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FY2023 Annual Report · TowneBank
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tomorrow, today

Annual Report and Accounts 2023 

Who we are

Town Centre Securities PLC (‘TCS’)  
is a property investment and 
development company with  
assets of over £300 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

03  |  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Independent auditor’s report 
95
Consolidated income statement 
102
Consolidated statement of comprehensive income  102
Consolidated balance sheet 
103
Consolidated statement of changes in equity 
104
Consolidated cash flow statement 
105
Notes to the consolidated financial statements 
106
Company balance sheet 
134
Statement of changes in equity 
135
Notes to the Company financial statements 
136

04  |  SHAREHOLDER INFORMATION

Notice of Annual General Meeting 
Investor information 
Glossary 

146
153
154

Highlights 
At a glance 
Our portfolio 
Our purpose-led approach 
Chairman and Chief Executive’s Statement 
Obituaries 
Market overview 
Our business model 
Our strategy 
Strategy in action 
Key performance indicators 
Portfolio review 
Divisional review 
Section 172 Statement 
Responsible business 
Risk Report 
Financial Review 

02  |  CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

Introduction from the Chairman 
Board of Directors 
Statement of compliance with the UK Corporate 
Governance Code 
Nomination Committee Report 
Audit Committee Report 
Directors’ Remuneration Report 
Directors’ Report 
Statement of Directors’ Responsibilities 

01
02
04
06
08
11
12
14
16
18
24
26
30
34
38
52
62

68
70

76
78
80
84
91
93

MERRION CENTRE, LEEDS

 tcs-plc.co.uk 

01  |  STRATEGIC REPORT

Highlights

Town Centre Securities PLC    Annual Report and Accounts 2023 

01 
STRATEGIC REPORT

STRATEGIC REPORT
Highlights

Financial

STATUTORY PROFIT/(LOSS) 
BEFORE TAX

(£29.5m)

STATUTORY EARNINGS PER 
SHARE
(60.1p)

TOTAL DIVIDENDS  
PER SHARE
5.0p

(£29.5m)

2023

(60.1p)

2023

2022

£11.0m

2022

20.9p

2023

2022

(£0.6m)

2021

(1.1p)

2021

2021

3.5p

(£24.1m)

2020

(45.5p)

2020

(£12.5m)

2019

(23.4p) 

2019

2020

2019

5.0p

5.0p

5.0p

11.75p

EPRA EARNINGS BEFORE TAX1

£3.1m

2023

2022

£3.1m

£3.3m

2021

£0.3m

2020

£1.7m

2019

EPRA EARNINGS PER SHARE1
6.2p

IFRS AND EPRA NET ASSETS 
PER SHARE1
291p

2023

2022

2021

0.6p

6.2p

6.2p

2020

2019

£6.4m

3.1p

12.0p

2023

2022

2021

2020

2019

291p

292p

292p

341p

354p

TOTAL SHAREHOLDER RETURN2

TOTAL PROPERTY RETURN2

(3.2)%

(3.2)%

2023

(4.5%)

2022

2021

55.8%

(50.4%)

2020

(25.0%)

2019

(6.0%)

(6.0)%

2023

2022

8.7%

2021

4.3%

(2.1%)

2020

2019

1.3%

Resilient

underlying performance

1   Alternative performance measures are detailed, defined and reconciled within 
notes 11 and 21 and defined within the glossary of these financial statements.

2  Alternative performance measures – See financial review and glossary for 

definition of these terms at the end of these financial statements.

 01

Contents Generation - SectionContents Generation - SectionContents Generation - SectionContents Generation - SectionAt a glance

Town Centre Securities PLC    Annual Report and Accounts 2023 

STRATEGIC REPORT
At a glance

With a heritage of over 60 years, 
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. 

LDS

MCR

Office

Retail/leisure

Car parking

Hotels

Development

Residential

37%

35%

17%

6%

4%

1%

Residential

Development

Office

Retail/leisure

Car parking

34%

21%

20%

18%

7%

DUCIE HOUSE, MANCHESTER

02 

01 
STRATEGIC REPORT

Our portfolio

Our portfolio covers a wide range of sectors:

TCS Timeline

Office
Over 360,000 sq ft of prime office space, 
let to long-standing tenants including Leeds 
City Council, StepChange and PureGym.
Portfolio share by value 32%

Retail
Focused on the more stable, essential-
retailing sector including food, discount 
and convenience stores.
Portfolio share by value 18%

Leisure
Key tenants include PureGym, Costa and 
Tenpin, in addition to a growing number of 
resilient and reputable regional restaurant, 
café and bar operators. 
Portfolio share by value 11%

Residential
Geographically spread over Leeds, 
Manchester, London and Glasgow 
with plans to develop more 
residential properties.
Portfolio share by value 12%

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 share by value 15%

Development
Currently progressing our development 
pipeline in both Leeds and Manchester, 
bringing forward mixed-use schemes 
incorporating commercial, residential and 
car parking elements in both locations.
Portfolio share by value 8%

Hotel
We manage one hotel in Leeds under the 
ibis Styles brand.
Portfolio share by value 4%

READ MORE

PAGE 26

1959
 ◆ Arnold Ziff  

established TCS

1960
 ◆ TCS floated on 

London Stock Exchange 

1964
 ◆ Merrion Centre officially opened 
in Leeds by Dr. Marjorie Ziff

1972
 ◆ Merrion House officially opened 

in Leeds
1974
 ◆ Acquisition of the Rochdale 
Canal Company including 
Piccadilly Basin, Manchester

1981
 ◆ Edward Ziff joined  
the Company

1988
 ◆ Acquisition of 

Whitehall Riverside, Leeds

2001
 ◆ Sale of Universal Parking 

to Q-Park
2014
 ◆ CitiPark (formally Town Centre 

Car Parks) incorporated 

2015
 ◆ CitiPark Merrion Centre  
multi-storey car park 
refurbishment completed 

2018
 ◆ Merrion House refurbishment 
officially opened in Leeds

2019
 ◆ Award-winning Burlington 
House (first PRS scheme) 
completed in Manchester

2021
 ◆ CitiCharge incorporated
2022
 ◆ Acquisition of 45 Weymouth 

Street, TCS’s new London office

 03

Contents Generation - SectionContents Generation - SectionContents Generation - SectionContents Generation - SectionContents Generation - SectionOur portfolio

Town Centre Securities PLC    Annual Report and Accounts 2023 

STRATEGIC REPORT
Our portfolio

Our locations

Town Centre Securities 
(‘TCS’) is a UK-based 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, 
where 89% of our portfolio 
by value is based.

LDS

Merrion Centre 
Whitehall Riverside 
Clarence Dock MSCP - Car Park

- Mixed-use scheme
- Development site

PORTFOLIO SHARE BY VALUE

63%

MCR

Piccadilly Basin 
Burlington House 
Urban Exchange 

- Development site
- Residential
- Retail

PORTFOLIO SHARE BY VALUE

27%

LDN

Weymouth Street 
Heath Street 
7 multi-storey Car Parks

- Office
- Retail

PORTFOLIO SHARE BY VALUE

9%

GLA

Bath Street 

- Residential

PORTFOLIO SHARE BY VALUE

1%

01 
STRATEGIC REPORT

Our sectors

Office Space
Over 360,000 sq ft of prime office space, let to long-standing 
tenants including Leeds City Council, StepChange and Pure Gym.

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

PORTFOLIO SHARE BY VALUE

32%

PORTFOLIO SHARE BY VALUE

12%

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

Development
Currently progressing our development pipeline in both 
Leeds and Manchester, bringing forward mixed-use schemes 
incorporating commercial, residential and car parking elements 
in both locations.

PORTFOLIO SHARE BY VALUE

11%

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 SHARE BY VALUE

15%

Hotel
We manage one hotel in Leeds under the ibis Styles brand.

PORTFOLIO SHARE BY VALUE

4%

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

PORTFOLIO SHARE BY VALUE

18%

PORTFOLIO SHARE BY VALUE

8%

PORTFOLIO VALUE BY LOCATION

Leeds

63%
Manchester 27%
London

9%

Glasgow

1%

TOWN CENTRE HOUSE, LEEDS 

READ MORE

PAGE 26

04 

 05

Contents Generation - SectionContents Generation - SectionContents Generation - SectionContents Generation - SectionContents Generation - Section 
 
 
 
Our purpose-led approach

Town Centre Securities PLC    Annual Report and Accounts 2023 

STRATEGIC REPORT
Our purpose-led approach

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.

WHITEHALL RIVERSIDE 
DEVELOPMENT (CGI), LEEDS 

Creating

quality spaces

Designed for modern needs, but with flexibility front 
of mind to adapt to the changing demands made by 
workspace, residential, electric vehicles, and the 
visitor economy.

01 
STRATEGIC REPORT

Delivering

Helping  
communities
thrive

Generating value
for stakeholders
over the long term

Actions
 ◆ Proud to be involved with a number of 

community-based programmes including Leeds 
Hospitals Charity, the Yorkshire Children’s Charity 
and First Give.

 ◆ Promoting family events in the Merrion Centre 

during summer.

 ◆ We are setting up a staff charitable foundation 

with a view to colleagues suggesting the causes 
they want to support.

We believe how we do business is just as 
important as what we do. Our sustainability 
strategy sets out our ESG goals, aligned to 
our purpose and business model.

Good health and wellbeing
our charitable work with children  
(eg our work with the Ahead Partnership).

Affordable and clean energy
producing our own solar energy through 
the development of three solar farms in 
Leeds and Manchester.

Sustainable cities and communities 
and Responsible consumption 
and production
electric vehicle charging network, and 
newly-formed CitiCharge business. 
Also our five-year Merrion Centre 
sustainability plan.

Reduced inequalities and Partnerships 
for the goals
local charitable partnerships including 
Tempus Nova.

for Investors
Reliable and long-term 
capital growth.

for Tenants
Creating spaces that help 
support businesses and 
provide safe environments for 
residential tenants.

for Employees
Committed to providing 
a safe and secure 
working environment.

for Communities
Striving to make a positive 
contribution that helps 
communities thrive and by 
supporting local initiatives 
and charities.

06 

 07

SEE OUR STRATEGY IN ACTION

PAGE 18 - 23

SEE ESG

PAGE 34 - 51

SEE OUR STAKEHOLDERS

PAGE 34 - 37

Contents Generation - SectionContents Generation - SectionContents Generation - SectionContents Generation - SectionContents Generation - SectionChairman and Chief Executive’s Statement

Town Centre Securities PLC    Annual Report and Accounts 2023 

STRATEGIC REPORT
Chairman and Chief Executive’s Statement

It has been another year of recovery and 
investment, with further successes as we 
have sought to reset and reinvigorate our 
business for the future.”
Edward Ziff OBE DL 
Chairman and Chief Executive

01 
STRATEGIC REPORT

Overview

The performance of the Company during 
the year has been resilient, particularly 
given the backdrop of macroeconomic 
challenges and an inflationary environment, 
and I want to begin by thanking my 
colleagues for their contributions to 
the success of the business.

In line with our strategy, we have almost 
halved our levels of debt over the last 
three years, with our strong balance sheet 

placing us in a good position to make 
selected acquisitions where we identify 
attractive opportunities. The interest rate 
for a significant proportion of our remaining 
debt is fixed, cushioning the business 
from the impact of rising interest rates. 
The divestments we have made to bring 
down gearing have reduced our income, 
but, given macroeconomic developments, 
we are enjoying the Company’s secure 
financial position.

As I have mentioned previously, it is 
disappointing that employers, particularly 
in the public sector, are taking a nonchalant 
approach to encouraging their employees 
to return to office working, with the 
proportion of time spent working from 
home surely having a negative impact on 
productivity and morale. If city centres 
are to thrive, they need large numbers 
of commuters as well as shoppers and 
tourists. In that sense our business is still 
affected by the ongoing repercussions of 
the COVID-19 pandemic.

Operational performance

ASSET SALES 

£33.4m

2022 | £37.9M

2021 | £48.0M

PROPORTION OF  
RETAIL AND LEISURE

29%

2022 | 31%
2021 | 29%

NET ASSET VALUE  
PER SHARE

291p

2022 | 341P
2021 | 292P

Sustainable

development

08 

123 ALBION STREET, LEEDS

READ MORE

PAGE 29

READ MORE

PAGE 28

READ MORE

PAGE 64

•  £33.4m of disposals during the year, 

together with the YPS sale announced 
previously, contributed to a significant 
reduction in net debt.

CitiPark and our hotel have performed 
strongly, as people have moved on from 
COVID-19. The location of our hotel 
benefitted from an increase in people taking 
short city breaks, which has mitigated 
the effect of changes in the behaviour of 
business customers to deliver a stellar year. 
Our car parks have seen high occupancy  
from shoppers and visitors, although  
those more reliant on business  
parking have performed less  
strongly. Our vehicle charging  
and enforcement businesses  
are doing well.

•  Our statutory loss in the year of £29.5m 
is due primarily to the performance 
from our investment property portfolio, 
including revaluation losses of £26.0m 
partially offset by surpluses generated 
from strategic disposals of £4.1m, 
and impairments to our Car Parking 
business of £11.5m. Coupled with 
other comprehensive income gains of 
£1.6m, the cost of buying in shares for 
cancellation of £7.9m and dividends paid 
totalling £2.4m, moved the Company’s 
balance sheet from a net asset value per 
share of 341p (at 30 June 2022) to 291p.

•  Net debt, including lease liabilities, 

reduced from £163.8m (at 30 June 2022) 
to £129.9m, with all but £5.8m benefitting 
from long-term fixed interest rates.

