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FY2021 Annual Report · TowneBank
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Protecting 
Shareholder 
Value 

Annual Report & Accounts 2021

Town Centre Securities PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

01. Strategic Report

Town Centre Securities 
(TCS) is a property 
investment and 
development company 
with assets of over  
£360 million.

Our purpose
Through the acquisition and active management of property in sustainable  
locations, we create quality spaces for our tenants, help communities  
to thrive and generate value for shareholders over the long term.

01.  Strategic Report 

Statutory profit before tax

Statutory earnings per share

At a glance 
COVID-19 timeline 
Market overview 
Business model  
Chairman & Chief Executive’s statement 
Strategy & KPIs 
Strategy in action 
Portfolio review 
Divisional reviews 
Section 172 statement  
Responsible business 
Risk report 
Financial review 

02.  Corporate Governance 

Introduction from the Chairman 
Board of Directors 
Nomination Committee report 
Audit Committee report 
Directors' remuneration report 
Directors' report 
Statement of Directors’ responsibilities 

03.  Financial Statements 

Independent auditor’s report 
Consolidated income statement 
Consolidated statement of 
comprehensive income 
Consolidated balance sheet 
Consolidated statement  
of changes in equity 
Consolidated cash flow statement 
Notes to the consolidated  
financial statements 
Company balance sheet 
Statement of changes in equity 
Notes to the company financial statements 

2
4
6
8
10
14
16
20
24
34
36
46
54

60
62
70
72
76
82
84

86
96

96
97

98
99

100
132
133
134

04.  Shareholder Information 

Notice of Annual General Meeting 
Investor information 

144
152

*  Alternative performance measures are detailed, 
defined and reconciled within Notes 11 and 21  
of these financial statements.

$   See glossary for definition of these terms at the 

end of these financial statements.

Non-financial indicators of recovery

Merrion Centre  
– Footfall

758k+

(£0.6m)

(1.1p)

(£0.6m)

2021

(1.1p)

2021

(£24.1m)

2020

(45.5p)

2020

(£12.5m)

2019

(23.4p)

2019

2018

£18.4m

2018

34.6p

2017

£6.7m

2017

12.7p

EPRA earnings before tax*

EPRA earnings per share*

£0.3m

2021

£0.3m

2020

£1.7m

2019

2018

2017

0.6p

2021

0.6p

2020

3.1p

£6.4m

2019

£6.9m

2018

£7.0m

2017

12.0p

13.0p

13.2p

Total dividends per share

EPRA net assets per share*

3.5p

3.5p

5.0p

2021

2020

2019

2018

2017

292p

2021

2020

11.75p

2019

11.75p

2018

11.50p

2017

292p

292p

354p

384p

359p

Total shareholder return$

Total property return$

55.8%

(50.4%)

2021

2020

4.3%

55.8%

2021

4.3%

(2.1%)

2020

(25.0%)

2019

2019

1.3%

2018

3.2%

2017

9.6%

2018

2017

9.4%

6.0%

CitiPark – Maximum occupancy 
across all spaces

78%

ibis Styles hotel  
– Rooms sold

3,146

Oct 2021

758,957

Oct 2021

78%

Oct 2021

3,146

Oct 2020

336,700

Oct 2020

52%

Oct 2020

916

Oct 2019

1,036,603

Oct 2019

93%

Oct 2019

2,370

1

 
Town Centre Securities PLC

Annual Report & Accounts 2021

01. Strategic Report

At a glance

Our portfolio covers a wide range of sectors: 

Office Space

Retail

Over 360,000 sq ft of prime office 
space, let to long-standing tenants 
including Leeds City Council, 
StepChange as well as new tenants, 
Instant Managed Offices Ltd.

Focused on the more stable,  
essential retailing sector including  
food, discount and convenience. 

Leisure

Key tenants include Pure Gym,  
Costa and Tenpin, in addition  
to a growing number of reputable  
regional and resilient restaurant,  
café and bar operators. 

Portfolio value

28%

Portfolio value

21%

Portfolio value

8%

Hotel

We own two hotels in Leeds,  
one managed by TCS under the  
Ibis Styles brand and one let to  
and operated by Premier Inn.

Residential

Geographically spread over  
Leeds, Manchester, London and  
Glasgow with plans to develop  
more residential properties.

Car Parking

Pioneering technology focused  
car parking operator managing  
car parks in key locations in Leeds, 
London, Manchester and Watford,  
in addition to offering parking 
enforcement services nationwide.

Portfolio value

Portfolio value

7%

6%

Portfolio value

15%

Development

Currently progressing our second 
purpose-built private rental sector 
project, Eider House, Manchester,  
on the back of the successful  
completion of the nearby Burlington 
house, in June 2019.

Portfolio value

13%

Distribution

Three separate detached warehouse 
buildings located within the prime  
‘last mile’ distribution district of Leeds. 

Portfolio value

2%

Carver Warehouse

2

Leeds

Retail/Leisure

29%

Hotels

Office

Car parking

11%

34%

16%

Distribution

Residential

Development

3%

1%

6%

Manchester

123 Albion Street

Who we are

Town Centre Securities (TCS)  
is a UK real estate investment 
trust that has built a diversified, 
mixed use portfolio with a  
high-quality tenant base focused 
on regional centres, primarily 
Leeds and Manchester.

Retail/Leisure

20%

Residential

16%

Office

Car parking

21%

5%

Development

38%

Piccadilly Basin

3

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Town Centre Securities PLC

Annual Report & Accounts 2021

01. Strategic Report

COVID-19 timeline

Rent and Service  
Charge billed

£6.6m

Amount collected

75%

Amount agreed  
to be deferred

11%

2020

Merrion Centre

Rent and Service  
Charge billed

£18.6m

Amount collected

82%

Amount agreed  
to be deferred

5%

Merrion Centre

2021

Rent and Service  
Charge billed

£35.9m

Amount collected

89%

Amount agreed  
to be deferred

2%

For the COVID-19 period  
March 2020 to June 2020

For the COVID-19 period  
March 2020 to July 2020

For the COVID-19 period  
March 2020 to October 2020

For the COVID-19 period  
March 2020 to February 2021

For the COVID-19 period  
March 2020 to June 2021

  First National Lockdown  

– Stay at Home messaging

  Rates relief starts – retail and  

leisure (not car parks)

  Non-essential shops closed

  Full closure of 7 car parks

  Hotel only open for essential workers

  Free car parking and concessionary 

hotel rates for all NHS workers

  Eat Out to Help Out introduced

  £41.2m of targeted retail  

  Third National Lockdown

  UK Rent Moratorium extended  

  10pm hospitality curfew introduced

  Non-essential shops reopened

asset sales

  £6.5m of debenture loan repaid

  Second National Lockdown

  Hospitality sector fully open  
over the Christmas period

  Closure of all non-essential shops

  Hotel completely closed

to March 2022

  Office workers still encouraged  

to work from home where possible

  Hotel reopens for all guests

‘Multistories’ events on the  
roof of the Merrion Car Park

  Commenced share  
buyback programme

COVID-19 
measures

over the entire period

  UK Rent Moratorium 

– extended to March 2022

  Government approved 

furlough scheme

  All furloughed staff 
salaries topped-up  
by the Company

  Stay at Home/Work  

from Home messaging

  Open and continual 

dialogue with all tenants 
on rent liabilities

Rent and Service  
Charge billed

£11.8m

Amount collected

74%

Amount agreed  
to be deferred

9%

Rent and Service  
Charge billed

£24.9m

Amount collected

85%

Amount agreed  
to be deferred

3%

Rubab, Edinburgh

Multistories

5

CitiPark, Merrion Centre 

4

 
Town Centre Securities PLC

Annual Report & Accounts 2021

01. Strategic Report

Market overview

With its 60-year heritage,  
TCS has a strong history of 
delivering returns over the 
longer term. We achieve this  
by responding to market trends 
to build opportunities for the 
future while at the same time 
managing challenges to the 
business effectively and in  
the interests of our broader 
stakeholders. 

Here we identify the key trends impacting 
our business, the opportunities and 
challenges they present and how we  
are responding.

123 Albion Street

6

COVID-19
The COVID-19 pandemic continued  
to affect the UK economy throughout 
FY21 with non-essential shops, leisure 
operators, offices and car parks being 
forced to close for parts of the year.  
As steps are made on the road back  
to normality, businesses have opened  
up again and we are seeing business 
models and working patterns adapting  
in response to the longer-term impacts  
of the pandemic. 

How we are responding
COVID-19 has had a material impact  
on our operations, in particular the hotel 
and car parking division, which have 
remained closed to the general public  
for significant periods of time during  
the year. We have continued to focus on 
minimising our expenditure by reducing 
our cost base, furloughing staff and 
closing or adapting our car parking 
spaces. For example, we have converted 
the top level of the Merrion Centre car 
park into an event space and hosted our 
first event there in June this year (which 
coincided with the UEFA Euro 2020).

Our property division has proved more 
resilient. Only six of our tenants have  
filed CVAs (representing 4% of our annual 
property income). We have collected 
approximately 92.6% of rent due from 
March 20 to 15 November 21, with a 
further 0.8% agreed to be deferred. 
Long-term relationships with our tenants 
are a key part of our business model and 
we are still working together with tenants 
in difficulties to negotiate solutions  
to help them manage their cash flow, 
including offering rent-free periods or 
deferred payments often in return for 
suitable lease variations. Our long-term 
and flexible approach will enable us  
to navigate the current challenging 
environment and we are confident in  
our ability to help the regions in which  
we operate return to growth. COVID-19 
has also presented opportunities for  
our property portfolio. For example,  
the Government have effectively taken 
over 20,000 sq ft of accommodation at 
our newly refurbished, 123 Albion Street, 
Leeds, as a direct result of the pandemic 
and its consequences. Many of our food 
and beverage operators responded 
positively to support initiatives such  
as Eat Out to Help Out.

UK economic growth
Over the past few years, political 
attention has focused on rebalancing  
the UK economy. In the longer-term  
we expect government initiatives and 
investment in infrastructure projects, 

including the extension of HS2 to 
Manchester and other improvements  
to the national rail network, to lead to 
greater economic growth outside the 
South East and the strengthening of 
major cities in the North West and North 
East. In particular, we are seeing rapidly 
rising demand for the private rental 
sector and purpose-built student 
accommodation in Leeds and 
Manchester. These sectors are starting  
to attract significant investment from 
large funds looking for stable income 
streams. There is also generally less 
volatility through the economic cycle 
outside London and the South East.

How we are responding
90% of our assets are located in Leeds 
and Manchester and we also have a 
long-standing presence in Scotland. 
Leeds is already attracting investment 
with significant economic growth 
forecast over the next five years. 
Manchester is the leading professional 
and business service centre outside  
of London and Greater Manchester’s 
economy is also forecast to grow 
significantly over the next five years.  
We will be concentrating development  
on Leeds and Manchester going forward, 
to take advantage of the infrastructure 
support for the region and our  
extensive local market knowledge  
and understanding of these regions. 
Currently, our long-term development 
portfolio of GDV £600m focuses on 
high-profile regeneration areas such as 
the iconic Piccadilly Basin in Manchester, 
the Whitehall Riverside development in 
Leeds and the opportunities created by 
the Innovation District and Arena Quarter 
at the Merrion Estate in Leeds. We are 
well-positioned to take advantage of 
investment in these areas by developing 
high-quality assets on a case-by-case 
basis when opportunities arise.

We have also benefited from growth 
within the Industrial Sector via our 
holdings at Waterside Business Park, 
Stourton, Leeds.

Flexible working  
and office space
Uncertainty remains over future working 
practices as employees start to return  
to the office. While we expect many 
companies will adopt a more hybrid  
and flexible approach going forward, we 
are confident about the future of office 
space, particularly high-quality office 
space which can provide flexibility to 
enable companies and their employees 
to work in an attractive environment as 
well as with greater agility and efficiency. 

How we are responding 
Office space currently accounts for  
28% of our portfolio which consists of 
high-quality office spaces in city centres. 
The majority of these, including our  
latest developments, 123 Albion Street 
and Ducie House, are multi-tenanted  
and we have focused on providing 
flexible, dynamic and attractive working 
environments. While offices were closed 
during the year, we took the opportunity 
to freshen up and reconfigure the space 
in Ducie House to make it more flexible, 
with shorter leases, smaller units and 
break-out spaces. We gave all existing 
tenants at Ducie House four months’  
rent free to vacate the property during 
the refurbishment works. This helped 
facilitate our refurbishment works and 
these tenants have now returned to 
Ducie House, alongside new tenants.

As a result of our flexible approach  
and strong tenant relationships,  
123 Albion Street is now fully let,  
with a significant proportion of the  
space (circa 46,000 sq ft) being taken  
by StepChange, who were previously  
a tenant at Wade House, Merrion Estate. 

Where it is not possible to create 
dynamic office space, we are looking  
at alternative uses. For example,  
options are being considered for the 
refurbishment of Wade House and  
we are bringing forward a planning 
application for industrial use at one of  
our holdings in Scotland (Uddingston).  
In addition we are considering options  
at our key development sites, including 
updates to the Strategic Regeneration 
Framework at Piccadilly Basin, 
Manchester and the existing master  
plan at Whitehall Riverside, Leeds.

Changing consumer 
shopping habits
The pandemic has accelerated the 
growth in online shopping and continues 
to challenge the retail sector’s traditional 
business model of operating large stores 
on the high street and in shopping 
centres. While town and city centres  
are looking to address falling footfall by 
evolving their offerings to provide more 
food and beverage outlets and other 
experiences, physical retail sales have 
continued to fall steadily, leading to 
significant shop closures and job losses. 

How we are responding
In line with our strategy, we continue  
to diversify our portfolio and reduce our 
retail exposure. We have sold a number 
of non-core retail assets during the year, 
the majority in Glasgow, amounting  

to £48.0m. Retail now accounts for  
only 21% of our portfolio value, down 
from 60% five years ago. The majority  
of our current retail tenants are classed 
as ‘essential’ and operate in food, 
discount and convenience retail.  
These are the more stable and resilient 
segments of the sector which are  
less impacted by the growth in online 
shopping. We intend to complete further 
sales of retail assets when values are 
commercially sensible, as we further 
reduce the exposure to retail property  
in the portfolio.

Environmentally friendly  
and sustainable solutions
Consumers are increasingly focused on 
the impact of their activities on the planet 
and are looking for environmentally 
friendly and sustainable options. In the 
property sector, this includes minimising 
the environmental impact of buildings 
and developing sustainable and energy 
efficient solutions, as well as considering 
the health and wellbeing of tenants. It is 
important that our buildings are digitally 
efficient too. In the automotive sector, 
demand for electric cars is rising; they 
now account for 11% of the UK car market 
and this is expected to grow strongly 
over the next five years. The increasing 
number of electric cars means that the 
infrastructure to charge them when 
consumers are on the move is now 
needed across the country.

How we are responding
Across our buildings we integrate high 
standards of environmental design and 
target the latest standards including 
BREEAM Excellent and the WELL Building 
Standard in our new developments.  
We also look to achieve high EPC ratings 
for all of our developments. This year  
the refurbishment of 123 Albion Street 
has enabled us to improve our EPC rating 
for this building as well as achieving  
a platinum Wired Score rating. 

We operate three solar photovoltaic  
farms on top of buildings we own in Leeds 
and Manchester, which generated over 
223,000 kWh of energy and avoided over 
132 tonnes of CO2 in FY21. We continue  
to look at innovative ways to further 
reduce our environmental impact. 

In our car parking division, we continue 
to invest significantly in technological 
and environmentally friendly solutions. 
We have continued our roll-out of EV 
charging points and rapid chargers 
across our car parks and alongside our 
buildings, and are developing ‘energy 
centres’ in some of our car parks where 

we can recharge our own batteries 
during periods of low demand and  
then sell our own electricity, capturing  
an additional income stream. 

123 Albion Street

7

 
 
 
 
Town Centre Securities PLC

Annual Report & Accounts 2021

01. Strategic Report

Business model

We have a strong record of  
creating long-term value through  
income and capital growth.

WHAT SETS US APART – INVESTMENT CASE

WHAT WE DO

Strong regional portfolio  
with a multi-sector approach
Our diversified portfolio spans  
a wide range of sectors across 
key locations.

Portfolio value by sector

Portfolio value by location

Office Space

28%

Car Parking

15%

Leeds

Leisure (inc. Hotels)

15%

Development

13%

Manchester

68%

22%

Scotland

London

3%

7%

Retail

Residential

21%

6%

Industrial

2%

Development pipeline of over 
£600m of high-quality assets
Our pipeline presents significant 
long-term growth opportunities.

Established relationships with 
diverse, high-quality tenants
Our tenants include household 
names such as Morrisons,  
Iceland and Greggs as well as 
small and growing companies.

A resilient and robust business 
with 60 years’ heritage
We take a long-term view, 
underpinned by a significant 
family shareholding.

Mix of short and  
long-term financing
We leverage our portfolio  
to provide innovative and  
secure funding.

Experienced team  
with in-depth knowledge  
of the communities where  
we operate 
We create vibrant local 
communities in areas of strong 
economic growth, contributing  
to these communities is at the 
heart of our culture.

Actively manage assets to optimise income  
and capital growth

   Refurbish and upgrade
   Renew leases
   Reduce voids

Maximise available capital by divesting ex-growth assets  
and refinancing to lower Loan to Value ratios

Invest in our 
development pipeline, 
continuing to unlock 
existing opportunities  
and create new ones

Acquire investment 
assets to diversify  
portfolio across sectors, 
with a focus on Leeds  
and Manchester

Create a long-term quality 
portfolio, primarily in 
Leeds and Manchester

HOW WE GENERATE VALUE 
FOR OUR KEY STAKEHOLDERS

For investors
We provide reliable  
returns and long-term  
capital growth.

For tenants
We create spaces that  
help support growing 
businesses and meet  
their changing needs. 

For employees
We are committed  
to providing a safe and 
secure working environment 
with opportunities for  
career progression. 

For communities
We strive to make a positive 
contribution through 
development that helps 
communities to thrive  
and by supporting local 
initiatives and charities.

8

9

Town Centre Securities PLC

Annual Report & Accounts 2021

01. Strategic Report

Chairman & Chief Executive’s Statement

As we take steps towards returning  
to normal life, although COVID-19  
has indeed taken a considerable  
toll, I am pleased to see our business 
recovering well.

Edward Ziff OBE DL

Asset sales

£48.0m

2021

£48.0m

2020

£2.5m

2019

£14.0m

Overview

We have used the year wisely, driving 
forward on our key strategic priorities 
to ensure we are in the best possible 
shape to bounce back. This includes 
reducing our debt, completing 
refurbishment projects and continuing 
to reduce the proportion of retail and 
leisure assets in our portfolio through 
a substantial disposal programme.

As COVID-19 challenges continued,  
our focus has been on preserving cash 
and supporting our tenants, employees 
and communities. This challenge has 
reinforced the importance of a committed 
and resilient team. I would like to thank 
each and every one of them for their hard 
work and dedication in this difficult year. 
Support from our shareholders and 
lenders has also been very encouraging 
and greatly appreciated.

Despite the impact of COVID-19, the 
completion of two major refurbishments 
during the pandemic is testament to the 
strength and culture of our organisation 
and our commitment to building city 
centre environments fit for the future.

Net asset value per share

292p

2021

2020

2019

292p

292p

354p

Read more on page 21

Read more on page 56

Proportion of retail and leisure

29%

2021

2020

2019

Read more on page 15

29%

40%

44%

*  Alternative performance measures are 

detailed, defined and reconciled within  
Notes 11 and 21 of these financial statements.

Performance
The significant impact of COVID-19 
 on our revenues and profits is clear, 
resulting in earnings taking an  
estimated £6.2m hit during the year, 
£3.2m in the first half and £3.0m in the 
second half. I am confident that the 
gradual easing of lockdown measures 
will lead to a stronger first half in the 
current financial year. 

EPRA earnings per share* are 0.6p for  
the year (2020: 3.1p), which compares  
to pre-COVID levels of 12p in FY19.  
EPRA net assets per share* are 292p  
and remains unchanged from the 292p  
at the previous year end, the small 
increase highlighting the resilience  
of our investment portfolio over what  
was a turbulent year.

The focus on accelerating key strategic 
initiatives means net borrowing 
(excluding finance lease liabilities) is 
down by £38.0m to £145.6m (2020: 
£183.6m) and loan to value is down to 
51.3% (2020: 56.0%) following a proactive 
programme of disposals generating 
gross proceeds of £48.0m. This has 
contributed to a reduction in the 
proportion of retail and leisure assets in 
our portfolio to 29% from 40% in FY20. 

Rent receipts over the entire COVID-19 
period remain robust with 93.4% either 
paid or agreed to be deferred, reflecting 
our long history of engagement with  
our tenants and the hard work of our 
team to generate equitable solutions with 
the majority of our retailers, albeit with 
some notable exceptions. We were again 
disappointed to see the government’s 
lack of support for landlords continuing 
with an extension of the government’s 
rent moratorium until March 2022.

Whilst we were fortunate to avoid any 
significant exposure to retail store failures, 
we did see six tenants either entering 
administration or CVAs. Our broad 
portfolio of tenants ensured our exposure 
was modest representing only 4% of 
income and we are in active discussions 
on re-letting all of this space.

Restatement of  
prior year figures 
Prior year comparatives have been 
restated to reflect six adjustments, full 
details of which are set out in Note 26  
to the financial statements. The three  
key adjustments are as follows:

   Reclassification of two of the  
Group’s Multi Storey Car Parks 
(‘MSCPs’) from freehold investment 
properties to freehold properties 
within car park activities

   Application of a single accounting 
policy to all types of leasehold car 
park properties, whether long term, 
short term or right-of-use asset

   Reclassification of the Group’s 
investment in a listed entity  
from current to non-current  
asset investments. 

There are two further adjustments in the 
Company only financial statements, full 
details of which are included in Note 10 to 
the Company only financial statements.

Key achievements
Even in these challenging times, I have 
felt it is increasingly important to look 
forward to the future and reinvigorate  
our business to maintain momentum.

Leeds
The completion of the refurbishment  
of 123 Albion Street, Leeds represents  
a significant milestone in the year, 
creating a valuable asset which has 
already become the home of the 
StepChange Debt Charity, an existing 
tenant. It is particularly pleasing to  
report that, following the Instant Office 
Group letting, the whole of the building  
is now let, illustrating the strength  
of the development. This has in turn 
created a redevelopment opportunity  
in Wade House, Merrion Centre,  
their previous location.

This places us firmly at the heart of  
an exciting plan to transform Leeds City 
Centre, with investment in a leading-
edge Innovation District including the 
building of purpose built accommodation 
for over 3,500 students around Merrion, 
which will drive footfall and create  
a vibrant, active community. 

Manchester
The refurbishment of Ducie House,  
our multi-tenant office building in 
Manchester is now complete. We are 
pleased to welcome both existing  
and new tenants to the building.

We are also at the heart of one of 
Manchester’s historic districts – Piccadilly 
Basin. We operate a large prime site, 
Urban Exchange, which is let to Aldi, 
M&S, Pure Gym and GO Outdoors.  
GO Outdoors was put into administration 
by its owners in 2020. Since that point, 
we have been receiving full rent from  
the administrator and are in active 
discussions regarding the future  
of the store. 

We have an exciting development  
pipeline in this vibrant area of Manchester, 
including an implementable planning 
consent for Eider House, our second Build 
to Rent (BTR) development, which follows 
on from the successful completion of 
Burlington House in September 2019.

10

11

 
Town Centre Securities PLC

Annual Report & Accounts 2021

01. Strategic Report

Chairman & Chief Executive’s Statement

continued

CitiPark
Our car parking business has been  
hit very hard by COVID-19. As a business  
it is dependent on commuter, retail and 
leisure parking so each lockdown has 
had a material impact on revenue.  
We are clearly not operating in a level 
playing field when retailers can take 
advantage of rent and business rates 
holiday, whereas we are expected to  
pay these in full. I find it hard to see why  
a business like car parking, which is  
so closely related to retail, has been 
completely ignored. The most we have 
been able to do is temporarily close 
branches or sections of branches to 
claim small reductions in business rates. 

As at the end of June 2021 we have 
opened all our car parks and we are 
seeing a recovery now similar to that 
experienced in the summer of 2020  
with our portfolio of car parks operating  
at over two thirds of normal capacity. 

As one of the most innovative parts  
of our business, through the creation  
of CitiCharge, we are already providing 
electric vehicle (EV) charging points  
in our branches, as part of the 
refurbishment of 123 Albion Street  
and winning contracts to provide  
EV chargers to external organisations. 

Our investment in Yourparkingspace,  
an online parking marketplace, has 
continued to strengthen as this exciting 
business attracts new investors and 
embarks on the next phase of its  
rapid growth. 

We also see a great opportunity to use 
technology to develop a professional  
and fair parking enforcement business  
as we add further contracts to BaySentry 
Solutions, including the acquisition of 
KBT Cornwall Ltd at the end of the year.

Stakeholder engagement

Tenants
Our staff have worked tirelessly to 
negotiate agreements with our tenants 
and ensure that we fill any vacant space 
as quickly as possible. Whilst many  
of our smaller tenants have worked 
collaboratively with us to meet their 
obligations, in contrast some of our 
larger tenants have made this difficult. 
For example, when Go Outdoors was put 
into administration and then bought back 
in a pre-pack deal by owner JD Sports,  
it left its landlords including Town Centre 
Securities (TCS) to shoulder the losses. 
JD Sports acquired Go Outdoors in 2017 
and I presume were properly advised of 
the obligations they took on at that time.  

I find it outrageous and appalling that  
a company the size of JD Sports is 
allowed to walk away freely from its  
legal obligations, incurring only minor 
penalties and doing so without any 
reputational damage whatsoever.  
It is a sad indictment that profit is now 
regarded more importantly than moral 
and legal obligations. Bonuses for the  
JD Sports Directors this year seem 
inappropriate to say the least.

Employees
Our employees have demonstrated  
their adaptability and flexibility whether 
transitioning to working from home or 
taking periods of furlough. We topped  
up salaries to 100% and continued  
open, regular communication with  
all employees to maintain morale and 
engagement. Some Head Office staff 
were furloughed but all have returned  
to work – many to our Merrion office 
working in COVID-safe conditions.

Board
In February 2021, we said goodbye to  
our Group Finance Director, Mark Dilley.  
Mark was invaluable during a period  
of significant change for TCS, both in  
his careful management of our financial 
position, and his valuable insight into our 
future direction. I am particularly grateful 
for his support and hard work during  
the extremely challenging past time  
and we wish him and his family well for  
the future. 

On the 1st June 2021, we welcomed 
Stewart MacNeill to the Board as our new 
Group Finance Director after an interim 
period. His experience and knowledge 
have already made him a good addition 
to the TCS team and we are delighted  
he has joined us on permanent basis.

Shareholders
Shareholder support has been  
important during this difficult period.  
We will always follow the regulatory 
requirements to ensure shareholders  
are suitably informed. On 17 June 2021  
we commenced a share buy-back 
programme and we acquired for 
cancellation 214,713 shares in the capital 
of the Company, for a total consideration 
(incl SDRT and costs) of £304,940.  
If prices allow us, we intend to use  
this authority again in the coming year. 

Whilst we were pleased to declare  
a dividend at the half year, I am truly  
sorry that we are not able to announce 
dividends that return to pre-COVID 
levels. We need shareholders to remain 

patient as we secure the business for  
the long term. The Board has approved  
a final dividend of 1.75p, totalling 3.5p for 
the full year – a step in the right direction.

ESG and communities
We have a five-part approach to  
ESG: minimising our environmental 
impact; engaging with external 
stakeholders; having engaged and 
committed employees; making a positive 
contribution to our local communities 
and always behaving properly. We are 
committed to delivering environmentally 
friendly buildings that meet the needs  
of our occupiers and make a positive 
contribution to the communities they 
operate in. More detail on our journey  
is covered in our Responsible Business 
Section on pages 36 to 46.

Giving back to our local communities  
has always been an essential part of the 
way we operate, right from the moment 
the Marjorie and Arnold Ziff Charitable 
Foundation was set up in 1960. Offering 
free parking and concessionary hotel 
accommodation to NHS staff is a 
continuation of that long-held tradition, 
along with support for our retail partner 
initiatives during the year and our 
ongoing support for young people.

Outlook
Whilst our diversified portfolio, strong 
development pipeline and strong 
financial position gives me optimism for 
the future, I would like to reinforce the 
point that our city centres need people 
and footfall so they can return to the 
vibrant, busy spaces our communities 
thrive on. The government, local 
authorities, local employers and large 
organisations all have a responsibility  
to encourage their staff to return to their 
place of work to fill our public transport, 
our shops, restaurants and coffee shops 
and encourage the collaboration and 
innovation that fuels our growth and 
builds our future.

We remain committed to our strategy 
and will continue to actively manage 
our assets, sell certain retail assets  
to maximise our available capital,  
invest in our development pipeline  
and acquire assets to improve our 
portfolio. COVID-19 of course remains 
the big risk as any further lockdowns 
would create further damage, and  
the need for the Government to 
communicate its plans clearly in 
advance is crucial. 

12

I am confident that our focus on  
the two growing and exciting cities  
of Leeds and Manchester, where we 
are helping to create a sense of place 
and purpose for living and working, 
will enable us to generate value for  
all our stakeholders as the world 
returns to normality.

Edward Ziff OBE DL
Chairman & Chief Executive

As COVID-19 challenges continued,  
our focus has been on preserving  
cash and supporting our tenants, 
employees and communities.  
This challenge has reinforced the 
importance of a committed and  
resilient team.

Edward Ziff OBE DL
Chairman & Chief Executive

123 Albion Street

13

 
 
Town Centre Securities PLC

Annual Report & Accounts 2021

01. Strategic Report

Strategy and KPIs

We have clear plans to continue to  
diversify our portfolio to generate income 
and capital growth for the long term.

What we do

1.

Actively manage assets  
to optimise income and  
capital growth

2.

Maximise available capital  
by divesting ex-growth assets  
and refinancing to lower loan to value

Progress

  The proportion of retail and leisure assets  
in the portfolio has reduced to 29% from 
40% in June 2020, and down from 60% in 
2016. Pure retail now represents only 21%  
of the total portfolio and of that, 52% is in  
the resilient Merrion Estate.

  The capital values of both 123 Albion  

Street and Ducie House have increased 
following completion of their respective 
refurbishments.

  No exposure to any of the large department 
store failures, and whilst we saw six tenants 
either entering administration or CVAs,  
the exposure is modest representing circa 
4% of income and we remain confident  
in maintaining occupation in the majority  
of the space.

  We sold nine properties during the year for 

£48.0m, £2.3m below June 2020's valuation.

  £40m of the proceeds were used to part 

repay Group Borrowings. Net borrowings$ 
(Total borrowings of £176.1m less finance 
leases liabilities of £29.9m and cash  
and cash equivalents of £0.6m) has 
consequently reduced 21% to £145.6m,  
with loan to value (‘LTV’)$ reducing to 51.3% 
(FY20: 56.0%). Included in the reduction  
of net borrowings was the buy back for 
cancellation of £6.5m of our £106m 2031 
5.375% debenture.

  We have received credit committee approval 
to renew our NatWest facility, which currently 
expires in April 2022, on broadly similar terms. 
This new three-year facility will expire in 
August 2024.

  We have recently extended our existing 
Lloyds bank facility for a further year,  
until June 2022, and have received credit 
committee approval to extend it for  
a further year after this.

KPIs

Capital expenditure in FY21 (FY20: £1.7m)

Loan to value as at 30 June 2021 

£2.2m

Post investment yield$ on all  
future developments targeted  
at greater than 

8.5%

Priorities

 Future opportunities identified  
at Vicar Lane, Leeds and Wade House  
in the Merrion Centre.

51.3%

(FY20: 56.0%)

Current LTV headroom over our three  
facilities as at 30 June 2021

£12.1m

(FY20: £14.8m)

Generated from asset sales in the year 
ended 30 June 2021

£48.0m

(FY20: £2.5m)

  We will continue to review our portfolio  
and will continue the strategy of selling  
retail assets.

 Optimising our capital structure to  
reduce gearing and absolute borrowing 
levels is an ongoing focus.

Loan to value 51.3% – The amount of financial liabilities of £176.1m less cash and cash equivalents (including 
overdrafts) of £0.6m as a percentage of total assets of £364.1m less cash and cash equivalents of £21.7m

What we do

Progress

3.

Invest in our development  
pipeline, continuing to unlock 
existing opportunities and  
create new ones

4.

Acquire investment assets to 
diversify the portfolio across 
sectors, with a focus on Leeds  
and Manchester

  Our development pipeline, with an  

estimated GDV of over £600m, is a valuable 
and strategic point of difference for TCS 
which we continue to progress and improve.

In January 2021, we completed works to 
implement and secure the planning consent 
for our next PRS development, Eider House, 
in Manchester’s Piccadilly Basin.

  Completed the £4m redevelopment  

of the office space at 123 Albion Street, 
Leeds and secured a new 12-year lease  
with StepChange Debt Charity for the 
remaining 46,000 sq ft of office space.

  We now have the opportunity to redevelop 
and modernise our Wade House office 
(having been vacated by StepChange Debt 
Charity), the third of our four Merrion Estate 
offices, a potentially valuable opportunity 
given the level of new development in the 
surrounding area.

KPIs

Development pipeline remains in place 
(FY20: £600m)

£600m 

Retail and leisure as a percent of portfolio

29%

(FY20: 40%)

Reversionary yield$

6.9% 

(FY20: 7.0%)

Car parks now under management 
(outside of the CitiPark brand)

4

Priorities

 We continue to review the sequence of our 
development pipeline, particularly in light of 
the recent COVID-19 crisis. The most likely 
next development will be Eider House PRS.

 We are in the process of reviewing  
residential development opportunities  
in some of our car parks in order to add  
to the future development pipeline.

  We continually review opportunities  

to acquire new investment assets across  
all sectors, in particular in Leeds  
and Manchester.

 Sites with asset management and/or 
development opportunities are  
a particular focus.

$  See glossary for definition of these terms at the end of these financial statements

14

15

 
 
 
 
 
 
Town Centre Securities PLC

Annual Report & Accounts 2021

01. Strategic Report

Reinvigorate

Strategy in action

1

Ducie House

Ducie House is currently home to  
19 tenants from various sectors including 
technology, marketing and fashion and 
we have agreed terms with a further four 
tenants, which will take the occupied 
space to 53% of the whole.

Originally a petticoat factory, 
Ducie House has continually 
evolved, with famous 
Manchester bands including 
Simply Red, 808 State, as well 
as ANS, Ask Developments  
and Ear to the Ground making 
appearances in the venue  
over the past 20 years.

As an already established address  
for creative industries, the Company 
acquired Ducie House in 2018 to further 
extend its Piccadilly Basin portfolio  
and embarked on a sympathetic  
£2m refurbishment project to not  
only meet the needs of the modern 
occupier, but to breathe new life into  
the iconic building.

The renovation of the flexible office  
space was completed in November 2020  
and has created a new contemporary 
reception entrance; cycle storage; formal 
meeting rooms and booths; balcony break 
out areas; shower facilities and outdoor 
amenity space to meet the needs of 
modern businesses. The reconfiguration 
of suites on the first, second and third 
floors now offers occupiers individual 
units from 147 sq ft to over 11,500 sq ft.

16

17

Loan to value (At 30 June 2021)

51.3%

At 30 June 2020: 56.0%

Town Centre Securities PLC

Annual Report & Accounts 2021

01. Strategic Report

Reinvigorate

Strategy in action

2

123 Albion Street

Following the original £12m 
acquisition of 123 Albion  
Street (formerly The Cube)  
in 2018, the Company invested 
£4m in a comprehensive 
refurbishment programme  
to create circa 65,000 sq ft  
of new, Grade A offices over  
three floors, with the addition  
of a newly modelled feature 
atrium, private reception and 
car park (with cycle storage  
and EV chargers).

The newly refurbished  
office space has achieved  
an EPC B rating, together  
with a Platinum rating from 
WiredScore for connectivity.

This was a strategic acquisition for  
the Company as it further expands its 
ownership in Leeds, with its proximity  
to the Merrion Centre and other  
key destinations in the City Centre.  
It provided the Company with asset 
management opportunities and the 
additional income helped to mitigate  
the effect of further asset sales across 
the Company property portfolio.

Occupier research highlighted the  
desire for a touch-free experience post 
pandemic and adapted the building  
to include touch-free technology to  
suit potential tenants’ needs.

With a focus on health and wellbeing,  
this included designing the building  
to minimise contact through the main 
communal areas by installing the latest 
PIR lighting, contactless lifts, automated 
doors into the building and offering  
soap and water dispensers operable on 
infrared zones, in addition to ensuring 
exposure to natural light throughout.

Continuing the ‘Wellness’ theme,  
a rebrand to focus on light and  
natural space in the heart of Leeds was 
implemented, with bespoke marketing 
collateral highlighting the first-class 
facilities and unique location of this 
multi-functional building.

Due to the excellent direct relationships 
between the Company and existing 
tenants, February 2021 saw the 
announcement that StepChange  
Debt Charity, who provide support  
to more than 65,000 people annually, 
would be taking a lease for three floors  
(46,000 sq. ft) of new flagship HQ space 
for circa 1000 staff moving from existing 
premises in the Group’s Wade House.

18

19

Town Centre Securities PLC

Annual Report & Accounts 2021

01. Strategic Report

Portfolio review

Valuation summary
TCS saw the like-for-like value of its 
portfolio increase by 0.3% (£1m) after 
modest capex of £2.2m in the year.  
This has reversed the £2.6m like-for-like 
reduction in value recorded in the  
six months to 31 December 2020.  
This recovery bears testament to the 
diversified portfolio of the Company  
and the continuing strategy of reducing 
our exposure to retail and leisure assets.

For the year to the 30 June 
2021 the total portfolio, 
including development assets, 
our share of properties held  
in joint ventures and car 
parking assets, declined  
in value from £372.5m to 
£329.2m. However after 
adjusting for a net movement 
of £44.2m of capex, sales and 
purchases the underlying  
uplift in value of the portfolio 
was £1m. This represents an 
increase of 0.3% year on year. 
This is set out in the table  
on page 23, which includes a 
reconciliation to the amounts 
disclosed in Note 12 to the 
financial statements. 

FY20 Capex investment

£2.2m

Our development assets increased in 
value by 9.7%, whilst our office portfolio 
increased by 6.1%, on a like-for-like basis. 
The combination of these outweighed 
an 8.7% revaluation decrease in our  
retail and leisure portfolio. Our retail  
and leisure investments outside of the 
Merrion Centre, primarily in Scotland, 
fared the worst, with a 17.4% like-for-like 
revaluation deficit in the year.

Our main and most complex asset,  
the Merrion Estate saw a 2.0% decline 
(after capex) in value year on year  
from £148.0m to £145.0m. More than  
a shopping centre, from initial inception,  
a true mixed-use asset, this comprises 
offices including our share of Merrion 
House, retail space, a hotel and a 
multi-storey car park. The initial yield 
across the whole Merrion Estate of  
6.9% signifies a robust performance 
against others in the sector where retail 
assets, particularly shopping centres 
have continued to fall.

The valuation of all of our properties 
(except one) are carried out by CBRE  
and Jones Lang LaSalle. Both companies 
have removed the ‘material valuation 
uncertainty’ clause, as set out in the 
RICS Valuation Global Standards,  
which was included last year at the  
time of peak COVID-19 uncertainty.

Sales and purchases
The COVID-19 crisis prompted the Board to accelerate the retail and leisure  
disposal programme. During the financial year ended 30 June 2021 we have sold  
nine properties for gross proceeds of £48.0m. In addition after the year end we  
have exchanged contracts to sell a further property for £3.9m, which represents  
the book value of the property at the year end. For the avoidance of doubt this sale  
is not included in the analysis below as it has not completed.

Our continued commitment to asset recycling is clear. The table details the £96.9m  
of disposals since FY17 of which 93% were retail and leisure assets.

Sales

Purchases 

FY17

FY18

FY19

FY20

FY21

TOTAL

£m 

22.3 

10.1 

14.0 

2.5 

48.0

96.9

% Retail  
& leisure

88%

95%

100%

100%

93%

93%

% Retail  
& leisure

46%

0%

25%

100%

£m 

4.0 

9.0

16.0 

1.7 

0.0

30.6 

24%

Retail and leisure
The global pandemic has presented 
many challenges to the UK retail market 
during the last 18 months. Structural 
shifts in consumer behaviour and the 
move to multi-channel retailing have 
been accelerated by the pandemic.

However, as we move into the second 
half of 2021, the reopening phases 
throughout Q2 2021, the widespread 
vaccination programme and pent-up 
demand have triggered significant 
improvement to consumer sentiment.

Online sales accounted for 26.1% of total 
UK retail sales in June 2021. This is notably 
below the peak of 36.3%, recorded  
in January 2021. Although hospitality  
and leisure spend is reported as being 
subdued, within our own portfolio, there  
is increasing evidence of a rapid return  
to pre-pandemic levels. 

Retail Parks continue to outperform  
with footfall down 4.1% on average  
in June (Source: Springboard) whilst 
Shopping Centre and High Street 
locations recorded 27.2% and 29.1% 
reductions respectively.

Changes to Government support 
packages including the changes to 
furlough, the extension of the eviction 
moratorium to March 2022 and changes 
to the rates support will all be relevant 
factors going forwards as operators 
consider their particular market 
headwinds. There are high levels  

of retail vacancy across the UK, however, 
Savills are reporting a slight softening in 
retail rental decline.

Shopping Centre yields have risen by 75 
bps over the last year. There is evidence  
of this trend having turned a corner and  
in the first half of 2021, £594m was 
invested in the UK Shopping Centre 
Market. This compares with £343m in  
the whole of 2020. TCS’s principal  
mixed use scheme, The Merrion Estate, 
anchored by Morrisons (the only full-line 
supermarket in Leeds City Centre) is 
well-placed to benefit from the interest  
of risk-averse investors preferring the  
food store anchored schemes. The retail 
sector is increasingly offering value for  
the opportunistic investor.

Unlike the Shopping Centre sector,  
High Street retail investment in 2021  
is on a par with 2020, with c£1.1bn  
of investment turnover for the first  
half of 2021. Institutional investors  
are increasingly turning away from  
this sector. However there are still 
opportunities on the High Street, 
especially in the essential retail category 
that will attract the risk-adverse investor.

Investor demand for food stores remains 
strong with the downward pressure  
on prime yields. In the meantime, active 
landlords such as TCS are continuing to 
build flexibility into their retail portfolios 
through active asset management, 
planning consents and innovative terms.

Ducie House

21

Ducie House

20

Town Centre Securities PLC

Annual Report & Accounts 2021

01. Strategic Report

Portfolio review

continued

Retail and leisure continued
From a TCS perspective, total retail  
and leisure assets fell by £9.0m or 8.7%. 
Merrion excluding offices and the MSCP 
delivered an Initial Yield of 7.7% reflecting 
the skew in tenant mix to supermarket 
and value retailers. Merrion’s value  
fell by £3.8m or 6.3%. TCS’s out of  
town retail had an initial yield of 7.9% 
representing its mix of food and value 
retailers, with value falling £0.3m or 
2.0%. Other retail and leisure assets  
fell by £4.9m or 17.4%, with these more 
traditional standalone retail units being 
most significantly impacted.

Our hotels, while both open for key 
workers during the start of COVID-19, 
were then closed from the start of 
January 2021 to April 2021, but with  
a quick recovery values have rebounded 
slightly with an increase of £0.6m or 
2.4%. The success of the ‘staycation’  
has clearly had an effect and we are 
continuing to see increased booking 
volumes in the months after June 2021.

Regional offices
Office investment volumes reached  
£1.07 billion outside of central London  
in Q1 2021, which was a 25% decrease  
in volumes recorded in Q1 2020 and a 
32% decrease in the long-term average.1

Overseas investors were the most  
active investors across the regional  
office investment market in Q1 2021.  
The investor type accounted for 58%  
of investment which was the highest 
proportion from the sector in the last  
10 years.1

The regional office markets have 
remained quiet during the period due  
to changing working from home 
restrictions imposed by the pandemic 
and a general lack of any new stock 
coming to the market. Investors are set  
to gauge sentiment when occupiers 
return to buildings later this year in  
line with restrictions easing. 

Take up in most of the major regional 
cities remains significantly below the 
ten-year averages. Enquiry levels have 
slowly started to increase with some  
of the larger requirements gathering 
momentum as they establish what  
their longer-term occupational 
requirements will be.

The prime regional office yield moved 
out by 25 basis points to 5.00% in April 
2020 in response to investor caution 
arising from the coronavirus pandemic 
and has remained at this level.1 Office 
sector capital values increased 0.2% in 
July, reflecting positive growth outside 
Central London, while Central London 
values were unchanged. Office rental 
values increased 0.2%. Office total 
returns were 0.5% for the month.2

Our office portfolio increased in value by 
£5.0m or 6.1% over the year, the majority 
of which was due to the completion  
of the 123 Albion Street refurbishment 
and the subsequent letting of all of the 
vacant space. The value of TCS’s share  
in Merrion House has also increased by 
£1.1m reflecting both an improvement  
in the yield but also an increase in the 
estimated rental value.

Residential
Residential property has been the 
surprise outperformer during the 
pandemic, with fears of a repeat of 
2008’s housing market collapse proving 
unwarranted. Investment levels into 
institutional rented property have been 
sustained and are expected to hit new 
records throughout the coming years. 
Fiscal support for the owner-occupied 
market has maintained prices and 
transaction levels, though the risk  
of rising unemployment could stall  
this is in the coming months.

At the end of Q2 there were just over 
£2.1bn of Buy-to-Rent transactions  
under offer. The pipeline again highlights 
strong demand for regional markets,  
with two-thirds located outside of 
London. There is currently close to 
£1.3bn under offer across regional 
markets including Birmingham, Bristol, 
Cardiff, Glasgow, Leeds, Manchester, 
Newcastle and Sheffield.

From a returns perspective, CBRE  
expect Residential to outperform other 
real estate sectors over a five-year 
horizon. According to the Office for 
National Statistics, rents across the UK 
have remained stable between January 
and June 2021. However, potential 
downside risks, including the ending  
of the furlough scheme in September, 
mean they continue to forecast a 
marginal fall in rents for the full year,  
but then expect a rebound in 2022.  
A highly competitive market will  
underpin asset pricing and yields. 

Overall, they are forecasting residential 
total returns to average 7.3% per year  
to 2025 and investment to continue on 
an upward trend throughout a five-year 
horizon, with the expectation of £9.8bn 
invested across the residential sector  
in 2021, rising to £15.7bn by 2025.

TCS’s residential assets are concentrated 
in the city centres of Leeds, Manchester, 
suburban London and Glasgow.  

Overall, we saw an increase in the  
value of our residential portfolio year  
on year of 3.5%. This was largely driven 
by a rebound in the Manchester market, 
effectively reversing and improving on 
the negative impact COVID-19 had on 
residential values at 30 June 2020 of 
-1.3%. Rents are expected to return to  
a 3% per annum growth rate from 2022. 
As mentioned last year our Piccadilly 
Basin site remains one of the most 

centrally located and accessible sites  
in the city and as such, we expect it to 
outperform the market in the long term.

Portfolio overview:

Retail & leisure
Merrion Centre (ex offices)
Offices
Hotels
Out of town retail
Distribution
Residential

Development property
Car parks

Portfolio

Passing rent 
£m

1.6
4.6
4.5
1.2
1.2
0.4
1.0

ERV 
£m

1.9
4.9
6.2
1.6
1.2
0.5
1.0

23.4
56.7
91.4
23.6
14.5
6.5
20.5

14.6

17.3

236.6

41.5
51.2

Value 
£m

% of 
portfolio

Valuation 
incr/(decr)

Initial  
yield

Reversionary 
yield

7%
17%
28%
7%
4%
2%
6%

72%

13%
16%

6.4%
7.7%
4.7%
4.7%
7.9%
6.0%
4.6%

5.8%

7.9%
8.1%
6.4%
6.5%
7.5%
6.8%
4.6%

6.9%

-17.4%
-6.3%
6.1%
2.4%
-2.0%
7.7%
3.5%

-1.0%

9.7%
-1.9%

0.3%

329.2

100%

Note:  includes our share of Merrion House within Offices (£35.8m – see Note 14 of these financial statements), our share of Burlington House within Residential 

(£11.3m – see Note 14 of these financial statements) and Car Park Goodwill of £4.0m (see Note 13 of these financial statements) arising on individual car park  
assets, but specifically excluding goodwill arising from the current year car park operation acquisitions. All of the above are not included in the table set out  
in Note 12 of these financial statements.

Note:  excludes IFRS 16 adjustments that relate to Right-to-Use car park assets (£27.8m) as the Directors do not believe it is appropriate to include in this analysis  

assets where there is less than 50 years remaining on their lease and the Group does not have full control over these assets. These assets are included in the  
table set out in Note 12 of these financial statements.

The table adjacent reconciles the above 
table to that set out in Note 12 of these 
financial statements:

Portfolio – as per Note 12

50% Share in Merrion House

50% Share in Burlington House

Goodwill – Car Parks – Property specific only

Less – IFRS 16 Right-of-Use Car Parks

FY21 
£m

FY20 
£m

305.9

354.3

35.8

11.3

4.0

34.7

10.9

4.0

(27.8)

(29.7)

Less – addition recognised relating to an asset held for sale

–

(1.7)

As per the table above

329.2

372.5

Location

Leeds

Manchester

Scotland

London

Value

222.4

71.9

11.4

23.4

%

Sector

68%

22%

3%

7%

Retail & leisure

Hotels

Offices

Car parking

329.2

100%

Distribution

Residential

Development

Value

94.6

23.6

91.4

51.2

6.5

20.5

41.5

29%

7%

28%

16%

2%

6%

13%

%

Lease Expiries

Value

0–5 years

5–10 years

Over 10 years

6.8

2.0

5.8

%

46%

14%

40%

14.6

100%

23

Ducie House

22

1  Savills UK Regional Office Investment Market Watch 8th June 2021. 
2  CBRE UK Monthly Snapshot July 2021.

329.2

100%

 
 
Town Centre Securities PLC

Annual Report & Accounts 2021

01. Strategic Report

Divisional review
Property

Overview
It has been an intense period for  
our dedicated team as they manage our  
estate on a daily basis, securing income, 
extending lease terms, and working closely 
with our tenants to support them through 
the current challenges.

Despite the immediate urgencies created by COVID-19, we have 
also continued to focus on pursuing new opportunities to help 
create places that attract people and create communities.

Portfolio by location  
– June 2021

Over the course of the year our like-for-like void percentage has improved marginally 
from 5.6% to 5.3%, again representing the resilience of our portfolio. In measuring 
voids we include premises to let and also those in Solicitor’s Hands, but where an 
agreement for lease has not yet been signed. In measuring voids we specifically 
exclude premises that are temporarily unlet pending redevelopment.

Leeds

Manchester

Scotland and London

68%

22%

10%

Merrion Centre

Our portfolio

Our portfolio is largely 
focused in the vibrant 
Northern cities of Leeds 
and Manchester, where 
we have resilient assets 
and a high-quality  
pipeline of development 
opportunities.

Our tenant portfolio

As a result, we have been insulated to  
a degree from some of the challenges 
currently facing the retail sector, but we 
have been exposed to challenges faced 
by our tenants in the food, beverage and 
leisure sectors and we continue to work 
through this with them.

Key tenants include Leeds City Council, 
Morrisons, StepChange debt charity, 
Pure Gym and Premier Inn.

Top 10 : 47%

Other : 53%

Overview
Over the past six years TCS has built  
an increasingly diverse and mixed-use 
portfolio with a high-quality and diverse 
tenant base across a range of sectors 
including retail and leisure, office, 
hospitality, food and drink and residential 
property. Through our strategy of 
diversification, the proportion of retail 
and leisure assets in the portfolio has 
reduced to 29% at the year end, down 
from 60% in 2016.

