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Starvest Plc

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FY2001 Annual Report · Starvest Plc
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Web Shareshop (Holdings) Plc

Financial Statements

for the 18 month period ended

31 July 2001

Company No.  3981468

Smith & Williamson
Chartered Accountants
Guildford

Web Shareshop (Holdings) Plc

for the period ended 31 July 2001

Contents

Directors and Advisers

Chairman’s Statement

Board of Directors

Report of the Directors

Statement of directors’ responsibilities

Report of the Auditors

Consolidated Profit and Loss Account

Consolidated Balance Sheet

Company Balance Sheet

Consolidated Cash Flow Statement

Page

1

2-3

4

5-7

8

9

10

11

12

13

Notes to the Financial Statements

14-22

Directors

Business address

Secretary and registered office

Registered number

Nominated advisor

Nominated broker

Solicitors to the Company

Auditors

Bankers

Registrars

Web Shareshop (Holdings) Plc

Directors and Advisers

William Jackson
Eirion Andrew Charles Neubauer
Robert Stephen Wilkinson ACA
Ulick Simon Burke FCIFA
John Watkins, FCA

Walkden House
3-10 Melton Street
London NW1 2EB

John Watkins, FCA
Onslow Bridge Chambers
Bridge Street
Guildford
Surrey GU1 4RA

3981468

Grant Thornton
Enterprise House
Isambard Brunel Road
Portsmouth
Hampshire PO1 2RZ

Keith Bayley Rogers & Co
Ebbark House
93/95 Borough High Street
London SE1 1NL

Clyde & Co
Beaufort House
Chertsey Street
Guildford
Surrey GU1 4HA

Smith & Williamson
Onslow Bridge Chambers
Bridge Street
Guildford
Surrey GU1 4RA

HSBC Bank plc
168 High Street
Guildford
Surrey GU1 3YU

Connaught St Michaels Limited
PO Box 30
Cresta House, Alma Street
Luton
Bedfordshire LU1 2PU

Page 1

Web Shareshop (Holdings) Plc and Subsidiaries

Chairman’s Statement

I am pleased to present my first statement to shareholders.

Results

Results for the 18 months to 31 July 2001 record an operating loss of  £1,181,547, offset by net interest of £50,233, leaving
a  loss  before  taxation  for  the  period  of  £1,131,314.      This  reflects  mainly  site  development  costs  and  servicing  costs,
professional advice and business development costs.  It also reflects the fact that, owing to market conditions, we have been
unable  to  launch  a  Placings  Club.    At  31  July  2001,  the  company  had  £725,097  cash  in  the  bank,  net  current  assets  of
£632,477 and net assets of £673,407.

Comments and background

Since my appointment on 14 December  2000, I have focused on the development of the Placings Club concept since it is
fundamental  to  Web  Shareshop’s  business  plan.    Key  to  its  success  is  the  willingness  of  private  investors  to  pay
subscriptions in order  to have  access  to  a  supply  of  Placings.    Subscription  income  has  been  seen  as  the  main  source  of
revenue to Web Shareshop, since ‘handling’ fees and any commissions from sponsors would be relatively modest.

During the last quarter of 1999 and first quarter of 2000, we have no doubt that private investors would have been willing to
pay  substantial  subscriptions  to  have  access  to  (at  least  some)  of  the  many  Placings  which  were  floated.    In  2000,  we
counted  200  Placings  on  AIM  and  50  on  the  main  market.    However,  despite  the  euphoria,  Placings  had  a  mixed
performance.  £1,000 invested in all AIM Placings in 2000 would have produced £1,004 by year-end, dragged down by the
Internet stocks debacle.  On the main market, a similar investment would have yielded a more healthy £1,135 – an overall
13.5% increase in the year was significantly better than the FTSE index (but would Placings Club members have been able
to resist the pure Internet plays that later performed so miserably?).

We have regularly  monitored Placings performance in 2001. At August 14, our analysis of 61 new issues on AIM in the
year showed that £1,000 invested in each Placing  would have  been  worth  £1,004  –  up  4%  before  brokers’  commissions.
Over  the  same  period,  £1,000  invested  in  10  issues  on  the  main  market  would  have  been  worth  £879  –  down  12%.    Of
course, the tragic events of September 11 created new instability in the markets. Placings performance at October 15 had
degenerated  with  an  overall  decrease  of  23%  for  main  market  Placings  and  16%  for  AIM  Placings    -  compared  with  a
decline of 17% in the FTSE 100.  In short, money invested in Placings during the year performed roughly at or below the
level of the main market.

