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The City Pub Group plc

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FY2021 Annual Report · The City Pub Group plc
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Annual Report & Accounts 2021

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
IN THIS REPORT

Strategic report

Corporate governance

01  Company highlights

26  Board of Directors

02  At a glance 

28  Corporate governance report 

04  Chairman’s statement 

32  Directors’ report 

08  Our business model

08  Our key strengths

10  Pub estate

11  Our strategy

Financial statements

34 

Independent auditor’s report 

12  Our relationships

38  Consolidated statement of profit or loss 

14  Corporate social responsibility / ESG

20  Business review

21  Directors’ duties – Section 172 Statement

22  Principal risks and uncertainties

39 

40 

 Consolidated statement of 
comprehensive income 

 Consolidated statement of 
financial position 

41  Company statement of financial position 

42 

 Consolidated statement of changes 
in equity 

43  Company statement of changes in equity

44  Consolidated statement of cash flows

45  Company statement of cash flows

46  Notes to the financial statements

74 

 Directors, officers and Company 
information

About the Group

The City Pub Company (East) PLC 
(“CPCE”) and The City Pub Company 
(West) PLC (“CPCW”) were founded by 
Clive Watson, David Bruce and John 
Roberts, who joined the board in 
December 2011. 

On 1 November 2017, The City Pub 
Group plc (as consolidated “the Group”) 
was formed through the all share 
merger of CPCE and CPCW by way of a 
scheme of arrangement of CPCW, as 
further described in the Group’s 
Admission Document for the IPO that 
the Group completed in November 
2017, when the shares were admitted to 
trading on AIM. As such the results of 
the Group are presented as if the Group 
always existed. At the same time, CPCE 
changed its name to The City Pub 
Group plc.

The City Pub Group owns and operates 
an estate of premium pubs across 
southern England and Wales. The 
Group’s pub estate comprises 41 
trading predominately free houses 
located largely in London, Cathedral 
cities and market towns, each of which 
is focused on appealing specifically to 
its local market. The group has four 
more pubs in development. The 
Group’s portfolio consists of 
predominantly freehold, managed 
pubs, offering a wide range of high 
quality drinks and food tailored to each 
of its pubs’ customers.

The City Pub Group leverages its sector 
contacts and experience to ensure it is 
well placed to acquire, and to have 
opportunities to consider the 
acquisition of, either freehold or 
leasehold pubs. Following acquisition, 
it aims to improve profitability through 
targeted investment in each pub, 
incentivisation of its key employees, 
introducing its flexible retail strategy, 
dedicated marketing and utilising its 
centralised buying power.

The Directors have considerable 
experience of acquiring pubs, 
expanding pub portfolios and creating 
premium pub companies. This includes 
leading the Capital Pub Company from 
start up through to flotation on AIM and 
its subsequent acquisition by Greene 
King for £93 million.

  Go online to find out more 
www.citypubcompany.com

COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS

Revenue up 37% to

Adjusted EBITDA* of

Adjusted EBITDA (£m)

£35.4m 

(2020: £25.8 million) 

£3.8m

(2020: £(0.8) million) 

Reported profit/(loss) of 

£(2.9)m

(2020: £(6.5) million)

Adjusted profit/ 
(loss) before tax** of

£1.0m

(2020: £(5.1)million)

*   Pre-IFRS16 Adjusted 

earnings before exceptional 
items, share option charge, 
interest, taxation, 
depreciation and 
amortisation.

**  Pre-IFRS16 Adjusted profit /  
(loss) before tax is the profit  
/ (loss) before tax, share 
option charge and 
exceptional items.

2021

2020

(0.8)

2019

2018

2017

Revenue (£m)

2021

2020

2019

2018

2017

3.8

9.1

7.9

6.1

35.4

25.8

60.0

47.5

37.4

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2021

2020

Revenue
£m

Operating
loss
£m

EBITDA
£m 

Loss
before tax
£m

Revenue
£m

Operating
profit
£m

EBITDA
£m 

Loss
before tax
£m

35.4

(3.0)

–

–

35.4

0.7

3.3

1.0

1.9

0.7

3.3

5.9

(3.1)

25.8

0.7

3.3

0.9

–

–

25.8

(6.5)

0.4

1.8

(4.3)

(1.0)

0.4

1.8

1.2

(7.6)

0.4

1.8

(5.4)

Reported

Share option charge

Exceptional items

Adjusted

Key Metrics

Revenue

Adjusted EBITDA

Adjusted Profit/(loss) before tax

Post IFRS 16
52 weeks to
26.12.21
£m

Pre IFRS 16
52 weeks to
26.12.21
£m

Post IFRS 16
52 weeks to
27.12.20
£m

Pre IFRS 16
52 weeks to
27.12.20
£m

35.4

5.9

0.9

35.4

3.8

1.0

25.8

1.2

(5.4)

25.8

(0.8)

(5.1)

Change
Pre IFRS 16
%

37%

N/A

N/A

01

FINANCIAL STATEMENTSSTRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEAT A GLANCE

A premium,  
wet-led offer and 
flexible approach 
that appeals to a 
broad customer base

What we do

Product offering

The Group has five key target markets:

Established in 2011, The City Pub Group is a 
managed pub business operating in 
London and the South of England and 
Wales. It has a collection of 41 unbranded 
predominately free-house pubs clustered 
around affluent Cathedral cities. Its 
premium, wet-led offer and flexible 
approach give it broad customer appeal 
across residents, workers, students, 
shoppers and tourists. 

The Directors believe that in the premium 
managed pub sector, liquor sales such as 
craft ales, craft spirits and independent 
coffee brands offer higher growth 
potential, higher margins and higher 
predictability over sales than traditional 
beers, lagers and spirits. Food menus are 
developed to offer high quality, freshly 
prepared food, providing good value for 
money and offering a wide range of 
choice. Increasingly, more healthy and 
vegan options are being offered in our 
pubs to broaden the appeal to a wider 
range of customers.

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STUDE N T S

Co-founded by Clive Watson,  
David Bruce and John Roberts  
as The City Pub Company East  
and The City Pub Company West 
2011

Pubs added to portfolio

Alfie’s, Winchester, 
Bath Brew House, Bath,
The Lighthouse, London, 
The Phene, London,
The Georgian Townhouse, Norwich,
The Roundhouse, London
2013

2012
First four pubs to start trading

The Cork, Bath,
The Mill, Cambridge,
St Aldates Tavern, Oxford,
Cambridge Brew House, Cambridge

02

Pubs added to portfolio

The Old Bicycle Shop, Cambridge,
The George Street Social, Oxford,
The Walrus, Brighton, (Sold 2022)
Prince Street Social, Bristol,
King Street Brew House, Bristol,
The Cock & Bottle, London
2015

2014
Pubs added to portfolio

Daly’s Wine Bar, London, 
Temple Brew House, London, 
The Lion and Lobster, Brighton, (Sold 2022)
St Andrews Brew House, Norwich, 
The Nell Gwynne, London

THE CITY PUB GROUP ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 20212022
Disposal of London Road Brew 
House, Inn on the Beach, The Walrus, 
The Lion and Lobster, Travellers 
Friend and Brighton Beach Club

2021
Disposal of The Island in Kensal Green, 
Punt Yard in Cambridge and Tell Your 
Friends in Parsons Green

2020
Disposal of a cottage near  
to the Hoste, Burnham Market

2019
Pubs added to portfolio

Pride of Paddington, London, 
Hoste, Burnham Market, 
Turks Head, Exeter, 
The Nest, Bath (in development),
Mumbles (Open 2022),
The Island, Kensal Green,
Disposal of Grapes, Oxford

2018
Pubs added to portfolio

Belle Vue, London, 
Tell Your Friends, London,
The Market House, Reading, 
Pontcanna Inn, Cardiff, 
Old Ticket Office, Cambridge, 
Bow Street Tavern, London, 
The Bicycle Shed, Oxford, 

Tivoli, Cambridge (in development), 
Jam Tree, Clapham (renamed The Yard), 
Jam Tree, Chelsea (renamed The Lost Hours), 
The Travellers Friend, London, (Sold 2022),
Brighton Beach Club, Brighton, (Sold 2022),
Chapel 1877, Cardiff

2017
Pubs added to portfolio

Three Crowns, London, 
Waterman, Cambridge,
Grapes, Oxford, 
Red Lion, Cambridge,
Old Fire House, Exeter,
Aragon House, London 
IPO in November 2017

2016
Pubs added to portfolio

The Cat & Mutton, London, 
Inn on the Beach, Hayling Island, (Sold 2022)
The Punt Yard, Cambridge, 
The Petersfield, Cambridge, 
The Althorp, London, 
London Road Brew House, Southampton, (Sold 2022)
The Westgate, Winchester

03

FINANCIAL STATEMENTSSTRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCECHAIRMAN’S STATEMENT

A strengthened base 
for improving returns

Staff morale has considerably improved 
since our last report helped by increased 
communication within the Group and 
the way we cared for our staff during 
the pandemic. 

By November last year, following the 
lifting of restrictions, we were trading 
ahead of 2019’s level demonstrating 
demand and the recovery of our business 
but that growing momentum reversed 
with the outbreak of Omicron in December 
2021. Encouragingly, trading for the last 
9 weeks of 2022 is at around 98% of 2019. 
We are now confident that 2022 trading 
across the portfolio will exceed 2019 
by the end of the second quarter.

Trading Estate 
The Group currently operates 41 trading 
sites and a further 3 development 
sites. Another 3 are at the heads of 
agreement stage.

In order to maintain and continuously 
improve the quality of our estate we have 
made the following investments:

•  The Hoste, Burnham Market, Norfolk –  
an further 18 rooms are in the process 
of being refurbished and an outside 
seating area for 60 added

•  Georgian Townhouse, Norwich –  

further premiumisation of the site has 
taken place together with enhancement 
of the outside trading area, including the 
addition of an all-weather terrace with 
60 covers and a retractable roof

•  Bath Brew House, Bath – the outside 
sitting area for over 80 seats has been 
covered creating extra weather proof 
trading space 

•  Phene, Chelsea – garden significantly 
upgraded to take advantage of the 
summer months

•  Daly’s Wine Bar and Temple Brew 
House on the Strand were our last 
pubs to be reopened, fully refurbished 
after 2 years of closure

Since my last statement in 
September 2021, the business 
has emerged fully from the 
COVID-19 lockdowns and 
Omicron over the 2021 festive 
season and early 2022. All our 
40 pubs have reopened and 
most of the estate is now 
trading normally. 

Our focus is on growing our premium 
business of high quality, predominantly 
freehold pubs in great cities and market 
towns of Southern England and Wales. 
We will do this by driving sales in our core 
estate, as well as continuing our expansion. 
Our central marketing structure is giving us 
better visibility of how to further build 
future sales which together with the City 
Club App enables us to enhance improved 
customer loyalty. We are benefiting from 
more a streamlined business and the 
significant savings achieved.

04

THE CITY PUB GROUP ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2021We have net debt of circa 
£2m resulting in a very 
strong balance sheet 
positioning us optimally 
to acquire assets at 
the right time and the 
right price.

Post balance sheet date events – 
Disposals/Mosaic
In March this year we announced the 
disposal of 6 sites predominantly on the 
south coast for the consideration of 
approximately £17m. The board felt that 
they could reinvest this money into higher 
growth assets and also use it to increase 
our stake in the Mosaic Pubs, which has 
10 high quality pubs of which 8 are 
freehold. Mosaic has a strong London and 
Birmingham presence and we’ve recently 
increased our stake from 25% to 36% at a 
total cost of c. £4.1m. We will make an offer 
for the outstanding shares in Mosaic by 
the middle of next year at which point we 
will be able to consolidate their trading 
estate with our own. The Mosaic estate will 
complement our existing pub estate and 
will help drive further growth in 2023. 

Financial Highlights 
Summary for the year ended 
26 December 2021:

•  Revenue up 37% to £35.4 million  

(2020: £25.8 million) 

•  Adjusted EBITDA* of £3.8 million  

(2020: £(0.8) million) 

•  Adjusted profit/(loss) before tax** 
of £1.0 million (2020: £(5.1) million) 

•  Reported profit/(loss) of £(2.9) million 

(2020: £(6.5) million)

•  Planning consent has now been 

granted for the Café Rouge site in Bury 
St Edmunds – our new All-Day Trading 
concept is being launched here – it is 
being named Damson & Wilde. 
Featuring an all-day menu, a premium 
drinks offer, great coffee and high 
service levels we expect to develop 
this to capitalise on the best aspects of 
high street offers. Once proven and 
implemented, we anticipate replicating 
the all day format in other pubs which 
will further help to premiumise them. 
If Damson & Wilde proves to be a 
success, we will look at expanding this 
concept but will not be sucked into 
paying high rents on the High Street 
which have increased considerably in 
the last few months.

Investments being implemented:
•  Cliftonville Hotel, Cromer, to be 

reopened having been refurbished, 
in time for summer holidays, with 
potential extra outside seating of 
circa 100 covers

•  Most recently, on 25th April, the Oyster 
House, Mumbles, opened and we are 
very confident that with a good 
summer we will achieve high levels of 
trade and benefit from the16 luxury 
hotel rooms to rival any in the region

•  The Tivoli, Cambridge has taken us 
over 2 years to develop due to COVID 
delays. Following significant investment 
we anticipate it becoming one of our 
trophy sites. This opens in May 22.

•  The Nest, Bath – it has finally been 

granted planning for its large outside 
beer garden and licensed for the 
extended hours. We anticipate it 
opening in early August

Key Metrics

Post IFRS 16
52 weeks to
26.12.21
£m

Pre IFRS 16
52 weeks to
26.12.21
£m

Post IFRS 16
52 weeks to
27.12.20
£m

Pre IFRS 16
52 weeks to
27.12.20
£m

Revenue

Adjusted EBITDA

Adjusted Profit/(loss) before tax

35.4

5.9

0.9

35.4

3.8

1.0

25.8

1.2

(5.4)

25.8

(0.8)

(5.1)

* Pre-IFRS16 Adjusted earnings before exceptional items, share option charge, interest, taxation, depreciation and amortisation.
** Pre-IFRS16 Adjusted profit / (loss) before tax is the profit / (loss) before tax, share option charge and exceptional items.

Change
Pre IFRS 16
%

37%

N/A

N/A

05

FINANCIAL STATEMENTSSTRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCECHAIRMAN’S STATEMENT cont’d

Bank Facilities 
Currently, we have net debt of circa £2m 
resulting in a very strong balance sheet 
positioning us optimally to acquire assets 
at the right time and the right price. We 
have credit facilities of £35m, therefore the 
company is well placed to acquire assets 
at the right time, at the right price.

Consequently we have no requirement 
for the £5m CLBLS which we took out 
last year and this facility has now 
been cancelled. 

Estate Valuation
The trading portfolio of pubs has been 
revalued and the total sum of gross 
trading assets equates to £150m (this 
excludes the recent pub disposals). Within 
the valuation, 17 of the larger pubs were 
independently valued, accounting for 65% 
of the gross trading value. Net Asset Value, 
excluding any lotting premium which 
would be undoubtedly achieved for an 
estate of quality premium assets, is circa 
145p per share.

Board Changes
Holly Elliott joined the company on 29 
November 2021 as Chief Financial Officer, 
having previously worked at Five Guys and 
Caffé Nero. Holly has vast experience in 
the hospitality industry and has joined to 
help the Company improve its systems, 
financial controls, and to assist with the 
expansion of the business.

Tarquin Williams left the business at the 
end of February 2022 after serving as 
CFO for over 6 years. Tarquin was heavily 
involved in the Group’s flotation on AIM 
in November 2017 and assisted in steering 
it through difficult COVID period. The 
board would like to thank Tarquin for his 
contribution and wish him all the best 
for the future.

ESG
Last year we established an ESG 
committee chaired by Emma Fox, an 
independent Non-Executive Director. 
Throughout 2021, we have made progress 
in developing our strategy to ensure that 
we operate as a more responsible 
business, primed to play a positive role in 
society. We have launched a significant 
and thorough review of our current 

operations and introduced robust data 
collection processes to fully understand 
our impact on the environment and the 
communities in which we operate. We are 
taking our responsibilities seriously and 
want to get ESG right. 

This year we have reported against the 
recommendations of the TCFD for the first 
time and prepared standalone ESG and 
TCFD Reports to communicate our ESG 
journey to our stakeholders. We are 
continuously improving and implementing 
measures and new procedures across our 
estate which will help continue reduce our 
carbon footprint. 

Our policies will be outlined in our 
published report and accounts. I would 
like to thank Emma and the committee for 
their immense contribution it’s been a 
challenging and rewarding year. 

Dividends 
The Group is now in strong financial 
position and the Board believes that 
shareholders should be rewarded for 
supporting the business through the last 
couple of very challenging years. 

06

THE CITY PUB GROUP ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2021The Board therefore plans to reintroduce 
dividends on a progressive basis with 
the current intention being that this 
will accompany the interim results 
in September.

Industry Issues
The Group has come through the 
challenges of COVID and the action that 
it took during the pandemic is seeing it 
emerge a better, stronger business albeit 
facing well publicised macro-economic 
challenges including inflation, issues 
arising from Brexit and more recently 
the impact from the war in Ukraine. 

The Group benefits from a 3-year supply 
agreement with our major beer suppliers 
agreed in December 2021. This agreement 
helps mitigate some of the inflationary 
pressures that our industry faces and 
means that we will in real terms be paying 
less for larger parts of our liquor supplies.

Energy costs have soared, and we have 
hedged our future exposure but the cost 
to the business in this financial year is in 
excess of £1m.

Food price inflation is also high as well 
as building material and labour costs. 

There is no quick term solution to inflation. 
The Board feels it’s inappropriate and 
counterproductive to keep increasing 
prices that we charge customers, and 
therefore margins will be impacted in 
the short term. We would rather delight 
our customers than price ourselves 
anti competitively.

Outlook 
The Group is in a very strong financial 
position, and it continues to review and 
seek acquisition opportunities to create 
value. The Board believes this is the best 
way to drive shareholder value. Large parts 
of our estate are trading well but there are 
still some pubs that need focus to 
re-establish normalised levels of trading. 

We have worked hard to forge a strong 
culture within the business which is 
helping to retain key employees at retail 
and head office level. As part of a 
deliberate plan, many have share options 
to incentivise them for the future.

The estate is high quality with 220 letting 
rooms and we anticipate benefiting from 
the continued popularity of staycations. 
Room sales are expected to be, this year, 
over 10% of the overall sales compared to 
6% in 2019. With our coastal investments 
such as the Hoste in Burnham Market, 
Oyster House in Mumbles and Cliftonville 
in Cromer we are well positioned to take 
advantage of this market.

The board remains ambitious and with the 
planned Mosaic acquisition next year and 
new opportunities arising from the 
dislocation in the marketplace, our 
ambition is to have 65-70 quality pubs 
open by the end of next year. 

There are undoubtedly major challenges 
such us inflation, but with a high intensity 
retailing approach, we believe we can 
overcome these challenges over the next 
12 months, taking advantage of our 
balance sheet, one of the strongest in the 
hospitality industry. We have a very strong 
platform to build on.

I would like to thank all my Directors, all our 
staff, our Advisers, our Bankers, Barclays 
Bank Plc, suppliers and Shareholders for all 
their help in in getting us to this stage. I am 
confident that the better times will return 
and that in the meantime we can continue 
to weather the storm and continue to 
improve on Group’s fortunes.

Clive Watson  
Executive Chairman 
26 April 2022

07

FINANCIAL STATEMENTSSTRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEOUR BUSINESS  
MODEL

Our approach

City Pub Group stands out from the 
crowd with its unique and premium offer. 
This is embedded in its culture and 
influences everything from site selection, 
food and menu design to the quality of 
its employees.

Importantly its portfolio is built up of 
unbranded, wet-led pubs in high footfall 
areas that appeal to a broad range of 
customers. Each pub is centred on a high 
calibre level of staff that offers a relaxed, 
enthusiastic charming environment. 
The Group has a solid track record of 
identifying, acquiring, refurbishing and 
repositioning pubs to drive higher returns. 

Its approach is highly differentiated and 
combines the flexibility of the managed 
pub model with the entrepreneurialism 
of the tenanted model. This differentiated 
approach has been honed over 
management’s 100 collective years 
of pub retail experience.

OUR KEY 
STRENGTHS

Premium operator creating individual 
identity for each pub 
The Group’s pub estate and flexible retail 
strategy addresses the trend away from 
branded pubs and towards premium 
individualised pubs, each of which have 
a product range appropriate for their 
local market.

The group is asset backed
Prior to the IPO in November 2017, an 
independent valuation report by CBRE 
valued the Group’s portfolio of 34 pubs 
at £73.65 million. At the time the valuation 
represented a 9% uplift on net book value. 
The company has purchased four new 
properties, of which two are freehold. 
A 2022 independent valuation valued 
17 properties at £98m. The Directors 
believe a conservative value of the 
full estate is £150m.

Experienced management team, 
motivated staff and strong culture
The management team of the Group 
has over 100 years’ experience in the 
pub industry with an excellent reputation, 
extensive contact base and proven skill in 
identifying attractive sites for an attractive 
price. Staff are incentivised to focus on 
customer service and are represented 
at board meetings, giving a high retention 
rate among key staff and a strong sense 
of culture.

Management strength and track record 
provides confidence in the deliverability 
of a premium hyper-local strategy of 
refurbishing and repositioning wet-led 
pubs across UK cathedral cities.

Scalable platform with pipeline of 
potential acquisitions
The centralised infrastructure platform, 
comprising systems and processes as well 
as head office staff, enables a smooth 
change of ownership for the pubs which 
are currently in the acquisition pipeline, as 
well as those identified through the 
Group’s appraisal of both individual sites 
and portfolios of pubs across southern 
England and Wales. 

Impressive financial performance 
and growth 
The Group has returned to strong sales 
and positive EBITDA, with steadily 
increasing operating margins over the last 
few years. Supplier agreements are 
expected to further improve operating 
margins going forward.

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DEDICATED

MARKETING

THE CITY PUB GROUP ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2021 
 
 
 
Premium offering
Liquor-led pubs with high  
quality food offering 

Quick to adapt to consumer  
habits for food and drink

Micro-breweries in selected  
sites add differentiation and  
choice variety

Acquisition and  
transformation of sites
Extensive network in the  
industry enables privileged  
access to new sites

Seamless integration  
of acquired pubs

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Need for refurbishment decided  
on a case-by-case basis

DEDICATED
MARKETING

Dedicated marketing
Marketing is predominately  
reputation-based supported  
by strong online reviews 

Development of innovative  
“City Club” app to engender  
customer loyalty

People and culture
Quality staff are key to  
the Company’s strategy 

Track record of hiring exceptional  
managers who are well trained and  
incentivised with targeted programmes 

Typically hire from within  
resulting in low staff turnover

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Sourcing
Central buying power

Benefiting from attractive  
long term agreements with  
suppliers due to its scale

09

FINANCIAL STATEMENTSSTRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCE 
 
 
 
Pub Estate

The Group has a portfolio of 44 pubs in England and Wales as shown on the map below. This consists of 41 trading sites (post COVID) 
and 3 development sites.

