material misstatement, 
whether caused by fraud or error, rests with management who 
should not rely on the audit to discharge those functions. 

GOVERNANCE Independent auditor’s report

A further description of our responsibilities for the audit of the 
financial statements is located on the Financial Reporting Council’s 
website at: http://www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This 
description forms part of our auditor’s report.

OTHER MATTERS WHICH WE ARE REQUIRED TO 
ADDRESS
Following the recommendation of the audit committee, we were 
appointed by the Board of Directors on 27 July 1987 to audit the 
financial statements for the year ended 31 December 1987 and 
subsequent financial periods.

The period of total uninterrupted engagement is 33 years, covering 
the years ending 31 December 1987 to 31 December 2019.

The non-audit services prohibited by the FRC’s Ethical Standard 
were not provided to the group or the parent company and we 
remain independent of the group and the parent company in 
conducting our audit. 

During the period under review agreed upon procedures were 
completed in respect of a number of the group’s service charge 
accounts.

Our audit opinion is consistent with the additional report to the audit 
committee.

USE OF OUR REPORT 
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.

Geoff Wightwick (Senior Statutory Auditor) 
For and on behalf of RSM UK Audit LLP, Statutory Auditor  
Chartered Accountants 
25 Farringdon Street 
London 
EC4A 4AB

29 June 2020

London & Associated Properties PLC 2019 37

financial state-

ments

FINANCIAL 
STATEMENTS

Consolidated income statement
for the year ended 31 December 2019

Group revenue
Operating costs
Operating profit
Finance income
Finance expenses
Result before revaluation and other movements

Non–cash changes in valuation of assets and liabilities and other movements
Decrease in value of investment properties
Decrease in value of trading investments
Decrease in value of other investments
Adjustment to interest rate derivative
(Loss)/profit for the year before taxation
Income tax charge
(Loss)/profit for the year

Attributable to:
Equity holders of the Company
Non-controlling interest
(Loss)/profit for the year

Earnings per share
Loss per share - basic and diluted

NOTES

1

4
4

8

21
2
5

24

2019
£'000

 63,966 
(60,766)
 3,200 
 86 
(3,252)
34 

(2,988)
(6)
(1,749)
 169 
(4,540)
(951)
(5,491)

(6,477)
 986 
(5,491)

2018
£'000

 56,651 
(49,293)
 7,358 
 61 
(3,682)
 3,737 

(2,565)
(169)
–  
 265 
 1,268 
(675)
 593 

(2,082)
 2,675 
 593 

7

(7.59)p

(2.44)p

Consolidated statement of comprehensive 
income
for the year ended 31 December 2019 

(Loss)/profit for the year
Other comprehensive income/(expense):
Items that may be subsequently recycled to the income statement:
Exchange differences on translation of Bisichi PLC foreign operations
Other comprehensive expense for the year net of tax
Total comprehensive (expense)/income for the year net of tax
Attributable to: 
Equity shareholders
Non–controlling interest

38  London & Associated Properties PLC 2019

2019
£'000

(5,491)

(49)
(49)
(5,540)

(6,493)
 953 
(5,540)

2018
£'000

 593 

(430)
(430)
 163 

(2,239)
 2,402 
 163 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Consolidated balance sheet
at 31 December 2019

Non–current assets
Market value of properties attributable to Group
Present value of head leases
Property
Mining reserves, property, plant and equipment
Investments

Current assets
Inventories - Property
Inventories - Mining
Assets held for sale
Trade and other receivables
Corporation tax recoverable
Investments
Cash and cash equivalents

Total assets
Current liabilities
Trade and other payables
Borrowings
Lease liabilities
Interest rate derivatives
Current tax liabilities

Non–current liabilities
Borrowings
Lease liabilities
Provisions
Deferred tax liabilities

Total liabilities
Net assets
Equity attributable to the owners of the parent
Share capital
Share premium account
Translation reserve (Bisichi PLC)
Capital redemption reserve
  Retained earnings (excluding treasury shares)
  Treasury shares
Retained earnings 
Total equity attributable to equity shareholders
Non–controlling interest
Total equity

Net assets per share - basic and diluted

NOTES

2019
£'000

2018
£'000

8
8

9
14

12
13
10
15

16

17
18
19

18
19
20
22

23

23

24

7

 44,580 
 3,326 
 47,906 
 10,472 
 287 
 58,665 

 26,915 
 2,432 
–  
 8,399 
 19 
 1,119 
 13,533 
 52,417 
 111,082 

(12,835)
(10,120)
(424)
–  
(457)
(23,836)

(31,063)
(3,842)
(1,554)
(1,654)
(38,113)
(61,949)
 49,133 

 8,554 
 4,866 
(868)
 47 
 24,271 
(144)
 24,127 
 36,726 
 12,407 
 49,133 

 47,430 
 3,261 
 50,691 
 8,659 
 1,783 
 61,133 

 38,556 
 1,511 
 2,285 
 8,022 
–  
 887 
 20,655 
 71,916 
 133,049 

(13,341)
(41,388)
(213)
(169)
(73)
(55,184)

(15,255)
(3,048)
(1,571)
(2,305)
(22,179)
(77,363)
 55,686 

 8,554 
 4,866 
(852)
 47 
 30,906 
(144)
 30,762 
 43,377 
 12,309 
 55,686 

43.04p

50.83p

These financial statements were approved by the board of directors and authorised for issue on 29 June 2020 and signed on its behalf by:

Sir Michael Heller 
Director 

Jonathan Mintz 
Director 

Company Registration No. 341829 

London & Associated Properties PLC 2019 39

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Consolidated statement of changes in 
shareholders’ equity
for the year ended 31 December 2019

SHARE 
CAPITAL 
£’000
 8,554 
–  

SHARE  
PREMIUM 
£’000
 4,866 
–  

TRANSLATION 
RESERVES  
£’000
(695)
–  

CAPITAL 
REDEMP-
TION 
RESERVE 
£’000
 47 
–  

TREASURY  
SHARES 
£’000
(145)
–  

RETAINED  
EARNINGS 
EXCLUDING  
TREASURY  
SHARES 
£’000
 33,227 
(2,082)

TOTAL 
EXCLUDING 
NON– 
CONTROLLING 
INTERESTS 
£’000
 45,854 
(2,082)

NON– 
CON-
TROLLING 
INTERESTS 
£’000

TOTAL 
EQUITY 
£’000
 10,856  56,710 
 593 

 2,675 

–  
–  
–  

–  
–  

–  
–  
–  

–  
–  

–  
–  
–  
 8,554 
–  

–  
–  
–  
 4,866 
–  

–  

–  

–  

–  

–  

–  

–  

–  

–  
–  
 8,554 

–  
–  
 4,866 

(157)
(157)
(157)

–  
–  

–  
–  
–  
(852)
–  

(16)

(16)

(16)

–  

–  
–  
(868)

–  
–  
–  

–  
–  

–  
–  
–  
 47 
–  

–  

–  

–  

–  

–  
–  
–  

–  
–  

–  
–  
(2,082)

 17 
(256)

–  
 1 
 1 
(144)
–  

–  
–  
(239)
 30,906 
(6,477)

(157)
(157)
(2,239)

 17 
(256)

–  
 1 
(238)
 43,377 
(6,477)

(273)
(273)
 2,402 

(430)
(430)
 163 

 7 
–  

 24 
(256)

(956)
–  
(949)

(956)
 1 
(1,187)
 12,309   55,686 
(5,491)

 986 

–  

–  

–  

–  

(16)

(16)

(33)

(49)

(33)

(49)

–  

(6,477)

(6,493)

 953 

(5,540)

–  

(158)

(158)

(158)

–  
–  
 47 

–  
–  
(144)

–  
(158)
24,271

–  
(158)
36,726

(855)
(855)

(855)
(1,013)
 12,407  49,133

Balance at 1 January 2018
Profit for year
Other comprehensive expense:
Currency translation
Total other comprehensive expense
Total comprehensive expense
Transactions with owners:
Share options charge
Dividends – equity holders
Dividends – non–controlling 
interests
Disposal of own shares
Transactions with owners 
Balance at 31 December 2018
(Loss)/profit for year
Other comprehensive  
income/(expense):
Currency translation
Total comprehensive 
income/(expense)
Total comprehensive 
income/(expense)
Transactions with owners:
Dividends – equity holders
Dividends – non–controlling 
interests
Transactions with owners 
Balance at 31 December 2019

40  London & Associated Properties PLC 2019

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Consolidated cash flow statement
for the year ended 31 December 2019

Operating activities
(Loss)/profit for the year before taxation
Finance income
Finance expense
Decrease in value of investment properties
Decrease in trading and other investments
Adjustment to interest rate derivative
Depreciation
Share based payment expense
Development expenditure on inventories
Sale of inventory - property (net of costs)
Loss on sale of inventory - property
Exchange adjustments
Change in inventories
Change in receivables
Change in payables
Cash generated from operations
Income tax paid
Cash inflows/(outflows) from operating activities
Investing activities
Disposal of assets held for sale
Acquisition of investment properties, mining reserves, plant and equipment
Acquisition of other investments
Sale of plant and equipment
Interest received
Cash (outflows)/inflows from investing activities
Financing activities
Interest paid
Interest obligation under leases
Repayment of lease liability
Receipt of bank loan - Bisichi PLC
Repayment of bank loan - Bisichi PLC
Repayment of bank loan - Dragon Retail Properties Ltd
Receipt of bank loan - London & Associated Properties PLC
Repayment of bank loan - London & Associated Properties PLC
Repayment of short term loan from joint ventures and related parties
Repayment of debenture stocks 
Equity dividends paid
Equity dividends paid - non-controlling interests
Cash outflows from financing activities
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year
Exchange adjustment
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year

The cash flows above relate to continuing operations.

2019 
£’000

2018   
£’000

(4,540)
(86)
 3,252 
 2,988 
 1,755 
(169)
 2,407 
–  
(409)
 9,309 
991
 123 
805
(448)
(994)
 14,984 
(1,199)
 13,785 

2,285
(3,350)
(490)
–  
 86 
(1,469)

(2,932)
(259)
(193)
 3,908 
(6,011)
–  
 13,725 
(28,482)
–  
–  
(154)
(375)
(20,773)
(8,457)
 17,120 
 28 
 8,691 

 1,268 
(61)
 3,682 
 2,565 
 169 
(265)
 2,122 
 18 
(6,256)
–  
–  
 65 
(797)
(235)
(354)
 1,921 
(2,281)
(360)

 36,474 
(9,438)
–  
 1 
 199 
 27,236 

(3,711)
(178)
–  
 753 
(19)
(65)
 7,202 
(16,438)
(30)
(3,000)
(255)
(309)
(16,050)
 10,826 
 6,266 
 28 
 17,120 

Cash and cash equivalents
For the purpose of the cash flow statement, cash and cash equivalents comprise the following balance sheet amounts:

Cash and cash equivalents (before bank overdrafts)
Bank overdrafts
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year

£340,000 of cash deposits at 31 December 2019 were charged as security to debenture stocks (2018: £340,000).

£2,271,000 of cash deposits at 31 December 2019 were charged as security to bank loans (2018: £500,000).

2019 
£’000
 13,533 
(4,842)
 8,691 

2018 
£’000
 20,655 
(3,535)
 17,120 

London & Associated Properties PLC 2019 41

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Group accounting policies

The following are the principal Group accounting policies:

BASIS OF ACCOUNTING
The Group financial statements are prepared in accordance with 
International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), as adopted by the 
European Union and with those parts of the Companies Act 2006 
applicable to companies reporting under IFRS. 

The Company has elected to prepare the parent company’s financial 
statements in accordance with Financial Reporting Standard 101 
’Reduced Disclosure Framework’ (FRS 101) and Companies Act 
2006 and these are presented in Note 30. The financial statements 
are prepared under the historical cost convention, except for the 
revaluation of freehold and leasehold properties and financial assets 
at fair value through profit and loss as well as fair value of interest 
rate derivatives at fair value. 

The Group financial statements are presented in Pounds Sterling and 
all values are rounded to the nearest thousand pounds (£’000) 
except when otherwise stated.

The functional currency for each entity in the Group is the currency 
of the country in which the entity has been incorporated. Details of 
the country in which each entity has been incorporated can be 
found in note 11.

The exchange rates used in the accounts were as follows:

Year-end rate
Annual average

£1 STERLING: RAND

£1 STERLING: DOLLAR

2019
18.5759
18.4326

2018 
18.3723
17.5205

2019 
1.3254
1.2781

2018 
1.2690
1.3096

London & Associated Properties PLC (“LAP”), the parent company, is 
a public limited company incorporated and domiciled in England and 
quoted on the London Stock Exchange. The Company registration 
number is 341829. LAP and its subsidiaries (“the Group”) consist of 
LAP, all of its subsidiary undertakings, including Bisichi PLC (“Bisichi”) 
and Dragon Retail Properties Limited (“Dragon”). The Group without 
Bisichi and Dragon is referred to as LAP Group.

GOING CONCERN
In reviewing going concern it is necessary to consider separately the 
position of LAP Group and Bisichi. Although both are consolidated into 
group accounts (as required by IFRS 10), they are managed independently 
and in the unlikely event that Bisichi was unable to continue trading this 
would not affect the ability of LAP Group to continue operating as a going 
concern. The same would be true for Bisichi in reverse.

The directors have reviewed the cash flow forecasts of the LAP Group 
and the underlying assumptions on which they are based for the 15 
months from the date of signing. The LAP Group’s business activities, 
together with the factors likely to affect its future development, are set 
out in the Chairman and Chief Executive’s Statement and Financial 
Review, including separate sections discussing the potential impact of 
COVID-19 on the LAP Group. In addition, Note 21 to the financial 
statements sets out the Group’s objectives, policies and processes for 
managing its capital; its financial risk management objectives; details of 
its financial instruments and hedging activities; and its exposure to 
credit risk and liquidity risk.

Given the significant impact of Covid-19 on the macro-economic 
conditions in which LAP is operating, additional stress-testing has 
been carried out on LAP’s ability to continue in operation under 
extremely unfavourable operating conditions, including a scenario in 
which we are unable to collect a significant proportion of our rent for 

42  London & Associated Properties PLC 2019

an extended period of time. While the assumptions we have applied 
in these scenarios are possible, they do not represent our view of the 
likely outturn. However, the results of these tests help to inform the 
Directors’ assessment of the viability of LAP. We have assessed the 
impact of these assumptions on the key financial metrics over a four 
year period, including the net cash position and debt covenants. The 
majority of our properties serve local communities with convenience 
retail and tenants therefore tend to be sole traders, rather than large 
fashion retailers. Sole traders rely on their property to serve the local 
community and are less affected by the structural disruptions seen in 
the wider retail environment. We have over two hundred tenants 
and we are not reliant on any single large tenant.

Cash position
Our worst-case scenario, which we consider a remote possibility, 
assumes that over a twelve-month period:

•  60% of tenants delay payments for nine months

•  20% of tenants are never able to pay

•  15% of tenants become insolvent

•  It takes 5 months to re-let an empty property

•  No dividend is received from Bisichi until 2021

As a result of the above assumptions, in June 2021 LAP’s cash 
balances would fall to £0.5m and increase to £1.3m by June 2024. 
These estimates include discretionary spending that could be 
delayed or stopped entirely and assume that no further sources of 
funding are sought.

Debt Covenants
We have looked at falls in valuations across all our properties and 
assessed the effect on our debt covenants. In all cases we have the 
option to paydown the loans to cure Loan to Value covenants.

A 20% reduction in property valuations, being our worst-case 
scenario, would require LAP to repay loans of £2.0m to meet Loan to 
Value covenants. This could either be met from existing cash 
reserves, by providing currently unencumbered properties, valued at 
£4.275 million, as additional security or by selling or leveraging other 
investments and assets.

Some, but not all, loans are non-recourse to the group. Our largest 
loan, of £14 million with Phoenix CRE S.à r.l, is non-recourse and 
could be called without a material impact on the wider group in the 
short and medium term. Should properties secured against London & 
Associated Properties PLC’s £10 million debenture with Aviva suffer 
a 20% fall in value, either currently unencumbered properties or 
£320,000 of cash could be added to the existing security. The 
property mix of the current security is 72% community retail and 
28% industrial; values of the latter are widely considered to be more 
resilient in the current climate.

Loan debt service covenants react more immediately to short term 
delays in rent payments than property values. For all loans, the group is 
able, at its discretion, to provide assistance to match any shortfall in 
rents received.

Debt Refinancing
Dragon has a £1.2 million loan expiring within the next year, where we 
have been granted an extension to January 2021 by the existing 
lender to assist us in the refinancing, following the delays caused by 
COVID. We are exploring a number of options for this refinancing 
which we expect to be able to complete in good time. The LTV on this 
loan is relatively low at 49% and the security is considered attractive.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Group accounting policies

Broadway Regen has a development loan expiring in July 2020 on 
which an extension is currently being arranged with the existing 
lender, following extensions of the facility in July 2019 and January 
2020. This is a residential development on which we anticipate 
strong returns. We expect this refinancing to be completed shortly, 
and that the lender will continue to roll over until such time as we 
dispose of the project.

Both these loans are ring-fenced within the group’s joint venture 
vehicles, where the major partner is Bisichi PLC. Although in both cases 
we are confident that refinancing can be achieved satisfactorily, we note 
that, were the loans to be called, there are sufficient assets available to 
settle the obligations and their disposal would not affect the ability of 
the group to continue to operate as a going concern. 

Bisichi PLC
The directors note the consideration of going concern by the Bisichi 
board, but also note that any failure of Bisichi would not itself impact 
on the going concern status of the LAP group for the reasons set out 
on page 8 of the financial statements.

The directors believe that the LAP Group has adequate resources to 
continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future and that 
the LAP Group is well placed to manage its business risks. Thus they 
continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing 
the annual financial statements.

The Bisichi directors continue to adopt the going concern basis of 
accounting in preparing the Bisichi annual financial statements.

INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL REPORTING 
STANDARDS (IFRS)
The Group has adopted all of the new and revised Standards and 
Interpretations issued by the International Accounting Standards 
Board (“IASB”) that are relevant to its operations and effective for 
accounting periods beginning 1 January 2019. 