In  August  this  year,  The  Association  of  Private  Client  Stockbrokers  (APCIMS)  published  research  into  private  investor
online  trading  activities,  stating  that  it  revealed  that  “the  new  generation  of  investors  is  facing  its  first  bear  market  by
slowing  down  activity  and  waiting  an  upturn”.    Stockbrokers  –  particularly  online  stockbrokers  –  testify  to  this,  as  they
report significantly reduced trading. We have also researched private investors’ online take-up of offers for subscription -
there  are  now  a  number  of  sites  where  offers  are  displayed.    Our  information  is  that  take-up  has  been  universally
disappointing.

The  board  judges  it  unlikely  that  market  conditions  and  sentiment  will  improve  in  the  near  term.  Therefore,  were  the
company to launch a Placings Club before an improvement, it is our view that it would fail to achieve sufficient response
from private investors to make it profitable.

We have recalculated the company’s cashflow on the basis of a possible launch in March/April 2002.  After allowing  for
capital adequacy, this reveals a shortfall in funding, even after reducing overheads and staff to a minimum level from May
of this year.  Therefore, it is not a viable business model for the immediate future.

Potential partners

As  I  announced  in  my  statement  accompanying  the  Interim  Report  on  16  May  2001,  your  board  has  been  seeking
appropriate alliances in order to find a viable business model in these markets.  We have had discussions with a number of
potential partners in the financial services arena.  I am pleased to announce that we have taken a very positive step forward.
Mr Bruce Rowan, a respected entrepreneur with a highly successful business model, is joining the board and has agreed to
subscribe for 6.45 million shares in the company.

Page 2

Web Shareshop (Holdings) Plc and Subsidiaries

Chairman’s Statement - Continued

Mr  Rowan  brings  his  expertise  in  underwriting  fundraising  for  listed  and  unlisted  companies,  which  he  has  deployed
successfully for a number of companies over the last 3 years. Mr Rowan is a controlling shareholder in Sunvest Corporation
Ltd, a company listed on the Australian Stock Exchange (ASX), which recorded a profit before tax of circa £700,000 in the
year ending June 2000.  Sunvest has stakes ranging from 5% to 37% in 8 companies – 4 quoted on ASX, 2 on AIM and 2 on
OFEX.  He also has stakes in his own name in a number of other AIM and OFEX companies.

The  board proposes  to  use  Mr  Rowan’s  skills,  experience  and  contacts  in  the  coming  year  to  underwrite  fundraising  for
small IPO and pre-IPO businesses.  Mr Rowan believes that his activities will produce significant profits and a significantly
improved share price over the next 12 months, when he expects to see many opportunities for entrepreneurial underwriting.

This step enables the company and its shareholders to remain focused on new issues and pre-IPO stocks but with a proven
business model which the board believes will achieve attractive results, regardless of current market volatility.

William Jackson

17 October 2001

Page 3

Web Shareshop (Holdings) Plc and Subsidiaries

Board of Directors

William Jackson  – Chairman and Chief Executive

William Jackson has managed the Company’s operations from the date of his appointment, 14 December 2000.

E Andrew C Neubauer – Technical Director

Andrew Neubauer was managing director until William Jackson was appointed chief executive on 14 December 2000.

Mr U Simon Burke, FCIFA – Compliance Director

Mr John Watkins, FCA – Finance Director

John Watkins, a chartered accountant in practice has had responsibility for the Company’s financial  matters  from 5 April
2001; prior to that date he was non-executive.

Robert S Wilkinson, ACA – Non-executive

Robert Wilkinson was Finance Director until 5 April 2001 when he became non-executive.

Page 4

Web Shareshop (Holdings) Plc and Subsidiaries

Directors’ Report

The Directors present their first report on the affairs of the Company and Group, together with the accounts and auditors’
report, for the period from the date of incorporation, 20 April 2000, to 31 July 2001.

Principal activities and business review

The principal activity of the Group is the promotion and facilitation of private investors’ participation in new issues and the
provision of information to actual and potential new issue investors.

The Company was incorporated as a public limited company on 20 April 2000.  On 30 May 2000 the Company acquired
The Web Shareshop Limited by way of a share for share exchange.

On  9  June  2000  the  Company  made  an  offer  for  subscription  through  which  it  raised  £1,569,540  of  new  capital.    The
Company’s shares were admitted for trading to the Alternative Investment Market on  5 September 2000.  A further 133,330
shares were issued and admitted to the Alternative Investment Market in October 2000.