27 of the pubs in the portfolio are freehold (61%) and 17 are leasehold (39%) 

22

10

23

20

21

12

24

08

11

05

09

03

02

25

27

26

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14

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18

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34

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33

44

38

37

35

36

32

40

41

42

30

29

39

28

Bath

01

02

Bristol

04

Cambridge

05

06

07

08

Wales

Suffolk

London cont’d

Freehold

Leasehold

03

The Bath 
Cider 
House

13

14

15

The Oyster House

Exeter

16

17 The Turks Head

Hampshire

18

19

Norfolk

20

21

22

23

Cliftonville Hotel

09

10

Tivoli

11

12

24

Damson & Wilde

Oxford

25

26

Reading

27

London

28

29

30

31

32

*

*

33

34

35

36

37

38

39

40

41

42

43

44

*  Daly’s Wine Bar and Temple Brew House operate under a single lease.

10

THE CITY PUB GROUP ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2021 
OUR STRATEGY

The Group expects to have at least 44 trading pubs by year end and it intends 
to continue to acquire new sites. The Group has extensive relationships with 
property agents specialising in the licenced trade industry and many of 
these relationships have been in existence for a number of years. 

Acquisition strategy
The Group’s acquisition strategy is broken down into five areas.

1

2

Acquisition of existing pubs
Central to the Group’s acquisition 
strategy is buying existing pubs 
which are already trading well and 
are typically sold by private sellers. 
The main change is to transfer the 
pub’s supply contracts onto the 
Group’s centralised platform, quickly 
improving operating margins. The 
Group prides itself on the way it 
works with the existing employees 
in these pubs and, over a period of 
time, aims to integrate these 
employees into the Group’s 
entrepreneurial culture.

Acquisition of trading pubs which 
require redirection
The Group also seeks to acquire 
existing pubs that require modest 
refurbishment and improved 
retailing standards. Typically, the 
Group will target an investment of 
circa £250,000 to tailor the décor 
to the pub’s local market and 
improve the liquor and food 
offerings, as well as help the 
existing staff to adopt an 
entrepreneurial approach in 
managing the pub.

3

4

Closed down pubs requiring 
extensive refurbishment
The Group also looks to acquire 
sites that are either underperforming 
or have been closed down and 
which provide the opportunity for 
the Group to substantially refurbish 
and improve the product offer to 
better serve the tastes of the 
Group’s target consumers.

5

Investment into other EIS 
companies
The Group will look for 
opportunities to invest into EIS 
companies as it has done with 
Mosaic Pub and Dining Tranche 1 
and with Barts Pub LTD.

Unlicensed premises
The Group is able to target sites 
which are currently unlicensed but 
which present the opportunity to 
be transformed into premium 
trading pubs.

The Group typically targets pubs 
and sites which produce, or are 
expected to produce, higher EBITDA 
per pub than the industry average. 
The Directors believe that by 
focusing on sites expected to 
produce a higher EBITDA, head 
office costs as a percentage of sales 
are reduced and this performance 
also enables the attraction and 
retention of top performing pub 
managers.

The Group evaluates new sites by 
testing them against five key target 
markets: residents, office workers, 
students, tourists and shoppers. 
For a new site to be considered, it 
should ideally address at least four 
of the five key target markets.

The Group has identified a new 
opportunity and is launching a new 
all day trading concept, Damson 
and Wilde, in Bury St Edmunds.

Refurbishment strategy
The Group’s strategy is to enhance existing 
sites rather than redesign to a set formula. 
The Directors believe that an operation 
comprising individual quality outlets which 
are unbranded will trade better over the 
longer term. When refurbishing a pub, the 
Group adopts a timeless design style 
which is one of high quality but is not 
fashionable or contemporary. A typical 
refurbishment is undertaken in a style 
which the Directors believe is long lasting. 
With regular maintenance the estate is 
kept in a high standard, this helps to 
ensure that future refurbishment costs are 
reduced and closures of pubs for major 
refurbishments are minimised.

Acquisition pipeline
The Group is continually appraising both 
individual sites and portfolios of pubs 
across southern England and Wales and 
develops a pipeline of potential 
acquisitions out of the large number of 
opportunities presented. All acquisitions 
are subject to approval by the Board and a 
key consideration, when seeking board 
approval, is to recommend pubs and sites 
in areas which are not highly competitive. 

The Group has a low annual rent charge 
compared to its turnover which was circa 
3.4% as at 26 December 2021 (2020: 3.4%), 
based on normalised trading levels. The 
Group intends to keep it around this level 
or lower.

The Group also reviews the existing 
portfolio to see if any sites should be 
considered for disposal, and has sold six 
sites in 2022. These include Inn on the 
Beach, The Walrus, The Lion and Lobster, 
Brighton Beach Club, Travellers Friend and 
the London Road Brew House, for £17.1m.

Our strategy is to enhance existing sites 
rather than redesign to a set formula. Our 
Directors believe that an operation 
comprising individual quality outlets which 
are unbranded will trade better over the 
longer term.

11

FINANCIAL STATEMENTSSTRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEOUR RELATIONSHIPS

Our people

Recruitment and retention of high quality 
staff is key to the Group’s strategy, both at 
head office and across the estate. The 
Group’s staff are well-trained and 
appropriately incentivised, given their 
respective roles, with the focus on 
attracting the most suitable employees to 
support the growth of the Group and 
maintain high levels of consumer 
satisfaction. Over the covid period the 
company topped up employees wages 
when they were sick. 

People and culture
The Group’s localised strategy requires a 
certain standard and quality in its staff. The 
inherent ability to be engaging, intelligent 
and motivated are key attributes. The 
strategy to focus within Cathedral cities 
means finding the right type of staff 
should be easier especially as universities 
are central to all these cities. Finding the 
right people is followed by training 
programmes and a highly rewarding 
incentives package that we feel is unique 
in the industry. Putting its staff at the heart 
of the business is also reflected, with two 
employee representatives included at 
every board meeting.

Operation structure and staffing
Growth, accompanied with the clustering 
strategy, means many General Managers 
are “homegrown”. This has allowed for 
progression to Operations Manager in 
some cases. Each pub has a General 
Manager and most have a Head Chef 
on-site. The average full time equivalent 
(FTE) staff per pub ranges from 15-25 
depending on size and offer (higher for 
those with accommodation and greater 
food offer). The operational structure is 
highly devolved fostering a more 
entrepreneurial spirit that is rarely seen 
in larger groups.

Number of staff

Staff by region

Staff by task

1,400

1,200

1,000

800

600

400

200

0

1,111

832

892

879

462

61
2017

80
2018

98
2019

92
2020

83
2021

Management & Administration

Pub staff

UK 78%

EU 18%

Other 4%

Front of house 79%

Back of house 21%

12

THE CITY PUB GROUP ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2021Staff training and incentives

Training
The overarching aim is to offer customers 
exceptional experiences, while striving to 
offer employees sufficient development 
possibilities to build a career within 
the Group. 

Incentives
The City Pub Group has developed 
a comprehensive incentives policy. 
Importantly, bonuses are based on both 
quantitative and qualitative targets that 
are paid out weekly, monthly, as well 
as annually.

Selective trainings offered to employees:

Food & Beverage
Brewery Visits
Cellar Management & 
Pint Perfection
Level 2 & 3 Front of 
House & Chef 
Apprenticeships
Licensing & Social 
Responsibility
New Menu Cook-Offs
Supplier Training, 
Tastings, & Visits
WSET Levels 1 & 2

Administrative
Anti-Modern Slavery 
Training
Disability Awareness
Diversity, Inclusion & 
Equity
Emergency First Aid At 
Work Training
Fire Marshal Training
Food Safety Levels 1, 2, & 3
Food Safety & Health & 
Safety Coaching Visits
Health & Safety Level 2
Operational Systems 
Training
Personal License Holder 
Training
Regional Inductions
Social Media & Marketing

Management
Conflict Resolution
Customer Experience 
Academy
Deputy Manager 
Development Days
Employment Law 
Training
Fully Funded Online 
Short Courses
Hospitality Supervisor & 
Manager 
Apprenticeships
Management 
Development Programme
Mental Wellbeing Training
Rising Stars Programme 
for Supervisors & 
Assistant Managers
Short Management 
Masterclasses
P&L Training for Managers
Senior Culinary Chef 
Apprenticeships

The Group has five key target markets:

R S

E

P

P

SH O

RESID

E

N

T

S

T
O
U

R

I

S

T

S

S
E
R
C
E
FI
K
R
OF
O
W

STUDE N T S

Our customers

While value for money is a major 
component, there is a key focus on a 
premium offer across the entire estate. 
Aligned with keeping the values of the 
pub intact, there is an aim for the pub 
to become a central part of the local 
community by incorporating local 
suppliers, local staff and providing 
several reasons for people to visit often.

Adapting and driving 
consumer preference
Shifts in consumer preferences and 
behaviours combined with the changing 
profile of the high street, have blurred the 
lines between pubs, restaurants, cafés and 
coffee shops. Customers are now able to 
have a breakfast in a pub or dinner in a 
coffee shop. Menus are developed 
individually for each pub and offer good 
value across a wide range of choice. 
Increasingly, healthier and vegan options 
are being offered in each pub to broaden 
the appeal to a wider range of customers.

Our suppliers 

The Group adopts a long-term approach 
with its suppliers and has maintained 
relationships with its major suppliers 
since inception. This includes contractors, 
professional advisers, designers and 
property agents, as well as food and 
drink suppliers.

Over 70% of our drink products have now 
been signed up on a three year fixed price 
deal, assisting margin improvement 
mitigating against inflation risk in this area.

The Group has centralised its food 
purchasing function and significantly 
reduced the number of its suppliers. 
This has resulted in an improvement in its 
purchasing terms and will enable greater 
economies of scale to be achieved as the 
pub estate grows.

There is an aim for  
the pub to become a 
central part of the local 
community by 
incorporating local 
suppliers, local staff and 
providing several 
reasons for people  
to visit.

13

FINANCIAL STATEMENTSSTRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCECORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY / ESG

Together we can 
empower our 
people and protect 
our planet

THE CITY PUB GROUP ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 202114  We recognise that the Environmental, 
Social and Governance (ESG) agenda has 
become increasingly important for our 
stakeholders and customers. In response, 
we have developed an ESG framework to 
deliver our vision, offering independent, 
safe and supportive spaces that leave 
a positive impact. 

Clive Watson 
Executive Chairman

Throughout 2021, we have made progress in developing our strategy to ensure that we 
operate as a more responsible business, primed to play a positive role in society. We have 
launched a significant and thorough review of our current operations and introduced robust 
data collection processes to fully understand our impact on the environment and the 
communities in which we operate. We are taking our responsibilities seriously and want to 
get ESG right. This year we have reported against the recommendations of the Task Force 
on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) for the first time and prepared standalone 
ESG and TCFD Reports to communicate our ESG journey to our stakeholders.

Our ESG Strategy

Our aim is to empower our customers, 
benefit our people, enrich our local 
communities and protect our planet. 
Our approach is localised, independent 
and responsible – adding value by 
being different and unique. Creating 
safe and supportive spaces for people 
and for the planet is central to 
achieving our goals. 

We have enlisted the help of a third 
party specialist to support us in 
developing our ESG strategy, 
measuring our impact and enhancing 
our reporting. We are in the process 
of establishing clear and measurable 
targets as part of our ESG Strategy 
reducing our carbon emissions, waste, 
and water, improving health and safety, 
learning and development, diversity 
and supporting our local communities. 
We aim to develop these targets in 
2022, details of which can be found 
on pages 16 to 19.

In developing the City Pub Group ESG 
Strategy, we have considered a range 
of different ESG disclosures and 
reporting frameworks to ensure 
best practice across the Group. 

As a plc, we comply with the Energy 
Savings Opportunity Scheme (ESOS), 
a mandatory energy assessment 
scheme which the Group must perform 
every four years. This along with our 
Streamlined Energy and Carbon 
Reporting (SECR) Report (page 17) 
enables the Group to assess and 
report our energy usage, associated 
emissions, energy efficiency action, 
and energy performance.

In 2021, we reported on our progress 
against the TCFD for the first time. 
The TCFD requires UK premium-listed 
companies to report on a ‘comply or 
explain’ basis, effective for periods 
beginning on or after 1st January 2021, 

and was introduced by the Financial 
Conduct Authority (FCA). This year, 
we also published our first ESG Report 
outlining the Group’s ESG programme 
and our progress to date. Our ESG 
Report has been prepared in 
accordance with the Global Reporting 
Initiative, an in depth ESG reporting 
framework that enables organisations 
to report on their environmental, 
social, economic and governance 
performance.

To enhance our ESG strategy, we aim 
to submit a Carbon Disclosure Project 
(CDP) ‘Climate’ response in summer 
2022 to report further on our 
environmental impact management. 

FINANCIAL STATEMENTSSTRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCE15CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY / ESG cont’d

We operate a robust governance 
framework throughout the Group, 
outlining the relationships between 
our stakeholders, the Board and senior 
management in shaping our strategy. 
We have embedded ESG into our existing 
governance processes and responsibility 
for managing ESG performance is held by 
various individuals across multiple 
governance forums at Board, executive 
and management level. 

The City Pub Group Board has overall 
responsibility for the Group’s ESG 
programme. Given the importance of ESG 
to our stakeholders, the Board established 
a specific ESG Committee to ensure ESG 
issues are dedicated appropriate attention. 
The ESG Committee is chaired by Emma 
Fox, Independent Non-Executive Director 
of City Pub Group and Chief Executive of 
Berry Bros & Rudd, and includes Neil 
Griffiths, Independent Non-Executive 
Director of City Pub Group, former COO 
of Punch Taverns Plc, and Clive Watson, 
Co-Founder and Executive Chairman of 
City Pub Group.

The Committee is responsible for 
developing the Group’s ESG strategy, 
overseeing initiatives and ensuring 
compliance with current and emerging ESG 
regulation. The Committee meets quarterly, 
reporting on performance of ESG initiatives 
across the Group. An update is provided to 
the Board once a year. 

Following feedback from our stakeholders 
on the importance of ESG, we completed 
a thorough review of our current 
operations in 2020, assessing our impact 
across energy use and carbon emissions, 
waste, our people, customers and local 
communities. In 2021, we built upon this by 
launching a robust data collection process 
across the group, expanding our material 
issues to specially include water, 
biodiversity, health and safety, learning 
and development, and diversity. In order to 
reduce our impact in these areas, we have 
set appropriate targets and introduced 
processes to monitor our progress in 
achieving these targets. 

16

Environmental

Protecting the planet
The Group aims to act sustainably, 
minimising waste, reducing our 
environmental impact, and ensuring that 
our operations are continuously monitored 
for improvements. For this, we have 
implemented an environmental policy, 
committing to operating in the most 
responsible and sustainable way.

Energy Use
City Pub Group are committed to reducing 
our energy use and improving the 
efficiency of our operations. 

In 2021, we launched an energy savings 
project, introducing a range of initiatives 
to help us achieve our goals. 

We have installed Technik2 Cellar 
Manager, Cellar Manager Plus and Fridge 
Manager technology across the Group to 
boost efficiency and reduce energy 
consumption in our Pubs. Remote 
optimisers have also been installed to 
manage our usage. The completion of this 
project will result in an estimated payback 
of £226,000 and 480,575 kwh energy 
reduction over 5 months.

Many of our sites are fitted with LED 
lighting, timers and motion sensors for 
lighting, and fridge and freezer seals. 
Outdated windows are being upgraded to 
secondary glazing across the Group. 

We have worked to reduce our reliance on 
gas for cooking at our Pubs by replacing 
old units with Induction hobs, which are up 
to 50% more energy efficient than gas or 
other electric ceramic models.

Behavioural changes are an important 
factor for City Pub Group to meet our 
reduction targets. By encouraging 
employees to ‘turn stuff off’, we are aiming 
to reduce our energy usage by 10%. 

We have enhanced our communication 
of our energy saving project across the 
Group, producing posters educating 
employees on best practice at all sites. 
Energy Consumption readings are now 
monitored on a real time basis and energy 
consumption is reviewed against our 
targeted consumption reduction of 20% 
on weekly calls with Operators. Cash 
incentives for management teams for 
reductions have been rolled out 
throughout City Pub Group. 

Sustainable Development
We refurbish our sites with the environment 
in mind. Where possible, we minimise 
building materials by repurposing as much 
original or recycled material as possible. 
Waterless urinals have been installed, 
ensuring the building is as energy efficient 
as possible. Multiple electric vehicle 
charging points have been installed to 
three of our pubs with rooms. We now 
provide blankets and hot water bottles to 
our customers in our outdoor areas instead 
of installing additional heaters. Moving 
forward we will promote sustainable travel 
by also installing staff and public cycle 
racks where possible across the Group.

Water 
Reducing our water usage is crucial to 
City Pub Group. We have started installing 
water saving and recording measures 
in 2021 to begin this journey. In 2021, we 
installed 21 limpets, accounting for around 
50% of our estate so far. We plan to roll this 
out to our full estate in 2022. 

THE CITY PUB GROUP ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2021We have worked to reuse equipment 
where possible reduce waste, for example, 
in some of our Pubs we serve our pizzas 
on the trays on which they are cooked. Our 
Executive Group Chef considers portion 
size when selecting new menu items to 
reduce food waste, as well as increasing 
the number of vegan and vegetarian 
options which also aids in a wider carbon 
reduction for the environment. 

Our City Pub App, enabling customers to 
access menus online. We are also 
exploring draught wine to reduce waste 
from bottles.

Biodiversity
We have assessed our sites and 
determined our operations have a low 
impact on biodiversity. Within many of our 
sites, we have beer gardens, housed with 
vegetation that offer a natural and green 
environment for many species to inhabit. 

When redeveloping buildings, we 
consider the local wildlife before 
commencing with construction. For our 
Tivoli project we are introducing a ‘Living 
Roof’ on the river frontage which will 
support local biodiversity.

For our more rural sites we continue to 
provide safe havens for wildlife by 
maintaining our outdoor spaces and 
implementing herb gardens.

We have introduced waterless urinals to 
our sites to significantly reduce water 
consumption and waste. 

We have also rolled out a Water Filtration 
system to 8 of our pubs. This enables us to 
bottle our own filtered water instead of 
stocking mineral water and reduces our 
waste as bottles are reused on site. We 
donate 25-50% of the selling price of this 
water to ‘Water Aid’, an international 
non-governmental organisation, focused 
on water, sanitation and hygiene. 

Regular Audits are conducted at all sites, 
where all water taps and seals are checked 
for leaks to ensure there is no waste. We 
have hung posters in all our kitchens to 
educate staff on water usage and the 
importance of ensuring taps are turned off 
and the process for reporting leaks. 

Reducing Waste 
The Group is committed to reducing our 
waste production by minimum of 5% each 
year. A range of initiatives have been 
introduced across the Group in order to 
reduce the amount of waste we produce. 

We have improved our recycling 
methods by separating cardboard and 
glass and introduced bailers across 
several sites to streamline our waste 
directly to be recycled. 

Packaging waste has been reviewed 
throughout our operations. We return 
delivery crates to our dry goods supplier 
Elite and have replaced single use 50ml 
shampoo and conditioners to refillable 
bottles in our hotels rooms. 

Social

We aim to keep the values of each pub 
across our estate intact, enabling each 
pub to become a central part of the 
local community by incorporating local 
suppliers, local staff and providing 
several reasons for our loyal customers 
to visit often.

Benefiting our People 
At City Pub Group, we put our staff at 
the heart of our business, ensuring they 
are always heard and looked after 
throughout the company. Two employee 
representatives are included at each 
Board meeting to ensure employee 
concerns and improvements in staff 
welfare can be discussed.

We promote inclusive and fair 
renumeration and reward schemes across 
our pubs. Selected staff are awarded 
share options in the business after six 
months service by which time the 
company recognises the efforts of 
individuals to contribute to the overall 
success of the business. 

City Pub Group operate an Employee 
Assistance Programme (EAP) run the 
Hospitality Action. The EAP is available 
24 hours a day and provides a range of 
specialist, independent and confidential 
support services and resources on topics 
including Covid, anxiety, addiction, home 
and family life, domestic abuse, 
bereavement, financial uncertainty, 
employee rights, and general wellbeing.

We launched a company ‘Furlough’ 
scheme to allow those who started after 
the government cut off of March 21 to earn 
80% of their wage if they were forced to 
isolate. We also re-introduced Furlough 
for all employees after the government 
scheme finished at the end of the year, 
when cases of Omicron were rising and 
many could not work. 

17

FINANCIAL STATEMENTSSTRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCECORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY / ESG cont’d

In April 2022, we have introduced 
‘Wagestream’ enabling employees to 
access their pay within 24 hours of 
completing a shift, as opposed to having 
to wait for their traditional pay packets.

Engagement
We held a range of initiatives throughout 
the year to enhance the engagement of 
our employees. A competition was live 
for employees to rename our new pub in 
The Mumbles. The winner received a two 
night stay with breakfast, champagne and 
travel included. 

A ‘Bounty Hunter’ refer a friend scheme 
was also re-launched in 2021. Employees 
received up to £1000 worth of rewards for 
each successful referral.

Employees across the Group also 
participated in a City Pub Group Strava 
challenge, promoting employee health 
and wellbeing, and Christmas Decoration 
competitions. 

During the year, City Pub Group improved 
weekly communication via video blogs 
from the central teams, highlighting energy 
saving initiatives, staff opportunities, 
employee benefits and more.

Diversity and Inclusion
We seek to build a more diverse and 
inclusive workplace at Board, Executive, 
site management and employee level. We 
provide flexible working arrangements to 
support our staff to help facilitate family 
commitments or advance educational 
studies. In 2021, we have appointed a 
female CFO and NED, as well as two 
female Heads of Department. 

We aim to develop our strategy to improve 
our gender, racial, LGBTQ+, age and 
disability diversity and inclusivity of our 
company in 2022.

Learning and development
We encourage an atmosphere of constant 
learning and upskilling by offering our 
employees access to training and 
development programmes. Our 
operational structure is highly devolved, 
fostering a more entrepreneurial spirit 
that is rarely seen in larger groups. This 
enables employees to be innovative 
and develop throughout their careers 
with City Pub Group.

Our model of nearby pubs creating local 
clusters gives staff learning opportunities 
through sharing knowledge and expertise. 
These local clusters help to foster our 
culture of collaboration and support across 
the Group and internal promotion within 
clusters is encouraged so that employees 
have genuine career prospects.

We provide wide range of apprenticeship 
qualifications with our partners at HIT 
Training and encourage career progression 
through career pathways. Currently, 85% of 
our Ops Managers/Directors have been 
promoted from within. At City Pub Group, 
12 employees are currently enrolled on 
Apprenticeship scheme and 40 employees 
(ranging from Supervisor to GM) are set to 
enter into our Management Development 
Programme in 2022.

Our Customers
Following the pandemic, our pubs are 
once again bringing people together in 
safe and supportive spaces so they can 
connect. We pride ourselves in creating 
inclusive environments whereby people 
from all walks of life enjoy their leisure 
time at our pubs and feel safe and 
supported. As part of this, we ensure all of 
our spaces have rooms that are adapted 
for people with disabilities. 

We put considerable efforts behind 
making sure our customers are well cared 
for and safe in our venues. Our staff are 
trained in safeguarding practices to ensure 
our customers’ comfort and well-being. 
Many enhanced health and safety 
measures which were introduced during 
the COVID-19 pandemic have remained to 
prioritise the safety of our customers.

We encourage responsible drinking 
practices across all our pubs, including 
training on serving alcohol responsibly 
and offering better availability of low and 
non-alcoholic drinks products.