Pure retail represents only 21% of the  
total portfolio and our retail portfolio 
remains focused on supermarket. 
Discount, and convenience retailing, 
which typically has higher footfall and  
is less affected by the growth in internet 
shopping. As our exposure to retail has 
been reduced, office space, food and 
drink and private rented sector (PRS) 
residential assets have increased share.

Top 10 tenants

Leeds City Council 

Wm Morrison Supermarkets Plc 

StepChange Debt Charity 

Pure Gym Limited 

Premier Inn Hotels 

The Instant Group 

Go Outdoors Limited 

Secretary of State (HCLG) 

Aldi Stores Limited 

The Flannels Group Limited 

11%

8%

7%

5%

4%

3%

3%

2%

2%

2%

Rent collected

92.6%

Rent deferred

0.8%

24

25

Burlington House

(27 March 2020 to 18 November 2021 inclusive)

Town Centre Securities PLC

Annual Report & Accounts 2021

01. Strategic Report

Divisional review

continued

Regional focus
Leeds

The last twelve months have  
demonstrated the resilience of our 
portfolio in Leeds and the strength  
of the Merrion Estate – which is at  
the heart of the Arena Quarter and  
adjacent to the Innovation District  
in the City. 

The Arena Quarter has been 
transformed in recent years with  
the development of the first direct 
Arena, substantial investment by  
the two largest universities in  
Leeds, a brand-new Head Office  
for Leeds City Council and over 
8,000 new residential and student 
residential units.

These new developments, include the 
tallest building in Leeds IQ Altus which 
is under construction and scheduled 
for completion later this year. The 
same developer is preparing to invest 
further in this location underlying the 
industry’s confidence in this area.

The Merrion Estate is a mixed-use 
scheme comprising supermarkets, 
offices, retail, leisure, car parks  
and a hotel. 

Our largest office occupier is Leeds 
City Council’s Head Office (170,000 
sq ft) and our supermarket tenants 
include Iceland, Co-op and the only 
full line City Centre supermarket in 
Leeds, Morrisons. Merrion represents 
44% of the value of the portfolio.

Vicar Lane

26

Asset management

Merrion Centre
The Merrion Estate has continued  
its diversification and repurposing 
programme that began over 10 years  
ago. Merrion’s strategic location at the 
heart of the Arena Quarter, adjacent  
to the Innovation District, is continuing  
to deliver new customer sources for our 
Estate. Domino’s Pizza, Co-op, Leeds 
Teaching Hospitals Trust and seven 
independent and regional tenants all 
opened premises during the last year.  
It is particularly pleasing to see existing 
tenants invest further in Merrion, such  
as the popular Blue Sakura Restaurant 
taking their second restaurant premises  
at Merrion and Morrisons, investment in 
their brand new ‘Market Kitchen’ concept.

Our teams have worked extremely  
hard to ensure that our rent collection 
rates have remained high, ending the 
year at over 93% either collected or 
deferred. This is testament to the close 
relationships we have built with tenants 
over the years and the collaborative 
approach we have taken to build 
arrangements that work for both parties.

Despite challenging footfall levels,  
many employees working from home  
and lower student numbers, our retail 
and leisure portfolio has proven resilient 
given the emphasis on essential retailing, 
namely grocery, health, convenience  
and discount retailing. 

Leeds key facts

Leeds is one of the UK’s fastest 
growing cities and is the main driver  
of a city region with a £64.6 billion 
economy, a combined population  
of 3 million in the city and the 
surrounding area and a workforce  
of 1.4 million.

Leeds as percentage of total portfolio

68%

Fortunately, we have had no exposure to 
any of the larger high street retail failures 
such as Arcadia or Debenhams. 

Since July 2020, just four Merrion  
Estate tenants have entered into CVAs or 
administration: Deltic Group, Café Nero, 
Slam Trading and Select. These four 
tenants, together with two non-Merrion 
Estate tenants, are the only TCS tenants 
to enter administration/CVA during the 
last financial year. The billable rent for 
these represents circa 4% of property 
income. Encouragingly, all but one of 
these tenants are capable of being 
replaced via a new letting or proposed 
new assignment. We have completed  
or renewed 11 leases in the financial year 
including eight new retailers moving into 
the Merrion Centre – examples include 
the Leeds Rhinos shop, Teisha’s Hair  
and Beauty Salon, and Youshi. It is also 
encouraging to note a further seven  
new lettings or lease renewals have 
completed after the year end.

123 Albion Street
Acquired in 2018, we have now 
completed a net £4m refurbishment  
of 123 Albion Street adjacent to the  
Leeds Innovation district and the Merrion 
Estate. The newly refurbished building 
comprises 21,000 sq ft of flexible 
commercial space on the ground  
floor, with 56,000 sq ft of good quality 
office space over three upper floors.  
In a collaboration with our CitiPark’s 
division, the refurbishment programme 
includes two CitiCharge EV chargers  

as well as plenty of parking, cycle storage 
and electricity regeneration lifts.

The whole building has already been let, 
illustrating the strength of the location. 
The ground floor will now trade as a ‘Job 
Centre Plus’ focused on coaching people 
out of work due to COVID-19 and in 
December 2020 we agreed a new 12-year 
lease for the remaining 46,000 sq ft to 
StepChange Debt Charity. StepChange  
is the UK’s leading debt charity offering 
free expert advice to individuals enabling 
them to tackle and manage their debts. 
This letting at 123 Albion Street involves 
the charity moving out of our Wade  
House office (on the Merrion Estate)  
into this newly refurbished building. 
StepChange has been a valuable Town 
Centre Securities tenant for almost 20 
years and the business has now reached  
a stage where larger floorplate offices 
were required to take the business 
forward. It is pleasing, both for TCS  
and for the wider City of Leeds, that we 
have been able to satisfy StepChange’s 
new office requirement, enabling  
them to continue their important and  
valuable work.

123 Albion Street was valued at  
£12.1m twelve months ago and has 
increased to in excess of £20m,  
following the renovation and  
successful letting programme.

The completion of 123 Albion Street’s 
refurbishment now presents us with  
an opportunity to redevelop or refurbish 
Wade House, on the back of the new 

demand for the area. Wade House 
represents the last of the four main  
office buildings that form part of the 
Merrion Estate, this being one that is  
now in need of investment, following  
the redevelopment of Town Centre 
House and Merrion House. We are  
in detailed discussions with potential 
partners and are confident in  
delivering on this new opportunity. 

ibis Styles Hotel 
It’s been a roller coaster of a year for  
our hotel, ibis Styles. During the first 
lockdown in 2020, we were able to keep 
the hotel open for key workers and offer 
concessionary rates to essential workers, 
especially NHS staff. The hotel was  
then fully open and trading well in  
early autumn 2020, only to shut down 
completely from January to April 2021. 
Trading has rebounded since its 
reopening in May 2021, although  
different trading patterns are emerging. 
The initial lack of corporate business 
during the week has been replaced by 
leisure bookings that extend over the 
weekend into the traditionally quiet 
Sunday nights. Early signs of the 
corporate market returning have recently 
started to emerge. ibis Styles is on track  
to return to full strength very soon.

Forecast growth rate:

The Merrion Estate:

Value £m

Population:

798,800

Student population:

66,000

Workforce:

1,411,000 

Corporate offices/HQs:

Channel 4, ASDA, PwC, KPMG, HSBC, 
DLA Piper, Direct Line Group, BOS, 
Yorkshire Bank, Addleshaw Goddard, 
Eversheds, Pinsents, first direct,  
Centrica, Ventura, BT.

The number of mid-size and large 
companies and organisations based  
in Leeds is significantly above the  
national average. Home to the UK’s 
leading professional services hub  
outside of London.

Over the next ten years, the economy  
is forecast to grow by 21% with financial 
and business services set to generate 
over half of GVA growth over that period.

Key growth sectors:

Digital technologies, healthcare and 
innovation, manufacturing, financial  
and professional services. Other 
development of the Southbank by  
CEG, the new West End by MEPC and 
CPP, significant amount of student 
accommodation around Merrion  
and MODA next to WYPhouse.

Merrion Morrisons
Merrion Offices
Merrion Retail  
and Leisure
Merrion Car Park
ibis Styles Hotel

18.7
54.1

39.0
24.6
8.6

%

8%
24%

18%
11%
4%

Total Merrion

145.0

65%

Other Leeds assets:

Value £m

Retail/leisure
Hotels
Office
Car parking
Distribution
Residential
Development

7.5
15.0
21.6
10.7
6.5
2.1
14.0

%

3%
7%
10%
5%
3%
1%
6%

Total Leeds

222.4

100%

27

 
 
 
Town Centre Securities PLC

Annual Report & Accounts 2021

01. Strategic Report

Divisional review

continued

Regional focus
Manchester

Our Manchester portfolio represents  
22% of our total assets and is centred 
around the Piccadilly Basin area  
– a historic and exciting contribution  
to Manchester’s development. 

This is a 12.5-acre mixed-use 
development site situated next to the 
Northern Quarter, Ancoats and New 
Islington, all of which have experienced 
significant investment and development 
over recent years. The value and appeal 
of the immediate and surrounding  
areas is rising and our most recent 
developments at Burlington House  
and Ducie House are showing  
strong potential.

We have an approved Strategic 
Regeneration Framework in place 
with Manchester City Council which 
identifies 800 residential units,  
a 500 space multi-storey car park 
and 200,000 sq ft of canal-side 
commercial development over  
the coming years. 

Asset management

Ducie House
We have now completed our £2.1m 
refurbishment of the iconic Ducie House 
in Manchester. Originally a petticoat 
factory, Ducie House is a 33,000 sq ft 
multi-tenant office building. The work 
included essential fabric and M&E repairs 
post acquisition. This included full roof, 
façade, and window repairs as well as new 
boilers, lifts, air conditioning and heating. 
We adopted a strategy of restructuring  
the building’s configuration to provide 
three additional meeting rooms, shower 
facilities and booth spaces. The common 
areas on the upper floors have also been 
refurbished to provide further amenity 
space including break-out booths with 
balcony space and improved toilet/
kitchen facilities. 

We have seen a very positive response 
following our investment and continue  
to expect the investment to deliver 
increased net income of circa £0.3m per 
annum and a post investment return in 
excess of 8.5%. The value of Ducie House 
increased by £1.0m to £9.0m reflecting 
the additional capex spent in the first half 
of FY21. In January, we signed the first 
new lease for one of the larger duplex 
offices with textile company NB Avenue 
Limited, who supply and manufacture 
clothing to online retailers internationally. 
Many existing tenants who moved out 
temporarily during the refurbishment are 
returning and the building is now home 

Other assets in our portfolio are 
performing well. Carver’s Warehouse 
continues to be strategically important 
and voids are filled promptly. Burlington 
House, which was completed two years 
ago, has proved resilient during the 
COVID-19 challenge. This was the first 
residential scheme in Manchester to  
be awarded a WiredScore Silver rating 
for connectivity.

to around 20 companies from various 
sectors (Including technology, marketing 
and fashion).

Urban Exchange
Urban Exchange is a 120,000 sq ft  
retail outlet within our Piccadilly Basin 
ownership in the centre of Manchester.  
It is let to Aldi, M&S, Pure Gym, and  
GO Outdoors. As previously reported,  
GO Outdoors was put into administration 
by its owners in 2020. Since that point, 
we have been receiving full rent from  
the administrator and are in active 
discussions regarding the future of  
the store which is likely to continue  
to trade and stay open. However,  
once again this presents TCS with an 
opportunity to look at alternative uses  
and development options for this large, 
prime site. 

Piccadilly Basin

Ducie House

Ducie House

Manchester 
key facts

With a population of 2.8m, Greater 
Manchester drives the fifth largest 
regional economy in the UK.

Population:

555,700

Student population:

100,000

Workforce:

1,322,200

Forecast growth:

Our Manchester portfolio: Value £m

Business, financial and professional 
services, cultural, creative and digital; 
and wholesale and retail remain major 
growth sectors. Science, research  
and development is a new major growth 
sector and projected to grow at a 
significant rate.

Retail/leisure
Office
Car parking
Residential
Development

14.5
14.9
3.8
11.3
27.4

%

20%
21%
5%
16%
38%

Manchester as a percentage  
of total portfolio

22%

Corporate offices/HQs:

Key growth sectors:

Manchester is the regional centre  
for finance, commerce and retail.

BBC, ITV, the Co-operative Group, 
BooHoo, MAG, THG, Amazon.

The Greater Manchester (‘GM’) 
Forecasting Model-2018 shows GVA 
growing at 1.7% per year up to 2036,  
an increase of £25,800 million between 
2016 and 2036. Total employment is 
forecast to grow at 0.5% per year in GM, 
equating to a net increase of 140,100 
employees 2016 to 2036. Employment 
growth is largely driven by Business, 
Financial and Professional Services  
– accounting for over half of the net 
increase in the total number of jobs 
based in GM, up to 2036.

Burlington House

28

Total Manchester

71.9

100%

29

 
 
Town Centre Securities PLC

Annual Report & Accounts 2021

01. Strategic Report

Divisional review

continued

Regional focus
Scotland and London

Following a number of disposals in  
the year, our portfolio in Scotland now  
comprises three mixed-use properties  
in Glasgow and restaurant premises  
in Edinburgh. In addition to our prime  
office premises at Duke Street,  
London W1, our London investments  
are in good-quality secondary high  
street locations and primarily consist  
of retail and residential mixed-use assets. 

Bath Street

Scotland
Our activity in Scotland this year has 
centred around the disposal of mature 
assets, largely in the retail sector. 

These include two Waitrose stores  
in Milngavie and Glasgow sold for 
£23.2m and a recently completed  
retail development in Milngavie, let to 
Home Bargains and Aldi, for £10.7m.

We have, however, following our tenant  
in Buchanan Street, Glasgow entering a 
CVA, exercised our right to exit the lease 
agreement. Whilst this did incur rental 
losses, it has given us the opportunity  
to look at an alternative future for this 
property. We have submitted a planning 
application to convert the top three 
floors into six luxury apartments and will 
let the remaining retail outlet to Watches 
of Switzerland. This greatly improves the 
quality of tenancy and lease.

London
Activity in London has also centred 
around disposals of mature assets, 
including retail units in Chiswick  
and Wood Green for a total of £6.2m.  
Our other assets are performing well  
and, whilst our key focus is on Leeds  
and Manchester, we will continue  
to take advantage of good-quality 
opportunities as they arise.

As previously mentioned, after the year 
end we have exchanged contracts to sell 
an office building in London for £3.9m, 
which equates to the book value of the 
property at the year end.

Our Scotland and London portfolio:

Value £m

Retail/leisure
Office
Car parking
Residential

Total Scotland and London

14.9
0.7
12.2
7.0

34.8

%

43%
2%
35%
20%

100%

Scotland and London as a percentage of total portfolio

10%

30

Development pipeline

Our portfolio is peppered 
with development 
opportunities, great and 
small; from our strategically 
important sites at Piccadilly 
Basin, Whitehall Riverside 
and Merrion Estate to smaller 
residential flat conversion 
opportunities in Glasgow. 

We are now actively exploring the 
impact of the booming residential 
and co-living sector on our 
development pipeline. 

Our development pipeline is 
significant, with an estimated GDV  
of over £600m and we see this as  
a strategic point of difference.

The key components of the 
development pipeline include:

 Piccadilly Basin, Manchester. 
Mixed residential, commercial, 
and car-parking with a total 
estimated GDV of circa £300m.

 Whitehall Road, Leeds. Office, 
car-parking, and potentially 
leisure provision with a total 
estimated GDV of over £170m.

 Merrion, Leeds. Office and 
residential towers with a total 
estimated GDV of over £100m.

The value of our development 
pipeline value increased by £3.7m  
or 9.7% since June 2020, driven by  
a 15.6% increase in the value of our 
Piccadilly Basin, Manchester holding 
as the market value of development 
land there has increased.

We are also exploring different 
options for Vicar Lane, Leeds, as  
well as delivering new apartments, 
alongside Urban Splash at 
Brownsfield Mill, Manchester. 

The changing property landscape 
has led us to reimagine the Whitehall 
Riverside development to ensure  
the master plan is fit for the future. 
Initially focused on constructing three 
office buildings, we are active on  
site assessing a mixed-use scheme to 
capitalise on the vibrant Build to Rent 
(BTR) in Leeds and planning how best 
to bring forward plans for 3.5 acres  
of undeveloped land.

The success of Burlington House and 
the buoyant BTR sector in Manchester 
have proved to be a springboard for 
our next development in the vibrant 
Piccadilly Basin area. Planning 
permission for Eider House was 
implemented in January 2021 for  
a new development of 128 luxury 
apartments opposite Ducie House 
and adjacent to Dakota hotel. We are 
currently reviewing the proposed 
scheme to ensure that our next 
residential development builds on  
the success of Burlington House  
and delivers a best in class scheme. 

We take a conservative approach  
to development to ensure we never 
over-commit ourselves, which has 
proven crucial following the COVID-19 
crisis. However, TCS does have a 
successful track record in obtaining 
planning and delivering strategic 
developments. In the last four years, 
TCS has delivered Merrion House 
office, two new hotels in Leeds, and 
the Burlington House BTR scheme  
in Manchester. In addition, over that 
time frame we have secured planning 
permission for Eider House, our 
second BTR scheme in Manchester, 
and for a 17-storey office tower at the 
Merrion Estate. This will be our first 
high-rise development at Merrion and 
strategic partnerships are now being 
put in place for this ambitious project.

Shandwick place

123 Albion Street 

31

 
 
 
 
Town Centre Securities PLC

Annual Report & Accounts 2021

01. Strategic Report

Divisional review

continued

CitiPark

It’s been a challenging year for our CitiPark  
business. It has taken the full impact of  
COVID-19-related lockdowns, with no support  
from government or local authorities on  
rent or rates relief, leading to a material  
impact on revenue and profitability.

Throughout this period of stop/start and 
moving goal posts, they have proved 
remarkably resilient and we are very 
pleased to see them all back at work.

Overview

Gross revenue for FY21 was £6.7m, 
34% down year on year with operating 
profit reduced to a loss of £0.3m, 
compared to a profit of £2.7m in  
the prior year.

Now lockdown is easing, we are seeing a 
strong recovery. All our car parks are now 
open and short-term income is rising in 
line with expectations, although season 
ticket revenue remains affected by the 
slow return to the office. Interestingly, 
discussions with our larger commercial 
clients suggest that nervousness about 
travelling on public transport may  
lead to a rise in demand for parking,  
as employees choose to drive as they  
return to the office.

We have remained flexible throughout 
the period, temporarily closing branches 
when it was economically sensible  
and using the government furlough 
scheme where appropriate. Now we are 
responding to changing working patterns 
with restructured products, for example, 
new style season tickets and commercial 
promotions to support hybrid working.

Mindful of the needs of our local 
communities, we provided free parking 
for NHS staff in the first lockdown, 
tailoring ongoing concessions on  
a location by location basis as we 
manage capacity.

We have also fully supported our staff 
throughout the year, topping up furlough 
salaries and carefully managing their 
return to work safely. 

Ben Ziff
Managing Director CitiPark  
& TCS Energy

Technology and innovation
Our strategic technology initiatives have 
made significant advances in the year as 
we continue to expand beyond traditional 
car park ownership, using technology as 
a key differentiator and to underpin our 
focus on sustainable growth.

EV charging/CitiCharge
Launched shortly after the year end,  
in July 2021, our CitiCharge app allows 
users to search for our electric vehicle 
(EV) charging points around the country 
and will offer pre-booking facilities in the 
future. We own and operate 30 charging 
points in Leeds and 22 in Central and 
Greater London, where the congestion 
charge is a key driver of demand.  
35 EV charging points for a Coventry 
NHS hospital will be live by the end  
of the calendar year and we see this  
as an important future income stream  
as electric car numbers increase.

Our three solar energy farms in 
Manchester and Leeds provide the 
capacity to underpin this growth,  
in addition to selling excess power  
to the National Grid.

CitiPark app
Launched last year, this app has come 
into its own with COVID-19 accelerating 
take-up as digital payments replaced 
cash. Our early promotional message  
– ‘a pay station in your pocket’  
– emphasised the benefits of paying  
for your parking safely on the app and 
today 60% of all digital parking fees  
are paid via the CitiPark app.

BaySentry Solutions
Our parking management company, 
BaySentry Solutions Ltd, has expanded 
significantly during the year, acquiring  
a Cornwall-based parking enforcement 
company with 270 sites and 75 
enforcement contracts from an 
independent operator covering  
East, West & North Yorkshire. We see 
opportunities to use technology to  
grow these businesses, using ANPR 
cameras and other electronic payment 
systems, both here and in 25 of our own 
branches. As the market for electric 
vehicles grows, we will look to exploit  
our presence in all these locations  
to expand our EV charging network.

YourParkingSpace.co.uk (YPS)
Our equity share in innovative online 
marketplace – YourParkingSpace.co.uk 
– has continued to increase in value.  
This platform connects drivers with  
over 350,000 privately owned and 

commercially operated parking spaces 
across the UK, available to book hourly, 
daily, or on a monthly basis. Drivers can 
book parking on-demand through  
its website and mobile applications.  
In September 2020, YPS completed  
a significant fund raise from a new 
private equity investor, which will fuel  
its future expansion as demand recovers 
to accommodate returning workers  
who don’t want to use public transport. 
As part of the transaction, we exercised 
our third and final investment option and 
now have a 19.9% voting share with 
additional 1.2% non-voting shares, 
convertible to voting on exit. Our cost  
of equity investment totals £1.0m, which 
following an external fair value exercise 
undertaken after the recent fund raise  
is valued at £1.5m as at 30 June 2021.  
We continue to retain a Board position 
and are looking forward to working 
closely with the founders and new 
investors as we rapidly grow this very 
exciting business.

Multistories at the Merrion Centre
An innovative venue at the Merrion 
Centre in Leeds helped maximise the  
use of space in the Centre car park  
that would have otherwise been empty 
and breathe new life into the hard-hit 
hospitality industry. 

The top floor of the Merrion Centre  
car park was rented to a third party  
for a series of unique summer pop-up  
events delivering music, food and drinks 
in a setting not normally associated  
with social gatherings. The various  
events were branded using the 
Multistories name, inspired by the  
unique car park setting.

Outlook
CitiPark is set to benefit from a strong 
recovery in the car parking sector as 
concerns over safety influence the return 
to work and leisure pursuits, although  
we are anticipating regional differences  
in our car parking estate. For example,  
our management contract for 
Manchester Arena has only just come 
back on stream with the restarting  
of events in September 2021.

Looking forward, we see technology  
as the key driver of growth as we 
transition to a cashless society, 
developing and enhancing our CitiPark 
and CitiCharge apps. We expect our  
EV charging business to grow at a  
steady pace, building our sustainability 
point of difference, and to look for 
strategic acquisition opportunities  
for BaySentry Solutions.

Multistories

Multistories

32

33

 
 
Town Centre Securities PLC

Annual Report & Accounts 2021

01. Strategic Report

Section 172 Statement

Statement by the Directors in performance 
of their statutory duties in accordance with 
s172(1) Companies Act 2006.

The Board believes that, individually and collectively, they 
have acted in a way they consider, in good faith, would be 
most likely to promote the success of the Company for the 
benefit of its members as a whole, having regard to the 
stakeholders and matters set out in s172(1) (a-f) Companies 
Act 2006. We have continued to protect and generate value 
for our stakeholders for 61 years and remain committed  
to pursuing our strategy for long-term value creation. 

We believe that consideration of our stakeholders is the 
foundation of what we do and the basis of every decision  
that is made throughout the Company. To demonstrate how 
entrenched this is into the way we act as a business we have 
included cross-references to where you can find further 
examples across this report:

Why invest 
in Town Centre 
Securities? 

Strategy 

Responsible 
business 

Clear demonstration  
of the value we provide  
to shareholders

Clearly defined plans for  
the future of the business

Demonstrating understanding  
of how our business impacts 
those around us 

Pages 8 to 9

Pages 14 to 15

Pages 36 to 45

How the Board factors its stakeholders into decision-making 
The table below sets out who we believe to be our key stakeholders, why they  
are important to us and, subsequently, how we factored their interests into our 
decision-making process to promote the success of the business as a whole. 

Our 
stakeholders:

Shareholders

Why they are important:

How we engaged during the year:

Shareholders are key to 
ensuring we have the capital 
to continue doing what we 
do. They keep us accountable 
and provide direction and 
approval to future plans.

The primary communications with private shareholders is through the Annual  
Report and Accounts, the Half-Year release and the Annual General Meeting (‘AGM').  
All Directors attend the AGM (either in person or by teleconference), and we encourage 
shareholders to ask questions of the Board and meet informally after. 

In addition, the Chairman and Chief Executive, and Finance Director maintain a dialogue 
with institutional shareholders and analysts immediately after the announcement of the 
half year and full year results, and at other times throughout the year; taking on board 
suggestions especially with regard to non-financial reporting, for example the EPC 
reporting now included in our investor presentations

During the COVID-19 crisis we have released a number of RNS statements detailing 
actions the business is taking, levels of rent receipts being experienced and, if applicable, 
levels of borrowing headroom to give all shareholders confidence in terms of our 
response to the crisis and our ability to weather it.

Our 
stakeholders:

Employees

Tenants

Why they are important:

How we engaged during the year:

Our employees allow us  
to continue to deliver and 
maintain quality environments 
and services for our 
customers, and sustain 
long-term growth, providing 
value to our shareholders. 
Ensuring we have happy 
employees with challenging 
work in turn produces  
higher quality outcomes and 
benefits all stakeholders.

We are committed to the personal and professional development of our employees, 
supporting employees through studies. 

We continue to look for ways to improve the rewards and support we give our staff 
beyond their base salary, and have a number of schemes in place to enable this.  
This includes but is not limited to: salary sacrifice schemes for childcare vouchers  
and cycle to work initiatives; Westfield Health care for head office based staff;  
a company pension scheme and access to a pension advisor; a share save scheme 
allowing all staff to benefit from the HMRC scheme with TCS also contributing shares. 

In our newly refurbished Leeds head office, as well as providing the Company with  
the ability to re-let some residual space, the Company made sure to ensure that the  
new office space was designed with the wellbeing of staff in mind, including having 
living green walls; improved lighting; a revamped and now reopened staff canteen;  
and better break-out spaces.

The canteen and break-out spaces enable all employees and Directors to engage  
with each other outside of the pure work environment. 

During the COVID-19 crisis we have kept in close contact with staff with weekly virtual 
meetings, and for those furloughed staff have topped salaries fully up to 100%.

Members of the senior management team attend all Board Meetings, and regularly 
provide their own perspective on the health and wellbeing of all staff, including  
a new flexible working policy. 

During the 2018 financial year we appointed Ian Marcus as our workforce representative.

Further details on our workforce engagement can be found on page 42.

Delivering for customers is at 
the heart of everything we do. 
Whether that is locally based 
businesses in our mixed-use 
developments or users of one 
our state of the art car parks.  
If our customers are satisfied, 
then we know we are 
delivering enjoyable and 
high-quality environments. 
We value highly the long-term 
relationship we have with our 
tenants. This has been 
especially important during 
the COVID-19 crisis where 
these relationships have 
helped us to maintain a 
healthy rate of rent collections 
and have confidence in 
agreeing rent deferrals.

During the COVID-19 crisis we have been in very close contact with our tenants, in an 
attempt to understand the pressures that they are under and how we can work with 
them to get through the crisis and ensure they remain as tenants in the longer term.  
We have been particularly keen to ensure that small and long-term loyal tenants are 
helped not only financially but with wider operational support as well. In Merrion Centre 
in particular we are working with all our tenants to help bring customers and workers 
back to the shops, restaurants and offices and to enable socially distanced shopping 
and working has been critical.

All decisions made with regards to new tenants, rent concessions are made at the 
monthly property review meetings, with all executive board members in attendance.

The monthly minutes of both the property review and CitiPark management meetings 
then form an integral part of the main executive board meetings.

In Ducie House in Manchester we have worked with tenants to support them through  
the COVID-19 crisis, whilst at the same time enable our refurbishment of the building  
for theirs and our future benefit. As a result, we agreed a four-month rent free period  
for all tenants with them vacating the building to allow for the works to take place in  
a safe environment and in the shortest time.

Further details on our engagement with our customers can be found on pages 12 and 45.

Debt funders Our economic model 

assumes that we leverage all 
investment assets to enable 
us to continue to invest  
and grow. This makes the 
availability of secured debt 
funding key to business 
development. We see  
our three main bank debt 
providers, and our debenture 
holders as key stakeholders.

We remain in regular communication with our banks and during the COVID-19 crisis  
this has increased. We have made sure to update them on rents received and key 
measures related to overall Company performance and the assets specifically  
secured to their facilities.

In addition, starting last year we now prepare a debenture specific presentation 
(available on our website) which the Chief Executive and Finance Director presented  
to the majority of debenture holders.

Community

We believe we have a  
duty to make a positive 
contribution locally and  
be considered an integral  
part of the community.

The COVID-19 pandemic shone a light on how valued and essential our key workers  
are to the survival of this country and the importance of community. This unfortunate 
event enabled us to show our solidarity with our key workers by continuing with 
initiatives such as free car parking, concessionary hotel accommodation and lighting  
our flagship car park blue to mark their heroic work.

Further details on our engagement with the community can be found on page 43.

Environment

The Board acknowledges  
that it has a responsibility  
to minimise its  
environmental impact.

The Board regularly reviews the Merrion Estate’s five-year sustainability programme, 
which is now at the end of its fourth year. Recent initiatives include SMART meters  
to help reduce consumption, a review of all travel plans and upgraded cycle storage  
and shower facilities to encourage cycling initiatives. 

Over the course of the year, the Group has completed the refurbishments at  
both Ducie House and 123 Albion Street. The refurbishments have improved the 
environmental credentials of both buildings.

Following the receipt of ‘Contributing to the Community’ award two years ago, CitiPark 
has continued to be a champion of green initiatives, furthering the UK’s electric vehicle 
charging infrastructure by installing more subscription-free charging points.

Further details on our engagement with the environment can be found on pages 38 to 39.

34

35

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Town Centre Securities PLC

Annual Report & Accounts 2021

01. Strategic Report

Responsible business

Overview
TCS has been committed to generating 
long-term sustainable success since  
its foundation over 60 years ago and  
still retains the ethos of its founder;  
that business should make a positive 
contribution to the communities in  
which it operates.

The Marjorie & Arnold Ziff Charitable 
foundation is a registered charity 
which, whilst managed separately 
with its own resources based on a 
TCS shareholding, plays a key role  
in facilitating the Ziff family to 
support the local community. 
Edward Ziff, our current Chair and 
CEO, was awarded an OBE for 
service to community in 2017 and  
is Chair and Trustee of Leeds Cares, 
a charity which supports Leeds 
Teaching Hospitals. 

We recognise the need to develop  
a more formal structure to support  
our activities and ambitions in this area 
and are continuing on the journey to 
create an ESG framework with clearly 
articulated targets and metrics to 
measure progress against our focus 
areas. While the disruption due to 
COVID-19 has continued to prevent  
us from making the progress intended 
this year, the approach we have  
taken to managing the exceptional 
challenges we have faced has served  
to demonstrate our intrinsic 
commitment to ESG issues. 

Governance
The Board currently has responsibility for overseeing our activities in this  
area and ensuring that ESG issues are considered in all our decision-making.  
When we invest our capital we always look to protect the environment,  
benefit the communities that surround us, and take into account the needs  
of all our stakeholders.

Our approach
ESG is at the heart of everything we do. We aim to ensure that all the activities  
we undertake as part of our four strategic workstreams are underpinned by the 
following five ESG principles which form the basis for our ESG programme:

5

Always do the  
right thing 

1

Minimise our 
environmental 
impact

2

Engage with  
our external  
stakeholders 

4

Make a positive 
contribution to  
communities

3

Engaged and 
committed 
employees

36

The table below details some of the ESG-focused and COVID-19-specific activities that are currently under way across the business 
and outlines how they fit into our strategic framework.

Actively managing  
our assets

Maximising  
available capital

Investing  
in development

Investing in  
existing assets

Minimise our environmental impact

Engage with our external stakeholders

1, 2, CV13

CV3, CV6

1, 4, 5, 13, 15

6, 8

12, 19, 20

2, 4, 15

2, 6, 8, 9, 11

2, 6, 9, 16, CV9

Engaged and committed employees

3, 17, CV4, CV7, CV11

18, 21

Make a positive contribution  
to communities

14, CV5

CV14

11

CV12

Always do the right thing

CV8

CV1, CV2, CV10

Strategic projects

1 

 Merrion Centre waste and 
sustainability 5 year plan

2  Energy efficiency 

programmes lowering 
service charge costs
3  Head office with living  

4 

walls and improved space
Investment in EV charging 
infrastructure

5  Solar Farm investments  
in Leeds and Manchester

6  BREEAM targets for all  

new buildings

7  WELL Building  
Standard target

8  Full recycling options  
at Burlington House
9  Merrion House facilities 
including recycling and 
cycle store

10  Burlington House value 

added services including 
cleaning, deliveries, fitness

11  Piccadilly Basin - street  
art project, security 
improvement

12  Environmental targets  
for 123 Albion Street  
& Ducie House

13  Launch of CitiCharge
14  Significant CSR programme 

supporting local 
communities and charities
15  Specific parking rates for EV 
drivers at Clipstone Street
16  Investment in WiredScore
17  Westfield Health benefits  

for staff

18  On-onging SIP scheme to 
engage and benefit all staff

19  Go Ultra Low status  

for CitiPark

20  Installation of PIR and  
LED lighting systems in 
properties and car parks
Ian Marcus appointed 
workforce Board 
representative

21 

COVID-19 specific

 Reducing Board salaries 
by 20% for 6 months at 
the start of CV19

CV8 

 Full round of  
updates presented to 
Debenture holders

CV1  

CV2 

CV3 

CV4 

 Weekly full board 
meetings and weekly  
Non-Exec meetings with 
Chair/CEO

 Entering into bespoke 
agreements with tenants 
regarding their ability to 
pay lease commitments 
during CV19

 Granting of 3 additional 
rest days for non-
furloughed staff to take  
in Q1 2021 reflecting 
difficulty of working 
through CV19

CV5 

 NHS and key worker 
support via Car Parks and 
ibis Styles hotel

CV6 

CV7 

 Working with tenants who 
remained open, to ensure 
safe access for customers 
and facility users

 2 or 3 times a week  
video calls with senior 
staff, to review all  
aspects of the business 
(incl. staff wellbeing)

CV9 

 Continued investment  
in 123 Albion Street  
and Ducie House

CV10  All other Capex 
suspended

CV11   All furloughed members 

of staff topped up to 
100% salary by the Group

CV12   CitiPark and Walk 

initiative to replace 
closed Leeds Park  
and Ride service

CV13   Energy usage across 
closed premises 
managed to reduce 
environmental impact 
and cost

CV14   Worked with the trustees 
of the Marjorie and 
Arnold Ziff Charitable 
Foundation to support 
charities associated with 
TCS during the crisis

Alignment with the UN 
Sustainable Development  
Goals (SDGs)

TCS recognises the importance  
of the UN SDGs and as we further 
develop our ESG programme we are 
using these to inform our decision- 
making and target setting.

The key SDGs that TCS has an impact 
on and our activities in these areas  
are set out adjacent:

SDG Goals

Goal 3 – Good health and wellbeing 

Goal 7 – Affordable and clean energy

Our charitable work with children  
(e.g. our work with the Ahead Partnership)

Producing our own solar energy through  
the development of three solar farms in 
Leeds and Manchester

Goals 11 & 12 – Sustainable cities and 
communities and Responsible 
consumption and production

EV charging network, and newly formed 
CitiCharge business. Also our five-year 
Merrion Centre sustainability plan

Goals 10 & 17 – Reduced inequalities  
and Partnerships for the goals

Local charitable partnerships  
including Tempus Nova

37

 
Town Centre Securities PLC

Annual Report & Accounts 2021

01. Strategic Report

Responsible business

continued

Delivering the programme: 
Minimise our environmental impact

1

Environmental report

Our continued aim is to ensure that  
we operate in a responsible manner 
and move the Company towards an 
ever-improving sustainable future, 
with a carbon neutral objective  
being our key objective.

As with previous years this 
sustainability report focuses on the 
Merrion Centre, our largest and most 
complicated asset. This report does 
not include metrics related to the rest 
of the estate, as much of it is let to third 
party tenants who are responsible  
for the generation of, and reporting  
on, their environmental footprint. 

It should be noted however  
that a great deal of work has been 
undertaken to promote and drive  
a sustainable approach to property 
management, including:

  A continued effort to improve  
our EPC ratings across the 
portfolio, whilst meeting our 
BREEAM (Building Research 
Establishment Environmental 
Assessment Method) standards 
wherever possible. 

  Consideration of lifecycle 

modelling and energy efficient 
initiatives when planning new  
or existing works. Achieved in 
part through our five-year PPM 
reports, working in partnership 

with our suppliers and always 
looking for opportunities for 
future proofing our assets.

  Further EV charging provided  

at our 123 Albion Street property, 
helping support our drive  
towards encouraging both  
our commercial and residential 
tenants to think green when 
looking at a car of choice.

  Further LED lighting installed at 
our main entrance to 123 Albion 
Street, following our key objective 
of reducing our carbon footprint.

As a key tenet of any responsible 
business, the environment and the ways 
to mitigate the Company’s impact on it 
are crucial. We as a Board have started  
to look at the impact climate change  
will have on our business and also any 
opportunities it may provide. As part  
of this process we have started to look  
at the recommendations of the Task 
Force on Climate-related Financial 
Disclosures. We will be reporting on 
these recommendations together with 
the risks climate change will have on our 
business and the steps we are taking  
in next year’s Annual Report. As part  
of this process we are also looking  
at the feasibility of collecting Scope  
3 emissions data that would then be 
included within our SECR reporting.

The Merrion Centre:
With the global pandemic we  
were met with both opportunities  
and obstacles when considering  
our sustainability objectives.  
During the lockdown we maximised 
the times where we were able to 
reduce our power consumption.  
We also used the time to review our 
service offerings and adjust them 
ready for when we see a return of our 
customers and tenants, this included:

  A review of our use of vehicles 
and where possible utilising 
electric power. This is in the  
form of our cherry picker hire  
and our CitiPark electric vehicles.

  Reviewing the travel plan for  
a number of buildings and 
purchasing equipment to support 
cycling initiatives.

  Further development of an 

internal seated area ‘The Green’, 
to support people from all 
demographics and to promote 
social interaction.

  A review of all our cleaning 

products, aimed at targeting 
eco-friendly solutions. This 
included products that supported 
our additional COVID-19 cleaning 
regimes with the utilisation  
of OdorBac and an escalator 
sanitiser that cleans the handrail 
on each rotation.

CitiPark

The Green, The Merrion Centre

  We continue to operate an Ecocap 
system in the Town Centre House 
toilets, which saves water and money 
whilst protecting the environment, 
being a fully biodegradable product. 
From using the Ecocap system in 
Town Centre House, in the past year 
we saved approximately 300,000 
litres of water.

The Merrion Centre continues to  
be a member of the #Refill campaign,  
with the aim to help reduce plastic 
pollution by making it easy to refill your 
reusable water bottle instead of buying  
a plastic one. For more information  
visit www.refill.org.uk.

We have also continued with our 
five-year sustainability plan of which  
we are currently in year 4. During the 
previous 12 months we have continued 
with LED lighting renewal programme, 
with the emergency lighting in our 
service tunnel and rear service corridors 
being rolled out. We have replaced 
several meters with SMART metering  
to help us identify further opportunities 
to reduce consumption. In terms of  
our aging power distribution network,  
we have continued redirecting supplies 
to newer installations and aim to 
shutdown many of these older units 
within the next two years.

The next 12 months will focus on drawing 
up our next five-year plan, in particular 
calculating our carbon footprint and 
identifying methods by which we can 
reduce further or offset. We hope to  
be carbon neutral by the end of 2027.

Waste initiative
Our night-time economy continues to 
grow, requiring a review of the various 
waste streams and the inclusion of 
additional bottled recycling. Due to the 
pandemic the overall numbers have been 
lower than normal, however we are keen 
to ensure the recycling streams are  
in place ahead of unlocking.

As reported in previous years, we are 
proud to report that 100% of our waste 
has been diverted from landfill with the 
waste either being recycled or sent to  
a local Energy Recovery Facility (ERF).  

Our volume of waste

We also renewed our waste contract  
with a local company to ensure CO2 
emissions from their vehicles are kept  
as low as possible. 

Sustainability projects
As the centre has largely been on reduced 
services during the pandemic, our 
opportunity to undertake projects has 
been restricted. Measures that we have 
undertaken to improve sustainability  
at the Merrion Centre include:

  Further development of our cycle 
changing facility within our Arena 
Quarter area. This project has seen 
several tenants join forces with both 
the management team and Landlord 
to donate various used materials, 
including Astroturf, cladding panels, 
segregation caging, lockers and 
changing stations. In addition, a bike 
friendly grant was provided by the 
West Yorkshire Combined Authority/
Leeds City Region Enterprise 
Partnership. 

  Power distribution – Our rolling 
program continues to upgrade  
and improve our power distribution 
network with the Merrion Centre:

-  SMART meters installed to  
help monitor performance.

-  Further LED lighting was installed 

in the centre back of house.

-  Removal of redundant or aging 

power distribution.

The Merrion Centre produced on 
average 25.06 tonnes of waste per 
month, which is a reduction of 34.59% 
over the previous period. 51% of the 
total waste produced this year was 
recycled and 49% was sent to an ERF. 

38

39

Town Centre Securities PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

01. Strategic Report

Responsible business

continued

SECR - Greenhouse gas emissions  
(GHG) statement

1

Engage with our  
external stakeholders

2

In line with the Companies Act 2006 
(2013 Regulations) and the Streamlined 
Energy and Carbon Reporting (SECR) 
requirement, Town Centre Securities 
PLC (‘TCS’) is disclosing its annual 
Global Greenhouse Gas (GHG) 
emissions. We are required to report 
the Company’s emissions of carbon 
dioxide equivalence (CO2e), a CO2e 
intensity value, and the consumption  
of energy in the UK. The methodologies 
and processes used to calculate these 
emissions are also disclosed. 

TCS has addressed environmental 
impacts through a number of measures 
and processes, primarily within the 
Merrion Centre and its five-year 
sustainability plan, as detailed earlier  
in the Responsible business section  
of this Strategic Report. 

The table below includes emissions for 
the consumption and combustion of  
fuel (Scope 1) and purchased electricity 
(Scope 2) of the premises and other 
assets operated by TCS. TCS purchases 
natural gas for one office and has a fleet 

of nine vehicles – three of which are 
electric and three that are petrol/electric 
hybrid cars – which is the sum of the 
Company’s Scope 1 GHG emissions. 
Scope 2 emissions are made up of 
electricity consumed at two offices.  
All of TCS’s operations are in the UK, 
therefore all values below are both  
Group totals and UK totals.

Energy consumption (all UK-based) 1

Scope 12
Scope 23

TOTAL 

CO2e emissions (all UK-based)1

Scope 12
Scope 23

TOTAL 

Carbon intensity

Reference 1: Area
Reference 2: Employee

Reference 3: Gross Revenue (£000)
CO2e by area
CO2e by employee
CO2e by £000 of Gross Revenue

2020

29,447
118,118

147,565

2020

10,876 
39,808 

50,684

2020

8,311
38

27,989
6.10
1,334
1.811

2021

Unit

41,507
94,484

Kilowatt hours of energy used
Kilowatt hours of energy used

135,991

Kilowatt hours of energy used

2021

Unit

10,150
23,093

33,243

Kgs of CO2e
Kgs of CO2e

Kgs of CO2e

2021

Unit

8,311
30

19,382
3.99
1,108
1.715

Square metres (office area for Group)
Employees (FTE) 
Gross Revenue – (excl. service charge 
income)
Kgs CO2e per m2
Kgs CO2e per employee (FTE)
Kgs CO2e per Gross Revenue (£000)

1  All of the Group’s operations are UK-based, there are no non-UK-based operations.
2  Scope 1 emissions are traditionally emitted from fuel combustion in either buildings or company leased/owned vehicles. Emissions from personal  
or privately-hired vehicles used for company business are considered to be Scope 3 (under the GHG protocol) and as such are not included in the  
‘Operational control’ boundary approach adopted by TCS (see ‘Methodology and scope’).

3  Scope 2 emissions are derived from electricity consumption at TCS’s offices and by the electric vehicles within their company car fleet. 

Methodology and scope

Carbon Dioxide equivalence (CO2e) emission data have been collected, calculated, consolidated and analysed following 
the GHG Protocol (Corporate Accounting & Reporting Standard) following the ‘operational control’ approach. Emission 
factors of supplied electricity for locations and vehicle charging (both GHG emissions and energy use based on vehicle 
mileage) were sourced from the UK Government GHG Conversion Factors for Company Reporting 2020 (DEFRA agency) 
– this represents the annual average CO2e emissions of the UK’s electricity grid. The boundary for reporting includes 
assets (in the case of TCS these are offices and company owned/leased vehicles) that are operated by the Group and 
does not include the energy and emissions of building tenants who lease property from TCS, nor does it include the 
communal areas of the Group’s properties; tenants are responsible for reporting their GHG emissions under their own 
scope 2 disclosures. Energy consumption values for offices, and their corresponding GHG emissions, are based on 
values provided by utility suppliers, e.g. electricity or natural gas bills. Company vehicle mileage is estimated and is  
used as the basis for calculating energy consumption and emissions from fuel and electric charging.

CitiPark diagrid 
The flagship CitiPark branch at Leeds 
Merrion Centre has this year supported  
a variety of regional, national and 
international causes by illuminating its 
external LED diagrid facing Merrion Way. 

Engaging young people
Despite the various lockdowns, we have 
still been able to play host to a life-size 
triceratops as part of the City’s dinosaur 
trail, a free trail for children visiting Leeds 
over the school holidays.

Our collaboration with the Ahead 
Partnership has continued during  
the year, with the launch of the 2020 
Merrion Centre Challenge – an initiative 
to encourage school students to be  
more sustainable. 

This was won by a group of Year 9 
students from Dixons Trinity Chapeltown 
after pitching their idea for a recycling 
and vegan meals scheme in their 
temporary school building to a panel  
of judges from the Company.

During the year we ran a competition  
in conjunction with Child Friendly Leeds 
for Children aged 5–12 years old to write 
a poem of happiness, with the winner 
selected by the Children’s Mayor in  
July 2021.

Celebrating 73 years of the NHS (blue), 
Volunteers Week (Purple), Candlelighters 
(Pink) and many more initiatives have 
been supported through this unique  
and impactful channel which further 
highlights TCS’s commitment to our 
business partners and customer base.

Merrion Estate
COVID-19 unfortunately slowed down  
our ‘Shop, Eat, Drink and Be Merrion!’ 
strategy to rebrand and reinvent the 
Merrion Centre as a retail and leisure 
destination. Throughout the pandemic 
the Merrion Centre has remained open 
and we have highlighted the essential 
stores within the estate. Following the 
first national lockdown we then launched 
an ‘indie’ campaign on the reopening  
of all our independent retailers within  
the Merrion Estate, which was timed  
to coincide with national independents 
day. A key component was regular 
communications with all of our tenants 
throughout the year.

Dixons Trinity Chapeltown

40

41

 
 
Town Centre Securities PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

01. Strategic Report

Responsible business

continued

Engaged and  
committed employees

3

Making a positive contribution  
to communities

4

We have a relatively small  
team at our Head Office and 
pride ourselves on how we  
treat our employees.

TCS runs a Share Incentive Plan (SIP) 
scheme available to all staff. Under the 
HMRC guidelines it is an appealing 
benefit and helps to engage colleagues 
in the wider success of the business.

We pride ourselves on being a business 
that has a family feel to it, building a clear 
culture over our 60 years in business  
of being a small company that cares for 
and looks after its employees, creating 
opportunity and giving accountability. 
Expectations of staff are high and at 
times demanding. However we 
endeavour to always support staff, and 
go above and beyond any written down 
HR policy. We like all staff to know that  
if they have a problem, work-based or 
personal, that they can talk with the 
Directors and senior management in  
the knowledge that the Company will  
do everything it can to support them.  
We believe in the concept of opportunity 
for all, and are intolerant towards any 
form of discrimination.

Our Non-Executive Director Ian Marcus 
has taken on responsibility as our Board 
representative for the wider workforce. 
Whenever in the office Ian meets with 
staff members and during the COVID-19 
crisis we have ensured that staff are 
aware of his role and that he is available 
to them. Ian’s responsibility in this regard 
enables us to assess the culture and 
engagement within the business and 
challenge management where necessary 
in this regard.

Human rights 
Although we do not have a separate 
Human Rights Policy, a respect for 
human rights is implicit in our 
employment practices and our 
engagement with third parties. 

Work environment
We continually look for opportunities to 
improve the work environment for our 
staff. Key to this is our Leeds head office 
which has been designed to be a modern 
and comfortable place to work. 

In addition, we have improved benefits  
in recent years for head office staff, 
improving company pension 
contributions above statutory 
requirements, and introducing  
a health insurance policy.

We are committed to learning and 
development and are supporting 
colleagues through Chartered Surveyor 
and Chartered Accountant qualifications. 
We have also given work experience 
opportunities to local students.

Diversity and inclusivity is important in 
our business with a 70/30 male to female 
split across the whole business.

We contribute to a broad range 
of local causes, with charities 
focused on children and young 
adults particularly close to our 
hearts. We complement our 
support for longstanding 
partners with standalone 
initiatives. We also seek to 
improve and create a sense of 
wider community in our areas 
of operation, using our assets 
and resources to work with 
other community partners:

  Young people – First Give 

  We are the main sponsor of the  

First Give programme in Yorkshire  
– a charity that encourages students 
to learn about social issues in their 
communities, and then ultimately  
to plan and deliver social action 
activities, including fundraising  
to their chosen charities.

  Young people – The Cones Book
  We have joined forces with Leeds 
Cares, the charity that supports 
Leeds Children’s Hospital and local 
children’s author Chris Madeley to 
publish a book using colourful Cones 
characters to help children who may 
have to go to hospital to understand 
the process and what they can 
expect when they get there.

  Young people – Donation

In December 2020 we donated 
computers to a local primary school to 
help educate junior school children.

  Award – Variety Big Build Award

The Company has been awarded the 
Variety Big Build award to recognise 
both our donation and the key part 
we played in the Green Meadows 
Project, a project to improve facilities 
at a local community special school.

  Placemaking – Canal-Side Mural
The Company has engaged four 
acclaimed local artists to create  
a canal-side mural at Manchester’s 
Piccadilly Basin to bring the space  
to life. The mural has been created  
to further enhance the up-and-
coming area and bring a piece of 
bespoke, modern art for residents 
and workers to enjoy.

42

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Town Centre Securities PLC

Annual Report & Accounts 2021

01. Strategic Report

Responsible business

continued

Always do the  
right thing

TCS takes its responsibilities as 
a listed UK business extremely 
seriously, and is committed to 
upholding high standards of 
corporate governance. Whilst 
we spend considerable time 
ensuring we review our 
compliance against rules, laws 
and codes, we also spend much 
time ensuring we abide by the 
spirit of such requirements and 
instilling a culture within the 
organisation of ‘doing the 
right thing’.

Key areas of focus include:

 Implementing the Corporate 
Governance Code – As detailed  
on page 68, TCS has worked closely 
as a Board to review the requirements 
of the Code and be clear where  
we believe compliance is necessary 
and right, and where it is appropriate 
to explain why we take a different 
approach. 

 Debenture holders, engagement 
– TCS has in place a long-term 
debenture where most of our 
day-to-day contact is with the 
debenture trustee. Given the nature 
of the challenges and pressures of 
COVID-19 on the business, Edward 
Ziff and the Group Finance Director 
presented individually to the majority 
of bond holders to ensure they fully 
understood the status of TCS and  
the security of their investment.