IFRS 16 ‘Leases’ – IFRS 16 ‘Leases’ was issued by the IASB in January 
2017 and is effective for accounting periods beginning on or after 1 
January 2019. The new standard has replaced IAS 17 ‘Leases’ and 
eliminates the classification of leases as either operating leases or finance 
leases and, instead, introduces a single lessee accounting model specifying 
how leases are recognised, measured, presented and disclosed.

The Group has applied IFRS 16 using the modified retrospective 
approach and has not adjusted prior period figures, resulting in a nil 
impact on opening equity.

In applying IFRS 16 for the first time, the group has used the 
following practical expedients permitted by the standard:

•   the use of a single discount rate to a portfolio of leases with 

reasonably similar characteristics

•   reliance on previous assessments on whether leases are onerous

•   the accounting for operating leases with a remaining lease term of 
less than 12 months as at 1 January 2020 as short-term leases; and

•   the use of hindsight in determining the lease term where the 
contract contains options to extend or terminate the lease

The group has also elected not to reassess whether a contract is, or 
contains a lease at the date of initial application. Instead, for 
contracts entered into before the transition date the group relied on 
its assessment made applying IAS 17 and IFRIC 4 Determining 
whether an Arrangement contains a Lease.

Right of use assets totalling £1,111,000, being £1,054,000 of 
properties occupied by the Group and £57,000 of mining 
equipment, were recognised on transition at 1 January 2019 at a 
value equal to the lease liability using a discount rate at the date of 
the initial application. This has been applied using the exemption not 
to re-present the prior reporting period. The related lease liability of 
£1,111,000 is recognised as the present value of the lease 
payments. No impairment provisions have been made against leases 
as they are not considered to be onerous.

Interest is accrued on the lease liability based on the discount rate 

and is reported in finance costs and subsequent payments reduce 
the lease liability. The right of use asset is depreciated over the life of 
the contract on a straight line basis. In the cashflow statement the 
principal and interest portions of the lease payments are classified 
within financing activities.

The table below sets out the impact on the Consolidated Balance 
Sheet as at 31 December 2019 and 1 January 2019:

Right of Use Assets
Head leases
Property
Equipment

Lease liability
> 1 year
< 1 year

31 DECEMBER 
2019
£’000

1 JANUARY 
2019
£’000

3,326
843
81
4,250

424
3,842
4,266

3,261
1,054
57
4,372

213
4,159
4,372

The table below shows the impact on the Consolidated Statement of 
Comprehensive Income for the year to 31 December 2019 
compared tor reporting under IAS17:

Loss before tax under IFRS 16
Depreciation of right of use assets
Finance costs

Rental cost under IAS17
Profit before tax under IAS 17

12 MONTHS ENDED 31  

DECEMBER 2019
£’000
(2,790)
224
252
(2,314)
(452)
(2,766)

Whilst the cash flows of the group have not been affected by the 
adoption of IFRS 16, during the period ended 31 December 2019 
cash outflows from financing activities presented with the 
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows increased by £193,000 for 
cash payments of the principal portion and £47,000 for cash 
payments of the interest portion of leases recognised within lease 
liabilities under IFRS 16. Cash generated from operations reflects the 
corresponding reduction of £240,000 of payments for leases 
previously classified as operating leases under IAS 17.

Differences between the operating lease commitments disclosed 
at 31 December 2018 under IAS17 discounted at the incremental 
borrowing rate of 4.5% at 1 January 2019 and lease liabilities 
recognised at 1 January 2019 are shown below:

Operating lease commitments at 31 December 2018
Impact of discounting
Finance lease liabilities at 31 December 2018
Other reconciling items (net)
Lease liability opening balance 1 January 2019

£’000
1,200
(146)
3,261
57
4,372

The Group has not adopted any Standards or Interpretations in 
advance of the required implementation dates. A number of 
standards and amendments to standards have been issued but are 
not effective for the current year. These are not expected to have a 
material impact on the Group financial statements.

We are committed to improving disclosure and transparency and will 
continue to work with our different stakeholders to ensure they 
understand the detail of these accounting changes. We continue to 
remain committed to a robust financial policy.

London & Associated Properties PLC 2019 43

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Group accounting policies

KEY JUDGEMENTS AND ESTIMATES
The preparation of the financial statements requires management to 
make assumptions and estimates that may affect the reported 
amounts of assets and liabilities and the reported income and 
expenses, further details of which are set out below. Although 
management believes that the assumptions and estimates used are 
reasonable, the actual results may differ from those estimates. 
Further details of the estimates and judgements which may have a 
material impact on next year’s financial statements are contained in 
the Directors’ Report.

PROPERTY OPERATIONS
Fair value measurements of investment properties
An assessment of the fair value of these assets is undertaken annually. 
The fair value measurements are estimated based on the amounts for 
which the assets and liabilities could be exchanged between market 
participants. To the extent possible, the assumptions and inputs used 
take into account externally verifiable inputs. However, such 
information is by nature subject to uncertainty and is discussed further 
in the Directors’ Report and shown in note 8.

Inventories - Property
When the Group begins to redevelop an existing investment 
property with a view to sale, the property is transferred to inventory 
and held as a current asset. The property is re-measured to fair value 
as at the date of the transfer with any gain or loss being taken to the 
income statement. The re-measured amount becomes the deemed 
cost at which the property is then carried in trading properties plus 
any costs for asset management initiatives or development in 
preparation for sale and subject to any provision required to reduce 
cost to net realisable value.

In assessing the net realisable value of a property development, the 
directors make significant estimates and judgements regarding, inter 
alia, forecast sales and costs per square foot, gross internal area, 
affordable housing allocations and appropriate rates of financing. The 
degree to which these variables can be accurately forecast will 
depend on the stage of development of the particular project and 
the impact of changes in these assumptions to the net realisable 
value could be material. Further detail is included in note 12.

MINING OPERATIONS
Life of mine and reserves
The directors of Bisichi consider their judgements and estimates 
surrounding the life of the mine and its reserves to have significant 
effect on the amounts recognised in the financial statements and to 
be an area where the financial statements are subject to significant 
estimation uncertainty. The life of mine remaining is currently 
estimated at 4 years. This life of mine is based on the group’s existing 
coal reserves including reserves acquired but subject to regulatory 
approval. The life of mine excludes future coal purchases and coal 
reserve acquisitions. The group’s estimates of proven and probable 
reserves are prepared utilising the South African code for the 
reporting of exploration results, mineral resources and mineral 
reserves (the SAMREC code) and are subject to assessment by an 
independent Competent Person experienced in the field of coal 
geology and specifically opencast and pillar coal extraction. Estimates 
of coal reserves impact assessments of the carrying value of 
property, plant and equipment, depreciation calculations and 
rehabilitation and decommissioning provisions. There are numerous 
uncertainties inherent in estimating coal reserves and changes to 
these assumptions may result in restatement of reserves. These 
assumptions include geotechnical factors as well as economic factors 
such as commodity prices, production costs and yield.

DEPRECIATION, AMORTISATION OF MINERAL 
RIGHTS, MINING DEVELOPMENT COSTS AND PLANT 
& EQUIPMENT
The annual depreciation/amortisation charge is dependent on 
estimates, including coal reserves and the related life of the mine, 
expected development expenditure for probable reserves, the 
allocation of certain assets to relevant ore reserves and estimates of 
residual values of the processing plant. The charge can fluctuate 
when there are significant changes in any of the factors or 
assumptions used, such as estimating mineral reserves which in turn 
affects the life of mine or the expected life of reserves. Estimates of 
proven and probable reserves are prepared by an independent 
Competent Person. Assessments of depreciation/amortisation rates 
against the estimated reserve base are performed regularly. Details 
of the depreciation/amortisation charge can be found in note 9.

PROVISION FOR MINING REHABILITATION 
INCLUDING RESTORATION AND DE-
COMMISSIONING COSTS 
A provision for future rehabilitation including restoration and 
decommissioning costs requires estimates and assumptions to be made 
around the relevant regulatory framework, the timing, extent and costs 
of the rehabilitation activities and of the risk free rates used to 
determine the present value of the future cash outflows. The provisions, 
including the estimates and assumptions contained therein, are 
reviewed regularly by management. The Group engages an independent 
expert to assess the cost of restoration and decommissioning annually 
as part of management’s assessment of the provision. Details of the 
provision for mining rehabilitation can be found in note 20. 

MINING IMPAIRMENT 
Property, plant and equipment representing the Group’s mining 
assets in South Africa are reviewed for impairment at each reporting 
date. The impairment test is performed using the approved Life of 
Mine plan and those future cash flow estimates are discounted using 
asset specific discount rates and are based on expectations about 
future operations. The impairment test requires estimates about 
production and sales volumes, commodity prices, proven and 
probable reserves (as assessed by the Competent Person), operating 
costs and capital expenditures necessary to extract reserves in the 
approved Life of Mine plan. Changes in such estimates could impact 
recoverable values of these assets. Details of the carrying value of 
property, plant and equipment can be found in note 9. 

The impairment test indicated significant headroom as at 31 December 
2019 and therefore no impairment is considered appropriate. The key 
assumptions include: coal prices, including domestic coal prices based 
on recent pricing and assessment of market forecasts for export coal; 
production based on proven and probable reserves assessed by the 
independent Competent Person and yields associated with mining areas 
based on assessments by the Competent Person and empirical data. A 
11% reduction in average forecast coal prices or a 12% reduction in 
yield would give rise to a breakeven scenario. However, the Bisichi 
directors consider the forecasted yield levels and pricing to be 
appropriate and supportable best estimates.

BASIS OF CONSOLIDATION
The Group accounts incorporate the accounts of LAP and all of its 
subsidiary undertakings, together with the Group’s share of the 
results and net assets of its joint ventures. 

Non–controlling interests in subsidiaries are presented separately from 
the equity attributable to equity owners of the parent company. When 
changes in ownership in a subsidiary do not result in a loss of control, 
the non–controlling shareholders’ interests are initially measured at the 
non–controlling interests’ proportionate share of the subsidiaries’ net 
assets. Subsequent to this, the carrying amount of non–controlling 
interests is the amount of those interests at initial recognition plus the 
non–controlling interests’ share of subsequent changes in equity. Total 
comprehensive income is attributed to non–controlling interests even 
if this results in the non–controlling interests having a deficit balance.

44  London & Associated Properties PLC 2019

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Group accounting policies

SUBSIDIARIES
Subsidiaries are entities controlled by the Group. The Group controls 
an entity when it is exposed to, or has rights to, variable returns from 
its involvement with the entity and has the ability to affect those 
returns through its power over the entity. Subsidiaries acquired 
during the year are consolidated using the acquisition method. Their 
results are incorporated from the date that control passes. 

All intra Group transactions, balances, income and expenses are 
eliminated on consolidation. Details of the Group’s trading subsidiary 
companies are set out in Note 11.

The directors are required to consider the implications of IFRS 10 on 
the LAP investment in Bisichi PLC (“Bisichi”). Related parties also have 
shareholdings in Bisichi. When combined with the 42% held by LAP 
and, taking account of the wide disposition of other shareholders, 
there is potential for LAP and these related parties to exercise voting 
control over Bisichi. IFRS 10 makes it clear that possible voting control 
is of more significance than actual management control. 

For this reason the directors have concluded that there is a 
requirement to consolidate Bisichi with LAP. While, in theory, they 
could achieve control, in practice they do not get involved in the day 
to day operations of Bisichi. The directors have presented 
consolidated accounts using the published accounts of Bisichi but it 
is important to note that any figures, risks and assumptions 
attributable to that company are the responsibility of the Bisichi 
Board of directors who are independent from LAP.

As a result of treating Bisichi as a subsidiary, Dragon Retail Properties 
Limited and West Ealing Properties Limited are also subsidiaries for 
accounting purposes, as LAP and Bisichi each own 50% of these 
joint venture businesses.

GOODWILL
Goodwill arising on acquisition is recognised as an intangible asset 
and initially measured at cost, being the excess of the cost of the 
acquired entity over the Group’s interest in the fair value of the 
assets and liabilities acquired. Goodwill is carried at cost less 
accumulated impairment losses. Goodwill arising from the difference 
in the calculation of deferred tax for accounting purposes and fair 
value in negotiations is judged not to be an asset and is accordingly 
impaired on completion of the relevant acquisition. 

REVENUE
Revenue comprises sales of coal, property rental income and 
property management fees. 

Rental income
Rental income arises from properties where leases have granted tenants 
a right of occupation and use of the properties. Rental income is 
recognised in the Group income statement on a straight–line basis over 
the term of the lease. This includes the effect of lease incentives to 
tenants, which are normally in the form of rent free periods. Contingent 
rents, being the difference between the rent currently receivable and 
the minimum lease payments, are recognised in property income in the 
periods in which they are receivable. Rent reviews are recognised when 
such reviews have been agreed with tenants.

Service charge income
Service charge income and management fees are recorded as income 
in the period in which they are earned.

Reverse surrender premiums
Payments received from tenants to surrender their lease obligations 
are recognised immediately in the income statement.

Dilapidations
Dilapidations monies received from tenants in respect of their lease 
obligations are recognised immediately in the income statement.

Other revenue
Revenue in respect of listed investments held for trading represents 
investment dividends received and profit or loss recognised on 
realisation. Dividends are recognised in the income statement when 
the dividend is received. 

PROPERTY OPERATING EXPENSES
Operating expenses are expensed as incurred and any property 
operating expenditure not recovered from tenants through service 
charges is charged to the income statement. 

EMPLOYEE BENEFITS
Share based remuneration 
The Company operates a long–term incentive plan and two share 
option schemes. The fair value of the conditional awards on shares 
granted under the long–term incentive plan and the options granted 
under the share option scheme is determined at the date of grant. 
This fair value is then expensed on a straight–line basis over the 
vesting period, based on an estimate of the number of shares that 
will eventually vest. At each reporting date, the fair value of the 
non–market based performance criteria of the long–term incentive 
plan is recalculated and the expense is revised. In respect of the 
share option scheme, the fair value of options granted is calculated 
using the binomial method.

PENSIONS
The Company operates a defined contribution pension scheme. The 
contributions payable to the scheme are expensed in the period to 
which they relate. 

FOREIGN CURRENCIES
Monetary assets and liabilities are translated at year end exchange rates 
and the resulting exchange rate differences are included in the 
consolidated income statement within the results of operating activities 
if arising from trading activities, including inter-company trading 
balances and within finance cost / income if arising from financing.

For consolidation purposes, income and expense items are included in 
the consolidated income statement at average rates, and assets and 
liabilities are translated at year end exchange rates. Translation 
differences arising on consolidation are recognised in other 
comprehensive income. Foreign exchange differences on intercompany 
loans are recorded in other comprehensive income when the loans are 
not considered trading balances and are not expected to be repaid in 
the foreseeable future. Where foreign operations are sold or closed, the 
cumulative exchange differences attributable to that foreign operation 
are recognised in the consolidated income statement when the gain or 
loss on disposal is recognised. 

Transactions in foreign currencies are translated at the exchange rate 
ruling on transaction date. 

FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
Financial assets and financial liabilities are recognised in the Group’s 
consolidated statement of financial position when the group 
becomes a party to the contractual provisions of the instrument. 

Financial assets
Financial assets are classified as either financial assets at amortised 
cost, at fair value through other comprehensive income (“FVTOCI”) 
or at fair value through profit or loss (“FVPL”) depending upon the 
business model for managing the financial assets and the nature of 
the contractual cash flow characteristics of the financial asset. 

A loss allowance for expected credit losses is determined for all 
financial assets, other than those at FVPL, at the end of each reporting 
period. The Group applies a simplified approach to measure the credit 
loss allowance for trade receivables using the lifetime expected credit 
loss provision. The lifetime expected credit loss is evaluated for each 
trade receivable taking into account payment history, payments made 
subsequent to year end and prior to reporting, past default experience 
and the impact of any other relevant and current observable data. The 
group applies a general approach on all other receivables classified as 
financial assets. The general approach recognises lifetime expected 
credit losses when there has been a significant increase in credit risk 
since initial recognition.

London & Associated Properties PLC 2019 45

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Group accounting policies

The Group no longer recognises a financial asset when the 
contractual rights to the cash flows from the asset expire, or when it 
transfers the financial asset and substantially all the risks and rewards 
of ownership of the asset to another party. The Group does not 
recognise financial liabilities when the Group’s obligations are 
discharged, cancelled, or have expired.

Investments
Current financial asset investments and other investments classified 
as non-current (“The investments”) comprise of shares in listed 
companies. The investments are measured at fair value. Any changes 
in fair value are recognised in the profit or loss account and 
accumulated in retained earnings. 

Trade and other receivables
Trade receivables are recorded at amortised cost. As the interest that 
would be recognised from discounting future cash payments over 
the short payment period is not considered to be material, trade 
receivables which do not carry any interest are stated at their 
nominal value as reduced by credit loss allowances for estimated 
recoverable amounts.

Trade and other payables
Trade and other payables are non-interest bearing and are stated at 
their nominal value, as the interest that would be recognised from 
discounting future cash payments over the short payment period is 
not considered to be material.

Bank loans and overdrafts
Bank loans and overdrafts are included as financial liabilities on the 
Group balance sheet net of the unamortised costs of issue. The cost 
of issue is recognised in the Group income Statement over the life of 
the bank loan. Interest payable on those facilities is expensed as a 
finance cost in the period to which it relates.

Debenture loans
The debenture loan is included as a financial liability on the balance 
sheet net of the unamortised costs on issue. The cost of issue is 
recognised in the Group income statement over the life of the 
debenture. Interest payable to debenture holders is expensed in the 
period to which it relates. 

Leases
At inception, the Group assesses whether a contract is or contains a 
lease. This assessment involves the exercise of judgement about 
whether the Group obtains substantially all the economic benefits from 
the use of that asset, and whether the Group has the right to direct the 
use of the asset. The Group recognises a right-of-use (“ROU”) asset and 
the lease liability at the commencement date of the lease.