We stay updated on changing customer 
preferences and behaviours in this 
industry. Menus are diversified across our 
pubs and offer good value across a wide 
range of choice. Following the importance 
of ESG, and ensuring we reduce our 
impact on the environment, we have 
introduced healthier, vegetarian and 
vegan options in each pub to broaden the 
appeal to a wider range of customers and 
support them in making more sustainable 
life choices.

18

THE CITY PUB GROUP ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2021Emission Type

CO2e tonnes
(Location 
Based)

Current  
Year 
(2021)

kWh

Current  
Year
 (2021)

CO2e tonnes
(Location 
Based)

kWh

Prior Year
 (2020)

Prior Year 
(2020)

Total Scope 1  
(Inclusion: Combustion)

Total Scope 2  
(Inclusion: Purchased Energy)

Total Scope 3  
(inclusion: Indirect Energy use)

11,655,306

2,207.54

4,141,817

777.47

6,698,843

1,422.37

4,105,241

957.10

520,625

120.71

83,379

20.91

Total

18,884,285

3,752.64

8,330,436

1,755.47

Greenhouse Gas Emissions Intensity Ratio:

Total Footprint (Scope 1, Scope 2 and Scope 3) – CO2e tonnes

Turnover (£)

Intensity Ratio (tCO2e/£100,000)

Employees

Intensity Ratio (tCO2e/Employee)

Current 
Year 
(2021)

Prior Year 
(2020)

35.4 m

25.7 m

10.6

843

4.45

6.83

984

1.78

Emission Type

CO2e tonnes (Dual Reporting Methodology)

Market 
Based 
(Supplier 
Specific)

Current 
Year
 (2021)

Location 
Based

Current 
Year
 (2021)

Var. %

Current 
Year 
(2021)

Market 
Based 
(Supplier 
Specific)

Location 
Based

Var. %

Prior Year
 (2020)

Prior Year
 (2020)

Prior Year 
(2020)

2,207.54

2,207.54

0%

777.47

777.47

0%

1,422.37

1,422.37

0%

957.10

907.78

-5.15%

120.71

120.71

0%

20.91

20.91

0%

Total Scope 1  
(Inclusion: 
Combustion)

Total Scope 2  
(Inclusion: 
Purchased 
Energy)

Total Scope 3  
(inclusion: Indirect 
Energy use)

Total

3,752.64

3,752.64

0% 1,755.47

1,706.16

-2.81%

Enriching the local community
We aim to act responsibly and improve the 
local communities in which we operate 
across the Group. City Pub Group is built 
on a firm belief in the importance of 
independence, and our focus has always 
been on creating the perfect experience 
for each local community we serve. The 
COVD-19 pandemic has impacted our 
engagement with local communities in 
recent years, however we aim to enhance 
our community initiatives in 2022.

Across the Group, we partner with 
numerous local organisations. Our City 
Club App is used to communicate local 
events, charities and companies to our 
customers in the surrounding communities.

Additionally, City Pub Group are committed 
to enhancing our position in the local 
community. In 2022, we aim for City Pub 
Group to develop as a local community hub 
by holding our own events across our 
estate. Loneliness has been a prevalent 
issue in many of our local communities 
over the past few years, therefore we aim to 
hold social events where people are 
encouraged to attend, mingle and meet 
new people from their community.

Our employees are also passionate about 
improving the local communities in which 
they work. We work with our staff to 
identify specific partnerships opportunities 
that benefit the community and make 
donations to charities our employees are 
passionate about. Our Pubs are also 
encouraged to work with local charities 
with sites such as Cock & Bottle raising 
money for Grenfell and Petersfield raising 
money for the local hospice.

We have previously partnered with 
Foodcycle who used our kitchens to 
provide cooked meals to those who 
need it most. We have also partnered 
with Something to Look Forward To, 
which offers restaurant meals to those 
going through cancer treatment and 
their families to bring a ray of normality 
to their lives. We aim to continue these 
programmes during 2022.

For the full report please refer 
to our website.

19

FINANCIAL STATEMENTSSTRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCE2021

2020

Revenue 
£m

Operating 
loss
£m

EBITDA 
£m

Loss 
before tax 
£m

 Revenue 
£m

Operating 
profit 
£m

EBITDA 
£m

Profit 
before tax 
£m

35.4

(3.0)

–

–

35.4

0.7

3.3

1.0

1.9

0.7

3.3

5.9

(3.1)

25.8

0.7

3.3

0.9

–

–

25.8

(6.5)

0.4

1.8

(4.3)

(1.0)

0.4

1.8

1.2

(7.6)

0.4

1.8

(5.4)

KPIs
Legislation requires the Board to disclose 
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) relevant 
to the Company. The KPIs are revenue, 
adjusted EBITDA and customer reviews. 
Comments regarding the trading 
performance of the sites can be found in 
the Chairman’s Statement. 

We review our performance by looking 
at our current year actuals against both 
budget and prior year figures.

Going concern statement
Please see the Directors report for the 
Going Concern statement.

On behalf of the Board

Holly Elliott 
Chief Financial Officer 
26 April 2022

Sources of finance
The Group have long term facilities of 
£35 million available, plus an accordion 
option of an additional £15 million until 
July 2024. The Group had drawn down 
£25 million of these facilities at the year 
end. Our undrawn committed facilities at 
26 December 2021 were £10 million with 
a further £12 million of cash held on the 
statement of financial position at year end. 
A £5m CLBILS facility was also available. 
This has been cancelled in 2022.

Separately disclosed items
Separately disclosed exceptional items 
before tax of £3.3 million (2020: £1.8 million) 
comprised £3.7 million impairment 
provision for a number of sites, £0.6 million 
of other non-recurring costs and were 
reduced by an insurance claim of £1.0m. 
Before separately disclosed exceptional 
items and share option charge, adjusted 
profit before tax was therefore £0.9 million 
(2020: loss £(5.4) million). Tax has been 
provided for at a rate of 19.0% (2020: 19.0%) 
on adjusted loss. A full analysis of the tax 
charge for the year is set out in note 7. 

Review of the business
The purpose of the business review is to 
show how the Company assesses and 
manages risk, and adopts appropriate 
policies and targets. Further details of 
the Company’s business and future 
developments are also set out in the 
Chairman’s statement.

BUSINESS REVIEW

Financial performance 

Reported

Share option charge

Exceptional items

Adjusted

Financial position and performance
The results reported with the financial 
statements are for the 52 weeks ended 
26 December 2021, compared with the 
52 weeks ended 27 December 2020. All 
commentary is for the statutory periods, 
except for the like for like information.

The Group has a strong financial position 
as a cash generative business with a high 
quality, mainly freehold asset base. The 
bank debt at year end was £25m. Net debt 
was £12.2m.

Group revenue increased by some 37% 
compared to the prior year due to the 
country coming out of lockdown in April 
2021. Our adjusted operating profit before 
separately disclosed share options and 
exceptional items was £1.0 million (2020: 
loss £4.3 million).

Adjusted EBITDA was much improved at 
£5.9 million due to the loosening of Covid 
restrictions. (2020: £1.2 million). 

Finance costs
Net finance costs (pre IFRS16) before 
separately disclosed exceptional items 
were slightly lower than prior year but 
rounded to £0.4 million (2020: £0.4 million). 

Cash flow and net debt
The Group generated cash from operating 
activities of £10.0 million (2020: £1.3 million). 
In line with our acquisition strategy, we 
invested £5.5 million across a number of 
our sites (2020: £2.3 million) and we 
invested some £2.3 million in investments 
(2020: £1.3 million), mainly the £1.2 million of 
additional investment in certain companies 
within the Mosaic Pub & Dining Group. 

20

THE CITY PUB GROUP ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2021DIRECTORS’ DUTIES – S172 COMPANIES ACT 2006

We have launched a significant and 
thorough review to ensure that we emerge 
as a more responsible business, primed to 
play a positive role in the industry’s 
recovery. We are taking our responsibilities 
seriously, want to get it right as we 
understand that those that succeed in this 
area will have competitive advantage. 

Further explanation of these duties can be 
found in the ESG report.

Directors’ duties to 
promote the long-term 
success of the company 

The directors behave and carry out their 
activities to promote long-term success 
for the benefit of the company’s 
shareholders, employees, clients, 
suppliers and stakeholders. They focus on 
the company passing on a stronger, better 
and more sustainable business to those 
who follow while maintaining 
intergenerational fairness. 

They engage with shareholders, 
employees, clients, suppliers and 
stakeholders to reflect their insights and 
views when making decisions on strategy; 
delivering operational effectiveness; 
making plans; driving initiatives; and 
committing to deliver outcomes that 
enhance social value. 

The culture and values promoted by 
the directors creates a focus across the 
Group on observing and maintaining the 
highest standards of business conduct 
in promoting the long-term success of 
the company. 

The narratives in the corporate 
governance report and directors’ report 
highlight how the directors have observed 
these principles and engaged with 
shareholders, employees, clients, 
suppliers and stakeholders in decision-
making and in promoting the long-term 
success of the company.

As we emerge from the pandemic 
Environmental, Social and Governance 
(ESG) agenda has become increasingly 
important for all businesses. Our ESG 
committee, chaired by Emma Fox, 
continues to highlight the importance 
of initiatives. 

21

FINANCIAL STATEMENTSSTRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEPRINCIPAL RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES

Aligning risk with corporate strategy 
Risk Management Overview 
The City Pub Group is not alone in facing a 
range of risks and uncertainties in the 
course of its business. Our aim is to 
identify and manage these risks effectively 
so that we can deliver on our strategy and 
maximise shareholder returns.

In the course of its normal business, the 
Group continually assesses and takes 
action to mitigate the various risks 
encountered that could impact the 
achievement of its objectives. As detailed in 
the Corporate Governance Report, there 
are systems and processes in place to 
enable the Board to monitor and control 
the Group’s management of risk. The Audit 
Committee reviews the effectiveness of 
this process and seeks to ensure that 
management’s response is adapted 
appropriately to the changing environment. 

External Risks 
There are a number of external risks over 
which the Board has no direct control, 
which are discussed at Board and Audit 
Committee meetings to ensure that the 
business can respond effectively to 
changes in the external environment.

•  A decline in the UK economy would 

reduce consumer disposable income 
and could see a reduction in revenues 
across the industry, or a polarisation 
between cost leaders and premium 
operators.

•  The implications of Brexit are uncertain 

and will continue to be for the 
foreseeable future. The business model 
is dependent on being able to source 
skilled labour, much of which comes 
from the EU. 

•  The war in Ukraine, has seen the 

unsettling of the global economy, 
leading to significantly higher energy 
prices and rising food costs. 

•  The threat of terrorism in the UK has an 
impact on the way in which we operate 
and the safety of our customers and 
employees is of paramount 
importance. A prolonged terrorist 
campaign could ultimately reduce 
consumer spending habits.

•  COVID-19 – While all restrictions have 
now eased, the potential of future 
restrictions would impact trading. 

The following sets out what the Board 
considers to be the principal risks which 
affect the Group at present, although it is 
not intended to be a comprehensive 
analysis of all the risks that the business 
may face. 

Risk Trend Key

 Risk increasing

Regulatory and compliance risks 

 Risk unchanged

 Risk decreasing

Description

Impact

Risk Mitigation & Monitoring

Change

Any significant changes in 
policy could lead to a sudden 
change or the long-term 
decline of the business.

•  We carefully monitor legislative developments and 
review sales trends and consumer habits to gauge 
their impact on our business. 

•  We participate in industry initiatives aimed at the 
responsible promotion and retailing of alcohol.

Legislative Changes 
The City Pub Group operates in a 
highly regulated sector where 
government legislation impacts 
much of the way we do business 
and therefore the business model.

The annual stepped increases to 
the National Living Wage (“NLW”) 
presents a challenge to the way in 
which staff costs are controlled.

Similar changes in future 
could reduce profitability in 
our managed pubs.

•  We have taken steps to mitigate the impact of the 
NLW legislation through review of our staff hours 
and pricing strategies and we are in a unique 
competitive position as we already pay many of our 
employees above the NLW. We are also closely 
monitoring the potential wider wage inflation impact.

•  A Health and Safety Committee oversees the 

operation of the Group’s health and safety policies 
and procedures, and regularly updates its policies 
and training programme to ensure all risks are 
identified and properly assessed and that relevant 
regulation is adhered to. 

•  We use Food Alert a food and H&S consultancy to 

provide audit advice and risk assessment 
management. They audit each site twice a year.

•  We report and investigate all accidents and near 

misses and are looking to appoint dedicated safety 
champions throughout the business. 

• 

In a number of Pubs, we have introduced automatic fire 
suppression systems in our kitchens to reduce fire risk. 

•  All staff receive food hygiene and allergen 

awareness training as standard and regular kitchen 
audits/checks ensure they comply with the 
standards expected of them. Quality assurance 
checks on our core suppliers ensure hygiene 
standards have been adhered to before produce 
reaches our kitchens.

Health and Safety and Food Safety 
The health and safety of the Group’s 
employees and customers is a key 
concern to us. We are required to 
comply with health and safety 
legislation, including fire safety, 
food hygiene and allergens.

Operating a large number of 
managed houses increases 
the complexity of ensuring 
the highest health and safety 
standards are adhered to.

22

THE CITY PUB GROUP ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2021Operational and people risks 

Description

Impact

Risk Mitigation & Monitoring

Change

Business Continuity  
and Crisis Management 
Coronavirus / COVID-19. 
Possible further waves.

Our Managed pubs represent  
our key revenue stream.

The impact of the 
Coronavirus (COVID-19) has 
been to close all of our pubs 
from 20 March 2020 for more 
than three months followed 
by more enforced closures in 
November and then again in 
December 2020 through to 
April 2021.

•  We looked at ways of reopening the pubs using 

social distancing to keep staff and customers safe.

•  We purchased stocks of PPE and sanitisers to ensure 
that the sites were Covid safe and we could follow 
the Government guidelines and keep our staff and 
customers safe. 

•  We monitored whether a second wave of the virus 
could impact our sites and factored this into our 
continuity planning, i.e. keeping stocks low.

•  Operational processes developed to react to any 
COVID-19 infections among our team members.

The impact of a major 
disaster affecting a number 
of pubs over a period of time 
could be significant.

•  We have well-documented disaster recovery plans 

which are rehearsed regularly throughout the 
business to ensure that normalisation can occur as 
swiftly as possible after a serious incident and that 
any damage is contained.

Information Technology 
The Group is increasingly reliant on 
its information systems to operate.

Trading would be affected by 
any significant or prolonged 
failure of these systems.

Data Security – the data held by 
the Group is a key business asset 
and personal data protection is key. 
Deliberate acts of cyber-crime are 
on the increase, targeting all 
markets and heightening risk 
exposure.

Any significant loss of data 
could lead to a considerable 
interruption for the business 
and reputational damage, as 
well as fines under GDPR.

Recruitment & Staff Retention 
The Group has a business model 
built upon recruiting and keeping 
the best people to support its 
strategy.

There is a risk that if a number 
of key employees were to 
leave at the same time it may 
risk the delivery of the 
Group’s strategy.

•  To minimise this risk the IT function has a range of 
facilities and controls in place to ensure that in the 
event of an issue normal operation would be 
restored quickly. 

•  These include a formal IT Recovery Plan, online 
replication of systems and data to a third-party 
recovery facility, and external support for hardware 
and software.

•  The IT systems in place follow appropriate data 
protection guidelines to ensure the risk of both 
personal and Company data loss is minimal.

•  Our network is protected by firewalls and anti-virus 
protection systems. Threats to our data security by 
viruses, hacking or breach of access controls are 
constantly monitored.

•  The Group performs detailed succession planning to 

ensure that key roles are considered to ensure 
appropriate cover is available. 

•  The Group culture and remuneration packages are 

attractive. Policy is set up to ensure the key members 
of our staff are appropriately remunerated to reduce 
the likelihood they are attracted to other competitor 
businesses.

There is a risk that recruitment will 
become increasingly competitive 
and that staffing shortages within 
the hospitality industry could drive 
wage inflation.

If we cannot recruit the best 
people, we risk falling levels 
of quality which could impact 
our reputation.

•  We have established a strategy which will ensure we 
continue to attract and retain highly trained, quality 
staff and have invested in internal development as 
part of our Chefs Development programme.

If we become reliant on 
agency staff, profit margins 
are reduced.

•  We have taken steps to ensure that we will be 

prepared for the impact of a potential reduction in 
qualified hospitality workers in the wake of Brexit 
and that we will remain the employer of choice.

23

FINANCIAL STATEMENTSSTRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEPRINCIPAL RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES cont’d

Economic and market risks 

Description

Impact

Risk Mitigation & Monitoring

Change

Economic Uncertainty and Cost 
Inflation 
Market uncertainty and increasing 
demand leads to cost pressures in 
several areas, most significantly 
food and drink production, utilities 
and staff costs. We are also facing 
significant cost head-winds such as 
business rates.

The weaker pound sterling 
gives risk to increasing food 
costs, particularly from the 
Eurozone and reduces 
profitability.

•  Key suppliers undergo a rigorous procurement 
process to ensure that we get the best deal. 

•  We seek to maintain good relations with suppliers. 

•  Monthly reviews of Key Performance Indicators 
(“KPIs”) indicate areas where costs could rise 
significantly.

Loss of Company Values or  
a Failure to Adhere to Them 
CPG is a company based on a 
strong set of values which are key 
to its success and future.

Should these be undermined 
or not adhered to, the 
Company’s unique position 
and long-term future would 
be jeopardised.

Consumer Demand Shifts 
The Group’s success is attributable 
to its ability to anticipate and react 
to consumer demand.

The way in which the Group 
responds to market changes 
is critical to its on-going 
strategy and has a direct 
impact on all operational 
activity.

•  The Group has a culture which ensures that 

management are encouraged to take business 
decisions for the long-term benefit of the Group. 

•  This culture also promotes a long term and 

collaborative approach that does not lead to 
excessive risk taking and the reward system 
encourages appropriate behaviour.

•  Management monitor and research consumer 

trends and run trials of new technologies, brands 
and products. 

•  We gather consumer feedback through surveys, 

customer complaints and online and social media 
reviews. 

•  We analyse retail pricing and market share data to 

ensure we are competitive but still premium. 

•  The Board approves all significant new acquisition 

decisions and therefore controls key changes to the 
Group.

Financial risks 

Description

Impact

Risk Mitigation & Monitoring

Change

Funding Requirements 
We expect the Group to be able to 
access suitable financial facilities to 
meet the ongoing requirements of 
the business and our longer term 
strategic objectives.

If we are unable to meet the 
funding requirements of the 
Group, we risk reduced 
revenue and lower profitability 
than our growth plans.

•  The Group agreed a £35m revolving credit facility 

(RCF) with Barclays and an accordion option of £15m, 
which is in place until July 2024. 

•  We have agreed a new £5m CLBLS facility through 

Barclays to increase our liquidity until we are through 
the Covid pandemic. We have recently cancelled 
this facility.

•  The sale of six pubs in April 2022 has resulted in our 

net debt dropping to £1.2m. 

Covenant Risks 
We expect to be able to meet our 
banking covenants under a range of 
cautious liquidity scenarios. The 
Coronavirus has resulted in the 
closure of all our pubs, which 
effects our ability to meet the 
banking covenants.

If we are unable to meet the 
covenant requirements of the 
Group’s RCF this might affect 
our ability to grow the 
business and might damage 
our reputation and ongoing 
creditworthiness. 

•  The Group prepares long term business plans and 
forecast to ensure that financial covenants can be 
met and monitored on a regular basis. Our forecast 
models closely tracks future covenant headroom of 
bank debt through all considered acquisitions.

•  Barclays have agreed to waive the existing financial 

covenant tests until the end of June 2022.

•  Barclays have agreed to replace the existing 

financial covenants with a Minimum Liquidity Test in 
the sum of £8m and a Minimum EBITDA Test up to 
June 2022, after which date the financial covenant 
tests as currently documented will recommence.

•  We are comfortably within all of our covenants. 

24

THE CITY PUB GROUP ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2021Risk of not complying with plc rules/corporate matters

Description

Impact

Risk Mitigation & Monitoring

Change

Corporate Matters 
ESOS (Energy Savings Opportunity 
Scheme).

Packaging Regulations.

We need to meet our 
reporting deadlines and also 
understand how we are able 
to be more energy efficient 
which is good for the 
environment and will save 
us money.

•  External company is employed as our lead assessor 

and energy auditor.

•  Advisor appointed to help with collecting of data 

and the reporting of our obligations.

On behalf of the Board

Holly Elliott 
Chief Financial Officer 
26 April 2022

25

FINANCIAL STATEMENTSSTRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEBOARD OF DIRECTORS

Executive Directors

Clive Watson ACA (61) 
Executive Chairman

Clive qualified as a Chartered 
Accountant with Price 
Waterhouse in London in 1986 
then joined the investment 
bank Manufacturers Hanover 
Limited where he spent three 
years. He joined Regent Inns 
PLC as Finance Director and 
Company Secretary in 1990. 
Clive left Regent Inns PLC in 
February 1998 and co-founded 
Tup Inns Limited, where he was 
responsible for financial and 
commercial matters as well as 
acquisitions, before becoming 
Chief Executive and Finance 
Director of Tom Hoskins PLC, an 
AIM listed company. Clive was a 
founding director of The Capital 
Pub Company PLC in 2000 and 
remained on the board until the 
company’s sale to Greene King 
in 2011. Clive was appointed 
as Chief Executive of The City 
Pub Company (East) PLC in 
December 2011 before becoming 
Chairman in September 2014 and 
served throughout the period.

Holly joined the Board as Chief 
Financial Officer on 29 November 
2021 from Honest Burgers where 
she was interim CFO. Before that, 
Holly was Group Finance Director 
of Five Guys, the fast-food chain 
operating in the UK, France, Spain 
and Germany, for four years, 
and previously spent 12 years at 
Caffé Nero in a number of roles 
including Finance Director.

Holly Elliott ACMA (49)  
Chief Financial Officer

Rupert Clark (50) 
Managing Director

26

Toby is a very experienced and 
senior operator with over 25 years’ 
experience in UK hospitality. He 
has held CEO roles with Stonegate 
Pub Company, Novus Leisure and 
Town and City Pub Company. Prior 
to these, he also held senior roles 
at Laurel Pub Company, Spirit 
Group and Scottish and Newcastle 
Retail. Toby was appointed as 
Chief Operating Officer of the 
Company on 10 November 2020.

Toby Smith (51)  
Chief Operating Officer

Rupert has over 20 years’ 
experience in the running 
of high-volume food and 
liquor-led pubs, both in and 
outside London. Rupert was 
previously Operations Manager 
of The Capital Pub Company 
PLC and was with Capital for 
four years. After the sale of 
Capital to Greene King in 2011 
Rupert stayed on to ensure the 
smooth integration of pubs into 
the Greene King estate. Prior 
to Capital, Rupert worked as 
Operations Manager at The Food 
and Drink Group, repositioning 
their City bars, and at Fullers 
first developing The Fine Line 
brand and then their un-branded 
bars and gastro pubs. Rupert 
was appointed as Joint-Chief 
Executive of The City Pub 
Company (East) PLC in April 2013 
becoming sole Chief Executive 
in September 2014 and served 
throughout the period.