5

Sticking to our ESG principles  
during COVID-19

 Health and Safety (H&S)  
– We are committed to providing 
a safe and secure working 
environment, in our own offices 
and in our properties, particularly 
those – such as the Merrion 
Centre – where we maintain an 
on-site management function.  
We have an established a Group 
health and safety policy, which  
is approved by the Board annually. 
We also review health and safety 
issues and incidents at every 
Board meeting. The Property 
Investment Director oversees  
its implementation and chairs  
a quarterly internal meeting, 
reviewing all aspects of H&S 
across the business as a  
whole from our offices, to our 
properties, car parks and hotel. 
We have implemented a new 
reporting and monitoring system 
in the past year to facilitate this. 
Our operational teams have clear 
health and safety objectives and 
review procedures regularly, 
taking action where necessary.

 Whistleblowing – We have a 
whistleblowing policy in place 
that is reviewed at least annually. 
We see this policy as an important 
feature to encourage and enable 
all staff members to ‘do the  
right thing’. 

COVID-19 has allowed TCS to 
prove its commitment to ESG. 
The previous pages list the  
main examples, but we set  
out a few highlights here.

Making a positive contribution 
to communities

TCS Supports NHS/Key workers 
At the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic, 
TCS responded by launching a series  
of initiatives to support the NHS. This 
included free parking within CitiPark  
and concessionary hotel accommodation  
at the ibis Styles Leeds City Centre Arena 
hotel (located close to the LGI) which  
was one of the only hotels in Leeds to 
remain open throughout the first two 
national lockdowns.

In addition we continued to champion 
and promote through our own social 
media outlets the schemes set out by  
our extensive tenant base. 

Always do the right thing
TCS made use of the government 
furlough scheme, furloughing 53 
individuals and topping up salaries to 
ensure all members of staff received 
100% of their salary. In addition the  
Board of TCS also agreed to a 20% 
reduction in salaries and fees for the  
six months ended September 2020.

Minimise our 
environmental impact
As many of our tenants had to shut 
during the COVID-19 disruption, our 
Property team reviewed lighting times 
and levels, waste services, and heating 
and air conditioning usage to ensure we 
minimised the environmental footprint  
of our buildings and car parks. This not 
only had an environmental benefit but 
also reduced service charge costs for  
our tenants.

Engage with our 
external stakeholders
Despite the many challenges of the 
COVID-19 pandemic that started as we 
entered the peak of the refurbishment 
works at 123 Albion Street, the Company 
successfully managed to not only deliver 
the planned scheme and rebrand during 
the first lockdown, but recognised 
potential by responding quickly to 
occupier research highlighting the  
desire for a touch-free experience  
and adapted the building to include 
touch-free technology to suit potential 
tenant needs.

Engaged and 
committed employees
As well as issuing regular Chairman’s 
updates to staff members, the Board 
approved a granting of three additional 
days holiday for those members of  
staff working through the disruption 
period, giving them a chance to rest  
and recuperate following a tough and 
stressful period.

44

45

 
 
 
 
Town Centre Securities PLC

Annual Report & Accounts 2021

01. Strategic Report

Risk Report

Protecting value by 
identifying and 
managing our 
principal and 
emerging risks is an 
integral part of our 
operations.

Risk management
We take risk management very  
seriously, such that reference to,  
and consideration of, key risks form  
part of the day-to-day workings of the 
Company. Whilst we recognise that  
a level of risk-taking is inherent within  
the running of a commercial enterprise, 
we work to ensure that risk assessment 
and mitigation is central to business 
planning and decision-making.

The business has a number of formal 
meetings during the year where risk 
assessment is a core element of the 
agenda. We pay particular attention  
to new and emerging risks, in order to 
ensure we put in place actions which 
attempt to remove or reduce risk before 
it occurs. We use our formal meeting 
structures to identify emerging risks,  
as well as highlighting existing risks. 
These meetings include but are not 
limited to: 

  Annual Strategy Review – Begins 
with a review of key risks facing the 
business and a review of how the 
strategy will best mitigate those risks.

  Bi-annual Audit Committee  
– Undertakes a formal review  
of the risk register and mitigating 
action plans.

  Quarterly IT & Data Governance 

Committee – Chaired by the Group 
Finance Director, this committee of 
senior management reviews IT and 
data specific risks and ensures that 
key risks are understood and 
managed. This includes a review of 
adherence to the GDPR regulations.

  Monthly Board Meetings  

– Each meeting includes a review  
of financial performance, debt  
levels and banking covenants,  
an IT update, and a review of the 
papers and actions from the Property 
Review Group (see below).

  Monthly Property Review Group  

– A meeting of the Executive Board 
and senior Property and Finance 
management, tasked at undertaking 
a review of the Property Portfolio. 
This includes occupancy levels, 
tenancy changes, adherence  
to payment terms and bad debt 
levels, and Health and Safety and  
IT related matters.

  Monthly CitiPark Board Meeting  
– A meeting of the Executive Board 
and senior CitiPark, Property, and 
Finance management, tasked at 
reviewing the performance of the 
CitiPark business, including key  
risks and areas such as IT and  
Health and Safety. 

  Joint Venture Board Meetings 
– Formal Board structures and 
quarterly Board meetings are in place 
for the Company’s two main joint 
venture companies, Merrion House 
LLP and Belgravia Living Group Ltd.

  YourParkingSpace.co.uk (‘YPS’) 

– TCS Board Directors sit on  
the Board of YPS, which meets 
formally on a monthly basis.

COVID-19
Whilst the above meeting structure has, 
and will continue to form a key part of our 
risk management process, the impact of 
COVID-19 has been unprecedented and 
unpredicted. Consequently we 
significantly increased our risk 
management activity from the start of 
COVID-19 to take account of this. That 
activity, which is only now being 
gradually phased out, has included:

  Weekly full Board video calls to 
review the impact of COVID-19 on the 
business and to agree on key actions.

  Weekly Non-Executive Board video 
calls with the Chairman to follow  
up on actions agreed at the Board 
meeting, to review wider market 
activity, and to ensure the  
Non-Executives are fully engaged  
in the actions of the business.

  Twice or three times weekly  
senior management video calls  
– operational meetings to review  
all aspects of the business ranging 
including staff matters and wellbeing, 
rent collections, car parking volumes, 
tenant discussion, cost saving 
initiatives, and IT considerations.

  A review of the strategy and the 

decision to speed up the disposals  
of predominantly retail assets.

  Formal presentations to our 

debenture holders by Edward Ziff  
and the Group Finance Director,  
to ensure they understood the  
impact of COVID-19 on TCS and  
the security of their investment.

  Regular updates with our three  

banks updating them on rent receipt 
levels and car parking performance 
and where necessary discussing 
refinancing and facility extensions.

The cash headroom in the Group did not 
go negative in the period to June 2024 
and none of the other financial covenants 
were breached. The reverse stress test 
shows that the financial covenants are 
not breached until there is a discount  
of 14.5% to rents collected and car park 
income is over 40% below the levels  
in FY19 pre-COVID-19. This breach  
is forecast to occur in Q3 of FY22 and 
under the reverse stress test the position 
then improves.

Over the entire COVID-19 period the 
Group has collected or agreed to defer 
93.5% of rent and service charge income 
invoiced, and for the first quarter of  
FY22 the car park business is trading 
significantly ahead of expectation  
and that this recovery is expected to 
continue. It is also worth noting for the 
above breach to occur in the next five 
months, the significant downturn would 
already need to have commenced, and 
as such the Directors’ have deemed the 
reverse stress test breach point likelihood 
of occurrence to be low.

The forecasts show that the Group  
has sufficient resources to continue  
to operate as a going concern for at  
least the next 12 months. Based on the 
forecasts, including the mitigating 
options available to the Group in the 
event of the occurrence of the downside 
scenarios, the Directors consider it 
appropriate to prepare these financial 
statements on the going concern basis. 
Further details on these forecasts and  
the approach taken by the Directors  
is set out in the Viability statement on 
page 48.

Going concern
In making their assessment of the ability 
of the Group to continue as a going 
concern the Directors have considered 
the impact of COVID-19 on the Group’s 
forecasts including the effect on liquidity 
and compliance with bank loan and 
debenture covenants. 

The Group owns a portfolio of multi-let 
regional property assets located 
throughout the UK, and operates car 
parking and hotel businesses. The Group 
is funded in part by a £100m debenture 
which is due for repayment in 2031. In 
addition the business has three bilateral 
Revolving Credit Facilities (‘RCF’) totalling 
£103m which, as at the year end, were 
due for repayment or renewal between 
April 2022 and June 2023. Each of the 
debt facilities is ring fenced within 
security sub pools of assets charged  
to the respective lender.

After the year end the Group has  
entered into a new three-year facility with 
NatWest that expires in September 2024. 
In addition the Group has requested  
and received credit committee approval 
to extend the existing Lloyds facility  
by a year, subject to the satisfactory 
completion of a bank instructed valuation 
exercise. This exercise has almost  
been completed and the draft valuation 
reports indicate a small valuation  
uplift (as compared to the 30 June  
2021 valuations) on the properties 
secured within the facility. The Board  
are confident that these valuations,  
once finalised, will be satisfactory  
to the bank and that the extension  
to the facility will be formally approved. 
Following this the Group’s RCF’s will  
then be due for repayment or renewal 
between June 2023 and September 2024.

One of the most critical judgements  
for the Board is the loan to value (‘LTV’) 
headroom in the Group’s debt facilities. 
This is calculated as the maximum 
amount that could be borrowed, taking 
into account the properties secured to 
the funders and the facilities in place. 
These covenants range from 60% to 
66.7% LTV. The total LTV headroom at 
30 June 2021 was £12.1m (2020: £14.8m). 
Overall, the properties secured under the 
Group’s debt facilities would need to fall 
19.8% in value before this LTV headroom 
level was breached.

In addition to the LTV covenants, the 
Group’s debt facilities include income 
cover covenants of between 100% for 

the debenture and 175% on the three 
revolving credit facilities. At the year  
end the actual income cover levels 
ranged from 160% (for the 100% 
debenture covenant) up to 477% on the 
Lloyds facility. As mentioned in Note 27  
of the Financial Statements, subsequent 
to the year end the Group breached an 
income cover covenant test on one of  
its facilities for the reporting period to 
5 October 2021. The Group had made 
the bank aware prior to formally reporting 
this breach. On 24 November 2021  
the bank confirmed in writing to the 
Company that it had waived its right to 
take any action as a consequence of this 
breach. This breach occurred on a £35m 
facility where the amount of debt drawn 
as at the time of the breach was £6.3m 
and at today’s date is £2.6m.

In order to assess the potential impact  
of COVID-19 on the Group and its ability  
to continue as a going concern, 
management have analysed the 
portfolio’s tenant base, car parking and 
hotel operations and produced forecasts 
to 31 December 2022. These forecasts 
reflect management’s view of a worst 
case scenario including assumptions  
that rent receipts are materially lower 
than normally experienced and that the 
car park and hotel businesses recovers 
over the forecast period to a materially 
lower level than was experienced before 
the COVID-19 pandemic. These scenarios 
include a base case, downside case  
and then a more extreme significant 
downside case to show the effect a  
more significant downturn in the Group’s 
performance would have on its funding 
cash headroom and any of its financial 
covenants. In addition the Company  
has performed a reverse stress exercise 
whereby it has looked at each individual 
facility and at how much of a downturn 
(compared to the conservative base case 
cashflows prepared by the Company) 
there would need to be before any the 
financial covenants are breached.

The Group’s forecasts, including the 
various scenarios, show that the cash 
headroom figure is resilient whilst  
the financial covenant tests are more 
sensitive. Under the base case the 
minimum cash headroom is expected  
to be £11.5m, which compares to a 
minimum of £11.1m under the downside 
scenario. The significant downside case 
applied a total discount of 15% to rental 
income receipts and a 37% discount  
to pre COVID-19 car park income levels. 

46

47

 
 
 
 
 
 
Town Centre Securities PLC

Annual Report & Accounts 2021

01. Strategic Report

Risk Report

continued

Viability statement
In accordance with the requirements  
of the UK Corporate Governance Code, 
the Board have assessed the prospects  
of the Company and future viability over a 
period longer than the 12 months required 
by the Going Concern provision. As with 
pre-COVID-19 years this review has been 
as part of a longer-term three-year 
strategic planning exercise and three-year 
budgeting process. With the material 
uncertainty around COVID-19 last year,  
the Board undertook a rigorous scenario-
based analysis back then but over a 
shorter two-year time period. The easing 
of all nationwide lockdowns and the 
broadening and steady recovery of all 
segments of our business has removed 
this material uncertainty and has given  
the Board the confidence to revert back  
to a three-year strategic framework.

The Board’s review considered cash flows, 
profitability, borrowing headroom and 
other key financial ratios, and required the 
business to have clarity on its approach  
to bank financing over a longer period.

In taking this longer-term perspective, 
the Board considers the risks covered in 
this Risk Management review. In 
particular the key risks identified are:

  The potentially lasting effect of 
COVID-19 on our assets, tenants,  
hotel operation, car parking 
operations, and the wider economy.

  Further changes in the macro-

economic environment affecting rental 
income levels and property values.

  Changes in the level of tenant and 

sector risk affecting occupancy levels 
and lettings.

  Changes in availability of capital, 
affecting committed expenditure  
and investment transactions.

The review considered a base case,  
a sensitised ‘downside’ scenario and  
a more drastic ‘significant downside’ 
scenario. These scenarios included:

  A range of levels of rent receipts 
affecting quarterly income up to  
the end of June 2024.

  A range of levels of car parking income 
affecting profitability up to the end  
of June 2024.

  A range of levels of hotel net income 
affecting profitability up to the end  
of June 2024.

  The effect on cash, borrowing levels, 
facility headroom and income cover 
covenants of all of the above.

Furthermore the Group carried out reverse 
stress tests on each individual facility,  
this was an exercise to see how far rental 
receipts and car park income would need 
to fall, before the Group ran out of either 
cash headroom or breached any of its 
banking covenants. The reductions in  
both rental receipts and car park income 
applied in this exercise were significantly 
greater than that experienced by the 
Group during the COVID-19 period.

The results of the reverse stress test  
show that the sensitivities occur in FY22 
during the going concern review period 
and that if a breach had not occurred in 
these early months, the risk of a breach  
in the remainder of the viability period  
is greatly diminished. 

Aligned to our Going Concern statement, 
the greatest uncertainty and risk lies  
in relation to our asset valuations and  
the possibility of breaching bank and 
debenture covenants and to possible 
breaches of our income cover covenants. 
Clearly there is still a risk, however this has 
been significantly diminished over the last 
twelve months with the acceleration of our 

disposal programme, the repayment  
of borrowings and the gradual recovery  
of all segments of our business following 
the easing of lockdown. It is however likely 
that this reduced risk will continue beyond 
the shorter-term future covered by the 
Going Concern statement.

In reviewing these scenarios, the Board 
have also considered the actions they 
could take to mitigate any significant 
downsides, especially in regard to any 
potential breach of the Group’s existing 
borrowing facilities and banking 
covenants. The key actions being:

  The Group has £3.84m of properties 
that are not currently secured under 
any of our existing borrowing facilities 
– these could be pledged as security 
and increase borrowing headroom.

  The Group could move properties 
around the various facility ‘security 
pools’ (those assets currently charged 
under each facility) which could also 
unlock additional borrowing headroom.

  Further accelerating the Group’s 

disposal programme.

  Ceasing all future capital expenditure.

  Seeking lender consent for financial 

covenant waivers.

  Cancellation of committed  

facilities that the Group is not 
expecting to use, thereby reducing 
non-utilisation interest. 

Based on the results of their review,  
whilst taking into account the level of 
uncertainty, the Directors do not have  
a significant expectation to doubt that  
the Company will be able to continue  
in operation and meet its liabilities as  
they fall due over the longer-term period 
of their assessment.

Our Principal Risk Register is summarised as follows: 

Macro Economic

Economic & Political outlook

Risk

Strategy
People
Systems, Process & Financial Management
GDPR
Regulatory & Tax Framework
Tax Risk
Major Incident & Business Disruption

Investment Risk
Development Risk
Valuation Risk
Tenant & Sector Risk

Capital & Financial Risk
Cost of Debt
Financial Covenant Compliance

Corporate

Property

Financing

48

Likelihood

High

Low
Low
Medium
Medium
Low
Low
Medium

Medium
High
Medium
High

Low
High
Medium

Impact

Medium

High
High
High
High
High
Medium
High

Low
High
Medium
Medium

High
Medium
Low

Change from FY20

No Change

Improving
No Change
No Change
No Change
No Change
No Change
Improving

No Change
No Change
Improving
Improving

Improving
No Change
No Change

Likelihood

Impact

H

H

High

High

M

Medium

M

Medium

L

L

Low

Low

Change from HY20

Improving

No Change

Worsening

Macroeconomic risks

Risk

Likelihood Impact Mitigation

Trend

H

M

An economic downturn at some point in the cycle is inevitable, with the 
impact of Brexit still relatively unknown. In addition the impact on the 
longer-term economy resulting from COVID-19 has to be a consideration.  
TCS would not escape the impact of an economic downturn, however 
specific mitigating factors for TCS include:

-  Rents paid in advance.

-  Market leading level of occupancy and a long history of ensuring  

on-time payment by tenants pre-COVID.

-  A reduced level of Retail exposure, with much of the remaining  

portfolio focused on discount and convenience retailing.

-  Avoidance of speculative developments.

-  Concentrated portfolio of car parks in highly sought-after locations.

-  Bank agreements ranging from one to three years in length, and the 

long-term debenture accounting for c68% of our debt.

Economic and 
political outlook
A broad economic downturn, 
following Brexit, or broader 
cyclical reasons could result  
in tenant failures, falling asset 
values, rising debt costs,  
or less debt availability.  
In addition the lasting impact 
of COVID-19 and the longer-
term effects of the actions 
taken by Government to 
manage the disruption will  
in all likelihood have lasting 
economic effect. 

Corporate risks

Risk

Likelihood Impact Mitigation

Trend

Strategy
The Company’s strategy could 
be inappropriate for the current 
stage of the property cycle and 
the economic climate, resulting 
in lower profits and therefore  
a pressure on dividend and 
shareholder return. This risk 
has been exacerbated  
by COVID-19 and the 
subsequently changed 
attitudes towards property 
usage.

People
The inability to attract  
and retain high calibre staff, 
affecting the ongoing success 
of the Company.

L

H

The Board undertakes regular reviews of the strategy and believe the 
following help to mitigate risk:

-  All key decisions are reviewed and approved at Board level.

-  The strategy of developing diverse multi-use sites and lowering  

exposure to retail remains appropriate.

-  The strategy to sell retail and leisure assets has continued during  

COVID-19 and further asset sales are anticipated in the next 12 months.

-  The experience and expertise of the team, particularly in relation  

to the property markets of Leeds and Manchester.

-  The presence of the Ziff Concert Party ensures a strong alignment  

of management and shareholder aims.

L

H

The Company benefits from the long service of a number of key individuals, 
including family members of the Concert Party, which helps guarantee 
stability. In addition:

-  Base salary packages are kept competitive within the market.

-  The Remuneration Committee reviews succession plans and pay  

levels annually.

-  New recent appointments demonstrate the attractiveness of the  

business to new recruits at all levels.

-  A history of conservative financial management combined with  

the development opportunities of the business make the Company 
attractive to new recruits.

49

 
Town Centre Securities PLC

Annual Report & Accounts 2021

01. Strategic Report

Risk Report

continued

Corporate risks continued

Risk

Likelihood Impact Mitigation

Trend

Systems,  
processes and 
financial management
Weak controls putting at  
risk the protection of the 
Company’s assets and ability  
to deliver on its strategy, 
resulting in financial loss,  
fraud, and suboptimal returns. 
Risk to data and systems as  
a result of cyber-attacks.

GDPR
Financial and reputational  
risk arising from a breach of 
GDPR regulations, potentially 
resulting in fines and damage 
to customer trust.

Regulatory and 
tax framework
Non-compliance with tax, 
legal, or regulatory obligations 
could result in financial 
penalties, reputational 
damage, and higher levels  
of cost.

M

H

The Company has a strong culture of safeguarding assets, being conservative  
in its approach, and using professional experts to ensure risk levels are 
restricted to be as low as reasonably possible:

- 

IT systems are supported in house, with key services having been moved  
to the cloud.

-  Horizon is our combined property and accounting IT solution ensures  

we remain well controlled in this respect. This was upgraded a few years 
ago and resides in the cloud, further safeguarding business continuity.

- 

Financial processes relating to cash are tight, robust, and reviewed 
regularly. Clear and separated authorisation processes are in place  
and robustly adhered to.

- 

Insurance policies are fully in place to safeguard assets.

-  Staff are trained in all aspects of cyber security and penetration,  

and phishing tests are carried out to test for weaknesses.

-  A summary of the internal financial control review processes can be  

found in the Audit Committee report of the Annual Report.

M

H

Given the nature of the business we do not hold significant amounts of 
customer data, with the CitiPark business our highest risk area. That said,  
the Company has taken seriously the requirements of the legislation and has 
implemented a detailed action plan that has been reviewed at Board level.  
Key aspects include:

-  Updated all Privacy-related statements and policies.

-  Trained all staff on their and the Company’s responsibilities.

- 

IT & Data Governance Committee in place, meeting quarterly,  
to oversee all aspects of GDPR and wider cyber security.

L

H

The Company takes its legal responsibilities seriously. Matters are reviewed 
regularly at Board and Audit Committee level, and the Company makes use  
of third-party professional services to ensure compliance. Actions include:

- 

Link Company Matters engaged as formal Company Secretary to  
provide advice and recommendations to the Company and attend  
Board meetings during the year – they have recently resigned from  
the role of Company Secretary and we are looking at appointing  
a new specialist adviser.

-  PWC are engaged as the Company’s tax advisors and are tasked  

with ensuring we remain compliant in all aspects of tax.

-  The Corporate and Criminal Offences legislation (CCO) is a key 

consideration and a workshop has been held to ensure risks and  
mitigating actions are clearly understood.

Likelihood

Impact

H

H

High

High

M

Medium

M

Medium

L

L

Low

Low

Change from HY20

Improving

No Change

Worsening

Corporate risks continued

Risk

Likelihood Impact Mitigation

Trend

Tax Risk
As a UK REIT, a failure to 
comply with certain UK REIT 
conditions resulting in the  
loss of this status could result 
in property income and asset 
sales being subject to UK 
corporation tax. This risk is 
primarily associated with the 
recent programme of asset 
sales the Company has 
embarked on, hence why  
a specific Tax risk is being 
identified for the first time  
this financial year.

Major incident and 
business disruption
Cost and business down-time 
as a result of a major incident. 
This risk is primarily associated 
with the Merrion Centre,  
due to its importance to the 
portfolio and as the location  
of Company’s head office.  
This risk has been exacerbated 
as a result of the COVID-19 
disruption.

L

M

The Board reviews compliance with the UK REIT rules at least every six 
months and is in more frequent contact with PWC on both the current REIT 
status of the Group but also the impact future investments and disposals  
will have on this status.

M

H

The provision of insurance across the portfolio is the main mitigation to this  
risk, with policies in place to protect income as a result of disruption. In terms  
of disruption to the head office the following actions are in place, all of which 
have ensured our ability to function fully during the COVID-19 disruption and  
to continue over the last six months as the majority of head office employees 
have returned to the Company’s head office:

-  All personnel either have laptops or have technology at home which 

enables remote working.

-  Our geographical focus in Leeds and Manchester enables a hands-on 
approach with the majority of our properties and tenants is possible.

-  Back-up procedures are in place to ensure minimal loss of data in the  

event of damage to IT hardware.

-  Horizon and email (Microsoft 365) are both cloud-based technology 

significantly improving business continuity.

Property risks
 Risk
Investment risk
New investment opportunities 
cannot be sourced at  
economic prices. 

Likelihood Impact Mitigation

Trend

M

L

The Company has clear plans in place to minimise the impact of this  
risk, including:

-  The Company typically targets assets of higher value than sought  
by individual investors, but lower than many larger property  
or overseas investors. 

-  The Company looks to build strong relationships with partners to 

generate opportunities that can be exploited together. For example,  
our Belgravia Living PRS venture.

-  The existing portfolio has enough development potential to provide  

growth opportunities even if asset purchase prices rise and it is not viable  
to acquire new sites, for example the Group’s development sites at both 
Piccadilly Basin, Manchester and Whitehall Riverside, Leeds.

50

51

Town Centre Securities PLC

Annual Report & Accounts 2021

01. Strategic Report

Risk Report

continued

Property risks continued

Risk

Likelihood Impact Mitigation

Trend

Development risk
Development projects may 
exceed cost estimates and/or 
newly developed properties 
may fail to rent. The scale  
of such projects means they 
are of material size to the 
Company. With the property 
market in a state of flux in the 
current climate any long-term 
investment with significant 
capital required represents  
a heightened level of risk.

Valuation risk
A material devaluation in 
assets. This is particularly high 
in relation to retail assets due  
to the changing nature of 
shopping habits that has been 
accelerated by COVID-19.

H

M

Tenant and  
sector risk
Individual tenant failures,  
or exposure to a specific 
sector. This risk has been 
heightened by the impact  
of COVID-19 particularly on 
Retail and Leisure tenants.

H

H

The Company has numerous actions in place to mitigate such risks including:

-  Build projects are generally contracted with third parties on a fixed  

cost basis. 

-  Where possible, the Company seeks to undertake a development  

where there is a significant level of pre-let commitments.

-  Where that is not possible (e.g. PRS residential investments), a detailed 

market analysis will be undertaken, and the Company will ensure that 
locations are in high demand and that target rental levels are achievable. 

-  When in Joint Venture, formal Board structures are created with at least 
quarterly meetings to review progress and performance, and to ensure  
that all development risks are being managed appropriately. 

M

M

The key mitigation to this risk is ensuring there is enough headroom in terms  
of uncharged assets of undrawn, charged facilities. Key actions include:

-  Our Handelsbanken facility doesn’t expire until June 2023, we have 

recently refinanced our NatWest facility with an expiry in August 2024, 
and our Lloyds Bank facility has been extended to a June 2023  
maturity date.

-  All three facilities allow charging of development and car park assets, 

maximising our drawdown ability. In addition, Lloyds facility has removed 
any cap on such assets.

-  Asset cover in the long-term debenture can drop from the required  

1.67x to 1.5x without triggering a covenant break.

-  The Company recycles assets believed to be at greatest risk of 

devaluation, and has recently accelerated its disposal of retail assets.

There have been an increasing number of CVAs and administrations within  
the Retail sector. Furthermore due to the requirement for many retail and 
leisure tenants to close for an extended period during the COVID-19 crisis, 
their ability to pay rent and to remain a going concern is a risk. TCS are taking 
a number of actions:

-  Since 2016 the Company has significantly reduced its exposure  

to Retail & leisure from 60% to 29% of value at June 2021.

-  Now a mixed-use asset, the Merrion Centre now depends upon Mall  

Retail for less than 25% of its income.

-  We have a diversified tenant base, and limited exposure to individual 

tenants. Our top tenants are Leeds City Council, Waitrose and Morrisons.

- 

In normal times, CitiPark income helps further mitigate the reliance  
on specific property tenants.

-  We have granted many of our tenants rent-free periods or other 

concessions during the COVID-19 crisis with the aim of helping ensure 
they are able to continue trading and remain valuable tenants post 
COVID-19.

Likelihood

Impact

H

H

High

High

M

Medium

M

Medium

L

L

Low

Low

Change from HY20

Improving

No Change

Worsening

Financing risks
 Risk
Capital 
and financial risk
The Company has  
insufficient funds/lines  
of credit. With property 
valuations decreasing as  
a result of COVID-19 this  
area of risk has temporarily 
increased, however the  
asset sale programme and  
the stabilisation of values  
has reduced this risk.

Cost of debt
Rising debt costs.

Financial 
covenant compliance
Breaching a financial  
covenant under one of the 
Group’s debt facilities.

Likelihood Impact Mitigation

Trend

L

H

The majority of mitigating actions are contained within the Valuation risk 
category above. In addition:

-  The Board reviews cash balances, forecast cash flow, borrowing levels  

and headroom on a monthly basis.

-  The Company demonstrated during the last downturn the strength of  

its conservative approach and longstanding relationships with its banks.

-  The Company has received credit approval and agreed terms to refinance 
its NatWest facility and has recently extended the Lloyds Bank facility  
by two years (this second extension is subject to a satisfactory valuation 
exercise that is currently being undertaken).

-  The Company’s continuing policy of asset sales will enable a reduction  

in absolute debt levels.

H

M

The following actions help mitigate the risk to the Company:

-  More than 67% of debt is in the form of fixed, long-term debenture 

borrowing in place to 2031.

-  The Board takes moving Libor rates into account when considering 

three-year budgets and affordability.

-  The business is in the process of discussing with our banks the process  

of replacing LIBOR as it ceases to be used in banking facilities.

M

L

The following actions help mitigate the risk to the Company:

-  The Company has a significant amount of income to interest headroom 

on two of its bank facilities and also on the debenture facility.

-  The Company is in regular dialogue with all of its debt providers, ensuring 
that if there are any potential future breaches, these are discussed and 
appropriate courses of action are agreed in advance.

-  The Company has £3.8m of assets currently unsecured under any debt 

facility that could be added to the relevant security pool.

-  The Company could cancel any underutilised proportion of the facility, 

reducing non-utilisation interest 

52

53

Town Centre Securities PLC

Annual Report & Accounts 2021

01. Strategic Report

Financial Review

The financial performance of the Company was 
significantly impacted by COVID-19 during the year 
ended 30 June 2021 and a degree of uncertainty 
remains. However, we have seen consistently improving 
rent receipts throughout the year, strong recoveries  
in both our Car Park and Hotel businesses following  
the easing of the last lockdown and the acceleration  
of our disposal and debt reduction programme”. 

The statutory loss for the year was 
£0.6m, compared to a loss of £24.1m 
in the previous year, with the prior  
year heavily influenced by a negative 
revaluation movement in Investment 
Properties of £26.0m.

EPRA Earnings* were a profit of £0.3m  
in the year, compared to a profit of £1.7m 
in the prior year. These amounts are 
presented in accordance with IFRS 16 
which affects how we account for 
right-of-use leases that we have entered 
into. IFRS 16 was brought in and adopted 
for the first time in the results for the  
year ended 30 June 2020.

COVID-19 had a material impact on  
our financial performance during the 
year, and we estimate a total impact  
to earnings of £6.2m, compared to 
pre-COVID-19 levels. We estimate that 
our Investment Property business has 

been impacted by £1.0m, primarily as  
a result of the fair valuation of rental 
income and service charge income that 
would ordinarily be recognised but due 
to COVID-19 is not expected to be 
recovered. The impact to our CitiPark 
business is £4.5m due to a significant 
reduction in car parking income with 
many fixed costs, such as rent and rates. 
Our ibis Styles hotel has also been 
impacted by £0.7m in the year.

With EPRA Earnings at historically low 
levels it would not be prudent to increase 
our dividend. The unprecedented impact 
of COVID-19 and the level of uncertainty 
that has arisen means we believe this is 
the only responsible action to maintain 
the long-term prosperity of the Company. 
The final dividend for the year will be 
1.75p per share, giving a full year 
dividend of 3.5p per share.

During the year the Company sold nine 
separate investment property assets 
which generated £48.0m of proceeds. 
The funds generated were in the first 
instance applied to reduce the Company’s 
borrowings, which has reduced from 
£183.6m to £145.6m in the year. Net 
borrowings represent total financial 
borrowings of £176.1m less lease liabilities 
of £29.9m and cash and cash equivalents 
of £0.6m. These disposals, combined with 
the inevitable gap between asset sales 
and any asset purchases, and the gradual 
recovery from COVID-19, will lead to a 
longer period of reduced earnings which 
will inevitably lead to a lower level of 
dividend payment than in recent years.

Stewart MacNeill
Group Finance Director

These disposals, combined with the 
inevitable gap between asset sales and 
any asset purchases, and the gradual 
recovery from COVID-19, will lead to a 
longer period of reduced earnings which 
will inevitably lead to a lower level of 
dividend payment than in recent years.

Restatement of prior year figures
Prior year comparatives have been 
restated to reflect six adjustments,  
full details of which are set out in  
Note 26 to the financial statements**:

   Reclassification of two of the  
Group’s Multi Storey Car Parks 
(‘MSCPs’) from freehold investment 
properties to freehold properties 
within car park activities

   Application of a single accounting 
policy to all types of leasehold car 
park properties, whether long term, 
short term or right-of-use asset

   Disclosure of amounts received  
under the Coronavirus Job  
Retention Scheme

   Reversal of an historic provision  
for future anticipated repairs and 
maintenance costs on an Investment 
Property owned by the Group

   Separately identifying service charge 
income and expenses within the 
consolidated income statement as 
opposed to disclosing a net amount

   Reclassification of the Group’s 
investment in a listed entity from 
current to non-current asset 
investments.

*  Alternative performance measures are detailed, 
defined and reconciled within Notes 11 and 21  
of these financial statements

**  There are two further adjustments in the 

Company only financial statements, full details of 
which are included in Note 10 to the Company 
only financial statements.

ibis Styles Hotel

Income statement
EPRA Earnings* for the year ended 30 June 2021 were £0.3m.

£000s

Gross Revenue
Impairment of debtors
Property Expenses

Net Revenue

Other Income/JV Profit
Other Expenses
Administrative Expenses

Operating Profit

Finance Costs

EPRA Earnings

Segmental

1  Property
Net Revenue
Operating Profit

2  CitiPark
Net Revenue
Operating Profit

3  ibis Styles Hotel
Net Revenue
Operating Profit

FY21

Restated FY20

21,429
788
(11,145)

11,072

2,962
0
(5,585)

8,449

(8,145)

304

30,792
(1,478)
(13,681)

15,633

2,018
(777)
(6,197)

10,677

(9,009)

1,668

YOY

(30.4%)
(153.3%)
(18.5%)

(29.2%)

46.8%
–
(9.9%)

(20.9%)

(9.6%)

(81.8%)

FY21

FY20

YOY

10,196
8,471

1,053
155

(177)
(177)

11,694
7,849

3,802
2,691

137
137

(12.8%)
7.9%

(72.3%)
(94.2%)

(229.2%)
(229.2%)

This has reduced revenue on a year 
on year basis by £3.5m.

3    Income for the ibis Styles hotel  

was impacted by COVID-19 by an 
estimated £1.3m, in particular during 
the period from January 2021 to April 
2021 when the hotel was fully closed.

Statutory profit
On a statutory basis the reported loss  
for the year was £0.6m.

The statutory profit reflects the EPRA 
Earnings* of £0.3m plus £1.4m of 
non-cash valuation and impairment 
movements less the loss on disposal 
recognised of £2.3m on the nine 
investment properties sold in the year.

Gross revenue
Gross revenue was down £9.4m or 30.4% 
year on year, with key drivers being:

1  Property sales during the  
year accounted for £3.0m  
of this reduction and a further £1.6m 
due to COVID-19 related voids and 
rent concessions.

2  CitiPark revenues were materially 
reduced due to COVID-19, in 
particular with the three significant 
UK lockdowns and the stay at  
home/work from home policies. 
Whilst some monthly subscription 
income continued to be received, 
daily receipts were again down over 
90% during the various lockdowns. 

Town Centre House

54

55

 
 
Town Centre Securities PLC

Annual Report & Accounts 2021

01. Strategic Report

Financial Review

Statutory profit continued

Property expense
Property expenses were down 18.5%  
or £2.5m year on year. Key drivers of this 
underlying decrease were:

  Property: operating expenses  
were £0.8m lower year on year 
predominantly due to a one-time 
write-off of historic service charges  
in the prior period.

  CitiPark: operating expenses  
were £0.7m lower year on year 
primarily because of savings initiated 
as a result of COVID-19 including 
furlough savings, reduced rates  
costs where branches were closed, 
and operational cost savings due  
to the significantly reduced level  
of transactions.

  ibis Styles Hotel: operating expenses  
were £1.0m lower year on year,  
driven primarily by the response to  
the COVID-19 crisis. With the hotel 
closed for over three months in the 
year, the operation was able to reduce 
variable operating costs including the 
furloughing of some staff and reduced 
rates costs.

Other/JV income
Total Other/JV income was up 46.8% or 
£0.9m year on year, the majority of which 
relates to dilapidations payments received 
by the Company as tenants vacate  
but there was also an increase in the 
underlying profits within the joint ventures 
the Company has a 50% interest in.

joint venture with Leeds City Council.  
The write down of this joint venture 
resulted in the prior year charge of £0.8m.

Administrative expenses
Administrative costs were £0.6m  
lower year on year. This is as a result of 
significantly reduced spend on bonuses, 
advertising, travel, entertaining and other 
expenditure as a result of our response  
to COVID-19.

Finance costs
Finance costs were 9.6% or £0.9m  
lower year on year as a result of the 
reduction in both the Company’s bank 
borrowings and the buyback of £6.5m  
of debenture stock.

Other expenses
There are no recurring costs in relation to 
the proposed George Street aparthotel 

*   Alternative performance measures are detailed, 
defined and reconciled within Notes 11 and 21 of 
these financial statements.

Balance sheet
The below table shows the year-end balance sheet as reported including the IFRS 16 implementation.

£m

Freehold and Right-of-Use Investment properties*

Development properties

Car Park related Assets, Goodwill and Investments

Hotel operations

Joint ventures

Listed Investments

Other non-current assets

Total non-current assets inc available for sale

Net borrowings (incl. lease liabilities)

Other assets/(liabilities)

Statutory and EPRA NAV

Statutory and EPRA NAV per share

* 

includes Assets held for sale in FY20 of £23.2m, FY21 £3.9m.

FY21

181.3

41.5

82.7

8.6

314.1

16.2

5.8

1.0

337.1

(174.6)

(7.1)

155.4

292p

Restated FY20

239.4

37.8

83.2

0.0

360.4

13.8

3.5

1.1

378.8

(214.2)

(9.5)

155.1

292p

vs FY20

(24.3%)

9.8%

(0.6%)

n/a

(12.8%)

17.4%

65.7%

(9.1%)

(11.0%)

(18.5%)

(25.9%)

0.2%

0.0%

Non-current assets:
Our total non-current assets (including 
investments in JVs) of £337.1m (2020: 
£378.8) include £222.8m of investment 
properties (2020: £279.1m), £82.7m of 
non-current car parking assets (2020: 
£83.2m) and £8.6m of Operational Hotel 
assets (2020: £nil). The car parking 
assets include £4.8m (2020: £4m) of 
goodwill and intangible assets arising  
on business combinations.

56

The reduction in non-current assets  
of £41.7m during the year comprises

  Operating profits generated and 

retained in JV entities £0.9m

  Disposals of £(49.5m)

  Depreciation charge of £(1.8m)

  Capital expenditure of £3.0m

  Movement in tenant lease  

incentives £1.5m

  Revaluation uplift/reversal of 
impairments totalling £4.2m

Although we paused the vast majority of 
our capital expenditure from March 2020 
onwards in order to preserve cash during 
the uncertainty of the COVID-19 crisis, 
across the year we invested a total of 
£3.0m of capital expenditure in our 
properties and car parking operations.

Borrowings:
During the year our Net Borrowings  
have reduced by £39.6m, from £214.2m 
as at 30 June 2020 to £174.6m. This was 
primarily as a direct consequence of  
the targeted retail sales made in the  
first six months. As part of this we  
bought back £6.5m of our £106m  
2031 5.375% debenture stock with  
the remaining reduction spread across 
our bank facilities.

Two of the three bank facilities expire 
within twelve months of the year end  
and are therefore classed as current 
liabilities in the balance sheet. Since  
the year end we have had bank credit 
approval and have refinanced our £33m 
facility with NatWest, for a further three 
years on the same terms and margin 
albeit at lower facility limit of £25m,  

this facility will expire in September  
2024, with an option for two further 
one-year extensions.

Our Lloyds Bank facility’s initial three-year 
term expired in June 2021. However, the 
facility allows for two one-year extensions 
and these were both actioned prior to  
the year end the second extension is 
subject to a bank instructed valuation 
exercise, which is in progress. The Lloyds 
facility is a £35m revolving credit facility 
with a further £5m overdraft facility and 
once the valuation exercise is completed 
will expire in June 2023.

Finally, our £35m Handelsbanken facility 
does not expire until June 2023.

Loan to value has been reduced to 51.3%, 
down from 56.0% a year ago. Note - the 
calculation of loan to value includes both 

the finance lease assets and liabilities

After the year end, the Company 
breached a financial covenant on its 
Handelsbanken facility for the covenant 
reporting period from 6 July 2021 to 
5 October 2021. The Company had made 
the bank aware prior to formally reporting 
this breach. On 24 November 2021 the 
bank confirmed in writing to the 
Company that it had waived its right to 
take any action as a consequence of this 
breach.

At the time of the breach, the Company 
had drawndown £6.3m out of a total 
facility of £35m. At the date of this 
report, the total amounts drawndown 
were £2.6m.

EPRA net asset reporting

Following the introduction of the EPRA  
net asset reporting, we will focus primarily 
on the measure of Net Tangible Assets 
(NTA). The adjacent table reconciles  
IFRS net assets to NTA, and the other  
new EPRA measures.

There are three new EPRA Net Asset 
Valuation metrics, namely EPRA Net 
Reinstatement Value (NRV), EPRA Net 
Tangible Assets (NTA) and EPRA Net 
Disposal Value (NDV). The EPRA NRV 
scenario, aims to represent the value 
required to rebuild the entity and assumes 
that no selling of assets takes place.  
The EPRA NTA is focused on reflecting  
a company’s tangible assets. EPRA NDV 
aims to represent the shareholders’  
value under an orderly sale of business, 
where, for example, financial instruments 
are calculated to the full extent of their 
liability. All three NAV metrics share the 
same starting point, namely IFRS Equity 
attributable to shareholders.

Future financial considerations

Future P&L pressure
As highlighted elsewhere in this report, 
COVID-19 had a material impact on 
profitability in the year ended 30 June 
2021, in particular the changing ways 
people work and their shopping habits. 
Both of which have had an effect on  
our retail and leisure tenants but also  
in the revenue derived from our car  
park operation. However we are seeing 
recoveries in all segments of our 
business, although there is still a risk  
if these recoveries are stalled.

As has been seen, the acceleration of our 
retail disposal programme has enabled 

£m

IFRS reported NAV
Purchasers Costs1

EPRA Net Reinstatement Value
Remove Purchasers Costs
Remove Goodwill2

EPRA Net Tangible Assets
Fair value of fixed interest rate debt3

FY21

155.4
21.1

176.5
(21.1)
(4.4)

151.0
(10.2)

Restated 
FY20

FY21 
p per share

Restated 
FY20 
p per share

155.1
24.1

179.2
(24.1)
(4.0)

151.1
(17.7)

292

292

332

337

284

284

EPRA Net Disposal Value

140.8

133.4

265

251

1 

Estimated purchasers’ costs including fees and stamp duty and related taxes. 

2  Removal of goodwill as per the IFRS Balance Sheet – relates predominantly to goodwill paid to acquire two 

long-term car park leaseholds in London. 

3  Represents the adjustment to fair value (market price) of the 2031 5.375% debenture.

us to reduce Company borrowings and 
gearing, although the disposal of income 
producing assets has had an impact  
on the earnings of the business.  
The Board is reviewing options for how 
the proceeds of any further sales could 
be utilised including debt repayment, 
asset purchases and share buybacks. 

Whilst the reduction in the dividend  
in the current year is due to the impact  
of COVID-19, the gradual recovery  
of our car park business and the loss  
of income due to disposals are likely  
to lead to continued pressure on our 
ability to pay a higher covered dividend.

Future balance sheet  
and covenant pressure
As identified in the Risk Report,  
we have highlighted the continued 
pressure on retail and leisure assets  
to be a significant risk to the business.  
A further risk is the pressure on the 
financial covenants of the Company’s 
banking facilities, especially after the 
recent breach on the Handelsbanken 
facility. As part of the going concern and 
viability statement review process the 
Company has prepared consolidated 
forecasts and identified a number of 
mitigating factors to ensure that the 

57

 
 
 
 
 
 
Corporate Governance

02.  Corporate Governance 

Introduction from the Chairman 
Board of Directors 
Nomination Committee report 
Audit Committee report 
Directors’ remuneration report 
Directors’ report 
Statement of Directors’ responsibilities 

60
62
70
72
76
82
84

Town Centre Securities PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

Financial Review

ongoing viability of the buisness was not 
threatened. 

Our expectation is that continued  
asset sales and debt repayments,  
will strengthen this further. 

Going concern and headroom
One of the most critical judgements  
for the Board is the headroom in the 
Group’s debt facilities. This is calculated 
as the maximum amount that could  
be borrowed, taking into account the 
properties secured to the funders and 
the facilities in place. The total headroom 
at 30 June 2021 was £12.1m (2020: 
£14.8m), which was considered to be 
sufficient to support our going concern 
conclusion. The properties secured 
under the Group’s debt facilities would 
need to fall 19.8% in value before this 
headroom number was breached.

In assessing both the viability and going 
concern status of the Company, the 

Board reviewed detailed projections 
including various different scenarios.  
A summary of the approach and the 
findings is set out in the Risk Report, 
forming part of the Strategic Report  
of these financial statements.

Total shareholder return  
and total property return
Total shareholder return of 55.8%  
(2020: minus 50.4%) was calculated  
as the total of dividends paid during  
the financial year of 3.5p (2020: 11.75p) 
and the movement in the share price 
between 30 June 2020 (95p) and 
30 June 2021 (144p), assuming 
reinvestment of dividends. This 
compares with the FTSE All-Share  
REIT index at 23.1% (2020: minus 10.1%)  
for the same period.

The Company’s share price continues  
to trade at a significant discount to its 
NAV, impacting total shareholder return.

Total shareholder returns % (CAGR)

Total shareholder returns

Town Centre Securities

FTSE All-Share  
REIT index

1 Year

55.8%

10 Years

20 Years

1.6%

5.4%

23.1%

6.4%

3.3%

Total Property Return is calculated as the net operating profit and gains/losses from 
property sales and valuations as a percentage of the opening investment properties.

Total Property Return for the business for the reported 12 months was 4.3% (2020: 
(2.1%)). This compared to the MSCI/IPD market return of 6.4% (2020: (2.9%)).

A key driver of the All Property MSCI index being higher than TCS is due to the strong 
market performance of industrial property of which TCS only has a small amount. 

Stewart MacNeill
Group Finance Director

This Strategic Report and the information referred to herein was approved on behalf of the Board 
on 29 November 2021.

Edward Ziff OBE DL
Chairman & Chief Executive

58

123 Albion Street

59

02. Corporate Governance 
Town Centre Securities PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

Corporate Governance

Introduction from the Chairman

The Board has taken steps over 
the last 2 years to implement 
the new 2018 UK Corporate 
Governance Code (the ‘Code’) 
in a way that is appropriate for 
Town Centre Securities. 

Last year we introduced a section 172 statement 
demonstrating how Directors have discharged their 
duties to the Company’s stakeholders. This statement 
can be found on pages 34 to 35.

Edward Ziff 
OBE DL

Whilst the combined role remains 
appropriate for the time being, with me 
being in a unique position – my father 
having founded the Company and the 
Ziff family being the largest shareholder 
overall – the Board will continue to review 
the situation on a regular basis.

I also wanted to take the opportunity to 
directly address the issue concerning the 
number of independent Non-Executive 
Directors. Currently less than at least half 
the Board are independent (as required by 
the Code). However, given my combined 
role as Chair/CEO, the Board agreed  
that including wider management 
representation during Board meetings,  
for example the CitiPark Managing 
Director and both the Property and 
Development Directors, would allow the 
Non-Executive Directors to have greater 
access to those parts of the business.  
This provides more opportunity for a 
robust assessment of the Company at  
a level aside from the CEO. This level  
of representation of management and 
increased access for robust challenge by 
Non-Executive Directors is highly unusual 
at Board level. Again, this is a matter 
which the independent Directors have 
reviewed and concluded that given the 
size of the Company, three independent 
Directors is appropriate and that to 
change the composition of the Board 
would at this point be disruptive and add 
unnecessary cost. This is a matter that  
will be kept under review and is covered 
specifically in the Board evaluation 
exercise. During the last year the  
Board has not increased the number  
of independent Directors however it will 
remain a key focus of the Nomination 
Committee over the next 12 months.

Edward Ziff OBE DL
Chairman & Chief Executive 

29 November 2021

Wherever possible, the Board 
seeks to comply with the 
principles set out in the 2018  
UK Corporate Governance 
Code (the ‘Code’). However,  
the Board takes a pragmatic 
approach and, because of the 
size and nature of the Company, 
makes a carefully considered 
judgement about how it should 
apply the Code. The Board 
keeps this under regular review 
and decisions on these matters 
are made by the Board taking 
into account the best interests 
of all stakeholders. 

The Board currently consists of three 
independent Non-Executive Directors 
who, as well as contributing invaluable 
support and guidance, offer significant 
challenge to me and the other Executive 
Directors. The Board’s focus throughout 
most of this year has been on the difficult 
economic environment resulting from 
the COVID-19 pandemic and ultimately 
protecting shareholder value, which has 
led the Board to consider more short-
term issues. With the easing of lockdown, 
the gradual opening back up of the 
country and the shift back to more 
normal times the Board is once again 
focussing on the long-term strategy  
of the Company. 

The independent Non-Executive 
Directors have provided robust 
challenge, and this has been particularly 
important over the last year. In addition 
to our regular scheduled Board meetings, 
I have held weekly meetings, which  
have only recently stopped, with the 
Non-Executive Directors which has been 
of invaluable help. I am grateful to each 
of them for the additional time they  
have given to the Company whilst 
accepting a temporary 20% reduction  
in their fees in the six months ended 
30 September 2020.

We are sorry that Mark Dilley left the 
business at the end of February 2021,  
and we wish him well for the future.  
We appointed Stewart MacNeill as  
Group Finance Director to replace  
Mark in June 2021. You can find more 
details on the appointment in the 
Nomination Committee report on  
page 70.

We report below in more detail why  
the Board continues to believe that it  
is appropriate for the roles of Chairman  
and Chief Executive to be combined. 
Clearly, the Board is aware that this  
is not in compliance with the Code  
and recognises that a number of 
shareholders will have concerns about 
this. It is a matter which the independent 
Non-Executives keep under continual 
review and will continue to keep under 
review to ensure that is in the best 
interests of the Company’s stakeholders. 
The presence on the Board of key 
executive management provides the 
Non-Executive Directors with direct 
access to these major functions rather 
than through the Chief Executive.  
In addition, the three independent 
Non-Executives are extremely rigorous  
in their review of my performance  
as Chairman focusing on ensuring  
the Chairman:

  demonstrates objective judgement 
and promotes a culture of openness 
and debate; and

  facilitates constructive Board relations 
and the effective contribution of all 
Non-Executive Directors.

The Board papers circulated in advance  
of each Board meeting include both 
property review and CitiPark board papers 
which are prepared by the individual 
management teams for these divisions, 
ensuring that all Board members are kept 
appraised of the key issues in the separate 
parts of the business. This then ensures 
that the interaction between the Non- 
Executive Directors and the rest of the 
Board is based on informed opinions and 
up to date information. All Board decisions 
are subject to unanimous decisions 
promoting significant and detailed debate 
between the Board members. Having the 
senior management team present also 
promotes a more inclusive culture, the 
ability to respond to questions quicker 
and to facilitate a wider and more diverse 
range of opinions.

Involving the senior management  
within Board meetings encourages  
an open culture that enables effective 
links between the Non Executive 
Directors, Executive Directors and  
senior management. 

The independent Directors are firmly  
of the view that my holding the 
combined role of Chairman and  
Chief Executive continues to be in  
the best interests of the Company.  