The developments during the period are given in the Chairman’s statement.

Results and dividends

The Company’s results are set out in the profit and loss account on page 10.  The audited accounts for the period ended 31
July 2001 are set out on pages 10 to 22.

The Directors do not recommend the payment of a dividend.

Directors and their interests

The Directors who served during the period, together with all their beneficial interests in the shares of the Company at 31
July 2001 are as follows:

       31 July 2001

Ordinary
shares of
£0.01 each

260,000

-

Note 1

Note 2

Percentage %

31 July
2001

Share
options

1.31%

-

-

1,964,580

1,500,000

7.58%

Ulick Simon Burke

Appointed 20 April 2000

William Jackson

John McNair

Eirion Andrew Charles
Neubauer

Appointed  14  December
2000

Appointed 20 April 2000;
resigned  14  December
2000

Appointed 20 April 2000

Note 3

2,900,000

14.66%

John Watkins

Appointed 23 May 2000

Robert Stephen
Wilkinson

John Woolgar

Appointed 20 April 2000

Appointed 20 April 2000;
Resigned  14  December
2000

Note 4

Note 5

500,000

200,000

2.53%

1.01%

2,600,000

13.15%

-

-

-

-

-

Note 1:  Of these, 120,000 shares are held by ALPs FS Limited of which Simon Burke is a director and major shareholder.

Note 2: On 21 May 2001, the Company established an unapproved share option plan and granted  options over 1,964,580

Ordinary shares of £0.01 at an exercise price of £0.05 per share.

Note 3:  Held in trust for the benefit of minor children.  Options over 1,220,700 Ordinary shares were surrendered during

the period.

Note 4:  Of these, 200,000 shares are held by his wife, Nicolette Ann Wilkinson.

Page 5

Web Shareshop (Holdings) Plc and Subsidiaries

Directors’ Report - Continued

Directors and their interests - continued

Apart from the interests above, no director held any other interests in the share capital of the Company, during the year.  No
changes in the interests disclosed above have taken place since the year end.  No directors had  any  interests  in  the  share
capital of the Company at incorporation.

Non-executive directors

John McNair was non-executive chairman of the Company until he resigned on 14 December 2000.

John  Watkins  was  appointed  a  non-executive  director  on  23  May  2000,  but  relinquished  this  role  on  5  April  when  he
became  the    finance  director;  Robert  Wilkinson,  previously  finance  director,  became  non-executive  director  on  the  same
date.

Substantial shareholdings

On 7 September 2001, the following were registered as being interested in 3% or more of the Company’s ordinary share
capital:

John McNair
Eirion Andrew Charles Neubauer
Rock (Nominees) Limited
John Woolgar

Share capital

Ordinary shares of
£0.01 each

Percentage of issued
share capital

1,500,000
2,900,000
900,000
2,600,000

7.58%
14.66%
4.55%
13.15%

Information relating to shares issued during the period is given in note 14 to the accounts.

Payment of suppliers

The Company’s policy is to settle terms of payment with suppliers when agreeing terms of business, to ensure that suppliers
are aware of the terms of payment and to abide by them.   It is usual for suppliers to be paid within 14 days of receipt of an
invoice.  Trade  creditors of  the  Company  at  the  year-end  were  equivalent  to 30 days  based  on  the  average  daily  amount
invoiced by suppliers during the year.

Post balance sheet event

The post balance sheet events are set out in note 22 to the accounts.

Auditors

Smith  &  Williamson  were  appointed  in  the  period  and  the  Directors  will  place  a  resolution  before  the  annual  general
meeting to reappoint Smith & Williamson as auditors for the coming year.

Remuneration

The remuneration of the Directors has been fixed by the board as a whole.  This has been achieved acknowledging the need
to maximise the effectiveness of the Company’s limited resources during the period.  In view of the Company’s inability to
fully  implement  the  planned  revenue  earning  activities  during  the  period,  with  a  single  exception,  each  of  the  Directors
made a voluntary waiver of remuneration which, in the aggregate, amounted to £162,667.

Full details of the Directors’ remuneration for the period to 31 July 2001 are set out in note 5 to the accounts.

Page 6

Web Shareshop (Holdings) Plc and Subsidiaries

Directors’ Report - Continued

Management incentives

At this time, the Company has no bonus, share purchase, share option or other management incentive scheme except that
the Chairman has options under an unapproved share option scheme over Ordinary shares as noted above.  In accordance
with legislation, the Company has introduced a stakeholders pension plan for the benefit of employees.