Lease liabilities include the present value of payments which 
generally include fixed payments and variable payments that depend 
on an index (such as an inflation index). Each lease payment is 
allocated between the liability and finance cost. The lease payments 
are discounted using the interest rate implicit in the lease if that rate 
can be readily determined or if not, the incremental borrowing rate is 
used. The finance cost is charged to profit or loss over the lease 
period so as to produce a constant rate of interest on the remaining 
balance of the liability for each period. In the cashflow statement the 
principal and interest portions of the lease payments are classified 
within financing activities.

The ROU asset is measured at a cost based on the amount of the 
initial measurement of the lease liability, plus initial direct costs and 
the cost of obligations to refurbish the asset, less any incentives 
received. The ROU asset (other than the ROU assets that relate to 
land or property that meets the definition of investment property 
under IAS 40) is depreciated over the shorter of the lease term or 
the useful life of the underlying asset. The ROU asset is subject to 
testing for impairment if there is an indicator of impairment. ROU 
assets are included in the heading Property, plant and equipment, 
and the lease liability is included in the headings current and 
non-current lease labilities on the Balance Sheet

Lease liabilities arise for those investment properties held under a 
leasehold interest and recorded as investment property. The liability 
is calculated as the present value of the minimum lease payments, 
reducing in subsequent reporting periods by the apportionment of 
payments to the lessor. Lease payments are allocated between the 
liability and finance charges to achieve a constant financing rate. 
Contingent rents payable, such as rent reviews or those related to 
rental income, are charged as an expense in the period in which they 
are incurred. 

The Group has elected not to recognise ROU assets and liabilities for 
leases where the total lease term is less than or equal to 12 months, 
or for low value leases. The payments for such leases are recognised 
in the Income Statement on a straight-line basis over the lease term.

Interest rate derivatives
The Group uses derivative financial instruments to hedge the 
interest rate risk associated with the financing of the Group’s 
business. No trading in such financial instruments is undertaken. At 
each reporting date, these interest rate derivatives are recognised at 
their fair value to the business, being the Net Present Value of the 
difference between the hedged rate of interest and the market rate 
of interest for the remaining period of the hedge. 

Ordinary shares
Shares are classified as equity when there is no obligation to transfer 
cash or other assets. Incremental costs directly attributable to the 
issue of new shares are shown in equity as a deduction, net of tax, 
from the proceeds.

Treasury shares 
When the Group’s own equity instruments are repurchased, 
consideration paid is deducted from equity as treasury shares until 
they are cancelled. When such shares are subsequently sold or 
reissued, any consideration received is included in equity. 

INVESTMENT PROPERTIES
Valuation
Investment properties are those that are held either to earn rental 
income or for capital appreciation or both, including those that are 
undergoing redevelopment for future use as an investment property. 
They are reported on the Group balance sheet at fair value, being 
the amount for which an investment property could be exchanged 
between knowledgeable and willing parties in an arm’s length 
transaction. The directors’ property valuation is at fair value. 

The external valuation of properties is undertaken by independent 
valuers who hold recognised and relevant professional qualifications 
and have recent experience in the locations and categories of 
properties being valued. Surpluses or deficits resulting from changes 
in the fair value of investment properties are reported in the Group 
income statement in the period in which they arise. 

Capital expenditure 
Investment properties are measured initially at cost, including related 
transaction costs. Additional expenditure of a capital nature, directly 
attributable to the redevelopment or refurbishment of an investment 
property held for future use as an investment property, up to the 
point of it being completed for its intended use, is capitalised in the 
carrying value of that property. Where there is a change of use, such 
as commencement of development with a view to sale, the property 
is transferred to inventory at deemed cost, which is its fair value on 
the date of the change in use. Capitalised interest is calculated with 
reference to the actual rate payable on borrowings for development 
purposes, or for that part of the development costs financed out of 
borrowings the capitalised interest is calculated on the basis of the 
average rate of interest paid on the relevant debt outstanding. 

Disposal 
The disposal of investment properties is recorded on completion of 
the contract. On disposal, any gain or loss is calculated as the 
difference between the net disposal proceeds and the valuation at the 
last year end plus subsequent capitalised expenditure in the period. 

46  London & Associated Properties PLC 2019

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Group accounting policies

Depreciation and amortisation
In applying the fair value model to the measurement of investment 
properties, depreciation and amortisation are not provided. 

OTHER ASSETS AND DEPRECIATION
The cost, less estimated residual value, of other property, plant and 
equipment is written off on a straight–line basis over the asset’s 
expected useful life. Residual values and useful lives are reviewed, 
and adjusted if appropriate, at each balance sheet date. Changes to 
the estimated residual values or useful lives are accounted for 
prospectively. The depreciation rates generally applied are: 

Motor vehicles
Office equipment

25–33 per cent per annum
10–33 per cent per annum

ASSETS HELD FOR SALE
Non-current assets are classified as held-for-sale if it is highly 
probable that they will be recovered primarily through sale rather 
through continuing use. Such assets are generally measured at the 
lower of their carrying amount and fair value less costs of sale. 
Impairment losses on initial classification as assets held-for-sale and 
subsequent gains and losses on remeasurement are recognised in 
profit or loss. Once classified as held-for-sale, intangible assets and 
property, plant and equipment are no longer amortised or 
depreciated, and any equity-accounted investment is no longer 
equity accounted.

INVENTORIES–PROPERTY
Properties held as trading inventory are those which are being 
developed with a view to sale. Inventories are recorded at the lower 
of cost and net realisable value. If the net realisable value of 
inventory is lower than its carrying value, an impairment loss is 
recorded in the income statement. If, in subsequent periods, the net 
realisable value of inventory that was previously impaired increases 
above its carrying value, the impairment is reversed to align the 
carrying value of the property with the net realisable value. Inventory 
is presented on the balance sheet within current assets.

INCOME TAXES
The charge for current taxation is based on the results for the year as 
adjusted for disallowed or non–assessable items. Tax payable upon 
realisation of revaluation gains recognised in prior periods is recorded 
as a current tax charge with a release of the associated deferred tax. 
Deferred tax is the tax expected to be payable or recoverable on 
differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities in 
the financial statements and the corresponding tax bases used in the 
tax computations and is recorded 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. In respect of 
the deferred tax on the revaluation surplus, this is calculated on the 
basis of the chargeable gains that would crystallise on the sale of the 
investment portfolio as at the reporting date. The calculation takes 
account of indexation on the historic cost of properties and any 
available capital losses. Deferred tax is calculated at the tax rates that 
are expected to apply in the period when the liability is settled or the 
asset is realised. Deferred tax is charged or credited in the Group 
income statement, except when it relates to items charged or credited 
directly to equity, in which case it is also dealt with in equity. 

DIVIDENDS
Dividends payable on the ordinary share capital are recognised as a 
liability in the period in which they are approved.

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
Cash comprises cash in hand and on-demand deposits. Cash and 
cash equivalents comprise short-term, highly liquid investments that 
are readily convertible to known amounts of cash and which are 
subject to an insignificant risk of changes in value and original 
maturities of three months or less. 

The cash and cash equivalents shown in the cashflow statement are 
stated net of bank overdrafts that are repayable on demand in accordance 
with IAS 7. This includes the structured trade finance facility held in South 
Africa as detailed in note 21. These facilities are considered to form an 
integral part of the treasury management of the Group and can fluctuate 
from positive to negative balances during the period.

BISICHI PLC (FORMERLY BISICHI MINING PLC)
Mining revenue
Revenue is recognised when the customer has a legally binding 
obligation to settle under the terms of the contract when the 
performance obligations have been satisfied, which is once control of 
the goods and/or services have transferred to the buyer. Revenue is 
measured based on consideration specified in the contract with a 
customer on a per metric tonne basis.

Export revenue is generally recognised when the product is delivered to 
the export terminal location specified in the customer contract, at which 
point control of the goods have been transferred to the customer. 
Domestic coal revenues are generally recognised on collection by the 
customer from the mine or when loaded into transport from the mine’s 
rail sidings, where the customer pays the transportation costs. Fulfilment 
costs to satisfy the performance obligations of coal revenues such as 
transport and loading costs borne by the group from the mine to the 
delivery point are recoded in operating costs.  

Mining costs
Expenditure is recognised in respect of goods and services received. 
Where coal is purchased from third parties at point of extraction the 
expenditure is only recognised when the coal is extracted and all of 
the significant risks and rewards of ownership have been transferred.

Mining reserves, plant and equipment
The cost of property, plant and equipment comprises its purchase 
price and any costs directly attributable to bringing the asset to the 
location and condition necessary for it to be capable of operating in 
accordance with agreed specifications. Freehold land is not 
depreciated. Other property, plant and equipment is stated at 
historical cost less accumulated depreciation. The cost recognised 
includes the recognition of any decommissioning assets related to 
property, plant and equipment.

Heavy surface mining and other plant and equipment is depreciated at 
varying rates depending upon its expected usage. The depreciation 
rates generally applied are between 5-10 per cent per annum, but 
limited to the shorter of its useful life or the life of the mine. 

Other non–current assets, comprising motor vehicles and office 
equipment, are depreciated at a rate of between 10% and 33% per 
annum which is calculated to write off the cost, less estimated residual 
value of the assets, on a straight line basis over their expected useful lives. 

Mine inventories
Inventories are stated at the lower of cost and net realisable value. Cost 
includes materials, direct labour and overheads relevant to the stage of 
production. Cost is determined using the weighted average method. Net 
realisable value is based on estimated selling price less all further costs to 
completion and all relevant marketing, selling and distribution costs. 

London & Associated Properties PLC 2019 47

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Group accounting policies

Mine 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.

A provision for rehabilitation of the mine is initially recorded at present 
value and the discounting effect is unwound over time as a finance cost. 
Changes to the provision as a result of changes in estimates are recorded 
as an increase/decrease in the provision and associated decommissioning 
asset. The decommissioning asset is depreciated in line with the Group’s 
depreciation policy over the life of mine. The provision includes the 
restoration of the underground, opencast, surface operations and 
de-commissioning of plant and equipment. The timing and final cost of 
the rehabilitation is uncertain and will depend on the duration of the mine 
life and the quantities of coal extracted from the reserves. 

Mine impairment
Whenever events or changes in circumstance indicate that the 
carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable that asset is 
reviewed for impairment. This includes mining reserves, plant and 
equipment and net investments in joint ventures. A review involves 
determining whether the carrying amounts are in excess of the 
recoverable amounts. 

An asset’s recoverable amount is determined as the higher of its fair 
value less costs of disposal and its value in use. Such reviews are 
undertaken on an asset-by-asset basis, except where assets do not 
generate cash flows independent of other assets, in which case the 
review is undertaken on a company or Group level.

If the carrying amount of an asset exceeds its recoverable amount 
the carrying value is written down to its estimated recoverable 
amount (being the higher of the fair value less cost to sell and value 
in use). Any change in carrying value is recognised in the 
comprehensive income statement.

Mine reserves and development cost
The purpose of mine development is to establish secure working 
conditions and infrastructure to allow the safe and efficient 
extraction of recoverable reserves. Depreciation on mine 
development is not charged until production commences or the 
assets are put to use. On commencement of full commercial 
production, depreciation is charged over the life of the associated 
mine reserves extractable using the asset on a unit of production 
basis. The unit of production calculation is based on tonnes mined as 
a ratio to proven and probable reserves and also includes future 
forecast capital expenditure. The cost recognised includes the 
recognition of any decommissioning assets related to mine 
development.

Post production stripping
In surface mining operations, the Group may find it necessary to 
remove waste materials to gain access to coal reserves prior to and 
after production commences. Prior to production commencing, 
stripping costs are capitalised until the point where the overburden 
has been removed and access to the coal seam commences. 
Subsequent to production, waste stripping continues as part of the 
extraction process as a run of mine activity. There are two benefits 
accruing to the Group from stripping activity during the production 
phase: extraction of coal that can be used to produce inventory and 
improved access to further quantities of material that will be mined 
in future periods. Economic coal extracted is accounted for as 
inventory. The production stripping costs relating to improved access 
to further quantities in future periods are capitalised as a stripping 
activity asset, if and only if, all of the following are met:

•   it is probable that the future economic benefit associated with the 

stripping activity will flow to the Group;

•   the Group can identify the component of the ore body for which 

access has been improved; and

•   the costs relating to the stripping activity associated with that 

component or components can be measured reliably.

In determining the relevant component of the coal reserve for which 
access is improved, the Group separates its mine into geographically 
distinct sections or phases to which the stripping activities being 
undertaken within that component are allocated. Such phases are 
determined based on assessment of factors such as geology and 
mine planning.

The Group depreciates deferred costs capitalised as stripping assets 
on a unit of production method, with reference to the tons mined 
and reserve of the relevant ore body component or phase.

SEGMENTAL REPORTING
For management reporting purposes, the Group is organised into 
business segments distinguishable by economic activity. The Group’s 
business segments are LAP operations, Bisichi operations and 
Dragon operations. These business segments are subject to risks and 
returns that are different from those of other business segments and 
are the primary basis on which the Group reports its segmental 
information. This is consistent with the way the Group is managed 
and with the format of the Group’s internal financial reporting. 
Significant revenue from transactions with any individual customer, 
which makes up 10 per cent or more of the total revenue of the 
Group, is separately disclosed within each segment. All coal exports 
are sales to coal traders at Richard Bay’s terminal in South Africa with 
the risks and rewards passing to the coal trader at the terminal. 
Whilst the coal traders will ultimately sell the coal on the 
international markets the Group has no visibility over the ultimate 
destination of the coal. Accordingly, the export sales are recorded as 
South Africa revenue. 

48  London & Associated Properties PLC 2019

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Notes to the financial statements
for the year ended 31 December 2019

1.    RESULTS FOR THE YEAR AND SEGMENTAL ANALYSIS
Operating Segments are based on the internal reporting and operational management of the Group. LAP is focused primarily on property 
activities (which generate trading income), but it also holds and manages investments. IFRS 10 requires the Group to treat Bisichi as a 
subsidiary and therefore it is consolidated, rather than being included in the accounts as an associate using the equity method. The Group has 
also consolidated Dragon, a company which the Company jointly controls with Bisichi; Bisichi is a coal mining company with operations in 
South Africa and also holds investment property in the United Kingdom and derives income from property rentals. Dragon is a property 
investment company and derives its income from property rentals. These operating segments (LAP, Bisichi and Dragon) are each viewed 
separately and have been so reported below.

Business segments

BUSINESS ANALYSIS 
Rental income
Service charge income
Proceeds from sale of trading properties
Management income from third party properties
Mining
Group Revenue
Direct property costs
Impairment of inventory
Cost of sale of trading properties
Direct mining costs
Overheads
Exchange losses
Depreciation
Operating profit/(loss)
Finance income
Finance expenses
Result before valuation movements 
Other segment items
Net decrease on revaluation of investment properties
Decrease in value of other investments
Net decrease on revaluation of investments held for trading
Adjustment to interest rate derivative
Revaluation and other movements
(Loss)/profit for the year before taxation

Segment assets
- Non-current assets - property
- Non-current assets - plant & equipment
- Cash & cash equivalents
- Non-current assets - other
- Current assets - others
Total assets excluding investment in joint ventures, assets held for sale and trading
Segment liabilities
Borrowings
Current liabilities
Non-current liabilities
Total liabilities
Net assets
Inventories-property
Net assets as per balance sheet 
Major customers
Customer A
Customer B
Customer C

These customers are for mining revenue in South Africa.

GEOGRAPHIC ANALYSIS 
Revenue
Operating (loss)/profit
Non-current assets excluding investments
Total net assets
Capital expenditure

LAP   
£’000  
 4,813 
 628 
 9,500 
 607 
–  
 15,548 
(1,823)
(1,750)
(10,491)
–  
(3,230)
–  
(215)
(1,961)
 58 
(2,552)
(4,455)

(1,498)
(1,749)
–  
 169 
(3,078)
(7,533)

 33,718 
 946 
 5,709 
–  
 686 
 41,059 

(30,764)
(5,750)
(3,156)
(39,670)
 1,389 
26,915 

BISICHI 
£’000  
 1,249 
 181 
–  
–  
 46,816 
 48,246 
(572)
–  
–  
(33,484)
(6,745)
(123)
(2,190)
 5,132 
 28 
(667)
 4,493 

(1,480)
–  
(6)
–  
(1,486)
 3,007 

 11,748 
 9,508 
 7,720 
 287 
 10,940 
 40,203 

(9,244)
(7,887)
(3,857)
(20,988)
 19,215 
–  

–  
–  
–  

 32,424 
 10,985 
 989 

DRAGON 
£’000  
 172 
–  
–  
–  
–  
 172 
–  
–  
–  
–  
(143)
–  
–  
 29 
–  
(33)
(4)

(10)
–  
–  
–  
(10)
(14)

 2,440 
 18 
 104 
–  
 343 
 2,905 

(1,175)
(79)
(37)
(1,291)
 1,614 
–  

–  
–  
–  

2019 
TOTAL 
£’000  
 6,234 
 809 
 9,500 
 607 
 46,816 
 63,966 
(2,395)
(1,750)
(10,491)
(33,484)
(10,118)
(123)
(2,405)
3,200
 86 
(3,252)
 34 

(2,988)
(1,749)
(6)
 169 
(4,574)
(4,540)

 47,906 
 10,472 
 13,533 
 287 
 11,969 
 84,167 

(41,183)
(13,716)
(7,050)
(61,949)
 22,218 
26,915
49,133

 32,424 
 10,985 
 989 

UNITED  

KINGDOM
£’000
 17,303 
(1,074)
 48,901 
44,081
582

SOUTH   
AFRICA
£’000 
 46,663 
 4,274 
 9,477 
 5,052 
 3,177 

2019 
TOTAL

£’000   
 63,966 
3,200
 58,378 
49,133
3,759

London & Associated Properties PLC 2019 49

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Notes to the financial statements

1. RESULTS FOR THE YEAR AND SEGMENTAL ANALYSIS CONTINUED

BUSINESS ANALYSIS
Rental income
Service charge income
Management income from third party properties
Mining
Group Revenue
Direct property costs
Direct mining costs
Overheads
Exchange losses
Depreciation 
Operating profit
Finance income
Finance expenses
Result before valuation movements
Other segment items
Net decrease on revaluation of investment properties
Net decrease on revaluation of investments held for trading
Adjustment to interest rate derivative
Revaluation and other movements
(Loss)/profit for the year before taxation

Segment assets
- Non-current assets - property
- Non-current assets - plant & equipment
- Cash & cash equivalents
- Non-current assets - other
- Current assets - others
Total assets excluding investment in joint ventures, assets held for 
sale and property inventories
Segment liabilities
Borrowings
Current liabilities
Non-current liabilities
Total liabilities
Net (liabilities)/assets
Assets held for sale
Inventories-property
Net assets as per balance sheet 
Major customers
Customer A
Customer B

These customers are for mining revenue in South Africa.