60

Burlington House

61

02. Corporate Governance 
Town Centre Securities PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

Corporate Governance

Board of Directors

Committee

N

Nomination

A

Audit

R

Remuneration

Chair

Edward Ziff
OBE DL
Chairman & Chief Executive

Ben Ziff

Managing Director, CitiPark  

Stewart MacNeill
FCA
Group Finance Director

Michael Ziff
Hon DUniv (Brad)
Non-Executive Director

Ian Marcus
OBE FRICS
Non-Executive Director

Paul Huberman
FCA CTA
Non-Executive Director

Jeremy Collins

Non-Executive Director

Appointed

08/1985

Independent

Committee 
membership

Skills & 
experience

No

N

Edward Ziff joined the Company in 1981 
before being appointed to the Board  
in 1985, becoming Managing Director  
in 1993, Chief Executive in 2001 and 
succeeded his Father and Founder of  
the Company as Chairman in 2004. 
Edward is a lifelong supporter of Leeds 
the city and plays an active role in the 
community. A passionate family man, 
Edward brings a strong pastoral care 
aspect to the business, encouraging 
individual leadership and an active role  
in the community through local charities.

Edward’s position as son of the founder, 
and his lifelong experience working  
in the business make him uniquely 
qualified to lead the Company. The wider 
role he plays in the Leeds community,  
in particular, support leading this proudly 
Leeds-based business.

09/2015

No

06/2021

No

Ben’s long and close involvement with 
the business ensures he is always able  
to take the wider, cross business 
long-term view. In addition, his wide 
knowledge of the rapidly changing 
effects of technology ensures that we 
are able to take advantage of new ways 
of doing business across both the 
property and car parking parts of  
the Company.

Ben joined TCS in 2008, becoming  
CitiPark Managing Director in 2009. 
In September 2015, Ben was appointed 
to the Board of Directors.

Stewart’s chartered accounting 
qualification clearly underpins his  
ability to deliver in his role as Group 
Finance Director. In addition, his 19 
years’ experience in the property 
industry, having specialised on the 
finance side since 2002, ensure he  
is able to guide and add value in both  
the operational aspects and strategic 
direction of the business.

External 
Appointments

He is Chair and Trustee of Leeds  
Cares, a member of Council of the 
University of Leeds, a Trustee of the 
United Hebrew Congregation, Leeds, 
and a Deputy Lieutenant for the  
County of West Yorkshire.

None.

He is a Non-Executive Director of  
IW Topco Limited, a small family run 
private property business and is also  
an executive of Blizzard Properties,  
a small private property development 
and consultancy business that 
specialises in out of town retail.

Previous 
Experience

In 2013 he was awarded an Honorary 
Doctorate of Business Administration  
by Leeds Beckett University. Edward  
was awarded an OBE for services to  
the Leeds community and economy in 
the 2017 Queen’s birthday honours list.

Ben successfully led the 2013 
redevelopment of the Merrion Centre 
multi-storey car park, which turned a 
1960s structure into a state-of-the-art 
facility featuring cutting-edge systems. 
Since 2014, Ben has led the acquisitions 
programme which has doubled the size 
of the car park division. Ben’s personal 
interest in combining tech, renewable 
energy and EV Charging led to the 
development of TCS Energy in 2012 
which pursues renewable energy 
production and storage. Ben has 
ensured the Group uses cutting  
edge technology to revolutionise  
and maximise its operations, including 
guiding the Board’s financial investment 
of YourParkingSpace.co.uk.

Stewart formally joined the Board in  
June 2021, having spent the previous 
four months acting as the Company’s 
Interim Chief Financial Officer. Prior to 
TCS, he spent the bulk of his professional 
career to date at LXB Properties, the  
real estate investment company which 
focused on edge of town and out of 
town retail assets, and most recently 
worked at a small development 
consultancy business. Stewart is a 
graduate of the University of Cambridge 
and a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered 
Accountants of England and Wales.

07/2004

No

N

01/2015

Yes

01/2015

Yes

02/2018

Yes

N

A

R

N

A

R

N

A

R

Michael’s lifelong involvement  
with the Company and his retail 
experience puts him in a unique 
position to understand TCS and 
give counsel based on the 
founding principles of the business 
and the importance of taking a 
long-term strategic view. Michael 
was appointed to the Board in  
July 2004.

Ian’s significant experience  
in the property and corporate 
finance worlds give him an 
experience base and a network 
that can valuably inform, guide  
and support TCS both in making 
day-to-day operational decisions, 
and in setting the long-term 
strategic direction of the business. 
He has broad remuneration 
experience which supports his  
role as Chair of the Remuneration 
Committee. Ian Marcus was 
appointed to the Board in  
January 2015.

Paul Huberman was appointed  
a Director in January 2015.  
He brings over 33 years’ 
experience in the property  
and finance sector. 

Paul’s previous experience as 
Finance Director at three quoted 
companies, and his ongoing work 
in the real estate arena mean that 
he can robustly challenge and 
scrutinise the financial affairs of  
the business, leading the Audit 
Committee, as well as contributing 
meaningfully to the broader 
operational and strategic activities 
of the Company. 

Jeremy was appointed to the Board 
in February 2018 and has over 35 
years’ experience in retail property 
development and management.

Jeremy’s wide experience base  
as a property professional, 
particularly in the retail field,  
puts him in a strong position to 
help TCS really understand the 
challenges of owning retail 
property during a period of such 
significant change. His guidance 
on the changing face of retail 
combined with the importance of 
creating mixed-use communities 
plays an important role in the 
Company’s strategic planning.

He is a Director of W Barratt  
& Co Ltd, Transworld Business 
Advisors UK Ltd and London 
Business Franchise & Brokerage 
Ltd. He is President and a trustee  
of Maccabi GB and International 
Vice President of Maccabi World 
Union. He is also Hon President  
of UK Israel Business and Member 
of Council at the University  
of Bradford.

Ian is a Trustee of The Princes 
Foundation and a member of 
Redevco’s Advisory Board. He is 
Senior Advisor to Eastdil Secured, 
the Senior Independent Director 
for Secure Income REIT, the Senior 
Independent Director for Shurgard 
Self Storage SA, Senior Advisor  
to Elysian Residences, Advisor to 
Work.Life, and a senior advisor  
to Anschutz Entertainment Group.  
Ian is also President of Cambridge 
University Land Society.

He is currently a Non-Executive 
Director of Galliard Homes Limited, 
a Non-Executive Director at LiFE  
At Ltd, a Non-Executive Director  
at GetBusy plc, a Non-Executive 
Director at a privately-owned 
property group, and a Non-
Executive Director at The Industrial 
Dwellings Society (1885) Ltd.  
He also sits on the advisory board 
for London Resort Company 
Holdings Ltd.

Jeremy is Property Director  
and Executive Board member  
at Fenwick.

Ian spent over 32 years as an 
investment banker latterly at Credit 
Suisse. Ian was previously a Crown 
Estate Commissioner, is a former 
Chairman of the Bank of England 
Commercial Property Forum and  
a Past President of the British 
Property Federation.

Paul was previously Finance 
Director at three quoted 
companies. Paul was a Non-
Executive Director at GRIT Real 
Estate Income Group Ltd, a listed 
pan African property investment 
company and a Non-Executive 
Director at JCRA Group Ltd, the 
holding company of JC Rathbone 
Associates Ltd, the independent 
advisors on interest rate risk 
management, debt finance and 
foreign exchange exposure.

Jeremy spent 15 years at John 
Lewis including as Property 
Director until 2018. Previous 
experience includes working for 
Lend Lease, MEPC and Grosvenor 
Square Properties. Jeremy’s first 
job was at Wirral Metropolitan 
Borough Council, which gave  
him an insight into the workings  
of local authorities and began his 
passion for urban regeneration.  
He graduated from the University 
of Reading, qualified as a chartered 
surveyor, and is a Past President  
of the British Council of  
Shopping Centres.

62

63
63

02. Corporate Governance 
Town Centre Securities PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

Corporate Governance

continued

Board of Directors

Details of the Board of Directors are given on pages 62 to 63  
of this report. At the end of the year the Board comprised  
four Non-Executive Directors, three of whom are independent 
and three Executive Directors, including the Chairman  
and Chief Executive.

The key roles and responsibilities are as follows:

Edward Ziff
OBE DL
Chairman & Chief Executive

Stewart MacNeill
FCA
Group Finance Director

Ben Ziff

Paul Huberman

Managing Director, CitiPark

Senior Independent Director

  Ensure a robust decision 
making process is in  
place and all appropriate 
information is provided  
to the Board in  
a timely manner.

  Set the Board agenda, 
focusing on strategic 
matters and giving 
adequate time to other 
key issues as required.

  Manage the Board to  

allow time for discussion 
of complex or  
contentious issues.

  Ensure the Board 
discharges its 
responsibilities  
with respect to Risk 
Management and 
Governance, promoting 
high standards of 
Corporate Governance.

  Effective communication 
with shareholders and 
other stakeholders.

  Leadership of the Board 

and the Company.

  Successful achievement 

of objectives and 
execution of strategy.

  Responsible for 

identifying and recruiting 
Board members.

  Ensure long-term business 

sustainability.

  Ensure implementation  

of Board decisions.

64

  Provide advice and 

guidance on financial 
strategy.

  Ensure the Group’s 

financial commitments, 
targets and obligations 
are met.

  Budget setting  

and performance 
management.

  Ensure compliance with 
statutory regulations.

  Assist with shareholder 

communications.

  Oversee all banking  
and debt facilities.

  Board responsibility  

for IT and data security.

  Provide advice and 
guidance on car  
parking strategy.

Implement agreed 
business plan for CitiPark.

Identify and recruit 
CitiPark senior 
management team.

Identify and propose  
car park acquisitions  
and/or disposals.

Identify and lead 
relationship with Property 
and Car Park related 
technology investments.

  Support the Chairman 
and CEO’s delivery  
of objectives.

  Lead the Non-Executive 

Directors in the oversight 
and evaluation of the 
Chairman and CEO.

  Be available to 

shareholders to express 
concerns that the normal 
channels have failed to 
resolve, or which would 
be inappropriate.

  Take responsibility for  
an orderly succession 
process for the Chairman 
were it to be required.

Our four Non-Executive Directors bring considerable 
experience and expertise to the work of the Board  
and provide a significant independent view to our 
deliberations. They regularly challenge and question  
the conclusions of the Executive and have a particular 
focus on the interests of all shareholders, including 
non-family shareholders.

In accordance with the UK Corporate 
Governance Code the Board considers 
Jeremy Collins, Paul Huberman,  
and Ian Marcus to be independent  
and confirm that they: 

  have not been an employee of the 

Company or Group during the prior 
five years;

  have not had any material business 
relationship with the Company or 
been a Director or a senior employee 
of a body which has had such a 
relationship with the Company;

  have not received or receive 

remuneration from the Company 
other than Directors’ fees, nor do  
they participate in any Company 
Share Plan, nor are a member of  
the Company’s pension scheme;

  do not have close family ties with  

the Company’s advisors, Directors,  
or senior employees;

  have no cross Directors or significant 
links with other Directors through 
involvement in other companies  
and bodies other than that referred  
to below;

  do not represent a significant 

shareholder; and

  have not been a Director of the 

Company for more than nine years 
since their first appointment.

One of the Non-Executive Directors, 
Michael Ziff, is not considered to  
be independent, due mainly to his 
shareholding in the Company and his 
close family ties. The Board consider  
that he brings extensive experience  
and expertise and provides an invaluable 
contribution to the work of the Board. 
The remaining three Non-Executive 
Directors are considered to be 
Independent.

Additionally, under the Code, the 
Company is required to identify  
a Senior Independent Non-Executive 
Director. Ian Marcus and Paul Huberman 
were appointed on the same day and, 
while they have different skills and 
experience, neither is senior to the  
other. Consequently, for the purpose  
of compliance with the Code, the position 
will alternate on an annual basis. Over  
the past year Ian Marcus has stood as  
our Senior Independent Director and 
therefore, from the date of this report  
until the next, the position will be rotated 
to Paul Huberman. 

Prior to the introduction of the 2018  
UK Corporate Governance Code, Ian 
Marcus was appointed as a workforce 
representative. His role has been key in 
ensuring workforce representation in the 
discussions and decisions of the Board, 
useful in enabling all Directors to perform 
their duties under Section 172 Companies 
Act 2006. 

The full Board met eight times in the year 
and the record of Directors’ attendance  
at the Board meetings is set out overleaf. 
Additionally, the Board met every week  
as a result of the COVID-19 crisis, although 
those meetings are not included in the 
formal reporting below. This year the 
Board met twice specifically to review  
the strategic direction of the Group.  
The Board manages overall control of  
the Group’s affairs in accordance with  
the schedule of matters reserved for its 
decision. These include the approval  
of Financial Statements, business plans, 
all major acquisitions and disposals,  
risk management strategy and  
treasury decisions. 

The Board has established two divisional 
Boards, the Property Review Board (eight 
meetings in the year) and CitiPark Board 
(eight meetings in the year), which 
comprise Executive Directors and senior 
management. The Board has delegated 
responsibility to the divisional Boards  
for assisting the Executive Directors on 
measures relating to the Board’s strategies 
and policies, operational management 
and the implementation of the systems of 
internal control, within agreed parameters.

There is an agreed procedure for Directors 
to take independent professional advice 
at the Company’s expense, if necessary,  
in the performance of their duties.  
This is in addition to the access which 
every Director has to the Company 
Secretary. The Group maintains liability 
insurance on behalf of Directors and 
Officers of the Company.

On appointment, the Directors are 
provided with information about  
the Group’s operations, the role  
of the Board, the Group’s corporate 
governance policies and the latest 
financial information. Additionally,  
upon appointment, Directors are 
provided with induction including 
training in respect of all their 
responsibilities in accordance  
with the UK regulatory regime. 
Subsequent training is also  
undertaken as appropriate.

The appointment and removal of 
Directors is governed by the Company’s 
Articles of Association, the UK Corporate 
Governance Code and the Companies 
Act 2006 and other related legislation. 
The Articles are available on application 
to the Company Secretary at the 
Company’s registered office.

The Independent Non-Executive 
Directors meet at least once a year 
without the other Executive Directors 
present to discuss the performance of 
the Board and to appraise the Chairman 
and Chief Executive’s performance. 

2018 UK Corporate Governance 
Code (the ‘Code’)
As part of the Company’s commitment  
to good corporate governance a review 
of compliance with the 2018 code was 
undertaken and areas of non-compliance 
identified. The Board has undertaken 
several changes to comply with the 2018 
code and several other actions remain 
ongoing. Detail on compliance with  
the Code is provided on pages 68 to 69.

Ducie House

65

02. Corporate Governance 
 
 
 
 
Town Centre Securities PLC

Annual Report & Accounts 2021

Corporate Governance

continued

Listing rules

In accordance with listing rule 9.8.4 R the following information  
has been disclosed as set out below.

Listing rule requirement

Location

A statement of the amount of interest 
capitalised during the period under 
review and details of any related  
tax relief.

Information required in relation  
to the publication of unaudited 
financial information.

Details of any long-term  
incentive schemes.

Details of any arrangements  
under which a Director has  
waived emoluments, or agreed  
to waive any future emoluments,  
from the company. 

Details of any non pre-emptive  
issues of equity for cash.

Details of any non pre-emptive issues 
of equity for cash by any unlisted 
major subsidiary undertaking. 

Details of parent participation in  
a placing by a listed subsidiary.

Details of any contract of  
significance in which a Director  
is or was materially interested.

Details of any contract of  
significance between the Company 
(or one of its subsidiaries) and  
a controlling shareholder.

Details of waiver of dividends  
by a shareholder.

Board statement in respect of 
relationship agreement with the 
controlling shareholder.

Not applicable

Not applicable

No such long-term incentive plans

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, 
from April 2020 until September 
2020 the Non-Executive Directors 
accepted a 20% reduction in fees. 
The salaries of the Executive 
Directors were also reduced by 
20% for the same period.

No such share allotments

No such share allotments

Not applicable

No such contract

No such contract

No such waiver

Directors’ Report, page 83

Performance of the Board
The effectiveness of the Board, its 
committees and Directors was reviewed 
as part of Board proceedings. Given  
the size of the Board and nature of the 
business the Directors performed an 
internal Board evaluation. The Board 
recognises the requirement to consider 
the use of an external evaluator at least 
every three years. The Board have not  
yet engaged with an external evaluator 
and during the next financial year will 
consider the appropriateness of this 
measure for Town Centre Securities.

The evaluation of the Board and its 
committees, which did not highlight 
any areas of concern, considered: 

  the Directors’ understanding  

of the roles and responsibilities of  
the Board and of its committees;

  the structure of the Group, including 
succession planning in key areas  
of the business;

  the Board’s understanding of  
the Group’s activities and the 
appropriateness of its strategic plan;

  whether Board meetings effectively 

monitor and evaluate progress 
towards strategic goals;

  board composition and the 

involvement of each Director  
in the business of the Group;

  the overall effectiveness of the Board 

in the provision of the necessary 
experience required to direct the 
business efficiently; and

  the effectiveness of the Board 

Committees in performing their roles.

The evaluation of the performance of 
individual Directors was undertaken by 
the Chairman and Chief Executive and  
the performance of the Chairman and 
Chief Executive was evaluated by the  
Non-Executive Directors led by the Senior 
Non-Executive Director, considering  
the views of the Executive Directors.  
The independent Non-Executive  
Directors met at least once during  
the year without the Chairman and 
non-independent Directors.

Committees of the Board 

Nomination Committee

Edward Ziff (Chair)

Ian Marcus

Paul Huberman

Jeremy Collins

Michael Ziff

Audit Committee

Paul Huberman (Chair)

Ian Marcus

Jeremy Collins

Remuneration Committee

Ian Marcus (Chair)

Paul Huberman

Jeremy Collins

Attendance at Board Meetings (of 8)

Edward Ziff

Mark Dilley

Lynda Shillaw

Ben Ziff

Stewart MacNeill

Michael Ziff

Ian Marcus

Paul Huberman

Jeremy Collins

8

4

0

8

4

8

8

8

8

Attendance at Audit Committee Meetings (of 2)

Paul Huberman

Ian Marcus

Jeremy Collins

2

2

2

66

Burlington House

67

02. Corporate GovernanceTown Centre Securities PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

Corporate Governance

continued

Statement of compliance  
with the UK Corporate 
Governance Code

The UK Corporate Governance Code (‘the Code’) can be found on the FRC’s website: 
frc.org.uk. Under the Code, the Board is required to make a number of statements. 
These statements are set out below:

1.  Compliance with the Code 

As a Company listed on the London Stock Exchange Town Centre Securities PLC is 
subject to the requirements of the Code. The Board is required to comply with the 
Code and, where it does not, explain the reasons for non-compliance. The Board 
now reports against the 2018 Corporate Governance Code and has also produced 
a Section 172 Statement demonstrating how Directors have performed their duties 
in compliance with Section 172 of the Companies Act 2006. 

Statement of compliance  
with the Code

The Board has considered the principles and provisions of the Code, published by the 
Financial Reporting Council (‘FRC’). The Board of Directors has complied with the 
Code throughout the year except for the following matters:

UK Corporate 
Governance Code

Provision

Explanation of departure from the Code

Provision 
9

The roles of the 
chairman and chief 
executive should not  
be exercised by the 
same individual.

The Board acknowledges that the appointment of Edward Ziff as Chairman and CEO 
and his tenure depart from the UK Code. 

Edward Ziff became Chief Executive in 2001 and succeeded his Father and Founder  
of the Company as Chairman in 2004. The Board unanimously agreed that, for a 
number of reasons, including cost efficiency, that taking on both roles would be in  
the Company’s best interests. The Board is focused on the commercial success of  
the Company and believes that continuing the combined position of Chairman and 
Chief Executive is the best way to achieve this. Furthermore, the Board noted the 
contributions which have been made by Edward Ziff in delivering the strategy of the 
Company, whilst utilising his position to act as an ambassador for the Company.

As mentioned previously, the Company took the step to include wider management 
representation at Board level as a measure to give the Non-Executive Directors greater 
access and further avenues to scrutinise the business. This ensures an appropriate 
level of robust challenge and is an ongoing focus for the Non-Executive Directors.

The Independent Directors meet at least annually in a private session chaired by the 
Senior Independent Director to consider the governance of the Company including 
the division of responsibilities for the Chairman and CEO.

Edward Ziff will stand for re-election at all future Annual General Meetings  
in accordance with the 2018 Code requirements.

Provision 
19

Chair not to remain  
in post for more than  
9 years.

Edward Ziff was appointed Chairman and CEO in 2004, which the Board feels 
continues to be in the best interest of the Company. Due to this combined role  
Edward Ziff is not considered to be independent. 

Edward Ziff has over 35 years experience on the TCS Board and is well respected 
within both the Leeds and Manchester property markets – which geographically 
represents 90% of the Group’s property portfolio. His invaluable knowledge of the 
Group’s largest single asset, the Merrion Centre, Leeds would be very difficult  
to replicate.

Edward Ziff has significant contacts within the local area in which the business 
operates (for example the local authorities, Leeds University and the Leeds  
hospitals charity).

The Board believes that the valuable experience provided by Edward Ziff continues  
to benefit the Company.

The Chairman and Chief Executive has a service contract with a notice period  
greater than one year.

Given the role and experience of the Chairman and Chief Executive, and his deep 
knowledge of the Company, the Board believes the longer notice period continues  
to be appropriate.

Provision 
39

Notice or contract 
periods should be set  
at one year or less.

UK Corporate 
Governance Code

Provision

Explanation of departure from the Code

Provision 
11

At least half the Board, 
excluding the Chairman 
to be independent.

The Board noted that less than half of the Board is considered to be independent.  
The composition of the Board is regularly reviewed to ensure that there in an 
appropriate balance of skills and experience. The Board currently comprises four 
Non-Executive Directors.

Again, without the unusual wider management representation on the Board,  
the Company would meet the required ratio of Independent Directors.

2.  Going concern 

5.  Risk management and  

The Board is required to confirm that 
the Group has adequate resources  
to continue in operation for at least  
12 months.

The Directors are satisfied that the 
Group has adequate resources to 
continue to be operational as a going 
concern for the foreseeable future 
and therefore have adopted the 
going concern basis in preparing the 
Group’s 2021 financial statements. 
More details can be found in the  
Risk Report on page 47 and the 
Director’s Report on page 83.

3.  Viability statement 

The Board is required to assess the 
viability of the Company taking into 
account the current position and the 
potential impact of the principal risks 
and uncertainties facing the business.

The Directors have a reasonable 
expectation that the Group will be 
able to continue in operation and 
meet its liabilities as they fall due over 
the three years ended 30 June 2024. 
Our Viability statement can be found 
in the Risk Report on page 48.

4.  Principal risks facing the Group 
The Board is required to confirm  
that a robust assessment of the 
principal and emerging risks facing 
the Company has been carried out 
and should describe those risks and 
explain how they are being managed 
or mitigated.

A robust assessment of the principal 
risks facing the Company was 
undertaken during the year, including 
those that would threaten its business 
model, future performance, solvency  
or liquidity. These risks and how they 
are being managed or mitigated can  
be found in the Risk Report starting  
on page 46.

internal control 
The Board is required to monitor  
the Company’s risk management  
and internal control systems and,  
at least annually, carry out a review  
of their effectiveness.

The Board conducted a review of the 
effectiveness of the systems of risk 
management and internal control 
during the year and considers that 
there is a sound system in place. 
More detail can be found in the Audit 
Committee Report on page 74.

6.  Fair, balanced and understandable 
The Board is required confirm  
that it considers the Annual Report,  
taken as a whole, to be fair, balanced 
and understandable and provides  
the information necessary for 
shareholders to assess the Company’s 
position and performance, business 
model and strategy.

The Directors consider, to the  
best of each person’s knowledge  
and belief, that the Annual Report, 
taken as a whole is fair, balanced  
and understandable and provides  
the information necessary for 
shareholders to assess the Company’s 
position and performance, business 
model and strategy. This is considered 
in the Audit Committee Report  
on page 24 and the Statement  
of Director’s Responsibilities on  
page 84.

Relations with shareholders
The Board is committed to maintaining 
good communications with shareholders. 
The Chairman and Chief Executive and 
Group Finance Director maintain a 
dialogue with institutional shareholders 
and analysts immediately after the 
announcement of the half year and full 
year results. Their views are reported  
to the Board as appropriate. 

The Company also encourages 
communications with private 
shareholders throughout the year  
and welcomes their participation  
at shareholder meetings. 

The principal communication with private 
shareholders is through the Annual Report 
and Accounts, the Half Year release  
and the Annual General Meeting (AGM).  
The Notice of AGM and related papers 
are communicated to shareholders at 
least 20 working days before the meeting 
to give shareholders sufficient time to 
consider the business of the meeting.  
All Directors attend the AGM in person  
(or by teleconference) and shareholders 
are given the opportunity to ask 
questions of the Board and meet all the 
Directors informally after the meeting. 

Separate resolutions are proposed  
for each item of business and the  
proxy votes for, against and withheld  
are announced. An announcement 
confirming resolutions passed at the 
AGM is made through the London Stock 
Exchange immediately after the meeting. 
The Senior Independent Director is 
available to shareholders if they have 
concerns they wish to raise. 

The Group has a comprehensive  
website on which up to date information  
is available to all shareholders and 
potential investors (www.tcs-plc.co.uk).

Edward Ziff OBE DL
Chairman & Chief Executive

29 November 2021

68

69

02. Corporate Governance 
 
 
 
 
 
Town Centre Securities PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

Nomination Committee Report

for the 2021 Annual Report

Dear Shareholder, 
I am pleased to continue to act as 
Chairman of the Nomination Committee 
(the ‘Committee’). The other members  
of the Committee are Jeremy Collins, Ian 
Marcus, Paul Huberman and Michael Ziff.  
The Committee therefore comprises  
a majority of Independent Directors.  
The Committee formally met once  
during the year.

Edward Ziff OBE DL
Chairman & Chief Executive

Responsibilities of the 
Nomination Committee
The Committee is responsible for  
the regular review of the structure,  
size and composition (including the  
skills, knowledge, independence and 
experience) of the Board, and it makes 
recommendations to the Board with 
regard to any changes.

The Committee also considers 
succession planning for the Executive 
Board in the course of its work, taking 
into account the challenges and 
opportunities being faced and the  
skills and expertise required. 

Work of the Committee  
during the year
The effectiveness of the Board,  
its Committees and Directors was 
reviewed as part of the September  
Board proceedings. More detail can  
be found in the Directors’ Report on  
page 82. As a result of this exercise,  
the Committee will be focussing on 
continuing to develop its succession  
plan for the Board. A central part of this 
plan will be to seek to make the Board 
more diverse. The Company continues  
to face new challenges some of which 
existed prior to the COVID-19 pandemic 
but these challenges have now been 
accelerated. The Committee will be 
considering the Board’s skill set to  
ensure it is able to lead the Company 
post COVID-19 and a diverse Board  
will be key to the Board’s effectiveness. 
The Company’s approach to diversity  
is set out later in this report.

As previously announced, Mark John 
Dilley, the Group Finance Director, left  
the business with effect from 8 February 
2021. We wish Mark all the best in his 
future endeavours. In his place, The Board 
of TCS has appointed Stewart MacNeill  
to the role of Group Finance Director. 
Stewart has extensive experience 
spanning almost 20 years in the property 
industry, specialising in finance.

The Committee recognises that the  
Chair of the Board has remained in post 
beyond nine years and the reasons for this 
are continuously and rigorously reviewed 
by the independent Non-Executive 
Directors to ensure this remains in the 
best interests of the Company and its 
stakeholders. This exercise by the 
independent Non-Executive Directors  
also incorporates a review of the 
combined role of Chairman and Chief 
Executive Officer. Further information  
can be found on page 61. 

Report, the Board recognises that  
its composition should enable it to  
meet future challenges and assist it  
in discharging its responsibilities to  
all of its stakeholders.

All Board appointments are made  
on merit and whilst the Nomination 
Committee has decided not to employ 
specific diversity targets, it continues  
to actively support diversity in all forms. 
The Board is committed to furthering its 
diversity and is looking to address the 
issue wherever the opportunity arises  
to do so. The Committee is committed  
to ensuring that recruiting a female 
independent Non-Executive Director is  
a priority when future vacancies arise. 
The Board currently consists of seven 
men and at the senior management level 
within the business, below the Board, 
there are five men and one woman. 

Edward Ziff OBE DL
Chairman of Nomination Committee

Following the introduction of the new  
UK Corporate Governance Code, all 
Directors are put forward for re-election  
at each Annual General Meeting every 
year. Biographies of the Board members 
can be found on pages 62 to 63.

Diversity and inclusivity
The Board embraces the supporting 
principles on diversity and inclusivity  
in its broadest sense: diversity of skills, 
background, experience, knowledge, 
outlook, approach, gender and ethnicity. 
In addition, the Company has regard  
for diversity in recruitment at all levels.  
At the Company’s head office in Leeds, 
13 of the Company’s 27 employees, are 
female. The Company drives diversity 
through its university placements,  
adding to its core strategy on enhancing 
diversity via a strong and diverse pipeline 
of talent throughout the Group at  
all levels.

The Board is committed to ensuring  
it has an appropriate balance of skills, 
knowledge and experience. Diversity is  
a vital part of the continued assessment 
and enhancement of Board composition, 
and the Board recognises the benefits of 
diversity amongst its members, and the 
senior team. As mentioned earlier in this 

Ducie House

Ducie House

70

71

02. Corporate GovernanceTown Centre Securities PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

Audit Committee Report 

for the 2021 Annual Report

Dear Shareholder, 
As Chairman of the Audit Committee 
(the ‘Committee’) I am pleased to 
present the report of the Committee 
for the year ended 30 June 2021.

Paul Huberman
Chairman of  
the Audit Committee

The Audit Committee consists of  
the Board’s three Independent 
Non-Executive Directors. I am a 
qualified Chartered Accountant and 
experienced senior finance executive 
having been Finance Director of three 
different listed companies, and more 
recently a Non-Executive Director at 
Galliard Homes and Grit Real Estate 
Income Group. Ian Marcus has a 
breadth of experience in Investment 
Banking, and as a Non-Executive 
Director with past Audit Committee 
responsibilities. Jeremy Collins is also 
a member of the Committee, bringing 
valuable experience from his prior 
roles, including as Property Director  
at John Lewis. The Board is therefore 
satisfied that at least one member of 
the Audit Committee has recent and 
relevant financial experience. The 
Committee as a whole has relevant 
sector experience.

Executive Directors, including  
Edward Ziff, join Committee meetings  
by invitation but are not members of  
the Committee. The Committee meets 
alone with the external auditor without 
Executives present at least twice a year.

The Committee’s main focus has been  
to monitor closely the Company’s 
financial position as it continues to suffer 
the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.  
In particular, the Committee has taken 
steps to ensure that a rigorous valuation 
process was undertaken and Committee 
members attended a number of 
meetings with the external valuers.

The Audit Committee carries out an 
annual review of its Terms of Reference. 
The Terms of Reference ensures the 
Committee’s role is fully compliant with 
the 2018 UK Corporate Governance Code 
and reflects best practice. This is available 
to view on the Company’s website.

Responsibilities
The Committee’s role includes, but  
is not limited to, assisting the Board  
to discharge it’s responsibilities and 
duties for financial reporting, internal 
control, management of risk and the 
appointment, reappointment and 
remuneration of an independent external 
auditor. The Committee is responsible  
for reviewing the scope, terms of 
engagement, and results of the audit 
work and the effectiveness of the  
auditor. The Committee is responsible  
for monitoring the integrity of the 
financial statements, announcements 
and judgements, as well as reviewing  
the Company’s internal financial controls. 
The Committee also satisfies itself of the 
auditor’s independence and objectivity, 
reviews and approves the level of 
non-audit services, and the Group’s 
arrangements on whistleblowing.  
Any matter the Committee considers 
needs action or improvement is reported 
to the Board. In addition, the Committee 
continues to review annually whether  
an internal audit function is required.

Report on the Committee’s 
activities during the year
During the year, the Committee  
met two times and discharged its 
responsibilities by:

  Reviewing the Group’s draft Annual 
Report and financial statements  
and its interim results statement  
prior to discussion and approval  
by the Board.

  Reviewing the continuing 

appropriateness of the Group’s 
accounting policies.

  Reviewing BDO’s plan for the  

2021 Group audit and approving  
their terms of engagement and 
proposed fees.

  Reviewing reports prepared by 

management on internal control 
issues, as necessary.

  Considering the effectiveness, 
objectivity and independence  
of BDO as external auditor and 
recommending to the Board  
their reappointment.

  Reviewing management’s  

biannual risk review report and the 
effectiveness of the material financial, 
operational and compliance controls 
that help mitigate the key risks.

  Reviewing the effectiveness of the 

  The investment in YourParkingSpace.

Group’s whistleblowing policy.

  Monitoring the level of non-audit fees 
and the scope of non-audit services 
provided in the year by the auditor.

  Reviewing progress against the  
IT infrastructure and security  
action plan.

  Considering management’s approach 
to the Viability statement in the 2021 
Annual Report.

  Reviewing the terms of reference  

of the Audit Committee.

  Carrying out an annual performance 

evaluation exercise and noting  
the satisfactory operation of  
the Committee.

  Reviewing the Group’s Non-Audit 

Services Policy. 

  Reviewing the Group’s compliance 
with the requirements necessary to 
qualify as a REIT.

  Reviewing the impact of COVID-19 on 
the Company both for the year ended 
30 June 2021 and in respect of the 
longer-term viability of the business 
and its going concern status.

Significant issues  
considered in relation to  
the financial statements
During the year, the Committee 
considered key accounting matters and 
judgements in respect of the financial 
statements. The Committee received 
detailed reporting from the Finance 
Director and BDO with respect to key 
areas of management judgement and 
reporting. Using BDO’s assessment of risk 
and the Committee’s own independent 
knowledge of the Company, estimates 
and judgements of management in 
relation to the preparation of the financial 
statements were reviewed and 
challenged. The significant accounting 
matters and judgements related to:

Investment Property Valuation  
– the Committee reviewed the 
reports of the independent valuers 
JLL and CBRE, and the Chair and 
other members of the Committee 
attended the valuation review 
meetings with management,  
BDO and CBRE and then JLL. 

  Treatment of property sales and 

investment acquisitions in the year. 

co.uk (YPS), and the accounting 
treatment required to meet fair value 
requirements – the Committee agreed 
that the current carrying value, which 
is based on an external valuation 
conducted in the first half of the year, 
still reflects fair value, although this 
needs to be kept under regular review.

  Going concern and covenant 
compliance – the Committee 
reviewed and approved the  
Going Concern analysis.

  Viability statement and 

appropriateness of period of the 
statement – the Committee reviewed 
and agreed the longer-term viability 
analysis and recommended 
timeframe. As part of this process  
a number of stress scenarios  
were provided to the Committee.  
The assumptions behind those 
scenarios were robustly examined.

  Treatment of outstanding rental 

income due from tenants as at the 
year-end that was more than three 
months overdue, the Committee 
agreed that it was appropriate  
to provide for non-payment of  
the amounts due unless there  
was reasonable certainty of the 
recoverability of specific balances.

  Accounting for IFRS16 – the 

Committee reviewed and approved 
the application of IFRS16 within the 
accounts, reviewing the effects  
of the standard.

  Accounting for the prior period 
adjustments, in particular the 
reclassification of the Merrion MSCP 
and the change in accounting policy 
around all leasehold car park assets 
(including the IFRS 16 Right-of-Use 
assets) and reviewing the specific 
disclosures made within the Chairman 
& Chief Executives Statement, the 
Financial Review and the Financial 
Statements – the Committee reviewed 
and approved the disclosures within 
the accounts around the prior  
period adjustments.

  Critical accounting estimates and 
judgements – the Committee 
reviewed and approved the specific 
disclosures around the critical 
accounting estimates and judgements 
used in preparing the financial 
statements.

72

73

02. Corporate Governance 
Town Centre Securities PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

02. Corporate Governance

Audit Committee Report 

continued

COVID-19

The Committee and the wider Board 
have spent significant time during the 
year reviewing and stress testing the 
financial robustness of the Company. 
This is detailed in the Risk Review on 
page 46, but in summary key Audit 
Committee activities included:

  Weekly full Board video calls to 
review the impact of COVID-19  
on the business and to agree on  
key actions. These weekly Board  
calls have now ceased with the 
majority of the Senior Management 
team back in the office and able  
to regularly meet face-to-face.

  Weekly Non-Executive Board video 
calls with the Chairman to follow  
up on actions agreed at the Board 
meeting, to review wider market 
activity, and to ensure the Non-
Executives are fully engaged in the 
actions of the business. As with the 
weekly Board call, the Non-Executive 
calls have now ceased and have been 
replace with more informal video 
calls on a more ad-hoc nature.

  A review of the strategy and the 

decision to speed up the disposals  
of predominantly retail assets.

  Detailed reviews of predicted  

cash flow forecasts under different 
scenarios, and review of predicted 
bank and debenture covenant tests.

  Detailed discussions regarding  

the Viability statement and Going 
concern statement included within 
this Report and Accounts.

Fair, balanced 
and understandable
In its review the Audit Committee  
has determined that the 2021 Annual 
Report, taken as a whole, is fair,  
balanced and understandable and 
provides shareholders with the necessary 
information to assess the Company’s 
position and performance, business 
model and strategy.

Risk management  
and internal controls
The UK Corporate Governance Code 
provides that the Directors should 
monitor the Company’s risk management 
and internal control systems and, at least 
annually, carry out a review of their 
effectiveness and should report to 
shareholders in the Annual Report.  
The monitoring and review should cover 
all material controls, including financial, 
operational and compliance controls. 

74

The Board recognises that effective  
risk management is critical to the 
achievement of the Group’s strategic 
objectives, and the Audit Committee 
plays a key role in reviewing identified 
risks and assessing the effectiveness  
of mitigation plans.

The principal risks and uncertainties 
identified by the Board and the processes 
in place to manage and mitigate such risks 
are summarised in the Risk Management 
section. All individual risks identified have 
either remained unchanged or improved 
in the year. All the changes are driven  
by improvements the business is seeing 
as the country recovers from the 
COVID-19 pandemic. The key points  
being the robustness of the Group’s 
property portfolio and tenant mix and  
the recoveries seen in both the Group’s 
car parking and hotel businesses. 

The risk management system is designed 
to give the Board confidence that the 
risks are being managed or mitigated  
as far as possible. However, it should  
be noted that no system can eliminate 
the risk of failure to achieve the Group’s 
objectives entirely and can only provide 
reasonable but not absolute assurance 
against material misstatement or loss.

The key elements of the internal control 
framework are as follows:

  A comprehensive system of financial 
budgeting and forecasting based on 
an annual budget in line with strategic 
objectives. Performance is monitored 
and action is taken throughout the 
year based on variances to budget 
and forecast.

  Rolling 18-month cash flow 

forecasting that is reviewed by  
the Board on a monthly basis.

  An organisational structure with 
clearly defined roles, separation  
of duties, and authority limits.

  Close involvement of the Executive 
Directors in day-to-day operations, 
and regular formal meetings  
with senior management to  
review the business.

  Monthly meetings of the  

Executive, the Property Review 
Group, the CitiPark Board, and 
quarterly meetings of the IT and  
Data Governance Committee.

  A documented appraisal and 

approval process for all significant 
capital expenditure. 

  Approval by the Board for all  

material acquisitions, disposals  
and capital expenditure.

  The maintenance of a risk register, 
and a formal review of significant 
business risks twice a year.

  A formal whistleblowing policy  

and anti-bribery policy.

The Board has delegated responsibility 
for reviewing the effectiveness of the  
risk management framework and internal 
control to the Audit Committee.

Oversight of the 
external auditor
BDO were appointed as the Company’s 
auditors following a formal tender 
process in 2015/16.

Current UK regulations require rotation  
of the lead audit partner every five years, 
a formal tender of the auditor every ten 
years and a change of auditor every 
twenty years. The 2021 audit was the  
first audit by Richard Levy.

BDO presented their audit plan for  
the year end to the Board, where the  
key audit risks and areas of judgement 
were highlighted, and the level of audit 
materiality agreed. BDO presented 
detailed reports of their findings to the 
Committee before the Interim and Full 
Year results. The Committee questioned 
and challenged the work undertaken  
and the key assumptions made in 
reaching their conclusions.

Auditor independence 
and objectivity
The Committee recognises the 
importance of auditor objectivity and 
independence and understands that this 
can be compromised by the provision  
of non-audit work. All taxation advice is 
provided separately by PwC. However, 
there may be certain circumstances 
where, due to BDO’s expertise and 
knowledge of the Company, it may  
be appropriate for them to undertake 
non-audit work. The Company has put  
in place a formal process for agreeing 
and approving non-audit work by the 
Audit Committee alongside a Non-Audit 
Services Policy as mentioned previously. 
BDO have confirmed to the Audit 
Committee that they remain independent 
and have maintained internal safeguards 
to ensure the objectivity of the 
engagement partner and audit staff  
is not impaired.

or omissions or matters of similar 
concern by other employees or former 
employees, contractors, suppliers  
or advisors. The policy provides  
a mechanism to report any ethical 
wrongdoing or malpractice or suspicion 
thereof. The Committee review this 
policy annually.

Committee evaluation
As part of the Board and Committee 
self-evaluation process it was felt that  
the Committee continued to operate at  
a high standard and was effective in its 
support to the Board during the year.

Paul Huberman
Chairman of Audit Committee

Audit fees for the year are broken down 
as follows:

Audit of Year End Consolidated 
Financial Statements
Audit of Company subsidiaries 
pursuant to legislation
Other Audit related services
Total Audit Services

Other non-audit services
Total Auditor’s remuneration

£000’s

135

10

15
160

2
162

The Committee ensures it is able to 
assess the quality of BDO’s audit in  
three key ways: It ensures there is a 
comprehensive engagement agreement 
in place, secondly the Committee 
reviews the detailed audit planning 
document provided by BDO, and thirdly 
BDO produces a detailed audit report 
that is thoroughly reviewed by the 
Committee with follow-up iterations as 
necessary. In addition to meeting the 
auditor without management present, 
the committee are able to stress test the 
independence and quality of the review.

The review described above allows  
the Committee to determine and 
understand the degree to which the 
auditor has challenged management  
and if necessary require the auditor to 
revisit particular aspects in more detail. 
In this past year, the attendance of 
Committee members at the Valuation 
Review meetings has allowed the 
Committee to witness first-hand the  

level of scrutiny and challenge given  
by the auditors to management and 
CBRE and JLL.

In the year ended 30 June 2021 the 
Committee has not asked the auditors  
to look at any specific areas not already 
covered by the audit plan.

Auditor reappointment
The Committee reviewed the 
effectiveness of the external audit 
process and the performance of the 
auditor and for the reasons stated  
above, believe that BDO remain 
independent and recommend that  
BDO be reappointed as external auditor 
for the Company. The Committee  
note the requirements for the external 
auditor position to undergo tender  
and propose for this to be undertaken 
prior to 2025/2026. 

Internal audit

The Group does not have a dedicated 
standalone internal audit function.  
This decision is made taking into  
account the size and complexity of  
the Group. Where appropriate reviews 
are either carried out by staff members, 
or where appropriate by third party 
experts. The need for an internal audit 
function is considered by the Audit 
Committee annually.

Whistleblowing
The Group has in place a whistleblowing 
policy which encourages employees  
to report any malpractice or illegal acts 

CitiPark, Merrion Centre

Merrion Centre

75

 
Town Centre Securities PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

Directors’ Remuneration Report

for the 2021 Annual Report

Dear Shareholders, 
On behalf of the Board I am pleased to 
present the Directors’ Remuneration 
Report of the Remuneration Committee 
(the ‘Committee’). The report is divided 
into three sections:

The Committee has decided to  
put forward a New Policy which  
the Committee intend to seek 
shareholder approval of at the 2021 
AGM. In 2019, Willis Towers Watson 
undertook an independent market 
benchmarking exercise which  
is referred to later in this report.  
The Committee have considered  
the extent to which the result of  
that exercise can be used to inform 
the proposed new policy.

  This annual statement for the  

year ended 30 June 2021, which 
summarises remuneration outcomes 
and how the Remuneration Policy  
will operate for the year ending 
30 June 2022.

  The Remuneration Policy Report.  

The current Directors’ Remuneration 
Policy (Policy) was approved by 
shareholders at the Company’s  
AGM in 2017 and the Company is 
seeking approval of a new Directors’ 
Remuneration Policy (New Policy)  
at the forthcoming AGM.

  The Annual Report on Remuneration 

which explains how the Remuneration 
Policy was implemented in the year 
ended 30 June 2021, and how the new 
Remuneration Policy, if approved, will 
be implemented for the year ended 
30 June 2022.

Ian Marcus
Chairman of the  
Remuneration Committee

Pay and performance during 2021
Following a review of earnings, NAV, 
dividends, and other financial metrics  
the Committee agreed that no bonuses 
were to be paid in respect of the year 
ended 30 June 2021. There we no specific 
benchmarks set for these bonuses,  
they are entirely at the discretion of the 
Remuneration Committee. The salaries  
of Executive Directors were reduced  
by 20% for the period from July to 
September 2020. Non-Executive 
Directors also waived 20% of their  
fees for the same period.

Other activities 
We met twice during the year.

In accordance with its terms of reference, 
the Committee continues to review  
the remuneration policy periodically to 
seek to ensure a clear linkage between 
Executive Directors’ pay and Group 
performance. In reviewing the policy,  
the Committee not only assesses the 
alignment between policy, strategy  
and shareholder interests, but also  
the extent to which remuneration  
is sufficiently competitive to recruit, 
motivate and retain key talent. Last year 
and following a market benchmarking 
exercise undertaken by Willis Towers 
Watson the Committee came to a 
number of conclusions which were 
reported in the 2019 and 2020 Report 
and Accounts:

  Overall Maximum Potential 

Remuneration (‘MPR’) for Executive 
Directors is low in comparison to the 
Company’s property sector peers. 
Whilst base salaries are competitive, 
maximum bonus opportunity is 
significantly lower than that of peers. 

  Actual remuneration is also low 

relative to peers, with an average 
bonus pay-out of 11% of base salary 
over the last 5 years. 

  The lack of a Long-Term Incentive 
Plan (‘LTIP’) contributes to lower 
overall pay levels and means that 
remuneration does not actively assist 
to align all Executives to longer-term 
shareholder interests. 

Implementation of the remuneration 
policy in 2021

  There will be no October pay review 
for Stewart MacNeill and small cost  
of living increases for both Edward 
Ziff and Ben Ziff.

  The annual bonus opportunity has 
remained at a maximum of 60%  
of salary during the year. There will  
be no bonus award for any of the 
Executive Directors.

It is proposed that, for 2022 and 
onwards, the maximum bonus 
opportunity will be increased to 100% 
of salary. The Remuneration Committee 
are currently discussing with the 
Executive Directors whether to include 
suitable weightings, measures and 
targets or if the bonus award remains 
entirely discretionary. If adopted these 
will be disclosed retrospectively in our 
subsequent report as and when 
bonuses become payable, owing to 
commercial sensitivity. 

  Pension and benefits will operate  

as per 2020. 

Edward Ziff and Stewart MacNeill 
continue to engage with shareholders, 
both family and where possible larger 
independent shareholders on all topics 
including remuneration. In addition,  
I am available to any shareholder who 
would like to discuss their concerns  
on remuneration throughout the year,  
not only at the AGM.

Remuneration policy
The Remuneration Committee 
implements the Group’s policy, which  
is to provide remuneration packages  
with fixed and variable elements that fairly 
reward the Executive Directors for their 
contribution to the business. It seeks to 
ensure that the packages are sufficiently 
competitive to attract, retain and motivate 
the Directors to manage the Group 
successfully, without making excessive 
payments. The policy seeks to achieve the 
Group’s strategic and financial objectives 
by aligning the interests of the Directors 
and shareholders.

Fixed remuneration
The fixed element of Directors’ 
remuneration comprises Base Salary, 
Benefits and Pension (see below for the 
pension). This element seeks to ensure that 
the Group attracts and retains appropriately 
talented individuals and provides a 
framework for them to save for retirement. 
The Committee considers the overall 
balance between the elements. Salaries are 
determined with regard to individual and 
Group performance and to market rates 

and comparable roles at comparable 
companies. Benefits principally comprise 
company cars or a salary alternative 
although this is being phased out, 
permanent health and medical insurance 
premiums. The Chairman and Chief 
Executive receives reimbursement of the 
costs of maintaining a flat in London which 
is regularly used for Company meetings. 
The value of the benefits is not pensionable. 
The Company makes no pension 
contributions in respect of Edward Ziff.  
The Group makes payments to a defined 
contribution scheme for both Stewart 
MacNeill and Ben Ziff of 13% of salary.

The Committee recognises the guidance 
of the 2018 Corporate Governance Code  
in relation to the alignment of Executive 
pensions with the wider staff pool.  
The contributions of 13% made by the 
Company in relation to Stewart MacNeill 
and Ben Ziff are in alignment with 
contributions made on behalf of other 
members of the senior management team.

Variable remuneration
The Group operates an annual bonus  
plan under which awards are discretionary 
and the Committee considers the 
performance of each individual Director 
and of the Group in assessing the level  
of payments under the plan. In particular 
profit and growth in shareholder value 
(measured by the increase in net asset 
value per share and dividends paid as  
well as any increase in share value) are 
carefully considered by the Remuneration 
Committee in awarding the bonuses  
when such increases were the result of 
Directors’ input. Specific benchmarks are 
not set to enable the Committee to award 
bonuses for both innovation and 
performance that aren’t necessarily 
capable of being measured against rigid 
financial metrics, although clearly the 
financial impact is considered. The 
maximum award has historically been up to 
60% of salary. It is proposed that this 
maximum is to be increased to 100% of 
salary for FY22. This bonus is not 
pensionable. It is Group policy to reward 
exceptional growth or performance. The 
Directors participate annually in the Share 
Incentive Plan (All Employee Incentive 
Plan), which was approved by shareholders 
in December 2003. The current investment 
limit is £1,800 per annum with a share 
matching element equal to 100% of the 
investment made subject to forfeiture 
should the individual cease to be employed 
during the first three years of the plan.

Service agreements and  
external appointments 

Edward Ziff has a service contract that  
is subject to not less than 2 years notice, as 
a result of his role and the significant 

experience and knowledge he has of the 
business. Ben Ziff and Stewart MacNeill 
have service contracts with one years’ and 
six months’ notice respectively. The 
contracts provide for retirement at 65. The 
Group can discharge any obligation in 
relation to the unexpired portion of their 
notice period or any notice required to be 
given under their service contracts by 
making a payment in lieu thereof. If the 
Group terminates the contract without 
giving notice and/or makes a payment in 
lieu of any damages to which the executive 
may be entitled the payment is to be 
calculated in accordance with common 
law principles, including those relating to 
mitigation of loss and accelerated receipt. 
Directors are permitted to accept Non-
Executive appointments by prior 
arrangement and provided there is no 
conflict with the Group’s objectives.

Non-Executive Director remuneration 
The Non-Executive Directors do not have 
service contracts. They are appointed for 
an initial three-year period and are now up 
for re-election on an annual basis. The 
Non-Executive Directors are not entitled 
to participate in bonus, or share-based 
payment schemes and any other benefits. 

Remuneration of other employees
Remuneration of other employees is set  
at a level to attract, motivate and retain 
talented individuals. This may include  
a company car or car allowance as 
appropriate. Remuneration levels are 
recommended by the Executive Directors 
and noted by the Remuneration 
Committee. Employees are eligible to 
participate in the Group bonus scheme and 
the SIP scheme. The Group makes pension 
contributions for eligible employees at 
rates which vary depending on seniority.  
In 2019 the Company improved pension 
contributions for more junior staff and also 
introduced a Westfield Health policy for a 
large number of staff members.

Consideration of shareholder views
At the 2020 AGM the Board noted the fact, 
when excluding controlling shareholder 
votes, that the proportion of non-
controlling shareholders voting to pass 
resolution 6, my reappointment as a 
Non-Executive Director, was 82.0%. As 
mentioned in previous years, it is believed 
that the level of votes against resolution 6 
related to concerns around remuneration, 
in particular given my responsibility as 
Chairman of the Remuneration Committee. 
The Committee has discussed my position 
and experience as a non-executive 
including remuneration responsibilities 
elsewhere, and I continue to have the full 
support of the wider Board and importantly 
the majority of shareholders.