•  EPRA earnings per share are 6.2p for the 
year (2022: 6.2p), achieved despite the 
impact of asset disposals in both the 
current and previous year.

•  Rent collection was strong, with 99% 
of all rent and service charge income 
invoiced in the year collected.

1  Alternative performance measures are detailed and 

reconciled within note 11 and the financial review and 
defined within the glossary in these financial statements.

CITIPARK MERRION CENTRE

 09

Contents Generation - SectionContents Generation - SectionContents Generation - SectionContents Generation - SectionContents Generation - SectionTown Centre Securities PLC    Annual Report and Accounts 2023 

STRATEGIC REPORT
Chairman and Chief Executive’s Statement continued

Strategy

People and culture

We have successfully executed our strategy to 
dispose of retail and leisure assets and reduce 
borrowing to give us the headroom for future 
growth, accelerated by the disposal of our stake 
in YPS. The pace of divestments is slowing as 
our focus on paying down debt is behind us 
and we are now back to exploring opportunities 
to re-establish our income model. Examples 
include mixed-use properties in Central London 
combining retail, commercial and residential 
units. We are also looking to grow our Car 
Parking business and are open to considering 
attractive assets in any location, as well as in 
complementary areas such as vehicle charging. 

Retail is arguably at the bottom of the cycle, 
so we will also evaluate targeted acquisitions 
in that segment, identifying assets where we 
can put our property management expertise to 
greatest effect.

Although there is a sense of catching falling 
knives as valuations decline, that is our business, 
and we bring experience and expertise from our 
long heritage as well as our long-term approach. 
As we look to re-gear as appropriate, we were 
delighted that our tender offer for shares last 
September was over-subscribed, and we also 
bought back some of the debenture in the 
past year.

The Board has approved a final dividend of 
2.5p, bringing the total for the full year to 5.0p 
(compared to a total of 5.0p last year).

READ MORE

PAGE 16 - 23

In a market where competition for talent 
is fierce, we are delighted to have such 
a strong team, without whose expertise 
and commitment the Company’s positive 
performance wouldn’t be possible. 

There have been no changes to the 
Board, with the exception of promoting 
Craig Burrow to the main Board as Group 
Property Director, a reflection of his 
contribution to the Company.

ESG and communities

Philanthropy has always been at the heart of 
the Company’s ethos, and we are proud to 
be involved with a number of philanthropic 
and community-based programmes 
including Leeds Hospitals Charity, the 
Yorkshire Children’s Charity and First Give. 

We directed a portion of the proceeds 
from the sale of YPS to set up a staff 
charitable foundation with a view to 
colleagues suggesting the causes they 
want to support. Sustainability is a priority 
for the Company in the assets we acquire 
and manage, as well as in our Car Parking 
business. 33.4% of our investment property 
portfolio has an EPC rating of B or above, 
and environmental credentials are at the 
forefront of the design of our developments 
at Whitehall Riverside.

READ MORE

PAGE 38 - 51

Outlook

Looking ahead, we remain 
focused on optimising the 
performance of our estate and 
Car Parking business and are 
looking to capitalise on our 
secure financial position to 
acquire assets that meet our 
criteria. There is some hesitancy 
in the market, but our deep 
experience, agile approach and 
strong balance sheet make us 
well placed to seize attractive 
opportunities as they arise. 

Edward Ziff OBE DL
Chairman and Chief 
Executive
17 October 2023

 EV CHARGERS AT CITIPARK

Obituaries

Obituaries

During the last twelve months two individuals 
who both played key roles in the development 
of TCS sadly passed away.

01 
STRATEGIC REPORT

Dr Marjorie E Ziff  
MBE Hon RCM ‘Mrs Arnold’
1930 - 2023

Dr Marjorie E Ziff MBE Hon RCM was the beloved wife of 
our founder, Mr Arnold Ziff OBE and mother of current 
TCS Chairman and Chief Executive, Edward Ziff OBE, 
non-Executive Director, Michael Ziff and their sister Ann 
Manning. ‘Mrs Arnold’ (as she was affectionately known) 
was pivotal in the creation of TCS alongside her husband 
and was well-known to many employees and shareholders 
of the Company. 

Dr Ziff was awarded an MBE in the 2011 New Year’s 
Honours list for her services to philanthropy and the 
community of Leeds for over 60 years of unwavering 
and dedicated devotion. She officially opened the 
Merrion Centre on her 35th birthday on 26th May 1964 
and continued to be a fundamental part of the business, 
returning in 2019 for the Centre’s 55th anniversary.

Her contribution and public service to the city and 
community of Leeds has been an inspiration and a quality 
that all members of the Ziff family endeavour to continue 
in her honour.

Howard Stanton
1942 - 2023

Howard Stanton joined TCS in April 2009 as a Non-
Executive Director, at the end of the global financial crisis, 
when TCS was facing some of the most challenging 
financial conditions the market had known. He was a 
continuing support to me and the rest of Board through 
those difficult times and up until he retired from the role 
in 2015.

He was also a an outstanding friend to our business and 
had a great passion for charitable work. He was involved 
in countless charities and community projects. He 
dedicated his time and energy to these and his 
family as much as his commercial interests, which 
in themselves were significant.

I was very saddened to hear of Howard’s 
passing and I would like to offer 
our sincerest condolences to his 
wife Pat, his son David and his 
daughters Lara, Ilana and 
Sarah and the rest of his 
family. We wish them and 
the rest of his family 
long life.

10 

 11

MARJORIE AND ARNOLD ZIFF 
BUILDING, UNIVERSITY OF LEEDS

LEEDS HOSPITALS CHARITY BEAR HUNT 
AT THE MERRION CENTRE, LEEDS

Contents Generation - SectionContents Generation - SectionContents Generation - SectionContents Generation - SectionContents Generation - SectionMarket overview

Town Centre Securities PLC    Annual Report and Accounts 2023 

STRATEGIC REPORT
Market overview

Our market

Over the last twelve months the 
economy has not bounced back, but 
neither has it fallen into recession. 
Here we identify the key trends 
impacting our business, the 
opportunities and challenges they 
present and how we are responding. 

WHITEHALL RIVERSIDE 
DEVELOPMENT (CGI), 
LEEDS

01 
01   
STRATEGIC REPORT
STRATEGIC REPORT

UK economic growth – cost of 
living, inflation and interest rates
Political attention has shifted from the 
pandemic and the war in Ukraine to the 
cost-of-living crisis and inflation, with 
the Bank of England continuing to raise 
interest rates. As mentioned last year, in 
the medium term we expect attention to 
refocus on rebalancing and growing the UK 
economy and the strengthening of major 
cities in the North West and North East. 
Both the private rental and purpose-built 
student accommodation sectors in Leeds 
and Manchester have continued to attract 
significant investment from large funds 
looking for stable income streams. We 
expect the momentum behind these sectors 
to slow, however we are not expecting them 
to stall in the foreseeable future.

How we are responding
89% of our assets are located in Leeds and 
Manchester, with the percentage of our 
portfolio invested in residential growing 
from 6% to 12% in the year following 
the acquisition of the remaining half of 
Burlington House, Manchester. 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. The disposals during the 
year of parts of our Manchester and Leeds 
development sites have helped reduce 
net debt and more importantly reduce the 
proportion of variable interest rate debt.

Flexible working and office space
Working practices have settled down, with 
very few employers mandating full-time 
office working. From talking to our tenants 
and other stakeholders we are seeing 
more hybrid and flexible approaches when 
it comes to working practices, which is 
affecting demand for office space.

property, whether new-build or an existing 
investment. Although not a material factor 
at the moment, the minimum energy 
efficiency standard of EPC B, which 
becomes mandatory in April 2030, is a key 
metric in where we invest and update our 
existing portfolio.

How we are responding 
Office space currently accounts for 31% of 
our portfolio, with our focus on high-quality 
assets 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 attractive working environments. 

Where it is not possible to create attractive 
office space, we are looking at alternative 
uses. For example, we plan to convert Wade 
House, an office building at the Merrion 
Centre, into new student accommodation.

Changing consumer 
shopping habits
Online shopping continues to challenge 
the retail sector’s traditional business 
model of operating large stores on the high 
street and in shopping centres. Reduced 
requirements and smaller store sizes are 
now the norm, with town and city centres 
having to evolve their offering. This has 
resulted in further retail casualties during 
the year, however the operators that keep 
pace with changing customer needs and 
identify optimal in-store propositions should 
be able to thrive. For example, younger 
shoppers, despite being online more than 
any other group, show a preference for a 
hybrid, off- and online shopping experience. 
In contrast, older shoppers now fall broadly 
into two camps, with those continuing to 
visit physical shops and those that do the 
majority of their shopping online.

The environmental credentials of a building 
have always been important to tenants, 
however for new prime offices these are 
as important - if not more so - than the 
underlying rental value. Over the coming 
years we expect this to affect both the 
estimated rental values achievable and 
the underlying investment yields for every 

How we are responding
In line with our strategy of the last three 
years, we have diversified our portfolio and 
reduced our retail exposure. Pure retail 
now accounts for only 19% of our portfolio 
value, down from 60% seven 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.

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, ensuring buildings are 
digitally efficient, developing sustainable 
and energy efficient solutions, as well as 
considering the health and wellbeing of 
employees, tenants and visitors. In the 
automotive sector, demand for electric cars 
is rising; the UK Government’s plan to phase 
out the sale of new petrol and diesel cars 
by 2035 means that the infrastructure to 
charge them when consumers are on the 
move are now needed in greater numbers 
and more widely spread across the country.

How we are responding
Across our buildings we integrate high 
standards of environmental design and 
target the latest standards including EPC 
A ratings, BREEAM Outstanding as well as 
net zero carbon in the operation of our new 
developments. With wellbeing never so 
important, our developments will not only 
focus on first-class places to live and work, 
but they will offer space to relax, unwind 
and enjoy the surroundings.

We operate three solar photovoltaic farms 
on top of buildings we own in Leeds and 
Manchester, which generated over 182,000 
kWh of energy in the year (FY22: 187,000 
kWh) and avoided over 115 tonnes of CO2 
(FY22: 109 tonnes). We continue to look 
at innovative ways to further reduce our 
environmental impact. 

In our Car Parking division, we have 
continued our roll-out of EV charging points 
and rapid chargers across our car parks 
and alongside our buildings. We currently 
operate 51 chargers across CitiPark’s Car 
Parking portfolio and a further 38 chargers 
with NHS and retail partners. 

Progress

12 

 13

Contents Generation - SectionContents Generation - SectionContents Generation - SectionContents Generation - SectionContents Generation - SectionOur business model

Town Centre Securities PLC    Annual Report and Accounts 2023 

STRATEGIC REPORT
Our business model

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

What sets us apart 
– investment case

Our diversified portfolio spans a wide range of 
sectors across key regional locations.

PORTFOLIO VALUE BY SECTOR

PORTFOLIO VALUE BY LOCATION

Office

Retail/Leisure

Car Parking

Residential

Development

Hotels

32%

29%

15%

12%

8%

4%

Leeds

Manchester

London

Glasgow

63%

27%

9%

1%

Development pipeline of over 
£400m 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, and 
contributing to these communities is at 
the heart of our culture.

14 

What we do

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 
our portfolio 
across sectors, 
with a focus on 
Leeds, Manchester 
and London

Create a long-term 
quality portfolio

01 
STRATEGIC REPORT

How we generate 
value for our key 
stakeholders

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

For tenants
For commercial tenants we 
create spaces that help support 
businesses and meet their 
changing needs. We provide 
safe environments for our 
residential tenants, with modern 
city living a pre-requisite.

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.

MERRION CENTRE, LEEDS

 15

Contents Generation - SectionContents Generation - SectionContents Generation - SectionContents Generation - SectionContents Generation - SectionOur strategy

Town Centre Securities PLC    Annual Report and Accounts 2023 

STRATEGIC REPORT
Our strategy

We have 
clear plans 
to further 
enhance 
shareholder 
value

Loan to Value 45.8% – The amount 
of financial liabilities of £131.5m less 
net cash of £1.6m as a percentage of 
total assets £306.8m less cash and 
cash equivalents of £23.3m.

1  See glossary for definition of these terms at the 

end of these financial statements.

16 

WHAT WE DO:

Actively manage assets 
to optimise income and 
capital growth

PROGRESS:
 ◆ The proportion of retail and leisure 
assets in the portfolio has now 
settled at 29%, down from 60% 
in 2016. Pure retail now represents 
only 18% of the total portfolio 
and of that, 66% is in the resilient 
Merrion Estate.

 ◆ We disposed of our retail 

investments in Gordon Street 
and Buchanan Street, Glasgow, 
an office scheme in Uddingston 
as well as parts of both of our 
Whitehall Riverside and Piccadilly 
Basin development sites.

 ◆ Two acquisitions were completed 
in the year. A new office building 
in London, one floor of which is 
now the new London office for the 
Company, and the remaining half of 
Burlington House, a 91-apartment 
build-to-rent (‘BTR’) scheme in the 
centre of Manchester.

PRIORITIES
 ◆ Future opportunities have been 

identified at Vicar Lane, Leeds and 
the Merrion Centre

WHAT WE DO:

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

PROGRESS:
 ◆ We sold four properties during the 
year for £33.4m, £4.1m above June 
2022’s valuation.

 ◆ Net borrowings (total borrowings of 
£131.5m less finance lease liabilities 
of £28.0m and net cash of £1.6m) 
consequently reduced 21% to £101.9m, 
with loan-to-value (‘LTV’)1 reducing to 
45.8% (FY22: 46.4%). Included in the 
reduction of net borrowings was the 
buy-back for cancellation of £13.7m of 
our £96.1m 2031 5.375% debenture.