Corporate Governance

It is the intention of the board to comply with the recommendations of the Combined Code on corporate governance.  Such
procedures will be established as are considered to be appropriate for the size of the business.

Control procedures

The  board  has  approved  financial  budgets  and  cash  forecasts;  in  addition,  it  has  implemented  procedures  to  ensure
compliance with accounting standards and effective reporting.

By order of the board

John Watkins

Director and Company Secretary

17 October 2001

Page 7

Web Shareshop (Holdings) Plc and Subsidiaries

Statement of Directors’ Responsibilities

Company law requires the directors to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of
the state of affairs of the group and company and of the profit or loss of the group for that year.  In preparing those financial
statements, the directors are required to:

select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;

-
- make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
-

state  whether  applicable  accounting  standards  have  been  followed  subject  to  any  material  departures
disclosed and explained in the financial statements;
prepare  the  financial  statements  on  the  going  concern  basis  unless  it  is  inappropriate  to  presume  that  the
group will continue in business.

-

The directors are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the
financial  position of  the  group  and  company  and  to  enable  them  to  ensure  that  the  financial  statements  comply  with  the
Companies Act 1985.  They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the company and group and hence for taking
reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

Page 8

Web Shareshop (Holdings) Plc and Subsidiaries

Independent Auditors’ Report

We have audited the financial statements of Web Shareshop (Holdings) Plc for the period from 20 April 2000 (the date of
incorporation) to 31 July 2001 on pages 10 to 22.  These financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost
convention and the accounting policies set out therein.

Respective responsibilities of directors and auditors
The directors’ responsibilities for preparing the Annual Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable
law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards are set out in the Statement of Directors’ Responsibilities.

Our  responsibility  is  to  audit  the  financial  statements  in  accordance  with  relevant  legal  and  regulatory  requirements  and
United Kingdom Auditing Standards.

We report to you our opinion as to whether the financial statements give a true and fair view and are properly prepared in
accordance with the Companies Act 1985.  We also report to you if, in our opinion, the Directors’ Report is not consistent
with  the  financial  statements,  if  the  company  has  not  kept  proper  accounting  records,  if  we  have  not  received  all  the
information  and  explanations  we  require  for  our  audit,  or  if  the  information  specified  by  law  regarding  directors’
remuneration and transactions with the company is not disclosed.

We  read  other  information  contained  in  the  Financial  Statements  and  consider  whether  it  is  consistent  with  the  audited
financial  statements.    This  other  information  comprises  only  the  Directors’  Report  and  the    Chairman’s  statement.  We
consider the implications for our report if we become aware of any apparent misstatements or material inconsistencies with
the financial statements.  Our responsibilities do not extend to any other information.

Basis of audit opinion
We conducted our audit in accordance with United Kingdom  Auditing Standards issued by  the  Auditing Practices  board.
An  audit  includes  examination,  on  a  test  basis,  of  evidence  relevant  to  the  amounts  and  disclosures  in  the  financial
statements.    It  also  includes  an  assessment  of  the  significant  estimates  and  judgements  made  by  the  directors  in  the
preparation  of  the  financial  statements,  and  of  whether  the  accounting  policies  are  appropriate  to  the  company’s
circumstances, consistently applied and adequately disclosed.

We planned and performed our audit so as to obtain all the information and explanations which we considered necessary in
order to provide us with sufficient evidence to give reasonable assurance that the financial statements are free from material
misstatement, whether caused by fraud or other irregularity or error.  In forming our opinion we also evaluated the overall
adequacy of the presentation of information in the financial statements.

Opinion
In our opinion the financial statements give a true and fair view of the state of the group’s and company’s affairs as at 31
July 2001 and of the group’s loss for the period from 20 April 2000 to 31 July 2001 and have been properly prepared in
accordance with the Companies Act 1985.