76

77

02. Corporate Governance 
Town Centre Securities PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

Directors’ Remuneration Report

continued

Board remuneration including theoretical maximum bonuses

Year ended 30 June 2021 (£000s)

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

800

900

1,000

Edward Ziff

Mark Dilley

Ben Ziff

Lynda Shillaw

67

12
0

Stewart MacNeill

96

213

0

213 32 0

208

222

033

140

241

604 46

0

382

Salary
Benefits

Bonus (paid)
Bonus (unpaid)

Note: The unpaid element of the bonus represents the full potential bonus award as there was no actual bonus awarded in the year.

Annual Report on Remuneration

Single total figure of remuneration for each Director (audited)
The following table sets out the total single figure of remuneration for each Director for the years ended 30 June 2021 and 30 June 2020.

Executive Chairman & Chief 
Executive 
E M Ziff

Executive Directors
M Dilley4
C B A Ziff
L M Shillaw5
S MacNeill6

Non-Executive Directors
M A Ziff
P Huberman
I Marcus
J Collins

Fixed

Variable

Salaries and fees Taxable benefits1

Pension 
contributions3

Bonuses

SIP Shares2

Total

2021 
£000’s

2020 
£000’s

2021 
£000’s

2020 
£000’s

2021 
£000’s

2020 
£000’s

2021 
£000’s

2020 
£000’s

2021 
£000’s

2020 
£000’s

2021 
£000’s

2020 
£000’s

604

600

44

326
214
380

213
222
67
13

2
2
1
–

72

3
27
5
–

1,120 1,520

49

107

48
51
51
48

47
51
51
47

198

197

–
–
–
–

–

–
–
–
–

–

–

–

30
29
11
2

72

–
–
–
–

–

45
28
52
–

125

–
–
–
–

–

1,318

1,717

49

107

72

125

–

–
–
–
–

–

–
–
–
–

–

–

–

–
–
–
–

–

–
–
–
–

–

–

2

–
2
–
–

4

–
–
–
–

–

4

2

2
2
–
–

6

–
–
–
–

–

6

650

674

245
255
79
15

376
271
437
–

1,245

1,758

48
51
51
48

47
51
51
47

198

197

1,443 1,955

Notes:
1 

Taxable benefits include cash and non-cash benefits principally company cars or a cash alternative, permanent health and medical insurance premiums.  
Edward Ziff receives reimbursement of the costs of maintaining a flat in London which is regularly used for Company meetings. The value of the benefits  
are not pensionable. 

2  No long-term incentive plan was in operation for the relevant years although Directors were awarded shares under the Company SIP. 
3  Edward Ziff received no pension contribution. The Group made payments to a Defined Contribution scheme and/or cash alternative for Mark Dilley,  

Lynda Shillaw, Ben Ziff and Stewart MacNeill (all at 13% of base salary).

4  Mark Dilley left the Board in February 2021. Under Mark Dilley’s Directors service contract he is due to receive his salary and benefits up to and including  

December 2021.

5  Lynda Shillaw left the Board in August 2020.
6  Stewart MacNeill joined the Board in June 2021.

78

Notes to the single figure table – Annual bonus targets and outcomes for 2021
The current AGM approved bonus scheme allows for a maximum pay-out of 60% of base salary. 

For the year ended 30 June 2021, the Executive Directors did not receive a bonus pay-out. 

Scheme interests awarded during the financial year
Town Centre Securities PLC does not 
currently operate a long-term incentive 
plan. It does operate an All Employee 
Share Incentive Plan, approved by 
shareholders in December 2003.  
The investment limit is £1,800 per annum 
with a share matching element equal  
to 100% of the investment made subject 
to forfeiture should the individual cease 
to be employed during the first three 
years of the plan.

In May 2021 Edward Ziff and Ben Ziff 
accepted the annual invitation to 
participate in this All Employee Share 
Incentive Plan by each agreeing to 
purchase shares to the value of £1,800, 
paid between June 2021 and November 
2021. They will be eligible to receive 
‘matching’ shares on a one-for-one  
basis. The number of shares will be 
determined at the end of November 
2021. For illustration, based on the  

share price as at 30 June 2021, this  
would equate to each Director receiving 
1,250 partnership shares and 1,250 
matching shares. In November 2020 
Edward Ziff, Mark Dilley and Ben Ziff 
received 1,894 partnership shares and 
1,894 matching shares in respect of the 
2020 Share Incentive Plan. The total 
number of partnership and matching  
SIP shares beneficially held at 30 June 
2021 is shown below.

Executive

Holding of partnership and matching SIP shares (30 June 2021)

Edward Ziff
Mark Dilley (left the Board in February 2021)
Ben Ziff

9,614
7,006
9,614

Payments to past Directors/payments for loss of office (audited)
During the financial year, payments including pension contributions totalling £116,792 were paid to Mark Dilley as compensation  
for loss of office, further payments of up to £209,100 are due to be paid in the six months ending 31 December 2021.

Directors’ shareholdings (audited)
The table below sets out the shares held by the Directors as at 30 June 2021: 

Beneficial

5,488,990
7,006
340,969
2,596,356

Non-beneficial

15,564,893
0
0
7,443,445

On 22 July 2021 a trust in which  
Edward Ziff has a non-beneficial  
interest transferred a total of 1,716,783 
shares in the Company to the ultimate 
beneficiaries, who are all members  
of the Ziff Concert Party. 

Following these transfers Edward Ziff’s 
shareholding in the Company now  
totals 5,488,990 beneficial shares  
and 13,848,110 non-beneficial shares.

One of the ultimate beneficiaries of  
this transfer was Ben Ziff who received 
429,195 of these shares. Following  
this transfer Ben Ziff’s shareholding  
in the Company now totals 770,164 
beneficial shares.

Edward Ziff
Mark Dilley (left the Board in February 2021)
Ben Ziff
Michael Ziff

The non-beneficial interest disclosures 
include the 649,278 Ordinary Shares 
over which a power of attorney has been 
granted by Mrs ME Ziff jointly to Edward 
and Michael Ziff for personal estate 
management reasons and 6,404,665 
Ordinary Shares over which a power  
of attorney has been granted by AL 
Manning to Edward Ziff for personal 
estate management reasons. Non-
beneficial holdings include shares held  
in trust and under powers of attorney.

Edward Ziff and Ben Ziff are Directors  
of TCS Trustees Limited, Trustee for  
the shares that are required for the  
All Employee Share Incentive Plan.  
At 30 June 2021, TCS Trustees Limited 
held 73,049 Ordinary Shares (2020: 
81,488) on behalf of all participants 
including those share awards of 
Executive Directors shown above.

79

02. Corporate Governance 
 
  
 
Town Centre Securities PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

Directors’ Remuneration Report

continued

Annual Report on 
Remuneration continued

Performance graph and table
The following graph shows the  
Company’s Total Shareholder Return 
(‘TSR’) performance compared to the 
FTSE All-Share REIT Index, over the ten 
years ended 30 June 2021. This index  
has been chosen because the Directors 
consider it the most appropriate 
comparison and TCS is a constituent  
of this list. This chart illustrates the 
movement in value of a hypothetical 
investment of £100 in TCS and the  
FTSE All-Share REIT index. 

250

200

150

100

50

0

Relative importance of spend on pay
The table below shows how  
expenditure on total pay compares  
to other financial outgoings.

Bonus change

Staff remuneration costs 
Dividends to shareholders

2020 
(£000)

5,593
6,247

2021
(£000)

5,319
1,860

% change

(4.9%)
(70.2%)

External appointments 
Stewart MacNeill is a Non-Executive Director of a small family owned property group and receives a salary of £22,000  
per annum. None of the other Executive Directors have other external appointments for which they are paid. Edward Ziff  
is the unpaid Chair and Trustee of Leeds Cares.

Jun-11

Jun-12

Jun-13

Jun-14

Jun-15

Jun-16

Jun-17

Jun-18

Jun-19

Jun-20

Jun-21

Source: DataStream

TCS

FTSE UK REITs

Single total figure of remuneration 
(£000s)

Annual bonus pay-out  
(% of maximum)

Implementation of the remuneration policy for 2022
The following table outlines how TCS intends to implement the remuneration policy in the year ending 30 June 2022. 

Over the long term, TCS has 
outperformed FTSE All-Share REIT 
companies. On a 20-year basis TCS  
TSR was 5.0% versus the FTSE All-Share 
REIT at 2.3%. On a 10-year basis TCS  
TSR was 0.8% behind the FTSE All-Share 
REIT at 8.1%. 

The table below sets out the total 
remuneration and incentive plan 
pay-outs for the Executive Chairman  
and CEO over a ten-year period.

2020/21
2019/20
2018/19
2017/18
2016/17
2015/16
2014/15
2013/14
2012/13
2011/12

650
674
684
914
809
718
782
784
604
672

0%
0%
0%
40%
20%
10%
30%
33%
0%
13%

Percentage change in remuneration of the Directors
The tables set out a comparison of the percentage change in base salary, taxable benefits and bonus of the Directors  
versus the total employee population from 2019 to 2020 and from 2020 to 2021.

Component

Implementation for 2021

Base salary

Benefits

The Committee usually agrees base salary increases effective from October. This year the Committee has  
agreed that there will be a 2.5% cost of living increase to Edward Ziff’s base salary and a 3.5% cost of living 
increase to the base salary of Ben Ziff.

Benefits provisions will be as per 2020, to include cash and non-cash benefits principally company cars  
or a cash alternative, permanent health and medical insurance premiums. The Chairman and Chief  
Executive receives reimbursement of the costs of maintaining a flat in London which is regularly used  
for Company meetings.

Pension

Edward Ziff does not receive a contribution. The Group makes payments to a Defined Contribution scheme  
for Stewart MacNeill (13% base salary) and Ben Ziff (13% base salary).

Annual bonus

It is proposed that the maximum opportunity is increased to 100% base salary.

Bonuses are currently entirely at the discretion of the Remuneration Committee. The Committee is currently 
discussing potential measures and weightings and if adopted will only be disclosed retrospectively owing  
to commercial sensitivity.

2019 to 2020

2020 to 2021

SIP

Executive Directors will continue to participate in the SIP.

Salary change

Edward Ziff
Ben Ziff
Mark Dilley
Lynda Shillaw
Stewart MacNeill
Michael Ziff
Ian Marcus
Paul Huberman
Jeremy Collins 

Average Employee1

(1.6%)
10.3%
(1.8%)
45.6%
n/a
(0.8%)
(0.8%)
(0.8%)
(0.8%)

5.5%

0.8%
3.6%
n/a
n/a
n/a
0.8%
0.8%
0.8%
0.8%

6.9%

1  Average pay for employees is calculated on a like for like basis for comparison purposes.

Taxable benefits change 

2019 to 2020

2020 to 2021

Bonus change

2019 to 2020

2020 to 2021

0.0%
28.6%
0.0%
n/a
n/a
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%

21.9%

(38.9%)
(92.6%)
n/a
n/a
n/a
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%

Edward Ziff
Ben Ziff
Mark Dilley
Lynda Shillaw
Stewart MacNeill
Michael Ziff
Ian Marcus
Paul Huberman
Jeremy Collins 

0.0%

Average Employee

0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
n/a
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%

0.0%

0.0%
0.0%
n/a
n/a
n/a
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%

0.0%

Edward Ziff
Ben Ziff
Mark Dilley
Lynda Shillaw
Stewart MacNeill
Michael Ziff
Ian Marcus
Paul Huberman
Jeremy Collins 

Average Employee

80

NED fees

There will be no change in NED fees.

Consideration by the Directors of matters relating  
to Directors’ remuneration 
The Remuneration Committee formally met twice during  
the year and following Directors were members of the 
Committee during 2021: 

Statement of voting in relation to the 2020 AGM 

Bonus change

Votes For
Votes Against

Annual Report on Remuneration

96.94%
3.06%

• 

Ian Marcus

•  Paul Huberman

• 

Jeremy Collins 

This report was approved by the Board on 29 November 2021 
and signed on its behalf by

The key activities of the Committee during the year were: 

•  Approving the bonus outcome for 2021 (no payment)

Ian Marcus
Chairman of the Remuneration Committee

•  Approving the salaries for 2021 (no increase)

•  Setting the bonus targets for 2022

•  Reviewing Service Contracts for continued appropriateness

•  Discussing structures for any potential future LTIP scheme

•  Reviewing the Terms of Reference 

•  Reviewing changes to Corporate Governance and  

the Committee’s approach to these changes

81

02. Corporate Governance 
 
 
 
Town Centre Securities PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

02. Corporate Governance

Directors’ Report

The Directors 
present their report 
for the year ended 
30 June 2021.

Principal activities
The principal activities of the Group 
during the financial year remained those 
of property investment, development 
and trading and the provision of a hotel 
and car parking.

Company status
Town Centre Securities PLC is a public 
limited liability company incorporated 
under the laws of England and Wales.  
It has premium listing on the London 
Stock Exchange main market for listed 
securities (LON: TOWN).

Results for the year 
and dividends
The results for the year are set out in  
the Consolidated Income Statement  
on page 96.

An interim dividend of 1.75p per share 
was paid on 25 June 2021 as a PID.  
The Directors now propose a payment  
of a final dividend of 1.75p per share  
all payable as an ordinary dividend for 
approval of the shareholders at the 
forthcoming Annual General Meeting 
(‘AGM’). The proposed final dividend  
will be paid on 21 January 2022 to 
ordinary shareholders on the register at 
the close of business on 31 December 
2021. The ex-dividend date will be 
30 December 2021.

Non-current assets

Details of movements in non-current 
assets are set out in Note 12 to the 
Consolidated Financial Statements.

Investment properties are held at fair 
value and were revalued by Jones Lang 
LaSalle and CBRE as at 30 June 2021,  
on the basis of open market value, or 
were revalued by the Directors. The key 
assumptions are set out in Note 12 to  
the Consolidated Financial Statements. 
In arriving at the valuation, each  
property has been valued individually.

Financial instruments
The key risks rising from financial 
instruments are considered to be Trade 
Debtors, Lease Liabilities and Borrowings, 
which are set out in further detail on 
pages 121 to 125.

Share capital
The changes in the Company’s issued 
share capital during the year are as set out 
in Note 23 to the Financial Statements.  
At 30 June 2021, there were 53,131,035 
Ordinary Shares of 25p per share in issue 
and fully paid. The Company does not 
hold any Ordinary Shares in treasury.

Purchase of own shares
During the year the Company purchased 
30,915 shares of its own shares for 
cancellation as part of a share buy-back 
programme commenced on 17 June 2021.

At the forthcoming AGM, the Company 
will be seeking to renew its authority  
to purchase up to 15% of the Ordinary 
Shares in issue, assuming the remaining 
authority is fully utilised. Shares will only 
be purchased if the Board believes it  
can take advantage of stock market 
conditions to enhance returns for the 
remaining shareholders.

Shareholder voting rights
The Company has only one type of 
Ordinary Share class in issue and all 
shares have equal entitlement to voting 
rights and dividend distributions.

The Company has no share option 
schemes in current operation and there 
are no unexercised options outstanding 
at 30 June 2021.

Town Centre Securities confirms that 
there are no restrictions concerning  
the transfer of securities in the Company; 
no special rights to control attached  
to securities; no restrictions on voting 
rights; no agreements between holders 
of securities regarding their transfer 
known to the Company; and no 
agreements to which the Company  
is a party that might affect its control  
or trigger any compensatory payments 
for Directors following a successful 
takeover bid.

Political donations
The Group made no political 
contributions in the financial year  
(2020: nil).

SECR – Greenhouse gas 
emissions (GHG) statement
The Company’s GHG statement is set  
out in the Responsible business of the 
Strategic Report and can be found on 
page 40 of these financial statements.

Taxation
The Company is not a close company.

Directors and Directors’ 
interests
The Directors of the Company and their 
biographical details are shown on pages 
62 to 63. None of the Directors have any 
contracts of significance with the 
Company. Details of the Executive 
Directors’ service contracts are given  
in the Directors’ Remuneration Report  
on page 77.

Lynda Shillaw was a Director of the 
Company for part of the year ended 
30 June 2021. Lynda resigned from  
the Board on 31 August 2020.

Mark Dilley was a Director of the 
Company for part of the year ended 
30 June 2021. Mark resigned from the 
Board on 28 February 2021.

Stewart MacNeill was appointed Director 
of the Company from 1 June 2021. 

Beneficial and non-beneficial interests  
of the Directors in the shares of the 
Company as at 30 June 2021 are 
disclosed in the Directors’ Remuneration 
Report on page 79. Details of the 
interests of the Directors in share options 
and awards of shares can be found  
within the same report.

In accordance with the UK Corporate 
Governance Code all Directors  
will retire at the Company’s AGM  
on 29 December 2021 and offer 
themselves for re-election. 

Service agreements of Executive 
Directors and terms of conditions  
of Non-Executive Directors are  
available for inspection at Company’s 
registered office.

Workforce engagement
Ian Marcus, Non-Executive Director, 
agreed to be workforce champion for the 
Company. Further details on workforce 
engagement are included on page 42.

Emission reporting
The Group’s greenhouse gas emissions 
statement is included within the strategic 
report on page 40.

Power of Directors
The Directors manage the business of  
the Company under the powers set out  
in the Company’s Articles of Association 
(the ‘Articles’) and those contained within 
relevant UK legislation.

Directors’ indemnity insurance
In accordance with the Company’s 
Articles of Association, the Company has 
provided to all the Directors an indemnity 
(to the extent permitted by the Companies 
Act 2006) in respect of liabilities incurred 
as a result of their office and the Company 
has taken out an insurance policy in 
respect of those liabilities. Neither the 
indemnity nor insurance provide cover  
in the event that the Director is proven  
to have acted dishonestly or fraudulently. 
The Company has appropriate Directors’ 
& Officers’ Liability insurance cover in 
respect of potential legal actions against 
the Directors.

2021 Annual General Meeting
A Notice of Meeting can be found on 
pages 144 to 151 explaining the business 
to be considered at the AGM  
on 29 December 2021 at Town Centre 
House, Leeds. This will include renewal  
of the Company’s authority to purchase, 
in the market, its own shares and allot 
shares for cash other than on a pre-
emptive basis to existing shareholders.

Going concern
Further detail is set out on page 47  
of the Strategic Report.

Independent auditors
The auditors, BDO LLP, have indicated 
their willingness to continue in office, 
and a resolution that they be reappointed 
will be proposed at the AGM.

Relationship agreements
In accordance with the UK Listing  
Rules, the Company has entered into an 
agreement with the Ziff Family Concert 
Party which, as it controls more than 30% 
of the Group’s total issued share capital, 
is deemed a controlling Shareholder.  
The relationship agreement is intended 
to ensure the controlling Shareholder 
complies with the independence 
provisions in Listing Rule 9.2.2A.

Under the terms of the relationship 
agreement, the Principal Concert Party 
Shareholders (Mr E Ziff & Mr M Ziff) have 

agreed to procure the compliance  
of other individual members of the  
Ziff family concert party who are  
treated as controlling shareholders  
with independence obligations in  
the relationship agreement. The Ziff 
family concert party, as controlling 
shareholders of the Company, have  
a combined aggregate holding of 
approximately 51.6% of the Company’s 
voting rights.

The Board confirms that, since the entry 
into the relationship agreement until 
21 November 2021, being the latest 
practicable date prior to the publication 
of this Annual Report and Accounts:

  the Company has complied with the 
independence provisions included  
in the relationship agreement;

  so far as the Company is aware, the 
independence provisions included  
in the relationship agreement have 
been complied with by the Ziff  
family concert party and their 
associates; and

  so far as the Company is aware,  

the procurement obligation included 
in the relationship agreement has 
been complied with by the Principal 
Concert Party Shareholders.

Substantial shareholdings
As at 29 November 2021, being the last practicable date, the Company had been 
notified, in accordance with the UK Listing Authority’s Disclosure Guidance and 
Transparency Rules, that the shareholders in the table below held, or were beneficially 
interested in, 3% or more of the voting rights in the Company’s issued share capital. 

Ziff Concert Party
New Fortress Finance Holdings Limited

Number of 
shares

% of Issued 
Capital

27,300,708
4,834,769

51.6%
9.1%

Post-balance sheet events
Post balance sheet events since 30 June 2021 are detailed in Note 27.

By order of the Board

Edward Ziff OBE DL
Chairman & Chief Executive
29 November 2021

82

83

Town Centre Securities PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

Statement of Directors’ Responsibilities

Financial Statements

03.  Financial Statements 

Independent auditor’s report 
Consolidated income statement 
Consolidated statement of 
comprehensive income 
Consolidated balance sheet 
Consolidated statement  
of changes in equity 
Consolidated cash flow statement 
Notes to the consolidated  
financial statements 
Company balance sheet 
Statement of changes in equity 
Notes to the company financial statements 

86
96

96
97

98
99

100
132
133
134

The Directors are 
responsible for 
preparing the 
Annual Report,  
the Directors’ 
Remuneration 
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 prepared the Group 
Financial Statements in accordance with 
international accounting standards in 
conformity with the requirements of  
the Companies Act 2006 and prepared 
in accordance with the international 
financial reporting standards adopted 
pursuant to Regulations (EC) No 
1606/2002 as it applies in the European 
Union, and the Parent Company Financial 
Statements in accordance with United 
Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting 
Practice (United Kingdom Accounting 
Standards and applicable law). 

Urban Exchange

84

Under company law the Directors must 
not approve the Financial Statements 
unless they are satisfied that they give a 
true and fair view of the state of affairs of 
the Group and the Company and of the 
profit or loss of the Group for that period. 
In preparing these 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 they have been 
prepared in accordance with 
international accounting standards  
in conformity with the requirements  
of the Companies Act 2006,  
subject to any material departures 
disclosed and explained in the 
financial statements;

  state whether they have been 
prepared in accordance with 
international financial reporting 
standards adopted pursuant to 
Regulation (EC) No 1606/2002  
as it applies in the European Union  
and applicable UK accounting 
standards, subject to any material 
departures disclosed and explained 
in the Group and Parent Company 
financial statements respectively;

  prepare the financial statements on 
the going concern basis unless it  
is inappropriate to presume that the 
company will continue in business;

  prepare a directors’ report, a strategic 
report and directors’ remuneration 
report which comply with the 
requirements of the Companies  
Act 2006. 

The directors are responsible for keeping 
adequate accounting records that are 
sufficient to show and explain the 
company’s transactions and disclose 
with reasonable accuracy at any time the 
financial position of the company and 
enable them to ensure that the financial 
statements comply with the Companies 
Act 2006 and, as regards the group 
financial statements, Article 4 of the  
IAS Regulation. 

They are also responsible for 
safeguarding the assets of the company 
and hence for taking reasonable steps for 
the prevention and detection of fraud 
and other irregularities. The Directors are 
responsible for ensuring that the annual 
report and accounts, taken as a whole, 
are fair, balanced, and understandable 
and provides the information necessary 
for shareholders to assess the group’s 

performance, business model and 
strategy. 

Website publication
The directors are responsible for 
ensuring the annual report and the 
financial statements are made available 
on a website. Financial statements are 
published on the company’s website in 
accordance with legislation in the United 
Kingdom governing the preparation and 
dissemination of financial statements, 
which may vary from legislation in other 
jurisdictions. The maintenance and 
integrity of the company’s website is the 
responsibility of the directors. The 
directors’ responsibility also extends to 
the ongoing integrity of the financial 
statements contained therein.

Directors’ responsibilities 
pursuant to DTR4
The directors confirm to the best of their 
knowledge:

•  The financial statements have been 
prepared in accordance with the 
applicable set of accounting 
standards and Article 4 of the IAS 
Regulation and give a true and fair 
view of the assets, liabilities, financial 
position and profit and loss of the 
group and company.

•  The annual report includes a fair 
review of the development and 
performance of the business and the 
financial position of the group and 
company, together with a description 
of the principal risks and uncertainties 
that they face.

This responsibility statement for the  
year ended 30 June 2021 was approved 
by the Board on 29 November 2021.

Disclosure of information  
to the auditors
The Directors who held office at the  
date of approval of this Directors’  
Report confirm that, so far as they  
are each aware, there is no relevant  
audit information of which the 
Company’s auditors are unaware.  
Each Director has taken all the 
reasonable steps that they ought  
to have taken as a Director to make 
themselves aware of any relevant  
audit information and to establish  
that the Company’s auditors are  
made aware of that information.

For and on behalf of the Board

Edward Ziff OBE DL
Chairman & Chief Executive

29 November 2021

Burlington House

85

03. Financial Statements 
 
Town Centre Securities PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

Independent auditor’s report  
to the members of Town Centre Securities Plc

OPINION ON THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

In our opinion:

 the financial statements give a true and fair view of the state of the Group’s and of the Parent Company’s affairs as at 30 June 
2021 and of the Group’s loss for the year then ended

 the Group financial statements have been properly prepared in accordance with international accounting standards in 
conformity with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006;

 the Group financial statements have been properly prepared in accordance with international financial reporting standards 
adopted pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 1606/2002 as it applies in the European Union;

 the Parent Company financial statements have been properly prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Accounting 
Standards; and

 the financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006; and, as regards 
the Group financial statements, Article 4 of the IAS Regulation.

We have audited the financial statements of Town Centre Securities Plc (the ‘Parent Company’) and its subsidiaries (the ‘Group’) for 
the year ended 30 June 2021 which comprise the consolidated income statement, the consolidated statement of comprehensive 
income, the consolidated and company balance sheets, the consolidated and company statements of changes in equity, the 
consolidated cash flow statement 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 accounting standards in 
conformity with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 and international financial reporting standards adopted pursuant to 
Regulation (EC) No 1606/2002 as it applies in the European Union. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in the 
preparation of the Parent Company financial statements is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including 
Financial Reporting Standard 102 the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (United Kingdom 
Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

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 believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our 
opinion. Our audit opinion is consistent with the additional report to the audit committee. 

Independence
Following the recommendation of the audit committee, we were initially appointed as auditors by the directors for the year ended 
30 June 2016. Following the recommendation of the audit committee, we were reappointed by the members on 17 November 2020 
to audit the financial statements for the year ended 30 June 2021 and subsequent financial periods. The period of total 
uninterrupted engagement including retenders and reappointments is 6 years, covering the years ending 30 June 2016 to 30 June 
2021. We remain independent of the Group and the Parent Company in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant 
to our audit of the financial statements in the UK, including the FRC’s Ethical Standard as applied to listed public interest entities, 
and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. The non-audit services prohibited by 
that standard were not provided to the Group or the Parent Company. 

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 Group and the Parent 
Company’s ability to continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting included reviewing and challenging the Directors 
over the forecasts that support the Going Concern statement and performing the following:

 We assessed the forecasts cash flows with reference to historic performance and challenged the Directors’ assumptions in 
comparing them to historic and current performance of the Group. 

 We agreed the Group’s underlying borrowing facilities and the related covenants to supporting financing agreements.

 We obtained covenant calculations and forecast calculations to test for any potential future breaches. We also considered the 
covenant compliance headroom for sensitivity to both future changes in property valuations and the Group’s future financial 
performance. We considered the Directors’ mitigating actions in the event of the occurrence of the downside scenarios in light 
of supporting evidence and ensured that they were realistic within the required timescales. 

 We assessed the inputs into the forecasts. Income was agreed to supporting documentation as appropriate, which included 
agreeing a sample of leases to underlying lease agreements. Expenses were assessed based on our knowledge of the business 
and historic results. 

 We considered board minutes, and evidence obtained through the audit and challenged the Directors on the identification of 
any contradictory information the forecasts and the impacting the going concern assessment.

 We analysed the Directors’ stress testing calculations and challenged the assumptions made using our knowledge of the 
business and of the current economic climate, to assess the reasonableness of the scenarios selected. This included 
considerations of the impact of COVID-19 on all areas of the business.

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 and the 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. 

In relation to the Parent Company’s reporting on how it has applied the UK Corporate Governance Code, we have nothing material 
to add or draw attention to in relation to the Directors’ statement in the financial statements about whether the Directors considered 
it appropriate to adopt the going concern basis of accounting.

Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the Directors with respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections of 
this report. 

Overview

Coverage

Key audit matters

100% (2020: 100%) of Group profit before tax

100% (2020: 100%) of Group revenue

100% (2020: 100%) of Group total assets

Valuation of property interests
Revenue recognition
Prior period adjustments
Going concern

Materiality

Group financial statements as a whole
£3.3m (2020:£3.5m) based on 1% (2020: 1%) of Group Non-current 
assets

2021

2020

✔
✔
✔

–

✔

–
–
✔

Going concern was considered a key audit matter in 2020 due to the unknown impact of COVID-19 at that time. However the impact 
that COVID-19 has had on the Group’s cash flows and covenant compliance has been relatively limited and hence going concern 
was no longer considered a key audit matter for the 2021 audit.

Revenue recognition was considered a key audit matter in 2021 given the uncertainty caused by the COVID-19 pandemic during the year.

The prior period adjustments were considered a key audit matter in 2021 given the nature and impact of the adjustments. 

An overview of the scope of our audit
Our Group audit was scoped by obtaining an understanding of the Group and its environment, including the Group’s system of 
internal control, and assessing the risks of material misstatement in the financial statements. We also addressed the risk of 
management override of internal controls, including assessing whether there was evidence of bias by the Directors that may have 
represented a risk of material misstatement.

The Group operates solely in the United Kingdom through a number of legal entities, which form reporting components. Significant 
components were defined as those reporting components contributing more than 15% towards Group assets, turnover or profits, or 
if judgementally considered to be significant by nature. Of the 17 active components in the Group, 7 were considered significant. 
The financial information relating to the Parent Company and all other significant components of the Group were subject to full 
scope audits by the Group audit team. We also perform full scope audits on the trading non-significant components for statutory 
purposes, however the extent of this work completed for the Group accounts is limited to those areas deemed material to the Group 
accounts on either an individual or aggregate basis across all components. Revenue and investment property valuations across the 
Group were areas which have been subject to a full scope audit by the Group engagement team. 

86

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03. Financial Statements 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Town Centre Securities PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

Independent auditor’s report

Key audit matters
Key audit matters are those matters that, in our professional judgement, 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) that 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 the scope of our audit addressed the key audit matter

Key audit matter 

Revenue 
recognition

Accounting policies 
for each segment are 
set out in note 1 on  
(on page 107).

Valuation of 
property interests

Refer to accounting 
policies on the Group 
property interests in 
note 1 (on pages 103 
to 106)

See notes 12 and 14 for 
details of the Group 
property interests

The valuation of the Group’s property interests 
(see note 12) is the key driver of the Group’s net 
asset value and underpins the results for the year. 

These interests consist of investment and 
development properties and freehold car park 
fixed assets (totalling £259.1m, 2020: £305.7m) 
and interests in joint ventures being the Group’s 
share of the fair value of investment and 
development properties within these joint 
ventures (totalling £47.1m, 2020 £45.6m). 

All interests in property as listed above are 
subject to independent revaluation to open 
market value at each reporting date by the 
independent external party valuation experts, 
with the exception of one property totalling 
£51,000 (2020: £151,000) which is subject to 
valuation by the Property Director. 

The valuation of the Group’s property interests, 
including those held in joint ventures, depends 
on the individual nature of each property, 
including its location, and the rental income it 
generates. The assumptions on which the 
valuations are based are further influenced by 
quality of tenant, prevailing market yields and 
comparable market transactions. 

Assets held as development properties are 
valued using a comparable sales approach or 
based on the residual development value of the 
site, which estimates the fair value of the 
completed project, including a suitable 
developers profit and deductions for expected 
costs to complete. 

All of these valuation methods can require 
significant judgement and estimation to be 
applied by management and the external 
valuation experts, increasing the inherent risk in 
this area.

Following significant revaluations in prior years, 
the significant judgement and estimation 
involved in the valuations, along with the 
materiality of the balances, we consider this to be 
a significant risk area as small percentage 
changes in each key assumption could materially 
affect the carrying value of the assets concerned.

Our audit approach to this area included an 
assessment of the independent external valuation 
experts’ objectivity, in-dependence and 
qualifications to undertake the valuation.

We tested a sample of the key inputs used in the 
valuation calculations by agreeing underlying 
data used to internal tenancy schedules, capital 
expenditure details and lease terms, which were 
agreed back to appropriate supporting 
documentation. 

We held meetings with both of the independent 
external valuation experts in which we confirmed 
directly with these experts that the valuations had 
been performed on bases consistent with 
practices approved by the Royal Institute of 
Chartered Surveyors (“RICS”) and the 
requirements of the accounting standards.

We discussed with the independent valuation 
experts the methodology they applied and 
challenged them on any key assumptions made. 
In doing this, we considered movements in yield 
that were outside of a tolerable range based on 
our own and wider market expectations. 

For development properties valued on a residual 
basis, we obtained the development appraisal 
and assessed the costs and assumptions 
included against our knowledge and experience. 
For development properties valued on a 
comparable basis, we have obtained details of 
the comparable sites and checked the 
appropriateness of using this information with the 
valuation calculation.

For freehold car parks valued on an in-come 
based method we assessed the level of income 
provided to the valuers through comparison to 
actual income generated from historic periods, 
and challenged the external experts on the 
discount rate applied within the calculation using 
knowledge from the market and our internal 
specialists.

Similarly, for the hotel property interest we 
assessed the level of income included within the 
valuation calculations through comparison to 
historic actuals and challenged the independent 
external valuers on assumptions made regarding 
the discount rate applied in the calculation. 

The Group recognises three distinct revenue 
streams being rental income from investment 
property portfolio, car park income from car 
parks owned and operated, and hotel income 
from a single hotel owned and operated by the 
Group.

The Group’s rental income is billed either monthly 
or quarterly in advance. A receivable and 
deferred income is recognised at the billing date, 
at an amount the Directors consider to be 
collectible. The COVID-19 pandemic has 
increased the level of uncertainty as to whether 
amounts will be collectible for some leases and 
as such no receivable (or a reduced receivable) 
has been recognised in the current and prior year 
where amounts have been billed and receipt is 
not considered probable. If the Directors 
consider a previously unrecognised amount as 
collectible subsequent to its billing date, then the 
receivable is recognised at that re-assessment 
date. Deferred income is recognised as revenue 
across the period of the lease period that has 
been billed. 

Any lease incentives are spread on a straight-line 
basis across the period of the lease.

A number of rent concessions have been agreed 
with tenants as a result of COVID-19 and 
judgement is involved in assessing whether these 
qualify as lease modifications.

There is a risk that rental income is not supported 
by underlying tenancy agreements and the 
collectability considerations or is inappropriately 
recognised.

Contract car park income is recognised on a 
straight line basis over the relevant period, in 
accordance with the contract to which it relates. 
Daily car park income is recognised when 
received.

Hotel income is recognised on a daily basis in 
accordance with the date of the overnight stay. 
Food and beverage revenue is recognised at the 
point of sale.

There is a risk that revenue is overstated and does 
not exist based on the underlying contract or 
transaction in place.

How the scope of our audit addressed the key audit matter

We obtained the tenancy schedule and the 
Directors’ analysis of revenue recognised for each 
tenant and the reconciliation of this analysis to the 
financial statements and performed the following: 

 We analysed the current year tenancy 
schedule by comparing to prior year to 
highlight expected and unexpected changes 
in the year and corroborated these movements 
to underlying lease agreements as appropriate. 

 We analysed the amount of rent billed in 
respect of each tenant and compared this to 
our expectations for the year based on the 
prior year tenancy schedule and any known 
property acquisitions or disposals. This 
highlighted changes which were investigated 
and agreed to the underlying lease 
documentation and rent review memoranda. 

 We checked the integrity of the formulae used 
in the Directors’ reconciliation to the financial 
statements.

 We obtained the Directors’ calculations for 
cash collectability and verified that actual rent 
collections were either consistent or better 
when compared with the Directors’ 
expectations at billing date.

 We verified rent collected to cash received, on 
a sample basis.

 We obtained the Directors’ schedule of lease 
incentive adjustments, including rent free 
periods and COVID-19 rent concessions, and, 
for a sample, we recalculated the adjustment 
and agreed the inputs to the underlying lease 
documentation. We considered the 
completeness of the schedule based on 
information included in the tenancy schedule 
and the underlying lease information obtained. 
Where applicable, we assessed management’s 
judgements and assertions for these not being 
a lease modification.

With respect to car park income, we performed 
the following testing:

 For contract and daily taking in-come, we 
reconciled the total revenue recognised in the 
nominal ledger back to cash receipts received. 

 We reconciled the total daily takings income in 
the nominal ledger to reports received direct 
from a third party car park operator. We used 
BDO IT specialists to assess the internal 
controls of the third party operator to ensure 
that reliance could be placed on these reports.

  For contract income we agreed a sample of 
nominal entries direct to the appropriate 
customer contract and verified that the 
correct amount of revenue is being 
recognised. This, along with specific sample 
testing on deferred income, allowed us to 
verify that the correct amount of revenue had 
been recognised in the period and deferred 
income was complete.

88

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03. Financial Statements 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Town Centre Securities PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

Independent auditor’s report

Key audit matter 

Revenue 
recognition 
continued

Prior period 
adjustments (PPA)

Refer to further 
details on the nature 
and impact of the 
individual adjustments 
in note 26 of the Group 
financial statements 
(on pages 128 to 131) 
and in note 10 of the 
Parent Company 
financial statements 
(on pages 140 to 141)

During the year the Directors identified that a 
number of the Group’s accounting policies were 
either not in compliance with the relevant 
accounting standard or were not applied 
correctly.

During the audit process a number of prior period 
adjustments were found in both the consolidated 
financial statements and within the Parent 
Company financial statements.

As a result the Directors performed additional 
work in understanding the issues, gathering 
evidence and determining the accounting 
treatment of these errors.

There is a risk that these adjustments could be 
incorrectly identified, incomplete and not 
presented in accordance with the accounting 
standards. They could also impact the financial 
statements in other ways such as tax law and 
regulation. 

How the scope of our audit addressed the key audit matter

With respect to hotel income we performed the 
following testing:- 

  We engaged our information technology 

specialists to assess the information technology 
general controls of the relevant operating and 
accounting systems to determine that it was 
appropriate to rely on the accuracy of the 
system reports.

  We performed data analytical testing to identify 

and investigate any exceptions within with 
system output. 

  We reconciled the data per the booking and 

restaurant systems direct to the nominal ledger 
to check that the accuracy of the entries. 

  We also agreed revenue in total to cash 

received.

  We performed cut-off procedures and tested a 
sample of deferred and accrued income to 
confirm that revenue is recognised 
appropriately in the correct period.

Key observations:
We did not identify any indicators to suggest that 
revenue has been recognised inappropriately. 

We obtained the board papers in respect of prior 
period adjustments.

We corroborated any evidence, explanations or 
estimates contained within the paper to supporting 
documentation. 

Where applicable, we checked formulae included 
within any calculations and recalculated the 
journals proposed by management.

For each adjustment we agreed that it had been 
allocated to the correct year. 

For each adjustment we agreed the treatment to 
the relevant accounting standard and the 
accounting policies. We considered and agreed the 
appropriateness of changes to the accounting 
policies implemented in connection with the PPA’s.

We agreed the disclosures in the financial 
statements to the relevant accounting standards.

We performed audit procedures and sample 
selections to identify whether there are any 
additional adjustments required of the similar 
nature. 

We consulted with BDO internal technical 
specialists to assess and challenge the conclusions 
reached by the audit team based on the evidence 
provided by management.

We consulted with BDO tax specialists to assess the 
tax impact, if any, of each adjustment including an 
assessment of compliance with relevant tax law as 
a result of these adjustments.

Key observations:
Prior period adjustments have been appropriately 
recognised in the annual re-port and financial 
statements.

Our application of materiality
We apply the concept of materiality both in planning and performing our audit, and in evaluating the effect of misstatements. We 
consider materiality to be the magnitude by which misstatements, including omissions, could influence the economic decisions of 
reasonable users that are taken on the basis of the financial statements. 

In order to reduce to an appropriately low level the probability that any misstatements exceed materiality, we use a lower materiality 
level, performance materiality, to determine the extent of testing needed. Importantly, misstatements below these levels will not 
necessarily be evaluated as immaterial as we also take account of the nature of identified misstatements, and the particular 
circumstances of their occurrence, when evaluating their effect on the financial statements as a whole. 

Based on our professional judgement, we determined materiality for the financial statements as a whole and performance 
materiality as follows: 

Materiality

Basis for determining materiality

Rationale for the benchmark applied

Group  
financial statements

Parent company  
financial statements

2021
£m

3.3

2020
£m

3.5

2021
£m

1.1

2020
£m

1.2

1% of Non-current 
assets

1% of Non-current 
assets

Non-current assets are considered to be 
the principal considerations for the users 
of the financial statements in assessing 
the financial performance of the Group

1% of Non-current 
assets, excluding 
investment in 
subsidiaries

1% of Non-current 
assets, excluding 
investment in 
subsidiaries

Non-current assets are considered to be the 
principal considerations for the users of the 
financial statements in assessing the financial 
performance of the Parent Company. 
Investment in subsidiaries have been 
excluded as the key driver of the Company is 
deemed to be its trading assets.

Performance materiality

2.145

2.5

0.72

0.84

Basis for determining performance 
materiality

65% of materiality

70% of materiality

65% of materiality

70% of materiality

Specific materiality
We also determined that for other account balances a misstatement of less than materiality for the financial statements as a whole, 
could influence the economic decisions of users. We concluded that for balances excluding non-current assets, any property 
revaluation movements, gains or losses on disposal of properties and changes in the fair value of financial instruments a user of the 
financial statements may be influenced by amounts lower than financial statement materiality based on total non-current assets. As 
a result, we determined that specific materiality for the measurement of these areas should be lower. 

In the prior year, Group specific materiality was £260,000, based on 5% of a three year average of EPRA earnings (as calculated in 
accordance with note 11 to the financial statements). However, EPRA earnings for the last three years has been volatile, as a result of 
the impact of COVID-19 on the Group. We therefore considered alternative benchmarks for setting the current year Group specific 
materiality. We considered the following alternative benchmarks; a three year 5% EPRA earnings average (£142,000), 1% of expected 
revenue for the current year (£193,000) and a three year 1% revenue average (£262,000). Given this range, it was concluded that a 
Group specific materiality of £200,000 was appropriate for the current year.

For Parent Company specific materiality, we also considered a range of benchmarks for setting materiality. We considered the 
following benchmarks: a three year 5% EPRA earnings average (2020 £11,000), 1% of expected revenue for the current year 
(£149,000). Given this range, it was concluded that a Parent Company specific materiality of £120,000 was appropriate for the 
current year (2020: £150,000).

Performance materiality 
Performance materiality is set at an amount to reduce to an appropriate low level the probability that the aggregate of uncorrected 
and undetected misstatements exceeds materiality.

On the basis of our risk assessment, together with our assessment of the Group’s overall control environment, our judgement was 
that overall performance materiality for the Group should be 65% of materiality (2020: 70%). We determined that the same measure 
as the Group was appropriate for the Parent Company.

90

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03. Financial Statements 
Town Centre Securities PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

Independent auditor’s report

Component materiality
We set financial statement materiality for each component of the Group on the same basis as Group materiality, being 1% (2020: 1%) 
of the total non-current assets of each component dependent on the size and our assessment of the risk of material misstatement of 
that component. Component financial statement materiality ranged from £1,000 to £1,265,000 (2020: £140,000 to £1,470,000). In 
the audit of each component, we further applied performance materiality levels of 65% (2020: 70%) of the component materiality to 
our testing to ensure that the risk of errors exceeding component materiality was appropriately mitigated.

For specific materiality for each component we considered a range of benchmarks for setting materiality. The benchmarks 
considered were in line with those outlined above for the Parent Company specific materiality. Specific materiality for the 
components ranged from £1,000 to £140,000 (2020: £34,000 to £170,000). For each specific materiality set, we applied a 
performance materiality level of 65% (2020: 70%). 

Reporting threshold 
We agreed with the Audit Committee that we would report to them all individual audit differences in excess of £10,000 
(2020:£13,000). We also agreed to report differences below this threshold that, in our view, warranted reporting on qualitative 
grounds.

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. 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 course of 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 this gives rise to a material misstatement in the financial statements themselves. 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.

Corporate governance statement
The Listing Rules require us to review the Directors’ statement in relation to going concern, longer-term viability and that part of the 
Corporate Governance Statement relating to the Parent company’s compliance with the provisions of the UK Corporate Governance 
Statement specified for our review. 

Based on the work undertaken as part of our audit, we have concluded that each of the following elements of the Corporate 
Governance Statement is materially consistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained during the audit. 

Going concern 
and longer-term 
viability

Other Code 
provisions 

 The Directors’ statement with regards to the appropriateness of adopting the going concern basis 
of accounting and any material uncertainties identified; and

 The Directors’ explanation as to its assessment of the entity’s prospects, the period this assessment 
covers and why the period is appropriate.

  Directors’ statement on fair, balanced and understandable; 

  Board’s confirmation that it has carried out a robust assessment of the emerging and principal risks; 

  The section of the annual report that describes the review of effectiveness of risk management and 

internal control systems; and

  The section describing the work of the audit committee.

Other Companies Act 2006 reporting
Based on the responsibilities described below and our work performed during the course of the audit, we are required by the 
Companies Act 2006 and ISAs (UK) to report on certain opinions and matters as described below.

Strategic report 
and Directors’ 
report 

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.

In the light of the knowledge and understanding of the Group and 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.

Directors’ 
remuneration

In our opinion, the part of the Directors’ remuneration report to be audited has been properly prepared 
in accordance with the Companies Act 2006.

Matters on which 
we are required to 
report by exception

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

 certain disclosures of Directors’ remuneration specified by law are not made; or

 we have not received all the information and explanations we re-quire for our audit.

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

92

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03. Financial Statements 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Town Centre Securities PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

Independent auditor’s report

Extent to which the audit was capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud
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:

 We gained an understanding of the legal and regulatory framework applicable to the Group and the industry in which it 
operates, and considered the risk of acts by the Group that were contrary to applicable laws and regulations, including fraud.

  We considered the Group’s compliance with laws and regulations that have a direct impact on the financial statements 

including, but not limited to, relevant accounting standards, UK company law, tax legislation (including the UK REIT regime 
requirements and the Listing Rules, and we considered the extent to which non-compliance might have a material effect  
on the Group financial statements. 

  We designed audit procedures to identify instances of non-compliance with such laws and regulations. Our procedures 

included reviewing the financial statement disclosures against the requirements of the accounting standards and company law 
and agreeing those disclosures to underlying supporting documentation where necessary. We reviewed minutes of all Board 
and Committee meetings held during and subsequent to the year for any indicators of non-compliance and made enquiries  
of management and of the Directors as to the risks of non-compliance and any instances thereof. 

  There is also a risk of fraud in relation to the valuation of the property portfolio where the Directors may influence the significant 

judgements and estimates in respect of property valuations in order to achieve property valuation and other performance 
targets. Procedures conducted in relation to the valuation of investment properties are documented in the key audit matters 
section of this report.

  We also communicated relevant identified laws and regulations and potential fraud risks to all engagement team members  

and remained alert to any indications of fraud or non-compliance with laws and regulations throughout the audit.

  We addressed the risk of management override of internal controls, including testing journal entries processed during and 

subsequent to the year and evaluating whether there was evidence of bias by management or the Directors that represented  
a risk of material misstatement due to fraud.

Our audit procedures were designed to respond to risks of material misstatement in the financial statements, recognising that the 
risk of not detecting a material misstatement due to fraud is higher than the risk of not detecting one resulting from error, as fraud 
may involve deliberate concealment by, for example, forgery, misrepresentations or through collusion. There are inherent limitations 
in the audit procedures performed and the further removed non-compliance with laws and regulations is from the events and 
transactions reflected in the financial statements, the less likely we are to become aware of it.

A further description of our responsibilities is available 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 Parent 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 Parent 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 Parent Company and the Parent Company’s members as a body, for our audit work, 
for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.

Richard Levy (Senior Statutory Auditor)
For and on behalf of BDO LLP, Statutory Auditor

London, United Kingdom

29 November 2021

BDO LLP is a limited liability partnership registered in England and Wales (with registered number OC305127).

94

Vicar Lane

Vicar Lane

95

03. Financial Statements 
 
Town Centre Securities PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

Consolidated income statement
for the year ended 30 June 2021

Consolidated balance sheet
as at 30 June 2021

Gross revenue (excl service charge income)
Service charge income

Gross revenue
Release of provision/(provision for) impairment of debtors
Service charge expenses
Property expenses

Net revenue
Administrative expenses
Other income
Other expenses
Valuation movement on investment properties
Impairment of car parking assets
(Loss)/profit on disposal of investment properties
Share of post-tax profits from joint ventures

Operating profit/(loss)
Finance costs

Loss before taxation
Taxation

Loss for the year attributable to owners of the Parent

Earnings per share 
Basic and diluted
EPRA (non-GAAP measure)

Dividends per share
Paid during the year
Proposed

2021
£000

18,703
2,726

21,429
788
(3,656)
(7,489)

11,072
(5,585)
1,989
–
63
(111)
(2,320)
2,461

7,569
(8,145)

(576)
–

(576)

(1.1)p
0.6p

3.5p
1.75p

2020
Restated
£000

27,989
2,803

30,792
(1,478)
(4,011)
(9,670)

15,633
(6,197)
1,218
(777)
(26,024)
414
168
450

(15,115)
(9,009)

(24,124)
–

(24,124)

(45.4)p
3.1p

11.75p
1.75p

Notes

3
3

3
3
3
3

4
7
7

14

8

9

11
11

10
10

Consolidated statement of comprehensive income
for the year ended 30 June 2021

Loss for the year
Items that will not be subsequently reclassified to profit or loss
Revaluation gains/(losses) on other investments

Total other comprehensive income/(loss)

Total comprehensive income/(loss) for the year

2021
£000

(576)

2,795

2,795

2,219

2020
Restated
£000

(24,124)

(2,363)

(2,363)

(26,487)

Non-current assets
Property rental
Investment properties
Investments in joint ventures

Car park activities
Freehold and leasehold properties
Goodwill and intangible assets

Hotel operations
Freehold and leasehold properties

Fixtures, equipment and motor vehicles
Investments

Total non-current assets

Current assets
Assets held for sale
Trade and other receivables
Cash and cash equivalents

Total current assets

Total assets

Current liabilities
Trade and other payables
Financial liabilities

Total current liabilities

Non-current liabilities
Financial liabilities

Total liabilities

Net assets

Equity attributable to the owners of the Parent
Called up share capital
Share premium account
Capital redemption reserve
Revaluation reserve
Retained earnings

Total equity

Net asset value per share

Company number: 00623364

Notes

2021
£000

2020
Restated
£000

2019
Restated
£000

12
14

12
13

12

12
12

12
16

218,909
16,212

254,014
13,751

297,300
13,387

235,121

267,765

310,687

74,502
4,841

79,343

8,630

8,630

955
9,217

76,513
4,024

80,537

–

–

1,113
6,164

50,810
4,024

54,834

–

–

1,609
8,381

333,266

355,579

375,511

3,850
5,311
21,670

30,831

23,199
3,468
12,643

39,310

–
5,354
23,692

29,046

364,097

394,889

404,557

17
18

(32,612)
(42,260)

(23,236)
(61,984)

(34,593)
–

(74,872)

(85,220)

(34,593)

18

(133,830)

(154,591)

(182,152)

(208,702)

(239,811)

(216,745)

155,395

155,078

187,812

23

13,282
200
567
500
140,846

13,290
200
559
500
140,529

155,395

155,078

21

292p

292p

13,290
200
559
–
173,763

187,812

353p

All profit and total comprehensive income for the year is attributable to owners of the Parent. The Notes on pages 100 to 131 are an 
integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements.