 ◆ We renewed our existing 

Handelsbanken facility, which 
now expires in June 2026.

 ◆ Our existing Lloyds bank facility 

was renewed immediately after the 
year-end and now expires in June 
2026 with  the option for two further  
one-year extensions.

 ◆ Following the acquisition of the 

remaining 50% of Burlington House, 
the Group now consolidates the loan 
facility secured solely on that property. 
This loan, which expires in January 
2029, has a fixed interest rate of 3.06%.

PRIORITIES
 ◆ We will continue to review our 
portfolio with an increased 
focus on bringing forward our 
development pipeline.

 ◆ Optimising our capital structure 
to reduce gearing and absolute 
borrowing levels whilst reducing the 
exposure to variable interest rates is 
an ongoing focus.

WHAT WE DO:

WHAT WE DO:

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

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

PROGRESS:
 ◆ Completed the £7.5m acquisition of 

45 Weymouth Street, London.
 ◆ Completed the £11.4m acquisition 
of the remaining 50% of Burlington 
House, Manchester.

PRIORITIES
 ◆ We continually review opportunities 
to acquire new investment assets 
across all sectors, in particular in 
Leeds, Manchester and London.
 ◆ Sites with asset management and/or  
development opportunities are a 
particular focus.

PROGRESS:
 ◆ Our development pipeline, with 

an estimated GDV of over £400m, 
is a valuable and strategic point 
of difference for TCS which we 
continue to progress and improve.
 ◆ In May 2023 we secured planning 
consent for the next phases on 
the flagship mixed-use Whitehall 
Riverside development site in Leeds 
including two office buildings, a 
478-space CitiPark car park and a 
hotel/aparthotel.

 ◆ Following submission earlier 

in the year of a pre-application 
presentation to Leeds City Council, 
we are continuing to work up 
student accommodation plans 
for the existing consented 100MC 
office building and Wade House. 
These plans will also cater for the 
evolution of the Merrion Estate 
as both shopping habits and the 
demographic of visitors to the 
Merrion Centre change.

PRIORITIES
 ◆ We continue to review the sequence 

of our development pipeline.

BURLINGTON HOUSE, MANCHESTER

01 
STRATEGIC REPORT

 17

Contents Generation - SectionContents Generation - SectionContents Generation - SectionContents Generation - SectionContents Generation - Section 
 
 
 
Strategy in action

Town Centre Securities PLC    Annual Report and Accounts 2023 

STRATEGIC REPORT
Strategy in action

01 
STRATEGIC REPORT

Overview
The Company has a development pipeline with a gross development value 
of over £400m split between Leeds and Manchester. All of the land is 
within the Company’s ownership and has either detailed planning or 
strategic frameworks in place for the majority. 

WHITEHALL RIVERSIDE 
DEVELOPMENT (CGI), LEEDS

The strategy for the development of Whitehall Riverside not only includes provisions 
to be sympathetic to its existing surroundings, but also to safeguard for future 
generations. The key considerations which highlight the environmental and 
sustainable considerations around future TCS developments are as follows:

 ◆ Target EPC A rating.
 ◆ Target BREEAM ‘Outstanding’.

 ◆ Targeting 38.5% less energy consumption than buildings regulations target.

 ◆ 100% of energy from renewable energy sources.
 ◆ All-electric building.

 ◆ Fabric-first approach to minimise energy demand.
 ◆ Heating and cooling via zoned VRF system with heat recovery.

 ◆ NABERS accredited.
 ◆ WELL accreditation – base build designed to WELL Ready.

With a focus not only on first-class places to live and work, Whitehall Riverside will 
offer space to relax, unwind and enjoy the surroundings by the River Aire. With 
wellbeing so important, visitors will be able to benefit from:

 ◆ Over 100 new places to sit alongside the riverside, within the new green 

space and along the green streets.

 ◆ Attractive, enjoyable, well-overlooked pedestrian routes between  

Whitehall Road and Riverside.

 ◆ Extended, high-quality cycle route along Whitehall Road and an improved 

connection to the River Aire footbridge.

 ◆ Generous walkways and street tree planting along Whitehall Road.

No.2   No.5 
Whitehall 
Riverside

Whitehall Riverside has been 
designed for modern needs, but with 
flexibility front of mind to adapt to the 
changing requirements of workspace, 
residential, electric vehicles, and the 
visitor economy. This will deliver a 
truly mixed-use scheme and a unique 
neighbourhood in the West End of the 
city which is now enjoying increased 
activity and development.

Actions:
 ◆ Completed the sale of part of the site 

to Glenbrook.

 ◆ Submitted a masterplan for the 

remainder of the site.

 ◆ Continue to operate a ‘policy 

compliant’ surface level car park 
on the site.

Outcomes
 ◆ Net receipt from Glenbrook enabled 

the Company to reduce debt.

 ◆ Secured a detailed planning consent 
for up to 235,000 sq ft of Grade A, 
smart and energy efficient office.
 ◆ Secured a detailed planning consent 
for a state-of-the-art multi storey 
CitiPark car park and travel hub with a 
renewable energy facility.

 ◆ Secured an outline planning consent 

for the remainder of the site.

Development

SEE OUR STRATEGY

PAGE 16

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

18 

 19

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Town Centre Securities PLC    Annual Report and Accounts 2023 

STRATEGIC REPORT
Strategy in action continued

01 
STRATEGIC REPORT

PORT STREET 
DEVELOPMENT 
(CGI), MANCHESTER: 

MERRION CENTRE, LEEDS

SEE OUR STRATEGY

PAGE 16

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

Merrion  
Centre

Piccadilly  
Basin

Leeds is the 4th largest conurbation 
in the UK with significant growth in 
employment and city living forecast. 
In recent years over 3,500 student 
rooms have been completed around the 
Merrion Centre alone, with over 2,000 
currently under construction and more 
in the pipeline. These will continue to 
drive footfall through the centre whilst 
also providing further opportunities 
for significant development, with 
permission for our 100MC tower 
already granted.

Actions:
 ◆ Progressing an new application for 
over 1,000 student rooms in the 
refurbished Wade House and the 
Separate 100MC Tower.
 ◆ Continuing to evaluate other 

development opportunities with 
the Centre.

We are currently working to update 
the existing strategic regeneration 
framework for Piccadilly Basin. This will 
include creating a sense of place, of 
community and hope to build complete 
advocacy to the area from the people 
who work, live and pass through 
Piccadilly Basin.

Actions:
 ◆ Completed the sale of our Port 

Street surface car parks to Select 
Property Group.

 ◆ Acquired the remaining 50% of 

Burlington House from our Piccadilly 
Basin joint venture partner.

 ◆ Continue to operate surface level 
car parks on our remaining Dale 
Street, Ducie Street and Tarriff street 
car parks.

Outcomes
 ◆ Net receipt from Select  
Property Group enabled  
the Company to  
reduce debt.

20 

 21

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Town Centre Securities PLC    Annual Report and Accounts 2023 

STRATEGIC REPORT
Strategy in action continued

01 
STRATEGIC REPORT

Overview
Designed by award winning architects Manalo and White, the property 
is listed Grade II and has recently undergone a complete refurbishment.

Located on Weymouth Street in the centre of the world’s most 
renowned medical district moments from London Clinic, Harley Street 
Clinic, Princess Grace Hospital and King Edward VII Hospital.

WEYMOUTH STREET, 
LONDON

LONDON 
AS A PERCENTAGE 
OF TOTAL

9%

2022 | 7%

RECENTLY REFURBISHED

4,760 sq ft

GRADE II LISTED PROPERTY

No.45 
Weymouth 
Street

Actions:
 ◆ The acquisition of 45 Weymouth 

Street aligns with our core investment 
strategy of identifying assets with the 
potential to add long-term value.

Outcomes:
 ◆ The property was fully refurbished 
prior to our acquisition, with office 
space on the lower ground, ground, 
first and second floors and residential 
accommodation on the third floor. 
This has enabled TCS to create a 
new, London base for the business 
following the sale of our previous 
capital base in 2021. The remaining 
high-grade office space is now fully 
income-producing and let to two 
separate operators in the medical and 
healthcare sector.

WEYMOUTH STREET, 
LONDON

Investment

SEE OUR STRATEGY

PAGE 17

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

22 

 23

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Key performance indicators

Town Centre Securities PLC    Annual Report and Accounts 2023 

STRATEGIC REPORT
Key performance indicators

Actively manage assets 
to optimise income and  
capital growth

KPIs:

Capital expenditure in FY23  
on the existing portfolio 

£32.7m

(FY22: £1.6m)

Void rate at 30 June 2023 stands at: 

5.6%

(30 June 2022: 5.1%)

SEE OUR STRATEGY

PAGE 16

TABULA RASA, 
VICAR LANE, LEEDS

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

KPIs:

Loan to value1 as at 30 June 2023

45.8% 

(FY22: 46.4%)

LTV headroom over our bank facilities as at 30 June 2023 

£30.0m

(FY22: £18.5m)

Generated from asset sales in the year ended 30 June 2023

£33.4m

(FY22: £37.9m)

Weighted average cost of net borrowings at 30 June 2023 

5.1%

(FY22: 4.9%)

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

01 
STRATEGIC REPORT

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

KPIs:

Retail and leisure proportion 
of portfolio

29% 

(FY22: 31%)

Percentage of portfolio now invested 
in residential

12%

(FY22: 6%)

Percentage of the portfolio located 
in Leeds and Manchester 

90%

(FY22: 89%)

SEE OUR STRATEGY

PAGE 17

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

KPIs:

Development pipeline remains in place

£400m

(FY22: £740M)

Electric Vehicle charging bays across our portfolio 

51

(FY22: 31)

24 
24 

 25

PICCADILLY BASIN, MANCHESTER

Contents Generation - SectionContents Generation - SectionContents Generation - SectionContents Generation - SectionContents Generation - Section01 
STRATEGIC REPORT

Portfolio review

Town Centre Securities PLC    Annual Report and Accounts 2023 

STRATEGIC REPORT
Portfolio review

Diversified
portfolio

Valuation summary

The like-for-like value of our portfolio 
decreased by 12.6% (£35.3m) after 
capital expenditure of £20.4m in  
the year. In addition, we recognised 
a further surplus of £4.1m resulting 
from the disposal of investment 
properties in the year.

Portfolio decrease

12.6%

2022 | 1.2% INCREASE

26 

 27

WHITEHALL ROAD 
DEVELOPMENT (CGI), LEEDS

WHITEHALL ROAD 
DEVELOPMENT (CGI), LEEDS

Contents Generation - SectionContents Generation - SectionContents Generation - SectionContents Generation - SectionContents Generation - SectionTown Centre Securities PLC    Annual Report and Accounts 2023 

STRATEGIC REPORT
Portfolio review continued

Significant valuation losses have been recognised across our retail, leisure, office and car 
park portfolios.

The table below reconciles the above 
table to that set out in note 12 of the 
financial statements:

The valuation of all of our properties (except one) was carried out by CBRE and Jones 
Lang LaSalle.

Portfolio overview

Passing  

rent
£m

1.0

4.6

4.8

0.8

1.0

ERV
£m

1.3

4.9

6.6

0.8

1.1

Value
£m

14.5

51.4

83.7

9.5

13.0

Retail & Leisure

Merrion Centre  
(ex offices)

Offices

Hotel

Out-of-town 
retail

Residential

1.4

1.5

31.1

13.6

16.2

203.2

20.8

Development 
property

Car parks

PORTFOLIO

% of  

Valuation  

portfolio

incr/(decr)

Initial  
yield

Reversionary 
yield

5%

19%

-4.1%

-12.8%

6.4%

8.5%

32%

-17.0%

5.5%

4%

5%

4.4%

-10.4%

8.1%

7.3%

12%

77%

8%

0.5%

4.2%

-11.8%

6.4%

-7.6%

8.4%

9.0%

7.5%

8.1%

7.8%

4.6%

7.6%

40.7

15%

-18.0%

264.7

100%

-12.6%

Note:  includes our share of Merrion House within Offices (£30.7m – see note 14 of the financial statements) and 

Car Park Goodwill of £3.0m (see note 13 of the financial statements) arising on individual car park assets, but 
specifically excluding goodwill arising from the current year car park operation acquisitions. None of the above 
is included in the table set out in note 12 of the financial statements.

Note:   excludes IFRS 16 adjustments that relate to right-of-use car park assets (£23.1m) as the Directors do not believe 

it is appropriate to include in this analysis assets where there are fewer 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 the financial statements.

FY23 
£m

FY22 
£m

254.1

282.4

30.7

35.7

–

11.5

3.0

4.0

(23.1)

(26.7)

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

AS PER THE TABLE 
ON THE LEFT

264.7

306.9 

CARVERS 
WAREHOUSE, 
MANCHESTER

01 
STRATEGIC REPORT

Residential
Residential property values continued to 
grow, with supply constraints a factor, 
particularly in Manchester. Our residential 
property portfolio, increased through the 
acquisition in the year of the remaining half 
of Burlington House, performed well, with 
occupancy levels of 100% now the norm. 
This was reflected in a small valuation uplift 
of 0.5% in the year. As FY24 progresses we 
are expecting to see further valuation uplifts 
as the rental income earned should increase 
on a unit-by-unit basis.

Build-to-rent schemes continue to perform 
well as an asset class with high occupancy, 
however consumer expectations are at an 
all-time high with levels of on-site amenities 
being a key deciding factor.