Smith & Williamson
Chartered Accountants and Registered Auditors
Guildford

17 October 2001

Page 9

Web Shareshop (Holdings) Plc and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Profit and Loss Account

for the period ended 31 July 2001

Turnover

Cost of sales

Gross Profit

Administrative expenses

Operating loss on ordinary activities

Interest receivable 
Interest payable 

Loss on ordinary activities before taxation
Tax on loss on ordinary activities

Notes

1

2

3
3

6

Loss on ordinary activities after taxation

15

18 month
period 
ended
31 July
 2001
£

12 month
period
ended
31 January
2000
       £

3,385

(824 )  

_____
2,561

(1,184,108 )
________
(1,181,547 )

50,456

(223 )

________
(1,131,314 )

-
________
(1,131,314 )
=======  

-

-
_____
-

(45,245 )
_____
(45,245 )

-
-
_____
(45,245 )

-
_____
(45,245 )
=====

Loss per share
Basic and diluted

8

(6.5p)

=======  

(1.9p)
=====

The accompanying notes form an integral part of the consolidated profit and loss account.

There are no other recognised gains or losses in either period other than those included in the above profit and loss account.

All of the operations are considered to be continuing.

Page 10

 
31 July
2001
£

31 January
2000
£

9,000
31,930
-
        ______
40,930
        ______

62,454
725,097
        ______
787,551

14,400
3,642
2
_____
18,044
_____

4,639
368,355
______
372,994

(155,074 )
________      

632,477
______ 
673,407
      ====== 

(18,333 )
  ______
354,661
      ______
372,705
=====

197,791
1,227,765
(1,176,559 )
424,410
 ______     
673,407
      ====== 

67,050
350,900
(45,245 )

-
______
372,705
=====

Web Shareshop (Holdings) Plc and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Balance Sheet

as at  31 July 2001

Notes

Fixed assets
Intangible assets
Tangible assets
Investments

Current assets
Debtors
Cash at bank and in hand

Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year

Net current assets

Total assets less current liabilities

Capital and reserves
Called-up share capital
Share premium account
Profit and loss account
Merger reserve

Shareholders’ funds - equity interest

9
10

12

13

14
15
15
15

16

The accompanying notes form an integral part of this consolidated balance sheet.

Page 11

Web Shareshop (Holdings) Plc and Subsidiaries

Company Balance Sheet

as at  31 July 2001

Fixed assets
Investments

Current assets
Debtors

Net current assets

Total assets less current liabilities

Capital and reserves
Called-up share capital
Share premium account
Profit and loss account

Shareholders’ funds - equity interests

Note

11

12

14
15
15

16

2001
£

144,140

1,283,433
________
1,283,433
________

1,427,573
=======

197,791
1,227,765
2,017
________
1,427,573
======

The accounts on pages 10 to 22 were approved by the board of directors on 17 October 2001 and signed on its behalf by:

William Jackson 
Chairman and Chief Executive

  John Watkins

     Company Director

The accompanying notes form an integral part of this balance sheet.

Page 12

Web Shareshop (Holdings) Plc and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Cash Flow Statement

for the period ended 31 July 2001

Net cash outflow from operating activities

Returns on investments and servicing of finance

Capital expenditure and financial investment

Acquisitions and disposals

Cash outflow before management of liquid
resources and financing

Management of liquid resources

Financing

(Decrease)/increase in cash in the period

Notes

17

18

18

18

18

18

18 month
period 
ended
31 July
 2001
£

12 month
period
ended
31 January
2000
£

(1,148,747 )

(27,859 )

50,233

-

(69,465 )

(21,734 )

-
______ 

(2 )

_____

(1,167,979 ) 

(49,595 )

(700,562 )

-

1,432,016
________
(436,525 )
=======

417,950
_____
368,355
=====

The accompanying notes form an integral part of this consolidated cash flow statement.

Page 13

Web Shareshop (Holdings) Plc and Subsidiaries

Statement of Accounting Policies

for the period ended 31 July 2001

The principal accounting policies are summarised below.  They have all been applied consistently throughout the year.

Basis of accounting

The  accounts  have  been  prepared  under  the  historical  cost  convention  and  in  accordance  with  applicable  accounting
standards.

Basis of consolidation

The  group  accounts  consolidate  the  accounts  of  Web  Shareshop  (Holdings)  plc  and  its  subsidiaries  drawn  up  to  31  July
2001.  On 20 April 2000, Web Shareshop (Holdings) plc acquired the entire share capital of  The Web Shareshop Limited,
the consideration for which was the issue of shares in Web Shareshop (Holdings) plc.  This transaction meets the definition
of a group reorganisation as set out in Financial Reporting Standard 6 ‘Mergers and Acquisitions’ and accordingly has been
accounted for as a merger.  The financial information for the current 18 month period and the year ended 31 July 2000 has
been  presented    as  if  The  Web  Shareshop  Limited  had  been  owned  by  Web  Shareshop  (Holdings)  plc  throughout  both
accounting periods.