The financial statements on pages 96 to 131 were approved by the Board of Directors on 29 November 2021 and signed  
on its behalf by

Edward Ziff OBE DL
Chairman & Chief Executive

96

97

03. Financial StatementsTown Centre Securities PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

Consolidated statement of changes in equity
for the year ended 30 June 2021

Consolidated cash flow statement
for the year ended 30 June 2021

Balance at 30 June 2019 – restated
Comprehensive income for the year
Loss for the year
Other comprehensive income
Transfer

Total comprehensive income for the year
Contributions by and distributions to owners
Final dividend relating to the year ended 30 June 2019
Interim dividend relating to the year ended 30 June 2020

Called up 
share capital
£000

Share 
premium 
account
£000

Capital 
redemption 
reserve
£000

Revaluation 
reserve
£000

Retained 
earnings
£000

Total 
equity
£000

13,290

200

559

–

173,763

187,812

–
–
–

–

–
–

–
–
–

–

–
–

–
–
–

–

–
–

–
–
500

500

(24,124)
(2,363)
(500)

(24,124)
(2,363)
–

(26,987)

(26,487)

–
–

(4,519)
(1,728)

(4,519)
(1,728)

Balance at 30 June 2020 – restated

13,290

200

559

500

140,529

155,078

Comprehensive income for the year
Loss for the year
Other comprehensive income

Total comprehensive loss for the year
Contributions by and distributions to owners
Arising on purchase and cancellation of own shares
Final dividend relating to the year ended 30 June 2020
Interim dividend relating to the year ended 30 June 2021

–
–

–

(8)
–
–

–
–

–

–
–
–

–
–

–

8
–
–

–
–

–

–
–
–

(576)
2,795

2,219

(42)
(930)
(930)

(576)
2,795

2,219

(42)
(930)
(930)

Balance at 30 June 2021

13,282

200

567

500

140,846

155,395

Cash flows from operating activities
Cash generated from operations 
Interest paid

2021

2020

Notes

£000

£000

£000

£000

24

4,644
(6,920)

14,433
(7,648)

Net cash generated from operating activities

(2,276)

6,785

Cash flows from investing activities
Purchase and construction of investment properties
Refurbishment of investment properties
Payments for leasehold property improvements
Purchases of fixtures, equipment and motor vehicles
Proceeds from sale of investment properties
Payments for business acquisitions
Payments for acquisition of non-listed investments
Repayment of loans from joint ventures

–
(2,637)
–
(198)
48,049
(874)
(258)
–

(1,610)
(5,442)
(25)
(93)
2,494
–
(146)
86

Net cash (absorbed by)/generated from operating activities

44,082

(4,736)

Cash flows from financing activities
Proceeds from non-current borrowings
Repayment of non-current borrowings
Principal element of lease payments
Dividends paid to shareholders

Net cash generated from/(used in) financing activities

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

Cash and cash equivalents at end of the year

Cash and cash equivalents at the year end are comprised  
of the following:
Cash balances
Overdrawn balances

4,000
(44,091)
(1,659)
(1,860)

8,000
–
(1,650)
(6,247)

(43,610)

(1,804)
2,361

557

21,670
(21,113)

557

103

2,152
209

2,361

12,643
(10,282)

2,361

The Consolidated Cash Flow Statement should be read in conjunction with Note 24.

98

99

03. Financial StatementsTown Centre Securities PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

Notes to the consolidated financial statements

1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The principal accounting policies adopted in the preparation of these Consolidated Financial Statements are set out below. 
These policies have been consistently applied to all the years presented, unless otherwise stated.

Town Centre Securities PLC (‘the Company’) is a public limited company domiciled in the United Kingdom. Its shares are listed  
on the London Stock Exchange. The Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company for the year ended 30 June 2021  
comprise the Company and its subsidiaries (together referred to as ‘the Group’). The address of its registered office is Town  
Centre House, The Merrion Centre, Leeds, LS2 8LY.

Basis of preparation

Statement of compliance
The Consolidated Financial Statements of Town Centre Securities PLC have been prepared in accordance with international 
accounting standards in conformity with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 and prepared in accordance with  
the international financial reporting standards adopted pursuant to Regulations (EC) No 1606/2002 as it applies in the  
European Union. 

Income and cash flow statements 
The Group presents its Income Statement by nature of expense. The Group reports cash flows from operating activities using  
the indirect method. The acquisitions of investment properties are disclosed as cash flows from investing activities because  
this most appropriately reflects the Group’s business activities. Cash flows from investing and financing activities are determined 
using the direct method. 

Preparation of the Consolidated Financial Statements
The Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention as modified by the revaluation 
of the Group’s property interests and other investments. 

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with IFRS requires the use of certain critical accounting estimates.  
It also requires management to exercise its judgement in the process of applying the Group’s accounting policies. Changes in 
assumptions may have a significant impact on the financial statements in the period the assumptions are changed. Management 
believes that the underlying assumptions are appropriate. The areas involving a higher degree of judgement or complexity,  
or areas where assumptions and estimates are significant to the Consolidated Financial Statements, are disclosed in Note 2.

Changes in accounting policies 
a)  New standards, interpretations and amendments adopted from 1 July 2020. 
There have been no new standards, interpretations or amendments adopted.

b)  New standards, interpretations and amendments not yet effective.  

There are a number of standards, amendments to standards, and interpretations which have been issued by the IASB that  
are effective in future accounting periods that the Group has decided not to adopt early.

The following amendments are effective for the period beginning 1 July 2021:

• 

Interest Rate Benchmark Reform – IBOR ‘phase 2’ (Amendments to IFRS 9, IAS 39, IFRS 7, IFRS 4 and IFRS 16).

The following amendments are effective for the period beginning 1 July 2022:

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

•  Property, Plant and Equipment: Proceeds before Intended Use (Amendments to IAS 16); 

•  Annual Improvements to IFRS Standards 2018-2020 (Amendments to IFRS 1, IFRS 9, IFRS 16 and IAS 41); and 

•  References to Conceptual Framework (Amendments to IFRS 3).

The following amendments are effective for the period beginning 1 January 2023: 

•  Disclosure of Accounting Policies (Amendments to IAS 1 and IFRS Practice Statement 2); 

•  Definition of Accounting Estimates (Amendments to IAS 8); and 

•  Deferred Tax Related to Assets and Liabilities arising from a Single Transaction (Amendments to IAS 12).

In January 2020, the IASB issued amendments to IAS 1, which clarify the criteria used to determine whether liabilities are classified 
as current or non-current. These amendments clarify that current or non-current classification is based on whether an entity has  
a right at the end of the reporting period to defer settlement of the liability for at least twelve months after the reporting period.  
The amendments also clarify that ‘settlement’ includes the transfer of cash, goods, services, or equity instruments unless the 
obligation to transfer equity instruments arises from a conversion feature classified as an equity instrument separately from the 
liability component of a compound financial instrument. The amendments were originally effective for annual reporting periods 
beginning on or after 1 January 2022. However, in May 2020, the effective date was deferred to annual reporting periods beginning 
on or after 1 January 2023. 

In response to feedback and enquiries from stakeholders, in December 2020, the IFRS Interpretations Committee (IFRIC) issued  
a Tentative Agenda Decision, analysing the applicability of the amendments to three scenarios. However, given the comments 
received and concerns raised on some aspects of the amendments, in April 2021, IFRIC decided not to finalise the agenda decision 
and referred the matter to the IASB. In its June 2021 meeting, the IASB tentatively decided to amend the requirements of IAS 1 with 
respect to the classification of liabilities subject to conditions and disclosure of information about such conditions and to defer  
the effective date of the 2020 amendment by at least one year. 

The Group is currently assessing the impact of these new accounting standards and amendments. The Group will assess the  
impact of the final amendments to IAS 1 on classification of its liabilities once the those are issued by the IASB.

Other 
The Group does not expect any other standards issued by the IASB, but not yet effective, to have a material impact on the group.

• 

IFRS 17 Insurance Contracts (effective 1 January 2023) - In June 2020, the IASB issued amendments to IFRS 17, including  
a deferral of its effective date to 1 January 2023.

Going concern
In making their assessment of the ability of the Group to continue as a going concern the Directors have considered the impact of 
COVID-19 on the Group’s forecasts including the effect on liquidity and compliance with bank loan and debenture covenants. 

The Group owns a portfolio of multi-let regional property assets located throughout the UK, and operates car parking and hotel 
businesses. The Group is funded in part by a £100m debenture which is due for repayment in 2031. In addition the business has 
three bilateral Revolving Credit Facilities (‘RCF’) totalling £103m which, as at the year end, were due for repayment or renewal 
between April 2022 and June 2023. Each of the debt facilities is ring fenced within security sub pools of assets charged to the 
respective lender.

After the year end the Group has entered into a new three-year facility with NatWest that expires in September 2024. In addition the 
Group has requested and received credit committee approval to extend the existing Lloyds facility by a year, subject to the 
satisfactory completion of a bank instructed valuation exercise. This exercise has almost been completed and the draft valuation 
reports indicate a small valuation uplift (as compared to the 30 June 2021 valuations) on the properties secured within the facility. 
The Board are confident that these valuations, once finalised, will be satisfactory to the bank and that the extension to the facility will 
be formally approved. Following thisthe Group’s RCF’s will then be due for repayment or renewal between June 2023 and 
September 2024.

One of the most critical judgements for the Board is the loan to value (‘LTV’) headroom in the Group’s debt facilities. This is calculated 
as the maximum amount that could be borrowed, taking into account the properties secured to the funders and the facilities in place. 
These covenants range from 60% to 66.7% LTV. The total LTV headroom at 30 June 2021 was £12.1m (2020: £14.8m). Overall, the 
properties secured under the Group’s debt facilities would need to fall 19.8% in value before this LTV headroom level was breached.

In addition to the LTV covenants, the Group’s debt facilities include income cover covenants of between 100% for the debenture 
and 175% on the three revolving credit facilities. At the year end the actual income cover levels ranged from 160% (for the 100% 
debenture covenant) up to 477% on the Lloyds facility. As mentioned in Note 27 of the Financial Statements, subsequent to the year 
end the Group breached an income cover covenant test on one of its facilities for the reporting period to 5 October 2021. The 
Group had made the bank aware prior to formally reporting this breach. On 24 November 2021 the bank confirmed in writing to the 
Company that it had waived its right to take any action as a consequence of this breach. This breach occurred on a £35m facility 
where the amount of debt drawn as at the time of the breach was £6.3m and at today’s date is £2.6m.

 In order to assess the potential impact of COVID-19 on the Group and its ability to continue as a going concern, management have 
analysed the portfolio’s tenant base, car parking and hotel operations and produced forecasts to 31 December 2022. These 
forecasts reflect management’s view of a worst case scenario including assumptions that rent receipts are materially lower than 
normally experienced and that the car park and hotel businesses recovers over the forecast period to a materially lower level than 
was experienced before the COVID-19 pandemic. These scenarios include a base case, downside case and then a more extreme 
significant downside case to show the effect a more significant downturn in the Group’s performance would have on its funding 
cash headroom and any of its financial covenants. In addition the Company has performed a reverse stress exercise whereby it has 
looked at each individual facility and at how much of a downturn (compared to the conservative base case cashflows prepared by 
the Company) there would need to be before any the financial covenants are breached.

100

101

03. Financial Statements 
 
 
Town Centre Securities PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

Notes to the consolidated financial statements

continued

1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES CONTINUED

Basis of preparation continued

Going concern continued
The Group’s forecasts, including the various scenarios, show that the cash headroom figure is resilient whilst the financial covenant 
tests are more sensitive. Under the base case the minimum cash headroom is expected to be £11.5m, which compares to a 
minimum of £11.1m under the downside scenario. The significant downside case applied a total discount of 15% to rental income 
receipts and a 37% discount to pre COVID-19 car park income levels. The cash headroom in the Group did not go negative in the 
period to June 2024 and none of the other financial covenants were breached. The reverse stress test shows that the financial 
covenants are not breached until there is a discount of 14.5% to rents collected and car park income is over 40% below the levels in 
FY19 pre-COVID-19. This breach is forecast to occur in Q3 of FY22 and under the reverse stress test the position then improves.

Over the entire COVID-19 period the Group has collected or agreed to defer 93.5% of rent and service charge income invoiced, and 
for the first quarter of FY22 the car park business is trading significantly ahead of expectation and that this recovery is expected to 
continue. It is also worth noting for the above breach to occur in the next five months, the significant downturn would already need 
to have commenced, and as such the Directors’ have deemed the reverse stress test breach point likelihood of occurrence to be 
low.

The forecasts show that the Group has sufficient resources to continue to operate as a going concern for at least the next 12 
months. Based on the forecasts, including the mitigating options available to the Group in the event of the occurrence of the 
downside scenarios, the Directors consider it appropriate to prepare these financial statements on the going concern basis. 

These financial statements do not include the adjustments that would be necessary should the going concern basis of preparation 
no longer be appropriate. 

Consolidation

(a) Subsidiaries
Where the Company has control over an investee, it is classified as a subsidiary. The Company controls an investee if all three  
of the following elements are present: power over the investee, exposure to variable returns from the investee, and the ability  
of the investor to use its power to affect those variable returns. Control is reassessed whenever facts and circumstances indicate 
that there may be a change in any of these elements of control.

The consolidated financial statements present the results of the Company and its subsidiaries (‘the Group’) as if they formed  
a single entity. Intercompany transactions and balances between Group companies are therefore eliminated in full.

The consolidated financial statements incorporate the results of business combinations using the acquisition method. In the 
statement of financial position, the acquiree’s identifiable assets, liabilities and contingent liabilities are initially recognised at their 
fair values at the acquisition date. The results of acquired operations are included in the consolidated statement of comprehensive 
income from the date on which control is obtained. They are deconsolidated from the date on which control ceases.

(b) Joint arrangements
A joint arrangement is a contractual arrangement whereby the Group and other parties undertake an economic activity that  
is subject to joint control.

Investments in joint ventures are accounted for using the equity method of accounting and are initially recognised at cost.

The Group’s share of its joint ventures post-acquisition profits or losses is recognised in the Income Statement. Investments in  
joint ventures are carried in the balance sheet at cost as adjusted by post-acquisition changes in the Group’s share of net assets 
of the joint ventures less any impairment in the value of the investment. Any impairment is initially recognised against the equity 
value, or if nil, against any outstanding loan balances.

Unrealised gains on transactions between the Group and its joint ventures are eliminated to the extent of the Group’s interest in  
the joint venture. Accounting policies of joint ventures have been changed where necessary to ensure consistency with the policies 
adopted by the Group.

Segmental reporting
An operating segment is a group of assets and operations engaged in providing products or services that are subject to risks  
and returns that are different from those of other business segments.

The Group operates in three business segments comprising property rental, car park operations and hotel operations. The Group’s 
operations are performed wholly in the United Kingdom.

The chief operating decision-maker has been identified as the Board. The Board reviews the Group’s internal reporting in order  
to assess performance and allocate resources. Management has determined the operating segments based on these reports.

Non-Current assets

(a) Investment properties
Investment property comprises freehold land and buildings and long-leasehold/right-of-use land and buildings that are held to earn 
rental income and/or for capital appreciation, rather than for sale in the ordinary course of business or for use in production or 
administrative functions. This comprises mainly retail units and offices.

Investment property is recognised when it is probable that the future economic benefits that are associated with the investment 
property will flow to the group and the cost of the investment property can be measured reliably. Typically these criteria are met  
on unconditional exchange. Investment property is measured initially at cost including transaction costs. Transaction costs include 
transfer taxes, professional fees for legal services and other costs incurred in order to bring the property to the condition necessary 
for it to be capable of operating. 

After initial recognition investment property is carried at fair value as determined by an independent external RICS qualified valuer 
or, if considered appropriate, as determined by the Directors. The fair value of investment properties take into account tenure,  
lease terms and structural condition. The inputs underlying the valuations include market rents or business profitability, incentives 
offered to tenants, forecast growth rates, market yields and discount rates and selling costs including stamp duty.

The gains or losses arising from these valuations are included in the Consolidated Income Statement. 

When an existing investment property is redeveloped for continued future use as an investment property, it remains an investment 
property whilst in development. Subsequent expenditure is added to the asset’s carrying amount only when it is probable that 
future economic benefits associated with the item will flow to the Group and the cost of the item can be measured reliably.  
All other repairs and maintenance costs are charged to the Consolidated Income Statement during the financial period in which 
they are incurred.

Borrowing costs associated with direct expenditure on properties undergoing major refurbishment are capitalised. The amount  
is calculated using the Group’s weighted average cost of borrowing unless borrowings are specifically taken out for redevelopment 
of the asset in which case the specific borrowing rate is used.

Investment property is de-recognised on disposal or when the investment property is permanently withdrawn from use and  
no future economic benefits are expected from its disposal. The date of disposal is the date the purchaser obtains control  
of the property. The gain or loss arising on the disposal of investment properties is determined as the difference between the  
net sale proceeds and the carrying value of the asset and is recognised in the Consolidated Income Statement.

(b) Freehold and right-of-use properties (Property, Plant and Equipment)
Freehold properties are initially recognised at cost and are subsequently carried at fair value, based on periodic valuations by  
a professionally qualified valuer. The fair value of freehold properties take into account tenure, lease terms and structural condition. 
The inputs underlying the valuations include business profitability and market rents, forecast growth rates, market yields and 
discount rates and selling costs including stamp duty. Changes in fair value are recognised in other comprehensive income and 
accumulated in the revaluation reserve except to the extent that any decrease in value in excess of the credit balance on the 
revaluation reserve, or reversal of such a transaction, is recognised in the Consolidated Income Statement.

At the date of revaluation, the accumulated depreciation on the revalued freehold property is eliminated against the gross carrying 
amount of the asset and the net amount is restated to the revalued amount of the asset. On disposal of the asset the balance of the 
revaluation reserve is transferred to retained earnings.

Leasehold properties held under leases, where a right-of-use asset is recognised, are initially valued at the present value of minimum 
lease payments payable over the term of the lease. See right-of-use assets (where group acts as lessee) policy below for further 
details.

Freehold land is not depreciated. Depreciation on assets under construction does not commence until they are complete and 
available for use. Depreciation is provided on all other items within this category so as to write off their carrying value over their 
expected useful economic lives, or over the lease term if shorter.

(c) Fixtures, equipment and motor vehicles (Property, Plant and Equipment)
Fixtures, equipment and motor vehicles are carried at historical cost less depreciation and provision for impairment. Historic cost 
includes expenditure that is directly attributable to the acquisition of the items. Depreciation is calculated on a straight-line basis  
at rates appropriate to write off individual assets over their estimated useful lives of between three and ten years.

The assets’ residual values and useful lives are reviewed and adjusted, if appropriate, at each balance sheet date. 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 the disposal proceeds with the carrying amount and are included  
in the Consolidated Income Statement.

102

103

03. Financial StatementsTown Centre Securities PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

Notes to the consolidated financial statements

continued

1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES CONTINUED

Fair value
Fair value estimation under IFRS 13 requires the Group to classify for disclosure purposes fair value measurements using a fair  
value hierarchy that reflects the significance of the inputs used in making the measurements on its financial assets. The fair value 
hierarchy has the following levels:

•  Level (1) quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities;

•  Level (2) inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly  

(that is, as prices) or indirectly (that is, derived from prices); and

•  Level (3) inputs for the asset or liability that are not based on observable market data (unobservable inputs).

The fair value of assets held for sale, other financial assets and investment property are determined by using valuation  
techniques. See Note 2 for further details of the judgements and assumptions made in relation to investment properties.

Goodwill
Goodwill represents the excess of the cost of a business combination over the Group’s interest in the fair value of identifiable  
assets, liabilities and contingent liabilities acquired. Cost comprises the fair value of assets given, liabilities assumed and equity 
instruments issued. Direct costs of acquisition are recognised immediately as an expense. Goodwill is not subject to amortisation 
and is tested annually for impairment, or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that it may be impaired.  
An impairment loss is recognised for the amount by which the asset’s carrying amount may not be recoverable. The recoverable 
amount is the higher of as asset’s fair value less costs of disposal and value in use. For the purpose of assessing impairment, assets 
are grouped at the lowest levels for which there are separately identifiable cash inflows which are largely independent of the  
cash inflows from other assets or groups of assets. Any impairment recognised is charged to the Consolidated Income Statement.  
Where the fair value of identifiable assets, liabilities and contingent liabilities exceed the fair value of consideration paid, the excess 
is credited in full to the Consolidated Income Statement on the acquisition date.

Intangible assets – car park activities
Intangible assets are recognised where the Group controls the asset, it is probable that future economic benefits attributable  
to the asset will flow to the Group and we can reliably measure the cost of the asset. Intangible assets are amortised using the 
straight line method over their useful economic life. The amortisation is charged to the Consolidated Income Statement as  
a direct car park property cost.

Investments
The group’s investments comprise of investments in quoted and unquoted equity. Other than where the Group has taken  
an irrevocable election to recognise investments as fair value through other comprehensive income, the Group treats all 
investments as fair value through profit and loss.

Purchases and sales of investments are recognised on the trade date, which is the date the Group commits to purchase or sell  
the asset. Investments are initially recognised at fair value plus, where the investment is not subsequently measured at fair value 
through profit or loss, transaction costs that are directly attributable to the acquisition of the financial asset. Investments are 
derecognised when the rights to receive cash flows from the investments have expired or have been transferred and the Group  
has transferred substantially all risks and rewards of ownership. Equity instruments are valued at fair value at each reporting date. 
The fair values of listed investments are based on current bid prices. Any fair value gains and losses arising on equity instruments 
classified as fair value through profit and loss are recognised in the income statement. However, an assessment for each individual 
equity instrument not held for trading is considered, to establish whether an irrevocable election under IFRS 9 should be made  
to classify the instrument at fair value through other comprehensive income. Where this election has been made, fair value gains  
are recognised through other comprehensive income. To date, this election has been made for all listed investments held.

Dividends on equity instruments are recognised in the Consolidated Income Statement when the Group’s right to receive payment 
is established.

Assets held for sale
Assets held for sale represent investment properties that are available for immediate sale in their present condition and where  
the future sale is highly probable. The reclassification to assets held for sale occurs when the future sale becomes highly probable. 
The fair value of assets held for sale is calculated applying the same process as that applied to the Group’s investment properties.

Trade and related party receivables
Trade and related party receivables (such as loans to joint ventures or loans to investments) are recognised initially at fair value  
and are subsequently measured at amortised cost less provision for impairment. The amount of the provision is recognised in the 
Consolidated Income Statement.

Impairment provisions for current and non-current lease and trade receivables are recognised based on the simplified approach 
within IFRS 9 using a provision matrix in the determination of the lifetime expected credit losses. During this process the probability 
of the non-payment of the trade receivables is assessed. This probability is then multiplied by the amount of the expected loss 
arising from default to determine the lifetime expected credit loss for the trade receivables Impairment provisions are recognised 
within cost of sales in the Consolidated Income Statement, unless material in which case will be presented as a separate line item  
in Consolidated Income Statement. On confirmation that the trade receivable will not be collectable, the gross carrying value  
of the asset is written off against the associated provision.

Impairment provisions for receivables from related parties and loans to related parties are recognised based on a forward-looking 
expected credit loss model. The methodology used to determine the amount of the provision is based on whether there has been  
a significant increase in credit risk since initial recognition of the financial asset. For those where the credit risk has not increased 
significantly since initial recognition of the financial asset, twelve-month expected credit losses along with gross interest income are 
recognised. For those for which credit risk has increased significantly, lifetime expected credit losses along with the gross interest 
income are recognised. For those that are determined to be credit impaired, lifetime expected credit losses along with interest 
income on a net basis are recognised.

From time to time, the Group elects to renegotiate the terms of trade receivables due from customers with which it has previously 
had a good trading history. Such renegotiations will lead to changes in the timing of payments rather than changes to the amounts 
owed and, in consequence, the new expected cash flows are discounted at the original effective interest rate and any resulting 
difference to the carrying value is recognised in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income (operating profit). This is  
in respect of non-substantial modifications only.

Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents carried in the Consolidated Balance Sheet are held at amortised cost. Cash and cash equivalents comprise 
cash in hand, deposits held at call with banks, other short-term, highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or 
less and bank overdrafts. Bank overdrafts are included within borrowings in current liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheet. 

Share capital
Ordinary Shares are classified as equity. Incremental costs directly attributable to the issue of new shares or options are shown  
in equity as a deduction, net of tax, from the proceeds.

Borrowings
Borrowings are held at amortised cost and recognised net of transaction costs incurred. Debt finance costs are amortised based  
on the effective interest rate.

Borrowings are classified as current liabilities unless the Group has an unconditional right to defer settlement of the liability for  
at least twelve months after the balance sheet date.

Leased (right-of-use) assets (where group acts as a lessee)
All leases are accounted for by recognising a right-of-use asset and a lease liability except for:

•  Leases of low value assets; and

•  Leases with a duration of 12 months or less.

IFRS 16 was adopted 1 July 2019 without restatement of comparative figures. The following policies apply subsequent to the date  
of initial application, 1 July 2019. Lease liabilities are measured at the present value of the contractual payments due to the lessor 
over the lease term, with the discount rate determined by reference to the rate inherent in the lease unless (as is typically the case) 
this is not readily determinable, in which case the Group’s lease specific incremental borrowing rate on commencement of the  
lease is used. Variable lease payments are only included in the measurement of the lease liability if they depend on an index or rate. 
In such cases, the initial measurement of the lease liability assumes the variable element will remain unchanged throughout the 
lease term. Other variable lease payments are expensed in the period to which they relate.

On initial recognition, the carrying value of the lease liability also includes:

•  amounts expected to be payable under any residual value guarantee;

• 

the exercise price of any purchase option granted in favour of the Group if it is reasonably certain to assess that option;

•  any penalties payable for terminating the lease, if the term of the lease has been estimated on the basis of termination  

option being exercised. 

Right-of-use assets are initially measured at the amount of the lease liability, reduced for any lease incentives received, and increased for:

• 

• 

• 

lease payments made at or before commencement of the lease;

initial direct costs incurred; and

the amount of any provision recognised where the Group is contractually required to dismantle, remove or restore the  
leased asset. 

104

105

03. Financial StatementsTown Centre Securities PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

Notes to the consolidated financial statements

continued

1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES CONTINUED

Leased (right-of-use) assets (where group acts as a lessee) continued
Subsequent to initial measurement lease liabilities increase as a result of interest charged at a constant rate on the balance 
outstanding and are reduced for lease payments made. Right-of-use assets are amortised on a straight-line basis over  
the remaining term of the lease or over the remaining economic life of the asset if, rarely, this is judged to be shorter than  
the lease term.

When the Group revises its estimate of the term of any lease (because, for example, it reassesses the probability of a lessee 
extension or termination option being exercised), it adjusts the carrying amount of the lease liability to reflect the payments to  
make over the revised term, which are discounted using a revised discount rate. The carrying value of lease liabilities is similarly 
revised when the variable element of future lease payments dependent on a rate or index is revised, except the discount rate 
remains unchanged. In both cases an equivalent adjustment is made to the carrying value of the right-of-use asset, with the  
revised carrying amount being amortised over the remaining (revised) lease term. If the carrying amount of the right-of-use asset  
is adjusted to zero, any further reduction is recognised in profit or loss.

When the Group renegotiates the contractual terms of a lease with the lessor, the accounting depends on the nature of the 
modification:

• 

• 

• 

if the renegotiation results in one or more additional assets being leased for an amount commensurate with the standalone price for 
the additional rights-of-use obtained, the modification is accounted for as a separate lease in accordance with the above policy

in all other cases where the renegotiated increases the scope of the lease (whether that is an extension to the lease term,  
or one or more additional assets being leased), the lease liability is remeasured using the discount rate applicable on the 
modification date, with the right-of-use asset being adjusted by the same amount

if the renegotiation results in a decrease in the scope of the lease, both the carrying amount of the lease liability and right-of-use 
asset are reduced by the same proportion to reflect the partial of full termination of the lease with any difference recognised  
in profit or loss. The lease liability is then further adjusted to ensure its carrying amount reflects the amount of the renegotiated 
payments over the renegotiated term, with the modified lease payments discounted at the rate applicable on the modification 
date. The right-of-use asset is adjusted by the same amount.

Operating leases (group acts as lessor)
Leases are classified as operating leases unless the risks and rewards incidental to ownership of the asset pass to the lessee.

In the case of properties where the group has a leasehold interest, this assessment is made by reference to the Group’s right  
of use assets arising under the headlease rather than by reference to the underlying asset.

Where an investment property is held under a leasehold interest, the headlease is initially recognised as an asset at cost plus the 
present value of minimum lease payments. The corresponding lease liability on the head lease is included in the balance sheet  
as a finance lease obligation. 

Unamortised tenant lease incentives
Leasehold incentives given to tenants on entering property leases are recognised as unamortised lease incentives. The operating 
lease incentives are spread over the non-cancellable life of the lease. Where this ends with a clean break clause the incentives are 
spread to this date unless management is reasonably certain that the break will not be exercised.

Taxation
The tax charge in the Consolidated Income Statement comprises tax currently payable.

Town Centre Securities PLC elected for group Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) status with effect from 2 October 2007. As a result 
the Group no longer pays United Kingdom corporation tax on the profits and gains from its qualifying rental business in the United 
Kingdom provided it meets certain conditions. Non-qualifying profits and gains of the Group continue to be subject to corporation 
tax as normal. On entering the REIT regime an entry charge equal to 2% of the aggregate market value of the properties associated 
with the qualifying rental business was payable. Deferred tax accrued at the date of conversion in respect of the assets and liabilities 
of the qualifying rental business was released to the Consolidated Income Statement as the relevant temporary differences are  
no longer taxable on reversal. 

In respect of non-qualifying activities and related profits, gains and losses:

(a) Deferred income tax
Deferred income tax is provided in full, using the liability method, on temporary differences arising between the tax bases of assets 
and liabilities and their carrying amounts in the Consolidated Financial Statements. However, no provision for deferred tax is made 
for temporary differences arising on the initial recognition of assets or liabilities that affect neither accounting nor taxable profit or 
loss. Deferred tax is determined using tax rates (and laws) that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the balance sheet 
date and are expected to apply when the related deferred income tax asset is realised or the deferred income tax liability is settled.

Deferred income tax assets are recognised to the extent that it is probable that future taxable profit will be available against which 
the temporary differences can be utilised. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are offset when they relate to income taxes levied  
by the same taxation authority and the Group is entitled to settle its current tax assets and liabilities on a net basis.

(b) Current tax
The charge for current tax is based on the results for the period as adjusted for items which are non-assessable or disallowed. 
It is calculated using rates of tax that have been enacted by the balance sheet date.

Employee benefits
The Group operates defined contribution arrangements for all eligible Directors and employees. A defined contribution plan is  
a pension plan under which the Group pays contributions into a private or publicly administered pension insurance plan. Pension 
costs are charged to the Consolidated Income Statement in the period when they fall due. Pre-paid contributions are recognised  
as an asset to the extent that a cash refund or a reduction in future payments is available.

Revenue recognition

(a) Rental income
Revenue includes rental income net of VAT.

Most of the Group’s rental income is billed either monthly or quarterly in advance. A receivable and deferred income is recognised 
at the date payment is due providing the Directors consider the amount to be collectible. The COVID-19 pandemic has increased  
the level of uncertainty as to whether amounts will be collectible for some leases and as such no receivable (or a reduced 
receivable) has been recognised in the current and prior year where amounts have been billed and are due for payment if payment 
is not considered probable. If the Directors consider an unrecognised amount is collectible subsequent to its due date, then the 
receivable is recognised at that date. 

Rent receivables recognised are subject to impairment (refer to the Trade and Other Related Party receivables policy above).

Any lease incentives are spread on a straight-line basis across the period of the lease.

Rental income is recognised as revenue (to the extent it is considered collectible) as follows:

i)  Fixed rental income is recognised on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease;

ii)  turnover rents are based on underlying turnover and are recognised in the period to which the turnover relates;

iii)   rent reviews are recognised in the period to which they relate providing they have been agreed or otherwise on agreement; and

iv)   Where rent concessions have been granted that reduce the payments due under a lease in future periods the total revised 
consideration (plus any prepaid or accrued lease payments) is spread over the remaining lease term from the date the 
concession is granted.

(b) Car park income
Contract car park income is recognised on a straight line basis over the relevant period, in accordance with the contract to which  
it relates. Daily car park and car parking enforcement income is recognised when received. Where the Group is employed under  
a car parking management agreement and acts as agent, the Group only recognises the management fee income (on a straight  
line basis) and if applicable it’s share of any operating profits of the car parks managed.

(c) Hotel income
Room revenue is recognised on a daily basis in accordance with the date of the overnight stay. Food and beverage revenue  
is recognised at the point of sale.

(d) Interest income
Interest income on any short-term deposits is recognised in the Consolidated Income Statement as it accrues.

(e) Other income
Other income includes dividend income, which is recognised when the right to payment is established and surrender  
premiums or lease assignments received from outgoing tenants prior to the termination of their lease.

(f) Service charge income 
Many of the Group’s leases also include the provision of services (e.g. for security, cleaning etc). Revenue from the provision  
of services is recognised in accordance with the provisions of IFRS 15 as the services are provided to the tenant. Services are 
typically provided evenly over the lease term. The transaction price is generally specified in the lease contract to reflect the  
market value of providing the services. 

Dividend distribution
Dividend distributions to the Company’s shareholders are recognised in the Consolidated Financial Statements as follows:

i) 

 interim dividends are recognised in the period they are paid;

ii) 

final dividends are recognised in the period in which the dividends are approved by the Company’s shareholders.

106

107

03. Financial StatementsTown Centre Securities PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

Notes to the consolidated financial statements

continued

1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES CONTINUED

Reserves
Reserves are analysed in the following categories:

•  Share capital represents the nominal value of issued share capital.

•  Share premium represents any consideration received in excess of nominal value of the shares issued.

•  Capital redemption reserve represents the nominal value of the Company’s own shares that have been repurchased and cancelled.

•  Revaluation reserve represents the surplus valuation movement upon revaluation of freehold property relating  

to car park activities.

•  Retained earnings represents the cumulative profit or loss position less dividend distributions.

Financial risk management
The Group’s activities expose it to a variety of financial risks: credit risk, liquidity risk, cash flow and fair value interest rate risk,  
capital risk and price risk.

(a) Credit risk
As noted in the Group’s rental income policy above, receivables are only recognised for rental income when the amount due  
is considered collectable at the time of billing. Management continue to assess the collectability of unpaid amounts that are billed 
and due, if it becomes probable that the amount will be paid then the receivable will be recognised at that date, along with the 
related income. Whether an amount is considered to be collectable requires judgement. In making that judgement management 
consider (on a lease by lease basis) payment history and changes in the credit risk of the tenant.

The Group’s accounting policy means that no impairment loss is separately recognised in the Consolidated Income Statement for 
these amounts as no financial asset was recognised at the date of the transaction. These amounts are considered not collectable 
and remain unpaid.

The material financial assets to which the ECL impairment model is applied are set out below:

•  Cash and cash equivalents (£21,670,000 at 30 June 2021 and £12,643,000 at 30 June 2020) – all cash and cash equivalents are 

held with high quality financial institutions for which there is considered to be no significant credit risk, as such no ECL is 
recognised in respect of this balance.

•  Loan to JV (£5,836,000 at 30 June 2021 and £5,299,000 at 30 June 2020) – the general impairment approach has been applied 

to the loan receivable. Management have considered the cash flow forecasts of the joint venture and on this basis have 
concluded that the loan will be capable of settlement when called although this is not expected in the near future. 

•  Loan to third party (£1,535,000 at 30 June 2021 and £1,535,000 at 30 June 2020) – the general impairment approach has been 
applied to the loan receivable. Management have considered the cash flow forecasts of the joint venture and on this basis have 
concluded that the loan will be capable of settlement when called.

•  Trade receivables (£2,278,000 at 30 June 2021 and £2,086,000 at 30 June 2020) - the directors have applied the simplified 

approach to trade receivables. Trade receivables have been grouped together based on shared credit risk characteristics and 
days past due. Loss rates have then been applied to each group based on historical payment profiles adjusted to reflect current 
and forward-looking information. In particular, in the prior year this resulted in a material impairment loss being recognised 
because of the anticipated effects of COVID-19 on some creditors (for example, lease receivables for retailers who had closed 
their businesses at the prior year end). 

(b) Liquidity risk
Prudent liquidity risk management implies maintaining sufficient cash and marketable securities, the availability of funding through 
an adequate amount of committed credit facilities and the ability to close out market positions. Due to the dynamic nature of the 
underlying businesses, Group treasury policy aims to maintain flexibility in funding by keeping committed credit lines available.

The maturity profile and details of undrawn banking facilities are set out in Note 18.

(c) Cash flow and fair value interest rate risk
The Group has no significant interest-bearing assets. Borrowings issued at variable rates expose the Group to cash flow interest 
rate risk.

The Group takes on exposure to the effects of fluctuations in the prevailing levels of market interest rates on its financial position  
and cash flows. Interest costs may increase as a result of such changes. They may reduce profits or create losses in the event that 
unexpected movements arise.

The Group continually reviews interest rates and interest rate risk and has a policy of monitoring the costs and benefits of interest 
rate fixing instruments with a view to hedging exposure to interest rate risk on a regular basis.

At 30 June 2021, 68.0% (2019: 59.4%) of the Group’s borrowings were under long-term fixed rate agreements and therefore  
were protected against future interest rate volatility. 

(d) Capital risk
The Group’s objective in managing capital is to maintain a strong capital base to support current operations and planned growth 
and to provide for an appropriate level of dividend payments to shareholders. 

The Group is not subject to external regulatory capital requirements. 

(e) Price risk
Current asset investments are subject to price risk as a result of fluctuations in the market. The Group limits the amount  
of exposure by continually assessing the performance of these investments.

(f) Compliance with covenants
The Group’s bank facilities and the mortgage debenture stock include a number of covenants principally relating to income  
and capital cover. The Directors monitor performance against these covenants on a regular basis.

2. CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES AND JUDGEMENTS

The Group makes estimates and assumptions concerning the future. The resulting accounting estimates will, by definition,  
seldom equal the related actual results. The only estimates and assumptions that have a significant risk of causing a material 
adjustment to the carrying value amounts of assets and liabilities within the next financial year are as follows:

i.  Group’s property investments – the basis for valuation is set out in Note 12.

ii.  Revenue recognition – the Group’s accounting policy around the recognition of revenue includes an assessment of what rental 
income is deemed collectible. During the year ended 30 June 2021 this fair value assessment estimated that £1.3m of rental 
income invoiced was not recognised in the year.

iii.  Accounting for YPS investment – assessing the level of influence over this investment where the Group has a 21.1% equity 

shareholding (albeit only 19.9% of the voting rights) and a seat at the board. Under IFRS 20% is a threshold that is an indicator of 
significant influence. The Group is the fourth largest shareholder in YPS, and under the terms of the YPS Investment Agreement, 
and Articles of Association the Group does not have as much influence as the three larger investors. The judgement made is that 
even though the Group’s ownership is around the 20% threshold, it does not have significant influence and therefore the 
investment is not to be equity accounted.

3. SEGMENTAL INFORMATION

The chief operating decision-maker has been identified as the Board. The Board reviews the Group’s internal reporting in order  
to assess performance and allocate resources. Management has determined the operating segments based on these reports.

(A) Segmental assets

Property rental
Car park activities
Hotel operations

2021
£000

275,661
79,658
8,778

2020
Restated
£000

306,407
79,852
8,630

364,097

394,889

108

109

03. Financial Statements 
 
Town Centre Securities PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

Notes to the consolidated financial statements

continued

3. SEGMENTAL INFORMATION CONTINUED

(B) Segmental results

2021

2020 
Restated

Gross revenue (excl service charge 
income)
Service charge income

Gross revenue
Release of provision/(provision for) 
impairment of debtors
Service charge expenses
Property expenses

Net revenue/(costs)
Administrative expenses
Other income
Other expenses
Share of post-tax profits from  
joint ventures

Operating profit/(loss) before 
valuation movements
Valuation movement on  
investment properties
Impairment of car parking assets
(Loss)/profit on disposal of 
investment properties
Valuation movement on  
joint venture properties

Operating profit/(loss)
Finance costs

Loss before taxation

Taxation

Loss for the year

Property
rental
£000

Car park
 activities
£000

Hotel
operations
£000

Total
£000

Property
rental
£000

Car park
 activities
£000

Hotel
operations
£000

11,358
2,726

14,084

788
(3,656)
(1,020)

10,196
(4,687)
1,989
–

6,719
–

6,719

–
–
(5,666)

1,053
(898)
–
–

626
–

626

–
–
(803)

(177)
–
–
–

18,703
2,726

15,875
2,803

10,198
–

21,429

18,678

10,198

788
(3,656)
(7,489)

11,072
(5,585)
1,989
–

(1,478)
(4,011)
(1,495)

11,694
(5,086)
1,218
(777)

–
–
(6,396)

3,802
(1,111)
–
–

1,916
–

1,916

–
–
(1,779)

137
–
–
–

Total
£000

27,989
2,803

30,792

(1,478)
(4,011)
(9,670)

15,633
(6,197)
1,218
(777)

973

–

–

973

800

–

–

800

8,471

155

(177)

8,449

7,849

2,691

137

10,677

63
–

(2,320)

1,488

7,702

–
(111)

–

–

–
–

–

–

63
(111)

(26,024)
–

(2,320)

168

1,488

(350)

–
414

–

–

–
–

–

–

(18,357)

3,105

137

44

(177)

7,569
(8,145)

(576)

–

(576)

(26,024)
414

168

(350)

(15,115)
(9,009)

(24,124)

–

(24,124)

All results are derived from activities conducted in the United Kingdom.

The car park results include car park income from sites that are held for future development. The value of these sites has  
been determined based on their development value and therefore the total value of these assets has been included within  
the assets of the property rental business.

The net revenue at the development sites for the year ended 30 June 2021, arising from car park operations, was £1,005,000.  
After allowing for an allocation of administrative expenses, the operating profit at these sites was £646,000.

Revenue received within the car park and hotel segments is the only revenue recognised on a contract basis under IFRS 15.  
All other revenue within the Property segment comes from rental lease agreements.

4. ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES

Employee benefits
Depreciation
Charitable donations
Other

2021
£000

3,444
163
7
1,971

5,585

2020
£000

3,893
227
49
2,028

6,197

Depreciation charged to the Consolidated Income Statement as an administrative expense relates to depreciation on central office 
equipment, including fixtures and fittings, computer equipment and motor vehicles. Depreciation on operational equipment and 
right-of-use assets within both the car park and hotel businesses are charged as direct property expenses within the Consolidated 
Income Statement.

5. SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE GROUP’S EXTERNAL AUDITORS

During the year the Group obtained the following services from the Group’s auditors at costs as detailed below:

Audit services:
– Fees payable to the Group auditors’ for the audit of the Consolidated Financial Statements
– Audit of the Company’s subsidiaries pursuant to legislation
– Other audit related services

Total audit services
Non-audit services:
– Other non-audit services

Total other services

Total auditors’ remuneration

6. EMPLOYEE BENEFITS

Wages and salaries (including Directors’ emoluments)
Social security costs
Other pension costs
Loss of office

2021
£000

135
10
15

160

2

2

162

2021
£000

4,317
453
179
370

5,319

2020
£000

85
10
15

110

2

2

112

2020
Restated
£000

4,920
504
169
–

5,593

Employee benefits detailed above are charged to the Consolidated Income Statement through administrative expenses and 
property expenses. These are presented gross of furlough claims received from HMRC under the Coronavirus Job Retention 
Scheme. The total value of furlough claims during the year was £431,000 (2020: £214,000).

Disclosures required by the Companies Act 2006 on Directors’ remuneration, including salaries, share options, pension 
contributions and pension entitlement are included on pages 76 to 81 in the Directors’ Remuneration Report and form part  
of these Consolidated Financial Statements.

The average monthly number of staff employed during the year was 110 (2020: 127).

The Group operates pension arrangements for the benefit of all eligible Directors and employees, which are defined contribution 
arrangements. The assets of the arrangements are held separately from those of the Group in independently administered funds.  
All of the pension costs in the table above relate to defined contribution schemes.

110

111

03. Financial Statements 
 
Town Centre Securities PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

Notes to the consolidated financial statements

continued

7. OTHER INCOME AND EXPENSES

10. DIVIDENDS

2019 final paid: 8.50p per share
2020 interim paid: 3.25p per share 
2020 final paid: 1.75p per share
2021 interim paid: 1.75p per share 

2021
£000

–
–
930
930

1,860

2020
£000

4,519
1,728
–
–

6,247

An interim dividend in respect of the year ended 30 June 2021 of 1.75p per share was paid to shareholders on 25 June 2021.  
This dividend was paid entirely as a Property Income Distribution (PID).

A final dividend in respect of the year ended 30 June 2021 of 1.75p per share is proposed. This dividend, based on the shares  
in issue at 23 November 2021, amounts to £0.9m which has not been reflected in these accounts and will be paid on 21 January 
2022 to shareholders on the register on 31 December 2021. The entire dividend will be paid as an ordinary dividend.

11. EARNINGS PER SHARE 

The calculation of basic earnings per share has been based on the profit for the year, divided by the weighted average number  
of shares in issue. The weighted average number of shares in issue during the year was 53,161,220 (2020: 53,161,950).

Loss for the year and earnings per share
Valuation movement on investment properties
Impairment of car parking assets
Valuation movement on properties held in joint ventures
Profit/loss on disposal of investment and development properties

EPRA earnings and earnings per share

There is no difference between basic and diluted earnings per share.

There is no difference between basic and diluted EPRA earnings per share.

2021

2020 
Restated

Earnings
£000

(576)
(63)
111
(1,488)
2,320

304

Earnings
per share
p

(1.1)
(0.1)
0.2
(2.8)
4.4

0.6

Earnings
£000

(24,124)
26,024
(414)
350
(168)

1,668

Earnings
per share
p

(45.4)
49.0
(0.8)
0.6
(0.3)

3.1

Other income
Commission received
Dividends received
Management fees receivable
Dilapidations receipts and income relating to surrender premiums
Other

2021
£000

166
34
245
1,103
441

1,989

2020
£000

172
33
245
715
53

1,218

Other expenses
During the prior year a provision of £777,000 was recognised in relation to costs incurred on a project that may not be recoverable. 
Costs had been incurred over a number of years on the planned George Street aparthotel joint venture however there was some 
doubt over the future viability of the project, therefore a full provision was recognised against the costs incurred to date.

8. FINANCE COSTS

Interest payable on debenture loan stock
Interest payable on bank borrowings
Amortisation of arrangement fees
Interest expense on lease liabilities

Total finance costs

2021
£000

5,575
1,345
212
1,013

8,145

2020
£000

5,698
1,950
327
1,034

9,009

9. TAXATION

There was no current or deferred tax charge for both of the years presented.

Taxation for the year is lower (2020: lower) than the standard rate of corporation tax in the United Kingdom of 19% (2020: 19%). 
The differences are explained below:

Profit before taxation

Profit on ordinary activities multiplied by rate of corporation tax in the United Kingdom of 19%  
(2020: 19%)
Effects of:
– United Kingdom REIT tax exemption on net income before revaluations
– United Kingdom REIT tax exemption on revaluations

Total taxation

2021
£000

(576)

2020
£000

(24,124)

(109)

(4,584)

(58)
167

–

315
4,269

–

Factors affecting current and future tax charges
Town Centre Securities PLC elected for group REIT status with effect from 2 October 2007. As a result the Group no longer  
pays United Kingdom corporation tax on the profits and gains from its qualifying rental business in the United Kingdom provided  
it meets certain conditions. Non-qualifying profits and gains of the Group continue to be subject to corporation tax as normal.

Finance Act No.2 2015 included provisions to reduce corporate tax to 19% (effective from 1 April 2017) and Finance Act 2016 
introduced a further reduction to 17% (effective 1 April 2020).  The UK government subsequently passed a Budget Resolution  
on 17 March 2020 to retain the 19% corporation tax rate from 1 April 2020. Accordingly, the 19% rate has been applied when 
calculating deferred tax assets and liabilities as at 20 June 2021.

In the 3 March 2021 Budget it was announced that the UK tax rate will increase to 25% from 1 April 2023. This will have a 
consequential effect on the Company’s future tax charge. At the date of signing of the balance sheet this has now been 
substantially enacted.

The Group has unrecognised deferred tax assets of £3.9m (2020: £2.8m). Whilst the Group does not pay tax on the REIT business, 
the group is liable to corporation tax on the non-REIT side of the business. The deferred tax assets have not been recognised  
as there is insufficient evidence to support that there will be future taxable profits in the Group.

112

113

03. Financial StatementsTown Centre Securities PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

Notes to the consolidated financial statements

continued

12. NON-CURRENT ASSETS

(A) Investment properties

Valuation at 30 June 2019 – restated
Additions at cost
IFRS 16 adjustments
Other capital expenditure
Purchase of freehold
Disposals
Transfer to assets held for sale
Deficit on revaluation
Movement in tenant lease incentives

Valuation at 30 June 2020 – restated

Capital expenditure
Disposals
Transfer to hotel operations
Transfer to assets held for sale
Valuation movement
Movement in tenant lease incentives

Valuation at 30 June 2021

Freehold
£000

239,565
1,610
–
5,630
14,129
(2,425)
(23,199)
(24,906)
(279)

210,125

2,146
(26,319)
(8,630)
–
(4,095)
1,463

174,690

 Right-of-use 
asset
£000

Development
£000

21,284
–
518
–
(13,594)
–
–
(2,070)
–

6,138

–
–
–
(3,850)
480
–

36,451
–
–
348
–
–
–
952
–

37,751

22
–
–
–
3,678
–

Total
£000

297,300
1,610
518
5,978
535
(2,425)
(23,199)
(26,024)
(279)

254,014

2,168
(26,319)
(8,630)
(3,850)
63
1,463

2,768

41,451

218,909

At 30 June 2021, investment property valued at £213,720,000 (2020: £247,985,000) was held as security against  
the Group’s borrowings.

Right-of-use investment property assets include long leasehold property interests. 

(B) Freehold and leasehold properties – car park activities

Valuation at 30 June 2019 – restated
Additions
IFRS 16 adjustment
Depreciation
(Impairment)/reversal of impairment

Valuation at 30 June 2020 – restated

IFRS 16 adjustment
Depreciation
(Impairment)/reversal of impairment

Valuation at 30 June 2021

Freehold
£000

30,950
–
–
(285)
(15)

30,650

–
(329)
(421)

Right of  
use asset
£000

19,860
25
27,021
(1,472)
429

45,863

(95)
(1,476)
310

29,900

44,602

Total
£000

50,810
25
27,021
(1,757)
414

76,513

(95)
(1,805)
(111)

74,502

The historical cost of freehold properties and right-of-use assets relating to car park activities is £30,153,000 (2020: £30,506,000).

At 30 June 2021, freehold properties and right-of-use assets relating to car park activities, held as security against the Group’s 
borrowings are held at £43,650,000 (2020: £44,450,000).

The Company occupies an office suite in part of the Merrion Centre and also at 6 Duke Street in London. The Directors do not 
consider this element to be material.

(C) Freehold and leasehold properties – hotel operations

Valuation at 30 June 2020
Transfer from investment properties

Valuation at 30 June 2021

Freehold
£000

–
8,630

8,630

At 30 June 2021, freehold and leasehold property relating to hotel operations valued at £8,630,000 was held as security against  
the Group’s borrowings.

The Group owns and operates a hotel that has previously accounted for within Investment Property, on the basis that it was 
marketing the property for a letting to a hotel operator. The hotel was closed between January and April 2021 due to the COVID-19 
pandemic. Since reopening, trading at the hotel has been strong and given there was no firm interest for a third party letting the 
directors have decided to continue to operate the hotel, therefore this property has been transferred to freehold and leasehold 
properties with effect from 30 June 2021.

The fair value of the Group’s investment and development properties, freehold car parks, hotel operations and assets held for  
sale have been determined principally by independent, appropriately qualified external valuers CBRE and Jones Lang LaSalle.  
The external valuation reports for June 2020 explicitly mentioned material valuation uncertainty due to Novel Coronavirus 
(COVID-19) in their portfolio valuation reports to management for certain properties within the TCS portfolios. This reference  
has not been considered necessary in the valuation reports for June 2021. The remainder of the portfolio has been valued  
by the Property Director.