Car Parks
During the year, the Company’s freehold 
and long leasehold car park assets fell 
in value from £49.6m to £40.7m, a drop 
of 18%. Occupancy levels across the 
portfolio did not change in the 12 months, 
however increased operating costs and 
rental charges negatively impacted the 
underlying values.

Other valuation movements
The value of the Company’s development 
sites decreased marginally by £0.5m in the 
year, reflecting weakening office sentiment, 
despite capital investment in the year 
of £1.1m.

Sales and purchases
During the financial year ended 
30 June 2023 we sold four properties 
above their 30 June 2022 book value, 
for gross proceeds of £33.4m.

Our continued commitment to asset 
recycling is clear. The table details the 
£168.2m of disposals since FY17 of which 
71% were retail and leisure assets.

Sales

Purchases

% retail & 
leisure

£m

FY17

22.3

88%

FY18

10.1

95%

% retail & 
leisure

46%

0%

£m

4.0

9.0

FY19

14.0

100%

16.0

25%

FY20

2.5

100%

1.7

100%

FY21

48.0

FY22

37.9

FY23

33.4

168.2

93%

59%

21%

71%

–

–

7.0

100%

18.8

56.5

0%

26%

Percentage of Offices

32

2022 | 30%

Percentage of Residential

12

2022 | 6%

Retail and leisure
Retail has seen a perfect storm over 
the last few years with the pandemic 
accelerating changing shopping habits 
and the cost-of-living crisis affecting 
consumers’ decision-making.

These factors and the wider 
macroeconomic outlook have negatively 
affected the retail sector and resulted in 
significant valuation reductions across our 
portfolio of retail properties. In particular, 
our Merrion Centre retail and leisure units 
have collectively seen a 12.8% valuation 
reduction in the year. This reduction is most 
prominent in our Morrisons supermarket 
investment, where the underlying value 
dropped by 19.4% over the 12 months, a 
trend that has been seen nationally across 
all foodstore investments.

Our leisure investments, particularly those 
facing the Leeds arena, fell in value by 
less than 1%, highlighting the benefits of 
having not only a portfolio diversified by 
sector, but also having diversity across 
significant assets.

Regional offices 
As with retail, the office market is also 
facing significant macroeconomic 
challenges, and this is coupled with 
uncertainty around tenant requirements in 
terms of both size and location. With ESG 
requirements evolving, the environmental 
credentials of a building developed only five 
years ago are very different from those of a 
new build office. The flight to prime is being 
felt especially in the office market and the 
experience in regional offices is no different 
to that in central London.

Our office portfolio, located mainly in Leeds 
and Manchester, suffered a 17% reduction 
in value over the year, all of which related 
to market sentiment and the underlying 
investment yields.

28 

 29
 29

123 ALBION STREET, LEEDS 

Contents Generation - SectionContents Generation - SectionContents Generation - SectionContents Generation - SectionContents Generation - SectionContents Generation - SectionDivisional review

Town Centre Securities PLC    Annual Report and Accounts 2023 

STRATEGIC REPORT
Divisional review

Overview
In line with our strategy to pay down debt, our work 
has focused largely on divestments and refreshing 
plans for the development pipeline. Having 
strengthened the balance sheet and recently 
concluded our strategic disposal programme, 
we have begun to make targeted purchases and 
are cautiously evaluating further opportunities. 

The landscape has been challenging in 
terms of yields and valuations, and rising 
costs that are suppressing rents in some 
segments. Retail and leisure occupiers 
have been hit hard by high energy prices, 
and landlords have felt the impact, for 
example tenants looking to rebase rents 
at lease event dates, or consolidating 
the number of stores they have in a city, 
leading to voids. Similarly, some business 
tenants are rethinking whether they need 
the same amount of space as previously.

Despite this challenging environment and 
the various external factors impacting 
property, we have continued to invest to 
put our portfolio and business in a good 
position so we can move forward to realise 
our redevelopment ambitions, with our 
diverse portfolio in multiple sectors a 
source of resilience.

Disposals and acquisitions
Four disposals completed during the year, 
generating total proceeds of £33.4m. We 
made one office acquisition, 45 Weymouth 
Street in Marylebone, a small, Grade 2 listed 
freehold property that is now the location 
of the TCS London head office after the 
previous office on Duke Street was sold in 
2021. TCS occupies part of the property, 
and the remainder was let quickly following 
the acquisition. In addition to Weymouth 
Street, we acquired from our JV partner the 
remaining 50% of Burlington House, a prime 
build-to-rent scheme in central Manchester.

Our divestments included Buchanan Street 
in Glasgow and Grove House in Uddingston, 
both of which completed in December. We 
also made some strategic disposals that had 
been agreed subject to planning for almost 
two years: in December we completed the 
sale of Port Street, part of the Manchester 
Piccadilly Basin scheme, to Select Property 
Group, who plan to develop 480 apartments 
on the site. In April 2023 we sold part of 
the Whitehall Riverside site in Leeds, with 
permission for 500 homes, to build-to-rent 
residential developers, Glenbrook.

Rent collection
Our rental collection performance has 
been very strong, with 99% collected or 
deferred. This exceeds levels seen before 
the pandemic, the circumstances of which 
contributed to closer relationships with 
tenants. We have also disposed of some 
assets that had been associated with more 
challenging rent collection.

Property

Development pipeline highlights
The projects we are looking to bring 
forward demonstrate the diversity of our 
portfolio, including an office building, 
a car park, a residential building and 
some student buildings that we are in the 
process of planning, designing and moving 
towards development. 

Piccadilly Basin
The sale of Port Street is enabling us to 
bring forward a refresh of the strategic 
regeneration framework (‘SRF’) for 
Piccadilly Basin. We’re looking at a mixed-
use development and have been working 
with Manchester City Council to update 
plans for the rest of the site. We had been 
at an advanced stage in the design of a 
residential building in Manchester but have 
paused that until the SRF refresh has been 
completed, after which the intention would 
be to bring forward that application.

Whitehall Riverside
Having divested part of the Whitehall 
Riverside site, we now have detailed 
consent for an energy-efficient office 
building and multi-storey car park. We are 
looking to bring forward those elements 
of the master plan and we intend to begin 
construction of the car park in Q1 2024. 
The office will be best-in-class for the city 
in terms of its ESG credentials, and we will 
be seeking a pre-let occupier to develop 
the building.

Wade House
We are in the process of designing a 
purpose-built student accommodation 
(‘PBSA’) scheme based on the 
redevelopment of Wade House, a 1960s 
office building, and the adjacent 100MC 
site. Together they would have capacity for 
around 1100 PBSA beds, adding to other 
student accommodation in the immediate 
vicinity of the Merrion Centre, which will 
further enhance the demand for and 
vibrancy of the retail and leisure outlets in 
the Centre.

Rent collected 
from March 2022

99.1%

2022 | 99.0%

01 
STRATEGIC REPORT

Asset management
Leeds
We speculatively refurbished office 
space at 123 Albion Street in Leeds and 
are also in the early stages of refurbishing 
and repositioning Town Centre House, 
the location of our head office. We are 
working with our tenants to understand 
their long-term needs.

Having worked with Leeds City Council for 
some years to bring forward development 
on their George Street site, we are working 
with them to develop a new hotel and are 
close to securing a pre-let of a 143-bedroom 
hotel with a national operator.

Manchester
Occupancy levels at Ducie House and 
Carvers Warehouse have been very high 
and included new tenants. 

Glasgow 
Following the sale of Buchanan Street and 
Grove House, our only remaining asset 
in Scotland is 38 Bath Street. We are in 
the process of bringing forward a full 
refurbishment of the site, which comprises 
20 apartments above leisure and retail 
outlets on the ground floor and basement 
level. The strength of the residential market 
there has given us confidence to invest and 
hold the asset for the long term.

London
During the year we acquired a vacant 
investment property in London. The 
Company now occupies one floor of this 
building as its London headquarters whilst 
the remaining space has been fully let.

Performance by segment
During the reporting period we experienced 
challenging market conditions that 
were exacerbated by the mini budget in 
September 2022, the impact of which is 
still being felt in certain sectors. Build-cost 
inflation and rising interest rates are creating 
a difficult environment for developers. Some 
schemes that were viable when plans were 
submitted may no longer be so by the time 
planning permissions are granted, leading to 
the need to update development appraisals. 
A further consideration is the need to update 
designs to keep up with the evolving ESG 
requirements of tenants.

Office
The office market is seeing values reducing 
for secondary regional office buildings, 
where there is a flight to ESG-compliant 
buildings. Differing company policies in 
relation to working from home are also 
having an impact on office occupancy and 
related trade for surrounding businesses as 
well as car-park utilisation. Whilst employees 
of some tenants are working five days per 
week in the office, others are in the office 
just two days per month, and employers are 
seeking to find a balance between the needs 
of their organisations and what suits their 
workforce. TCS’s biggest tenant, Leeds City 
Council, is an example of an organisation 
whose office occupancy levels are very 
different to those before the pandemic.

Retail and leisure
We continue to evolve our retail and 
leisure offering, where demand is more for 
‘experiences’ whether in shopping or in 
leisure destinations. We welcomed several 
new tenants to the Merrion Centre during 
the year, including Pret a Manger.

Residential
Our residential assets performed well, 
with demand outstripping supply in many 
cases. In Manchester, Leeds and Glasgow 
we’ve seen strong occupancy and rental 
growth although at the same time have 
felt the impact of inflation in energy prices 
and more widely, which is a challenge 
to manage.

Hotel
Our hotel has gone from strength to 
strength, seeing increasing occupancy 
levels throughout the year, and we are 
looking to invest in a refurbishment of 
the rooms, including new televisions and 
updated décor. The ground-floor restaurant 
space has now been let to an independent 
operator and this is now opening, serving 
breakfasts as well as evening dining. 

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WHITEHALL RIVERSIDE 
DEVELOPMENT (CGI), LEEDS

IBIS STYLES LEEDS CITY 
CENTRE ARENA HOTEL, LEEDS

Contents Generation - SectionContents Generation - SectionContents Generation - SectionContents Generation - SectionContents Generation - SectionTown Centre Securities PLC    Annual Report and Accounts 2023 

STRATEGIC REPORT
Divisional review continued

Overview
With revenues of £13.1m (2022: £11.4m) and 
operating profit before valuation movements of 
£3.4m (2022: £3.5m) generated during the year, 
the CitiPark business remains on a path of recovery 
following the pandemic and is continuing to adapt 
to market conditions. 

The carrying value of the CitiPark portfolio has been impaired during 
the year, however this impairment has been driven by changes to the 
underlying interest rate environment which has increased the 
weighted average cost of capital metric used by the Company in 
assessing impairments. 

Although this varies by location, the business continues to feel the 
effects of the sea change in commuting patterns as the move to 
working from home during COVID-19 lockdowns has become the 
norm for many people. Rather than Monday to Friday that was the 
default until Spring 2020, core days for commuter traffic are now 
Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. 

CITIPARK MERRION CENTRE, 
LEEDS

CitiPark

01 
STRATEGIC REPORT

Electric Vehicle charging 
bays at the year end

51

2022 | 31

Technology and innovation
As part of our ongoing work to invest, 
develop and innovate, we have recently 
undertaken an upgrade programme that 
included the installation of 35 EV chargers 
throughout our CitiPark portfolio to improve 
reliability and customer experience of our 
CitiCharge network, as well as enabling us 
to commercialise our chargers. An added 
benefit of the investment has been the 
greater utilisation of the car parks by people 
seeking out these high performance, DC 
rapid chargers.

Other innovation during the year included 
the relaunch of our upgraded CitiPark app 
to integrate new payment options including 
Apple Pay and Google Pay.

Although we sold our equity stake in 
YourParkingSpace (‘YPS’) at the beginning of 
the financial year for a total net consideration 
of £18.5m, we retain a commercial 
relationship with YPS and they continue to 
have a presence throughout our portfolio.

Outlook
We are not standing still; with growth, 
innovation and our development pipeline 
all key priorities for the coming years. We 
are looking to develop our own parking 
management system and hardware to 
bring operational cost efficiencies and 
customer journey improvements. We are 
also continuing to explore alternative uses 
for our larger, longer-term assets to make 
better use of our branches and deliver more 
revenue. Our approach to diversification 
also includes evaluating management 
agreements for new sites as well as 
acquiring further assets of our own.

The outlook for the business is positive, 
and we are confident that our approach to 
adapting and innovating positions us well to 
move with the changing times.

Performance
Performance has varied depending on the 
location and associated demographics of 
each branch. For example, the largest user 
group of our Merrion Centre car park is 
Leeds City Council workers, most of whom 
now only work from the office one day per 
month, which has had a significant impact 
on our Monday to Friday utilisation levels.

In contrast, other car parks are seeing 
utilisation in excess of pre-pandemic levels. 
For example our Whitehall Road location 
in Leeds, which has been restricted by 
a council-mandated operating model, is 
seeing high levels of utilisation, both during 
the week and also at weekends, helped by 
the car park’s location adjacent to Leeds 
train station, the third-busiest station 
outside of London. We have planning 
permission to build a 500-space multi-
storey car park on this site, for which we 
expect construction to begin in Q1 of 2024.

Our car parks in Manchester have also 
outperformed pre-COVID-19 levels, helped 
by their proximity to Manchester Piccadilly 
train station as well as the development of 
leisure, retail and hotel facilities in the area. 
We have explored alternative uses for some 
of our branches, for example the level of 
development in the city has provided an 
opportunity to lease off areas for use as 
construction site compounds. These, along 
with our more compact portfolio following 
the sale of assets such as Port Street, have 
allowed us to review tariffs and our offering 
to drive revenue, profitability and utilisation. 