THE CITY PUB GROUP ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2021Emma is an exceptionally 
experienced director with over 30 
years of experience in the retail, 
leisure, and drinks sectors. Emma 
is currently CEO of Berry Bros & 
Rudd, the oldest wine and spirit 
merchant in the UK. She was 
appointed as CEO in 2020, having 
served an Independent Non-
Executive Director since 2017, to 
help guide the business through 
its next phase of growth. Emma 
joined Berry Bros & Rudd from 
The Original Factory Shop where 
she also held the role of CEO. 
Previously, Emma held several 
senior management and divisional 
board roles at large retailers 
including Commercial Director 
at Halfords, Chief Marketing 
Officer at Walmart Canada and 
Commercial and Logistics Director 
roles at ASDA. Emma also has 
extensive hospitality and leisure 
experience having worked with 
Hollywood Bowl as Marketing 
Director, Bass Brewers and as a 
Non-Executive Director at Punch 
Taverns Plc. Emma was appointed 
as a Non-Executive Director of the 
Company on 11 March 2021. Emma 
is chair of the ESG Committee and 
sits on the Audit Committee and 
Remuneration Committee.

James has been Company 
Secretary since 2011. He was 
previously Company Secretary 
of the Capital Pub Company.  
He has an accounting background. 

Emma Fox (54)  
Independent  
Non-Executive Director

Company Secretary

James Dudgeon (74)  
Company Secretary 

Non-Executive Directors

Neil was appointed as a Non-
Executive Director of the Group 
on 17 January 2018. Neil qualified 
as a Chartered Surveyor in 
1987 and has over 30 years of 
experience in retail, leisure and 
property sectors. Neil worked at 
Punch Taverns plc from 2001 to 
2017 holding a number of senior 
management roles including Chief 
Operating Officer, Chief Strategy 
Officer and Group Property 
Director. Neil joined Punch from 
Time Warner where he was 
International Property Director 
for their cinema division. Prior to 
that he held a number of Senior 
Management and Divisional Board 
roles at Bass Plc including Head 
of Property and Commercial 
Development Director. Neil is a 
Trustee Director for the Prince 
of Wales initiative “Pub is the 
Hub”. He is a former Council 
member of the British Beer & Pub 
Association having sat on panels 
and committees for both the BBPA 
and Royal Institution of Chartered 
surveyors. Neil is Chairman of 
the Nominations Committee and 
sits on the Audit, ESG & Risk and 
Remuneration Committees.

Richard has considerable public 
markets experience, gained 
through numerous non-executive 
director roles including acting 
as Independent Non-Executive 
Director for Regent Inns Plc 
and the Capital Pub Company. 
Richard currently serves as 
a Non-Executive Director to 
Pioneer (City) Pub Company. 
Richard qualified as a chartered 
accountant in 1973 with Coopers 
& Lybrand and has many years’ 
experience in corporate finance. 
Richard is Chairman of both the 
Remuneration Committee and the 
Audit & Risk Committee, and sits 
on the Nominations Committee. 
Richard was appointed as a Non-
Executive Director of the Company 
on 25 October 2017 and served 
throughout the period.

Neil Griffiths (60)  
Independent  
Non-Executive Director

Richard Prickett FCA 
(70)  
Independent  
Non-Executive Director

27

FINANCIAL STATEMENTSSTRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCECORPORATE GOVERNANCE REPORT
for the 52 week period ended 26 December 2021

The Directors recognise the importance of sound corporate 
governance and they comply with the Quoted Companies 
Alliance Corporate Governance Code / QCA Guidelines.

The Board comprises seven Directors of which four are executives 
and three are non-executives, reflecting a blend of different 
experience and backgrounds. The Board considers Richard 
Prickett, Neil Griffiths and Emma Fox of the non-executive 
directors to be independent in terms of the QCA Guidelines. 

During the year the Committee considered key aspects related 
to the Group’s financial reporting, including matters related to the 
going concern basis of preparation of the financial statements, 
revenue recognition, impairment indicators relating to non-
current assets and the classification and valuation of investments 
in financial assets. 

The Audit and Risk Committee were satisfied with the approach 
presented by the management and the judgements made in 
respect of the above matters.

The Board meet regularly to review, formulate and approve the 
Group’s strategy, budgets, and corporate actions and oversee the 
Group’s progress towards its goals. In accordance with the best 
practice, the Group has established Audit and Risk, Remuneration 
and Nomination committees with formally delegated duties and 
responsibilities and with written terms of reference. From time to 
time separate committees may be set up by the Board to 
consider specific issues when the need arises.

The ultimate responsibility for reviewing and approving the 
annual report and accounts and the half yearly reports 
remains with the Board. Membership of the Audit and Risk 
Committee compromises Neil Griffiths, Emma Fox and Richard 
Prickett and it is chaired by Richard Prickett. The Audit and Risk 
Committee will meet formally not less than twice every year 
and otherwise as required.

Board of Directors
The Board has overall responsibility for the Group’s system of 
internal control and reviewing its effectiveness. Key elements of 
the system of internal control include clearly defined levels of 
responsibility and delegation, together with well-structured 
reporting lines up to the Board; the preparation of comprehensive 
budgets for each pub and head office, approved by the Board; a 
review of period results against budget, together with 
commentary on significant variances and updates of both profit 
and cash flow expectations for the period; Board authorisation of 
all major purchases and disposals and regular reporting of legal 
and accounting developments to the Board.

Details of the current Directors, their roles and their backgrounds 
are on pages 26 and 27.

Audit and Risk Committee
The Audit and Risk Committee will assist the Board in discharging 
its responsibilities, within agreed terms of reference, with regard 
to corporate governance, financial reporting and external and 
internal audits and controls, including, amongst other things, 
reviewing the Group’s annual financial statements, reviewing and 
monitoring the extent of the non-audit services undertaken by 
external auditors, advising on the appointment of external 
auditors and reviewing the effectiveness of the Group’s internal 
controls and risk management systems. 

The Audit Committee have reviewed the independence and 
effectiveness of Haysmacintyre LLP, the Group’s external auditor, 
and are satisfied in both respects. Haysmacintyre LLP have 
signified their willingness to continue in office and a resolution 
to reappoint Haysmacintyre LLP as auditor will be proposed 
at the AGM.

Remuneration Committee
The Remuneration Committee is responsible, within agreed 
terms of reference, for establishing a formal and transparent 
procedure for developing policy on executive remuneration 
and to set the remuneration packages of individual Executive 
Directors. This includes agreeing with the Board the framework 
for remuneration of the Executive Directors, the company 
secretary and such other members of the executive 
management of the Group as it is designated to consider. It is 
furthermore responsible for determining the total individual 
remuneration packages of each Executive Director including, 
where appropriate, bonuses, incentive payments and share 
options. No Director may be involved in any decision as to their 
own remuneration. 

Attendance 2021

Board

Audit

Remuneration

Nomination

ESG

Investment

Director

Clive Watson

Toby Smith

Rupert Clark

Tarquin Williams3

Holly Elliott4

Richard Prickett

Neil Griffiths

Emma Fox1

John Roberts2

4 (4)

4 (4)

4 (4)

3 (3)

1 (1)

4 (4)

4 (4)

4 (4)

3 (3)

*

*

3 (3)

3 (3)

2 (2)

3 (3)

*

*

2 (2)

3 (3)

3 (3)

2 (2)

1 (1)

4 (4)

4 (4)

2 (2)

2 (2)

2 (2)

3 (3)

3 (3)

3 (3)

2 (2)

1 (1)

3 (3)

* These Directors are not members of the Committees but are invited to attend meetings.
1. Emma Fox was appointed to the Board with effect from 11 March 2021.
2. John Roberts resigned from the Board with effect from 23 September 2021.
3. Tarquin Williams resigned from the Board with effect from 29 November 2021.
4. Holly Elliott was appointed to the Board with effect from 29 November 2021.

28

THE CITY PUB GROUP ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2021 
 
 
The Existing Share Option Schemes consist of the CSOP Share 
Option Scheme, Joint Shared Ownership Plan (JSOP) and Long 
Term Incentive Plan (LTIP). After CPCE and CPCW became 
ineligible to grant any further EMI options, each company 
adopted a tax advantaged Company Share Option Plan (CSOP) in 
2016 and made further option grants under those plans over the 
respective company’s shares. These CSOP options ordinarily 
become exercisable shortly after the third anniversary of their 
grant date.

Options granted under the CSOP Share Option Scheme will 
become exercisable following the third anniversary of their date 
of grant. The Company may also grant further options under the 
CSOP Share Option Scheme. 

In order to incentivise the key senior management team following 
Admission, and to better align their interests with those of 
shareholders, the Company introduced a JSOP and has granted 
awards under the JSOP during 2018. 

The Company has granted share options, JSOP and LTIPs over 
7,960,000 Ordinary Shares representing 7.5 per cent of the 
Enlarged Share Capital. Taking this into account, an additional 
2,398,343 Ordinary Shares remain available for reward under the 
various schemes at the year end.

Senior bonus scheme
The Group has adopted a senior bonus scheme which provides 
for payment of discretionary annual performance based bonuses 
to senior key employees and executive directors of the Company. 
Bonus targets are set in relation to the profit of the Group. No pay 
out would be made if the minimum threshold on the bonus target 
schedules is not achieved. The targets have been selected to 
incentivise the senior key employees and executive directors to 
deliver performance in line with the Group strategy.

The membership of the Remuneration Committee comprises 
Neil Griffiths, Emma Fox and Richard Prickett and the committee 
is chaired by Richard Prickett. The Remuneration Committee will 
meet not less than twice a year and at such other times as the 
chairman of the committee shall require.

Nomination Committee
The Nomination Committee will have responsibility for reviewing 
the structure, size and composition of the Board and 
recommending to the Board any changes required for 
succession planning and for identifying and nominating (for 
approval of the Board) candidates to fill vacancies as and when 
they arise. The Nomination Committee is also responsible for 
reviewing the results of the Board performance evaluation 
process and making recommendations to the Board concerning 
suitable candidates for the role of senior independent director 
and the membership of the Board’s committees and the 
re-election of Directors at the annual general meeting. The 
membership of the Nomination Committee comprises Neil 
Griffiths, and Richard Prickett and the committee is chaired by 
Neil Griffiths. The Nomination Committee will meet not less than 
once a year and at such other times as the chairman of the 
committee shall require.

ESG Committee
As we emerge from the pandemic Environmental, Social and 
Governance (ESG) agenda has become increasingly important for 
all businesses. In response we have established an ESG 
committee, which will be chaired by Emma Fox. We have 
launched a significant and thorough review to ensure that we 
emerge as a more responsible business, primed to play a positive 
role in the industry’s recovery. We are taking our responsibilities 
seriously, want to get it right as we understand that those that 
succeed in this area will have competitive advantage. 

Share incentive arrangements
The Directors believe that the success of the Group will 
depend to a significant degree on the future performance of 
the management team. The Directors also recognise the 
importance of ensuring that all employees are well motivated 
and identify closely with the success of the Group. The Directors 
regard equity participation to be an important aspect of the 
Group’s ability to attract, retain and incentivise its key staff. 
The Group currently provides, and intends to continue to 
provide, key senior management team members with an 
equity incentive in the Group.

29

FINANCIAL STATEMENTSSTRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCECORPORATE GOVERNANCE REPORT cont’d
for the 52 week period ended 26 December 2021

Directors’ emoluments
Directors’ emoluments for the period were as follows:

Single total figure of remuneration table
The following table shows a breakdown of the remuneration of individual Directors who served in all or part of the year:

Salary/Fees

Taxable Benefits

Pension/Other

Compensation for  
loss of office

Total

Clive Watson

Alex Derrick

Rupert Clark

Tarquin Williams

Toby Smith

Holly Elliott

Richard Prickett

John Roberts*

Neil Griffiths

Emma Fox

2021
£000

153

–

153

135

253

18

48

33

42

30

2020
£000

112

101

112

104

33

–

38

26

32

–

2021
£000

2020
£000

2021
£000

2020
£000

2021
£000

5

–

9

2

10

–

–

–

–

–

9

6

9

2

–

–

–

–

–

–

20

–

21

23

–

–

–

34

–

–

98

7

5

7

2

–

–

–

26

–

–

47

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

2020
£000

–

166

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

2021
£000

178

–

183

160

263

18

48

67

42

30

2020
£000

128

278

128

108

33

–

38

52

32

–

166

989

797

Total

865

558

26

26

*   John Roberts provides brewery consultancy services to the Group in relation to our seven microbreweries. The fees for these consultancy 

services are included within the Other column.

Directors interests
As at 26 December 2021 the Directors of the Company held the following number of shares:

The Directors share interest represents 4.6% of the ordinary shares in circulation.

Directors Share Interests

Rupert Clark

Ordinary 1p shares

Neil Griffiths

Ordinary 1p shares

Richard Prickett

Ordinary 1p shares

John Roberts

Ordinary 1p shares

Clive Watson

Ordinary 1p shares

Tarquin Williams

Ordinary 1p shares

Holly Elliott

Ordinary 1p shares

30

2021

2020

608,039

608,039

54,632

54,632

74,130

74,130

430,005

430,005

3,448,156 3,348,156

291,412

291,412

3,747

–

THE CITY PUB GROUP ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2021 
 
Director’s Share Options

Director

Scheme

As at 27
December 
2020

Rupert Clark

CSOP

30,000

JSOP

400,000

LTIP

LTIP

200,000

–

630,000

CSOP

CSOP

22,500

22,500

JSOP

400,000

LTIP

LTIP

1,000,000

–

1,445,000

Total 

Clive Watson

Total 

Tarquin Williams CSOP

CSOP

30,000

30,000

JSOP

400,000

LTIP

LTIP

400,000

–

860,000

Total 

Toby Smith

LTIP

Holly Elliott

LTIP

–

–

Exercised Relinquished

Granted

As at 26 
December 
2021

Exercise
price

Date of 
grant

Exercisable 
from

Expiry 
date

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

(400,000)

–

–

–

–

–

30,000

£1.00 May-16

May-19 May-26

–

£2.05

Jan-18

Jan-21

Jan-28

200,000

Nil Jun-20

May-23 Jun-30

400,000

400,000

Nil May-21

May-24 May-31

(400,000)

400,000

630,000

–

–

(400,000)

–

–

–

–

–

–

22,500

£1.00 May-16

May-19 May-26

22,500

£1.00 May-16

May-19 May-26

–

£2.05

Jan-18

Jan-21

Jan-28

1,000,000

Nil Jun-20

May-23 Jun-30

400,000

400,000

Nil May-21

May-24 May-31

(400,000)

400,000

1,445,000

–

–

(400,000)

–

–

–

–

–

30,000

£1.00 May-16

May-19 May-26

30,000

£1.00 May-16

May-19 May-26

–

£2.05

Jan-18

Jan-21

Jan-28

400,000

Nil Jun-20

May-23 Jun-30

(400,000)

400,000

–

Nil May-21

May-24 May-31

(800,000)

400,000

460,000

–

–

1,000,000

1,000,000

Nil Feb-21

Feb-24 Feb-31

400,000

400,000

Nil Dec-21

Dec-24 Dec-31

TOTAL

2,935,000

–

(1,600,000)

2,600,000

3,935,000

LTIP
The Company granted 2,950,000 nil cost options over ordinary 
shares of 1p each (“Ordinary Shares”) to certain Directors and 
employees of the Company (the “Options”) during the year ended 
26 December 2021, with 400,000 of these options subsequently 
being relinquished.

The Options have been granted under the Company’s 2021 
Long Term Incentive Plan, are exercisable in 2024 following 
release of the Company’s audited accounts for the year ended 
31 December 2023, and are subject to performance conditions 
relating to the Company’s profitability.

The LTIPs have performance hurdles that need to be met in order 
for any vesting of the LTIPs. If the 2022 Group adjusted pre 
IFRS16 EBITDA is below £9m, there will be no pay out. 

A full award will be made if the Group’s 2022 adjusted pre IFRS16 
EBITDA is above £13m. The 2020 award has the performance 
targets set out in last year’s accounts.

The Corporate Governance Report was approved by the Board 
and signed on its behalf.

Richard Prickett 
Independent Non-executive Director,  
26 April 2022

31

FINANCIAL STATEMENTSSTRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEDIRECTORS’ REPORT
for the 52 week period ended 26 December 2021

The Directors present their Report and the consolidated 
financial statements of the Group for the 52 week period 
ended 26 December 2021.

Results and dividends
The statement of profit or loss is set out on page 38 and shows 
the result for the period. The Directors do not recommend the 
payment of a dividend this year due to the Coronavirus pandemic.

Strategic report 
Information in respect of the Business Review, Future Outlook 
of the Business and Principal Risks and Uncertainties are not 
shown in the Directors’ Report because they are presented in 
the Strategic Report in accordance with s414c(ii) of the 
Companies Act 2006.

Directors
The Directors who served during the year were as follows:

Clive Watson 
Rupert Clark 
Toby Smith 
Tarquin Williams – Resigned 29 November 2021 
Holly Elliott – Appointed 29 November 2021 
John Roberts – Resigned 23 September 2021 
Richard Prickett  
Neil Griffiths  
Emma Fox – Appointed 11 March 2021

Going concern 
The Group agreed a £35m revolving credit facility (RCF) with 
Barclays Bank plc in July 2019 with an accordion option of 
another £15m. This facility has been extended to July 2024. There 
is also an undrawn £5m CLBILS facility available. At year end we 
had £25m of debt, and £15m of net debt, with £10m undrawn on 
our RCF, £15m of accordion and £5m of CLBILS available. We 
have since cancelled the CLBILS facility. 

Barclays replaced The City Pub Group plc’s RCF’s existing 
financial covenants with a Minimum Liquidity Test in the sum of 
£8m plus an additional Minimum EBITDA Test to be tested on a 
monthly basis. We have significant headroom between our 
forecasts and the requirements in the Minimum EBITDA Test. 
After June 2022 the financial covenant tests as currently 
documented will recommence. The forecasts for the business 
show substantial headroom. 

Post year end, the group has recently sold six pubs for £17.1m. 
This effectively reduces debt to £1.2m. The Group is now 
EBITDA and cashflow generative, with funding only required 
for new acquisitions. 

During 2020, we reduced Pub and head office costs to the 
minimum and have kept a tight grip on these costs post 
reopening. We applied for Grants where applicable. We have 
been in negotiations with landlords with regards to rent holidays, 
rent deferrals and changes in terms of some leases. 

Although there are cost pressures with wage inflation, rising 
energy prices and upward pressure on commodities, we’ve taken 
the time during covid to renegotiate and lock in procurement 
contracts, streamlining staffing and implementing energy 
reducing initiatives. 

When making our assessment of going concern, our 
assumptions have assumed all covid restrictions continue to be 
removed. We have assumed that trading reverts to pre COVID-19 
levels. While trading restrictions remain a risk, it is considered 
that the likelihood of them returning is now considered remote 
and so is not considered to present a material going concern risk 
to the group at the date of approval of the financial statements.

Based on the current financial projections to the end of 
December 2023 and having considered the facilities available, 
together with potential sensitivities to changes in levels of trade 
the Board is confident that the Group have adequate resources to 
continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future, 
while also meeting its loan covenant requirements as they 
presently stand. For this reason, the Board consider it appropriate 
for the Group to adopt the going concern basis in preparing its 
financial statements. 

Purchase of own shares
There were no purchases of the Group’s shares during the period.

Other share capital movements are disclosed in Note 24.

Financial risk management objectives and policies
The Group’s operations expose it to financial risks that include 
market risk and liquidity risk. The Directors review and agree 
policies for managing each of these risks and they are 
summarised below. These policies have remained unchanged 
from previous periods.

Market risk – cash flow interest rate risk
The Group had outstanding borrowing at year end of £25 million 
as disclosed in note 20. These were loans had been taken out 
with Barclays to facilitate the purchase of public houses. 

The Group’s policy is to minimise interest rate cash flow risk 
exposures on long-term financing. Longer-term borrowings are 
therefore usually at fixed rates. At 26 December 2021 the Group 
had £25 million of borrowings, since the year end the Group has 
not drawn down on the revolving credit facility. The exposure to 
interest rates for the Group’s cash at bank and short-term 
deposits is considered immaterial.

Liquidity risk
The Group actively maintains cash and banking facilities that are 
designed to ensure it has sufficient available funds for operations 
and planned expansions.

32

THE CITY PUB GROUP ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2021So far as each of the Directors is aware, there is no relevant audit 
information that has not been disclosed to the Group’s auditors 
and each of the Directors believes that all steps have been taken 
that ought to have been taken to make them aware of any 
relevant audit information and to establish that the Group’s 
auditors have been made aware of that information.

Relations with Shareholders
The Group maintains effective contact with Shareholders and 
welcomes contact from investors as mentioned in the Chairman’s 
Statement. The Directors are responsible for the maintenance 
and integrity of the corporate and financial information included 
on the Group’s website. Legislation in the United Kingdom 
governing the preparation and dissemination of financial 
statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions.

S172 Statement
The Directors behave and carry out their activities to promote the 
long-term success of the Group. More detail is shown in the 
Strategic Report.

Political donations
The Group made no political donations during the period.

Post balance sheet events 
Post balance sheet events requiring adjustment or disclosure are 
explained within note 30 to the financial statements.

Auditors
Haysmacintyre LLP have signified their willingness to continue 
in office as auditors, a resolution reappointing them will be 
submitted to the Annual General Meeting.

On behalf of the Board

Holly Elliott 
Chief Financial Officer 
26 April 2022

Capital risk management
The Group manages its capital to ensure it will be able to 
continue as a going concern while maximising the return to 
shareholders through optimising the debt and equity balance. 

The Group monitors cash balances and prepare regular forecasts, 
which are reviewed by the board. In order to maintain or adjust the 
capital structure, the Group may, in the future, return capital to 
shareholders, issue new shares or sell assets to reduce debt.

Employment policy
The Group’s policies respect the individual regardless of gender, 
race or religion. Where reasonable and practical under the 
existing legislation, all persons, including disabled persons, have 
been treated fairly and consistently in matters relating to 
employment, training and career development. The Group takes 
a positive view of employee communication and has established 
systems for employee consultation and communication of 
developments. The Group has also commenced operating an 
employee share scheme as a means of further encouraging the 
employees in the Group’s performance.

Directors’ Responsibilities Statement
The Directors are responsible for preparing the Strategic Report, 
Directors’ Report and the financial statements in accordance with 
applicable law and regulations. Company law requires the 
Directors to prepare financial statements for each financial year. 
Under that law the Directors have elected to prepare the financial 
statements in accordance with International Financial Reporting 
Standards (IFRSs) as adopted by the European Union. Under 
company law the Directors must not approve the financial 
statements unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair 
view of the state of affairs of the Group and parent Company and 
the profit and loss of the Group for that period. In preparing those 
financial statements, the Directors are required to:

•  select suitable accounting policies and then apply them 

consistently;

•  make judgements and accounting estimates that are 

reasonable and prudent; 

•  state whether applicable IFRSs have been followed, subject 
to any material departures disclosed and explained in the 
financial statements; and

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

33

FINANCIAL STATEMENTSSTRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEINDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT 
to the members of The City Pub Group Plc

Opinion
We have audited the financial statements of The City Pub Group Plc 
(the ‘Parent Company’) and its subsidiaries (the ‘Group’) for the 
52 week period ended 26 December 2021 which comprise the 
Consolidated Statement of Profit or Loss, the Consolidated 
Statement of Comprehensive Income, Consolidated and 
Company Statements of Financial Position, Consolidated and 
Company Statements of Changes in Equity, Consolidated and 
Company Statements of Cash Flows and notes to the financial 
statements, including a summary of significant accounting 
policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied 
in their preparation is applicable law and International Financial 
Reporting Standards (IFRSs) as adopted by the United Kingdom.