GEOGRAPHIC ANALYSIS
Revenue
Operating profit
Non-current assets excluding investments
Total net assets
Capital expenditure

LAP
£’000
5,049
802
718
–
6,569
(2,269)
–
(4,035)
–
(9)
256
37
(3,111)
(2,818)

(2,170)
–  
265 
(1,905)
(4,723)

35,011 
 106 
 11,345 
 1,748 
1,947 
 50,157 

(45,352)
(6,372)
(3,122)
(54,846)
(4,689)
 2,285 
38,556 

BISICHI
£’000
1,065
137
–
48,713
49,915
(340)
(34,309)
(6,050)
(63)
(2,113)
7,040
24
(538)
6,526

(215)
(169)
–  
(384)
 6,142 

13,230 
 8,531 
9,221 
 35 
 8,290 
 39,307 

(10,127)
(7,158)
(3,962)
(21,247)
 18,060 
–  
–  

DRAGON
£’000
167
–
–
–
167
–
–
(105)
–
–
62
–
(33)
29

(180)
–  
–  
(180)
(151)

 2,450 
22 
89
–  
183
 2,744 

(1,164)
(73)
(33)
(1,270)
 1,474 
–  
–  

–  
–  

34,112 
11,557 

–  
–  

UNITED
KINGDOM
£’000
 8,015 
 1,274 
 50,820 
 51,118 
6,574 

SOUTH
AFRICA 
£’000
 48,636 
 6,084 
 8,530 
4,568
 2,864 

2018
TOTAL
£’000
6,281
939
718
48,713
56,651
(2,609)
(34,309)
(10,190)
(63)
(2,122)
7,358
61
(3,682)
3,737

(2,565)
(169)
265 
(2,469)
 1,268 

50,691 
 8,659 
20,655 
 1,783 
10,420 
 92,208 

(56,643)
(13,603)
(7,117)
(77,363)
 14,845 
 2,285 
 38,556 
55,686 

34,112 
 11,557 

 2018 
TOTAL  
£’000 
 56,651 
 7,358 
 59,350 
 55,686 
 9,438 

Group revenue is external to the Group and the directors consider that inter segmental revenues are not material.

50  London & Associated Properties PLC 2019

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Notes to the financial statements

2. PROFIT BEFORE TAXATION 

Profit before taxation is stated after charging:
Staff costs (see note 26)
Depreciation on tangible fixed assets - owned assets
Depreciation on tangible fixed assets - right of use assets
Operating lease rentals - land and buildings
Exchange loss
Profit on disposal of motor vehicles and office equipment
Amounts payable to the auditor in respect of both audit and non-audit services
Audit services
Statutory - Company and consolidation
Subsidiaries - audited by RSM
Subsidiaries - audited by other auditors
Further assurance services
Other services 

2019 
£’000 

 9,614 
 2,185 
224
–  
 123 
–  

 88 
 19 
 89 
 4 
 11 
 211 

Staff costs are included in overheads.

Following the adoption of IFRS 16 ‘Leases’, operating leases have been recognised as Right of use Assets within property, plant and 
equipment in the balance sheet at 1 January 2019 and depreciated in the year.

3.  DIRECTORS’ EMOLUMENTS

Emoluments
Defined contribution pension scheme contributions

Sir Michael Heller received £283,000 (2018: £284,000) as a Director of Bisichi PLC.

Details of directors’ emoluments and share options are set out in the remuneration report.

4.  FINANCE INCOME AND EXPENSES

Finance income
Finance expenses
Interest on bank loans and overdrafts
Unwinding of discount (Bisichi)
Other loans
Interest on derivatives
Interest on lease obligations
Total finance expenses

5.  INCOME TAX

Current tax
Corporation tax on profit of the period
Corporation tax on profit of previous periods
Total current tax
Deferred tax
Loss relief
Origination of timing differences
Revaluation of investment properties
Accelerated capital allowances
Fair value of interest derivatives
Adjustment in respect of prior years
Total deferred tax (note 22)
Tax on profit on ordinary activities

2019 
£’000 
 823 
 85 
 908 

2019 
£’000 
 86 

(1,963)
–  
(915)
(122)
(252)
(3,252)

2019 
£’000 

 1,584 
(2)
 1,582 

 44 
75
(412)
(370)
 32 
–  
(631)
 951 

2018
£’000 

 9,889 
 2,123 
–  
 240 
 63 
 6 

 83 
 17 
 78 
 4 
 9 
 191 

2018 
£’000 
 1,899 
 10 
 1,909 

2018 
£’000 
 61 

(2,034)
(43)
(1,169)
(269)
(167)
(3,682)

2018 
£’000 

 2,017 
 33 
 2,050 

 3,740 
(57)
(5,056)
(120)
 51 
 67 
(1,375)
 675 

London & Associated Properties PLC 2019 51

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Notes to the financial statements

5.  INCOME TAX CONTINUED
Factors affecting tax charge for the year
The corporation tax assessed for the year is different from that at the effective rate of corporation tax in the United Kingdom of 19.00 per 
cent (2018: 19.00 per cent). The differences are explained below:

(Loss)/Profit for the year before taxation
Taxation at 19 per cent (2018: 19 per cent)

Effects of:
Capital gains / (losses) on disposal
Other differences
Losses
Adjustment in respect of prior years 
Deferred tax rate adjustment
Income tax charge for the year

Analysis of United Kingdom and overseas tax:
United Kingdom tax included in above:

Corporation tax
Adjustment in respect of prior years
Current tax
Deferred tax

Overseas tax included above:

Corporation tax
Adjustments in respect of prior years
Current tax
Deferred tax

2019 
£’000 
(4,540)
(863)

 54 
 386 
913
(2)
 463 
 951 

2019
£'000 
14
-
14
(671)
(657)

2019
£'000 
1,570
(2)
1,568
40
1,608

2018 
£’000 
 1,268 
 241 

(1,799)
 1,637 
 421 
(33)
 208 
 675 

2018 
£’000 
(10)
33
23
(1,458)
(1,435)

2018 
£’000 
2,026
-
2,026
84
2,110

Factors that may affect future tax charges:
Based on current capital expenditure plans, the Group expects to continue to be able to claim capital allowances in excess of depreciation in 
future years, but at a slightly lower level than in the current year.

A deferred tax provision has been made for gains on revaluing investment properties. 

The Finance (no. 2) Act 2017 was substantively enacted on 16 November 2017. This includes a restriction on the utilisation of brought 
forward tax losses and corporate interest in certain circumstances effective from 1 April 2017.

Following the year end, in the Budget of 11 March 2020, the Chancellor announced the reversal of the previously enacted reduction in the 
rate of corporation tax. This reversal was subsequently confirmed by a resolution under the Provisional Collection of Taxes Act 1968, which 
set the rate at 19%. The impact of this reversal, which will be recognised in 2020, will be negligible.

6. DIVIDEND

Dividends paid during the year relating to the prior period 
Dividends to be paid:
Proposed final dividend for the year

2019 

PER SHARE

0.180p

2018 

£’000 
 154 

PER SHARE

0.300p

–   

–  

0.180p

£’000 
 256 

 154 

The Directors are not recommending a final dividend for 2019, because of the uncertain state of the global economy.

52  London & Associated Properties PLC 2019

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Notes to the financial statements

7. LOSS PER SHARE AND NET ASSETS PER SHARE
Loss per share has been calculated as follows:

Loss for the year (£’000)
Weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue (’000)
Basic loss per share

2019
(6,477)
 85,322 
(7.59)p

2018
(2,082)
 85,325 
(2.44)p

Weighted average number of shares in issue is calculated after excluding treasury shares of 218,197 (2018: 218,197).

Net assets per share have been calculated as follows:

Net assets (£’000)
Shares in issue (’000)
Basic net assets per share

8.  INVESTMENT PROPERTIES

Cost or valuation at 1 January 2019
Reclassification
Decrease on revaluation
Acquisition of property
Increase/(decrease) in present value of head leases
At 31 December 2019

Representing assets stated at:
Valuation
Present value of head leases

Cost or valuation at 1 January 2018
(Decrease)/increase on revaluation
Transfer to assets held for sale (note 10)
Transfer to inventory (note 12)
Acquisition of property
Increase/(decrease) in present value of head leases
At 31 December 2018
Representing assets stated at:
Valuation
Present value of head leases

2019
 36,726 
 85,322 
43.04p

2018
 43,377 
 85,322 
50.83p

TOTAL 
£’000
 50,691 
–  
(2,988)
 138 
 65 
 47,906 

 44,580 
 3,326 
 47,906 

TOTAL 
£’000
 81,258 
(2,565)
(2,285)
(32,300)
6,553 
30 
 50,691 

 47,430 
 3,261 
 50,691 

FREEHOLD 
£’000
 32,318 
–  
(1,722)
 62 
–  
 30,658 

LEASEHOLD 
OVER 50 YEARS 
£’000
 16,314 
 1,802 
(1,216)
 76 
 65 
 17,041 

LEASEHOLD
UNDER 50 
YEARS 
£’000
 2,059 
(1,802)
(50)
–  
–  
 207 

 30,658 
–  
 30,658 

 13,722 
 3,319 
 17,041 

 200 
 7 
 207 

FREEHOLD
£’000
 62,425 
(2,075)
(2,285)
(32,300)
 6,553
–  
 32,318 

32,318 
–  
 32,318 

LEASEHOLD
OVER 
50 YEARS 
£’000
 16,856 
(575)
–  
–  
–  
 33 
 16,314 

 13,996 
 2,318 
 16,314 

LEASEHOLD 
UNDER
50 YEARS 
£’000
 1,977 
 85 
–  
–  
–  
(3)
2,059 

 1,116 
943 
 2,059 

The leasehold and freehold properties, excluding the present value of head leases and directors’ valuations, were valued as at 31 December 
2019 by professional firms of chartered surveyors. The valuations were made at fair value. The directors’ property valuations were made at 
fair value. 

Allsop LLP
Carter Towler 
Directors’ valuations

Add: present value of headleases

2019 
£’000
31,715
11,565
1,300
44,580
3,326
47,906

2018 
£’000
32,785
13,045
1,600
47,430
3,261
50,691

Head leases on investment property represent the right-of-use asset on certain investment property that has a head lease interest. In the 
current year total cash outflow for head leases and other lease liabilities is £0.2 million (2018: £0.2 million). A number of these leases provide 
for payment of contingent rent, usually a proportion of net rental income, in addition to fixed rents.

London & Associated Properties PLC 2019 53

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Notes to the financial statements

8.  INVESTMENT PROPERTIES CONTINUED
The historical cost of investment properties, including total capitalised interest of £1,161,000 (2018: £1,161,000) was as follows:

Cost at 1 January 
Reclassification
Transfer to assets held for sale (note 10)
Transfer to inventory (note 12)
Additions 
Cost at 31 December 

2019
LEASEHOLD 
OVER 50 
YEARS
£’000
 17,653 
 1,154 
–  
–  
 76 
 18,883 

LEASEHOLD 
UNDER 50 
YEARS 
£’000
 1,939 
(1,154)
–  
–  
–  
 785 

FREEHOLD
£’000
 35,151 
–  
–  
–  
 62 
 35,213 

2018
LEASEHOLD 
OVER 50 
YEARS
£’000
 17,653 
–  
–  
–  
–  
 17,653 

LEASEHOLD 
UNDER 50 
YEARS 
£’000
 1,939 
–  
–  
–  
–  
 1,939 

FREEHOLD
£’000
 67,702 
–  
(202)
(38,902)
 6,553 
 35,151 

Each year external valuers are appointed by the executive directors on behalf of the Board. The valuers are selected based upon their 
knowledge, independence and reputation for valuing assets such as those held by the Group.

Valuations are performed annually and are performed consistently across all properties in the Group’s portfolio. At each reporting date 
appropriately qualified employees of the Group verify all significant inputs and review the computational outputs. Valuers submit their report 
to the Board on the outcome of each valuation.

Valuations take into account tenure, lease terms and structural condition. The inputs underlying the valuations include market rent or 
business profitability, likely incentives offered to tenants, forecast growth rates, yields, EBITDA, discount rates, construction costs including 
any specific site costs (for example section 106), professional fees, developer’s profit including contingencies, planning and construction 
timelines, lease regear costs, planning risk and sales prices based on known market transactions for similar properties to those being valued.

Valuations are based on what is determined to be the highest and best use. When considering the highest and best use the valuer will 
consider, on a property by property basis, its actual and potential uses which are physically, legally and financially viable. Where the highest 
and best use differs from the existing use, the valuer will consider the cost and likelihood of achieving and implementing this change in 
arriving at the valuation.

There are often restrictions on Freehold and Leasehold property which could have a material impact on the realisation of these assets. The 
most significant of these occur when planning permission or lease extension and renegotiation of use are required or when a credit facility is 
in place. These restrictions are factored into the property’s valuation by the external valuer.

The methods of fair value measurement are classified into a hierarchy based on the reliability of the information used to determine the 
valuation, as follows:

Level 1:  valuation based on inputs on quoted market prices in active markets.

Level 2:   valuation based on inputs other than quoted prices included within level 1 that maximise the use of observable data directly or from 

market prices or indirectly derived from market prices.

Level 3:  where one or more significant inputs to valuations are not based on observable market data.

CLASS OF PROPERTY
LEVEL 3
Freehold – external 
valuation

CARRYING /
FAIR VALUE
2019
£'000
29,358

CARRYING/ 
FAIR VALUE 
2018 
£’000

VALUATION  
TECHNIQUE
30,720 Income capitalisation

Leasehold over 50 years – 
external valuation

13,722

13,995 Income capitalisation

Leasehold under 50 years – 
external valuation

200

1,115 Income capitalisation

Freehold – Directors’ 
valuation

1,300

1,600 Income capitalisation

At 31 December 

44,580

47,430

KEY  
UNOBSERVABLE
INPUTS
Estimated Rental Value
Per sq ft p.a
Equivalent Yield

Estimated Rental Value
Per sq ft p.a
Equivalent Yield

Estimated Rental Value
Per sq ft p.a
Equivalent Yield

Estimated Rental Value
Per sq ft p.a
Equivalent Yield

RANGE 
(WEIGHTED 
AVERAGE) 
2019
£3 – £37
(£15)
5.5% – 13.3%
(9.8%)
£4 – £10
(£8)
5.8% – 21.4%
(14.9%) 
£5 – £5
(£5)
30.5% – 30.5%
(30.5%)
£4 – £4
(£4)
7.0% – 7.0%
(7.0%)

RANGE 
(WEIGHTED 
AVERAGE) 2018
£4 – £39
(£16)
5.3% – 12.9%
(9.7%)
£5 – £10
(£9)
5.8% – 19.9%
(12.9%)
£4 – £5
(£5)
22.9% – 25.8%
(23.5%)
£5 – £5
(£5)
7.0% – 7.0%
(7.0%)

There are interrelationships between all these inputs as they are determined by market conditions. The existence of an increase in more than 
one input would be to magnify the input on the valuation. The impact on the valuation will be mitigated by the interrelationship of two inputs 
in opposite directions, for example, an increase in rent may be offset by an increase in yield.

54  London & Associated Properties PLC 2019

 
 
 
 
 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Notes to the financial statements

8.  INVESTMENT PROPERTIES CONTINUED
The table below illustrates the impact of changes in key unobservable inputs on the carrying / fair value of the Group’s properties.

ESTIMATED RENTAL VALUE
10% INCREASE OR (DECREASE)

EQUIVALENT YIELD
25 BASIS POINT CONTRACTION
OR (EXPANSION)

2019
£'000

2018
£'000
2,932/(2,932) 3,067/(3,067)
1,372/(1,372) 1,400/(1,400)
112/(112)
160/(160)

20/(20)
130/(130)

MINING 
RESERVES
£’000
 1,240 
(14)
–  
–  
–  
 1,226 

MINING
EQUIPMENT
£’000
 26,148 
(293)
 57 
 3,074 
(2,312)
 26,674 

 1,213 
(14)
 13 
–  
 1,212 
 14 

 1,366 
(126)
–  
–  
 1,240 

 1,308 
(121)
 26 

 1,213 
 27 

 17,777 
(193)
 2,133 
(2,312)
 17,405 
 9,269 

 25,902 
(2,531)
 2,777 
–  
 26,148 

 17,441 
(1,712)
 2,048 
–  
 17,777 
 8,371 

TOTAL
£’000
 - 
1,111
 38 
(1)
(224)
924 

MINING
EQUIPMENT
£’000
-
57
 5 
(1)
(9)
 52 

Freehold – external valuation
Leasehold over 50 years – external valuation
Leasehold under 50 years – external valuation
Freehold – Directors’ valuation

9. MINING RESERVES, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

Cost at 1 January 2019
Exchange adjustment
IFRS 16 transition adjustment
Additions
Disposals
At 31 December 2019

Accumulated depreciation at 1 January 2019
Exchange adjustment
Charge for the year
Disposals in year
Accumulated depreciation at 31 December 2019
Net book value at 31 December 2019

Cost at 1 January 2018
Exchange adjustment
Additions
Disposals
Cost at 31 December 2018

Accumulated depreciation at 1 January 2018
Exchange adjustment
Charge for the year
Disposals
Accumulated depreciation at 31 December 2018
Net book value at 31 December 2018

TOTAL
£’000
 28,173 
(310)
 1,111 
 3,212 
(2,326)
 29,860 

 19,514 
(209)
 2,409 
(2,326)
 19,388 
 10,472 

 27,996 
(2,688)
 2,883 
(18)
 28,173 

 19,261 
(1,853)
 2,123 
(17)
 19,514 
 8,659 

Included in the above line items are right-of-use assets over the following:

Net book value at 1 January 2019
IFRS 16 transition adjustment
Additions
Exchange adjustment
Depreciation
Net book value at 31 December 2019

10. ASSETS HELD FOR SALE

At 1 January 
Transfer from investment property (note 8) 
Disposal 
At 31 December

2019
£'000
884/(831)
302/(289)
2/(2)
48/(45)

2018
£'000
948/(891)
337/(320)
12/(12)
59/(55)

OFFICE
BUILDING
£’000
–  
–  
 1,054 
–  
–  
 1,054 

–  
–  
 211 
–  
 211 
 843 

–  
–  
–  
–  
–  

–  
–  
–  
–  
–  
–  

OFFICE 
EQUIPMENT 
AND MOTOR
VEHICLES
£’000
 785 
(3)
–  
 138 
(14)
 906 

 524 
(2)
 52 
(14)
 560 
 346 

 728 
(31)
 106 
(18)
 785 

 512 
(20)
 49 
(17)
 524 
 261 

OFFICE
BUILDING
£’000
-
1,054
 - 

OFFICE 
EQUIPMENT 
AND MOTOR
VEHICLES
£’000
-
-
 33 

(211)  
 843 

(4)
 29 

2019 
£’000
2,285 
-
(2,285)
-

2018 
£’000
 36,441 
 2,285 
(36,441)
 2,285 

In April 2018 the sale of both Brixton markets was completed for a combined price of £37.25 million. The properties were held at a valuation 
of £36.441 million. This value equated to the net sale proceeds and there was no profit on sale.