Intangible fixed assets

Acquired  ideas,  concepts  and intellectual property  are  written  off  in  equal  annual  instalments  over  their  estimated  useful
economic life of 5 years.

Tangible fixed assets and depreciation

Tangible fixed assets are stated at cost less depreciation.  Depreciation is provided at rates calculated to write off the cost
less estimated residual value of each asset over its expected useful life, as follows:

Computer equipment
Fixtures and fittings 

50% straight line
20% straight line

The above policy was introduced on 1 February 2000, the previous policy was as follows:

Computer equipment

20% straight line

By  introducing  a  new  policy  on  computer  depreciation,  the  accounts  have  been  affected  by  an  additional  depreciation
charge of £23,958.

The directors feel that the revised rate more realistically reflects the useful working lives of the assets.

Investments

Fixed asset investments are stated at cost less any provision for impairment.

Taxation

Corporation tax payable is provided on taxable profits at the current rate.

Turnover

Turnover  represents  amounts  receivable  for  goods  and  services  provided  in  the  normal  course  of  business,  net  of  trade
discounts, VAT and other sales-related taxes.

Website design and software development costs

Website design and software development costs are written off to the profit and loss account as incurred.

Page 14

Web Shareshop (Holdings) Plc and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Accounts

for the period ended 31 July 2001

1.  Turnover

The total turnover of the group for the period has been derived from its principal activity which is wholly undertaken
in the United Kingdom.

2.  Operating loss

Operating loss is stated after charging:

Auditors remuneration

- audit
- non-audit services

Depreciation of tangible assets
Amortisation of intangible assets
Website design and software development costs
Loss on disposal of tangible fixed assets

3. 

Interest

Interest receivable:
Bank interest

Interest payable:
Bank loans and overdrafts

4. 

Staff costs

The average monthly number of employees (including executive directors) was:

Management
Administration

Their aggregate remuneration comprised:

Wages and salaries
Social security costs

18 month
period 
ended
31 July
 2001
£
15,000
12,000
40,732
5,400
250,000
445
          ======

12 month
period
ended
31 January
2000
£
1,500
-
92
3,600
-
-
=====

50,456
           =====

223
           =====

-
=====

-
=====

Number

Number

7
3
___
10
===

2001 
£

120,019
12,364
_______
132,383
======

4
-
___
4
===

2000
£

-
-
______
-
=====

Page 15

Web Shareshop (Holdings) Plc and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Accounts - continued

for the period ended 31 July 2001

5.  Directors’ emoluments

J Woolgar
R S Wilkinson
A Neubauer
U S Burke

Directors emoluments

18 month
period 
ended
31 July
 2001
£

42,000
13,958
9,250
3,959
_______
69,167
======

12 month
period
ended
31 January
2000
£

-
-
-
-
______
-
=====

No other directors received any emoluments in the period.  Disclosure of director’s related party transactions can be
found in note 20 to the accounts.

Directors’ share options

Aggregate emoluments disclosed above do not include any amounts for the value of options to acquire ordinary shares
in the company granted to or held by the directors.  During the period W Jackson was granted options over 1,964,580
ordinary shares at £0.05 per share.  The options are exercisable between 21 May 2001 up to and including 28 February
2006.

6.  Tax on loss on ordinary activities

There is no provision for taxation in either year because of the losses incurred.

7. 

Profit attributable to parent undertaking

The profit for the financial year dealt with in the accounts of the parent company was £2,017.  As permitted by section
230 of the Companies Act 1985, no separate profit and loss account is presented in respect of the parent company.

8.  Loss per share

The  basic  earnings  per  share  is  derived  by  dividing  the  loss  for  the  year  attributable  to  ordinary  shareholders  of
£1,131,314 by the weighted average number of shares in issue, calculated as 17,410,380.

There were no diluting factors in the period.

Page 16

Web Shareshop (Holdings) Plc and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Accounts - continued

for the period ended 31 July 2001

9. 

Intangible fixed assets - goodwill

Group

Cost
At 1 February 2000
Additions

At 31 July 2001

Amortisation
At 1 February 2000
Amortisation for the period

At 31 July 2001

Net book value
At 31 July 2001

At 1 February 2000

10. 