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 26 December 2021 and of the 
Group’s loss for the period then ended;

•  have been properly prepared in accordance with IFRSs as 

adopted by the United Kingdom; and

•  have been prepared in accordance with the requirements 

of the Companies Act 2006.

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 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 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 
In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that 
the directors’ use of the going concern basis of accounting in 
the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate. Our 
evaluation of the directors’ assessment of the entity’s ability 
to continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting 
included but was not limited to:

•  The review of management’s going concern assessment 

which incorporate scrutiny of working capital projections for 
a period of at least twelve months from the date of approval 
of the financial statements;

•  The review and consideration of the appropriateness of 

sensitivity analysis of trading performance and cash flow 
forecasts prepared by management;

•  Review and consideration of compliance with bank loan 

covenants during the period ended 26 December 2021 and 
as prospectively forecast;

•  Challenging and assessing the underlying assumptions of 

the cash flow forecasts and considering whether the period 
of the forecast is appropriate; 

•  The review of post balance sheet trading performance and 
cash flow to assess the reasonableness of management’s 
forecasting; and

•  Considering the risks associated with the Covid-19 pandemic 
and any associated restrictions that may arise prospectively 
as a result, together with the impact these may have on the 
Group’s ability to continue as a going concern.

Based on the work we have performed, we have not identified 
any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions that, 
individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the 
group’s and parent company’s ability to continue as a going 
concern for a period of at least twelve months from when the 
financial statements are authorised for issue.

An overview of the scope of our audit
For the 52 week period ended 26 December 2021, the Group 
undertook all its trading activities through the Parent Company, 
with all its subsidiaries remaining dormant for the same period, 
retaining only residual assets and liabilities. The scope of our 
work was therefore the audit of the Parent Company and its 
subsidiaries. The scope of the audit and our audit strategy was 
developed by using our audit planning process to obtain and 
update our understanding of the Group, its activities, its internal 
control environment, and likely future developments. Our audit 
testing was informed by this understanding of the Group and 
accordingly was designed to focus on areas where we assessed 
there to be the most significant risks of material misstatement.

Audit work to respond to the assessed risks was performed 
directly by the audit engagement team who performed full 
scope audit procedures on the Parent Company and the Group 
as a whole. 

34

THE CITY PUB GROUP ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2021Key audit matters
Key audit matters are those matters that, in our professional judgment, were of most significance in our audit of the 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 financial 
statements as a whole, and in forming our opinion thereon, and we do not provide a separate opinion on these matters.

Key Audit Matter

How our scope addressed this matter

Valuation of freehold and leasehold property
For the period ended 26 December 2021, management 
assessed for indicators of impairment in each of the cash-
generating units (CGU’s) which are each of its operating sites. 
This included the allocation of goodwill and right of use 
asset values to freehold and leasehold property in full.

The process for measuring and recognising impairment 
under International Accounting Standard (IAS) 36 ‘Impairment 
of Assets’ is complex and highly judgemental.

Significant management judgement and estimation 
uncertainty is involved in this area.

Given the value of the intangible assets and tangible fixed 
assets and the impact of trading restrictions due to Covid-19 
which has distorted establish trading patterns and therefore 
gives rise to increased prevalence of impairment indicators, 
we consider this to be a significant risk and a key audit matter. 

Fair value and classification of unlisted investments
During the year the Group made material additions to 
investments in the equity instruments of unlisted entities. 

In cases where there is a greater than 20% interest in the 
equity of unlisted entities, associate accounting and valuation 
considerations can be complex and are without historical 
precedent for the Group.

The material value of these investments, together with the 
judgemental aspects of their valuation, assessment of 
impairment indicators, classification and presentation means 
this is an area of significant risk and key audit matter. 

Our audit work included, but was not restricted to, the 
following:

•  The assessment of Management’s impairment review 

process and the consideration and challenge of 
Managements’ assumptions.

•  The review of each cash generating unit for indicators of 
impairment and assessment of whether all sites showing 
risk indicators were considered in the impairment 
assessment.

•  The verification of the arithmetic accuracy and integrity 
of the value in use model prepared by management.

•  The review and assessment of cash flows as forecast by 

Management and as used in their calculations of the value 
in use of the assets.

•  The assessment and challenge of assumptions used in 
the impairment calculation with reference to data such 
as historic results, market trends and future expectations.

•  The assessment of the appropriateness of the growth and 
discount rates used by Management and the challenge of 
Management of those that fell outside of our expectations.

•  The assessment of whether disclosures made in the 

financial statement relating to impairments are appropriate.

Our audit work included, but was not restricted to, the 
following:

•  The assessment of Management’s approach to accounting 

for unlisted investments and determination for which 
investments constitute an investment in an associated.

•  Where fair value measurement has been applied to unlisted 
investments, we assessed Management’s use of valuation 
methodologies and assumptions for reasonableness.

•  The review of the presentation and classification of unlisted 

investments to consider whether they have been 
appropriately treated in line with the relevant accounting 
standard.

35

FINANCIAL STATEMENTSSTRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEINDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT cont’d
to the members of The City Pub Group Plc

Our application of materiality
The materiality for the Group financial statements as a whole 
was set at £360,000. This was determined as being 1% of revenue. 
Revenue has been selected as a benchmark because it is a 
Key Performance Indicator of the Group and stakeholders are 
principally interested in the underlying trading performance of 
the Group, furthermore a profit based materiality metric is not 
considered to be appropriate for the period ended 26 December 
2021 given significant variations in losses due to the impact 
of Covid-19.

We have determined Parent Company materiality to be the same 
level as the Group because it undertakes all the Group’s trading 
activities following a hive up of activities from its subsidiaries 
in the period ended 29 December 2019.On the basis of our risk 
assessment and review of the Group’s control environment, 
performance materiality was set at 75% of materiality, being 
£270,000.

The reporting threshold to the audit committee was set as 5% 
of materiality, being £18,000. If, in our opinion in differences 
below this level warranted reporting on qualitative grounds, 
these would also be reported.

Other information
The directors are responsible for the other information. The other 
information comprises the information included in the annual 
report, 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, 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.

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 its 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:

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

• 

the parent company financial statements are not in 
agreement with the accounting records and returns; or

•  certain disclosures of directors’ remuneration specified 

by law are not made; or

•  we have not received all the information and explanations 

we require for our audit.

Responsibilities of directors
As explained more fully in the directors’ responsibilities 
statement, 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.

Irregularities, including fraud, are instances of non-compliance 
with laws and regulations. We design procedures in line with our 
responsibilities, outlined above, to detect material misstatements 
in respect of irregularities, including fraud. The extent to which 
our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including 
fraud is detailed below: 

Explanation as to what extent the audit was considered capable 
of detecting irregularities, including fraud. 

36

THE CITY PUB GROUP ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2021The objectives of our audit, in respect to fraud are: to identify 
and assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial 
statements due to fraud; to obtain sufficient appropriate audit 
evidence regarding the assessed risks of material misstatement 
due to fraud, through designing and implementing appropriate 
responses; and to respond appropriately to fraud or suspected 
fraud identified during the audit. However, the primary responsibility 
for the prevention and detection of fraud rests with both those 
charged with governance of the entity and management.

Our approach was as follows: Based on our understanding of 
the Group and industry, we identified that the principal risks of 
non-compliance with laws and regulations related to regulatory 
requirements related to the AIM rules for Group and we 
considered the extent to which non-compliance might have 
a material effect on the financial statements. We also considered 
those laws and regulations that have a direct impact on the 
preparation of the financial statements such as the Companies 
Act 2006, income tax, payroll tax and sales tax. 

•  Discussions with management including consideration of 

known or suspected instances of noncompliance with laws 
and regulation and fraud; 

•  The evaluation of management’s controls designed to prevent 

and detect irregularities; 

•  The identification and review of manual journals, in particular 
journal entries which shared key risk characteristics; and 

•  The review and challenge of assumptions, estimates and 
judgements made by management in their recognition of 
accounting estimates.

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

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.

Christopher Cork  
(Senior Statutory Auditor)  
For and on behalf of Haysmacintyre LLP,  
Statutory Auditors  

10 Queen Street Place 
London 
EC4R 1AG

26 April 2022 

37

FINANCIAL STATEMENTSSTRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCE 
 
 
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF PROFIT OR LOSS 
for the 52 week period ended 26 December 2021 (2020: for the 52 week period ended 27 December 2020)

Revenue

Cost of sales

Gross profit

Other operating income

Administrative expenses

Operating loss

Reconciliation to adjusted EBITDA*

Operating loss

Depreciation

Share option charge

Exceptional items

*  Adjusted earnings before exceptional items, share option charge,  

interest, taxation and depreciation

Share of losses of associate

Other financial items

Finance costs

Loss before tax

Tax credit

Loss for the period 

Earnings per share

Basic earnings per share (p)

Diluted earnings per share (p)

All activities comprise continuing operations.

The notes form part of these financial statements.

Notes

2021 
£’000

2020 
£’000

4

35,364

25,815

(8,273)

(6,280)

27,091 

19,535

4a

5,084 

5,391

(35,126)

(31,423)

5

(2,951)

(6,497)

(2,951)

(6,497)

4,881

703

3,288

5,494

397

1,814

5,921

1,208

(78)

943

(1,041)

(3,127)

259

– 

–

(1,137)

(7,634)

1,171

(2,868)

(6,463)

(2.76)

n/a

(7.15)

n/a

5

28

8

15

15

6

7

10

10

38

THE CITY PUB GROUP ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2021CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
for the 52 week period ended 26 December 2021 (2020: for the 52 week period ended 27 December 2020)

Loss for the period

Other Comprehensive income

Items that will not be reclassified to profit or loss

Changes in the fair value of equity investments at fair value through  
other comprehensive income

Income tax relating to these items

Other comprehensive income for the period, net of tax

Notes

2021 
£’000

2020 
£’000

(2,868)

(6,463)

14

18

(3)

15

–

–

–

Total comprehensive income for the period

(2,853)

(6,463)

All of the total comprehensive income for the period is attributable to the owners of The City Pub Group plc and all arise from 
continuing operations.

The notes form part of these financial statements.

39

FINANCIAL STATEMENTSSTRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCECONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION
as at 26 December 2021 (2020: as at 27 December 2020)

2021 
£’000

Restated
2020 
£’000

Notes

11

12

13

23

14

15

17

18

19

13

20

13

23

24

24

24

25

24

2,250

3,282

107,367

108,573

17,875

19,565

1,018

254

4,248

503

1,309

–

133,012

133,232

1,048

3,331

12,510

703

3,064

12,331

16,889

16,098

149,901

149,330

(12,214)

(8,430)

(1,912)

(2,103)

(14,126)

(10,533)

(24,750)

(24,801)

(16,473)

(17,750)

(2,464)

(2,181)

(43,687)

(44,732)

(57,813)

(55,265)

92,088

94,065

31,276

31,275

59,475

59,303

(3,272)

(3,272)

2,184

2,425

1,466

5,293

92,088

94,065

Assets

Non-current

Intangible assets

Property, plant and equipment

Right-of-use assets

Deferred tax assets

Financial assets at fair value through OCI

Investments in associates

Total non-current assets

Current

Inventories

Trade and other receivables

Cash and cash equivalents

Total current assets

Total assets

Liabilities

Current liabilities

Trade and other payables

Financial liabilities – lease liabilities

Total current liabilities

Non-current

Borrowings

Financial liabilities – lease liabilities

Deferred tax liabilities

Total non-current liabilities

Total liabilities

Net assets

Equity

Share capital

Share premium

Own shares (JSOP)

Other reserve

Retained earnings

Total equity

The notes form part of these accounts. 

Approved by the Board and authorised for issue on 26 April 2022.

Holly Elliott 
Chief Financial Officer 

Clive Watson 
Chairman 

Company No. 07814568 

40

THE CITY PUB GROUP ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2021 
 
 
 
 
COMPANY STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION
as at 26 December 2021 (2020: as at 27 December 2020)

Assets

Non-current

Intangible assets

Property, plant and equipment

Right-of-use assets

Deferred tax assets

Financial assets at fair value through OCI

Investments in associates

Investments in subsidiaries

Total non-current assets

Current

Inventories

Trade and other receivables

Cash and cash equivalents

Total current assets

Total assets

Liabilities

Current liabilities

Trade and other payables

Financial liabilities – lease liabilities

Total current liabilities

Non-current

Borrowings

Financial liabilities – lease liabilities

Deferred tax liabilities

Total non-current liabilities

Total liabilities

Net assets

Equity

Share capital

Share premium

Own shares (JSOP)

Share-based payment reserve

Retained earnings

Total equity

2021 
£’000

Restated
2020 
£’000

Notes

11

12

13

23

14

15

16

17

18

19

13

20

13

23

24

24

24

24

24

2,250

3,282

107,367

108,573

17,875

19,565

1,018

71

4,248

801

503

1,309

–

1,067

133,630

134,299

1,048

3,496

12,510

703

3,064

12,331

17,054

16,098

150,684

150,397

(13,015)

(9,497)

(1,912)

(2,103)

(14,927)

(11,600)

(24,750)

(24,801)

(16,473)

(17,750)

(2,461)

(2,181)

(43,684)

(44,732)

(58,611)

(56,332)

92,073

94,065

31,276

31,275

59,475

59,303

(3,272)

(3,272)

2,077

2,517

1,374

5,385

92,073

94,065

The loss for the financial period of the Parent Company, The City Pub Group plc was £2,868,000 (2020: loss £3,678,000). The notes 
form part of these accounts. Approved by the Board and authorised for issue on 26 April 2022.

Clive Watson 
Chairman 

Holly Elliott 
Chief Financial Officer 

Company No. 07814568 

41

FINANCIAL STATEMENTSSTRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCE 
 
 
 
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY
for the 52 week period ended 26 December 2021 

Balance at 29 December 2019

30,812

38,570

(3,272)

1,069

11,756

78,935

Notes

Share 
capital

Share
premium

Own 
shares
(JSOP)

Other 
Reserves 
(note 25)

Retained
earnings

Total

Employee share-based compensation

Issue of new shares

Transactions with owners

Loss for the period

Total comprehensive income for the period

Balance at 27 December 2020

Employee share-based compensation

Issue of new shares

Transactions with owners

Loss for the period

Other comprehensive income

Total comprehensive income for the period

28

24

28

24

–

463

463

–

–

–

20,733

20,733

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

397

–

397

–

–

–

397

21,196

21,593

–

–

(6,463)

(6,463)

(6,463)

(6,463)

31,275

59,303

(3,272)

1,466

5,293

94,065

–

1

1

–

–

–

–

172

172

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

703

–

703

–

15

15

–

–

–

703

173

876

(2,868)

(2,868)

–

15

(2,868)

(2,853)

Balance at 26 December 2021

31,276

59,475

(3,272)

2,184

2,425

92,088

The notes form part of these accounts.

42

THE CITY PUB GROUP ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2021COMPANY STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY
for the 52 week period ended 26 December 2021

Balance at 29 December 2019

30,812

38,570

(3,272)

977

9,063

76,150

Notes

Share 
capital

Share
premium

Own 
shares 
(JSOP)

Share-
based 
payment 
reserve

Retained
earnings

Total

Employee share-based compensation

Issue of new shares

Transactions with owners

Loss for the period

Total comprehensive income for the period

Balance at 27 December 2020

Employee share-based compensation

Issue of new shares

Transactions with owners

Loss for the period

Total comprehensive income for the period

28

24

28

24

–

463

463

–

–

–

20,733

20,733

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

397

–

397

–

–

–

397

21,196

21,593

–

–

(3,678)

(3,678)

(3,678)

(3,678)

31,275

59,303

(3,272)

1,374

5,385

94,065

–

1

1

–

–

–

172

172

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

703

–

703

–

–

–

703

173

876

–

–

(2,868)

(2,868)

(2,868)

(2,868)

Balance at 26 December 2021

31,276

59,475

(3,272)

2,077

2,517

92,073

The notes form part of these accounts.

43

FINANCIAL STATEMENTSSTRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCECONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
for the 52 week period ended 26 December 2021 (2020: for the 52 week period ended 27 December 2020)

Cash flows from operating activities

Loss for the period

Taxation

Finance costs

Result from equity accounted investment

Other financial items

Operating loss

Adjustments for:

Depreciation 

Gain on disposal of property, plant & equipment

Share-based payment charge

Impairment

Change in inventories

Change in trade and other receivables

Change in trade and other payables

Cash generated from operations

Tax (paid) received 

Notes

2021 
£’000

2020 
£’000

7

6

15

15

(2,868)

(6,463)

(259)

1,041

78

(943)

(1,171)

1,137

–

–

(2,951)

(6,497)

5

4,881

5,494

28

12

125

703

3,690

(345)

(571)

3,800

9,332

651

–

397

933

517

1,055

(258)

1,641

(341)

Net cash generated from operating activities

9,983

1,300

12

(5,493)

(2,304)

(1,600)

–

14&15

(2,309)

(1,309)

2,163

821

(7,239)

(2,792)

24

6

73

(91)

(1,416)

(1,131)

21,196

(7,544)

(1,347)

(1,251)

(2,565)

11,054

179

12,331

12,510

9,562

2,769

12,331

Cash flows from investing activities

Purchase of property, plant and equipment

Acquisition of new property sites

Purchase of investments and associates

Proceeds from disposal of property, plant and equipment

Net cash used in investing activities

Cash flows from financing activities

Proceeds from issue of share capital

Repayment of borrowings

Principal element of lease payments

Interest paid (includes implied interest under IFRS16)

Net cash used in/from financing activities

Net change in cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents at the start of the period

Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period

The notes form part of these accounts.

44

THE CITY PUB GROUP ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2021COMPANY STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
for the 52 week period ended 26 December 2021 (2020: for the 52 week period ended 27 December 2020)

Cash flows from operating activities

Loss for the period

Taxation

Finance costs

Result from equity accounted investment

Other financial items

Operating loss

Adjustments for:

Depreciation 

Realised gain on final hive-up dividend

Gain on disposal of property, plant and equipment

Share-based payment charge

Impairment

Change in inventories

Change in trade and other receivables

Change in trade and other payables

Cash generated from operations

Tax paid

Notes

2021 
£’000

2020 
£’000

(2,868)

(3,678)

(259)

1,041

78

(943)

(1,171)

1,137

–

–

(2,951)

(3,712)

15

15

5

4,881

5,494

–

(2,785)

28

125

703

3,690

(345)

(735)

3,800

9,168

651

–

397

933

517

1,055

(258)

1,641

(341)

Net cash generated from operating activities

9,819

1,300

Cash flows from investing activities

Purchase of property, plant and equipment

Acquisition of new property sites

Purchase of investments and associates

Proceeds from disposal of property, plant and equipment

Net cash used in investing activities

Cash flows from financing activities

Proceeds from issue of share capital

Repayment of borrowings

Principal element of lease payments

Interest paid

Net cash used in/from financing activities

Net change in cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents at the start of the period

Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period

The notes form part of these accounts.

12

(5,493)

(2,304)

(1,600)

–

14&15

(2,145)

(1,309)

12

2,163

821

(7,075)

(2,792)

73

(91)

(1,416)

(1,131)

21,196

(7,544)

(1,347)

(1,251)

(2,565)

11,054

179

12,331

12,510

9,562

2,769

12,331

45

FINANCIAL STATEMENTSSTRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCENOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
for the 52 week period ended 26 December 2021 (2020: for the 52 week period ended 27 December 2020)

1   Company information

The financial statements of The City Pub Group plc (as consolidated “the Group”) for the 52 week period ended 26 December 
2021 were authorised for issue in accordance with a resolution of the directors on 26 April 2022. The Company is a public limited 
company incorporated and domiciled in the UK. The Company number is 07814568 and the registered office is located at 
Essel House 2nd Floor, 29 Foley Street, London, England, W1W 7TH.

The Group’s principal activity is the management and operation of public houses. Information on the Company’s ultimate 
controlling party and other related party relationships is provided in Note 29.

Exemption from audit
For the period ended 26 December 2021 the subsidiaries (see note 16) are exempt from audit under section 480 of the 
Companies Act 2006. 

2   Significant accounting policies
2.1   Basis of preparation

The financial statements have been prepared on an accruals basis and under the historical cost convention, unless otherwise 
stated. There is no material difference between the fair value of financial assets and liabilities and their carrying amount. A prior 
year adjustment has been made that impacts the prior year balance sheet, but has no profit impact, this is explained further 
in note 33.

The Company undertook a common control combination during the prior period before listing on AIM. These consolidated 
financial statements have been prepared using the predecessor value method, which is described in 2.4 below.

The financial statements are presented in Great British Pounds and all values are rounded to the nearest thousand pounds 
except when otherwise indicated. 

As permitted by section 408 of the Companies Act 2006, no separate income statement is presented in respect of the 
Parent Company.

2.2  Statement of Compliance 

The financial statements of the Company and Group are prepared in accordance with applicable International Financial 
Reporting Standards (“IFRS”) as adopted by the European Union. 

2.3   New and Revised Standards 

IFRS applied for the first time in the current financial statements
The Group has applied the following Standards and Amendments for the first time for their annual reporting period commencing 
28 December 2020:

•  IAS 1 Presentation of Financial Statements and IAS 8 Accounting Policies, Changes in Accounting Estimates and Errors 

(Amendment – Definition of Material) 

•  IFRS 3 Business Combinations (Amendment – Definition of Business)

•  Interest Rate Benchmark Reform – Amendments to IFRS 9, IAS 39 and IFRS 8; and

•  Revised Conceptual Framework for Financial Reporting.

The Amendments listed above did not have any impact on the amounts recognised in prior periods and are not expected 
to significantly affect the current or future periods.

IFRS in issue but not applied in the current financial statements
The following IFRS and IFRIC Interpretations have been issued but have not been applied by the Group in preparing these 
financial statements, as they are not as yet effective. The Group intends to adopt these Standards and Interpretations when 
they become effective, rather than adopt them early.

•  Interest Rate Benchmark Reform Phase 2 – Amendments to IFRS 9, IAS 39, IFRS 7, IFRS 4 and IFRS 16

•  Property, Plant and Equipment: Proceeds before intended use – Amendments to IAS 16

•  Reference to the Conceptual Framework – Amendments to IFRS 3

•  Onerous Contracts – Cost of Fulfilling a Contract – Amendments to IAS 37

•  Annual Improvements to IFRS Standards 2018-2020

•  Classification of Liabilities as Current or Non-current – Amendments to IAS 1

•  Disclosure of Accounting Policies – Amendments to IAS 1 and IFRS Practice Statement 2

•  Definition of Accounting Estimates – Amendments to IAS 8

•  Deferred Tax related to Assets and Liabilities arising from a Single Transaction – Amendments to IAS 12

The Directors are currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of all other standards, amendments and interpretations but 
do not expect them to have a material impact on the Group operation or results.

46

THE CITY PUB GROUP ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 20212.4   Predecessor value method

During the period ended 31 December 2017 the Company undertook a common control combination, through the issue of new 
Ordinary Shares, B-Ordinary Shares and Convertible Preference Shares in exchange for 100% of the Ordinary Shares, B Ordinary 
Shares and Convertible Preference Shares of The City Pub Company (West) Limited an entity under common control. The 
Directors considered the business combination to be a common control combination, as the combining entities were ultimately 
controlled by the same parties both before and after the combination and the common control was not transitory. As a common 
control combination, the transaction was outside the scope of IFRS 3 (“Business Combinations”) and the Directors therefore 
considered the nature of the transaction, which was eligible for Merger Relief under the Companies Act, and decided that the 
predecessor value method would be most appropriate for preparing those and subsequent Group financial statements.