Our locations in London also traded well 
during the year and in line with pre-
pandemic levels as large employers in 
those areas wanted their employees in the 
office. We have an investment programme 
planned for our London assets this year in 
relation to lighting, sustainability upgrades, 
CitiCharge’s EV charging and infrastructure 
improvement to increase capacity.

In line with the rest of the economy, the 
business has faced inflationary pressures 
in utilities and other costs, although these 
were somewhat mitigated by one-off 
support received during the year through 
the UK Government COVID-19 Additional 
Relief Fund and reduced business rates for 
car parks. 

CITIPARK - NEW APP

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Town Centre Securities PLC    Annual Report and Accounts 2023 

STRATEGIC REPORT
Section 172 Statement

01 
STRATEGIC REPORT

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 63 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? 
Clear demonstration 
of the value we provide 
to Shareholders

Strategy 
Clearly defined  
plans for the future  
of the business

Responsible business 
Demonstrating 
understanding of how 
our business impacts 
those around us

PAGES 14 - 15

PAGES 16 - 17

PAGES 36–41

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:

WHY THEY ARE IMPORTANT:

HOW WE ENGAGED DURING THE YEAR:

SHAREHOLDERS

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.

WHITEHALL ROAD 
DEVELOPMENT (CGI), LEEDS

The primary communication with 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 to 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 
and on our website.

During the year the Board considered key decisions around the implementation of 
the strategy of the business, reviewing and ultimately approving property disposals, 
property acquisitions and corporate acquisitions. Where the Company then had 
significant free cash, the Board then reviewed and ultimately approved additional 
debt repayments, the tender offer completed in the year and other share and 
debenture buy-backs in the period.

As part of this process the Board were provided with briefing papers prepared and 
presented by the Executive Directors and members of the senior management team.

These papers not only presented the impact the potential transactions would have 
on key financial metrics, the risks associated with the challenges our economy is 
facing but also on the longer-term loan-to-value headroom under the Company’s 
debt facilities.

As a result of these decisions, the Company sold four properties, including two 
development site sales, acquired one property outright, completed the acquisition 
of the remaining 50% of Burlington House, successfully completed a tender offer 
and share buy-backs to buy back in for cancellation 4,075,000 Ordinary Shares and 
£13.68m of debenture during the year.

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STRATEGIC REPORT
Section 172 Statement continued

01 
STRATEGIC REPORT

OUR STAKEHOLDERS:

WHY THEY ARE IMPORTANT:

HOW WE ENGAGED DURING THE YEAR:

OUR STAKEHOLDERS:

WHY THEY ARE IMPORTANT:

HOW WE ENGAGED DURING THE YEAR:

EMPLOYEES

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, 
cycle to work and electric car 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. 

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

May 2023 was Mental Health Awareness Month and to recognise this, all TCS 
head office staff were encouraged to take up to three hours, to do something 
for themselves, during office hours. Examples included exercise, going to an 
appointment, gardening or cooking. The only stipulation was that it was only for 
the individual’s benefit.

Members of the senior management team attend all Board Meetings, and regularly 
provide their own perspective on the health and wellbeing of all staff.

The Company has also introduced a new flexible working policy. The employee 
handbook has been updated with the key changes around a specific working-from-
home policy and enhancements to the maternity and paternity policies. 

The Board are also very conscious of the ongoing cost-of-living crisis and all 129 
members of staff, in the September 2023 pay review, have been awarded bonuses 
in addition to salary increases. Although not necessarily a formal Board decision 
matter, the seriousness of the cost of living, inflation and interest rate rises has been 
discussed both at Board level and at the Remuneration Committee, where the Board 
decision was then ratified.

Ian Marcus, Non-Executive Director is our workforce representative.

Further details on our workforce engagement can be found on page 41.

TENANTS

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 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.

We speak to all our tenants on a regular basis, 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.

All decisions made with regards to new tenants and 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.

Further details on our engagement with our customers can be found on page 13.

DEBT FUNDERS

Our economic model 
assumes that we leverage 
assets developed 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. 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, we prepare a debenture specific presentation (available on our website) 
which the Chief Executive and Finance Director are more than happy to present to 
any of our debenture holders.

As part of the monthly Board papers, summaries of each of the Company’s debt 
facilities together with the properties secured are provided. During the year the 
Board has discussed the levels of debt required, as a result of these discussions 
and decisions the Company has further reduced the quantum of one of the three 
debt facilities available to the Company, with the view to reducing the level of 
commitment fees paid but retaining sufficient facilities to enable the Company to 
operate with sufficient headroom.

COMMUNITY

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

During the year the Merrion Centre has hosted weekly and more permanent events, 
primarily aimed at children and families – examples of which is the Leeds Bear Hunt 
(in aid of the Yorkshire Children’s Charity) and the Leeds Piano Trail.

Hosted by Leeds Hospitals Charity, the 7 Stories of MND exhibition can be found 
at the Merrion Centre, representing seven individuals who are living with Motor 
Neurone Disease (‘MND’) or have loved ones who have sadly died of the condition.

Further details on our engagement with the community can be found on page 41.

ENVIRONMENT

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

Following completion of its five-year sustainability programme, we are now focusing 
on three key targets for the Merrion Centre:
•  Carbon neutrality

•  Biodiversity enhancement

•  Community engagement. 

The strategy for future developments is to not only provide buildings that are 
sympathetic to their existing surroundings, but also to safeguard for future 
generations. Some of the key targets being:
•  EPC A Rating

•  BREEAM ‘Outstanding’

•  Net zero Carbon in operation

•  38.5% less energy consumption than buildings regulations stipulate, with 100% 

of energy from renewable sources

Board discussions and ultimately decisions around the Company’s development 
pipeline are a standing agenda item at the Board meetings. Briefing 
papers around the proposed developments include key environmental and 
placemaking credentials.

Further details on our engagement with the environment can be found on pages 
43 to 49.

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Town Centre Securities PLC    Annual Report and Accounts 2023 

STRATEGIC REPORT
Responsible business

ESG

Introduction:

TCS has been committed 
to generating long-term 
sustainable success since 
its foundation over 63 
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 the 
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. 

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.

01 
STRATEGIC REPORT

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:
•  Minimise our environmental impact
•  Engage with our external stakeholders 
•  Engaged and committed employees
•  Make a positive contribution to the communities we operate in
•  Always do the right thing

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

Actively managing 
our assets

Maximising available 
capital

Investing in 
development assets

Investing in existing 
assets

MINIMISE OUR ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT

1, 2

1, 4, 5, 13, 15

6, 8

12, 19, 20, 22

ENGAGE WITH OUR EXTERNAL STAKEHOLDERS

ENGAGED AND COMMITTED EMPLOYEES

MAKE A POSITIVE CONTRIBUTION TO  
OUR COMMUNITIES

ALWAYS DO THE RIGHT THING

2, 4, 15

18, 21

3, 17, 23

14

2, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11

2, 6, 9, 10, 16

11

6, 7

22

18  Ongoing 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 
22  Merrion Centre carbon neutrality plan
23  Electric vehicle salary sacrifice scheme available to all staff

Key

Strategic projects
1  Merrion Centre waste and sustainability plan, Green Apple 

Award recognition

2  Energy efficiency programmes lowering service charge and 

utility costs for tenants

3  Head office with living walls and improved circulation space
4 

Investment in EV charging infrastructure and growth in EV 
charging across CitiPark portfolio

5  Solar farm investments in Leeds and Manchester
6  EPC A and BREEAM ‘Outstanding’ 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 storage
10  Burlington House value-added services including cleaning, 

deliveries and fitness

11  Piccadilly Basin - street art project, security improvements
12  Environmental targets for all future developments
13  Continued development of the CitiCharge and CitiPark apps
14  Significant CSR programme supporting local communities 

and charities

15  Specific parking rates for EV/Hybrid drivers at Clipstone 

Street, Merrion and the AO Arena

16  Investment in WiredScore
17  Westfield Health benefits for staff

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STRATEGIC REPORT
Responsible business continued

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 below: 

Goal 3 Good health and wellbeing 
Our charitable work with children (eg our work with the Ahead Partnership, First Give and the 
Yorkshire Children’s Charity) together with our response to Mental Health Awareness Month in 
May where all members of staff were encouraged to take three hours away from work, but still 
paid, to do something for themselves. 

Goal 7 Affordable and clean energy 
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
The continued expansion of our EV charging network through our CitiCharge business. The 
engagement of a specialist energy management consultancy business looking at the entire 
Merrion Centre, including energy procurement for all tenants.

Goals 10 & 17 Reduced inequalities and Partnerships for the goals
Local charitable partnerships including Tempus Nova.

01 
STRATEGIC REPORT

Responsible business continued

People
and communities

ENGAGED AND 
COMMITTED EMPLOYEES

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

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 documented 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. 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.

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.

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, introducing 
a health insurance policy and a new 
electric vehicle salary sacrifice scheme.

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 are important in 
our business with a 71/29 male to female 
split across the whole business.

MAKING A POSITIVE 
CONTRIBUTION 
TO COMMUNITIES

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.

Contributing to the community – 
Merrion Centre/PureGym
To celebrate mental health awareness 
month, we hosted, in partnership with 
PureGym, free fitness classes in the main 
mall of the centre

Contributing to the community – 
Merrion Centre
During summer weekly free events are 
being held in the Merrion Centre to 
encourage local families and children 
to visit the centre. Activities include: 
the Leeds Bear Hunt; story telling; 
face painting; stilt-walking and other 
interactive events. 

Award – Green Apple World 
Ambassador Status
Following up from last year’s Green Apple 
Environment Award for the sustainability 
work undertaken on the recycling facility 
in the centre, the Company’s property 
management team have now been 
recognised as Green World Ambassadors. 
Primarily due to the implementation of a 
purpose-built, fully sustainable cycle and 
shower facility for tenants and staff at the 
Merrion Centre in Leeds. This facility used 
entirely recycled equipment, dressings, 
and furnishings.

Gender split

MALE

71%
29%

FEMALE

SUPPORTING STAFF WITH 
FUNDRAISING AT RACE FOR LIFE 
LEEDS 2023

TCS SPONSORSHIP OF LOCAL 
FOOTBALL TEAM

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STRATEGIC REPORT
Responsible business continued

ENGAGE WITH OUR EXTERNAL 
STAKEHOLDERS

CitiPark LED 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.

We have used it to support various 
initiatives/causes including supporting 
the England Lionesses team in the Euros 
(red, white and blue), Candlelighters 
‘Pink It Up’ campaign (pink), the Ukraine 
(blue and yellow) and Holocaust Memorial 
Day (purple).

Merrion Estate
We recommenced activity as part of our 
‘Shop, Eat, Drink & Be Merrion’ strategy 
to ensure the Merrion Centre remains 
one of the city’s prime retail and leisure 
destinations. This included the introduction 
of new look ‘green’ seating spaces on the 
main mall to create a safe place to sit, relax 
and meet whilst shopping. This has been 
well received by visitors.

We continue to focus on the unique 
attributes the Merrion Centre offers visitors. 
A destination where larger brand essential 
stores sit alongside some of the city’s 
most unique independent retailers, our 
ongoing campaigns aim to highlight our 
diverse mix of venues to our ever-changing 
visitor demographic.

Communication is paramount and we pride 
ourselves on our continuous engagement 
with tenants both face-to-face and digitally 
throughout the year.

Engaging young people
Once again we welcomed a new ‘roar-
some’ friend over the school holidays as we 
played host to a life-size Brachiosaurus on 
our main mall as part of the city-wide Leeds 
Jurassic Trail. This free trail saw thousands 
of families visiting the Merrion Centre to see 
our biggest dinosaur installation to date.

Our collaboration with local Leeds schools, 
in conjunction with Child Friendly Leeds and 
local Yorkshire-based community interest 
company, Lemon Balm, saw us promoting 
wellbeing and supporting climate resilience 
through horticultural therapy. Pupils 
between the ages of six and ten years 
learned about seeds and plants alongside 
the fantastic work of St Gemma’s hospice, 
before growing edible and biodiverse 
plants (in biodegradable pots with peat 
free compost) to be planted within the 
hospice grounds. Once transferred from 
the schools, St Gemma’s gardening team 
then prepared the ground where the plants 
were displayed or transferred to the hospice 
kitchens to be used to create meals for 
patients, their families and the team.

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 
73, 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. When asked, Edward 
Ziff and the Group Finance Director will 
present to the bond-holders to ensure 
they fully understand the status of TCS 
and the security of their investment.

•  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 Group health and safety 
policy, which is approved by the Board 
annually, and we review health and 
safety issues and incidents at every 
Board meeting. The Property 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’. 

01 
STRATEGIC REPORT

Environment

DELIVERING THE PROGRAMME

Minimise environmental impact
environmental report
In alignment with our commitment to 
sustainability, this report emphasizes 
our progress towards achieving 
sustainable targets and highlights the 
initiatives implemented to mitigate our 
environmental impact. 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 own 
environmental footprint. 

Key achievements:

1) Energy consumption and efficiency
Over the past year, our head office energy 
consumption has been 108,594kWh; we 
have successfully reduced our energy 
consumption by 2.11% compared to pre-
pandemic consumption. The Merrion 
Centre energy savings can be attributed 
to the installation of additional energy-
efficient LED lighting, further upgrading of 
supply distribution within the centre and 
a comprehensive energy management 
strategy. We completed the five-year 
PPM plan and have already started 
working on modernising some of our 
ageing equipment.