 Tangible fixed assets

Cost
At 1 February 2000
Additions
Disposals

At 31 July 2001 

Depreciation
At 1 February 2000
Charge for the year
On disposals

At 31 July 2001

Net book value
At 31 July 2001

At 1 February 2000

Total
£

18,000
-
_____
18,000
_____

3,600
5,400
_____
9,000
_____

9,000
=====
14,400
=====

Total

£

3,734
70,665
(2,539 )
_____
71,860
=====

92
40,732
(894)
_____
39,930
=====

31,930
=====

3,642
=====

Computer
Equipment
£

Fixtures &
fittings
£

1,195
70,665
-
_____
71,860
=====

40
39,890
-
_____
39,930
=====

31,930
=====

1,155
=====

2,539
-

(2,539 ) 
_____
-
=====

52
842
(894)
_____
-
=====

-
=====

2,487
=====

Page 17

Web Shareshop (Holdings) Plc and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Accounts - continued

for the period ended 31 July 2001

11.  Fixed asset investments

Company

Cost
At 1 February 2000 
Additions

At 31 July 2001 

2001
£

-
144,140
_____
144,140
=====

The parent company and the group hold more than 20% of the share capital of the following companies.

Company

Country of registration

Class   

Proportion
held by 
group

Nature of
business

The Web Shareshop Limited

England & Wales

Ordinary

100%

New Issues On Line Limited

England & Wales

Ordinary

100%

Provision of
information for
private investors
and facilitation of
new issues
Dormant

The New Issue Investment
Company Limited 

England & Wales

Ordinary

100%

Dormant

12.  Debtors

Amounts falling due within one year:

Amounts owed by group undertakings - see note 22
Other debtors
Prepayments and accrued income

13.  Creditors: amounts falling due within one year

Bank overdraft
Trade creditors
Directors current accounts
Other creditors
Accruals and deferred income

The bank overdraft reflects uncleared cheques at the period end.

Page 18

Group

Company

2001 
£

-
14,942
47,512
_____

62,454
=====

2000
£

250
4,389
-
_____

2001 
£

1,283,433
-
-
________ 

4,639
=====

1,283,433
=======

Group

2001 
£

92,705
31,440
-
1,187
29,742
______
155,074
=====

2000
£

-
15,709
212
2
2,410
_____ 
18,333
=====

Web Shareshop (Holdings) Plc and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Accounts - continued

for the period ended 31 July 2001

14.  Called-up share capital

Notes

Authorised:
100,000,000 ordinary shares of £0.01 each

Allotted, called up and fully paid

Subscriber shares

Issued 30 May 2000 as consideration for the acquisition 
of 100% of the share capital in The Web Shareshop Ltd
Issued for cash @ £0.30 per share 19 July 2000
Issued for cash @ £0.30 per share 29 August 2000
Issued for cash @ £0.30 per share 18 October 2000

Total issued at 31 July 2001 

31 July
 2001
£

31 January
2000
£

1,000,000
=======

150,000
======

Number
2

£
0

14,413,998

144,140

4,348,800
883,000
133,330       

_________
19,779,130
_________

43,488
8,830
 1,333
_______
197,791
_______

Options have been granted under the company’s unapproved share option scheme to subscribe for ordinary shares
of the company as follows:

Number of shares under option           Subscription price per share

                  1,964,580                                                   £0.05                

Exercise period

21 May 2001 to
28 February 2006

15.  Reserves

Group

As at 1 February 2000
Issue of shares
Share issue costs
Loss for the period
Merger reserve arising on consolidation

As at 31 July 2001 

Company

As at 1 February 2000
Issue of shares
Share issue costs
Retained profit for the period

As at 31 July 2001 

Merger
reserve

£
-
-
-
-
424,410
________
424,410
=======

Share premium
account

£
350,900
1,204,988
(328,123 )

-
-
________
1,227,765
=======

£
350,900
1,204,988
(328,123 )

-
________ 
1,227,765
=======

Profit and
loss
account
£

(45,245 )

-
-

(1,131,314 )

-
________ 
(1,176,559 )
=======

£
-
-
-
2,017
________
2,017
========

Page 19

     
     
Web Shareshop (Holdings) Plc and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Accounts - continued

for the period ended 31 July 2001

16. Movement on equity shareholders’ funds

Group

Loss for the period
Proceeds of share issues, net of costs - see note 18

Net increase in shareholders’ funds
Opening shareholders’ funds

Closing equity shareholders’ funds

Company

Profit/(loss) for the period
Proceeds of share issues, net of costs

Closing equity shareholders’ funds

17.  Reconciliation of operating loss to operating cash flows

Operating loss
Depreciation charges
Loss on sale of tangible fixed assets
Amortisation
Increase in debtors
Increase in creditors