In July 2019 the sale of the Group’s remaining property in Brixton was completed for a price of £2.457 million. The property was held at a 
valuation of £2.285 million. This value equated to the net sale proceeds and there was no profit on sale.

London & Associated Properties PLC 2019 55

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Notes to the financial statements

11. SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES
In accordance with Section 409 of the Companies Act 2006 a full list of subsidiaries, the principal activity, the country of incorporation and 
the percentage of equity owned, as at 31 December 2019 is disclosed below:

PERCENTAGE 
OF SHARE 
CAPITAL
100%
100% 
100%
100%
100%
100%
88%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%

REGISTERED ADDRESS
24 Bruton Place, London, W1J 6NE
24 Bruton Place, London, W1J 6NE
24 Bruton Place, London, W1J 6NE
24 Bruton Place, London, W1J 6NE
24 Bruton Place, London, W1J 6NE
24 Bruton Place, London, W1J 6NE
24 Bruton Place, London, W1J 6NE
24 Bruton Place, London, W1J 6NE
24 Bruton Place, London, W1J 6NE
24 Bruton Place, London, W1J 6NE
24 Bruton Place, London, W1J 6NE
24 Bruton Place, London, W1J 6NE
24 Bruton Place, London, W1J 6NE

COUNTRY OF 
INCORPORATION
England and Wales
England and Wales
England and Wales
England and Wales
England and Wales
England and Wales
England and Wales
England and Wales
England and Wales
England and Wales
England and Wales
England and Wales
England and Wales

100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%

24 Bruton Place, London, W1J 6NE
24 Bruton Place, London, W1J 6NE
24 Bruton Place, London, W1J 6NE
24 Bruton Place, London, W1J 6NE
24 Bruton Place, London, W1J 6NE
24 Bruton Place, London, W1J 6NE
24 Bruton Place, London, W1J 6NE
24 Bruton Place, London, W1J 6NE

England and Wales
England and Wales
England and Wales
England and Wales
England and Wales
England and Wales
England and Wales
England and Wales

ENTITY
Analytical Investments Limited
Analytical Portfolios Limited
Analytical Properties Holdings Limited
Analytical Properties Limited
Analytical Ventures Limited
24 Bruton Place Limited
24 BPL (Harrogate) Limited
24 BPL (Harrogate ) Two Limited
Brixton Village Limited
Market Row Limited
Newincco 1243 Limited
Newincco 1244 Limited
Newincco 1245 Limited

Newincco 1299 Limited
Newincco 1300 Limited
LAP Ocean Holdings Limited
LAP Ocean Two Limited
London & Associated Limited
London & Associated (Rugeley) Limited
London & Associated Securities Limited
London & Associated Management 
Services Limited

ACTIVITY
Dormant
Dormant
Property 
Property
Property
Dormant
Investment
Investment
Property
Property
Property
Property
Property 
Management 
Services
Property 
Property
Property
Property
Dormant
Dormant
Dormant
Property 
Management 
Services
Dormant
Dormant
Property
Coal mining

London & African Investments Limited
Orchard Chambers Residential Limited
Orchard Square Limited
Bisichi PLC (note D)
Mineral Products Limited (note A)(note D) Share dealing
Bisichi (Properties) Limited (note A)(note D) Property
Holding 
Bisichi Mining (Exploration) Limited (note A)
(note D)
company
Sisonke Coal Processing (pty) Limited (note A) Coal processing 62.5%

100% 
100%
100%
41.52%
100%
100%
100%

Coal mining

Coal mining

Dormant

Property
Dormant

Black Wattle Colliery (Pty) Limited (note A)
(note D)
Bisichi Coal Mining (Pty) Limited (note A)
(note D)
Urban First (Northampton) Limited (note 
A)(note D)
Bisichi Trustee Limited (note A)(note D)
Bisichi Mining Management Services 
Limited (note A)(note D)
Ninghi Marketing Limited (note A)(note D) Dormant
Bisichi Northampton Limited (note A)(note D) Property
Dormant
Amandla Ehtu Mineral Resource 
Development (Pty) Limited (note A)(note D)
Black Wattle Klipfontein (Pty) Limited 
(note A)(note D)
Dragon Retail Properties Limited (note B)
(note D)
Property 
Newincco 1338 Limited (note C)
West Ealing Projects Limited (note B)(note D) Property
Property
Broadway Regen Limited (note E)

Property 

Coal mining

62.5%

100%

100%

100%
100%

90.1%
100%
70%

62.5%

50%

100%
50%
90%

24 Bruton Place, London, W1J 6NE
24 Bruton Place, London, W1J 6NE
24 Bruton Place, London, W1J 6NE
24 Bruton Place, London, W1J 6NE
24 Bruton Place, London, W1J 6NE
24 Bruton Place, London, W1J 6NE
24 Bruton Place, London, W1J 6NE

England and Wales
England and Wales
England and Wales
England and Wales
England and Wales
England and Wales
England and Wales

Samora Machel Street, Bethal Road, 
Middelburg, Mpumalanga, 1050
Samora Machel Street, Bethal Road, 
Middelburg, Mpumalanga, 1050
Samora Machel Street, Bethal Road, 
Middelburg, Mpumalanga, 1050
24 Bruton Place, London, W1J 6NE

South Africa

South Africa

South Africa

England and Wales

24 Bruton Place, London, W1J 6NE
24 Bruton Place, London, W1J 6NE

England and Wales
England and Wales

24 Bruton Place, London, W1J 6NE
24 Bruton Place, London, W1J 6NE
Samora Machel Street, Bethal Road, 
Middelburg, Mpumalanga, 1050
Samora Machel Street, Bethal Road, 
Middelburg, Mpumalanga, 1050
24 Bruton Place, London, W1J 6NE

England and Wales
England and Wales
South Africa

South Africa

England and Wales

24 Bruton Place, London, W1J 6NE
24 Bruton Place, London, W1J 6NE
73 Cornhill, London, EC3V 3QQ

England and Wales
England and Wales
England and Wales

Details on the non–controlling interest in subsidiaries are shown under note 24.

Note A: these companies are owned by Bisichi and the equity shareholdings disclosed relate to that company.

Note B: this entity is a joint venture owned 50% by LAP and 50% by Bisichi.

Note C: this company is owned by Dragon and the equity shareholdings disclosed relate to that company.

Note D:  Bisichi, Dragon and West Ealing Projects and their subsidiaries are included in the consolidated financial statements in accordance 

with IFRS 10.

Note E: This company is 90% owned by West Ealing Projects and the equity shareholdings disclosed relate to that company.

56  London & Associated Properties PLC 2019

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Notes to the financial statements

12. INVENTORIES – PROPERTY
Development land and infrastructure:

 At 1 January 
 Capitalised expenditure
 Capitalised interest
 Sales
Impairments
 Transfer from investment property (note 8) 
At 31 December

2019 
£’000
38,556  
127
282
(10,300)
(1,750)
-
26,915

2018 
£’000
–  
6,196
60
–  
–  
32,300
38,556

The net realisable value of developments is assessed by the Directors and is subject to key estimates made in respect of future sales prices 
and build costs. Variations in these assumptions can have significant effects on the net realisable value of developments.

In 2018 the Group acquired a development property through West Ealing Projects Limited a 50:50 joint venture with Bisichi. This property is 
held at cost of £6.665 million (2018: £6.256 million) and is currently being developed for sale.

In 2018 the Group decided to develop for sale Orchard Square, Sheffield and transferred the asset to inventory. In 2019 part of this property 
was sold. The remainder of the property is held at a value of £20.25 million, being cost of £22 million less an impairment provision of £1.75 
million, and is being developed for sale. A 5% movement in the estimated sales price of this development would have an effect of £2.6 million 
on its net realisable value. A 5% movement in the estimated build costs of this development would have an effect of £1.8 million on its net 
realisable value. The uncertainties in the assumptions used to calculate the net realisable value of this development will reduce over time, but 
will not resolve within the next 12 months due to the duration of this project.

13. INVENTORIES - MINING

Coal

Washed

Mining production

Work in progress

Other

2019
£’000 

 2,037 

 135 

 215 

 45 

2018 
£’000 

 777 

 316 

 378 

 40 

 2,432 

 1,511 

14. NON-CURRENT ASSET INVESTMENTS

At 1 January
Additions
Repayments
Exchange adjustment
Impairments
At 31 December

2019
TOTAL
£’000
 1,783 
255  
–
–
(1,751)
287

LISTED
SHARES
£’000
35
255
–
–
(3)
287

UNLISTED
SHARES
£’000
 1 
–  
–
–
(1)
–  

LOAN
STOCK
£’000
1,747
–  
–  
–
(1,747)
–  

2018
TOTAL
£’000
 1,925 
–
(141)
(1)
–  
1,783

LISTED
SHARES
£’000
51
–
(15)
(1)
–
35

UNLISTED
SHARES
£’000
 1 
–  
–
–
–  
 1 

LOAN
STOCK
£’000
 1,873 
–
(126)
–
–  
 1,747 

In May 2019, The Group declined to inject further capital into the 3.17% (2018: 3.17%) investment in the HRGT Shopping Centres LP, a 
limited partnership set up in England to acquire and own 3 shopping centres in Dunfermline, Kings Lynn and Loughborough, following a 
revaluation by the senior lender resulting in a breach of the loan to value covenant. As a result, the investment was fully written down. The 
investment was subsequently sold to the mezzanine loan provider in October 2019. 

The listed shares are all listed on overseas stock exchanges (Level 1 hierarchy).

15. TRADE AND OTHER RECEIVABLES

Trade receivables
Other receivables
Prepayments and accrued income

2019 
£’000 
 6,609 
 1,143 
 647 
 8,399 

2018 
£’000 
 6,055 
 949 
 1,018 
 8,022 

Financial assets falling due within one year are held at amortised cost. The fair value of trade and other receivables approximates their 
carrying amounts. The Group applies a simplified approach to measure the credit loss allowance for trade receivables using the lifetime 
expected credit loss provision. The lifetime expected credit loss is evaluated for each trade receivable taking into account payment history, 
payments made subsequent to year end and prior to reporting, past default experience and the impact of any other relevant and current 
observable data. The group applies a general approach on all other receivables classified as financial assets. At year end, the group allowance 
for impairment of trade receivables was £301,000 (2018: £277,000). 

London & Associated Properties PLC 2019 57

 
 
 
 
 
 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Notes to the financial statements

16. INVESTMENTS IN LISTED SECURITIES HELD AT FVPL

Market value of listed Investments:
Listed in Great Britain
Listed outside Great Britain

Original cost of listed investments
Unrealised surplus / deficit of market value versus cost

2019
£’000 

863
256
1,119
1,150
(31)

The market value of listed investments is derived from their quoted share price on public markets (Level 1 hierarchy).

17. TRADE AND OTHER PAYABLES

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

The directors consider that the carrying amount of trade and other payables approximates to their fair value.

18. BORROWINGS

Other loans (Bisichi)
£1.25 million term bank loan (secured) repayable by 2020 (Dragon)*
Bank overdrafts (secured) (Bisichi)
£14 million term bank loan (secured) repayable by 2022 at 6.95 per cent*
£10 million first mortgage debenture stock 2022 at 8.109 per cent*
£3.96 million term bank loan (secured) repayable by 2024 (Bisichi)*
£5.876 million term bank loan (secured) repayable by 2019 (Bisichi)*
£3.605 million term loan (secured) - repayable by 2019 (Broadway Regen)
£34.897 million term bank loan (secured) repayable by 2019*
£10.105 million term bank loan (secured) repayable by 2019 at 9.5 per cent*
£3.932 million term loan (secured) repayable by 2028*

2019
£’000
CURRENT
 261 
 1,175 
 4,842 
 96 
–  
–  
–  
 3,605 
–  
–  
 141 
 10,120 

2019
£’000
NON- 
CURRENT
 382 
–  
–  
 13,502 
 9,956 
 3,759 
–  
–  
–  
–  
 3,464 
 31,063 

Borrowings analysis by origin:

United Kingdom
South Africa

2019 
£’000 
 3,996 
 427 
 3,894 
 4,518 
12,835

2018
£’000
CURRENT
 205 
–  
 3,535 
–  
–  
–  
5,840
 3,461 
 21,403 
 6,808 
 136 
 41,388 

2019
£'000 
35,698
5,485
41,183

2018 
£’000 

847
40
887
916
(29)

2018 
£’000 
 4,637 
 411 
 3,372 
 4,921 
 13,341 

2018
£’000
NON- 
CURRENT
 547 
 1,164 
–  
–  
 9,939 
–  
–  
–  
–  
–  
 3,605 
 15,255 

2018 
£’000 
52,356
4,287
56,643

*  The £10 million debenture and bank loans are shown after deduction of un-amortised issue costs.

Interest payable on the term bank loans is variable being based upon the London inter–bank offered rate (LIBOR) plus margin.

No banking covenants were breached by the group during the year.

In September 2019, the £34.897 million Santander bank loan and £10.105 million Europa bank loan were repaid in full, utilising proceeds 
from the sale of property and a new £14 million term loan.

The £14 million term loan taken out in September 2019, with Phoenix CRE S.à r.l., is secured by way of a charge on a single freehold 
property, included in the financial statements as inventory at a value of £20.25 million. This loan has an interest rate of 5.95% above LIBOR, 
where LIBOR has a minimum and maximum rate of 1.0% and 1.5%, respectively.

The First Mortgage Debenture Stock August 2022 is secured by way of a charge on specific freehold and leasehold properties which are 
included in the financial statements at a value of £13.15 million. In addition, £0.34 million of cash deposits are charged as security to 
debenture stocks. An additional property has been charged to this Debenture in April 2020 and the cash deposit released.

In September 2018 a 10 year term, loan of £3.932 million was taken out with Metro Bank secured by way of a charge on freehold and 
leasehold properties which are included in the financial statements at a value of £4.875 million. In addition, £2.271 million of cash deposits 
are charged as security, following the sale of a property previously held as security. The interest cost of the loan is 2.95 per cent above the 
bank’s base rate and the loan is amortised over a 20 year repayment profile, with a final bullet payment after 10 years.

58  London & Associated Properties PLC 2019

 
 
 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Notes to the financial statements

18. BORROWINGS CONTINUED
In South Africa, as part of a restructuring and sale of the washing plant facilities from Black Wattle Colliery (Pty) Limited (“Black Wattle”) to its 
wholly owned subsidiary Sisonke Coal Processing (Pty) Limited (“Sisonke Coal Processing”), the R100million bank overdraft facility held by 
Black Wattle with Absa Bank Limited was replaced in January 2019 by a new structured trade finance facility for R100million held by Sisonke 
Coal Processing (“new trade facility”). The South African bank loans are secured by way of a first charge over specific pieces of mining 
equipment, inventory and the debtors of the relevant company which holds the loan which are included in the financial statements at a value 
of £10,533,000. 

In December 2019, Bisichi repaid its £5.84 million loan facility with Santander Bank PLC and signed a new £3.96 million term loan facility 
with Julian Hodge Bank Limited. The new debt package has a five year term and is repayable at the end of the term in December 2024. The 
interest cost of the loan is 4.00% above LIBOR. The loan is secured by way of a first charge over the investment properties in the UK which 
are included in the financial statements at a value of £11,565,000. 

The bank loan of £1.25 million (Dragon) which is repayable in November 2020 is secured by way of a first charge on specific freehold 
property which is included in the financial statements at a value of £2.44 million. The interest cost of the loan is 2 per cent above LIBOR. A 
refinancing of this loan is currently underway. An extension of the existing loan is available, if required, to allow time for refinancing 
discussions to be concluded. 

The bank loan of £3.605 million (Broadway Regen) which is repayable in June 2020, following an extension of the facility, is secured by way 
of a first charge on a specific freehold development property, which is included in the financial statements at £6.7 million. The interest cost of 
the loan is fixed at 7.0% per annum. The extension of this development loan is currently being discussed with the lender and our expectation 
is that this will be extended on the same terms to allow sufficient time to achieve a planning decision.

The Group’s objectives when managing capital are: 

–   To safeguard the Group’s ability to continue as a going concern, so that it may provide returns for shareholders and benefits for other 

stakeholders; and

–  To provide adequate returns to shareholders by ensuring returns are commensurate with the risk.