The predecessor value method involves accounting for the assets and liabilities of the acquired business using existing carrying 
values rather than at fair values, as a result no goodwill arose on the combination. The use of the predecessor value method 
gave rise to an “other reserve”, which represents the share premium of the subsidiary entity on consolidation.

The financial results of subsidiaries are included in the consolidated financial information from the date that control commences 
until the date that control ceases. The consolidated financial information presents the results of the companies within the same 
group. Intra-group balances and transactions, and any unrealised income and expenses arising from intra-group transactions, 
are eliminated in preparing the consolidated financial information.

2.5  Going concern

The Group agreed a £35m revolving credit facility (RCF) with Barclays Bank plc in July 2019 with an accordion option of another 
£15m. This facility has been extended to July 2024. There is also an undrawn £5m CLBILS facility available. At year end we had 
£25m of debt, and £15m of net debt, with £10m undrawn on our RCF, £15m of accordion and £5m of CLBILS available. We have 
since cancelled the CIBLS facility.

Barclays replaced The City Pub Group plc’s RCF’s existing financial covenants with a Minimum Liquidity Test in the sum of £8m 
plus an additional Minimum EBITDA Test to be tested on a monthly basis. We have significant headroom between our forecasts 
and the requirements in the Minimum EBITDA Test. After June 2022 the financial covenant tests as currently documented will 
recommence. The forecasts for the business show substantial headroom. 

Post year end, the group has recently sold six pubs for £17.1m. This effectively reduces debt to zero. The Group is now EBITDA 
and cashflow generative, with funding only required for new acquisitions. 

During 2020, we reduced Pub and head office costs to the minimum and have kept a tight grip on these costs post reopening. 
We applied for Grants where applicable. We have been in negotiations with landlords with regards to rent holidays, rent 
deferrals and changes in terms of some leases. 

Although there are cost pressures with wage inflation, rising energy prices and upward pressure on commodities, we’ve taken 
the time during covid to renegotiate and lock in procurement contracts, streamlining staffing and implementing energy reducing 
initiatives. 

When making our assessment of going concern, our assumptions have assumed all covid restrictions continue to be removed. 
We have assumed that trading reverts to pre COVID-19 levels. While trading restrictions remain a risk, it is considered that the 
likelihood of them returning is now considered remote and so is not considered to present a material going concern risk to the 
group at the date of approval of the financial statements.

Based on the current financial projections to the end of December 2023 and having considered the facilities available, together 
with potential sensitivities to changes in levels of trade the Board is confident that the Group have adequate resources to 
continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future, while also meeting its loan covenant requirements as they presently 
stand. For this reason, the Board consider it appropriate for the Group to adopt the going concern basis in preparing its financial 
statements. 

2.6  Revenue

Revenue represents external sales (excluding taxes) of goods and services net of discounts. Revenue is recognised to the 
extent that it is probable that the economic benefits will flow to the Group and the revenue can be reliably measured. Revenue 
is measured at the fair value of the consideration receivable net of trade discounts and VAT. 

Revenue principally consists of drink, food and accommodation sales, which are recognised at the point at which goods and 
services are provided and rental income which is recognised on a straight line basis over the lease term. Revenue for bedroom 
accommodation is recognised at the point the services are rendered. Loyalty card revenue is immaterial and therefore no 
change in accounting policy is considered necessary. 

47

FINANCIAL STATEMENTSSTRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCENOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
for the 52 week period ended 26 December 2021 (2020: for the 52 week period ended 27 December 2020)

2   Significant accounting policies continued
2.7  Cost of sales

Costs considered to be directly related to revenue are accounted for as cost of sales. Costs of goods sold are determined on 
the basis of the cost of purchase, adjusted for movements of inventories. Cost of services rendered is recognised at the time 
the revenue is recognised.

2.8  Operating profit

Operating profit is revenue less operating costs. Revenue is as detailed above and as shown in note 4. Operating costs are all 
costs excluding finance costs, costs associated with the disposal of properties and the tax charge.

2.9  Exceptional items

The Group presents as exceptional items those significant items of income and expense which, because of their size, nature 
and infrequency of the events giving rise to them merit separate presentation to allow Shareholders to understand better the 
elements of financial performance in the period, so as to facilitate comparison with prior periods to assess trends in financial 
performance more readily. These items are primarily pre-opening costs (including acquisition costs) and non-recurring costs, 
which are not expected to recur at a particular site. 

2.10 Finance income and expense

Finance income is recognised as interest accrues (using the effective interest method) on funds invested outside the Group. 
Finance expense includes the cost of borrowing from third parties and is recognised on an effective interest rate basis, resulting 
from the financial liability being recognised on an amortised cost basis, including commitment fees. Borrowing costs directly 
attributable to the acquisition, construction or production of a qualifying asset are capitalised during the period of time that is 
necessary to complete and prepare the asset for its intended use or sale. 

2.11  Taxation and deferred taxation

The income tax expense or income for the period is the tax payable on the current period’s taxable income. This is based on 
the national income tax rate enacted or substantively enacted with any adjustment relating to tax payable in previous years and 
changes in deferred tax assets and liabilities attributable to temporary differences between the tax bases of assets and liabilities 
and their carrying amounts in the Financial Statements.

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognised for temporary differences at the tax rates expected to be applicable when 
the asset or liability crystallises based on current tax rates and laws that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the 
reporting date. The relevant tax rates are applied to the cumulative amounts of deductible and taxable temporary differences 
to measure the deferred tax asset or liability. 

A deferred tax asset is regarded as recoverable and therefore recognised only when, on the basis of all available evidence, it can 
be regarded as more likely than not that there will be suitable taxable profits against which to recover carried forward tax losses 
and from which the future reversal of temporary differences can be deducted. The carrying amount of deferred tax assets are 
reviewed at each reporting date.

2.12  Financial instruments

Recognition, initial measurement and derecognition
Financial assets and financial liabilities are recognised when the Group becomes a party to the contractual provisions of the 
financial instrument and are measured initially at fair value adjusted for transaction costs. Subsequent measurement of financial 
assets and financial liabilities is described below.

Financial assets are derecognised when the contractual rights to the cash flows from the financial asset expire, or when the 
financial asset and substantially all the risks and rewards are transferred. A financial liability is derecognised when it is 
extinguished, discharged, cancelled or expires.

Classification and subsequent measurement of financial assets
For the purpose of subsequent measurement the Group classifies its financial assets into the following categories: those to be 
measured subsequently at fair value (either through other comprehensive income (FVOCI) or through the income statement 
(FVPL)) and those to be held at amortised cost.

Classification depends on the business model for managing the financial assets and the contractual terms of the cash flows.

Management determines the classification of financial assets at initial recognition. The Group’s policy with regard to financial risk 
management is set out in note 21. Generally, the Group does not acquire financial assets for the purpose of selling in the short 
term and does not have any financial assets measured at fair value through the income statement (FVPL) in either the current 
or prior year.

The Group’s business model is primarily that of “hold to collect” (where assets are held in order to collect contractual cash flows). 

48

THE CITY PUB GROUP ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2021Financial assets held at amortised cost
This classification applies to the Group’s trade & other receivables which are held under a hold to collect business model and 
which have cash flows that meet the solely payments of principal and interest (SPPI) criteria. At initial recognition, trade and other 
receivables that do not have a significant financing component, are recognised at their transaction price. Other financial assets 
are initially recognised at fair value plus related transaction costs; they are subsequently measured at amortised cost using the 
effective interest method. Any gain or loss on derecognition or modification of a financial asset held at amortised cost is recognised 
in the income statement.

Financial assets at fair value through other comprehensive income (FVOCI)
The Group accounts for financial assets at FVOCI if the assets meet the following conditions:

•  they are held under a business model whose objective it is “hold to collect” the associated cash flows and 

•  the contractual terms of the financial assets give rise to cash flows that are solely payments of principal and interest on the 

principal amount outstanding.

The Group has opted to classify financial assets which are investments in equity instruments as financial assets at fair value 
through other comprehensive income.

Any gains or losses recognised in other comprehensive income (OCI) will be recycled upon derecognition of the asset.

Impairment of financial assets
A forward-looking expected credit loss (ECL) review is required for: debt instruments measured at amortised cost or held at fair 
value through other comprehensive income; loan commitments and financial guarantees not measured at fair value through 
profit or loss; lease receivables and trade receivables that give rise to an unconditional right to consideration. 

IFRS 9’s impairment requirements use more forward-looking information to recognise expected credit losses – the “expected 
credit loss (ECL) model”. This replaces IAS 39’s “incurred loss model”. The Group’s instruments within the scope of the new 
requirements included trade and other receivables.

Recognition of credit losses is no longer dependent on the Group first identifying a credit loss event. Instead the Group considers 
a broader range of information when assessing credit risk and measuring expected credit losses, including past events, current 
conditions, reasonable and supportable forecasts that affect the expected collectability of the future cash flows of the 
instrument.

As permitted by IFRS 9, the Group applies the “simplified approach” to trade and other receivable balances and the “general 
approach” to all other financial assets. The simplified approach in accounting for trade and other receivables records the loss 
allowance as lifetime expected credit losses. These are the expected shortfalls in contractual cash flows, considering the 
potential for default at any point during the life of the financial instrument. In calculating, the Group uses its historical experience, 
external indicators and forward-looking information to calculate the expected credit losses. The general approach incorporates 
a review for any significant increase in counterparty credit risk since inception. The ECL reviews include assumptions about the 
risk of default and expected loss rates. 

The nature of the Group’s trade and other receivables are such that the expected credit loss is immaterial in the current and prior 
year, therefore no additional disclosures are considered necessary within the credit risk section of note 21.

Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash at bank and in hand and other short term highly liquid deposits with original maturities 
of three months or less.

Classification and subsequent measurement of financial liabilities
The Group’s financial liabilities include trade and certain other payables. Financial liabilities are measured subsequently at 
amortised cost using the effective interest rate.

Trade and other payables
Trade and other payables are recognised initially at fair value and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective 
interest method. These amounts represent liabilities for goods and services provided to the Group prior to the end of the 
financial period, which are unpaid.

Borrowings
Borrowings are recognised initially at fair value, net of transaction costs incurred. Borrowings are subsequently stated at 
amortised cost; any difference between the proceeds (net of transaction costs) and the redemption value is recognised in 
profit or loss over the period of the borrowings using the effective interest method.

49

FINANCIAL STATEMENTSSTRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCENOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
for the 52 week period ended 26 December 2021 (2020: for the 52 week period ended 27 December 2020)

2   Significant accounting policies continued
Classification of Shares as Debt or Equity
When shares are issued, any component that creates a financial liability of the Group is presented as a liability in the statement 
of financial position; measured initially at fair value net of transaction costs and thereafter at amortised cost until extinguished 
on conversion or redemption. The corresponding dividends relating to the liability component are charged as interest expense 
in the Income Statement. The initial fair value of the liability component is determined using a market rate for an equivalent 
liability without a conversion feature.

The remainder of the proceeds on issue is allocated to the equity component and included in shareholders’ equity, net of 
transaction costs.

The carrying amount of the equity component is not remeasured in subsequent years. The Group’s ordinary shares are classified 
as equity instruments. For the purposes of the disclosures given in note 24, the Group considers its capital to comprise its 
ordinary share capital, share premium and accumulated retained earnings. There have been no changes to what the Group 
considers to be capital since the prior year.

Share repurchases
Where shares are repurchased wholly out of the proceeds of a fresh issue of shares made for that purpose, no amount needs to 
be transferred to a capital redemption reserve as there is no reduction in capital as a result of the purchase and issue of shares. 

2.13  Business combinations and goodwill

Other than the group re-organisation that took place prior to Listing, business combinations, which include sites that are 
operating as a going concern at acquisition and where substantive processes are acquired, are accounted for under IFRS 3 using 
the purchase method. Any excess of the consideration of the business combination over the interest in the net fair value of the 
identifiable assets, liabilities and contingent liabilities is recognised in the statement of financial position as goodwill and is not 
amortised. To the extent that the net fair value of the acquired entity’s identifiable assets, liabilities and contingent liabilities is 
greater than the cost of the investment, a gain is recognised immediately in the profit or loss.

Goodwill represents the future economic benefits arising from a business combination that are not individually identified and 
separately recognised. Goodwill is carried at cost less accumulated impairment losses. Refer to Note 11 for a description of 
impairment testing procedures.

2.14 Property, plant and equipment

Property, plant and equipment, other than freehold land, are stated at cost or deemed cost less accumulated depreciation and 
any impairment in value. Depreciation is provided at rates calculated to write off the cost less estimated residual value of each 
asset over its expected useful life, with effect from the first full year of ownership, as follows:

To residual value over fifty years straight line 
Freehold properties  
Leasehold properties 
Straight line over the length of the lease 
Fixtures, fittings and equipment  Between four and ten years straight line 
Between two and five years straight line
Computer equipment 

No depreciation is charged on freehold land. Where there is no depreciation on historic freehold buildings as a result of a high 
residual value/long useful lives, the freehold building is subject to an impairment review. Residual values and useful lives are 
reviewed every year and adjusted if appropriate at each financial period end.

An asset’s carrying amount is written down immediately to its recoverable amount if the asset’s carrying amount is greater than 
its estimated recoverable amount. Gains and losses on disposals are determined by comparing proceeds with carrying amount. 
These are included in the profit or loss. 

2.15  Investments in subsidiaries

The Company recognises its investments in subsidiaries at cost, less any provisions for impairment. Income is recognised from 
these investments only in relation to distributions receivable basis from post-acquisition profits. Distributions received in excess 
of post-acquisition profits are deducted from the cost of the investment.

2.16 Investments in associates 

Investments in associates are accounted for using the equity method, unless associates are held indirectly through a venture 
capital organization (or similar entity), in which case they are measured at fair value through profit or loss.

The carrying amount of the investment in associates is increased or decreased to recognise the Group’s share of the profit or 
loss and other comprehensive income of the associate, adjusted where necessary to ensure consistency with the accounting 
policies of the Group. 

Unrealised gains and losses on transactions between the Group and its associates are eliminated to the extent of the Group’s 
interest in those entities. Where unrealised losses are eliminated, the underlying asset is also tested for impairment. When an 
investment in an associate is held indirectly via an investment manager it is measured at fair value through profit or loss.

50

THE CITY PUB GROUP ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2021 
 
 
2.17  Impairment of goodwill, property, plant and equipment and investments in subsidiaries

For impairment assessment purposes, assets are grouped at the lowest levels for which there are largely independent cash 
inflows (cash-generating units). As a result, some assets are tested individually for impairment and some are tested at cash-
generating unit level. Goodwill is allocated to those cash-generating units that are expected to benefit from synergies of 
a related business combination and represent the lowest level within the Group at which management monitors goodwill.

Cash-generating units to which goodwill has been allocated (determined by the Group’s management as equivalent to its 
operating segments) are tested for impairment at least annually. All other individual assets or cash-generating units are tested 
for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable.

An impairment loss is recognised for the amount by which the asset’s (or cash-generating unit’s) carrying amount exceeds its 
recoverable amount, which is the higher of fair value less costs of disposal and value-in-use. To determine the value-in-use, 
management estimates expected future cash flows from each cash-generating unit and determines a suitable discount rate 
in order to calculate the present value of those cash flows. The data used for impairment testing procedures are directly 
linked to the Group’s latest approved budget, adjusted as necessary to exclude the effects of future reorganisations and 
asset enhancements. Discount factors are determined individually for each cash-generating unit and reflect current market 
assessments of the time value of money and asset-specific risk factors.

Impairment losses for cash-generating units reduce first the carrying amount of any goodwill allocated to that cash-generating 
unit. Any remaining impairment loss is charged pro rata to the other assets in the cash-generating unit. With the exception of 
goodwill, all assets are subsequently reassessed for indications that an impairment loss previously recognised may no longer 
exist. An impairment loss is reversed if the asset’s or cash-generating unit’s recoverable amount exceeds its carrying amount.

2.18 Inventories

Inventories are counted independently and stated at the lower of cost and net realisable value. Cost is calculated using the 
First In First Out method. Net realisable value is the estimated selling price in the ordinary course of business, less estimated 
costs of completion and the estimated costs to sell.

2.19 Leases

For any new contracts entered into on or after 30 December 2019, the Group considers whether a contract is, or contains a lease. 
A lease is defined as ‘a contract, or part of a contract, that conveys the right to use an asset (the underlying asset) for a period of 
time in exchange for consideration’. To apply this definition the Group assesses whether the contract meets three key 
evaluations which are whether:

•  the contract contains an identified asset, which is either explicitly identified in the contract or implicitly specified by being 

identified at the time the asset is made available to the Group

•  the Group has the right to obtain substantially all of the economic benefits from use of the identified asset throughout the 

period of use, considering its rights within the defined scope of the contract

•  the Group has the right to direct the use of the identified asset throughout the period of use. The Group assess whether 

it has the right to direct ‘how and for what purpose’ the asset is used throughout the period of use.

Measurement and recognition of leases as a lessee
At lease commencement date, the Group recognises a right-of-use asset and a lease liability on the balance sheet. The 
right-of-use asset is measured at cost, which is made up of the initial measurement of the lease liability, any initial direct costs 
incurred by the Group, an estimate of any costs to dismantle and remove the asset at the end of the lease, and any lease 
payments made in advance of the lease commencement date (net of any incentives received).

Assets and liabilities arising from a lease are initially measured on a present value basis. Lease liabilities include the net present 
value of the following lease payments:

•  fixed payments (including in-substance fixed payments), less any lease incentives receivable;

•  variable lease payments that are based on an index or a rate;

•  amounts expected to be payable by the lessee under residual value guarantees;

•  the exercise price of a purchase option if the lessee is reasonably certain to exercise that option; and

•  payments of penalties for terminating the lease, if the lease term reflects the lessee exercising that option.

51

FINANCIAL STATEMENTSSTRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCENOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
for the 52 week period ended 26 December 2021 (2020: for the 52 week period ended 27 December 2020)

2   Significant accounting policies continued

Lease payments to be made under reasonably certain extension options are also included in the measurement of the liability.

At the commencement date, the Group measures the lease liability at the present value of the lease payments unpaid at 
that date, discounted using the interest rate implicit in the lease if that rate is readily available. If that rate cannot be readily 
determined, which is generally the case for leases in the Group, the Group’s incremental borrowing rate is used, being the rate 
that the individual lessee would have to pay to borrow the funds necessary to obtain an asset of similar value to the right-of-use 
asset in a similar economic environment with similar terms, security and conditions. 

To determine the incremental borrowing rate, the Group: 

•  where possible, uses recent third-party financing received by the individual lessee as a starting point, adjusted to reflect 

changes in financing conditions since third-party financing was received 

•  uses a build-up approach that starts with a risk-free interest rate adjusted for credit risk for leases held by the Group, which 

does not have recent third-party financing, and 

•  makes adjustments specific to the lease, e.g. term, country, currency and security. 

Where the Group is exposed to potential future increases in variable lease payments based on an index or rate, these are not 
included in the lease liability until they take effect. When adjustments to lease payments based on an index or rate take effect, 
the lease liability is reassessed and adjusted against the right-of-use asset. 

Subsequent to initial measurement, lease payments are allocated between principal, which reduces the liability, and finance 
cost. The finance cost is charged to the statement of comprehensive income over the lease period so as to produce a constant 
periodic rate of interest on the remaining balance of the liability for each period. 

Right-of-use assets are measured at cost comprising the following:

•  the amount of the initial measurement of lease liability;

•  any lease payments made at or before the commencement date less any lease incentives received; 

•  any initial direct costs; and

•  restoration costs.

Right-of-use assets are generally depreciated over the shorter of the asset’s useful life and the lease term on a straight-line 
basis. If the Group is reasonably certain to exercise a purchase option, the right-of-use asset is depreciated over the underlying 
asset’s useful life. The Group also assesses the right-of-use asset for impairment when such indicators exist.

The Group has elected to account for short-term leases and leases of low value assets using the practical expedients. Instead 
of recognising a right-of-use asset and lease liability, the payments in relation to these are recognised as an expense in profit 
or loss on a straight-line basis over the lease term.

The right-of-use assets and lease liabilities have been disclosed separately on the face of the Statement of Financial Position, 
within Non-current assets and across Current & Non-current liabilities respectively. 

2.20 Share-based employee remuneration

The Company operates equity-settled share-based remuneration plans for its employees. None of the Company’s plans are 
cash-settled.

All goods and services received in exchange for the grant of any share-based payment are measured at their fair values.

Where employees are rewarded using share-based payments, the fair value of employees’ services is determined indirectly 
by reference to the fair value of the equity instruments granted. This fair value is appraised at the grant date and excludes the 
impact of non-market vesting conditions (for example profitability and sales growth targets and performance conditions). 
The fair value is determined by using the Black-Scholes method.

All share-based remuneration is ultimately recognised as an expense in profit or loss with a corresponding credit to share-based 
payments reserve. If vesting periods or other vesting conditions apply, the expense is allocated over the vesting period, based 
on the best available estimate of the number of share options expected to vest.

52

THE CITY PUB GROUP ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2021Non-market vesting conditions are included in assumptions about the number of options that are expected to become 
exercisable. Estimates are subsequently revised if there is any indication that the number of share options expected to vest 
differs from previous estimates. Any adjustment to cumulative share-based compensation resulting from a revision is recognised 
in the current period. The number of vested options ultimately exercised by holders does not impact the expense recorded 
in any period.

Upon exercise of share options, the proceeds received, net of any directly attributable transaction costs, are allocated to share 
capital up to the nominal (or par) value of the shares issued with any excess being recorded as share premium.

2.21  Investment in own shares (JSOP)

Shares held in the City Pub Group Joint Share Ownership Plan (“JSOP”) are shown as a deduction in arriving at equity funds on 
consolidation. Assets, liabilities and reserves of the JSOP are included in the statutory headings to which they relate. Purchases 
and sales of own shares increase or decrease the book value of “Own shares” in the statement of financial position. At each 
period end the Group assess and recognises the value of “Own shares” held with reference to the expected cash proceeds 
and accounts for any difference as a reserves transfer.

2.22 Government grants

The Group has received Government grants for the first time during the period ended 27 December 2020, mainly in relation 
to the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme provided by the Government in response to COVID-19’s impact on our business. 
The Group has elected to account for these grants as other operating income, rather than to off-set the Government grants 
within administrative expenses, so that the gross impact is disclosed on the face of the Statement of Comprehensive Income. 

3 

Significant judgements and estimates
The judgements, which are considered to be significant, are as follows:

Judgement is required when determining if an acquisition is a business combination or a purchase of an asset. Each acquisition 
is assessed individually to determine which is the most appropriate classification.

Judgement is used to determine those items that should be separately disclosed to allow a better understanding of the 
underlying trading performance of the Group. The judgement includes assessment of whether an item is of a nature that 
is not consistent with normal trading activities or of a sufficient size or infrequency.

Judgement is required when accounting for hive ups that are operationally enacted and that determines when control has 
passed. See note 16.

The estimates, which are considered to be significant, are as follows:

The Group determines whether goodwill is impaired on an annual basis and this requires an estimation of the value in use of 
the cash-generating units to which the goodwill is allocated. This involves estimation of future cash flows, choosing a suitable 
discount rate and growth rate. Full details are supplied in note 11, together with an analysis of the key assumptions. 