Valuations are performed bi-annually and are performed consistently across the Group’s whole portfolio of properties. At each 
reporting date appropriately qualified employees verify all significant inputs and review computational outputs. The external  
valuers submit and present summary reports to the Property Director and the Board on the outcome of each valuation round.

Valuations take into account tenure, lease terms and structural condition. The inputs underlying the valuations include market  
rents or business profitability, incentives offered to tenants, forecast growth rates, market yields and discount rates and selling  
costs including stamp duty.

The development properties principally comprise land in Leeds and Manchester. These have also been valued by appropriately 
qualified external valuers Jones Lang LaSalle, taking into account an assessment of their realisable value in their existing state and 
condition based on market evidence of comparable transactions and residual value calculations.

Property income, values and yields have been set out by category in the table below.

Retail and Leisure
Merrion Centre (excluding offices)
Offices
Hotels
Out of town retail
Distribution
Residential

Development property
Car parks
IFRS 16 Adjustment - Right-of-use assets held within 
investment property

Initial 
yield
%

Reversionary 
yield
%

6.4%
7.7%
4.9%
4.7%
7.9%
6.0%
5.2%

6.2%

7.9%
8.1%
7.8%
6.5%
7.5%
6.8%
5.1%

7.5%

Passing 
rent
£000

1,589
4,630
2,872
1,180
1,205
411
504

12,391

ERV
£000

1,947
4,857
4,568
1,630
1,155
463
492

15,112

Value
£000

23,445
56,654
55,546
23,630
14,500
6,470
9,175

189,420

41,451
74,502

518

305,891

114

115

03. Financial StatementsTown Centre Securities PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

Notes to the consolidated financial statements

continued

12. NON-CURRENT ASSETS CONTINUED

(C) Freehold and leasehold properties – hotel operations continued

Investment properties (freehold and right-of-use), freehold properties (PPE), hotel operations and assets held for sale
The effect on the total valuation (excluding development property and car parks of £189.4m of applying a different yield  
and a different ERV would be as follows:

Valuation in the Consolidated Financial Statements at an initial yield of 7.2% – £163.1m, Valuation at 5.2% - £226.0m.

Valuation in the Consolidated Financial Statements at a reversionary yield of 8.5% – £167.2m, Valuation at 6.5% - £218.4m.

Investment properties (development properties)
The key unobservable inputs in the valuation of one of the Group’s development properties of £27.4m is the assumed per acre or 
per unit land value. The effect on the development property valuation of applying a different assumed per acre or per unit land 
value would be as follows:

The other key development property in the Group is valued on a residual land value basis, the effect on the development property 
valuation of applying reasonable sensitivities would not create a material impact.

Valuation in the Consolidated Financial Statements if a 5% increase in the per acre or per unit value – £28.8m, 5% decrease in the  
per acre or per unit value – £26.0m.

The other key development property in the Group is valued on a per acre development land value basis, the effect on the 
development property valuation of applying reasonable sensitivities would not create a material impact.

Freehold car park activities
The effect on the total valuation of the Group’s freehold car park properties of £29.9m in applying a different yield/discount  
rate would be as follows:

Valuation in the Consolidated Financial Statements based on a 1% decrease in the yield/discount rate - £35.3m, 1% increase in the  
yield/discount rate - £26.0m.

Property valuations can be reconciled to the carrying value of the properties in the balance sheet as follows:

Externally valued by CBRE
Externally valued by Jones Lang LaSalle
Investment properties valued by the Directors

Properties held at valuation
IFRS 16 right-of-use assets held at depreciated cost

Investment 
properties
£000

108,150
110,190
51

218,391
518

218,909

Freehold and 
leasehold 
properties
£000

Hotel 
operations
£000

Assets held  
for sale
£000

24,500
5,400
–

29,900
44,602

74,502

8,630
–
–

8,630
–

8,630

Total
£000

145,130
115,590
51

260,771
45,120

3,850
–
–

3,850
–

3,850

305,891

Valuation of investment properties (freehold and right-of-use),freehold properties (PPE), hotel operations and assets  
held for sale at fair value
All investment properties, freehold properties held in property plant and equipment, hotel operations and assets held for sale  
are measured at fair value in the consolidated balance sheet and are categorised as level 3 in the fair value hierarchy as defined  
in IFRS13 as one or more inputs to the valuation are partly based on unobservable market data. In arriving at their valuation for  
each property (as in prior years) both the independent external valuers and the Directors have used the actual rent passing and  
have also formed an opinion as to the two significant unobservable inputs being the market rental for that property and the yield  
(i.e. the discount rate) which a potential purchaser would apply in arriving at the market value. Both these inputs are arrived  
at using market comparables for the type, location and condition of the property. 

Assets held for sale
As at 30 June 2021, one property with a value of £3,850,000 (2020: two properties with a total value of £23,199,000) was  
in the process of being sold and was therefore classified within current assets as Assets held for sale. The valuation surplus 
recognised through the Income Statement in relation to this property for the year ended 30 June 2021 was £230,000  
(2020: deficit of £3,471,000).

(D) Fixtures, equipment and motor vehicles

At 1 July 2019
Additions
Depreciation

At 30 June 2020

Net book value at 30 June 2020

At 1 July 2020
Additions
On acquisition of subsidiaries
Depreciation

At 30 June 2021

Net book value at 30 June 2021

13. GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS

Goodwill
At the start of the year
On acquisition of subsidiaries

At the end of the year

Intangible assets
At the start of the year
On acquisition of subsidiaries
Amortisation

At the end of the year

Cost
£000

4,390
93
–

4,483

4,483
198
30
–

4,711

2021
£000

4,024
412

4,436

–
442
(37)

405

Accumulated
depreciation
£000

2,781
–
589

3,370

1,113

3,370
–

386

3,756

955

2020
£000

4,024
–

4,024

–
–
–

–

Total goodwill and intangible assets

4,841

4,024

Goodwill represents the difference between the fair value of the consideration paid on the acquisitions of car park businesses  
and the fair value of the assets and liabilities acquired as part of these business combinations. The transactions in prior years relate 
to businesses that held car parks under operating leases with a net asset value of £nil. Goodwill therefore represents the full 
consideration of these acquisitions.

There have been two acquisitions of car park enforcement businesses during the year for a total consideration of £880,000.  
Of the purchase price, £442,000 which relates to short term customer contracts has been allocated to intangible assets,  
£26,000 to tangible assets and the remaining balance of £412,000 has been accounted for as goodwill. The remaining period  
of amortization of the Group’s intangible assets is just under three years.

A review of the year end carrying value has been performed to identify any potential impairment to the carrying value of  
goodwill. This has been based on the discounted future cash flows that are expected to be generated by the assets acquired  
over the remaining lease length, after taking account of the impact of COVID-19. The cash generating units are the individual  
car parks acquired. The key assumptions used in preparing these cash flow forecasts are an underlying revenue growth rate  
of 1% (2020: 1%) and a discount rate of 6% (2020: 8%). The assumptions used in the cash flow are based on the Group’s historical 
experience of the sector and expectation of future growth rate for the industry.

As the discounted future cash flows are in excess of the year end carrying value, no impairment of the carrying value is required.

116

117

03. Financial Statements 
 
Town Centre Securities PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

Notes to the consolidated financial statements

continued

14. INVESTMENTS IN JOINT VENTURES

The net assets of Belgravia Living Group for the current and previous year are as stated below:

At the start of the year
Repayments of loans from joint ventures
Loan interest
Valuation movement
Share of profits after tax

At the end of the year

Investments in joint ventures are broken down as follows:

Equity

Loans

2021
£000

13,751
–
110
1,488
863

16,212

2021
£000

10,376

5,836

16,212

2020
£000

13,387
(86)
151
(350)
644

13,751

2020
£000

8,452

5,299

13,751

Investments in joint ventures primarily relate to the Group’s interest in the partnership capital of Merrion House LLP and share  
capital of Belgravia Living Group Limited. 

Also within Investments in Joint Ventures exist loan balances due from joint ventures as they are considered to form part of the net 
investment in the JV. Repayment of the loans is neither planned nor likely to occur in the foreseeable future. These loan balances are 
held at amortised cost and are assessed for impairment on an annual basis using an expected credit loss model, in accordance with 
IFRS 9. Where a joint venture is loss making (as was the case for Belgravia Living Group Ltd in the prior year) and the losses exceed 
the equity investment in the joint venture, any excess losses are allocated to the loan balance which reduces the loan receivable’s 
carrying amount. If the joint venture becomes profitable (as is the case for Belgravia Living Group Ltd in the current year) the profits 
are allocated first to the loan to reverse previous losses allocated and are subsequently allocated to the equity investment.

Merrion House LLP owns a long leasehold interest over a property that is let to the Group’s joint venture partner, Leeds City Council 
(‘LCC’). The interest in the joint venture for each partner is an equal 50% share, regardless of the level of overall contributions from 
each partner. The investment property held within this partnership has been externally valued by CBRE at each reporting date.

The assets and liabilities of Merrion House LLP for the current and previous year are as stated below:

Non-current assets
Current assets
Current liabilities
Non-current liabilities

Net assets

The profits of Merrion House LLP for the current and previous year are as stated below:

Revenue
Expenses
Finance costs

Valuation movement on investment properties

Net profit

2021
£000

71,650
664
(2,307)
(48,929)

2020
£000

69,400
689
(2,269)
(50,532)

21,078

17,288

2021
£000

3,328
(8)
(1,780)

1,540
2,250

3,790

2020
£000

3,328
(5)
(1,832)

1,491
–

1,491

Belgravia Living Group Limited completed construction of a block of residential apartments in Manchester in 2019.  
These apartments have been let to residential tenants during the year. The Group’s financial interest in this joint venture  
is primarily in the form of a loan with a value as at 30 June 2021 of £5.7m (2020: £5.3m). 

Non-current assets
Current assets
Current liabilities
Non-current liabilities

Net liabilities

2021
£000

22,783
3,168
(11,286)
(14,634)

31

The income and expenses of Belgravia Living Group Limited for the current and previous year are as stated below:

Revenue
Expenses
Finance costs

Valuation movement on investment properties

Net profit/(loss)

2021
£000

1,262
(514)
(571)

177
726

903

2020
£000

22,923
3,014
(11,365)
(14,725)

(153)

2020
£000

1,215
(538)
(751)

(74)
(700)

(774)

The Group’s interest in other joint ventures are not considered to be material. The book value of the Group’s investment  
in Bay Sentry Limited is £nil (2020: £nil).

The joint ventures have no significant contingent liabilities to which the Group is exposed nor has the Group any significant 
contingent liabilities in relation to its interest in the joint ventures.

A full list of the Group’s joint ventures, which are all registered in England and operate in the United Kingdom, is set out as follows:

Merrion House LLP
Belgravia Living Group Limited
Bay Sentry Limited

Beneficial 
Interest
%

Activity

50
50
50

Property investment
Property Investment
Software Development

118

119

03. Financial Statements 
 
 
 
 
Town Centre Securities PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

Notes to the consolidated financial statements

continued

15. INVESTMENTS

Listed investments
Non-listed investments

Listed investments

At the start of the year
Increase/(decrease) in value of investments

At the end of the year

2021
£000

5,802
3,415

9,217

2021
£000

3,508
2,294

5,802

2020
£000

3,508
2,656

6,164

2020
£000

5,871
(2,363)

3,508

Listed investments relate to an equity shareholding in a company listed on the London Stock Exchange. This is stated at market 
value in the table above and has a historic cost of £889,130 (2020: £889,130).

Listed investments are measured at fair value in the consolidated balance sheet and are categorised as level 1 in the fair value 
hierarchy as defined in IFRS13 as the inputs to the valuation are based on quoted market prices.

The maximum risk exposure at the reporting date is the fair value of the other investments.

Non-listed investments

At the start of the year
Additions
Increase in value of investments

At the end of the year

2021
£000

2,656
258
501

3,415

2020
£000

2,510
146
–

2,656

Non-listed investments primarily relate to an equity shareholding and loans advanced to YourParkingSpace Limited,  
a privately owned company incorporated in the United Kingdom.

As at 30 June 2021, trade receivables which had not been impaired can be analysed as follows:

2021

2020

Total
£000

2,278

2,086

2,278

2,086

–

–

Movements in the Group provision for impairment of trade receivables are as follows:

Outside credit terms

Within credit 
terms
£000

Less than one 
month
£000

One to two 
months
£000

Older than two 
months
£000

At the start of the year
Provision for receivables impairment
Receivables written off as uncollectible
Unused amounts reversed

At the end of the year

The ageing of the provision is as follows:

2021

2020

–

–

2021
£000

1,766
–
(305)
(788)

673

–

–

2020
£000

411
1,478
(123)
–

1,766

Total
£000

673

1,766

Less than one 
month
£000

One to two 
months
£000

Older than two 
months
£000

–

–

–

229

673

1,537

The only class within trade receivables is rent receivable. Other receivables do not contain impaired assets. The maximum  
exposure to credit risk at the reporting date is the carrying value of trade receivables as mentioned above.

The Group does not hold any material collateral as security.

The fair value of YourParkingSpace Limited has been determined principally by an independent, appropriately qualified  
external valuer, GlobalView Advisors. There are no other material non-listed investments that required external valuation. 

In assessing whether trade receivables are impaired, each debt is considered on an individual basis and provision is made based  
on specific knowledge of each tenant, together with the consideration of appropriate economic market indicators.

The loans are held at amortised cost and are assessed for impairment under the IFRS 9 expected credit loss model.

The assets are categorised as level 3 in the fair value hierarchy as defined in IFRS 13 as the inputs to the valuation are based  
on unobservable inputs.

16. TRADE AND OTHER RECEIVABLES

Trade receivables
Less: provision for impairment of receivables

Other receivables and prepayments

2021
£000

2,951
(673)

2,278
3,003

5,311

2020
£000

3,852
(1,766)

2,086
1,382

3,468

The Directors consider that the carrying amount of net trade receivables approximates their fair value. The credit risk in respect  
of trade receivables is not concentrated as the Group has many tenants spread across a number of industry sectors. In addition,  
the tenants’ rents are payable in advance. The provision for impairment of receivables has been calculated after taking into  
account the impact of COVID-19 on the economy and the financial position of tenants.

Due to the nature of income, debts are generally recovered in advance and full provision has been made for income recognised  
but not recovered during the year. As such, the credit risk relating to trade and other receivables is considered to be low and any 
expected credit loss would be immaterial.

17. TRADE AND OTHER PAYABLES 

Bank overdraft
Trade payables
Social security and other taxes
Other payables and accruals

2021
£000

21,113
193
913
10,393

32,612

2020
£000

10,282
910
1,143
10,901

23,236

The Group’s banking facility has an agreement which allows the right of off-set between fellow Group companies. Interest payments 
and covenant tests are conducted on a net basis across the accounts within the banking facility. Whilst management monitors  
cash on a net basis, the fact that accounts were not actually swept and netted off at 30 June 2021 (and 30 June 2020 respectively) 
has meant that the cash and overdraft balances have been presented on a gross basis. 

120

121

03. Financial Statements 
 
 
 
Town Centre Securities PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

Notes to the consolidated financial statements

continued

18. FINANCIAL LIABILITIES

All the Group’s borrowings are either at floating or fixed rates of interest. The Group takes on exposure to fluctuations in interest 
rates on its financial position and its cash flows. Interest costs may increase or decrease as a result of such changes.

Trade and 
other creditors
£000

Bank 
borrowings
£000

Current
Bank borrowings
Lease liabilities

Non-current
Bank borrowings
Lease liabilities
5.375% First mortgage debenture stock

Total borrowings

The movement in financial liabilities during the year can be summarised as follows:

At the start of the year
Cash items
Borrowings repaid
Borrowings drawn down

Total cash items
Non-cash items
Amortisation of arrangement fees relating to banking facilities
Movement in other arrangement fees
Movement in finance leases

Total non-cash items

At the end of the year

2021
£000

2020
£000

40,601
1,659

42,260

6,170
28,273
99,387

60,326
1,658

61,984

19,796
28,919
105,876

133,830

154,591

176,090

216,575

2021
£000

2020
£000

216,575

182,152

(44,091)
4,000

(40,091)

212
39
(645)

(394)

–
8,000

8,000

327
(56)
26,152

26,423

176,090

216,575

The debenture, bank loans and overdrafts are secured by fixed charges on properties and restricted cash, valued at £271,905,000 
(2020: £314,375,000) owned by the Company and its subsidiary undertakings.

The gross cash and overdraft balances on the individual accounts are summarised as follows:

Cash balances
Overdrawn balances

Cash and cash equivalents

The Group’s remaining contractual non-discounted cash flows for financial liabilities are set out below:

2021
£000

21,670
(21,113)

2020
£000

12,643
(10,282)

557

2,361

In one year or less on demand
In more than one year but not more than five years
In more than five years

114
–
–

114

41,416
6,429
–

Trade and 
other creditors
£000

Bank 
borrowings
£000

2021

Debenture 
stock
£000

5,348
21,393
128,381

Lease 
liabilities
£000

1,667
6,750
46,301

Total
£000

48,545
34,572
174,682

47,845

155,122

54,718

257,799

In one year or less on demand
In more than one year but not more than five years
In more than five years

10,282
–
–

10,282

61,855
20,783
–

2020

Debenture 
stock
£000

5,698
22,792
142,465

Lease 
liabilities
£000

1,658
6,716
48,001

Total
£000

79,493
50,291
190,466

82,638

170,955

56,375

320,250

The debenture issue premium is net of issue costs and is amortised over the life of the debt agreement.

The amounts disclosed in the maturity profile above have been calculated to include notional interest payments, using the  
interest rates prevailing at the balance sheet date. The calculation is based on the assumption that the level of borrowings  
remains unchanged until maturity.

The Group had undrawn committed floating rate bank facilities as follows:

Expiring in one year or less
Expiring in more than one year

2021
£000

27,399
28,693

56,092

2020
£000

7,500
15,000

22,500

The availability of undrawn funds is subject to compliance with banking covenants. Performance against covenants is monitored 
continually and calculations are formally prepared at the end of each quarter. There have been no instances of non-compliance 
during the year.

19. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

The Group finances its operations through a combination of retained cash flows, debentures, finance leases and bank borrowings. 
Procedures are in place to monitor interest rate risk as considered appropriate by management. Numerical financial instruments 
disclosures are set out below. Additional disclosures are set out in the accounting policies relating to financial risk management.  
The carrying value of short-term receivables and payables approximate to their fair values. All financial liabilities are denominated 
in Sterling.

Under the terms of the Group’s bank borrowing facilties, the Group is required to comply with the following financial covenants on 
the properties secured under each facility:

•  The Loan to Value percentage must not exceed 65% on two of the Group’s facilities and 60% on the other facility;

•  The ratio of rental income and net car park income (where applicable) must not be less than 175% of the interest charge under the 

facility; and

• 

In addition, under one of the facilties, both of the above tests are performed on a Group wide basis and the consolidated loan to 
value percentage must not exceed 60% and the ration of rental income and net car park income must not be less than 175% of 
the interest charged under the three bank facilties and the debenture.

Under the terms of the Group’s debenture, the Group is required to comply with the following financial covenants:

•  The Asset Cover percentage must not be less than 150%; and

•  The ratio of rental income and net car park income (where applicable) must not be less than 100% of the debenture interest.

The Group has met all of these financial covenants during the year. Please refer to Note 27 for details of the covenant breach that 
occurred after the year end, and the waiver received from the bank concerned.

122

123

03. Financial Statements 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Town Centre Securities PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

Notes to the consolidated financial statements

continued

19. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS CONTINUED

Interest rate risk
The interest rate risk of the Group’s financial liabilities is as follows:

Debenture stock
Bank floating rate liabilities
Lease liabilities

As at 30 June 2021

As at 30 June 2020

Nominal value
£000

Weighted 
average rate
%

Weighted 
average period
Years

Nominal value
£000

Weighted 
average rate
%

Weighted 
average period
Years

99,501
46,908
29,932

176,341

5.375
1.78
3.5

10
1
37

106,001
80,500
30,577

217,078

5.375
1.78
3.5

11
1
38

The above amounts represent the monetary liabilities and are therefore different the book values set out in note 18 as a result  
of unamortised arrangement fees at 30 June 2021 of £251,000 (2020: £503,000). 

Floating rate financial liabilities bear interest at rates for term loans based on LIBOR plus an average margin of 1.65% and for the 
overdraft of 2.00% above base rate.

Facilities provided by banks and other investors are a mixture of fixed rates and floating charge funding. Floating rate borrowings  
are exposed to the risk of rising interest rates which the Group manages where necessary by the use of appropriate financial 
hedging instruments, primarily interest rate swaps.

An increase in LIBOR by one percentage point would have reduced profit for the year by approximately £598,000 
(2020: £745,000).

Financial instruments held for trading purposes
It is, and has been throughout the year under review, the Group’s policy not to trade in financial instruments.

Foreign currency exposure
The Group has no exposure to foreign currency as it has no overseas operations and all sales and purchases are made in Sterling.

Effective interest rates
The effective interest rates at the balance sheet date were as follows:

20. LEASE LIABILITIES

At 30 June 2021 the Group has a long leasehold interest in seven (30 June 2020: seven) properties that are accounted  
for under IFRS16.

Future lease payments are as follows:

In one year or less on demand
In more than one year but not more than 
five years
In more than five years

2021

2020

Minimum lease 
payments
£000

Interest
£000

Present value
£000

Minimum lease 
payments
£000

Interest
£000

Present value
£000

1,666

989

677

1,658

1,012

646

6,750
46,301

54,717

3,706
20,091

24,786

3,044
26,210

29,931

6,716
48,001

56,375

3,808
20,978

25,798

2,908
27,023

30,577

21. EPRA NET ASSET VALUE PER SHARE

The Basic and EPRA net asset values are the same, as set out in the table below.

Net assets at 30 June

Shares in issue (000)
Basic and EPRA net asset value per share

22. COMMITMENTS

2021
£000

2020
£000

155,395

155,078

53,131
292p

53,162
292p

The Group has no capital commitments (2020: £nil) in respect of capital expenditure contracted for at the balance sheet date  
but not yet incurred, for investment and development property.

Minimum total future lease payments receivable:

Bank overdraft facility
Bank borrowings
Debenture loan
Lease liabilities

2021

2020

2.1%
1.78%
5.375%
3.5%

2.1%
1.78%
5.375%
3.5%

Within one year

One to five years

In more than five years

2021
£000

11,001

34,222

64,542

2020
£000

14,174

42,409

85,516

Fair value of current borrowings
The fair value of bank borrowings and overdrafts approximates to their carrying value.

The Group has a wide range of leases in place with tenants across a broad range of properties, sectors, tenures and rental values.

Fair value of non-current borrowings

Debenture stock
Non-current bank borrowings

2021

2020

Book value
£000

99,387
6,170

Fair value
£000

109,574
6,170

Book value
£000

105,876
19,796

Fair value
£000

123,578
19,796

23. CALLED UP SHARE CAPITAL

Authorised
The authorised share capital of the Company is 164,879,000 (2020: 164,879,000) Ordinary Shares of 25p each. The nominal  
value of authorised share capital is £41,219,750 (2020: £41,219,750).

The above debenture stock has been valued as at 30 June 2021 (and 30 June 2020 respectively) by J C Rathbone Associates  
on the basis of open market value.

The fair valuation of debenture stock is categorised as level 1 in the fair value hierarchy as defined in IFRS13 as inputs are quoted  
in active markets.

All financing liabilities are held at amortised cost.

Capital management
The Group manages its capital to ensure that entities in the Group will each be able to continue to operate as a going concern  
while maximising the return to stakeholders through the optimisation of debt and equity. The capital structure of the Group  
consists of financial liabilities as per Note 18 and equity as per the consolidated statement of changes in equity. The Group’s  
capital structure is reviewed regularly by the Directors.

Issued and fully paid up

At 30 June 2020
Purchase and cancellation of own shares

At 30 June 2021

Number
 of shares
000

53,162
(31)

53,131

Nominal value
£000

13,290
(8)

13,282

The Company has only one type of Ordinary Share class in issue. All shares have equal entitlement to voting rights and 
dividend distributions.

At the year end the Company had authority to buy back for cancellation a further 7,943,377 Ordinary Shares.

124

125

03. Financial Statements 
 
 
Town Centre Securities PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

Notes to the consolidated financial statements

continued

24. CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES

26. RESTATEMENT OF PRIOR YEAR FIGURES

Loss for the financial year
Adjustments for:
Depreciation
Amortisation
Loss/(profit) on disposal of investment properties
Finance costs
Share of post tax profits from joint ventures
Movement in valuation of investment and development properties
Movement in lease incentives
Impairment of car parking assets
(Increase)/decrease in receivables
(Decrease)/increase in payables

Cash generated from operations

2021
£000

(576)

2,191
37
2,320
8,145
(2,461)
(63)
(1,463)
111
(2,675)
(922)

4,644

2020
Restated
£000

(24,124)

2,354
–
(168)
9,009
(450)
26,024
279
(414)
1,097
834

14,433

25. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

The only related party transactions that have taken place during the year relate to the remuneration of the Executive Directors,  
who are the key management personnel of the Group, and any dividends paid to the Directors and their family members.  
Further information about the remuneration of individual Directors is provided in the audited part of the Directors’ Remuneration 
Report on page 78.

Short-term employee benefits
Post-employment benefits
Dividends paid to the Ziff Concert Party

2021
£000

1,697
72
955

2,724

2020
£000

1,830
125
3,206

5,161

The Ziff Concert Party includes Edward Ziff, Ben Ziff (Executive Directors) and Michael Ziff (Non Executive Director) together  
with their immediate family members, Edward Ziff and Michael Ziff’s mother and sister and a number of trusts that Edward Ziff  
and Michael Ziff are not beneficiaries of but they do control.

During the year the Directors identified that a number of the Group’s accounting policies were either not in compliance with  
the relevant accounting standard or where not applied correctly. For this reason prior year figures have been restated and the  
details are summarised below:

1)  Classification of owner-occupied assets 

The Group operates a number of car parks on freehold land owned by the Group. Under the relevant accounting standards  
these owner-occupied car parks are required to be classified as Property, Plant and Equipment. During the year two car parks 
were identified that were misclassified as Investment Property. The prior year comparatives have been restated to:

•  Reclassify investment property as Freehold and Leasehold Properties (car park activities) within the Consolidated balance 

sheet, the amount being £27,200,000 at 1 July 2019 and £26,900,000 at 30 June 2020

•  Recognise a depreciation charge of £285,000 within the Consolidated income statement for the year ended 30 June 2020

•  Recognise an impairment of £15,000 on Freehold and Leasehold Properties within the Consolidated income statement  

for the year ended 30 June 2020

•  Reduce the valuation movement on investment properties in the income statement by £300,000 for the year ended  

30 June 2020

The adjustment has no overall effect on the total net assets of the Group at 30 June 2020 or on the Group’s loss for the  
year ended 30 June 2020.

2)  Measurement of leasehold properties (car park activities) 

The Group operates a number of car parks from leasehold properties (right-of-use assets). The Directors consider that the  
leased sites upon which these car parks are operated fall into one class of asset because they are of similar nature and use  
in the Group’s operations. Accounting standards require right-of-use assets within the same class of assets to be measured 
consistently using either the cost model or the revaluation model.

In the prior year, leasehold properties were inconsistently split between two classes of assets, being long leasehold  
and right-of-use assets. Within these classes a mixed measurement approach was applied with two sites held at valuation  
and the remaining held under the cost model. 

The prior year comparative figures have been restated to present all leased car park sites as right-of-use assets within  
note 12 (B) and to consistently apply the cost model to the entire class of assets. The effect of this restatement is:

•  A decrease in Freehold and leasehold properties and of £584,000 at 1 July 2019 and £546,000 at 30 June 2020

•  Recognise an additional depreciation charge of £141,000 within the Consolidated income statement for the year  

ended 30 June 2020

•  Recognise an additional reversal of impairment of £179,000 on Freehold and Leasehold Properties within the  

Consolidated income statement for the year ended 30 June 2020.

The adjustment results in a reduction in net assets of £546,000 June 2020. The adjustment also results in a £38,000  
decrease to the Group loss for the year ended 30 June 2020. 

3)  Disclosure of employee benefits (note 6) 

Company law requires the Group to disclose the total amount of employee benefits paid or payable in respect of the year.  
In the prior year, employee benefits were presented net of monies received under the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme 
(furlough grant) and excluded some benefits payable to employees where the cost was later re-claimed via a service charge.  
As a result, the disclosure did not comply with the requirements of the Companies Act.

The comparatives in note 6 have been restated to provide correct information. The effect of this restatement is to increase  
the disclosed total employee benefits payable for the year ended 30 June 2020 by £377,000. 

The adjustment has no overall effect on the total net assets of the Group at 30 June 2020 or on the Groups loss for the year 
ended 30 June 2020.

126

127

03. Financial Statements 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Town Centre Securities PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

Notes to the consolidated financial statements

continued

26. RESTATEMENT OF PRIOR YEAR FIGURES CONTINUED

4)  Provisions/trade and other payables 

In the prior year a provision of £146,000 was recognised in relation to future anticipated repairs and maintenance costs  
on an Investment Property owned by the Group. The provision was presented within trade and other payables. The provision 
should not have been recognised as the amount relates to a future operating cost of the Group. The prior year comparatives 
have been restated to:

•  Reduce trade and other payables within the Consolidated Balance Sheet by £146,000 at 1 June 2019 and £146,000  

at 30 June 2020.

The adjustment results in an increase in net assets of £146,000 at 30 June 2020. The adjustment has no effect on the income 
statement for the year ended 30 June 2020. 

5)  Service charge income and expenses 

In the prior year Consolidated income statement service charge income and service charge expenses were presented  
as a net amount within property expenses. The amounts should not have been presented net under the relevant accounting 
standards. The prior year comparatives in the consolidated income statement have been restated to present service charge 
income of £2,803,000 and service charge expenses of £4,011,000 as gross amounts in the year to 30 June 2020.

The adjustment has no overall effect on the total net assets of the Group at 30 June 2020 or on the Group’s loss for the  
year ended 30 June 2020.

6)  Classification of Investments  

The Group owns shares in a company listed on the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange. The total value of the investment 
at 30 June 2020 was £3,508,000 and this was presented in the Consolidated balance sheet within current asset investments. 
The investment should not have been classified as current because on 30 June 2020 management did not expect to realise  
the asset within twelve months of the reporting date.

The Group additionally holds shares in an unlisted company which were valued at £2,656,000 at 30 June 2020. Previously  
this investment was presented within car park activities as a non-current investment. This investment has been re-classified 
outside of car park activities and presented the investment together with the Groups listed investment, the investment  
remains in non-current assets.

The prior year comparatives have been restated to:

•  Decrease current investments in the Consolidated balance sheet by £5,871,000 at 1 July 2019 and 3,508,000  

at 30 June 2020

•  Decrease non-current investments (car park activities) in the Consolidated balance sheet by £2,510,000 at 1 July 2019  

and £2,656,000 at 30 June 2020

• 

Increase non-current investments in the Consolidated balance sheet by £8,381,000 at 1 July 2019 and £6,164,000  
at 30 June 2020.

The adjustment has no overall effect on the total net assets of the Group at 30 June 2020 or on the Groups loss for the  
year ended 30 June 2020.

The above restatements do not have any tax implications as the Group’s activities are tax exempt due to its REIT status.

The impact on the Balance Sheet as at 30 June 2020 is as follows:

2020
Previously 
reported 
£000

(1) 
Car parking 
assets
£000

(2) 
Leasehold 
properties
£000

(4)
Sinking fund 
provision
£000

(6) 
Listed 
investments
£000

2020
Restated
£000

Non-current assets
Property rental
Investment properties
Investments in joint ventures

Car park activities
Freehold and leasehold properties
Goodwill and intangible assets
Investments

Fixtures, equipment and motor vehicles
Investments

Total non-current assets

Current assets
Investments
Assets held for sale
Trade and other receivables
Cash and cash equivalents

Total current assets

Total assets

Current liabilities
Trade and other payables
Financial liabilities

Total current liabilities

Non-current liabilities
Financial liabilities

Total liabilities

Net assets

Equity attributable to the owners of the 
Parent
Called up share capital
Share premium account
Capital redemption reserve
Revaluation reserve
Retained earnings

Total equity

280,914
13,751

(26,900)
–

294,665

(26,900)

50,159
4,024
2,656

56,839

1,113
–

352,617

3,508
23,199
3,468
12,643

42,818

395,435

(23,382)
(61,984)

(85,366)

(154,591)

(239,957)

155,478

13,290
200
559
750
140,679

155,478

26,900
–
–

26,900

–
–

–

–
–
–
–

–

–

–
–

–

–

–

–

–
–
–
–
–

–

–
–

–

(546)
–
–

(546)

–
–

(546)

–
–
–
–

–

(546)

–
–

–

–

–

(546)

–
–
–
(250)
(296)

(546)

–
–

–

–
–
–

–

–
–

–

–
–
–
–

–

–

146
–

146

–

146

146

–
–
–
–
146

146

–
–

–

254,014
13,751

267,765

–
–
(2,656)

(2,656)

–
6,164

76,513
4,024
–

80,537

1,113
6,164

3,508

355,579

(3,508)
–
–
–

(3,508)

–

–
–

–

–

–

–

–
–
–
–
–

–

–
23,199
3,468
12,643

39,310

394,889

(23,236)
(61,984)

(85,220)

(154,591)

(239,811)

155,078

13,290
200
559
500
140,529

155,078

128

129

03. Financial Statements 
 
 
 
 
Town Centre Securities PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

Notes to the consolidated financial statements

continued

26. RESTATEMENT OF PRIOR YEAR FIGURES CONTINUED

The impact on the Balance Sheet as at 30 June 2019 is as follows:

2019
Previously 
reported 
£000

(1) 
Car parking 
assets
£000

(2) 
Leasehold 
properties
£000

(3)
Sinking fund 
provision
£000

(4) 
Listed 
investments
£000

2019
Restated
£000

Non-current assets
Property rental
Investment properties
Investments in joint ventures

Car park activities
Freehold and leasehold properties
Goodwill and intangible assets
Investments

Fixtures, equipment and motor vehicles
Investments

Total non-current assets

Current assets
Investments
Assets held for sale
Trade and other receivables
Cash and cash equivalents

Total current assets

Total assets

Current liabilities
Trade and other payables
Financial liabilities

Total current liabilities

Non-current liabilities
Financial liabilities

Total liabilities

Net assets

Equity attributable to the owners  
of the Parent
Called up share capital
Share premium account
Capital redemption reserve
Revaluation reserve
Retained earnings

Total equity

324,500
13,387

(27,200)
–

337,887

(27,200)

24,194
4,024
2,510

30,728

1,609
–

370,224

5,871
–
5,354
23,692

34,917

405,141

(34,739)
–

(34,739)

(182,152)

(216,891)

188,250

13,290
200
559
250
173,951

188,250

27,200
–
–

27,200

–
–

–

–
–
–
–

–

–

–
–

–

–

–

–

–
–
–
–
–

–

–
–

–

(584)
–
–

(584)

–
-

(584)

–
–
–
–

–

(584)

–
–

–

–

–

(584)

–
–
–
(250)
(334)

(584)

–
–

–

–
–
–

–

–
–

–

–
–
–
–

–

–

146
–

146

–

146

146

–
–
–
–
146

146

–
–

–

297,300
13,387

310,687

–
–
(2,510)

(2,510)

–
8,381

5,871

(5,871)
–
–
–

(5,871)

–

–
–

–

–

–

–

–
–
–
–
–

–

50,810
4,024
–

54,834

1,609
8,381

375,511

–
–
5,354
23,692

29,046

404,557

(34,593)
–

(34,593)

(182,152)

(216,745)

187,812

13,290
200
559
–
173,763

187,812

The impact on the income statement is as follows:

Gross revenue
Provision for impairment of debtors
Service charge income
Service charge expenses
Property expenses

Net revenue
Administrative expenses
Other income
Other expenses
Valuation movement on investment properties
Impairment of car parking assets
Profit on disposal of investment properties
Share of post-tax profits from joint ventures

Operating loss
Finance costs

Loss before taxation
Taxation

Loss for the year attributable to owners of the Parent

The impact on the cash flow statement is as follows:

Loss for the financial year
Adjustments for:
Depreciation
Profit on disposal of investment properties
Finance costs
Share of post-tax profits from joint ventures
Movement in valuation of investment and development properties
Movement in lease incentives
Impairment of car parking assets
Decrease in receivables
Increase in payables

Cash generated from operations

2020
Previously 
reported 
£000

(1) 
Car parking 
assets
£000

(2) 
Leasehold 
properties
£000

27,989
(1,478)
2,803
(4,011)
(9,244)

16,059
(6,197)
1,218
(777)
(26,324)
250
168
450

(15,153)
(9,009)

(24,162)
–

(24,162)

–
–
–
–
(285)

(285)
–
–
–
300
(15)
–
–

–
–

–
–

–

–
–
–
–
(141)

(141)
–
–
–
–
179
–
–

38
–

38
–

38

2020
Restated
£000

27,989
(1,478)
2,803
(4,011)
(9,670)

15,633
(6,197)
1,218
(777)
(26,024)
414
168
450

(15,115)
(9,009)

(24,124)
–

(24,124)

2020
Previously 
reported
£000

(24,162)

(1)
Car parking 
assets
£000

(2) 
Leasehold 
properties
£000

2020
Restated
£000

–

38

(24,124)

1,920
(168)
9,009
(450)
26,324
279
(250)
1,097
834

14,433

285
–
–
–
(300)
–
15
–
–

–

141
–
–
–
–
–
(179)
–
–

–

2,346
(168)
9,009
(450)
26,024
279
(414)
1,097
834

14,433

27. POST BALANCE SHEET EVENTS

On 13 October 2021 the Group sold a property on Duke Street in London for £3.85m.

After the year end, the Company breached a financial covenant on one of its bank facilities for the covenant reporting period from 
6 July 2021 to 5 October 2021. The Company had made the bank aware prior to formally reporting this breach. On 24 November 
2021 the bank confirmed in writing to the Company that it had waived its right to take any action as a consequence of this breach.

130

131

03. Financial Statements 
 
 
Town Centre Securities PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

Company balance sheet

as at 30 June 2021

Notes

2021
£000

Fixed assets
Investment properties
Property, plant and equipment
Investments

Current assets
Debtors
Cash

Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
Financial liabilities – borrowings
Other creditors

Net current liabilities

Total assets less current liabilities
Financial liabilities – borrowings

Net assets

Equity attributable to the owners of the Parent
Called up share capital
Share premium account
Capital redemption reserve
Other reserve
Unrealised non-distributable reserve
Retained earnings

Total shareholders’ funds

Company number: 00623364

4
4
5

6

9
8

9

10

2020
Restated
£000

102,406
743
251,310

107,151
641
254,432

362,224

354,459

93,761
22

93,783

91,830
25

91,855

(24,020)
(175,762)

(3,322)
(147,065)

(199,782)

(150,387)

(105,999)

(58,532)

256,225
(138,057)

295,927
(185,998)

118,168

109,929

13,282
200
567
63,313
–
40,806

13,290
200
559
63,642
3,000
29,238

118,168

109,929

As permitted by Section 408 of the Companies Act 2006, the Parent Company’s Profit and Loss Account has not been  
included in these financial statements. The profit shown in the financial statements of the Parent Company was £10,141,000  
(2020 restated: loss of £14,781,000).

The financial statements on pages 132 to 143 were approved by the Board of Directors on 29 November 2021 and signed  
on its behalf by

Edward Ziff OBE DL
Chairman & Chief Executive

Statement of changes in equity

for the year ended 30 June 2021

Balance at 30 June 2019 
- restated
Comprehensive income  
for the year
Loss

Total comprehensive 
(loss)/income for the year
Reserve transfer – 
impairment of investments 
in subsidiaries
Contributions by and 
distributions to owners
Final dividend relating  
to the year ended  
30 June 2019
Interim dividend relating  
to the year ended  
30 June 2020

Balance at 30 June 2020 
– restated

Comprehensive income  
for the year
Profit

Total comprehensive 
income for the year
Reserve transfer – 
impairment of investments 
in subsidiaries
Reserve transfer – 
realisation of gain on 
disposal of property
Contributions by and 
distributions to owners
Arising on purchase and 
cancellation of own shares
Final dividend relating  
to the year ended  
30 June 2020
Interim dividend relating  
to the year ended  
30 June 2021

Called up 
share capital
£000

Share 
premium 
account
£000

Capital 
redemption 
reserve
£000

Other reserve
£000

Unrealised 
non-
distributable 
reserve
£000

Retained 
earnings
£000

Total equity
£000

13,290

200

559

71,814

3,000

42,095

130,958

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

(8,272)

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

(14,781)

(14,781)

(14,781)

(14,781)

8,172

–

(4,519)

(4,519)

(1,729)

(1,729)

13,290

200

559

63,642

3,000

29,238

109,929

–

–

–

–

(8)

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

8

–

–

–

–

(329)

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

10,141

10,141

10,141

10,141

329

–

–

(3,000)

3,000

–

–

–

–

(42)

(42)

(930)

(930)

(930)

(930)

40,806

118,168

Balance at 30 June 2021

13,282

200

567

63,313

132

133

03. Financial Statements 
Town Centre Securities PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

Notes to the company financial statements

1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of preparation
The Company Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with FRS 102 (the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in 
the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland), the going concern basis, the historical cost convention as modified by the revaluation 
of investment properties and certain investments and in accordance with the Companies Act 2006 and applicable law.

In making their assessment of the ability of the Company to continue as a going concern the Directors have considered the impact 
of COVID-19 on both the liquidity and compliance with bank loan covenants of the Group as a whole. This approach is considered 
appropriate on the basis that all external funding is held within the Company. As such, the below assessment represents the  
Group position. 

The Group owns a portfolio of multi-let regional property assets located throughout the UK, and operates a car parking business. 
The business is funded in part by a £100m debenture which is due for repayment in 2031. In addition the business has three bilateral 
RCF facilities totalling £103m which are due for repayment or renewal between April 2022 and June 2023. In order to assess the 
potential impact of COVID-19 on the Group and its ability to continue as a going concern, management have analysed the portfolio’s 
tenant base and car parking operation and produced forecasts to 31 December 2022. These forecasts reflect management’s view  
of a worst case scenario including assumptions that rent receipts are materially lower than normally experienced and that the  
car park and hotel businesses recovers over the forecast period to a materially lower level than would normally be expected. 

These forecasts show that the Group has sufficient resources to continue to operate as a going concern for at least the next 
twelve months. Based on the forecasts, including the mitigating options utilised such as the government approved furlough  
scheme and VAT and PAYE pay deferral available to the Group the Directors consider it appropriate to prepare these financial 
statements on the going concern basis. 

These financial statements do not include the adjustments that would be necessary should the going concern basis of preparation 
no longer be appropriate. 

The preparation of financial statements in compliance with FRS 102 requires the use of certain critical accounting estimates.  
It also requires management to exercise judgement in applying the Company’s accounting policies (see Note 2). The principal 
accounting policies, which have been applied consistently, are as set out below:

Financial reporting standard 102 – reduced disclosure exemptions
The Company has taken advantage of the following disclosure exemptions in preparing these financial statements, as permitted  
by the FRS 102 (the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland):

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

the requirements of Section 4 Statement of Financial Position paragraph 4.12(a)(iv);

the requirements of Section 7 Statement of Cash Flows;

the requirements of Section 3 Financial Statement Presentation paragraph 3.17(d);

the requirements of Section 11 Financial Instruments paragraphs 11.41(b), 11.41(c), 11.41(e), 11.41(f), 11.42, 11.44 to 11.45, 11.47, 
11.48(a)(iii), 11.48(a)(iv), 11.48(b) and 11.48(c);

the requirements of Section 12 Other Financial Instruments paragraphs 12.26 to 12.27, 12.29(a), 12.29(b) and 12.29A;

the requirements of Section 33 Related Party Disclosures paragraph 33.7.

This information is included in the consolidated financial statements of Town Centre Securities Plc as at 30 June 2018 and these 
financial statements may be obtained from Companies House, Cardiff CF4 3UZ.

Deferred taxation
Town Centre Securities PLC elected for group REIT status with effect from 2 October 2007. As a result the Company no longer  
pays United Kingdom corporation tax on the profits and gains from qualifying rental business in the United Kingdom provided it 
meets certain conditions. Non-qualifying profits and gains of the Company continue to be subject to corporation tax as normal.  
On entering the REIT regime an entry charge equal to 2% of the aggregate market value of the properties associated with the 
qualifying rental business was payable. Deferred tax accrued at the date of conversion in respect of the assets and liabilities of  
the qualifying rental business was released to the income statement as the relevant temporary differences are no longer taxable  
on reversal. From 17 July 2012 there is no REIT entry charge payable where the Company makes acquisitions of companies  
owning qualifying properties.

Deferred tax is recognised in respect of all timing differences that have originated but not reversed at the balance sheet date,  
where transactions or events that result in an obligation to pay more tax in the future or a right to pay less tax in the future have 
occurred at the balance sheet date.

Deferred tax is measured at the average tax rates that are expected to apply in the periods in which the timing differences are 
expected to reverse, based on tax rates and laws that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the balance sheet date. 
Deferred tax is measured on an undiscounted basis.

Investment properties
Investment properties are included in the accounts at open market values based on an independent external valuation,  
as at 30 June each year, or held at Directors’ valuation. Movements in fair value are taken through the income statement.

Investments
Investments are held on the balance sheet at fair value.  Any fair value gains and losses are taken to the income statement.

Investment income
Income from investments is accounted for on the payment date of the dividends.

Investment in subsidiary undertakings
Prior to the adoption of FRS 102, investments in subsidiaries were revalued with any gains arising recognised in the other reserve. 
On adoption of FRS 102 on 1 July 2015, the directors of the company elected to measure the fixed asset investments at deemed cost 
being the carrying amount at the date of transition as determined under the entity’s previous financial reporting framework.

Investments are assessed at each reporting date to determine whether there is any indication that an investment is impaired. Where 
there is an indication, the carrying value of the investment is tested for impairment. An impairment loss is recognised for the amount 
by which the asset’s carrying amount exceeds its recoverable amount. Impairment losses are recognised in the company’s profit/
loss for the year and a transfer is made from the other reserve to retained earnings within the Statement of Changes in Equity (where 
the impairment is less than the amount of other reserve related to that investment). 

On disposal of an investment, any gain/loss on disposal is recognised in the profit/loss for the year of the company and any other 
reserve related to the investment disposed of is transferred from the other reserve to retained earnings within the Statement of 
Changes in Equity.

The unrealised non-distributable reserve represents distributions made by subsidiaries in prior years in the form of non-qualifying 
consideration which have given rise to a non-distributable gain. Amounts sitting in the reserve are transferred to retained earnings 
within the Statement of Changes in Equity when the gain becomes realised.

Trade receivables
Trade receivables are recognised initially at fair value and are subsequently measured at cost less provision for impairment.  
A provision for impairment of trade receivables is established when there is objective evidence that the Group will not be able  
to collect all amounts due according to the original terms of the receivables concerned. The amount of the provision is  
recognised in the Consolidated Income Statement.

Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents are carried in the Balance Sheet at cost. Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash in hand,  
deposits held at call with banks, other short-term, highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less and  
bank overdrafts. Bank overdrafts are included within borrowings in current liabilities on the Balance Sheet. Where there is a formal 
legal arrangement with a right to offset the net position of the individual accounts will be presented in cash or current liabilities 
as appropriate.

Joint ventures
A joint venture is a contractual arrangement whereby the Company and other parties undertake an economic activity that  
is subject to joint control.

Investments in jointly controlled entities are valued at cost less impairment.

Turnover
Turnover, which excludes value added tax, represents the invoiced value of rent and services supplied to customers.  
Rental income is accounted for as it falls due in accordance with the lease to which it relates.

Unamortised tenant lease incentives
Leasehold incentives given to tenants on entering property leases are recognised as unamortised lease incentives.  
The operating lease incentives are spread over the non-cancellable life of the lease. Where this ends with a clean break  
clause the incentives are spread to this date unless management is reasonably certain that the break will not be exercised.

134

135

03. Financial StatementsTown Centre Securities PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

Notes to the company financial statements

continued

1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES CONTINUED

Reserves
Reserves are analysed in the following categories:

•  Share capital represents the nominal value of issued share capital.

•  Share premium represents any consideration received in excess of nominal value of the shares issued.

•  Capital redemption reserve represents the nominal value of the Company’s own shares that have been  

repurchased and cancelled.

•  Other reserves relates to the revaluation of the Company’s investments.

•  Retained earnings represents the cumulative profit or loss position less dividend distributions.

2. JUDGEMENTS IN APPLYING ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND KEY SOURCES OF ESTIMATION UNCERTAINTY

The Company makes estimates and assumptions concerning the future. The resulting accounting estimates will, by definition, 
seldom equal the related actual results. The only estimates and assumptions that have a significant risk of causing a material 
adjustment to the carrying value amounts of assets and liabilities within the next financial year are investment properties (Note 4).

3. EMPLOYEE BENEFITS

Wages and salaries (including Directors’ emoluments)
Social security costs
Other pension costs

2021
£000

2,443
297
91

2,831

2020
£000

2,697
325
72

3,094

Employee benefits are charged to the Profit and Loss account through administrative expenses.

All of the pension costs in the table above relate to define contribution schemes.

The aggregate remuneration of the Directors of the Company was £1,769,000 (2020: £1,955,000).

The average monthly number of staff employed during the year was 45 (2020: 51). Disclosures required by the Companies Act 2006 
on Directors’ remuneration, including salaries, share options, pension contributions and pension entitlement, are included on  
page 78 in the Remuneration Report and form part of the Consolidated Financial Statements. The remuneration paid to the Parent 
Company auditors in respect of the audit of the Parent Company Financial Statements for the year ended 30 June 2021 is included 
in Note 5 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

4. TANGIBLE ASSETS

Investment properties

Valuation at 30 June 2020
Additions 
Disposals
Valuation movement
Movement in tenant lease incentives

Valuation at 30 June 2021

Freehold
£000

Long leasehold
£000

Development
£000

58,696
1,894
(5,930)
2,897
1,704

59,261

6,010
–
–
480
–

37,700
21
–
3,679
–

Total
£000

102,406
1,915
(5,930)
7,056
1,704

6,490

41,400

107,151

Fixtures, equipment and motor vehicles

Balance at 30 June 2020
Additions 
Depreciation

Balance at 30 June 2021

Net book value at 30 June 2021

Net book value at 30 June 2020

Total tangible assets
At 30 June 2021

At 30 June 2020

5. FIXED ASSET INVESTMENTS

Shares in Group undertakings
At 1 July 
Impairment

At 30 June

Listed investments
At 1 July
Revaluation

Other investments
At 1 July
Additions
Revaluation

At 30 June

Interest in joint ventures
At 1 July
Share of profit/(loss) after tax

At 30 June

Total fixed asset investments

Cost
£000

2,158
92
–

Accumulated 
depreciation
£000

1,415
–
194

2,250

1,609

614

743

107,792

103,149

2021
£000

2020
Restated
£000

239,847
(496)

248,020
(8,173)

239,351

239,847

3,508
2,293

5,801

2,656
258
501

3,415

5,299
388

5,687

5,871
(2,363)

3,508

2,510
146
–

2,656

5,595
(296)

5,299

254,432

251,310

As permitted by Section 615 of the Companies Act 2006, where the relief afforded under Section 612 of the Companies Act 2006 
applies, cost is the aggregate of the nominal value of shares issued plus the fair value of any other consideration given to acquire  
the share capital of the subsidiary undertakings.

Listed investments, all of which are listed on a recognised stock exchange, are stated at market value in the table above and have  
a historic cost of £889,130 (2020: £889,130).

The above freehold and long leasehold properties have been independently externally valued as at 30 June 2021 and 30 June 2020 
on the basis of open market value by Jones Long LaSalle and CBRE in accordance with the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors 
Appraisal and Investment Manual.