Analysis of the changes in liabilities arising from financing activities:

Balance at 1 January
Exchange adjustments
Cash movements excluding exchange adjustments
Valuation movements
Balance at 31 December

19. LEASE LIABILITIES

Minimum lease payments fall due:
Within one year
Second to fifth year
After five years

Future finance charges on lease liabilities
Present value of lease liabilities

Present value of lease liabilities:
Within one year
Second to fifth year
After five years

2019 
£’000 
BANK 
BORROWINGS
 56,643 
(57)
(15,583)
 180 
 41,183 

2019 
£’000 
LEASE 
OBLIGATIONS
 3,261 
–  
(456)
 1,461 
 4,266 

2018 
£’000 
BANK 
BORROWINGS
 65,949 
(273)
(9,044)
 11 
 56,643 

2018 
£’000 
FINANCE 
LEASES
 3,233 
–  
–  
 28 
 3,261 

2019
HEAD LEASES 
ON  
INVESTMENT 
PROPERTY 1 
£’000

 212 
 849 
 20,105 
 21,166 
(17,840)
 3,326 

212
783
2,331
3,326

2019
TOTAL 
£’000

 476 
 1,639 
 20,105 
 22,220 
(17,954)
 4,266 

424
1,511
2,331
4,266

2019
OFFICE 2 
£’000

2019
OTHER 2 
£’000

 240 
 720 
–    
 960 
(99)
 861 

193
668
–
861

 24 
 70 
 –    
 94 
(15)
 79 

19
60
–

2018
TOTAL 
£’000

 213 
 849 
 16,725 
 17,787 
(14,526)
 3,261 

213
783
2,265
3,261

Lease liabilities greater than one year are £3,842,000.

1   Many head leases on investment properties provide for contingent rent in addition to the rents above, usually a proportion of rental income. 

2   On adoption of IFRS 16 Leases (see note 1 for details), at 1 January 2019 the Group recognised right-of-use assets of £1,111,000 and lease liabilities of an equivalent 

amount. The right-of-use assets are presented within property, plant and equipment on the balance sheet, as shown in note 9.

London & Associated Properties PLC 2019 59

 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Notes to the financial statements

19. LEASE LIABILITIES CONTINUED
The office lease minimum lease payments at 31 December 2018 were:

Minimum lease payments fall due:
Within one year
Second to fifth year
After five years

Lease liabilities are effectively secured as the rights to the leased asset revert to the lessor in the event of default.

20. PROVISIONS

At 1 January
Exchange adjustment
Additions
Unwinding of discount
At 31 December

The above provision relates to mine rehabilitation costs in Bisichi.

21. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
Total financial assets and liabilities 
The Group’s financial assets and liabilities and their fair values are as follows: 

£’000

 240 
 960 
–    

2018 
£’000 
 1,349 
(150)
 329 
 43 
 1,571 

2019 
£’000 
 1,571 
(17)
–  
–  
 1,554 

Cash and cash equivalents
Investments - non-current assets
Investments - current assets
Other assets
Derivative liabilities
Bank overdrafts
Bank loans
Lease liabilities
Other liabilities
Total financial liabilities before debentures

Fair value of the Group’s debenture liabilities:

Debenture stocks
Tax at 19 per cent (2018: 19 per cent)
Post tax fair value adjustment
Post tax fair value adjustment – basic pence per share

2019 

2018 

FAIR 
VALUE 
£’000
 13,533 
 287 
 1,119 
 7,793 
–  
(4,842)
(26,385)
(4,266)
(7,923)
(20,684)

BOOK 
VALUE 
£’000
(10,000)
–  
–  
–  

CARRYING 
VALUE 
£’000
 13,533 
 287 
 1,119 
 7,793 
–  
(4,842)
(26,385)
(4,266)
(7,923)
(20,684)

FAIR 
VALUE 
£’000
 20,655 
 1,783 
 887 
 7,004 
(169)
(3,535)
(43,521)
(3,261)
(8,008)
(28,165)

CARRYING 
VALUE 
£’000
 20,655 
 1,783 
 887 
 7,004 
(169)
(3,535)
(43,169)
(3,261)
(8,008)
(27,813)

FAIR 
VALUE 
£’000
(10,497)
–  
–  
–  

2019 
FAIR VALUE  
ADJUSTMENT 
£’000
(497)
 94 
(403)
(0.47p)

2018 
FAIR VALUE 
ADJUSTMENT 
£’000
(1,977)
 376 
(1,601)
(1.88p)

Except for debenture stocks there is no material difference between the carrying value and fair value of financial liabilities or financial assets. 
The fair values of the debentures are based on the net present value at the relevant gilt interest rate of the future payments of interest on the 
debentures.

Treasury policy 
The Group enters derivative transactions such as interest rate swaps and forward exchange contracts in order to help manage the financial 
risks arising from the Group’s activities. The main risks arising from the Group’s financing structure are interest rate risk, liquidity risk and 
market price risk, credit risk, commodity price risk and foreign exchange risk. The policies for managing each of these risks and the principal 
effects of these policies on the results are summarised below.

Sensitivity analysis
The LAP Group and Dragon have variable interest term debts which are covered by derivatives.  Additionally, The LAP Group has a variable 
interest term debt with minimum and maximum rates. At 31 December 2019, with other variables unchanged, a 1% increase in interest rates 
would change the profit/loss for the year by £119,000 (2018: £91,000).  Bisichi has variable loans and a 1% increase in interest rates would 
change the profit/loss for the year by £107,000 (2018: £101,000).

60  London & Associated Properties PLC 2019

 
 
 
 
 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Notes to the financial statements

21. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS CONTINUED
Interest rate risk 
Treasury activities take place under procedures and policies approved and monitored by the Board to minimise the financial risk faced by the Group.

The Bisichi United Kingdom bank loans and overdraft are secured by way of a first charge on certain fixed assets. The rates of interest vary 
based on LIBOR in the UK.

The Bisichi South African bank loans are secured by way of a first charge over specific pieces of mining equipment, inventory and the debtors 
of the relevant company which holds the loan. The rates of interest vary based on PRIME in South Africa.

The £3.932 million bank loan is secured by way of a first charge on specific freehold and leasehold property. The rate of interest varies based 
on the bank’s base rate.

The £1.25 million bank loan (Dragon) is secured by way of a first charge on specific freehold property. The rate of interest varies based on 
LIBOR in the UK.

The £3.605 million bank loan (Broadway Regen) is secured by way of first charge on a specific freehold development property. This loan is 
based on a fixed interest rate of 7.0%.

The £14 million bank loan is secured by way of first charge on a specific freehold development property held in inventory. The rates of 
interest vary based on LIBOR in the UK, with a minimum LIBOR of 1% and a maximum LIBOR of 1.5%.

Liquidity risk 
The Group’s policy is to minimise refinancing risk by balancing its exposure to interest risk and to refinancing risk. In effect the Group seeks to 
borrow for as long as possible at the lowest acceptable cost. Efficient treasury management and strict credit control minimise the costs and 
risks associated with this policy which ensures that funds are available to meet commitments as they fall due. Cash and cash equivalents earn 
interest at rates based on LIBOR in the UK. The cash resources and funding facilities together are considered adequate to meet the Group’s 
anticipated cash flow requirements for the foreseeable future.

In South Africa, as part of the restructuring and sale of the washing plant facilities from Black Wattle Colliery (Pty) Limited (“Black Wattle”) to 
its wholly owned subsidiary Sisonke Coal Processing (Pty) Limited (“Sisonke Coal Processing”), the R100million facility held by Black Wattle 
with Absa Bank Limited at the year end (“old trade facility”) was replaced in January 2019 by a new structured trade finance facility for 
R100million held by Sisonke Coal Processing (“new trade facility”).

The new trade facility comprises of a R100million revolving facility to cover the working capital requirements of the group’s South African 
operations. The interest cost of the loan is at the South African prime lending rate. The new trade facility is renewable annually each January, 
is repayable on demand and is secured against inventory, debtors and cash that are held by Sisonke Coal Processing (Pty)

The old trade facility, which was also repayable on demand, is included in cash and cash equivalents within the cashflow statement.

In December 2019, Bisichi repaid its £5.84million loan facility with Santander Bank PLC and signed a new £3.96million term loan facility with 
Julian Hodge Bank Limited. The loan is secured against Bisichi’s UK retail property portfolio. The debt package has a five year term and is 
repayable at the end of the term in December 2024. The interest cost of the loan is 4.00% above LIBOR. 

In September 2019 the LAP Group’s £34.897 million term bank loan and the £10.105 million bank loan were repaid and a new £14 million 
facility signed with Pheonix CRE S.à r.l. This loan is secured on a single freehold property and is repayable in September 2022. The interest 
cost is 5.95% above LIBOR, where LIBOR has a minimum and maximum rate of 1.0% and 1.5%, respectively.

The table below analyses the Group’s financial liabilities (excluding interest rate derivatives) into maturity groupings and also provides details 
of the liabilities that bear interest at fixed, floating and non–interest bearing rates.

Bank overdrafts (floating)
Debentures (fixed)
Bank loans (fixed)
Bank loans (floating)*
Lease liabilities
Trade and other payables (non–interest)

Bank overdrafts (floating)
Debentures (fixed)
Bank loans (fixed)
Bank loans (floating)*
Lease liabilities
Trade and other payables (non–interest)

2019 
TOTAL 
£’000
 4,842 
 9,956 
 3,605 
 22,780 
4,266
12,408
 57,857 

2018 
TOTAL 
£’000
 3,535 
 9,939 
 11,433 
 31,736 
3,261
 12,930 
72,834

LESS THAN
1 YEAR
£’000
 4,842 
–  
 3,605 
 1,673 
424
12,408
22,952

LESS THAN
1 YEAR
£’000
 3,535 
–  
 10,269 
 27,584 
213
 12,930 
 54,531 

2-5 YEARS 
£’000
–  
 9,956 
–  
 18,269 
1,511
–  
29,736

2-5 YEARS 
£’000
–  
 9,939 
 1,164 
 1,156 
783
–  
13,042

OVER 
5 YEARS 
£’000
–  
–  
–  
 2,838 
2,331
–  
5,169

OVER
5 YEARS 
£’000
–  
–  
–  
 2,996 
2,265
–  
5,261

The Group would normally expect that sufficient cash is generated in the operating cycle to meet the contractual cash flows as disclosed 
above through effective cash management. 

*Certain bank loans are fully hedged with appropriate interest derivatives. Details of all hedges are shown on the next page.

London & Associated Properties PLC 2019 61

 
 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Notes to the financial statements

21. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS CONTINUED
Market price risk
The Group is exposed to market price risk through interest rate and currency fluctuations.

Credit risk 
The group is mainly exposed to credit risk on its cash and cash equivalents, trade and other receivables. The maximum exposure to credit risk 
is represented by the carrying amount of each financial asset in the balance sheet which at year end amounted to £22,691,000 (2018: 
£30,329,000). 

To mitigate risk on its cash and cash equivalents, the group only deposits surplus cash with well-established financial institutions of high 
quality credit standing.

The group’s credit risk is primarily attributable to its trade receivables. Customers’ credit ratings are reviewed regularly. The Group’s review 
includes measures such as the use of external ratings and establishing purchase limits for each customer. The Group’s approach to measure 
the credit loss allowance for trade receivables is outlined in note 15. At year end, the group allowance for doubtful debts provided against 
trade receivables was £301,000 (2018: £277,000).

The Group exposure to credit risk on its other receivables is mitigated through ongoing review of the underlying performance and resources 
of the counterparty including evaluation of different scenarios of probability of default and expected loss applicable to each of the underlying 
balances.

Foreign exchange risk 
Only Bisichi is subject to this risk. All trading is undertaken in the local currencies except for certain export sales which are invoiced in US 
Dollars. It is not the Bisichi Group’s policy to obtain forward contracts to mitigate foreign exchange risk on these contracts as payment terms 
are within 15 days of invoice or earlier. Funding is also in local currencies other than inter-company investments and loans and it is also not 
the Bisichi Group’s policy to obtain forward contracts to mitigate foreign exchange risk on these amounts. During 2019 and 2018 the Bisichi 
Group did not hedge its exposure of foreign investments held in foreign currencies. 

The principal currency risk to which the Bisichi Group is exposed in regard to inter-company balances is the exchange rate between Pounds 
Sterling and South African Rand. It arises as a result of the retranslation of Rand denominated inter-company trade receivable balances held 
within the UK which are payable by South African Rand functional currency subsidiaries. 

Based on the Bisichi Group’s net financial assets and liabilities as at 31 December 2019, a 25% strengthening of Sterling against the South 
African Rand, with all other variables held constant, would decrease the Bisichi Group’s profit after taxation by £176,000 (2018: £130,000). A 
25% weakening of Sterling against the South African Rand, with all other variables held constant would increase the Bisichi Group’s profit 
after taxation by £294,000 (2018: £216,000). 

The 25% sensitivity has been determined based on the average historic volatility of the exchange rate for 2018 and 2019. 

The table below shows the Bisichi currency profiles of cash and cash equivalents:

Sterling
South African Rand
US Dollar

Cash and cash equivalents earn interest at rates based on LIBOR in Sterling and Prime in Rand. 

The tables below shows the Bisichi currency profiles of net monetary assets and liabilities by functional currency:

2019:
Sterling
South African Rand
US Dollar

2018:
Sterling
South African Rand
US Dollar

2019
£'000 
4,741
1,672
1,307
7,720

2018 
£’000 
6,897
2,322
2
9,221

UK
£’000 
1,151
40
1,582
2,773

UK
£’000 
1,042
37
13
1,092

SOUTH AFRICA 
£'000 
-
 (3,510)
-
 (3,510)

SOUTH AFRICA 
£’000 
-
(1,974)
-
(1,974)

Borrowing facilities 
At 31 December 2019 the Group was within its bank borrowing facilities and was not in breach of any of the covenants. Term loan 
repayments are as set out at the end of this note. Details of other financial liabilities are shown in Notes 17, 18 and 19. 

62  London & Associated Properties PLC 2019

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Notes to the financial statements

21. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS CONTINUED
Interest rate and hedge profile 

Fixed rate borrowings
Floating rate borrowings
– Subject to interest rate swap 
– Other borrowings

Average fixed interest rate
Weighted average swapped interest rate
Weighted average cost of debt on overdrafts, bank loans and debentures
Average period for which borrowing rate is fixed
Average period for which borrowing rate is swapped

2019 
£’000 
 13,561 

14,773
12,849
41,183
7.82%
6.63%
7.06%
2.1 years
2.6 years

2018 
£’000 
 20,224 

 18,685 
 18,048 
 56,957 
8.39%
4.16%
5.92%
2.1 years
0.6 years

The Group’s floating rate debt bears interest based on LIBOR for the term bank loans and bank base rate for the overdraft.

At 31 December 2019 the Group had a £14 million floating rate loan to September 2022, where LIBOR has a minimum and maximum rate 
of 1.0% and 1.5%, respectively.

The Group’s hedges for £21.489 million expired in July 2019 and the bank loans which they covered were repaid in September 2019.

At the year end the fair value liability in the accounts was £nil (2018: £169,000), as valued by the hedge provider. 

At 31 December 2019, Dragon had an interest rate hedge of £1.25 million to cover the £1.25 million bank loan. This consists of a 5 year 
£1.25 million cap agreement taken out in November 2016 at 2.5%. At the year end, the fair value asset in the accounts was nil (2018: £nil), as 
valued by the hedge provider.

Fair value of financial instruments
Fair value estimation
The Group has adopted the amendment to IFRS 7 for financial instruments that are measured in the balance sheet at fair value. This requires 
the methods of fair value measurement to be classified into a hierarchy based on the reliability of the information used to determine the 
valuation, as follows:

–  Quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (level 1).

–   Inputs other than quoted prices included within level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly (that is, as prices) 

or indirectly (that is, derived from prices) (level 2).

–  Inputs for the asset or liability that are not based on observable market data (that is unobservable inputs) (level 3).

Financial assets
Quoted equities – non-current assets
Quoted equities – current assets
Financial liabilities
Interest rate swaps

Financial assets
Quoted equities – non-current assets
Quoted equities – current assets
Interest rate swaps
Financial liabilities
Interest rate swaps

LEVEL 1 
£’000

LEVEL 2 
£'000

LEVEL 3 
£’000

287
1,119

–

–
–

–

–
–

–

2019
GAIN/(LOSS) 
TO INCOME 
STATEMENT
£’000

(3)
(2)

TOTAL 
£'000

287
1,119

–

169

LEVEL 1 
£’000

LEVEL 2 
£’000

LEVEL 3 
£’000

TOTAL 
£’000

35
887
–

–

–
–
–

169

–
–
–

–

–
887
–

169

2018
GAIN/(LOSS) 
TO INCOME 
STATEMENT
£’000

–
-
(1)

266

Capital structure
The Group sets the amount of capital in proportion to risk. It ensures that the capital structure is commensurate to the economic conditions 
and risk characteristics of the underlying assets. In order to maintain or adjust the capital structure, the Group may vary the amount of 
dividends paid to shareholders, return capital to shareholders, issue new shares or sell assets to reduce debt.

The Group considers its capital to include share capital, share premium, capital redemption reserve, translation reserve and retained earnings, 
but excluding the interest rate derivatives.

London & Associated Properties PLC 2019 63

 
 
 
 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Notes to the financial statements

21. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS CONTINUED
Consistent with others in the industry, the Group monitors its capital by its debt to equity ratio (gearing levels). This is calculated as the net 
debt (loans less cash and cash equivalents) as a percentage of the equity calculated as follows:

Total debt 
Less cash and cash equivalents
Net debt
Total equity

2019
£'000 
45,449
(13,533)
31,916
49,133
65.0%

2018 
£’000
59,904
(20,655)
39,249
55,686
70.5%

The Group does not have any externally imposed capital requirements.

Following the introduction of IFRS 16 total debt now includes lease liabilities.

Financial assets
The Group’s principal financial assets are bank balances and cash, trade and other receivables, investments and assets held for sale. The Group has 
no significant concentration of credit risk as exposure is spread over a large number of counterparties and customers. The credit risk in liquid funds 
and derivative financial instruments is limited because the counterparties are banks with high credit ratings assigned by international credit–rating 
agencies. The Group’s credit risk is primarily attributable to its trade receivables. The amounts presented in the balance sheet are net of allowances 
for doubtful receivables, estimated by the Group’s management based on prior experience and the current economic environment.

Financial assets maturity
Cash and cash equivalents all have a maturity of less than three months.