The determination of any impairment of property, plant & equipment (including the right of use assets) also requires estimation 
of fair value and value in use. As with goodwill, this requires estimation of future cash flows and selection of a suitable discount 
rate, together with assessment of the market values of properties (if applicable). Goodwill was allocated to the carrying value of 
property, plant & equipment for the purposes of the impairment review, with further details around key assumptions provided 
in note 11 (such assumptions are also relevant to the carrying value of property, plant & equipment are detailed in note 12). 

The calculation of lease liabilities requires the Group to determine an incremental borrowing rate (“IBR”) to discount future 
minimum lease payments. The IBR is the rate of interest that the Group would have to pay to borrow over a similar term, and 
with a similar security, the funds necessary to obtain an asset of a similar value to the right-of-use asset in a similar economic 
environment. The IBR therefore reflects what the Group ‘would have to pay’, which requires estimation when no observable rates 
are available or when they need to be adjusted to reflect the terms and conditions of the lease. 

The estimation of share-based payment costs requires the selection of an appropriate valuation model and consideration as 
to the inputs necessary for the valuation model chosen. The Group has made estimates as to the volatility of its own shares, the 
probable life of options granted and the time of exercise of those options. Expectations around employee retention and meeting 
of performance criteria have also been considered. The model used by the Group is the Black-Scholes valuation model and the 
inputs are detailed in note 28.

The assessment of the probability of future taxable profits on which deferred tax assets can be utilised is based on the Group’s 
latest approved budget forecasts, which is adjustment for significant non-taxable income and expenditure. If a positive forecast 
of taxable income indicates the probable use of a deferred tax asset, especially when it can be utilised without a time limit, that 
deferred tax asset is usually recognised in respect of the period for which future profits can be confidently foreseen. 

53

FINANCIAL STATEMENTSSTRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCENOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
for the 52 week period ended 26 December 2021 (2020: for the 52 week period ended 27 December 2020)

4 

Segmental analysis
The Group focuses its internal management reporting predominantly on revenue, adjusted EBITDA (being earnings before 
exceptional items, share option charge, interest, taxation and depreciation) and operating profit.

The Chief Operating Decision Maker (“CODM”) receives information on each pub and each pub is considered to be an individual 
operating segment. In line with IFRS 8, each operating segment has the same characteristics and therefore the pubs are 
aggregated to form the reportable segment below.

Revenue, and all the Group’s activities, arise wholly from the sale of goods and services within the United Kingdom. All the 
Group’s non-current assets are located in the United Kingdom.

Revenue arises wholly from the sale of goods and services within the United Kingdom.

Revenue

Cost of sales

Gross profit

Other operating income before adjusting items (note 4(a))

Operating expenses:

Operating expenses before adjusting items

Adjusted EBITDA

Depreciation

Share option charge

Exceptional items – operating expenses

Total operating expenses

Exceptional items – other operating income (note 4(a))

Operating loss

2021 
£’000

2020 
£’000

35,364

25,815

(8,273)

(6,280)

27,091

19,535

4,084

5,391

(25,254)

(23,718)

5,921

1,208

(4,881)

(5,494)

(703)

(397)

(4,288)

(1,814)

(35,126)

(31,423)

1,000

–

(2,951)

(6,497)

(a)  Other operating income
During 2020 the Group has received Government grants for the first time, mainly in relation to the Furlough Scheme provided by 
the Government in response to COVID-19’s impact on our business. Further analysis of other operating income is set out below.

Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme

Other government grants

Insurance claim (exceptional item note 8)

Total other operating income

5 

Loss on ordinary activities before taxation
The loss on ordinary activities before taxation is stated after charging/(crediting):

Costs of inventories recognised as an expense

Staff costs (note 26)

Depreciation

Fees payable to the company’s auditor for the audit of the company’s financial statements

Exceptional items (note 8)

Operating leases – land and buildings

2021 
£’000

2,972

1,112

1,000

5,084

2021 
£’000

5,502

18,691

4,881

65

3,288

(266)

2020 
£’000

5,141

250

–

5,391

2020 
£’000

6,376

17,133

5,494

60

1,814

(351)

Rent concessions relating to COVID-19 of £178,000 (2020: £450,000) have been recognised within this balance for 2021.

54

THE CITY PUB GROUP ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 20216 

Interest payable and similar charges

On bank loans and overdrafts

Interest and finance charges for lease liabilities

Interest expense capitalised within property, plant & equipment

Total finance cost

During the period £90,000 of interest was capitalised (2020: £113,000).

7 

Tax charge on loss on ordinary activities
(a)  Analysis of tax charge for the period
The tax charge for the Group is based on the loss for the period and represents:

Current income tax:

Current income tax charge

Adjustments in respect of previous period

Total current income tax

Deferred tax:

Origination and reversal of temporary differences (note 23)

Adjustment to deferred tax asset on tax losses (note 23)

Total deferred tax

Total tax

2021 
£’000

475

656

(90)

2020 
£’000

551

699

(113)

1,041

1,137

2021 
£’000

2020 
£’000

–

(24)

(24)

280

(515)

(235)

(259)

(572)

(154)

(726)

58

(503)

(445)

(1,171)

(b)  Factors affecting total tax for the period
The tax assessed for the period differs from the standard rate of corporation tax in the United Kingdom 19.00% (2020: 19.00%). 
The differences are explained as follows:

Loss on ordinary activities before tax

Loss on ordinary activities multiplied by standard rate of corporation tax in the United Kingdom of 
19.00% (2020: 19.00%)

Effect of:

Temporary differences

Items not deductible for tax purposes

Adjustment in respect of previous periods

Share options tax deduction

Total tax credit

2021 
£’000

2020 
£’000

(3,127)

(7,634)

(594)

(1,450)

265

95

(24)

(1)

446

(5)

(154)

(8)

(259)

(1,171)

The deferred tax asset included in the balance sheet of £1,018,000 (2020: £503,000) relates principally to the carry forward of tax 
losses. The Directors have recognised a deferred tax asset in respect of carried forward trading tax losses as, based on current 
estimates, the Group is forecast to make sufficient trading profit over the next 3 years, against which these losses can be offset.

55

FINANCIAL STATEMENTSSTRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCENOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
for the 52 week period ended 26 December 2021 (2020: for the 52 week period ended 27 December 2020)

8 

Exceptional items

Pre opening costs

Impairment of pub sites

Inventory impairments

Insurance claim

Other non recurring items

2020 
£’000

37

3,690

–

(1,000)

561

3,288

2021
£’000

14

933

662

–

205

1,814

Exceptional items for both financial years presented are included within administrative expenditure in the Statement of 
Comprehensive Income. 

9  Dividends 

Dividends paid during the reporting period
The Board did not declare a dividend due the Covid pandemic (2020: £nil) 

Dividends not recognised at the end of the reporting period
Since the year end, the Directors are not proposing a dividend due to the COVID-19 pandemic (2020: nil). 

10  Loss per share

Loss for the period attributable to Shareholders

Loss per share:

Basic loss per share (p)

Diluted earnings per share (p)

2021 
£’000

(2,868)

(2.76)

n/a

2020 
£’000

(6,463)

(7.15)

n/a

Weighted average number of shares:

Weighted average shares for basic EPS

Effect of share options in issue

Weighted average shares for diluted earnings per share

Number of shares Number of shares

103,795,354

90,451,692

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

Shares held by the City Pub Group plc Joint Share Ownership Plan (“JSOP”), which has waived its entitlement to receive 
dividends, are treated as cancelled for the purpose of this calculation.

For the 52 week period ended 26 December 2021 and 27 December 2020, the Group recorded a loss. As a result, share options 
in issue for this period are considered to be antidliutive and therefore no diluted loss per share has been presented. 

56

THE CITY PUB GROUP ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 202111  Goodwill

Group and Company

Cost brought forward

Additions

At end of period

Amortisation/impairment brought forward

Impairment provided during the period

At end of period

Net book value at end of period

Net book value at start of period

2021
£’000

4,196

50

Restated
2020
£’000

4,196

–

4,246

4,196

(914)

(1,082)

(1,996)

(60)

(854)

(914)

2,250

3,282

3,282

4,136

The carrying value of goodwill included within the Group and Company statement of financial position is £2,250,000 (2020 
restated: £3,282,000), which is allocated to the cash-generating unit (“CGU”) of groupings of public houses as follows:

Freehold

Leasehold

2021
£’000

1,374

876

Restated
2020
£’000

2,396

886

2,250

3,282

The CGU’s recoverable amount has been determined as the higher of its fair value less costs to sell and value in use based on 
an internal discounted cash flow evaluation. During the period ended 26 December 2021 impairments have been made against 
a number of sites, as described further in note 12, with impairments at three sites resulting in reductions to goodwill.

The fair value less costs to sell is calculated based on the market value of the associated property.

For the 52 week period ended 26 December 2021, the cash-generating unit recoverable amount was determined based on 
value-in-use calculations, using cash flow projections based on one year budgets, (modified as appropriate for the impact of 
COVID-19 and the expected return to normal trading conditions), extrapolated into perpetuity for freehold properties and for 
the length of the lease for leasehold properties, with key assumptions for both CGU’s being the long-term growth rate of 2% 
and pre-tax discount rate of 10%. Cash flows for the businesses are based on management forecasts, which are approved by 
the Board and reflect management’s expectations of sales growth, operating costs and margin based on past experience and 
anticipated changes in the local market places and trading following the re-opening of sites during 2021.

Sensitivity to changes in key assumptions: impairment testing is dependent on management’s estimates and judgements, 
in particular in relation to the forecasting of future cash flows, the long-term growth rate and the discount rate applied to the 
cash flows and uncertainty of future cash flows related to COVID-19.

Lowering the discount rate by 1% from 10% to 9% would have the effect of reducing the impairment charge by £78k to £3,612k. 
An increase in the discount rate to 11% would result in the impairment charge increasing by £170k to £3,860k.

Lowering the long term growth rate used from 2% to 1% would result in an increase in the impairment charge of £69k to £3,759k. 
A higher growth rate of 3% would result in the impairment charge reducing by an immaterial amount.

The assumptions and outlined changes in impairment charge noted in the above sensitivities are relevant to the combined 
carrying value of goodwill and property plant & equipment, and are stated before any allocation between the two asset classes. 

As outlined further in note 33, a prior period restatement has been made to the 2020 comparatives to transfer £514,000 of 
impairment from property, plant and equipment (the fixtures, fittings and computers category) to goodwill. 

57

FINANCIAL STATEMENTSSTRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCENOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
for the 52 week period ended 26 December 2021 (2020: for the 52 week period ended 27 December 2020)

12  Property, plant and equipment

Group and Company

Cost

At 29 December 2019

Additions

Disposals

At 27 December 2020

Additions

Acquisitions

Disposals

At 26 December 2021

Depreciation

At 29 December 2019

Provided during the period 

Impairment (restated)

At 27 December 2020 (restated)

Provided during the period 

Impairment

Disposals

At 26 December 2021

Net book value

At 26 December 2021

At 27 December 2020 (restated)

At 29 December 2019

Freehold & 
leasehold 
property 
£’000

Fixtures,
fittings and
 computers 
£’000

Total 
£’000

97,292

29,357

126,649

311

(821)

2,107

–

2,418

(821)

96,782

31,464

128,246

1,405

1,600

(3,175)

4,178

50

5,583

1,650

(745)

(3,920)

96,612

34,947

131,559

4,627

11,108

15,735

747

–

3,112

3,859

79

79

5,374

14,299

19,673

587

967

(921)

2,703

1,582

3,290

2,549

(399)

(1,320)

6,007

18,185

24,192

90,605

16,762

107,367

91,408

17,165

108,573

92,665

18,249

110,914

During the period ended 26 December 2021 the group made a provision for impairment against a number of sites totalling 
£3,690,000, split £1,082,000 against goodwill, £967,000 against freehold & leasehold property, £1,582,000 against fixtures and 
fittings and £59,000 against right of use assets. 

The assumptions and sensitivities relating to the Group’s impairment review laid out in note 11 are also relevant to this note. 

During the period ended 27 December 2020 the group made a provision for impairment against a number of sites totalling 
£933,000, split £340,000 against goodwill and £593,000 against fixtures and fittings. During the period ended 26 December 2021 
management identified that £514,000 of the prior year impairment of fixtures and fittings should have been made against 
goodwill and therefore a prior year adjustment has been made to restate the amounts of goodwill and fixtures and fittings 
accordingly.

During the period ended 26 December 2021 the group capitalised £90,000 (2020: £113,000) of interest within the Freehold & 
Leasehold property asset.

58

THE CITY PUB GROUP ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 202113  Leases

Group and Company
This note provides information for leases where the Group is a lessee. The Group enters into property leases for certain of its pub 
sites. The lease terms are negotiated on an individual basis and contain a wide range of different terms and conditions. The lease 
agreements do not impose any covenants, but leased assets may not be used as security for borrowing purposes.

(i)  amounts recognised in the consolidated statement of financial position

The consolidated statement of financial position shows the following amounts relating to leases:

Group and Company

Right-of-use assets

Net book value at start of period

Additions

Disposals

Impairment

Depreciation

Total

Lease liabilities

Current

Non-current

Total

2021
£’000

2020
£’000

19,565

21,042

1,192

(1,232)

(59)

158

–

–

(1,591)

(1,635)

17,875

19,565

1,912

2,103

16,473

17,750

18,385

19,853

Additions to the right-of-use assets during the 2020 financial year were £1,192,000 (2020: £158,000). Following the publication 
on the amendment to IFRS 16 in relation to rent concessions, the Group has applied the practical expedient in all cases where 
relevant conditions were met. These concessions totalled a credit to the income statement for the period of £178,000 (2020: 
£450,000). Changes in leases which do not fulfil the criteria of the practical expedient have been treated as additions or disposals 
in line with normal IFRS 16 accounting.

The assumptions and sensitivities relating to the Group’s impairment review laid out in note 11 are also relevant to this note. 
The impairment review resulted in the impairment of the right-of-use assets relating to one site.

(ii)  amounts recognised in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income

The consolidated statement of comprehensive income shows the following amounts relating to leases:

Group and Company

Depreciation charge

Leasehold Properties

Interest expense (included in finance cost)

The total cash outflow for leases in 2021 was £2,071,000 (2020: £2,046,000), see note 21.

2021 
£’000

2020 
£’000

1,591

1,635

656

699

59

FINANCIAL STATEMENTSSTRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCE 
 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
for the 52 week period ended 26 December 2021 (2020: for the 52 week period ended 27 December 2020)

14  Financial assets at fair value through Other Comprehensive income

At start of period

Additions

Transfer to Associates (note 15)

Disposals/repayments

Revaluations 

At end of period

Group
2021 
£’000

1,309

Group
2020 
£’000

Company
2021 
£’000

Company
2020 
£’000

–

1,309

–

916

1,309

751

1,309

(1,239)

(750)

18

254

–

–

–

1,309

(1,239)

(750)

–

71

–

–

–

1,309

The Company acquired an initial 14% stake in the Mosaic Companies in September 2020 for £1.2m. During the year ended 
26 December 2021 the group increased its stake to 24% in certain companies within the Mosaic Pub and Dining Group, through 
the acquisition of existing shares in The Galaxy (City) Pub Company Limited, The Pioneer (City) Pub Company Limited and 
The Sovereign (City) Pub Company Limited (the “Mosaic Companies”) for a total cash consideration of approximately £1.2m. 
This additional investment resulted in the Mosaic companies becoming Associate investments and therefore the original stake 
acquired in the prior period was transferred to Associates – see note 15. 

During the year the group made additional smaller strategic equity investments, which have been designated as fair value 
through other comprehensive income. Investments, totalling £165k, were made through a subsidiary company rather than being 
held directly by the parent company.

15 

Investments in associates

Group and Company

Additions in the period

Transfer from financial assets at fair value through other comprehensive income (note 14)

Revaluations through profit and loss

Aggregate amounts of the group’s share of:

Loss from continuing operations

Other comprehensive income

Total comprehensive income

Aggregate carrying amount of associates

2021 
£’000

2,144

1,239

943

(78)

–

(78)

4,248

2020 
£’000

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

During the year ended 26 December 2021 the Group announced that it had acquired a 49% stake in Barts Pub Ltd, owner of the 
iconic Kensington Park Hotel (“KPH”) in Ladbroke Grove, for £0.75m. The Group also acquired a 25% stake in Bupp Ltd for £0.2m.

The KPH is a leasehold pub located 200 metres from Ladbroke Grove tube station. It has large trading areas on the ground and 
first floors, benefits from seven hotel letting rooms and has potential for a further four letting rooms on the top floor. Ladbroke 
Grove is a prime residential area in London and the Company trades very successfully at the Cock & Bottle, Notting Hill, which 
is located close by. The Group has recognised its share of the associates operating losses during the period since ownership.

As noted in note 15, during the period the Group’s interest in the Mosaic Companies exceeded 20% and is therefore deemed to 
give rise to the power to the Group to exert significant influence. As such, the Directors consider the Mosaic Companies to have 
become associates and the investment has been reclassified as such. 

The Mosaic Companies own ten prominent pubs, predominantly in London and Birmingham, of which eight are freehold. Mosaic 
has a strong balance sheet with over £3m in cash deposits and a very strong freehold asset-backing.

60

THE CITY PUB GROUP ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2021The City Pub Group and Mosaic jointly negotiate their major liquor supply deals (draught beer, spirits, wines, soft drinks) and 
the Company’s investment will help to cement this relationship. It is the intention of both the Company and Mosaic to assist each 
other in advancements in technology, especially in areas such as the City Club app.

Clive Watson is an investment consultant to Mosaic. Richard Prickett, Non-Executive Director of the City Pub Group, is a 
Non-Executive Director of The Pioneer (City) Pub Company Limited.

For the majority of the year, the Group held its interest in Mosaic through an independently managed investment fund and 
therefore, in reflection in the Group’s assessment of its valuation and in accordance with IAS 28, it has been measured at a fair 
value through profit and loss. Prior to the period end, the Group took direct control of the investment, meaning that prospectively 
the investment in Mosaic will be accounted for in accordance with the equity method. The Group’s share of Mosaic’s profits 
and losses for the period after it took direct ownership is not considered material.

16 

Investments in subsidiaries

Company

At start of period

Write-down of investment 

At end of period

2021 
£’000

2020 
£’000

1,067

12,730

(266)

(11,663)

801

1,067

The investment in Flamequire was written down in the current period as an application to strike off the entity was made in 
December 2021, which was concluded in March 2022. During 2019 the Company hived up the trade and assets of its subsidiary 
The City Pub Company (West) Limited via an intercompany transfer, which included the transfer of investments previously held 
by The City Pub Company (West) Limited. In 2020 there was a final dividend from The City Pub Company (West) Limited, which 
eliminated the amounts due to group undertakings balance (note 16) and resulted in a write down of the investments carrying 
value of £11,663,000. 

The Company had the following subsidiary undertakings as at 26 December 2021:

Name of subsidiary

Class of 
share held

Country of
incorporation

Proportion 
held

The City Pub Company (West) Limited 

Ordinary

England and Wales

BNB Leisure Limited

Gresham Collective Ltd

Randall & Zacharia Limited

Chapel 1877 Ltd

Flamequire Limited

Ordinary

England and Wales

Ordinary

England and Wales

Ordinary

England and Wales

Ordinary

England and Wales

Ordinary

England and Wales

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

Nature of 
business

Dormant

Dormant

Dormant

Dormant

Dormant

Dormant

The above companies all had the same registered office as the parent company, being Essel House, 2nd Floor, 29 Foley Street, 
London, W1W 7TH.

17 

Inventories

Group and Company

Finished goods and goods for resale

2021
£’000

1,048

2020
£’000

703

During the year ended 27 December 2020 the Group (and Company) had to write off £662,000 of inventory due to the impact of 
the COVID-19 lockdowns in England, which has been recognised within the other non-recurring items line as part of the 
exceptional items in note 8. There were no such impairments required in the year ended 26 December 2021, as sites remained 
open.

61

FINANCIAL STATEMENTSSTRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCE 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
for the 52 week period ended 26 December 2021 (2020: for the 52 week period ended 27 December 2020)

18  Trade and other receivables

Trade receivables

Government grant receivables

Corporation tax receivables

Other receivables

Amounts due from group undertakings

Prepayments and accrued income

Group 
2021
£’000

674

–

170

1,216

–

1,271

3,331

Group 
2020
£’000

Company 
2021
£’000

Company 
2020
£’000

235

379

774

664

–

1,012

3,064

674

–

170

1,216

165

1,271

3,496

235

379

774

664

–

1,012

3,064

Rent deposits are included within other receivables, greater than one year. They are at £319k (2020: £358k). In addition the other 
receivables in 2021 include £300k of deferred consideration relating to the disposal of The Island, Kensal Rise, which is payable 
over 4 years.

19  Current trade and other payables

Trade payables

Corporation taxation

Other taxation and social security

Amounts due to group undertakings

Accruals

Other payables

Group 
2021 
£’000

4,188

–

Group 
2020 
£’000

2,641

–

1,498

2,828

–

5,062

1,466

–

2,190

771

Company 
2021
£’000

Company 
2020
£’000

4,188

2,641

–

1,498

801

5,062

1,466

–

2,828

1,067

2,190

771

12,214

8,430

13,015

9,497

Included within Other taxation and social security is £nil (2020: £80,000), which is due to be repaid greater than one year.

20  Borrowings and lease liabilities

Group and Company

Current borrowings and financial liabilities:

Lease liabilities

Non-current borrowings and financial liabilities:

Bank loans

Lease liabilities

2021
£’000

2020
£’000

1,912

2,103

24,750

24,801

16,473

41,223

17,750

42,551

At 26 December 2021 a revolving credit facility of £25,000,000 (2020: £25,000,000) was outstanding, net of capitalised 
arrangement fees, Barclays Bank PLC had a fixed charge over certain freehold property as security in respect of this loan. 
Interest was charged at LIBOR plus a margin, which varied dependent on the ratio of net debt to EBITDA. During the year the 
revolving credit facility was extended for an additional 2 years to July 2024.

62

THE CITY PUB GROUP ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2021Reconciliation of liabilities arising from financing activities
The changes in the Group’s and Company’s liabilities arising from financing activities can be classified as follows:

At 28 December 2020

Cash flows:

Repayment

Non-cash items:

Amortisation of loan arrangement fees

At 26 December 2021

At 30 December 2019

Cash flows:

Repayment

Non-cash items:

Amortisation of loan arrangement fees

At 27 December 2020

Long-term 
Borrowings
£’000

24,801

–

(51)

24,750

Long-term 
Borrowings
£’000

32,310

(7,500)

(9)

24,801

Short-term
Borrowings
£’000

–

–

–

–

Short-term
Borrowings
£’000

–

–

–

–

The changes in the Group’s and Company’s liabilities arising from leases can be classified as follows:

At 28 December 2020

Cash flows:

Repayments

Accrued interest

Non-cash items:

Additions

Disposals

Reclassification

At 26 December 2021

At 30 December 2019

Cash flows:

Repayments

Accrued interest

Non-cash items:

Additions

Reclassification

At 27 December 2020

Long-term 
Lease liabilities 
£’000

Short-term 
Lease liabilities 
£’000

17,750

2,103

–

–

1,192

(1,245)

(1,224)

16,473

(2,071)

656

–

–

1,224

1,912

Long-term 
Lease liabilities 
£’000

Short-term 
Lease liabilities 
£’000

18,959

2,083

–

–

158

(1,367)

17,750

(2,046)

699

–

1,367

2,103

Total 
£’000

24,801

–

(51)

24,750

Total 
£’000

32,310

(7,500)

(9)

24,801

Total
£’000

19,853

(2,071)

656

1,192

(1,245)

–

18,385

Total
£’000

21,042

(2,046)

699

158

–

19,853

63

FINANCIAL STATEMENTSSTRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCENOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
for the 52 week period ended 26 December 2021 (2020: for the 52 week period ended 27 December 2020)

21  Financial instruments and risk management

Financial instruments by category:

Financial assets – loans and receivables

Trade and other receivables

Amounts owed by group undertakings

Cash and cash equivalents

Prepayments are excluded, as this analysis is required only for financial instruments.