Following a stringent tender process, 
TCS have entered a relationship with 
Businesswise Solutions for total energy 
management solutions. Businesswise 
Solutions will act as a consultancy 
with regards to energy procurement, 
management and sustainability challenges, 
combining hardware, software and 
experience to create solutions for 
our business.

2) Waste management
Over the past 12 months we have 
continued to focus on recycling and waste 
reduction. The Merrion Centre produced 
on average 42.36 tonnes of waste per 
month, which is an increase of 2.61% over 
the previous period.

We continue to achieve our goal of zero 
waste to landfill with 51.6% of the total 
waste produced this year being recycled 
and 48.8% sent to an Energy Recovery 
Facility (‘ERF’). £2,719 was raised this year 
from the recycling of cooking oil from our 
food and beverage tenants; this money is 
reinvested back into site initiatives.

The Merrion Centre continues to work 
in partnership with Refill. Refill works by 
connecting people with locations where 
they can eat, drink and shop with less 
waste. The Merrion Centre is a registered 
location for customers to refill their water 
bottles free of charge. 

Collaborative partnerships with waste 
management companies have enabled 
us to achieve waste segregation systems 
over the past 12 months; reducing the 
amount of waste produced on site still 
remains a driving force behind our  
waste-reduction initiatives.

3) Water conservation
Water conservation initiatives, including 
the use of the Ecocap waterless urinal 
systems in Town Centre House, have 
resulted in a reduction of 324,000 litres  
in water usage.

4) Sustainable transportation
Our efforts to promote sustainable 
transportation options have yielded 
positive outcomes. TCS have been working 
closely with Leeds City Council on the 
roads around the perimeter of the site 
finding solutions to improve conditions 
for pedestrians, bike users and vehicles 
alike, especially on Arena nights when the 
congestion can be particularly heavy.

Whilst TCS recognise the importance of 
face-to-face meetings, we encourage our 
staff to also make use of virtual meetings 
reducing our environmental impact 
wherever possible.

5) Green building initiatives
The implementation of green building 
principles and materials in renovation projects 
has contributed to the overall sustainability 
of the shopping centre. Our efforts were also 
acknowledged at the Green Apple awards in 
2022; TCS being awarded a gold award for 
the creation of the new cycle storage using 
upcycled materials.

6) Sustainable cleaning
TCS continue to use OdorBac Tec4 for 
cleaning our centre and offices. Odor 
Bac is a non-hazardous, non-irritant, non-
carcinogenic, environmentally friendly 
product which comes in a fully biodegradable 
container. The product proved effective 
during the COVID-19 pandemic and continues 
to meet our sustainable goals whilst leaving a 
clean environment.

Following the Merrion Centre cleaning 
services being retendered with Churchill 
Group being the successful candidate, the 
cleaning team will be receiving their new 
sustainable uniform made from recycled 
plastic bottles.

42 

 43

THE GREEN AT THE 
MERRION CENTRE - LEEDS

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Town Centre Securities PLC    Annual Report and Accounts 2023 

STRATEGIC REPORT
Responsible business continued

Sustainable targets:
1) Carbon neutrality
We remain committed to achieving carbon 
neutrality. To achieve this goal, we are 
investing in enhancing energy efficiency 
measures, and promoting carbon offset 
programs within the shopping centre and 
the community.

2) Biodiversity enhancement
In collaboration with local environmental 
organisations, we are working to transform 
unused areas spaces into green areas 
that support local biodiversity. Our goal is 
to create a vibrant ecosystem within the 
shopping centre premises.

3) Community engagement 
We recognise the importance of involving 
our community in our sustainability journey. 
Through workshops, awareness campaigns 
and partnerships with local interest groups, 
we aim to educate and empower the 
community to embrace environmentally 
friendly practices.

In the past 12 months there have been no 
incidents of environmental non-compliance 
and no environmental fines were received. 
TCS continue to pursue our ambitious 
sustainable targets; we are confident in our 
ability to drive positive change and serve as 
a model for responsible business practices 
within our industry.

44 

SECR - Greenhouse gas emissions (‘GHG’) statement
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), 
of purchased electricity (Scope 2) and the electricity and gas consumption arising from the 
transport of energy from where it is generated (Scope 3) to the premises and other assets 
operated by TCS. TCS has a fleet of fifteen vehicles (five 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 TCS’s head office and for part 
of the current year, its recently opened London office. 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

2023

2022

Unit

Transport fuel

175,066 92,249

Kilowatt hours of energy used

Electricity

TOTAL

109,223 101,679 Kilowatt hours of energy used

284,289 193,928 Kilowatt hours of energy used

CO2E EMISSIONS  
(ALL UK-BASED)1

Scope 12

Scope 23

Scope 34

TOTAL

2023

2022

Unit

40.68

22,89

Tonnes of CO2e

23.40

26,15

Tonnes of CO2e

18.76

15,54

Tonnes of CO2e

82.84

64,58

Tonnes of CO2e

2023

2022

Unit

CARBON INTENSITY

Reference 1: Area5

Reference 2: Employee

Reference 3: Gross Revenue 
(£’000)6

CO2e by area1

CO2e by employee1

CO2e by £’000 of Gross 
Revenue

671

30

604

27

Square metres (office area for Group)

Employees (FTE) 

27,631

25,383 Gross Revenue  

0.12

2.76

0.11

2.39

0.0030 0.0025

(excl. service charge income)

Tonnes CO2e per m2

Tonnes CO2e per employee (FTE)

Tonnes CO2e per Gross Revenue 
(£000)

1)  All of the Group’s operations are UK-based, there are no non-UK-based operations. In previous years all CO2 
emissions were based on Kg of CO2 as opposed to Tonnes of CO2. All prior year comparatives have been 
restated to reflect Tonnes of CO2.

2)  Scope 1 emissions are traditionally emitted from fuel combustion in either buildings or company leased/

owned vehicles.

3)  Scope 2 emissions are derived from electricity consumption at TCS’s office and by the electric vehicles 

within their company car fleet. 

4)  Scope 3 emissions are derived from the transport of energy from where it is generated, to either TCS’s office 
or to the Company’s car fleet. Scope 3 also includes, where relevant, emissions from personal or privately 
hired vehicles used for Company business.

5)  Area in FY22 restated to correctly reflect area in square metres of head office space.

6)  Gross Revenue in FY22 restated to correctly include Gross Revenue (excl. service charge income) arising in 

the year.

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. The 
Company was responsible for the internal 
management controls governing the data 
collection process and any estimations 
or extrapolations. An external consultant 
was responsible for the data aggregation, 
GHG calculations, and the emissions 
statements. GHG emissions were calculated 
according to the Greenhouse Gas Protocol 
Corporate Greenhouse Gas Accounting 
and Reporting Standard. 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 eg electricity or natural 
gas bills. Company vehicle mileage is based 
on the actual vehicle mileage for all of the 
Company’s fleet and is used as the basis 
for calculating energy consumption and 
emissions from fuel and electric charging.

01 
STRATEGIC REPORT

WHITEHALL RIVERSIDE 
DEVELOPMENT (CGI), LEEDS

 45

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Physical

Flooding

Exposure to flood risk from 
extreme weather events.

Town Centre Securities PLC    Annual Report and Accounts 2023 

STRATEGIC REPORT
Responsible business continued

TCFD

TASK FORCE ON CLIMATE-
RELATED DISCLOSURES

The Board recognises the importance of 
clear disclosures around climate-related 
matters, whilst recognising that a strategy 
to protect the business and ultimately 
enhance the resilience of our assets against 
the effects of climate change will not be a 
simple and quick process. 

In accordance with LR 9.8.6(8) R we are 
required to report on our compliance with 
TCFD. We set out below our climate-related 
financial disclosures which covers all of the 
TCFD recommendations and recommended 
disclosures. We have concluded that we are 
in full compliance with Parts A and C of risk 
management and Parts A and B of metrics 
and targets. The remaining requirements 
are considered to be partial compliance. 
Further detail on the specific TCFD 
requirements and the actions being taken to 
ensure full compliance are provided in the 
TCFD recommended disclosures table on 
pages 50 to 51.

The disclosures have all been based on the 
TCFD framework of four pillars:
•  Governance

•  Strategy

•  Risk management

•  Metrics and targets

Governance 
The Board is ultimately responsible 
for overseeing all activities, including 
those that relate to climate change and 
sustainability. The following diagram 
summarises the informing and reporting 
structure of the Company, with regards to 
climate-related matters:

The Sustainability and Climate Change 
Committee (‘SCC Committee’), which was 
formed in 2022 includes three executive 
members of the Board and members of 
the senior management team and meet 
formally twice every year. The key aim of 
the committee is to continue to develop 

46 

Group Audit 
Committee

Sustainability and Climate Change 
Committee (‘SCCC’) 
(twice yearly)

Property Review 
Board 
(monthly)

CitiPark Management 
meeting 
(monthly)

Hotel Management 
meeting 
(monthly)

SCCC member representation at all meetings

Informing Strategy

Direct Reporting

and then inform the different business 
segment management teams of the 
Company’s sustainability strategy which 
includes both environmental and social risk 
management. In addition the committee is 
also responsible for reporting to the Group 
Audit Committee both climate-related risks 
(which are included in the Company’s six-
monthly risk report) and disclosures. These 
are then reviewed by the Audit Committee 
and approved by the Board. A summary 
of the risk report and the climate-related 
disclosures are included in the financial 
statements on pages 52 and 57. 

Climate related issues and the cost 
implications relating to both the location 
and physical condition of a building 
are incorporated into all investment 
and development appraisals which are 
presented and discussed at both property 
review board meetings and Board 
meetings prior to any approvals.

Formal terms of reference of the SCC 
Committee are being documented and will 
be finalised in the next three months.

The TCFD framework is part of the 
remit of this committee, along with the 
implementation of our carbon neutrality 
plan. This plan has evolved in the last 
twelve months, with the engagement of a 
specialist energy management consultant 
who has firstly looked at the energy usage 
and systems in place within the Merrion 
Centre, where recommendations have 
been made for the benefit of both the 
Company and tenants. Over the next 
twelve months we are looking to recruit a 
specific energy and sustainability specialist 
to continue to develop our carbon 
neutrality plan, including an investigation 
into carbon offsetting.

The SCC Committee has considered 
the resilience of the Company’s existing 
portfolio to different climate-related 
scenarios, including +1.5c, +2c and +4c 
scenarios, in particular with a view to the 
geographical locations of each site and the 
plant and machinery in situ. In considering 
these scenarios the SCC Committee 
has used UKCP probalistic projections 
prepared by the UK Government in 
conjunction with the Met Office and 
the Environment Agency, utilising their 
Representative Concentration Pathways.

01 
STRATEGIC REPORT

Strategy 
The following table provides a summary of the risks and opportunities identified by the SCC Committee and the Board. Due to the inherent 
uncertainty around these risks and opportunities they are monitored across multiple time horizons:
•  Short term – up to thee years to identify any critical and immediate works required on our existing portfolio. 

•  Medium term – from three to ten years to accommodate development plans or any significant redevelopment works.

•  Long term – beyond ten years to build into the Company’s carbon neutrality plan.

CLIMATE-RELATED RISKS

DESCRIPTION

IMPACT AND MITIGATING FACTORS

Losses from assets located in high-risk zones, 
primarily cost of repairing assets and business 
interruption. Actual percentage of portfolio in Flood 
Risk Zone 2 or 3 – 2%.

Increased construction costs to mitigate significant 
one-off costs.

Temperature 
rises (+1.5ºC, 
+2ºC and 
+4ºC)

Change in tenant requirements regarding 
offices, especially if they are themselves 
committing to net zero targets.

Increased risk of ‘breakdowns’ to key 
elements of plant and machinery, for 
example, air conditioning units.

Cost of repairing assets and business interruption. 
Continual maintenance plan to mitigate significant 
one-off costs.

SHORT 
TERM

MEDIUM  
TERM
 ◆  

LONG 
TERM
 ◆  

 ◆  

 ◆  

 ◆  

 ◆  

Transition Regulations 

and Standards

Evolving policies designed to ensure 
that the UK meets its 2050 net zero 
carbon commitment.

Cost of upgrading assets to a minimum ‘B’ rating by 
2030 – current estimate £19.3m – detailed review 
every six months.

 ◆  

 ◆  

 ◆  

Reputation

Targets and benchmarks are set that are 
either unrealistic or trivial.

Reputational risk if milestones are not met or the 
metrics do not show improving trends.

Market

Increased operating costs in particular 
with regard to both energy and water 
costs. Energy costs are also volatile with 
unexpected and abrupt changes.

Increased costs to impact the business directly and 
the affordability of rent indirectly for tenants, leading 
to potential tenant defaults or lower ERVs.

 ◆  

 ◆  

 ◆  

 ◆  

 ◆  

CLIMATE-RELATED 
OPPORTUNITIES

Transition Resource 
efficiency

Increasing awareness of climate-related 
issues is helping with the take-up of 
energy and water-efficient solutions, 
including LED lighting, retrofitting 
buildings and electric vehicles.

Ongoing cost reductions for both the business and 
its tenants.

 ◆  

 ◆  

 ◆  

Products and 
services

Expansion of both the CitiCharge APP 
and the number of EV charging stations 
across the Group’s portfolio.

Helping to generate a more diverse set of income 
streams for the Car Parking business, whilst 
promoting electric vehicles nationwide.

 ◆  

 ◆  

 ◆  

 ◆  

 ◆  

 ◆  

Reduce the carbon footprint of our car parks 
and facilitating the reduction of emissions by 
our customers.