Cash at bank and in hand

2019
£'000 
13,533

2018 
£’000
20,655

These funds are primarily invested in short term bank deposits maturing within one year bearing interest at the bank’s variable rates. 

Financial liabilities maturity
The following table sets out the maturity profile of contractual undiscounted cashflows of financial liabilities as at 31 December:

Repayment of borrowings

Bank loans and overdrafts:
Repayable on demand or within one year
Repayable between two and five years
Repayable after five years

Debentures:
Repayable between two and five years

2019
£’000 

2018 
£’000

10,120
18,269
2,838
31,227

9,956
41,183

41,388
2,320
2,996
46,704

9,939
56,643

Certain borrowing agreements contain financial and other conditions that if contravened by the Group, could alter the repayment profile.

22. DEFERRED TAX LIABILITIES

Balance at 1 January
Transferred (to)/from consolidated income statement
Exchange adjustment
Balance at 31 December

The deferred tax balance comprises the following:
Revaluation of properties
Accelerated capital allowances
Short-term timing differences
Unredeemed capital deductions
Losses and other deductions
Deferred tax liability provision at end of year:

There is no time limit in respect of the Group tax loss relief.

2019 
£’000 
 2,305 
(631)
(20)
 1,654 

 314 
 2,810 
(532)
–  
(938)
 1,654 

2018 
£’000 
 3,848 
(1,375)
(168)
 2,305 

 726 
 2,166 
 139 
(32)
(694)
 2,305 

In addition, the Group has unused losses and reliefs with a potential value of £7,339,000 (2018: £6,310,000), which have not been 
recognised as a deferred tax asset. As the Group returns to profit, these losses and reliefs can be utilised.

64  London & Associated Properties PLC 2019

 
 
 
 
 
 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Notes to the financial statements

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

Authorised:  ordinary shares of 10p each 
Allotted, issued and fully paid share capital
Less: held in Treasury (see below)
“Issued share capital” for reporting purposes

Treasury shares

Shares held in Treasury at 1 January 

Issued for share incentive plan - dividends investment (June 2018 - 30p)

Issued for share incentive plan - dividends investment (Dec 2018 - 26p)

NUMBER OF 
ORDINARY 10P
SHARES
2019
 110,000,000 
 85,542,711 
(218,197)
 85,324,514 

NUMBER OF 
ORDINARY 10P
SHARES
2018
 110,000,000 
 85,542,711 
(218,197)
 85,324,514 

2019 
£’000
 11,000 
 8,554 
(22)
 8,532 

2018 
£’000
 11,000 
 8,554 
(22)
 8,532 

NUMBER OF ORDINARY  
10P SHARES

COST /ISSUE VALUE 

2019
 218,197 

–  

–  

2018
 221,061 

(1,271)

(1,593)

2019 
£’000 
 144 

–  

–  

2018 
£’000 
 145 

–  

(1)

Shares held in Treasury at 31 December 

 218,197 

 218,197 

 144 

 144 

Share Option Schemes
Employees’ share option scheme (Approved scheme)
At 31 December 2019 there were no options to subscribe for ordinary shares outstanding, issued under the terms of the Employees’ Share 
Option Scheme.

This share option scheme was approved by members in 1986, and has been approved by Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC). 

There are no performance criteria for the exercise of options under the Approved scheme, as this was set up before such requirements were 
considered to be necessary.

A summary of the shares allocated and options issued under the scheme up to 31 December 2019 is as follows:

Shares issued to date 
Shares allocated over which options have not been granted
Total shares allocated for issue to employees under the scheme

CHANGES DURING THE YEAR

AT 1
JANUARY
2019
 2,367,604 
 1,549,955 
 3,917,559 

OPTIONS
EXERCISED
–  
–  
–  

OPTIONS
GRANTED
–  
–  
–  

OPTIONS
LAPSED
–  
–  
–  

AT 31 
DECEMBER
2019
 2,367,604 
 1,549,955 
 3,917,559 

Non–approved Executive Share Option Scheme (Unapproved scheme)
A share option scheme known as the “Non–approved Executive Share Option Scheme” which does not have HMRC approval was set up 
during 2000. At 31 December 2019 there were no options to subscribe for ordinary shares outstanding.

The exercise of options under the Unapproved scheme is subject to the satisfaction of objective performance conditions specified by the 
remuneration committee which confirms to institutional shareholder guidelines and best practice provisions.

A summary of the shares allocated and options issued under the scheme up to 31 December 2019 is as follows:

Shares issued to date 
Shares allocated over which options have not yet been granted
Total shares allocated for issue to employees under the scheme 

CHANGES DURING THE YEAR

AT 1
JANUARY
2019
 450,000 
 550,000 
 1,000,000 

OPTIONS
EXERCISED
–  
–  
–  

OPTIONS
GRANTED
–  
–  
–  

OPTIONS
LAPSED
–  
–  
–  

AT 31 
DECEMBER
2019
 450,000 
 550,000 
 1,000,000 

London & Associated Properties PLC 2019 65

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Notes to the financial statements

23. SHARE CAPITAL CONTINUED
The Bisichi PLC Unapproved Option Schemes 
Details of the share option schemes in Bisichi are as follows:

YEAR OF GRANT
2015
2018

SUBSCRIPTION 
PRICE PER SHARE
87.0p
73.5p

PERIOD WITHIN 
WHICH OPTIONS 
EXERCISABLE
Sep 2015 – Sep 2025
Feb 2018 - Feb 2028

NUMBER OF SHARES

FOR WHICH  
OPTIONS 
OUTSTANDING AT 
31 DECEMBER 2018
 300,000 
 380,000 

NUMBER OF 
SHARE OPTIONS 
ISSUED/EXERCISED/ 
(CANCELLED) 
DURING YEAR
–  
–  

NUMBER OF SHARES 
FOR WHICH  
OPTIONS 
OUTSTANDING AT 
31 DECEMBER 2019
 300,000 
 380,000 

The exercise of options under the Unapproved Share Option Schemes, for certain option issues, is subject to the satisfaction of the objective 
performance conditions specified by the remuneration committee, which will conform to institutional shareholder guidelines and best 
practice provisions in force from time to time.

There are no performance or service conditions attached to 2015 and 2018 options which are outstanding at 31 December 2019. 

Outstanding at 1 January
Issued during year
Lapsed/surrended during year
Outstanding at 31 December
Exercisable at 31 December

24. NON–CONTROLLING INTEREST (“NCI”)

As at 1 January
Share of profit for the year
Dividends received
Shares issued
Exchange movement
As at 31 December

The following subsidiaries had material NCI:

Bisichi PLC 
Black Wattle Colliery (Pty) Ltd

2019
WEIGHTED 
AVERAGE
EXERCISE PRICE
79.5p
–  
–  
79.5p
79.5p

2019
NUMBER
 680,000 
–  
–  
 680,000 
 680,000 

2018
WEIGHTED
AVERAGE
EXERCISE PRICE
111.3p
73.5p
205.5p
79.5p
79.5p

2018
NUMBER
 380,000 
 380,000 
(80,000)
 680,000 
 680,000 

2019 
£’000 
 12,309 
 986 
(858)
–  
(30)
 12,407 

2018 
£’000 
 10,856 
 2,675 
(957)
 8 
(273)
 12,309 

Summarised financial information for these subsidiaries is set out below. The information is before inter–company eliminations with other 
companies in the Group.

BISICHI PLC
Revenue
Profit for the year attributable to owners of the parent
Profit/(loss) for the year attributable to NCI
Profit for the year
Other comprehensive income attributable to owners of the parent
Other comprehensive income attributable to NCI
Other comprehensive income for the year
Balance sheet
Non–current assets
Current assets
Total assets
Current liabilities
Non–current liabilities
Total liabilities
Net current assets at 31 December
Cash flows
From operating activities
From investing activities
From financing activities
Net cash flows

2019 
£’000 
 48,274 
 1,046 
 549 
 1,595 
(42)
(7)
(49)

 22,885 
 18,849 
 41,734 
(13,179)
(7,998)
(21,177)
 20,557 

 4,305 
(3,730)
(3,411)
(2,836)

2018 
£’000 
 49,945 
 3,314 
 729 
 4,043 
(377)
(53)
(430)

 23,118 
 18,475 
 41,593 
(16,929)
(4,529)
(21,458)
 20,135 

 4,767 
(3,373)
 200 
 1,594 

The non–controlling interest comprises of a 37.5% shareholding in Black Wattle Colliery (Pty) Ltd, a coal mining company incorporated in South Africa.

66  London & Associated Properties PLC 2019

 
 
 
 
 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Notes to the financial statements

24. NON–CONTROLLING INTEREST (“NCI”) CONTINUED
Summarised financial information reflecting 100% of the underlying subsidiary’s relevant figures, is set out below.

BLACK WATTLE COLLIERY (PTY) LIMITED (“BLACK WATTLE”)
Revenue
Expenses
Profit for the year
Total comprehensive income for the year
Non–current assets
Current assets
Current liabilities
Non–current liabilities
Net assets at 31 December

2019 
£’000 
 46,706 
(43,040)
 3,666 
 3,666 
 9,480 
 10,462 
(12,087)
(3,682)
 4,173 

2018 
£’000 
 48,666 
(43,801)
 4,865 
 4,865 
 8,532 
 9,587 
(10,540)
(3,800)
 3,779 

The non–controlling interest relates to the disposal of a 37.5% shareholding in Black Wattle in 2010. The total issued share capital in Black 
Wattle Colliery (Pty) Ltd was increased from 136 shares to 1,000 shares at par of ZAR1 (South African Rand) through the following shares issue:

–   a subscription for 489 ordinary shares at par by Bisichi Mining (Exploration) Limited increasing the number of shares held from 136 

ordinary shares to a total of 625 ordinary shares; 

–  a subscription for 110 ordinary shares at par by Vunani Mining (Pty) Ltd; 

–  a subscription for 265 “A” shares at par by Vunani Mining (Pty) Ltd

Bisichi Mining (Exploration) Limited is a wholly owned subsidiary of Bisichi PLC incorporated in England and Wales. 

Vunani Mining (Pty) Ltd is a South African Black Economic Empowerment company and minority shareholder in Black Wattle. 

The “A” shares rank pari passu with the ordinary shares save that they will have no dividend rights until such time as the dividends paid by 
Black Wattle Colliery (Pty) Ltd on the ordinary shares subsequent to 30 October 2008 will equate to ZAR832,075,000.

A non–controlling interest of 15% in Black Wattle is recognised for all profits distributable to the 110 ordinary shares held by Vunani Mining 
(Pty) Ltd from the date of issue of the shares (18 October 2010). An additional non–controlling interest will be recognised for all profits 
distributable to the 265 “A” shares held by Vunani Mining (Pty) Ltd after such time as the profits available for distribution, in Black Wattle 
Colliery (Pty) Ltd, before any payment of dividends after 30 October 2008, exceeds ZAR832,075,000. 

25. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

Related party: 
Simon Heller Charitable Trust
  Current account 
Loan account 

Directors and key management
  M A Heller and J A Heller
  H D Goldring (Delmore Holdings Limited)
  C A Parritt
  R Priest
Totals at 31 December 2019
Totals at 31 December 2018

COST  

RECHARGED

TO (BY)  

RELATED
PARTY
£’000

(63)
–  

 18 
(17)
(18)
(35)
(115)
(115)

AMOUNTS 
OWED BY (TO) 
RELATED
PARTY
£’000

ADVANCED TO
(BY) RELATED
PARTY
£’000

(i)
(ii)
(ii)
(ii)

–  
(700)

 1 
(7)
–  
(9)
(715)
(707)

–  
–  

–  
–  
–  
–  
–  
–  

Nature of costs recharged – (i) Property management fees (ii) Consultancy fees. 

Directors 
London & Associated Properties PLC provides office premises, property management, general management, accounting and administration 
services for a number of private property companies in which Sir Michael Heller and J A Heller have an interest. Under an agreement with Sir 
Michael Heller no charge is made for these services on the basis that he reduces by an equivalent amount the charge for his services to 
London & Associated Properties PLC. The board estimates that the value of these services, if supplied to a third party, would have been 
£300,000 for the year (2018: £300,000). 

The companies for which services are provided are: Barmik Properties Limited, Cawgate Limited, Clerewell Limited, Cloathgate Limited, 
Ken–Crav Investments Limited, London & South Yorkshire Securities Limited, Metroc Limited, Penrith Retail Limited, Shop.com Limited, 
South Yorkshire Property Trust Limited, Wasdon Investments Limited, Wasdon (Dover) Limited, and Wasdon (Leeds) Limited.

In addition the Company received management fees of £10,000 (2018: £10,000) for work done for two charitable foundations, the 
Michael & Morven Heller Charitable Foundation and the Simon Heller Charitable Trust.

London & Associated Properties PLC 2019 67

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Notes to the financial statements

25. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS CONTINUED
The Simon Heller Trust has placed on deposit with LAP £700,000 at an interest rate of 9% which is refundable on demand.

Delmore Holdings Limited (Delmore) is a Company in which H D Goldring is a majority shareholder and director. Delmore provides 
consultancy services to the Company on an invoiced fee basis.

R Priest provided consultancy services to the Company on an invoiced fee basis. 

In 2012 a loan was made by Bisichi to one of the Bisichi directors, Mr A R Heller, for £116,000. Interest is payable on the Director’s Loan at a 
rate of 6.14 per cent. There is no fixed repayment date for the Director’s Loan. The loan amount outstanding at year end was £41,000 (2018: 
£41,000) and no repayment (2018: £15,000) was made during the year.

The directors are considered to be the only key management personnel and their remuneration including employer’s national insurance for 
the year was £1,464,000 (2018: £1,838,000). All other disclosures required, including interest in share options in respect of those directors, 
are included within the remuneration report.

26. EMPLOYEES
The average number of employees, including directors, of the Group during the year was as follows: 

Production
Administration

Staff costs during the year were as follows:

Salaries and other costs
Social security costs
Pension costs
Share based payments

27. CAPITAL COMMITMENTS

Commitments for capital expenditure approved and contracted at the year end

All the above relates to Bisichi PLC.

2019
204
44
248

2019 
£’000
8,741
386
487
–  
9,614

2019 
£’000 
–  

2018
231
46
277

2018 
£’000  
8,994
494
377
24
9,889

2018 
£’000 
 751 

28. LEASE RENTALS RECEIVABLE
The Group leases out its investment properties to tenants giving them the right to occupation and use of the properties in exchange for 
rental payments. The future aggregate minimum rentals receivable under non–cancellable leases are as follows:

2020
2021
2022
2023
2024 +

2019 
£’000
4,997
4,247
3,583
2,854
18,327
34,008

2018 
£’000
5,379
4,847
4,070
3,493
23,123
40,912

29. CONTINGENT LIABILITIES AND EVENTS AFTER THE REPORTING PERIOD
There were no contingent liabilities at 31 December 2019 (2018: £Nil), except as disclosed in Note 21.

COVID-19 and the subsequent lockdown of many of our tenants’ businesses will have had a short and medium term effect on asset values as 
tenants’ ability to meet their obligations to landlords has been affected in some cases. In the longer term asset values may be affected if there 
is a more permanent deterioration in our tenants’ trading due to a wider slowdown in the economy. The Directors are unable to give 
guidance on how this might affect asset values due to the level of uncertainty at this time. This is discussed further in the COVID-19 update 
in the Strategic Report on page 8 and in the Going Concern section of the Group Accounting Policies on page 42.

Bank guarantees have been issued by the bankers of Black Wattle Colliery (Pty) Limited on behalf of the Company to third parties. The 
guarantees are secured against the assets of the Company and have been issued in respect of the following:

Rail siding & transportation
Rehabilitation of mining land
Water & electricity

68  London & Associated Properties PLC 2019

2019 
£’000
54
1,553
52
1,659

2018
£’000
54
1,259
52
1,365

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Notes to the financial statements

29. CONTINGENT LIABILITIES AND EVENTS AFTER THE REPORTING PERIOD CONTINUED
The interpretation of laws and regulations in South Africa where Bisichi operates can be complex and can lead to challenges from or disputes 
with regulatory authorities. Such situations often take significant time to resolve. Where there is a dispute and where a reliable estimate of 
the potential liability cannot be made, or where Bisichi, based on legal advice, considers that it is improbable that there will be an outflow of 
economic resources, no provision is recognised.

Black Wattle Colliery (Pty) Ltd is currently involved in a tax dispute in South Africa related to VAT. The dispute arose subsequent to the year 
end and is related to events which occurred during and prior to the years ended 31 December 2019. As at 5 June 2020, Bisichi has been 
advised that it has a strong legal case, that it has complied fully with the legislation and, therefore, no economic outflow is expected to occur. 
Because of the nature and complexity of the dispute, the possible financial effect of a negative decision cannot be measured reliably. 
Accordingly, no provision has been booked at the year end.   At this stage, Bisichi believes that the dispute will be resolved in its favour.  