Non-current

Borrowings

Lease liabilities

Current

Current borrowings

Lease liabilities

Trade and other payables

Amounts due to group undertakings

Group 
2021
£’000

Group 
2020
£’000

Company 
2021
£’000

Company 
2020
£’000

1,890

–

899

–

1,890

165

899

–

12,510

12,331

12,510

12,331

14,400

13,230

14,565

13,230

Group 
2021 
£’000

Group 
2020 
£’000

Company 
2021
£’000

Company 
2020
£’000

24,750

24,801

24,750

24,801

16,473

17,750

16,473

41,223

42,551

41,223

–

1,912

5,654

–

–

2,103

3,412

–

–

1,912

5,654

801

7,566

5,515

8,367

17,750

42,551

–

2,103

3,412

1,067

6,582

Statutory liabilities and deferred income are excluded from the trade payables balance, as this analysis is required only for 
financial instruments.

There is no material difference between the book value and the fair value of the financial assets and financial liabilities disclosed 
above.

The Group’s operations expose it to financial risks that include market risk and liquidity risk. The Directors review and agree 
policies for managing each of these risks and they are summarised below. These policies have remained unchanged from 
previous periods.

Group and Company 

Cash at bank and short-term deposits

A1

Not rated

2021
£’000

2020
£’000

12,210

12,082

300

249

12,510

12,331

A1 rating means that the risk of default for the investors and the policy holder is deemed to be very low. 

Not rated balances relate to petty cash amounts.

64

THE CITY PUB GROUP ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2021Market risk – cash flow interest rate risk
The Group had outstanding borrowing of £25,000,000 at year end as disclosed in note 20. These were loans taken out with 
Barclays to facilitate the purchase of public houses.

The Group’s policy is to minimise interest rate cash flow risk exposures on long-term financing. Longer-term borrowings are 
therefore usually at fixed rates. At 26 December 2021, the Group is exposed to changes in market interest rates through bank 
borrowings at variable interest rates. Other borrowings are at fixed interest rates. The exposure to interest rates for the Group’s 
cash at bank and short-term deposits is considered immaterial.

The following table illustrates the sensitivity of profit and equity to a reasonably possible change in interest rates of +/- 1% on 
borrowings in the period. These changes are considered to be reasonably possible based on observation of current market 
conditions. The calculations are based on a change in the average market interest rate on borrowings for each period. All other 
variables are held constant.

26 December 2021

27 December 2020

Profit for the year

Equity

+1%

(250)

(317)

–1%

250

317

+1%

(250)

(317)

–1%

250

317

Credit risk
The risk of financial loss due to a counter party’s failure to honour its obligations arises principally in relation to transactions 
where the Group provides goods and services on deferred payment terms and deposits surplus cash.

Group policies are aimed at minimising losses and deferred terms are only granted to customers who demonstrate an 
appropriate payment history and satisfy credit worthiness procedures. Individual customers are subject to credit limits to control 
debt exposure. Credit insurance is taken out where appropriate for wholesale customers and goods may also be sold on a cash 
with order basis.

Cash deposits with financial institutions for short periods are only permitted with financial institutions approved by the Board. 
There are no significant concentrations of credit risk within the Group. The maximum credit risk exposure relating to financial 
assets is represented by their carrying value as at the financial period end. 

Liquidity risk
The Group actively maintains cash and banking facilities that are designed to ensure it has sufficient available funds for 
operations and planned expansions. The table below analyses the Group’s financial liabilities into relevant maturity groupings 
based on the remaining period at the period end date to the contractual maturity date. The amounts disclosed in the table are 
the contractual undiscounted cash flows.

Group

As at 26 December 2021:

Borrowings

Lease liabilities

Trade and other payables

As at 27 December 2020:

Borrowings

Lease liabilities

Trade and other payables

Less than 
1 year
£’000

Between 
1 and 2 
years
 £’000

Between 
2 and 5 
years 
£’000

Over 
5 years 
£’000

–

1,912

5,654

–

2,103

3,412

–

24,750

1,912

5,613

14,312

–

–

–

24,801

–

–

2,103

6,119

15,108

–

–

–

65

FINANCIAL STATEMENTSSTRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCENOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
for the 52 week period ended 26 December 2021 (2020: for the 52 week period ended 27 December 2020)

21  Financial instruments and risk management continued

Company

As at 26 December 2020:

Borrowings

Lease liabilities

Trade and other payables

As at 27 December 2020:

Borrowings

Lease liabilities

Trade and other payables

Less than 
1 year
£’000

Between 
1 and 2 
years 
£’000

Between 
2 and 5 
years 
£’000

Over 
5 years 
£’000

–

1,912

6,455

–

2,103

4,479

–

24,750

1,912

5,613

14,312

–

–

–

24,801

–

–

2,103

6,119

15,108

–

–

–

Capital risk management
The Group manages its capital to ensure it will be able to continue as a going concern while maximising the return to 
shareholders through optimising the debt and equity balance. 

The Group monitors cash balances and prepare regular forecasts, which are reviewed by the board. In order to maintain or adjust 
the capital structure, the Group may, in the future, return capital to shareholders, issue new shares or sell assets to reduce debt.

22  Fair value measurements of financial instruments

Financial assets and financial liabilities measured at fair value are required to be grouped into three levels of a fair value 
hierarchy. The three levels are defined based on the observability of significant inputs to the measurement, as follows:

Level 1: quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets and liabilities; 
Level 2: inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly 
or indirectly; and 
Level 3: unobservable inputs for the asset or liability.

There were no material financial asset or liabilities measured at fair value as at 29 December 2019. During the period ended 
27 December 2020 the Group acquired investments in other companies, which have been recognised at fair value in the prior 
year and at the current reporting date.

66

THE CITY PUB GROUP ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 202123  Deferred tax

Provision for deferred tax liabilities

Accelerated capital allowances

Arising on revaluations

Arising on acquisition

Provision at the start of the period

Deferred tax charge through OCI

Deferred tax charge through profit or loss

Provision at the end of the period

Group and Company

Deferred tax asset

Arising on tax losses carried forward

Deferred tax asset at the start of the period

Deferred tax credit for the period

Deferred tax asset at the end of the period

24  Share capital

Allotted called up and fully paid

105,793,430 Ordinary shares of 1 pence each (2020: 105,684,425)

3,021,770,759 Deferred shares of 1 pence each (2020: 3,021,770,759)

Total

Group 
2021
£’000

Group 
2020
£’000

Company 
2021
£’000

Company 
2020
£’000

1,324

1,044

1,324

1,044

3

1,137

2,464

–

1,137

2,181

–

1,137

2,461

–

1,137

2,181

2,181

2,123

2,181

2,123

3

280

2,464

–

58

2,181

–

280

2,461

–

58

2,181

2021
£’000

2020
£’000

1,018

503

503

515

1,018

–

503

503

2021 
£’000

2020 
£’000

1,058

1,057

30,218

30,218

31,276

31,275

In May 2021 the Group issued 22,500 £0.01 shares at a price of £1.00 per share in relation to the exercise of share options. The 
premium on the shares issued was credited to the share premium account.

In September 2021 the Group issued 86,505 £0.01 shares at a price of £1.156 per share in relation to the acquisition of The 
Cliftonville Hotel in Cromer, Norfolk. The premium on the shares issued was credited to the share premium account.

The ordinary shareholders are entitled to be paid a dividend out of any surplus profits and to participate in surplus assets on 
winding up in proportion to the nominal value of each class of share. All equity shares in the Company carry one vote per share.

The deferred shareholders are not entitled to be paid a dividend out of any surplus profits and only participate in surplus assets 
on winding up after certain conditions. The deferred shares do not entitle the holder to vote at a General Meeting.

In the prior year (April 2020) the Group undertook a subdivision of its ordinary share capital, which resulted in the issued ordinary 
share capital of 61,668,791 ordinary £0.50 shares being subdivided into 3,083,439,550 ordinary £0.01 shares. After the subdivision 
3,021,770,759 ordinary £0.01 shares were re-designated as 3,021,770,759 deferred £0.01 shares, leaving 61,668,791 ordinary shares 
of £0.01 each. 

67

FINANCIAL STATEMENTSSTRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCENOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
for the 52 week period ended 26 December 2021 (2020: for the 52 week period ended 27 December 2020)

24  Share capital continued

The ordinary share capital account represents the amount subscribed for shares at nominal value.

At 29 December 2019

Issue of new ordinary shares on exercise of share options

Sub-total

Impact of the subdivision of £0.50 ordinary shares  
to £0.01 ordinary shares

Impact of the re-designation to deferred shares

Issue of new ordinary shares on Placing

Issue of new ordinary shares on Open Offer

At 27 December 2020

Issue of new ordinary shares on exercise of share options

Issue of new ordinary shares 

At 26 December 2021

£0.50 Ordinary 
shares Number

£0.01 Ordinary 
shares Number

Deferred 
shares Number

61,623,791

45,000

61,668,791

–

–

–

(61,668,791)

3,083,439,550

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

(3,021,770,759)

3,021,770,759

30,000,000

14,015,634

105,684,425

3,021,770,759

22,500

86,505

–

–

105,793,430

3,021,770,759

Own shares held (JSOP)
The Group announced the establishment of a Joint Share Ownership Plan (“JSOP”) in January 2018, as detailed in the Company’s 
AIM Admission Document, to be used as part of the remuneration arrangements for employees. This resulted in the purchase 
of the Group’s own shares and the creation of an Employee Benefit Trust. 

The JSOP purchases shares in the Company to satisfy the Company’s obligations under its JSOP performance share plan. 
No shares (2019: no shares) in the Company were purchased during the period at a cost of £nil (2020: £nil).

At 26 December 2021 the JSOP held 1,925,000 ordinary shares in The City Pub Group plc (2020: 1,925,000).

At 26 December 2021 awards over 675,000 (2020: 1,925,000) ordinary shares The City Pub Group plc, made under the terms 
of the performance share plan, were outstanding.

Nature and purpose of reserves
The share premium account represents premiums received on the initial issuing of the share capital. Any transaction costs 
associated with the issuing of shares are deducted from share premium, net of any related income tax benefits.

Own shares (JSOP) represents shares in the Company purchased by the Group’s Employee Benefit Trust as part of a Joint Share 
Ownership Plan (“JSOP”).

The other reserve has arisen from using the predecessor value method to combine the results of the Company and its subsidiary 
The City Pub Company (West) Limited, which was acquired through a share for share exchange as part of the reorganisation of 
two entities under common control prior to the Company’s Listing on AIM. The reserve represents the share premium that exists 
within The City Pub Company (West) Limited.

Share-based payments reserve is used to recognise the grant date fair value of options issued to employees but not exercised.

Retained earnings include all results as disclosed in the statement of comprehensive income.

68

THE CITY PUB GROUP ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 202125  Other reserves

Group

Balance at 29 December 2019

Employee share-based compensation

Transactions with owners

Balance at 27 December 2020

Employee share-based compensation

Transactions with owners

Revaluation – gross

Deferred tax on revaluation

Total comprehensive income for the period

Balance at 26 December 2021

Share-
based
payment
reserve

Other 
reserve

Revaluation 
reserve

92

–

–

92

–

–

–

–

–

977

397

397

1,374

703

703

–

–

–

92

2,077

–

–

–

–

–

–

18

(3)

15

15

Total

1,069

397

397

1,466

703

703

18

(3)

15

2,184

26  Staff costs

Number of employees
The average monthly numbers of employees (including salaried Directors) during the period was:

Management and Administration

Operation of Public Houses

Employment costs (including Directors)

Wages and salaries

Pension costs

Social security costs

Share based payments charge

2021

83

879

962

2020

92

892

984

2021 
£’000

2020 
£’000

16,701

15,500

336

951

703

323

913

397

18,691

17,133

69

FINANCIAL STATEMENTSSTRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCENOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
for the 52 week period ended 26 December 2021 (2020: for the 52 week period ended 27 December 2020)

27  Directors’ remuneration

Single total figure of remuneration table

The following table shows a breakdown of the remuneration of individual Directors who served in all or part of the year:

Clive Watson

Alex Derrick

Rupert Clark

Tarquin Williams

Toby Smith

Holly Elliott

Richard Prickett

John Roberts*

Neil Griffiths

Emma Fox

Total

Salary/Fees

Taxable Benefits

Pension/Other

Compensation 
for loss of office

Total

2021
£’000

2020 
£’000

2021 
£’000

2020 
£’000

2021 
£’000

2020 
£’000

2021 
£’000

2020 
£’000

2021 
£’000

2020 
£’000

153

–

153

135

253

18

48

33

42

30

112

101

112

104

33

–

38

26

32

–

5

–

9

2

10

–

–

–

–

–

9

6

9

2

–

–

–

–

–

–

865

558

26

26

20

–

21

23

–

–

–

34

–

–

98

7

5

7

2

–

–

–

26

–

–

47

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

166

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

178

–

183

160

263

18

48

67

42

30

128

278

128

108

33

–

38

52

32

–

166

989

797

*   John Roberts provides brewery consultancy services to the Group in relation to our seven microbreweries. The fees for these consultancy services are 

included within the Other column.

Emoluments in respect of the Directors are as follows:

Remuneration for qualifying services

2021 
£’000

989

2020 
£’000

797

The highest paid Director in the period received remuneration of £263,000; (2020: £278,000). Four directors had equity settled 
share options in issue at the period end (2020: Four). Additional information on Directors’ remuneration is given within the 
Corporate Governance Report.

28  Share-based payments

The Group provides share-based payments to employees, which are all equity settled, in the form of a Company Share 
Ownership Plan (CSOP), started in 2016, a Joint Share Ownership Plan (“JSOP”) started in 2018 and the Group’s Long Term 
Incentive Plan (“LTIP”) started in 2020. The Company uses the Black-Scholes valuation model to value these types of share-
based payment plan and the resulting value is amortised through the consolidated income statement over the vesting period 
of the share-based payments. 

In prior periods the Group also operated an equity settled share option plan known as the Enterprise Management Incentive 
Share Option Plan. The Group was required to reflect the effects of share-based payment transactions in profit or loss and in its 
statement of financial position. For the purposes of calculating the fair value of share options granted, the Black Scholes Pricing 
Model was used by the Group. Fair values have been calculated on the date of grant. A key input into the model is the share 
price, on the date of grant of the options. The share price has been estimated based on the most recent subscription for shares. 
In the prior period a transfer was made between the share-based payment reserve and the retained earnings in respect of the 
EMI share options that were all exercised during the prior period.

During the period ended 26 December 2021 175,000 options were granted under the CSOP scheme (2020: 2,515,000 options 
granted), 2,950,000 options were granted under the Group’s Long Term Incentive Plan (2020: 2,100,000 options granted); and 
no awards were made under the JSOP scheme (2020: no awards). A share-based payment charge of £703,000 (2020: £397,000) 
has been reflected in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income. 

70

THE CITY PUB GROUP ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2021 
The fair value of options granted in the current period and the assumptions used in the calculation are shown below:

Year of grant

Exercise price (£)

Number of awards granted

Performance based criteria (see Directors options for criteria)

Vesting period (years)

Expected Life (years)

Contractual life (years) 

Risk free rate

Expected dividend yield

Volatility

Fair value (£)

Movements in share-based payments are summarised in the table below:

Outstanding at start of period

Granted

Exercised

Expired 

Outstanding at end of period

2021 
Number of 
Awards

6,980,000

3,125,000

(22,500)

(2,122,500)

7,960,000

2021 
Weighted 
average 
exercise price 
£

0.90

0.07

1.00

1.73

0.44

2021 – CSOP

2021 – LTIP

1.20

0.00

175,000

2,950,000

No

3

7

10

0.048%

1.40%

30%

0.15

2020 
Number of 
Awards

3,332,500

4,615,000

(45,000)

(922,500)

6,980,000

Yes

3

4

10

(0.011)%

1.00%

27%

0.92

2020 
Weighted 
average 
exercise price 
£

1.75

0.33

1.00

1.11

0.90

1.00

Exercisable at 26 December 2021

1,165,000

1.68

405,000

The weighted average remaining contractual life of options outstanding at the end of the period is 8.42 years (2020: 6.66 years). 

Previous issues of CSOPs in both 2016 and 2018 had a vesting period of 3 years, an expected life of 7 years and a contractual life 
of 10 years. The exercise price for the 2016 CSOPs was £1.00 and the exercise price for the 2018 CSOPs was £1.70. The JSOP has 
an exercise price of £2.05 and contractual life of 10 years.

At the end of the period there were 7,960,000 outstanding options (2020: 6,980,000). The breakdown of these is as follows:

367,500 – 2016 CSOP; 112,500 – 2018 CSOP; 675,000 – JSOP; 1,900,000 – 2020 LTIP; 2,170,000 – 2020 CSOP; 175,000 – 2021 CSOP; 
and 2,550,000 – 2021 LTIP. 

71

FINANCIAL STATEMENTSSTRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCENOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
for the 52 week period ended 26 December 2021 (2020: for the 52 week period ended 27 December 2020)

29  Ultimate controlling party and related party transactions

The Directors consider there to be no ultimate controlling party. The following related party transactions took place during  
the period:

£3,500 (2020: £1,500) was paid to Helen Watson, who is related to Clive Watson. At the period end Helen Watson was owed £nil 
(2020: £nil). Helen Watson has an existing £10,000 float with the group.

During the year ended 31 December 2021 the Group acquired an additional 10% in the Mosaic entities for a total cash 
consideration of approximately £1.2m, on an arm’s length basis, giving a total investment of £2.4m at the year end. As at 26 
December 2021 the Group had an investment in an Associate, being a 24% in certain companies within the Mosaic Pub and 
Dining Group, through the acquisition of existing shares in The Galaxy (City) Pub Company Limited, The Pioneer (City) Pub 
Company Limited and The Sovereign (City) Pub Company Limited (the “Mosaic Companies”). There were no transactions 
between the Group and the Mosaic entities. Clive Watson is an investment consultant to Mosaic. Richard Prickett, Non-Executive 
Director of the City Pub Group, is a Non-Executive Director of The Pioneer (City) Pub Company Limited, a company which forms 
part of the Mosaic Pub and Dining Group. James Watson, CEO of Mosaic, is related to Clive Watson. 

Remuneration of Key Management Personnel
The Company consider that the Directors are their key management personnel and further detail of their remuneration is 
disclosed in note 27. 

No key personnel other than the directors have been identified in relation to the periods ended 26 December 2021 and  
27 December 2020.

30  Post balance sheet events

Pub disposals
In March 2022 the group announced the disposal of six public houses (the “Disposal Pubs”) in two separate transactions for 
a total cash consideration of approximately £17.1 million. These transactions have resulted in impairment write-downs during 
the period ended 26 December 2021.

The Group has agreed terms and exchanged contracts for the disposal of five of the six Disposal Pubs on the South Coast of 
England, which include three pubs in Brighton (Walrus, Brighton Beach Club, and Lion and Lobster), The Inn on the Beach on 
Hayling Island and The Travellers Friend in Woodford Green, Essex. All are freehold pubs, with the exception of Brighton Beach 
Club which is leasehold. These five pubs, which had a net book value of approximately £17.1 million as at April 2022 and recorded 
unaudited aggregate site EBITDA of £0.7 million for the year ended 26 December 2021, are being acquired by Portobello 
Starboard Limited for cash consideration of £16.2 million. This transaction is expected to complete on or around 11 April 2022, 
subject to successful lease assignment of the Brighton Beach Club.

Separately, the Company has sold The London Road Brewhouse, a freehold pub in Southampton for £0.9m. This sale completed 
on 18 March 2022.

The proceeds from the Disposal Pubs will be used to invest and expand the Group in other geographies across the UK.

Mosaic Investment
We also recently announced that we increased our investment into Mosaic Pub and Dining (Tranche 1 of companies) by £1.7m 
in April 2022. Our total stake in Mosaic is now 36% for a total investment of £4.1m. 

31  Capital commitments

At the period end the Group and Company has no capital commitments. 

72

THE CITY PUB GROUP ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 202132  Business combinations

During the period the Group acquired The Cliftonville Hotel in Cromer, Norfolk through a business combination, the fair values 
of the assets and liabilities acquired, and the nature of the consideration, are outlined within the table below. The acquisition 
was part of the Group’s continuing strategy to expand its pub portfolio via selective quality acquisitions. 

Group & Company

Provisional fair value:

Property, plant and equipment acquired

Goodwill

Total

Satisfied by:

Cash

Shares

Total

2019
£’000

1,650

50

1,700

1,600

100

1,700

All other pub acquisitions have been accounted for as property acquisitions. 

33  Prior year adjustment

During the period ended 27 December 2020 the group made a provision for impairment against a number of sites totalling 
£933,000, split £340,000 against goodwill and £593,000 against fixtures and fittings. 

During the period ended 26 December 2021 management identified that £514,000 of the prior year impairment of fixtures and 
fittings should have been made against goodwill and therefore a prior year adjustment has been made to restate the amounts 
of goodwill and fixtures and fittings accordingly.

As the prior year adjustment was between two categories of non-current assets there was no impact on the total non-current 
assets or other totals within the Consolidated or Company statements of financial position and there was no impact on the prior 
year consolidated statement of profit or loss.

73

FINANCIAL STATEMENTSSTRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEDIRECTORS, OFFICERS AND COMPANY INFORMATION

Directors

Clive Watson ACA – Executive Chairman 
Rupert Clark – Managing Director 
Toby Smith – Chief Operating Officer 
Holly Elliott – Chief Financial Officer 
Richard Prickett FCA – Non Executive Director 
Neil Griffiths – Non Executive Director 
Emma Fox – Non Executive Director

Secretary and Registered Office

Nominated Adviser and Corporate Broker

Joint Broker

Auditors

Solicitors

Bankers

Registrars

James Dudgeon 
Essel House 
2nd Floor 
29 Foley Street 
London W1W 7TH

Liberum Capital Limited 
25 Ropemaker Street 
London EC2Y 9LY

Peel Hunt LLP 
100 Liverpool Street 
London EC2M 2AT

Haysmacintyre LLP 
10 Queen Street Place 
London EC4R 1AG

Addleshaw Goddard LLP 
Exchange Tower 
19 Canning Street 
Edinburgh EH3 8EH

Barclays Bank PLC 
Exchange Tower 2 
Harbour Exchange Square 
London E14 9GE

Equiniti Limited 
Aspect House 
Spencer Road 
Lancing BN99 6DA

Company registration number:

07814568

74

THE CITY PUB GROUP ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 202175

FINANCIAL STATEMENTSSTRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCE76

THE CITY PUB GROUP ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2021Designed and produced by: 
Instinctif Partners www.creative.instinctif.com

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The City Pub Group plc 
Essel House  
2nd Floor,  
29 Foley Street,  
London, W1W 7TH

0207 559 5106

citypubcompany.com