Further technological innovation, with 
new barrierless and ANPR-based car park 
management system, reducing both the 
requirement for paper tickets but also 
reducing the idling time on entry and exit 
of the car parks.

Developing ‘best in class’ new energy 
efficient buildings to generate more 
secure future income streams, whether 
this is an office building or a new multi-
storey car park with the capability of 
100% EV charging parking spaces.

New financing/green loans for energy-
efficient buildings. Especially in light of 
the Company’s development aspirations 
at both Whitehall Riverside and 
Piccadilly Basin.

Markets

Ability to generate a rental premium, especially 
for BREEAM ‘Outstanding’ space, and also faster 
rates of letting. Strengthening of the environmental 
credentials of our portfolio.

 ◆  

 ◆  

Reduced finance costs.

 ◆  

 ◆  

With 89% of the Company’s property portfolio in Leeds and Manchester, two cities that have similar profiles (both historically and 
economically), we have not broken down our strategy by geographical area. 

By identifying these risks and communicating them to the Board on a six-monthly basis, the Company is in a position to react and update the 
strategy accordingly. One of the recent recommendations of the SCC Committee is to incorporate a traffic light system, where ‘red’ identifies 
the most material or urgent risk/opportunity. This approach is being included in the formal terms of reference of the Committee.

 47

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STRATEGIC REPORT
Responsible business continued

01 
STRATEGIC REPORT

Strategy continued
The climate-related strategic objectives of 
the business, broken down into the three 
operational segments can be summarised 
as follows:

Property rental
•  Designing and development ‘best in 
class’ energy-efficient buildings

• 

• 

Increasing electric and hybrid vehicles 
in our fleet, whilst encouraging staff to 
convert to electric vehicles through our 
‘love electric’ salary sacrifice scheme.

Improving the lighting used within the 
estate including complete conversion 
to LED.

•  Prioritising properties with EPC 

ratings of D or lower and developing 
and implementing individual ‘energy 
efficiency plans’ to improve these ratings.

•  Expand Photo-voltaic generation through 
the installation of solar farms across the 
roofs and flat surfaces of our portfolio.

Car Park activities
• 

Installing barrierless parking equipment 
and ANPR cameras.

• 

• 

Increasing electric and hybrid vehicles in 
our fleet.

Increasing the usage of both the CitiPark 
and CitiCharge Apps.

•  Expanding the network of EV chargers 
within our car parks and those that 
we have an existing arrangement 
with (for example provision of 
enforcement services).

Hotel operations
• 

Improving the lighting within the hotel.

• 

Improving energy efficiency, in particular 
with regard to incoming water and 
bacterial control.

Following the success of last year’s 
Green Apple Environment Award for the 
sustainability work undertaken on the 
centre recycling facilities, the TCS property 
management team have now been awarded 
Green World Ambassador Status in the 
Green Apple Awards. This recognition was 
heavily influenced by the implementation 
of a purpose-built, fully sustainable cycle 
and shower facility for tenants and staff 
at the Merrion Centre. This facility used 
entirely recycled equipment, dressings, 
and furnishings, exemplifying the team’s 
commitment to sustainability.

48 

Risk management
Climate-related risks are specifically 
identified in the Company’s risk register. 
The SCC Committee regularly reviews and 
assesses the climate-related risks in order to 
ensure that all risks have been identified and 
that they have been assigned an appropriate 
level of importance. Management of these 
risks is then undertaken by the property 
investment and estates management teams, 
together with input where necessary from 
external advisers, including insurance 
brokers and flood-risk assessors.

Exposure to extreme weather events is not 
seen as a high risk, with the Company’s 
portfolio located outside of areas at risk 
of serious flooding and not at risk of sea 
level rises. The Company does operate 
two subterranean multi-storey car parks in 
London MSCPs but both have significant 
‘flood’ storage chambers with pumps to 
combat surface rainwater collecting in them.

The concept of ‘always doing the right 
thing’ has been part of the ethos of the 
Company since its inception. As a Board 
we are very much aware that tenants are 
putting environmental considerations at the 
forefront of their decision making, it is not 
now just about the rental value.

In designing new buildings, a key tenet of 
our development plans is to be sympathetic 
to the existing surroundings whilst 
safeguarding them for future generations. 
This approach is highlighted in our Whitehall 
Riverside development, about which further 
detail can be found in the case study on 
page 19 of this Annual Report. Although 
seen as a risk, we are firmly of the belief that 
this is an opportunity for the Company with 
potential tenants willing to pay premium 
rents for sustainably designed buildings.

Metrics and target
TCS reports annually on its Scope 1, 2 and 
3 GHG emissions, the electricity generated 
from its three solar farms and certain waste 
and recycling metrics from the Merrion 
Centre. The Company’s website also includes 
details around the EPC certificated values for 
the portfolio with all new buildings targeting 
EPC B or greater. 

In addition the key new initiatives and 
sustainability projects undertaken in 
the Merrion Centre are reported within 
the Responsible Business section of this 
Annual Report. The Merrion Centre acts 
as an innovation centre, where successful 
initiatives are then rolled out across the rest 
of the TCS portfolio.

At the start of the year the Sustainability and 
Climate Change Committee met to discuss 
and agree suitable metrics and targets; these 
are summarised below:

Energy consumption and efficiency: 
Measure and report energy consumption 
across the Company’s offices and car fleet. 
Implement energy-efficient technologies 
and practices to reduce consumption and 
track progress toward energy reduction 
targets. Targeting a 5% absolute reduction 
year-on-year

Greenhouse Gas (‘GHG’) Emissions: 
Quantify and disclose Scope 1, 2 and 3 GHG 
emissions across the Company’s offices 
and car fleet. Targeting a 5% reduction in 
intensity-based emissions year-on-year.

Waste management (Merrion Centre only):
Measure and disclose the amount of waste 
generated and diverted from landfill. 
Implement waste reduction and recycling 
initiatives. Targeting 100% diversion from 
landfill, with a 5% year-on-year improvement 
in recycling percentages.

Carbon footprint of new developments:
Calculate the carbon footprint of new 
developments. With a target of reducing the 
carbon intensity of new buildings over time.

Building efficiency: 
Assess and improve the energy efficiency of 
buildings in our existing portfolio. Reporting 
on the average EPC rating of each building, 
targeting a 5% improvement year-on-year 
on the percentage rate either EPC A or B. 
Estimate the cost to bring all investment 
properties to EPC C or better and to 
estimate the cost for EPC B or better.

Sustainable transportation: 
Measure and disclose the growth in electric 
vehicle charging infrastructure but also the 
number of electric vehicles operated by the 
Company and the number of employees 
that are taking part in our electric vehicle 
salary sacrifice scheme. Targeting a 25% 
increase year-on-year for electric vehicle 
charging points.

The following table summarises the performance of the Company in the year:

CATEGORY

METRIC

FY23

FY22

TARGET

ACTUAL

TARGET MET?

Energy consumption  
and Efficiency

Total kilowatt hours of energy used

284,289 193,928  5% reduction  

47% increase No

GHG emissions

Tonnes CO2 by £’000 of gross revenue

0.0030

0.0025 

year-on-year

5% reduction  
year-on-year

18% increase

No

Waste management Waste diverted from landfill

100%

100%

Maintain 100%

100%

Percentage of waste recycled

52%

52%

Carbon footprint of  
new developments

Embodied carbon footprint per sq ft

n/a1

n/a1

Building efficiency

Percentage of portfolio EPC A or B

33.4%

n/a2

0%

5% increase  
year-on-year

5% reduction  
year-on-year

5% increase  
year-on-year

Yes

No

Estimate of cost to bring portfolio  
to EPC B or better3

£19.3m n/a2

n/a

Sustainable 
transportation

Average number of EV charging bays  
in operation at the end of the year

Number of fully electric vehicles operated 
by the Company

Number of employees in EV salary 
sacrifice scheme

51

4

3

31

4

n/a4

25% increase  
year-on-year

65%

Yes

n/a

n/a

Physical risk

Percentage of portfolio in a Flood Risk 
Zone 3 area

2.2%

4.9%

1  No new developments completed in the year.

2  Metric not measured in the previous year.

3  Specifically excludes listed buildings and properties held for redevelopment.

4  Salary sacrifice scheme new in FY22, but delays in delivery of vehicles results in take up only in FY23.

We have not met three of the targets set, the first two around emissions and the third with 
regards to the recycling of waste.

Of greatest concern are our emissions, which have shown significant increases in the year. 
As can be seen in our SECR reporting on page 44 the increase is in relation to transport 
fuels and is a direct result of business development and growing both the enforcement and 
electric vehicle charging arms of the Car Park business. The Tonnes CO2 by £’000 of Gross 
Revenue metric has not grown as much as the pure emissions metric and we expect this 
trend to continue, with revenue expected to increase at a greater rate than emissions.

Over the next 12 months we expect to achieve our targets, including the emissions based 
ones, where a number of fleet vehicles have been replaced with electric and hybrid 
alternatives. Our pipeline of EV charging sites and the potential to significantly increase 
rooftop photo-voltaic systems will add to this.

At present TCFD metrics are not incorporated into the remuneration policy of either the 
Executive Directors or management.

 49

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STRATEGIC REPORT
Responsible business continued

TCFD’s 
recommended 
disclosures

Governance

DISCLOSURE

COMPLIANCE

KEY
COMPLIANCE

F

Full

P

Partial

a)   Describe the Board’s oversight 

of climate-related risks 
and opportunities 

b)   Describe management’s role 
in assessing and managing 
climate-related risks 
and opportunities 

P

P

The Company established a Sustainability and Climate Change Committee in 2022. 
The two key responsibilities of this committee are to focus on the Company’s carbon 
neutrality plan and to implement and report on the TCFD framework. The Board assumes 
overall responsibility and accountability for the management of climate-related risks 
and opportunities. An important part of the Board’s oversight of climate-related risks 
and opportunities lie with the Sustainability and Climate Change Committee. The 
formal terms of reference that will guide the work of the Committee are in the process 
of being agreed and adopted. This is expected to occur within the next three months, 
at which point the Board expect to reconsider its compliance with the part of the TCFD 
disclosure requirements.

Management has undertaken a review of the Company’s risk management approach and 
climate-related issues have been integrated into the core risk management process as a 
principal risk. As above, the adoption and communication of formal terms of reference 
will be key in the next three months to reassessing compliance with this part of the TCFD 
disclosure requirements.

01 
STRATEGIC REPORT

Strategy

DISCLOSURE

COMPLIANCE

a)   Describe the climate-related 
risks and opportunities the 
organisation has identified 
over the short, medium, and 
long term 

b)   Describe the impact of climate 
related risks and opportunities 
on the organisation’s 
businesses, strategy and 
financial planning 

c)   Describe the resilience of 

the organisation’s strategy, 
taking into consideration 
different climate-related 
scenarios, including a 2C or 
lower scenario 

P

P

P

The short and medium-term risks identified include increased risk of the breakdown 
of machinery; unattractiveness of buildings to potential occupiers due to poor carbon 
performance; and increased regulatory and policy measures. The opportunities 
identified include: improved commercial opportunities of owning assets which are 
energy efficient; increasing revenue streams from EV charging and the possibility of 
securing more competitive financing. Further details of the risks and opportunities has 
been set out on the risks and opportunities table on page 47.

The Board and SCC Committee have performed a review of the material climate related 
risks and opportunities and have assessed partial compliance with the requirements 
of the disclosures. The formal terms of reference of the SCC Committee will include a 
detailed review looking at each individual business segment, following completion of 
this review and reporting full compliance is expected to be achieved.

Climate-related risks have been integrated within the Company’s Principal Risks. Climate 
and energy performance have been fully integrated into both the development and asset 
management decision-making process, however with only one investment acquisition 
in the year and no significant developments undertaken, this process has not been fully 
tested. As a result the Board has assessed partial compliance with the requirements of 
the disclosure. Full compliance is expected to be achieved as the Company undertakes 
development in the coming years, where it is expected that these processes will inform 
the Company further on the impact of climate-related risks and opportunities on 
the business.

The Company’s assets are exclusively located across the UK in well-connected regional 
transport hubs, predominantly Leeds and Manchester. The Company is continually 
reviewing its exposure to climate-related risks and the inherent uncertainty around 
the medium and long-term time frames; for this reason it is deemed to be partially 
compliant. Under a 2°C scenario, the Company’s strategy is considered resilient, bearing 
in mind the physical locations of its assets and the development opportunities offered. 
A more detailed review of each individual property and the resilience of the plant and 
machinery is being undertaken over the next twelve months. This will be reported back 
to the SCC Committee and ultimately the Board, at which point the Board expect to 
reconsider its compliance with this part of the TCFD disclosure requirements.

Risk Management

DISCLOSURE

COMPLIANCE

Metrics and Targets

DISCLOSURE

COMPLIANCE

F

P

F

The Company has formed a Sustainability and Climate Change Committee to identify, 
assess and manage climate-related risks which reports through to the Board. This 
committee will continue to meet and will be leading on the Company’s thinking and 
planning re its carbon neutrality plan and its net zero strategy. 

The Company considers and assesses climate-related risks and opportunities through 
the Sustainability and Climate Change Committee and the Board. It is expected 
that following the adoption and communication of formal terms of reference for the 
Committee, which will include a ‘traffic light’ system to highlight material and/or urgent 
risks, full compliance will be achieved.