30. COMPANY FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Company balance sheet at 31 December 2019

Fixed assets
Tangible assets
Other investments:
Associated company – Bisichi Mining PLC
Subsidiaries and others including Dragon Retail Properties Limited

Current assets
Debtors
Bank balances

Creditors
Amounts falling due within one year
Deferred tax falling due after more than one year
Net current liabilities
Total assets less current liabilities

Creditors
Amounts falling due after more than one year
Net assets

Capital and reserves
Share capital
Share premium account
Capital redemption reserve
Treasury shares
Retained earnings
Shareholders’ funds

NOTES

30.3

30.4
30.4

30.5

30.6

30.7

30.9

30.9

2019 
£’000 

2018 
£’000 

 23,341 

 23,872 

 489 
47,922
48,411
71,752

 5,848 
 2,359 
 8,207 

(44,043)
(345)
(36,181)
35,571

 489 
 42,598 
 43,087 
 66,959 

 3,764 
 9,887 
 13,651 

(54,731)
(744)
(41,823)
 25,136 

(11,604)
23,967

(10,918)
 14,217 

 8,554 
 4,866 
 47 
(144)
10,644
23,967

 8,554 
 4,866 
 47 
(144)
 894 
 14,217 

The profit for the financial year, before dividends was £9,904,000 (2018: loss of £6,805,000)

These financial statements were approved by the board of directors and authorised for issue on 29 June 2020 and signed on its behalf by:

Sir Michael Heller 
Director 

Jonathan Mintz 
Director

Company Registration No. 341829 

London & Associated Properties PLC 2019 69

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Notes to the financial statements

30. COMPANY FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED

COMPANY STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2019

Balance at 1 January 2018
Loss for the year
Total comprehensive expense
Transactions with owners:
Dividends – equity holders
Disposal of own shares
Transactions with owners
Balance at 31 December 2018
Profit for the year
Total comprehensive income
Transaction with owners:
Dividends – equity holders
Transactions with owners 
Balance at 31 December 2019

SHARE
CAPITAL
£’000
 8,554 
–  
–  

–  
–  
–  
 8,554 
–  
–  

–  
–  
 8,554 

SHARE 
PREMIUM
£’000
 4,866 
–  
–  

CAPITAL
REDEMPTION
RESERVE
£’000
 47 
–  
–  

TREASURY 
SHARES
£’000
(145)
–  
–  

–  
–  
–  
 4,866 
–  
–  

–  
–  
 4,866 

–  
–  
–  
 47 
–  
–  

–  
–  
 47 

–  
 1 
 1 
(144)
–  
–  

–  
–  
(144)

RETAINED 
EARNINGS
EXCLUDING 
TREASURY 
SHARES
£’000
 7,955 
(6,805)
(6,805)

(256)
–  
(256)
 894 
9,904
9,904

(154)
(154)
10,644

TOTAL
EQUITY
£’000
 21,277 
(6,805)
(6,805)

(256)
 1 
(255)
 14,217 
9,904
9,904

(154)
(154)
23,967

£11.3 million (2018: £0.2 million) of retained earnings (excluding treasury shares) is distributable.

30.1. COMPANY 
Accounting policies
The following are the main accounting policies of the Company:

Basis of preparation
The financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis and in accordance with Financial Reporting Standard 101 ’Reduced 
Disclosure Framework’ (FRS 101) and Companies Act 2006. The financial statements are prepared under the historical cost convention as 
modified to include the revaluation of freehold and leasehold properties and fair value adjustments in respect of current asset investments 
and interest rate hedges.

The results of the Company are included in the consolidated financial statements. No profit or loss is presented by the Company as permitted 
by Section 408 of the Companies Act 2006. 

In these financial statements, the company has applied the exemptions available under FRS 101 in respect of the following disclosures:

•  Cash Flow Statement and related notes; 

•  Comparative period reconciliations for share capital, tangible fixed assets and intangible assets; 

•  Disclosures in respect of transactions with wholly owned subsidiaries; 

•  Disclosures in respect of capital management; 

•  The effects of new but not yet effective IFRSs; 

•  Disclosures in respect of the compensation of Key Management Personnel.

As the consolidated financial statements include the equivalent disclosures, the Company has also taken the exemptions under FRS 101 
available in respect of the following disclosures:

•  IFRS 2 Share Based Payments in respect of Group settled share based payments;

•   The disclosures required by IFRS 7 and IFRS 13 regarding financial instrument disclosures have not been provided apart from those which 
are relevant for the financial instruments which are held at fair value and are not either held as part of the trading portfolio or derivatives.

Key judgements and estimates
The preparation of the financial statements requires management to make assumptions and estimates that may affect the reported amounts 
of assets and liabilities and the reported income and expenses, further details of which are set out below. Although management believes 
that the assumptions and estimates used are reasonable, the actual results may differ from those estimates. Further details of the estimates 
are contained in the Directors’ Report and in the Group accounting policies.

Investments in subsidiaries, associated undertakings and joint ventures
Investments in subsidiaries, associated undertakings and joint ventures are held at cost less accumulated impairment losses.

70  London & Associated Properties PLC 2019

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Notes to the financial statements

30.1. COMPANY CONTINUED
Fair value measurements of investment properties and investments 
An assessment of the fair value of certain assets and liabilities, in particular investment properties, is required. In such instances, fair value 
measurements are estimated based on the amounts for which the assets and liabilities could be exchanged between market participants. To 
the extent possible, the assumptions and inputs used take into account externally verifiable inputs. However, such information is by nature 
subject to uncertainty. The fair value measurement of the investment properties may be considered to be less judgemental where external 
valuers have been used as is the case with the Company. 

The following accounting policies are consistent with those of the Group and are disclosed on page 42 to 48 of the Group financial 
statements.

•  Revenue 

•  Property operating expenses

•  Employee benefits

•  Financial instruments 

•  Investment properties

•  Other assets and depreciation

•  Assets held for sale

•  Income taxes

•  Leases

30.2. RESULT FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR
The Company’s result for the year was a profit of £11,665,000 (2018: loss of £6,805,000). In accordance with the exemption conferred by 
Section 408 of the Companies Act 2006, the Company has not presented its own profit and loss account.

30.3. TANGIBLE ASSETS 

Cost or valuation at 1 January 2019
IFRS 16 transition adjustment - right of use asset
Additions in the year
(Decrease)/increase in present value of head leases
(Decrease)/increase on revaluation
Cost or valuation at 31 December 2019

Representing assets stated at:
Valuation
Cost

Depreciation at 1 January 2019
Charge for the year
Disposals
Depreciation at 31 December 2019
Net book value at 1 January 2019
Net book value at 31 December 2019

INVESTMENT PROPERTIES

LEASEHOLD
OVER 50 
YEARS
£’000
 9,540 
–  
–  
(1)
(1,000)
 8,539 

LEASEHOLD
UNDER 50 
YEARS
£’000
 256 
–  
–  
–  
(50)
 206 

FREEHOLD
£’000
 13,970 
–  
 62 
–  
(382)
 13,650 

OFFICE
EQUIPMENT
AND MOTOR 
VEHICLES
£’000
 346 
–  
 1 
–  
–  
 347 

 13,650 
–  
 13,650 

–  
–  
–  
–  
 13,970 
 13,650 

 8,539 
–  
 8,539 

–  
–  
–  
–  
 9,540 
 8,539 

 206 
–  
 206 

–  
–  
–  
–  
 256 
 206 

–
 347 
 347 

 240 
 4 
–  
 244 
 106 
 103 

TOTAL
£’000
 24,112 
 1,054 
 63 
(1)
(1,432)
 23,796 

 22,395 
 1,401 
 23,796 

 240 
 215 
–  
 455 
 23,872 
 23,341 

OFFICE
BUILDING
£’000
–  
 1,054 
–  
–  
–  
 1,054 

–  
 1,054 
 1,054 

–  
 211 
–  
 211 
–  
 843 

The freehold and leasehold properties, excluding the present value of head leases and directors’ valuations, were valued as at 31 December 
2019 by professional firms of chartered surveyors. The valuations were made at fair value. The directors’ property valuations were made at 
fair value. 

Allsop LLP
Directors’ valuation

Add: Present value of headleases

2019 
£’000 
20,050
1,300
21,350
1,045
22,395

2018 
£’000
21,120
1,600
22,720
1,046
23,766

London & Associated Properties PLC 2019 71

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Notes to the financial statements

30.3. TANGIBLE ASSETS CONTINUED 
The historical cost of investment properties was as follows:

Cost at 1 January 2019
Additions
Cost at 31 December 2019

FREEHOLD 
£’000
 10,228 
 62 
 10,290 

LEASEHOLD 
OVER 50 YEARS
£’000
 9,333 
–  
 9,333 

LEASEHOLD 
UNDER 50 
YEARS
£’000
 785 
–  
 785 

Head leases on investment property represent the value attributed to the right of the Company to occupy and use investment property that 
has a head lease interest. In the current year total cash outflow for head leases is £0.1 million (2018: £0.1 million). A number of these leases 
provide for payment of contingent rent, usually a proportion of net rental income, in addition to fixed rents.

Office building represents the value attributed under IFRS 16 to the right of the Company to occupy its sole office building. In the current 
year total cash outflow for the office lease liability is £0.2 million.

30.4. OTHER INVESTMENTS

COST OR VALUATION
At 1 January 2019
Additions
Impairment provision
At 31 December 2019

SHARES IN
SUBSIDIARY
COMPANIES
£’000
 42,434 
 8,533 
(3,209)
47,758

SHARES IN
JOINT
VENTURES
£’000
 164 
–  
–  
 164 

SHARES IN
ASSOCIATE 
£’000
 489 
–  
–  
 489 

TOTAL
£’000
 43,087 
 8,533 
(3,209)
48,411

Subsidiary companies
Details of the Company’s subsidiaries are set out in Note 11. Under IFRS 10 Bisichi PLC and its subsidiaries, West Ealing Projects Limited and 
its subsidiary and Dragon Retail Properties Limited are treated in the financial statements as subsidiaries of the Company.

During the year the Company impaired its investment in the subsidiary undertaking that held the Group’s interest in HRGT Shopping Centres 
LP by £1,448,000. Disclosure of the impairment recognised in the consolidated financial statements is included in Note 14. Other than this 
impairment, in the opinion of the directors the value of the investment in subsidiaries is not less than the amount shown in these financial 
statements.

During the year the Company impaired its investment in Orchard Square Limited by £1,761,000, following a reduction in the carrying value 
of the Orchard Square, Sheffield property.

30.5. DEBTORS

Trade debtors
Amounts due from associate and joint ventures
Amounts due from subsidiary companies
Other debtors
Prepayments and accrued income

30.6. CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR

Amounts owed to subsidiary companies
Amounts owed to joint ventures
Other taxation and social security costs
Lease liabilities
Other creditors
Accruals and deferred income

72  London & Associated Properties PLC 2019

2019 
£’000 
 352 
 872 
 4,049 
 139 
 436 
 5,848 

2019 
£’000 
 40,223 
 156 
 267 
258
 1,393 
 1,746 
44,043

2018 
£’000
 351 
 755 
 2,127 
 82 
 449 
 3,764 

2018
£’000
 50,874 
 156 
 200 
66  
 1,442 
 1,993 
 54,731 

 
 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Notes to the financial statements

30.7. CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE AFTER MORE THAN ONE YEAR

Present value of head leases on properties
Lease liabilities
Term Debenture stocks:
£10 million First Mortgage Debenture Stock 2022 at 8.109 per cent net of un-amortised issue costs

Details of terms and security of overdrafts, loans and loan renewal and debentures are set out in note 18.

REPAYMENT OF BORROWINGS:
Debentures:
Repayable within one year
Repayable between two and five years
Repayable in more than five years

LEASE LIABILITIES:

Minimum lease payments fall due:
Within one year
Second to fifth year
After five years

Future finance charges on lease liabilities
Present value of lease liabilities

Present value of lease liabilities:
Within one year
Second to fifth year
After five years

2019

HEAD 
 LEASES ON 
INVESTMENT 
PROPERTY 1 
£’000

66
 266 
8,000
 8,332 
(7,287)
1,045

66
247
732
1,045

TOTAL 
£’000

 306 
986
8,000
9,292
(7,386)
 1,906 

258
916
732
1,906

2019 
£’000 
979
 669 

2018 
£’000
979
–  

 9,956 
 11,604 

 9,939 
 10,918 

2018
£’000

–
9,939
–
9,939

2019
£’000

–
9,956
–
9,956

2018

OFFICE 2 
£’000

TOTAL 
£’000

 240 
 720 
–    
 960 
(99)
 861 

192
669

–    

861

 66 
266
8,066
 8,398 
(7,352)
 1,046 

66
247
733
1,046

Lease liabilities falling due after more than one year are £669,000 for the office lease and £979,000 for head leases, totalling £1,648,000.

Lease liabilities are effectively secured as the rights to the leased asset revert to the lessor in the event of default.

1   Many head leases on investment properties provide for contingent rent in addition to the rents above, usually a proportion of rental income. 

2   On adoption of IFRS 16 Leases (see note 1 for details), at 1 January 2019 a right-of-use asset (being the property occupied by the Company) was recognised at a value 
of of £1,054,000, equal to the lease liability. The value is presented within property, plant and equipment on the balance sheet. The related lease liability of £1,054,000 
is recognised as the present value of the lease payments.

30.8. DEFERRED TAX LIABILITY

Deferred Taxation
Balance at 1 January
Transfer to profit and loss account
Balance at 31 December

The deferred tax balance comprises the following:
Accelerated capital allowances
Short–term timing differences
Revaluation of investment properties
Deferred tax liability at year end

30.9. SHARE CAPITAL
Details of share capital, treasury shares and share options are set out in Note 23.

2019 
£’000 

(744)
 399 
(345)

(391)
(181)
 227 
(345)

2018 
£’000

 2,059 
(2,803)
(744)

(795)
(124)
 175 
(744)

London & Associated Properties PLC 2019 73

 
 
 
 
 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Notes to the financial statements

30.10. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

Related party: 
Dragon Retail Properties Limited
  Current account 
Bisichi Mining PLC 
  Current account 
Simon Heller Charitable Trust
  Current account 
Loan account 

Directors and key management
  M A Heller and J A Heller
  H D Goldring (Delmore Holdings Limited)
  C A Parritt
  R Priest
Totals at 31 December 2019
Totals at 31 December 2018

COST  

RECHARGED

TO (BY)  

RELATED
PARTY
£’000

AMOUNTS 
OWED
BY (TO)  

RELATED
PARTY
£’000

ADVANCED TO
(BY) RELATED
PARTY
£’000

(i)

(ii)

(i)
(iii)
(iii)
(iii)

 44 

 200 

(63)
–  

 18 
(17)
(18)
(35)
 129 
(29)

(156)

 33 

–  
(700)

 1 
(7)
–  
(9)
(838)
(860)

–  

–  

–  
–  

–  
–  
–  
–  
–  
 2,000 

Nature of costs recharged – (i) Management fees (ii) Property management fees (iii) Consultancy fees 

During the period, the Company entered into transactions, in the ordinary course of business, with other related parties. The company has 
taken advantage of the exemption under paragraph 8(k) of FRS101 not to disclose transactions with wholly owned subsidiaries.

Dragon Retail Properties Limited – ‘Dragon’ is owned equally by the Company and Bisichi PLC.

Bisichi PLC – The company has 41.52 per cent ownership of ‘Bisichi’.

Details of other related party transactions are given in note 25.

30.11. EMPLOYEES

 THE AVERAGE WEEKLY NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES OF THE COMPANY DURING THE YEAR WERE AS FOLLOWS: 
 Directors & Administration 

STAFF COSTS DURING THE YEAR WERE AS FOLLOWS:
 Salaries 
 Social Security costs 
 Pension costs 

30.12. CAPITAL COMMITMENTS
There were no capital commitments at 31 December 2019 (2018: £Nil).

2019
22

2019
£’000
 1,490 
163
 178 
1,831

2018
24

2018
£’000
 2,184 
 263 
 107 
2,554

30.13.  FUTURE AGGREGATE MINIMUM RENTALS RECEIVABLE
The Company leases out its investment properties to tenants under operating leases. The future aggregate minimum rentals receivable under 
non–cancellable operating leases are as follows:

2020
2021
2022
2023
2024 +

2019 
£’000
1,524
1,155
896
666
1,680
5,921

2018 
£’000
1,637
1,442
996
807
2,355
7,237

30.14. CONTINGENT LIABILITIES AND POST BALANCE SHEET EVENTS
There were no contingent liabilities at 31 December 2019 (2018: £Nil).

COVID-19 and the subsequent lockdown of many of our tenants’ businesses will have had a short and medium term effect on asset values as 
tenants’ ability to meet their obligations to landlords has been affected in some cases. In the longer term asset values may be affected if there 
is a more permanent deterioration in our tenants’ trading due to a wider slowdown in the economy. The Directors are unable to give 
guidance on how this might affect asset values due to the level of uncertainty at this time.

74  London & Associated Properties PLC 2019

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Five year financial summary

Portfolio size
Investment properties–LAP^
Investment properties–joint ventures
Investment properties–Dragon Retail Properties
Investment properties–Bisichi ^
Assets held for sale-LAP
Inventories-LAP

Portfolio activity
Acquisitions
Disposals
Capital Expenditure

Consolidated income statement
Group income
Profit/(loss) before tax
Taxation
Profit/(loss) attributable to shareholders
(Loss)/earnings per share – basic and diluted
Dividend per share

Consolidated balance sheet
Shareholders’ funds attributable to equity shareholders
Net borrowings, excluding lease obligations
Net assets per share 

– basic
– fully diluted

Consolidated cash flow statement
Cash generated from operations
Capital investment and financial investment

Notes: 

^ Excluding the present value of head leases

2019 
£M

2018
£M

31
-
2
12
-
27
72

£M
0.14
(12.59)
0.41
0.14

£M
63.97
(4.54)
(0.95)
(6.48)
(7.59)p
0.00p

£M
36.73
27.65
43.04p
43.04p

£M
14.89
(1.61)

32
–
2
13
2
39
88

£M
6.55
(36.44)
6.26
(23.63)

£M
56.65
1.27
(0.68)
(2.08)
(2.44)p
0.18p

£M
43.38
35.99
50.83p
50.83p

£M
1.92
20.78

2017
£M

62
–
3
13
36
-
114

£M
–
–
–
–

£M
47.87
11.28
(2.98)
7.69
9.01p

2016
£M

89
–
3
13
-
-
105

£M
–
–
0.16
0.16

£M
31.81
(0.97)
(1.18)
(2.36)
(2.77)p

2015
£M

89
19
3
13
2
-
126

£M
1.00
(0.40)
0.36
0.96

£M
34.61
(2.09)
0.04
(1.90)
(2.24)p

0.300p

0.165p

0.160p

£M
45.86
58.42
53.74p
53.74p

£M
10.29
(1.80)

£M
38.24
62.22
44.83p
44.83p

£M
5.59
(0.18)

£M
40.08
62.39
47.26p
47.26p

£M
4.37
(2.77)

London & Associated Properties PLC 2019 75

 
76  London & Associated Properties PLC 2019

www.lap.co.uk

FSC® C001785

LONDON & ASSOCIATED PROPERTIES PLC
24 BRUTON PLACE
LONDON W1J 6NE

EMAIL: ADMIN@LAP.CO.UK