136

137

03. Financial StatementsTown Centre Securities PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

Notes to the company financial statements

continued

6. DEBTORS

Trade debtors
Less: provision for impairment of debtors

Amounts owed by subsidiary undertakings
Other debtors and prepayments

2021
£000

1,079
(662)

417
91,659
1,685

93,761

2020
Restated
£000

1,096
(591)

505
91,211
114

91,830

The Directors consider that the carrying amount of net trade receivables approximates their fair value. The credit risk in respect  
of trade receivables is not concentrated as the Company has many tenants spread across a number of industry sectors. In addition, 
the tenants’ rents are payable in advance. The provision for impairment of receivables has been calculated after taking into account 
the impact of COVID-19 on the economy and the financial position of tenants.

Due to the nature of income, debts are generally recovered in advance and full provision has been made for income recognised  
but not recovered during the year. As such, the credit risk relating to trade and other receivables in considered to be low and any 
expected credit loss would be immaterial.

The expense recognised in relation to the impairment of debtors for the year ended 30 June 2021 was £377,000 (2020: £519,000).

Amounts owed by subsidiary undertakings are unsecured, interest free and repayable on demand.

7. OTHER CREDITORS

Trade payables
Taxation and social security
Amounts owed to subsidiary undertakings
Other payables and accruals

2021
£000

47
323
171,275
4,177

2020
£000

739
313
142,143
3,870

175,762

147,065

Amounts owed to subsidiary undertakings are unsecured, interest free and repayable on demand.

8. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

The Company’s borrowings are at both floating and fixed rates of interest. The Company takes on exposure to fluctuations  
in interest rates on its financial position and cash flows. Interest costs may increase or decrease as a result of such changes.

Non-current
Bank borrowings
5.375% First mortgage debenture stock

Current
Bank borrowings

Total borrowings

2021
£000

2020
£000

6,170
99,387

19,796
105,876

105,557

125,672

56,520

63,648

162,077

189,320

The debenture, bank loans and overdrafts are secured by fixed charges on properties, valued at £271,905,000 
(2020: £314,375,000) owned by the Company and its subsidiary undertakings.

The debenture issue premium is net of issue costs and is amortised over the life of the debt agreement.

The Company had undrawn committed floating rate bank facilities as set out below:

Expiring in one year or less
Expiring in more than one year

2021
£000

27,399
28,693

56,092

2020
£000

7,500
15,000

22,500

The availability of undrawn funds is subject to compliance with banking covenants.

Included within facilities expiring in one year or less are overdraft facilities subject to annual review. There are net cash balances  
of £16,180,000 held by other Group companies which offset the Company’s overdraft on consolidation. The total overdraft facility  
is based on the Group’s right of set-off. Other facilities are available to provide funding for future investments.

The Company finances its operations through a combination of retained cash flows, debentures and bank borrowings.  
Procedures are in place to monitor interest rate risk as considered appropriate by management. Numerical financial instruments 
disclosures are set out overleaf.

All financial liabilities are denominated in Sterling.

Interest rate risk
The interest rate risk of the Company’s financial liabilities is as follows: 

Debenture stock
Bank floating rate liabilities

As at 30 June 2021

As at 30 June 2020

Nominal 
value
£000

99,501
62,789

162,290

Weighted 
average 
rate
%

5.375
1.78

Weighted 
average 
period
Years

10
1

Weighted 
average 
rate
%

5.375
1.78

Weighted 
average 
period
Years

11
1

Nominal 
value
£000

106,001
83,822

189,823

The above amounts represent the monetary liabilities and are therefore different the book values set out in as a result  
of unamortised arrangement fees at 30 June 2021 of £213,000 (2020: £503,000). 

Floating rate financial liabilities bear interest at rates for term loans based on LIBOR plus an average margin of 1.65% and  
for the overdraft of 2.00% above base rate.

Financial instruments held for trading purposes
It is, and has been throughout the year under review, the Company’s policy not to trade in financial instruments.

Foreign currency exposure
The Group has no exposure to foreign currency as it has no overseas operations and all sales and purchases are made in Sterling.

Effective interest rates
The effective interest rates at the balance sheet date were as follows:

Bank overdraft facility
Bank borrowings
Debenture loan

2021

2020

2.1%
1.78%
5.375%

2.1%
1.78%
5.375%

Fair values of current borrowings
Where market values are not available, fair values of financial assets and liabilities have been calculated by discounting  
expected future cash flows at prevailing interest rates and by applying year end exchange rates. The carrying amounts  
of short-term borrowings approximate to book value.

138

139

03. Financial StatementsTown Centre Securities PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

Notes to the company financial statements

continued

8. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS CONTINUED

Fair value of non-current borrowings

Debenture stock
Long-term bank borrowings

9. CALLED UP SHARE CAPITAL

Authorised
164,879,000 (2020: 164,879,000) Ordinary Shares of 25p each. 

Issued and fully paid up

At 30 June 2020 
Purchase and cancellation of own shares

At 30 June 2021

2021

2020

Book value
£000

99,387
6,170

Fair value
£000

109,574
6,170

Book value
£000

105,876
19,976

Fair value
£000

123,578
19,976

Number
 of shares
000

53,162
(31)

53,131

Nominal  
value
£000

13,290
(8)

13,282

The Company has only one type of Ordinary Share class in issue. All shares have equal entitlement to voting rights and 
dividend distributions.

10. RESTATEMENT OF PRIOR YEAR FIGURES

During the year the Directors identified that a number of the Company’s accounting policies were either not in compliance with  
the relevant accounting standard or where not applied correctly. For this reason prior year figures have been restated and the  
details are summarised below:

A)  Investment in subsidiaries 

During the year the Directors identified that there were indicators of impairment for a number of the company’s investments in 
its subsidiaries. On further analysis errors were identified in the historic cost records of some investments and in the revaluation 
reserve associated with investments (which arose under the Company’s previous accounting policy prior to adoption of FRS 
102). Some investments were also not assessed for impairment in prior years when indicators of impairments were present and 
as a result were overstated. 

The Directors have undertaken a review of the historic cost, the revaluation reserve and current carrying value for each 
investment on a line-by-line basis. As a result of this exercise the prior period has been restated as follows:

•  Reduce the carrying value of Investments in subsidiaries in the Company balance sheet at 1 July 2019 by £674,000  

and at 30 June 2020 by £8,846,000.

•  Reduce the other reserve within equity in the Company balance sheet at 1 July 2019 by £8,243,000 and  

at 30 June 2020 by £16,415,000.

• 

Increase retained earnings within equity in the Company balance sheet at 1 July 2019 and 1 July 2020 by £4,569,000.

•  Recognise a unrealised non-distributable reserve within equity in the Company balance sheet at 1 July 2019 and 30 June 

2020 of £3,000,000.

•  Recognise an impairment in the Income Statement for the year ended 30 June 2020 of £8,172,000 .

The adjustment results in a reduction in net assets of £8,846,000 at 30 June 2020 and an increase in loss for the year end 
30 June 2020 of £8,172,000.

B)  Debtors – amounts owed by subsidiary undertakings 

During the year the Directors identified that amounts owed by subsidiary undertakings should have been impaired in prior  
years as management consider the amounts are not, and were not in prior years, fully recoverable. Debtors have therefore  
been restated at 30 June 2020 to reduce the amount owing by £1,750,000. 

The adjustment results in a reduction in net assets of £1,750,000 at 30 June 2020 and an increase in loss for the year  
of £1,750,000.

C)  Listed investments 

The company owns shares in a company listed on the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange. The total value of the 
investment at 30 June 2020 was £3,508,000 and this was presented in the Company balance sheet within current asset 
investments. The investment should not have been classified as current because the investment was acquired for use  
on a continuing basis in the company’s activities.

The prior year comparatives have been restated to:

•  Decrease current investments in the Company balance sheet by £5,871,000 at 1 July 2019 and 3,508,000  

at 30 June 2020

• 

Increase non-current investments in the Company balance sheet by £5,871,000 at 1 July 2019 and 3,508,000  
at 30 June 2020

The adjustment has no overall effect on the total net assets at 30 June 2020 or on the loss for the year ended 30 June 2020.

The impact of these adjustments on balance sheet line items is as follows:

2020
Previously 
reported
£000

(A) 
Impairment of 
investments
£000

(B)
Provision for 
intercompany 
debtor
£000

(C)
 Listed 
investments
£000

Fixed assets
Investment properties
Property, plant and equipment
Investments

Current assets
Investments
Debtors
Cash

Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
Financial liabilities – borrowings
Other creditors

Net current liabilities

Total assets less current liabilities
Financial liabilities – borrowings

Net assets

Equity attributable to the owners of the Parent
Called up share capital
Share premium account
Capital redemption reserve
Other reserve
Unrealised non-distributable reserve
Retained earnings

Total shareholders’ funds

102,406
743
256,648

359,797

3,508
93,580
25

97,113

(3,322)
(147,065)

(150,387)

(53,274)

306,523
(185,998)

120,525

13,290
200
559
80,057
–
26,419

120,525

–
–
(8,846)

(8,846)

–
–

–

(8,846)
–

(8,846)

–
–
–
(16,415)
3,000
4,569

(8,846)

–
–
–

–

–
(1,750)

(1,750)

(1,750)

(1,750)
–

(1,750)

–
–
–
–
–
(1,750)

(1,750)

2020
Restated
£000

102,406
743
251,310

354,459

–
91,830
25

91,855

–
–
3,508

3,508

(3,508)
–
–

(3,508)

–
–

–

(3,322)
(147,065)

(150,387)

(3,508)

(58,352)

–
–

–

–
–
–
–
–
–

–

295,927
(185,998)

109,929

13,290
200
559
63,642
3,000
29,238

109,929

140

141

03. Financial Statements 
 
 
 
 
Town Centre Securities PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

Notes to the company financial statements

continued

11. SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES

The Company’s wholly owned active subsidiary undertakings at 30 June 2021, registered in England or Scotland and operating  
in the United Kingdom, are as follows:

Company number

Activity

Held directly
TCS Holdings Limited
Dundonald Property Investments Limited
Buckley Properties (Leeds) Limited
Citipark plc
TCS Development Management (Merrion) Limited
TCS (Residential Conversions) Limited
TCS (Property Management) Limited*
TCS Trustees Limited*
TCS Properties Limited*
TCS (Whitehall Plaza) Limited
TCS (9 Cheapside) Limited
TCS (Tariff Street) Limited
TCS (Brownsfield Mill) Limited
TCS (Merrion Hotel) Limited
Bay Sentry Solutions Limited
Citicharge Limited
Apperley Bridge Limited
TCS Park Row Limited
Citipark UK Limited
TCS (Merrion House JVC02) Limited
Tassgander Limited
Blackpool Markets Limited
Emett Exhibitions Limited
Milngavie East Limited
No 29 Management Co (Eastgate) Limited
T Herbert Kaye’s Estates Limited
TCS (Bolton) Limited
TCS Piccadilly Limited
TCS Whitehall Riverside Limited
TCS (Rochdale JV) Limited
TCS (Rochdale Management) Limited
TCS Car Parks Limited
TCS Eastgate Limited
TCS Finance Limited
TCS Trading Limited
The Merrion Centre Limited
Town Centre Enterprises Limited
Town Centre Securities (Developments) Limited
Town Centre Securities (Manchester) Limited
Town Centre Securities (Scotland) Limited
Town Centre Services Limited
TCS plc
TCS (EX TCCP) plc
Held indirectly
TCS Freehold Investments Limited
TCS Leasehold Investments Limited
Town Centre Car Parks Limited
TCCP (Clarence Dock) Limited
TCS (Milngavie) Limited
TCS (Merrion House JVC01) Limited
KBT Cornwall Limited
Dundonald (Cumbernauld) Limited
TCS (Bothwell Street) Limited

2271353
3672365
647309
8837214
8696141
3946495
5281225
3112933
2831154
9922032
10139127
09929851
10291290
10380988
12133595
13322988
6879596
8077103
8837203
8561356
4077297
2740190
1544918
SC464805
3873683
0226678
4104688
4317396
4329860
7712764
7712123
4847697
6554827
3108777
3060862
0814845
0221003
3946549
0129485
0748937
2285764
4329979
3385312

3684812
3684827
5494592
6219875
6391627
8561354
8087077
5983938
4240551

Property investment
Property investment
Property investment
Car park operations
Property investment
Property investment
Management company
Trustee for employee benefit plans
Property investment
Property investment
Property investment
Property investment
Property investment
Hotel operator
Car park operations
Dormant
Dormant
Dormant
Dormant
Dormant
Dormant
Dormant
Dormant
Dormant
Dormant
Dormant
Dormant
Dormant
Dormant
Dormant
Dormant
Dormant
Dormant
Dormant
Dormant
Dormant
Dormant
Dormant
Dormant
Dormant
Dormant
Dormant
Dormant

Property investment
Property investment
Car park operations
Car park operations
Property investment
Property investment
Car park operations
Dormant
Dormant

Dundonald Property Developments Limited
Riverside (Leeds) Limited
TCS (Greenhithe) Limited
TCS (Isleworth) Limited
TCS (Parliament Street 1) Limited
TCS (Parliament Street 2) Limited
TCS Energy Limited
TCS (Mill Hill) Limited
TCS (Residential) Limited
TCS Solar Limited

Company number

6430444
4569350
4413344
4413343
4768830
4768845
4414144
4413341
4249007
5113915

Activity

Dormant
Dormant
Dormant
Dormant
Dormant
Dormant
Dormant
Dormant
Dormant
Dormant

*  The subsidiaries marked with an asterisk above are exempt from preparing audited statutory accounts under section 479a of the Companies Act 2006.

The registered office of all subsidiaries is at the following address:

Town Centre House 
The Merrion Centre 
Leeds 
LS2 8LY

The Company’s directly owned joint ventures, which are all registered in England and operate in the United Kingdom,  
are as follows:

Proportion of 
Ordinary Shares 
held
%

Activity

50
50

Property Investment
Software Development

Belgravia Living Group Limited
Bay Sentry Limited

The registered offices of joint ventures are as follows:

Belgravia Living Group Limited 
Middleton House   
Westland Road 
Leeds 
LS11 5UH  

Bay Sentry Limited 
Town Centre House 
The Merrion Centre 
Leeds 
LS2 8LY

The Company also has an indirect 50% interest in Merrion House LLP, which has the same registered office as the Company.

142

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03. Financial Statements 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Town Centre Securities PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

Notice of Annual General Meeting

Notice is hereby given that the 2021 annual general meeting 
(the “Meeting”) of Town Centre Securities Plc (the “Company”) 
will be held at Town Centre House, The Merrion Centre on 
Wednesday, 29 December 2021 at 10:00am. 

You will be asked to consider and if thought fit pass the 
Resolutions below. Resolutions 1 to 15 will be proposed as 
ordinary resolutions. For an ordinary resolution to be passed, a 
simple majority of the votes cast must vote in favour of the 
resolution. Resolutions 16 to 19 will be proposed as special 
resolutions. For a special resolution to be passed, at least 75% of 
the votes cast must vote in favour of the resolution.

Shareholders will be able to attend the AGM in person this year.

We encourage all shareholders to vote via proxy in advance of 
the AGM. Your vote is important, and you are encouraged to 
use it. Shareholders should vote by way of proxy in advance of 
the Meeting. To ensure your vote is counted, you should 
appoint the ‘Chair of the Meeting’ as your proxy.

Resolutions 5 to 11: Re-election of Directors
5.  To re-elect Michael Ziff as a non-executive director of the 

Company.

6.  To re-elect Ian Marcus as a non-executive director of the 

Company.

7.  To re-elect Paul Huberman as a non-executive director of 

the Company.

8.  To re-elect Jeremy Collins as a non-executive director of the 

Company.

9.  To re-elect Edward Ziff as an executive director of the 

Company.

10. To re-elect Benjamin Ziff as an executive director of the 

Company.

11.  To elect Stewart MacNeill as an executive director of the 

Company

This notice includes the resolutions (‘Resolutions’) to be 
discussed at the AGM. You are requested to complete and 
submit a Form of Proxy as soon as possible whether you 
intend to attend the AGM or not. In any event, the Proxy 
instruction should reach the Company’s Registrar by 10.00am 
on Thursday, 23 December 2021. 

Resolution 12: Re-appointment of Auditors
12.  To re-appoint BDO LLP as the auditors of the Company, to 
hold office from the conclusion of this Meeting until the 
conclusion of the next general meeting at which annual 
financial statements are laid before the Company’s 
shareholders.

Completion of a Form of Proxy will not preclude you from 
attending the AGM physically.

Ordinary resolutions

Resolution 1: Annual Financial Statements and Directors’ 
Report 
1.  To receive the Company’s annual financial statements 

(together with the Directors’ Report and the auditors’ report) 
for the financial year ended 30 June 2021.

Resolution 2: Directors’ Remuneration Report 
2.  To approve the Directors’ Remuneration Report set out on 

pages 76 to 81 of the Company’s 2021 Annual Report for the 
year ended 30 June 2021 (excluding the Directors’ 
Remuneration Policy included in the report). 

Resolution 3: Directors’ Remuneration Policy 
3.  To approve the Directors’ Remuneration Policy, which can 

be found on page 77.

Resolution 4: Final Dividend
4.  To declare a final cash dividend recommended by the Board 

for the year ended 30 June 2021 of 1.75 pence per ordinary 
share, to be paid on 21 January 2022 to shareholders whose 
names appear on the register at close of business on 
31 December 2021. 

Resolution 13: Remuneration of Auditors
13.  To authorise the Directors to determine the remuneration of 

the Company’s auditors.

Resolution 14: Authority to Make Political Donations 
14.  To authorise, in accordance with Part 14 of the UK 

Companies Act 2006 (the “Act”), the Company and all 
companies that are subsidiaries of the Company at the date 
on which this resolution is passed, or at any time when this 
resolution has effect to: 

(a)  make political donations to political parties and/or 

independent election candidates;

(b)  make political donations to political organisations other 

than political parties; and

(c)  incur political expenditure,

(as such terms are defined in the Act), up to an aggregate 
amount of £50000, and the amount authorised under each 
of paragraphs (a) to (c) above shall also be limited to such 
amount, during the period beginning on the date of the 
passing of this resolution and ending at the conclusion of 
the next annual general meeting of the Company to be held 
in 2022. Upon the passing of this resolution, all existing 
authorisations and approvals relating to political donations 
or expenditure under Part 14 of the Act shall be revoked 
without prejudice to any donation made, or expenditure 
incurred, prior to the passing of this resolution pursuant to 
such authorisation or approval. For the purpose of this 
resolution, the terms “political donation”, “political parties”, 
“independent election candidates”, “political organisation” 
and “political expenditure” shall have the meanings given by 
sections 363 to 365 of the Act.

Resolution 15: Authority to Allot Ordinary Shares
15.  To generally and unconditionally authorise the Board, in 

substitution for any existing authority, but without prejudice 
to the exercise of any such authority prior to the date of the 
passing of this resolution, pursuant to and in accordance 
with section 551 of the Act to exercise all the powers of the 
Company to allot shares in the Company or grant rights to 
subscribe for or to convert any security into shares in the 
Company:

(a)  up to an aggregate nominal amount of £4,412,269.75 

(representing 17,649,079 ordinary shares) (such amount 
to be reduced by any allotments or grants made under 
paragraph (b) below in excess of such sum); and

(b)  comprising equity securities (as defined in the Act) up to 

a nominal amount of £8,824,539.50 (representing 
35,298,158 ordinary shares) (such amount to be reduced 
by any allotments or grants made under paragraph (a) 
above) in connection with an offer by way of a rights 
issue:

(i)  to ordinary shareholders in proportion (as nearly as 
may be practicable) to their existing holdings; and

(ii)  to holders of other equity securities as required by 

the rights of those securities or as the Board 
otherwise considers necessary, 

and so that the Board may impose any limits or 
restrictions and make any arrangements which it 
considers necessary, expedient or appropriate to deal 
with treasury shares, fractional entitlements, record 
dates, legal, regulatory or practical problems in, or under 
the laws of, any territory or any other matter,

provided that this authority shall expire at the conclusion of 
the next annual general meeting of the Company, to be held 
in 2022, or 1 February 2023, whichever is earlier, save that 
the Company may, before such expiry, make an offer or 
enter into an agreement which would or might require 
shares to be allotted, or rights to subscribe for or to convert 
securities into shares to be granted, after such expiry; and 
the Board may allot shares or grant such rights in pursuance 
of such an offer or agreement as if the authority conferred 
hereby had not expired. 

Special resolutions

Resolution 16: Authority to Disapply Pre-emption Rights
16.  That, if resolution 15 above is passed, the Board be given 
power to allot equity securities (as defined in the Act) for 
cash under the authority given by that resolution and/or to 
sell ordinary shares held by the Company as treasury shares 
for cash as if section 561 of the Act did not apply to any such 
allotment or sale, such power to be limited:

(a)  to the allotment of equity securities and sale of treasury 
shares in connection with an offer of, or invitation to 
apply for, equity securities (but in the case of the 
authority granted under paragraph (b) of resolution 15, 
by way of a rights issue only): 

(i)  to ordinary shareholders in proportion (as nearly as 
may be practicable) to their existing holdings; and 

(ii)  to holders of other equity securities, as required by 

the rights of those securities, or as the Board 
otherwise considers necessary, 

and so that the Board may impose any limits or 
restrictions and make any arrangements which it 
considers necessary or appropriate to deal with treasury 
shares, fractional entitlements, record dates, legal, 
regulatory or practical problems in, or under the laws of, 
any territory or any other matter; and 

(b)  in the case of the authority granted under paragraph (a) 
of resolution 16 and/or in the case of any sale of treasury 
shares, to the allotment of equity securities or sale of 
treasury shares (otherwise than under paragraph (a) 
above) up to a nominal amount of £661,840.25, 

such power to apply until the end of the next annual general 
meeting to be held in 2021, or 16 February 2023, whichever 
is earlier, but, in each case, during this period the Company 
may make offers and enter into agreements, which would, 
or might, require equity securities to be allotted (and 
treasury shares to be sold) after the power ends and the 
Board may allot equity securities (and sell treasury shares) 
under any such offer or agreement as if the power had not 
ended.

144

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04. Shareholder Information 
 
 
 
 
Town Centre Securities PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

Notice of Annual General Meeting

continued

Resolution 17: Additional Authority to Disapply Pre-emption 
Rights for Purposes of Acquisitions or Capital Investments
17.  That, if resolution 15 above is passed, the Board be given the 
power, in addition to any power granted under resolution 16 
above, to allot equity securities (as defined in the Act) for 
cash under the authority granted under paragraph (a) of 
resolution 15 and/or to sell ordinary shares held by the 
Company as treasury shares for cash as if section 561 of the 
Act did not apply to any such allotment or sale, such power 
to be:

(a)  limited to the allotment of equity securities or sale of 

treasury shares up to a nominal amount of £661,840.25; 
and

(b)  used only for the purposes of financing a transaction 

which the Board determines to be an acquisition or other 
capital investment of a kind contemplated by the 
Statement of Principles on Disapplying Pre-Emption 
Rights most recently published by the Pre-Emption 
Group prior to the date of this notice, or for the purposes 
of refinancing such a transaction within six months of it 
taking place,

such power to apply until the end of the next annual general 
meeting to be held in 2021, or 16 February 2023, whichever 
is earlier, but, in each case, during this period the Company 
may make offers and enter into agreements, which would, 
or might, require equity securities to be allotted (and 
treasury shares to be sold) after the power ends and the 
Board may allot equity securities (and sell treasury shares) 
under any such offer or agreement as if the power had  
not ended.

Resolution 18: Authority to purchase Company’s own shares
18.  That the Company be generally and unconditionally 

authorised for the purpose of Section 701 of the Act to make 
market purchases (within the meaning of Section 693(4) of 
the Act) of Ordinary Shares of £0.25 each in the capital of 
the Company, provided that:

(a) the maximum number of Ordinary Shares which may be 

purchased is 7,942,085;

(b) the minimum price, exclusive of any expenses, which 

may be paid for each Ordinary Share is £0.25;

(c) the maximum price, exclusive of any expenses, which 

may be paid for each Ordinary Share is an amount equal 
to the higher of:

(i) 105% of the average mid-market value of an Ordinary 
Share, as derived from the London Stock Exchange 
Daily Official List for the five business days prior to 
the day on which the purchase is made; and

(ii) an amount equal to the higher of the price of the last 
independent trade of an Ordinary Share and the 
highest current independent bid for an Ordinary 
Share.

(d) this authority shall expire on the date of the next annual 
general meeting of the Company or on 16 February 
2023, whichever is the earlier, but, in each case, 
provided that the Company may, before such expiry, 
enter into a contract or contracts to purchase shares 
which will or may be executed wholly or partly after the 
expiry of such authority and the Company may make a 
purchase of shares under such contract or contracts as 
if the authority had not expired.

Resolution 19: Notice of General Meetings, other than 
Annual General Meetings
19.  That a general meeting (other than an annual general 

meeting) of the Company may be called on not less than 14 
clear days’ notice.

By order of the Board.

Edward Ziff OBE DL
Chairman and Chief Executive
29 November 2021

Registered Office:
Town Centre House,  
The Merrion Centre,  
Leeds LS2 8LY

Registered in England and Wales No. 00623364

Explanatory notes

Ordinary resolutions

Resolution 1: To receive the Annual Financial Statements 
and Directors’ Report
Under the Company’s Act 2006, the Directors are required to 
present the strategic report, directors’ report, auditor’s report 
and annual financial statements of the Company to the Meeting. 
These are contained in the Company’s 2021 Annual Report  
and Financial Statements for the year ended 30 June 2021  
(the “Annual Report”), which was circulated at the time of  
this Notice and is also available on the Company’s website  
at www.tcs-plc.co.uk. 

Resolution 2: Directors’ Remuneration Report (excluding 
the Directors’ Remuneration Policy) for the year ended 30 
June 2021.
Under the Companies Act 2006 (the “Act”), the Directors must 
prepare an Annual Report detailing the remuneration of the 
Directors and a statement by the chairman of the Remuneration 
Committee (together, the “Directors’ Remuneration Report”). 
The Act also requires that a resolution be put to shareholders 
each year for their approval of that report. The Directors’ 
Remuneration Report can be found on pages 76 to 81 of the 
Annual Report. Resolution 2 is an advisory vote only and the 
Directors’ entitlement to remuneration is not conditional on it. 

Resolution 3: Directors’ Remuneration Policy
The Act also requires that a resolution be put to shareholders, at 
intervals of not more than three years, to approve the Directors’ 
Remuneration Policy, which can be found on page 77 of the 
Annual Report. This is a binding policy and, after it takes effect, 
the Directors will not be entitled to remuneration unless that 
payment is consistent with the approved policy or has been 
approved by a resolution of the shareholders of the Company. 
With the recovery in all of its business segments, the Company 
is able to make more reliable financial predictions, and it is 
proposing a single change to the existing remuneration policy 
at the 2022 Annual General Meeting. This change is to increase 
the maximum annual bonus entitlement from 60% of base 
salary to 100% of base salary. If Resolution 3 is approved, the 
policy will take effect from the date of the AGM.

Resolution 4: Final Dividend
The Board proposes a final dividend of 1.75 pence per share in 
respect of the year ended 30 June 2021 If approved, the 
recommended final dividend will be paid on 21 January 2022 to 
all ordinary shareholders who are on the register of members on 
31 December 2021. 

Resolutions 5 – 11: Re-election and election of Directors
The Board has agreed a policy whereby all Directors will seek 
annual re-election at the AGM, in accordance with the FRC 
Code of Corporate Governance. 

The Board believes that each Director seeking re-election 
continues to have the requisite skills and experience, and 
demonstrates the necessary commitment, to contribute 
effectively to the Board. In addition, the Board confirms that 
each Non-Executive Director is able to commit sufficient time  
to meet their Board responsibilities. The biographical details  
of the Directors seeking re-election at the Meeting are set out 
on pages 62 to 63 of the Annual Report.

None of the non-executive directors seeking re-election at the 
Meeting has any existing or previous relationship, transaction or 
arrangement with the Company, nor with any controlling 
shareholder of the Company or any associate of a controlling 
shareholder of the Company, within the meaning of Listing Rule 
13.8.17R(1). In considering the independence of the non-
executive directors, the Board has taken into account guidance 
from the UK Corporate Governance Code.

Resolution 12: Re-appointment of Auditor
At each general meeting at which the Company’s annual 
financial statements are presented to its members, the 
Company is required to appoint an auditor to serve until the 
next such meeting. The Board, on the recommendation of the 
Audit Committee, recommends the re-appointment of BDO LLP 
as auditors of the Company.

Resolution 13: Remuneration of Auditor
The remuneration of the Company’s auditor must be fixed by 
the Company in a general meeting or in such manner as the 
Company may determine in a general meeting. This resolution 
gives authority to the Directors to approve the terms of 
engagement and determine the remuneration of the Company’s 
auditors.

Resolution 14: Authority to make political donations 
Under the Act, political donations to any political parties, 
independent election candidates or political organisations other 
than political parties, or the incurring of political expenditure, 
are prohibited unless authorised by shareholders in advance. 

As the legislation is capable of wide interpretation, the terms 
“political donation”, a “political party”, a “political organisation” 
or “political expenditure” are not easy to define. For example, 
sponsorship, subscriptions, payment of expenses, paid leave for 
employees fulfilling public duties, and support for bodies 
representing the business community in policy review or 
reform, may fall within the scope of these matters. 

Therefore, notwithstanding that the Company has not made a 
political donation in the past, and has no intention, either now or 
in the future, of making any political donation or incurring any 
political expenditure, the Board has decided to propose 
Resolution 15 to avoid running the risk of the Company or its 
subsidiaries inadvertently breaching the Act through the 
undertaking of routine activities.

As permitted under the Act, this resolution also covers any 
political donations made or political expenditure incurred by 
any subsidiaries of the Company. This resolution caps the 
amount of all forms of political donations and expenditure that 
the company and its subsidiaries would be permitted to make at 
an aggregate of £50,000.

146

147

04. Shareholder Information 
Town Centre Securities PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

Notice of Annual General Meeting

continued

Resolution 15: Authority to Allot Ordinary Shares
The purpose of this resolution is to give the Directors authority 
to allot shares in place of the existing authority approved at the 
annual general meeting of the Company held on 17 November 
2020, which expires at the end of the 2021 annual general 
meeting. 

The authority in paragraph (a) of the resolution will allow the 
Directors to allot new shares and grant rights to subscribe for,  
or convert other securities into, shares up to a nominal value  
of £4,412,269.75 (representing 17,649,079 ordinary shares), 
which is equivalent to approximately one third of the total 
issued ordinary share capital of the Company as at 
29 November 2021, which is the latest practicable date  
prior to publication of this Notice.

In accordance with institutional guidelines issued by the 
Investment Association, paragraph (b) of Resolution 15 will allow 
Directors to allot, including the Ordinary shares referred to in 
paragraph (a) of Resolution 15, further of the Company’s 
Ordinary shares in connection with a pre-emptive offer by way 
of a rights issue to ordinary shareholders up to a maximum 
nominal amount of £8,824,539.50 representing approximately 
two thirds (66.67%) of the Company’s existing issued ordinary 
share capital and calculated as at 29 November 2021 (being the 
latest practicable date prior to publication of this document).

The Company does not currently hold any shares in treasury.

The Board believes it is in the best interests of the Company to 
have these authorities so that the Board can allot securities at 
short notice and without the need to hold a general meeting if 
the need arises. 

The authorities sought in paragraphs (a) and (b) of resolution 15 
are without prejudice to previous allotments made under such 
existing authorities.

The authorities will only be valid until the conclusion of the next 
annual general meeting of the Company to be held in 2021 or 
17 February 2022, whichever is earlier.

Special resolutions

Resolution 16: Authority to Dis-apply Pre-emption Rights
At the annual general meeting held on 17 November 2020, the 
Directors were given the authority to issue equity securities of 
the Company and sell treasury shares in exchange for cash until 
the 2021 annual general meeting. Resolution 16 renews this 
authority allowing Directors to issue equity securities and to sell 
treasury shares for cash on a non-pre-emptive basis: (i) to 
ordinary shareholders in proportion to their existing 
shareholdings and to holders of other equity securities as 
required by the rights of those securities, or as the Directors 
consider necessary, and to deal with, among other things, 
treasury shares, fractional entitlements and legal and practical 
problems in any territory, for example, in the case of a rights 
issue or other similar share issue; and (ii) otherwise, up to an 
aggregate nominal amount of £661,840.25 (representing 
2,647,361 ordinary shares). This number represents 
approximately 5% of the issued share capital as at 29 November 
2021 the latest practicable date prior to publication of this 
Notice.

The Directors believe that this resolution will assist them in 
taking advantage of business opportunities as they arise.

The Company does not currently hold any shares in treasury.

These authorities are without prejudice to allotments made 
under previous authorities and will only be valid until the 
conclusion of the next annual general meeting to be held in 
2022 or 16 February 2023, whichever is earlier. 

Resolution 17: Additional Authority to Disapply Pre-emption 
Rights for Purposes of Acquisitions or Capital Investments
On 5 May 2016, the Pre-Emption Group published a monitoring 
report on the implementation of its 2015 Statement of Principles 
for Disapplying Pre-emption Rights and a recommended 
template resolution for disapplying pre-emption rights. The 
template recommends companies request authority to disapply 
pre-emption rights in respect of the additional 5% to be used 
when the Board considers the use to be for an acquisition or 
specified capital investment in accordance with the 2015 
Statement of Principles as a separate resolution to the 
disapplication to issue shares on an unrestricted basis.

Resolution 17 seeks this separate authority. Where the authority 
granted under resolution 17 is used, the Company will disclose 
this in the announcement regarding the issue, the 
circumstances that have led to its use and the consultation 
process undertaken.

In accordance with the section of the Statement of Principles 
regarding cumulative usage of authorities within a rolling 
three-year period, the Directors also confirm their intention that 
(except in relation to an issue pursuant to resolution 17 in 
respect of the additional 5% referred to above) no more than 
7.5% of the issued ordinary share capital will be issued for cash 
on a non-pre-emptive basis during any rolling three-year period, 
without prior consultation with shareholders.

The Directors believe that this resolution will assist them in 
taking advantage of business opportunities as they arise.

These authorities are without prejudice to allotments made 
under previous authorities and will only be valid until the 
conclusion of the next annual general meeting to be held in 
2022, or 16 February 2023, whichever is earlier. 

Resolution 18: Authority to Purchase Company’s Own 
shares
Resolution 18 is a special resolution that will grant the Company 
authority to make market purchases of up to 7,942,085 ordinary 
shares, representing 15% of the ordinary shares in issue as at the 
date of the Notice. 

The Directors have no present intention to exercise the authority 
granted by this resolution, but the authority provides the 
flexibility to allow them to do so in future. The Directors would 
not exercise the authority unless they believed that the 
expected effect would promote the success of the Company for 
the benefit of its shareholders as a whole. Any shares bought 
back will either be cancelled or placed into treasury at the 
determination of the Directors.

The maximum price which may be paid for each ordinary share 
must not be more than the higher of (i) 105% above the average 
of the mid-market values of the ordinary shares for the five 
business days before the purchase is made or (ii) the higher of 
the price of the last independent trade and the highest current 
independent bid for the ordinary shares. The minimum price 
which may be paid for each ordinary share is £0.25.

This authority shall expire at the annual general meeting to be 
held in 2022 or on 16 February 2023, whichever is the earlier, 
when a resolution to renew the authority will be proposed.

Resolution 19: Notice of general meetings other than Annual 
General Meetings 
Under the Act, the notice period required for all general 
meetings of the Company is 21 clear days. Annual General 
Meetings will always be held on at least 21 clear days’ notice, but 
shareholders can approve a shorter notice period for other 
general meetings. At last year’s Annual General Meeting 
shareholders authorised the calling of general meetings (other 
than an Annual General Meeting) on not less than 14 clear days’ 
notice, and it is proposed that this authority be renewed.

Resolutions and Important Notes
The formal notice convening the Meeting (“the Notice”) is set 
out on pages 144 to 151 of this document and includes 
explanatory notes to each of the resolutions to be proposed at 
the Meeting. There will be an opportunity for you to raise 
questions at the Meeting about the resolutions set out in the 
Notice and about the business of the Company.

Further Information
Further information relating to the Company and its financial 
information can be found in the Company’s Annual Report and 
Financial Statements for the year ended 30 June 2021, which 
was circulated at the same time as this Notice and is also 
available on the Company’s website at www.tcs-plc.co.uk

Recommendation
The Board considers that Resolutions 1 to 19 are in the best 
interests of the Company and its shareholders as a whole and 
recommends that you vote in favour of such resolutions, as the 
Directors intend to do in respect of their own beneficial 
holdings.

Important notes
the following notes explain your general rights as a shareholder 
and your right to attend and vote at this Annual General Meeting 
or to appoint someone else to vote on your behalf.

1.  The right to vote at the meeting is determined by reference 

to the register of members. Only those shareholders 
registered in the register of members of the Company as at 
close of business on Thursday, 23rd December 2021 (or, in 
the event that the meeting is adjourned, in the register of 
members at close of business on the date which is two days 
before the date of any adjourned meeting) shall be entitled 
to attend or vote at the meeting in respect of the number of 
shares registered in their name at that time. Changes to 
entries in the register of members after that time shall be 
disregarded in determining the rights of any person to 
attend or vote (and the number of votes they may cast) at 
the meeting.

2. 

In order to gain admittance to the meeting, members maybe 
asked to prove their identity.

3.  A shareholder is entitled to appoint one or more persons as 
proxies to exercise all or any of his or her rights to attend, 
speak and vote at the meeting. A proxy need not be a 
shareholder of the Company. A shareholder may appoint 
more than one proxy in relation to the meeting provided that 
each proxy is appointed to exercise the rights attached to a 
different share or shares held by him/her. To appoint more 
than one proxy, you will need to complete a separate Form 
of Proxy in relation to each appointment. Additional proxy 
forms may be obtained by contacting the Company’s 
registrar at Link Group, PXS, Central Square, 29 Wellington 
Street, Leeds, LS1 4DL or you may photocopy the proxy 
form. You will need to state clearly on each proxy form the 
number of shares in relation to which the proxy is appointed. 
A failure to specify the number of shares each proxy 
appointment relates to or specifying a number which when 
taken together with the number of shares set out in the 
other proxy appointments is in excess of the number of 
shares held by the shareholder may result in the proxy 
appointment being invalid. You can only appoint a proxy 
using the procedures set out in these notes and the notes to 
the proxy form. 

The appointment of a proxy will not preclude a member 
from attending and voting in person at the meeting if he or 
she so wishes.

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04. Shareholder Information 
Town Centre Securities PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

Notice of Annual General Meeting

continued

4.  You can vote either:

-  by logging on to www.signalshares.com where full 

instructions can be found;

-  by requesting a hard copy form of proxy directly from 
the registrar, Link Group, on Tel: 0371 664 0300. Calls 
are charged at the standard geographic rate and will 
vary by provider. Calls outside the United Kingdom will 
be charged at the applicable international rate. Lines are 
open between 09:00 and 17:30, Monday to Friday 
excluding public holidays in England and Wales; or

- 

in the case of CREST members, by utilising the CREST 
electronic proxy appointment service in accordance 
with the procedures set out below.

For an electronic proxy appointment to be valid, the 
appointment must be received by the Company’s registrar 
by no later than 10.00am on Thursday 23rd December 2021 
(or in the event that the meeting is adjourned, no later than 
48 hours (excluding any part of a day that is not a working 
day) before the time of any adjourned meeting).

For a hard copy form of proxy to be valid, it must be 
completed, signed and sent to the offices of the Company’s 
registrars, Link Group, PXS, Central Square, 29 Wellington 
Street, Leeds, LS1 4DL, so as to arrive no later than 10.00am 
on Thursday 23 December 2021 (or, in the event that the 
meeting is adjourned, no later than 48 hours (excluding any 
part of a day that is not a working day) before the time of any 
adjourned meeting).

Any electronic communication sent by a member to the 
Company or the Company’s registrar which is found to 
contain a virus will not be accepted by the Company but 
every effort will be made by the Company to inform said 
member of the rejected communication.

5.  If you return more than one proxy appointment, either by 
paper or electronic communication, the appointment 
received last by the registrar before the latest time for the 
receipt of proxies will take precedence. You are advised to 
read the terms and conditions of use carefully. Electronic 
communication facilities are open to all shareholders and 
those who use them will not be disadvantaged. 

6.  The return of a completed proxy form, electronic filing or 

any CREST Proxy Instructions will not prevent a shareholder 
from attending the Meeting and voting in person if he/she 
wishes to do so.

7.  CREST members who wish to appoint a proxy or proxies 

through the CREST electronic proxy appointment service 
may do so for the Meeting (and any adjournment of the 
Meeting) by using the procedures described in the CREST 
manual (available from www.euroclear.com/site/public/EUI). 
CREST Personal Members or other CREST sponsored 
members, and those CREST members who have appointed 
a service provider(s), should refer to their CREST sponsor or 
voting service provider(s), who will be able to take the 
appropriate action on their behalf. 

8.  In order for a proxy appointment or instruction made by 
means of CREST to be valid, the appropriate CREST 
message (a CREST Proxy Instruction) must be properly 
authenticated in accordance with Euroclear UK & Ireland 
Limited’s specifications, and must contain the information 
required for such instructions, as described in the CREST 
manual. The message must be transmitted to be received by 
the issuer’s agent (ID RA10) by 10:00 on 23 December 2021. 
For this purpose, the time of receipt will be taken to mean 
the time (as determined by the timestamp applied to the 
message by the CREST Application Host) from which the 
issuer’s agent is able to retrieve the message by enquiry to 
CREST in the manner prescribed by CREST. After this time, 
any change of instructions to proxies appointed through 
CREST should be communicated to the appointee through 
other means. 

9.  CREST members and, where applicable, their CREST 

sponsors, or voting service providers should note that 
Euroclear UK & Ireland Limited does not make available 
special procedures in CREST for any particular message. 
Normal system timings and limitations will, therefore, apply 
in relation to the input of CREST Proxy Instructions. It is the 
responsibility of the CREST member concerned to take (or, if 
the CREST member is a CREST personal member, or 
sponsored member, or has appointed a voting service 
provider(s), to procure that his CREST sponsor or voting 
service provider(s) take(s)) such action as shall be necessary 
to ensure that a message is transmitted by means of the 
CREST system by any particular time. In this connection, 
CREST members and, where applicable, their CREST 
sponsors or voting system providers are referred, in 
particular, to those sections of the CREST Manual 
concerning practical limitations of the CREST system and 
timings. The Company may treat as invalid a CREST Proxy 
Instruction in the circumstances set out in Regulation 35(5)
(a) of the Uncertificated Securities Regulations 2001. 

10. A shareholder or shareholders having a right to vote at the 
meeting and holding at least 5 per cent of the total voting 
rights of the Company (see Note 12 below), or at least 100 
shareholders having a right to vote at the meeting and 
holding, on average, at least £100 of paid share capital, may 
require the Company to publish on its website a statement 
setting out any matter that such shareholder(s) propose to 
raise at the meeting relating to either the audit of the 
Company’s accounts (including the auditor’s report and the 
conduct of the audit) that are to be laid before the meeting 
or any circumstances connected with an auditor of the 
Company ceasing to hold office since the last Annual 
General Meeting of the Company in accordance with 
Section 527 of the Act.

Any such request must:

10.1 

 identify the statement to which it relates, by either 
setting out the statement in full or, if supporting a 
statement requested by another shareholder, clearly 
identifying the statement which is being supported;

10.2 

 comply with the requirements set out in Note 7 below; 
and

10.3 

 be received by the Company at least one week before 
the meeting.

  Where the Company is required to publish such a statement 

on its website:

 it may not require the shareholder(s) making the 
request to pay any expenses incurred by the 
Company in complying with the request;

14.  Where a copy of this notice is being received by a person 

who has been nominated to enjoy information rights under 
Section 146 of the Act (“Nominee”):

10.4 

10.5 

 it must forward the statement to the Company’s 
auditors no later than the time when it makes the 
statement available on the website; and 6.6 the 
statement may be dealt with as part of the business  
of the meeting.

11.  Any request by a shareholder or shareholders to require  
the Company to publish audit concerns as set out in  
Note 6 above:

11.1 

 may be made either:

11.1.1 

 in hard copy, by sending it to the Company 
Secretary, Town Centre House, The Merrion 
Centre, Leeds LS2 8LY; or

11.1.2 

 in electronic form, by sending it to 0113 234 
0442, marked for the attention of the Company 
Secretary, or to info@tcs-plc.co.uk (please state 
“TCS: AGM” in the subject line of the email);

11.2 

 must state the full name(s) and address(es) of the 
shareholder(s); and

11.3 

 (where the request is made in hard copy from  
or by fax) must be signed by the shareholder(s).

12.  As at 23 November 2021 (being the last practicable date 

prior to the publication of this notice) the Company’s issued 
share capital consists of 52,947,237 ordinary shares of 25p 
each, carrying one vote each. The Company does not hold 
any ordinary shares in treasury. Therefore, the total voting 
rights in the Company as at 29 November 2021 are 
52,947,237.

13.  Shareholders have the right to ask questions at the meeting 
relating to the business being dealt with at the meeting in 
accordance with Section 319A of the Act. The Company 
must answer any such questions unless:

13.1 

 to do so would interfere unduly with the preparation  
for the meeting or would involve the disclosure of 
confidential information;

13.2 

 the answer has already been given on a website  
in the form of an answer to a question; or

13.3 

 it is undesirable in the interests of the Company  
or the good order of the meeting that the question  
be answered.

14.1 

14.2 

 the Nominee may have a right under an agreement 
between the Nominee and the shareholder by whom 
he/she was appointed, to be appointed, or to have 
someone else appointed, as a proxy for the meeting; 
or

 if the Nominee does not have any such right or does 
not wish to exercise such right, the Nominee may 
have a right under any such agreement to give 
instructions to the shareholder as to the exercise  
of voting rights.

The statement of the rights of shareholders in relation to the 
appointment of proxies in Notes 3 to 5 above does not apply 
to a Nominee. The rights described in such notes can only 
be exercised by shareholders of the Company.

15.  Biographical details of all those Directors who are offering 
themselves for appointment or re appointment at the 
meeting are set out on pages 62 to 63 of the Annual Report 
and Accounts.

16.  A shareholder which is a corporation may authorise one or 
more persons to act as its representative(s) at the meeting. 
Each such representative may exercise (on behalf of the 
corporation) the same powers as the corporation could 
exercise if it were an individual shareholder, provided that 
(where there is more than one representative, and the vote  
is otherwise than on a show of hands) they do not do so in 
relation to the same shares.

17.  The following documents will be available for inspection 
during normal business hours at the registered office of  
the Company from the date of this notice until the time  
of the meeting. 

17.1 

 copies of the service contracts of the Executive 
Directors; and

17.2 

 copies of the letters of appointment of the  
Non-Executive Directors.

18.  The information required by Section 311A of the Act to  

be published in advance of the meeting, which includes  
the matters set out in this notice and information relating  
to the voting rights of shareholders is available at  
www.tcs-plc.co.uk. 

150

151

04. Shareholder Information 
 
 
 
 
Town Centre Securities PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

Investor information

Registrar
All general enquiries concerning shareholdings in  
Town Centre Securities PLC should be addressed to:

Dividends
Interim dividend: 1.75p per share paid on 25 June 2021  
to shareholders on the register on 28 May 2021. 

Link Group  
PXS  
Central Square  
29 Wellington Street  
Leeds  
LS1 4DL

Telephone: +44 (0) 371 664 0300

(Calls are charged at the standard geographic rate and will vary by provider.  
Calls outside the United Kingdom will be charged at the applicable international rate. 

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

Telephone outside United Kingdom: 
+44 (0) 371 664 0300

Email: shareholderenquiries@linkgroup.co.uk

Website: linkassetservices.com

Final dividend: 1.75p per share to be paid on 21 January 2022  
to shareholders on the register on 31 December 2021.

Payment of dividends
Shareholders whose dividends are not currently paid  
to mandated accounts may wish to consider having their 
dividends paid directly into their bank or building society 
account. This has a number of advantages, including the 
crediting of cleared funds into the nominated account  
on the dividend payment date. If shareholders would like  
their future dividends to be paid in this way, they should 
complete a mandate instruction available from the  
registrars. Under this arrangement tax vouchers are  
sent to the shareholder’s registered address.

Advisors
Independent Auditor 
BDO LLP

Brokers 
Liberum 
Peel Hunt

Bankers 
Lloyds Banking Group Plc 
The Royal Bank of Scotland Plc 
Svenska Handelsbanken AB (Publ)

Solicitors 
DLA Piper UK LLP 
Bond Dickinson LLP 
TLT LLP

Principal Valuers 
Jones Lang LaSalle 
CBRE

Corporate public relations 
MHP Communications

Contact information
Registered office 
Town Centre House 
The Merrion Centre 
Leeds LS2 8LY

Registered number 
623364 England

Email 
info@tcs-plc.co.uk

Website 
tcs-plc.co.uk

Company Secretary 
Tom Evans  
Town Centre House  
The Merrion Centre  
Leeds LS2 8LY

Registrar and transfer office 
Link Group 

Trustees to mortgage debenture holders 
Link Market Services Trustees Limited 
c/o Apex Corporate Trustees (UK) Limited 
6th Floor 
125 Wood Street 
London EC2V 7AN

Glossary

AGM 

CVA 

EPRA 

EPRA EPS 

EPRA Guidance 

EPRA NTA 

EPS 

ERV 

GDV 

IFRS 

LTV 

NAV 

Net Borrowings 

Net Initial Yield 

Post Investment Yield 

REIT 

Reversionary Yield 

Total Property Return 

Annual General Meeting

 Company Voluntary Arrangement, a process under UK insolvency law which  
allows a company to reschedule its debts with the consent of a specified majority  
of its creditors

European Public Real Estate Association

 A measure of EPS designed by EPRA to present underlying earnings from core 
operating activities

The EPRA Best Practices Recommendations Guidelines October 2019

 A measure of NAV designed by EPRA to present the fair value of a company on  
a long-term basis. For these purposes, the Group uses EPRA Net Tangible Assets  
as defined in the EPRA Guidance

 Earnings per share calculated as the profit or loss for the period after tax attributable 
to shareholders of the Company divided by the weighted average number of shares  
in issue in the period

 Estimated Rental Value: the independent valuers’ opinion of the open market rent 
which, on the date of valuation, could reasonably be expected to be obtained on  
a new letting or rent review of a property

Gross Development Value

International Financial Reporting Standards

Loan to Value: 

•  Facility specific – the outstanding amount of a loan as a percentage of property 

value 

•  Group LTV – The amount of financial liabilities less cash and cash equivalents  
(less overdrafts) as a percentage of the Group’s total assets less cash and cash 
equivalents

Net asset value

Total financial liabilities less IFRS 16 lease liabilities and cash equivalents

 Annualised net rents on an investment property as a percentage of the investment 
property valuation less purchaser’s costs

 Annualised net rents on a property as a percentage of the total development costs  
of a property

Real Estate Investment Trust

 ERV on an investment property as a percentage of the investment property valuation 
less purchaser’s costs

 Calculated as the net operating profit and gains/losses from property sales and 
valuations as a percentage of the opening portfolio carrying value

Total Shareholder Return 

 The movement in share price over a period plus dividends paid in the period 
expressed as a percentage of the share price at the start of the period

Weighted Average Unexpired Lease Term 

 The term to the first tenant break or expiry of the leases in the portfolio weighted  
by rental value before rent concessions, also referred to as WAULT

152

153

04. Shareholder InformationTown Centre Securities PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2021

Notes

154

Printed in the UK by Pureprint,  
a certified CarbonNeutral® printing  
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This report is printed on Revive 100 silk,  
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The mill also holds EMAS, the EU Eco-label. 
Revive 100 silk is a Carbon balanced paper 
which means that the carbon emissions 
associated with its manufacture have been 
measured and offset using the World Land 
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CBP00019082504183028Town Centre Securities PLC

Town Centre House 
The Merrion Centre 
Leeds 
LS2 8LY

+44 (0)113 222 1234

info@tcs-plc.co.uk 
tcs-plc.co.uk