Net cash outflow from operating activities

31 July
 2001
£

31 January
2000
£

(1,131,314 )
1,432,016
________
300,702
372,705
________
673,407
=======

(45,245 )
417,950
______
372,705
-
______
372,705
======

2,017
1,425,556
________
1,427,573
=======

(45,245 )
418,130
_______
372,885
======

31 July
 2001
        £

31 January
2000
£

(1,181,547 )
40,732
445
5,400
(57,815 ) 
44,038
  _______
(1,148,747 )
 =======

(45,245 )

92
-
3,600
(4,639 )
18,333
_____
(27,859 )
=====

Page 20

Web Shareshop (Holdings) Plc and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Accounts - continued

for the period ended 31 July 2001

18.  Analysis of cash flows

Returns on investments and servicing of finance

Interest received
Interest paid

Net cash inflow

Capital expenditure and financial investment

Purchase of intangible fixed assets
Purchase of tangible fixed assets
Sale of tangible fixed assets

Net cash outflow

Management of liquid resources

Cash placed on deposit

Net cash outflow

Financing

Issue of ordinary share capital
Expenses paid in connection with share issues

Net cash inflow

19.  Analysis and reconciliation of net debt

Cash in hand and at bank
Overdraft
Cash placed on deposit

Net debt

(Decrease)\increase in cash in the period\year

Movement in net debts in year
Net funds at 1 February 2000

Net debt\funds at 31 July 2001 

Page 21

31 July
 2001
        £

31 January
2000
£

50,456

(223 )

_______
50,233
====== 

-
-
_____
-
=====

-

(70,665 )
1,200
_______
(69,465 )
====== 

(700,562 )
_______
(700,562 )
====== 

(18,000 )
(3,734 )

-
_____
(21,734 )
=====

-
_____
-
=====

1,760,139
(328,123 ) 
________
1,432,016
======= 

431,000
(13,050 )
_____
417,950
=====

1 February 
2000 
     £
368,355
-
-
______
368,355
=====       

Cash
flow
£
356,742
(92,705 )
(700,562 )  
______
(436,525 )
 =====

31 July
2001
£
725,097
(92,705 )
(700,562 )
_____
(68,170 )
=====

    2001 
£

(436,525 ) 
______
(436,525 )
368,355
______ 
(68,170 )
======

2000
£
368,355
______
368,355
-
______
368,355
=====

Web Shareshop (Holdings) Plc and Subsidiaries

Notes to the Accounts - continued

for the period ended 31 July 2001

20.  Related party transactions

The director, Andrew Neubauer, is the managing director and a major shareholder of Airtime Interactive Marketing
Limited from which the Company made purchases of £679,597 in the year (2000 : £nil).  The balance outstanding at
the year end was £28,742.

The director, Simon Burke,  is  a  director  and  a  major  shareholder of  ALPs  FS  Limited.    By  an  agreement  dated  15
August 1999 The Web Shareshop Limited appointed ALPs FS Limited as its authorised representative for the purpose
of compliance with the requirements of the Financial Services Act.

The director, John Watkins, FCA received the sum of £4,233 (2000 : £nil) during the period through his business for
normal  professional  services  and  the  company  purchased  services  to  the  value  of  £4,821  (2000  :  £nil)  from  Guild
Group  Limited,  formerly  Insider  Publishing  Limited  of  which  Mr  Watkins  is  a  director  and  shareholder.    Balances
outstanding at the year end were £nil.

The resigned director, John Woolgar, is the proprietor of Capital Ideas from which the company purchased services of
£nil (2000 : £17,500).  The balance outstanding at the year end was £nil.

The  director,  William  Jackson,  is  a  director  and  major  shareholder  of  Panmark  Limited  from  which  the  company
purchased services to the value of £37,389 (2000 : £nil) in the year.  The balance outstanding at the year end was £nil.

21. Financial commitments

At 31 July 2001 the Company has a quarterly commitment of £51,908 to Airtime Interactive due to expire on 31
March 2002.

22.  Post balance sheet events

On 27 September 2001  the  company  converted  the  group  loan  account of  £1,283,433  into 4,278,110  New  ordinary
shares of £0.01 each in The Web Shareshop Limited for a consideration of £1,283,433.

On 16 October 2001 the Company concluded an agreement with Mr Bruce Rowan under which he will subscribe for
6,450,000 New Ordinary shares of £0.01 in the Company.

Page 22