Climate-related risks have been identified by the Board as an emerging business risk. 
These risks are identified, assessed, managed and monitored by the Sustainability and 
Climate Change Committee with recommendations made to the Board.

a)   Describe the organisation’s 
processes for identifying 
and assessing and managing 
climate-related risks 

b)   Describe the organisation’s 
processes for managing 
climate-related risks 

c)   Describe how processes for 
identifying, assessing and 
managing climate risks are 
integrated in to the Company’s 
overall risk management

50 

a)   Disclose the metrics used 
by the organisation to 
assess climate-related risks 
and opportunities in line 
with its strategy and risk 
management processes 

b)   Describe Scope 1, Scope 
2 and if appropriate, 
Scope 3 greenhouse gas 
(‘GHG’) emissions, and the 
related risks 

c)   Describe the targets used 
by the organisation to 
manage climate-related 
risks and opportunities and 
performance against targets 

F

F

P

GHG emissions and energy consumption, are disclosed in a separate dedicated section 
of the Annual Report including Scopes 1, 2 & 3 and are aligned to the Greenhouse Gas 
Protocol Corporate Standard and DEFRA Environmental Reporting Guidelines.

The other metrics used by the Company to assess climate-related risks and opportunities 
are disclosed in the table on page 49.

GHG emissions are disclosed in the Annual Report and are aligned to the Greenhouse 
Gas Protocol Corporate Standard. The related potential risks can be viewed on page 47. 

We have begun to disclose the metrics and targets used by the Company, however a 
number of metrics do not have prior-year comparatives. Over the coming 12 months the 
Sustainability and Climate Change Committee will build up further data to enable them 
to analyse the underlying trends.

 51

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Town Centre Securities PLC    Annual Report and Accounts 2023 

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 are 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 meetings – undertakes a formal 

review of the risk register and mitigating action plans.

 ◆ Quarterly IT & Data Governance Committee meeting – 

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 meetings – a meeting of the 
Executive Board and senior Property and Finance management, 
tasked with 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 meetings – 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 joint 
venture investment, Merrion House LLP.

Our Principal Risk Register is summarised as follows:

RISK

LIKELIHOOD

Macro Economic

Economic & political outlook

Corporate

Strategy

People

Systems, process & financial management

GDPR

Regulatory & tax framework

Tax risk

Major incident/business disruption

Property

Investment risk

Development risk

Valuation risk

Tenant & sector risk

Climate Change risk

Financing

Capital & financial risk

Cost of debt

Financial covenant compliance

High

Low

Low

Medium

Medium

Low

Medium

Medium

Medium

High

Medium

High

Medium

Low

High

Low

IMPACT

Medium

High

High

High

High

High

Medium

High

Low

High

Medium

Medium

Low

High

Medium

Low

CHANGE FROM FY22

No change

No change

No change

No change

No change

No change

No change

No change

No change

No change

No change

No change

No change

No change

No change

No change

KEY
Likelihood

H High

M Medium

Impact

H High

M Medium

L

L

Low

Low

Change from FY2022

Improving

No change

Worsening

01 
STRATEGIC REPORT

Macroeconomic risks

RISK

LIKELIHOOD

IMPACT

MITIGATION

TREND

ECONOMIC AND  
POLITICAL OUTLOOK

A broad economic downturn, 
following Brexit, the lasting 
impact of COVID-19 and more 
recently the geopolitical 
unrest, the cost-of-living 
crisis and the energy crisis or 
broader cyclical reasons could 
result in tenant failures, falling 
asset values, rising debt costs, 
or less debt availability and will 
in all likelihood have lasting 
economic effect. 

H

M

An economic downturn at some point in the cycle is inevitable. 
TCS would not escape the impact of an economic downturn, 
however specific mitigating factors for TCS include:

•  Rents paid in advance.

•  High level of occupancy and a long history of ensuring on-time 

payment by tenants.

•  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.

•  Revolving credit facilities ranging from 15 months to three years 
in length with significant headroom at the year-end. These are 
paired with two long-term fixed interest finance arrangements 
that account for 94.3% of our debt at the year-end (ignoring 
finance leases).

Corporate risks

RISK

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 the 
recent economic challenges 
affecting the entire country 
which will change people’s 
and firms’ attitudes towards 
property usage.

PEOPLE

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

LIKELIHOOD

IMPACT

MITIGATION

TREND

L

H

The Board undertakes regular reviews of the strategy and believe 
the following helps 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 resulted in these 

assets now representing only 29% of the portfolio.

•  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.

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.

•  A history of conservative financial management combined 
with the development opportunities of the business make 
the Company attractive to new recruits, highlighted by 
recent appointments.

L

H

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STRATEGIC REPORT
Risk Report continued

KEY
Likelihood

H High

M Medium

Impact

H High

M Medium

L

L

Low

Low

Change from FY2022

Improving

No change

Worsening

01 
STRATEGIC REPORT

Corporate risks continued

RISK

LIKELIHOOD

IMPACT

MITIGATION

TREND

M

H

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.

M

H

REGULATORY AND 
TAX FRAMEWORK

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

L

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 
which 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-attacks 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.

•  IT/change management protocols – the change management 
process has been updated to include a formal log detailing 
all software upgrades, including the purpose and testing of 
all proposed updates.

•  Internal Audit function is engaged to perform two reviews per 

year, reporting directly back to the Audit Committee.

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:

•  An update of all privacy-related statements and policies.
•  Training of all staff on their and the Company’s responsibilities. 
This is a rolling programme of two to three electronic training 
courses a year. 
 IT & Data Governance Committee is in place, meeting quarterly, 
to oversee all aspects of GDPR and wider cyber-security.

• 

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:

•  Regulatory and corporate compliance matters are typically 
referred to one or both of the Company’s brokers and if 
necessary the Company’s legal advisor.

•  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.

RISK

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 
associated with both the recent 
programme of asset sales 
the Company has embarked 
on and the requirement of 
the Company to have at least 
35% of its share capital held 
‘beneficially by the public’. 

At 30 June 2023 this 
percentage was 35.19%. 
New Fortress Capital Limited, 
which is assumed to be a 
close company and not held 
‘beneficially by the public’ or 
the Ziff Concert Party would 
need to acquire a further 
92,000 shares in the Company 
from the public to take the 
percentage below 35%. This 
would cause the Company to 
automatically lose its status 
as a REIT with effect from the 
beginning of the accounting 
period in which the 35% 
threshold was crossed.

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.

LIKELIHOOD

IMPACT

MITIGATION

TREND

M

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 and the impact future investments 
and disposals will have on this status. The Ziff Concert Party is 
also completely aware of the potential impact any increase in 
shareholding would have on the Company’s REIT 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 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.

•  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.

54 

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STRATEGIC REPORT
Risk Report continued

Property risks

KEY
Likelihood

H High

M Medium

Impact

H High

M Medium

L

L

Low

Low

Change from FY2022

Improving

No change

Worsening

01 
STRATEGIC REPORT

RISK

LIKELIHOOD

IMPACT

MITIGATION

TREND

RISK

LIKELIHOOD

IMPACT

MITIGATION

TREND

INVESTMENT RISK

New investment opportunities 
cannot be sourced at 
economic prices. 

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 significance 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. 
Build-cost inflation is currently 
making previously viable 
developments unviable.

VALUATION RISK

A material devaluation in 
assets. This is particularly 
high in relation to retail assets 
due to the changing nature 
of shopping habits; although 
the improving retail sentiment 
is changing this risk, it is 
transferring it to office lettings, 
with changing work habits as 
more people adopting a hybrid 
approach being one of the 
key drivers.

M

M

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

•  The Company typically targets assets of higher value than those 

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 and our Whitehall 
Riverside, Leeds development which is being brought forward 
in conjunction with Bruntwood.

•  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.

H

H

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

M

M

•  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 (eg 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.

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 bank facilities all have significant portfolios of property 
secured against them, with material headroom on each. 
As at the date of this report, total bank borrowings due for 
repayment in the next two years are £1.5m, an amount that 
could be entirely refinanced with the Company’s existing £15m 
Handelsbanken facility or £30m Lloyds facility – both of which 
do not fall for renewal until June 2026.

•  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 continued with its disposal of retail assets.

H

M

M

L

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 and leisure from 60% to 29% of value at June 2023.

•  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.

•  CitiPark income helps further mitigate the reliance on specific 

property tenants.

The physical location of the Company’s assets, with the majority 
in either Manchester or Leeds, are in places not at risk of severe 
flooding; and with a substantial development pipeline, the 
Company is able to ensure that new developments are both 
sustainable but also innovative:

•  Continuous maintenance cycle with in-house teams 
ensure plant and machinery are not susceptible to 
elongated breakdowns.

•  Sustainability is at the heart of what we do, with the Merrion 
Centre acting as test bed for the roll-out of future initiatives 
across the entire portfolio.

•  Evolving ways buildings are constructed, with increased ESG 
credentials, are seen more as an opportunity – with prime 
occupiers willing to pay premium rents for the right buildings, 
especially with more and more companies making net-
zero commitments.

TENANT AND SECTOR RISK

Individual tenant failures, or 
exposure to a specific sector. 
This risk was been heightened 
by the cost-of-living crisis, 
inflation and increased interest 
rates particularly on retail and 
office tenants. Increased costs 
to the tenants, whether utility 
or staff costs will affect the 
affordability of rents.

CLIMATE CHANGE RISKS

The impact of climate change 
will be felt across the entire 
world, with extreme weather 
events and increased average 
temperatures a key factor over 
the coming years. The risks 
identified will be both physical 
and transitional. As well as 
the physical risk to places, a 
change in tenant requirements 
and the wish for more and 
more environmentally friendly 
buildings will be more 
prevalent which will lead to 
even greater construction 
costs. Average temperature 
rises will also have an impact 
on plant and machinery, 
rendering them obsolete 
quicker or requiring additional 
maintenance costs.

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STRATEGIC REPORT
Risk Report continued

Financing risks

RISK

LIKELIHOOD

IMPACT

MITIGATION

TREND

CAPITAL AND 
FINANCIAL RISK

The Company has insufficient 
funds or lines of credit. With 
property valuations decreasing 
this area of risk has increased, 
however the asset sale 
programme and repayment 
of borrowings has reduced 
this risk.

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 recently renewed both its existing Lloyds and 
Handelsbanken facilities –these facilities expire at the end of 
June 2026.

•  Following the acquisition of the remaining half of the Belgravia 
Living Group, the Company now consolidates a ‘ring-fenced’ 
long-term facility that expires in January 2029.

•  The Company’s policy of asset sales has enabled a reduction 

in absolute debt levels. As at 30 June 2023 the total third-party 
bank borrowing due for repayment in the next three years stood 
at £7.0m; as at today’s date this balance is now £4.0m. However 
the Company’s debenture has reduced from £96.1m at 30 June 
2022 to £82.4m as at today’s date.

COST OF DEBT

Rising debt costs.

H

M

The following actions help mitigate the risk to the Company:

•  At 30 June 2023 over 94% of debt is in the form of fixed interest, 

FINANCIAL COVENANT 
COMPLIANCE

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

M

L

long-term borrowings.

•  The Board takes moving SONIA rates into account when 

considering three-year budgets and affordability.

The following actions help mitigate the risk to the Company:

•  The Company has a significant amount of income to 

interest headroom on all 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 £2.4m 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 

01 
STRATEGIC REPORT

in the period to June 2026 and none of the 
other financial covenants were breached. 
The reverse stress test shows that the 
financial covenants are not breached 
until either of the discounts applied in the 
significant downside case are pushed even 
further. This breach is forecast to occur in 
Q3 of FY24 and last until Q1 of FY25 before 
the position then improves.

The Group is currently experiencing 
collection rates of over 99% of rent and 
service charge income invoiced, and for the 
first two months of FY24 the Car Park and 
Hotel businesses are trading significantly 
ahead of expectation and this is expected 
to continue.

The forecasts show that the Group has 
sufficient resources to continue to operate 
as a going concern for at least the period to 
31 December 2024. 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 section on the 
next page.

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 an economic downturn on the Group’s 
forecasts including the effect on liquidity 
and compliance with bank loan and 
debenture covenants. 

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 and asset-specific loan. At 
the year-end the actual income cover levels 
ranged from 219% (for the 100% debenture 
covenant) up to 862% on the Lloyds facility. 

In order to assess the potential impact 
of a future economic downturn 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 2024. 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 recover over the forecast period 
to a materially lower level than expected. 
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 of the financial 
covenants are breached.

The Group’s forecasts, including the 
various scenarios, show that both the 
cash headroom figure is resilient and the 
financial covenant tests are met. Under the 
base case the minimum cash headroom is 
expected to be £26.0m, which compares to 
a minimum of £14.9m under the downside 
scenario. The significant downside case 
applied a total discount of 12% 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 

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 £82.4m debenture which is 
due for repayment in 2031 and an asset 
specific facility of £13.8m which is due for 
repayment in 2029. In addition the business 
has three bilateral Revolving Credit Facilities 
(‘RCF’) totalling £70m which, as at the year-
end, were due for repayment or renewal 
between July 2023 and June 2026. Each 
of the debt facilities is ring-fenced within 
security sub-pools of assets charged to the 
respective lender.

At 30 June 2023 one of the Group’s RCFs 
was due for renewal immediately after the 
year-end. The facility was renewed on 4 July 
2023 with a new renewal date of June 2026. 
This facility has two one-year extensions 
that the Company can ask for, which if 
exercised and approved by the lender will 
extend the repayment date to June 2028.

The Group has one bank facility falling due 
for repayment in September 2024, within 
the going concern period. This facility has 
two one-year extensions, which if exercised 
and approved by the lender will extend the 
repayment date to September 2026. 

As at the date of this report, the Group has 
drawn in aggregate under all three RCFs 
total borrowings of £4.0m. 

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 2023 was £30.0m 
(2022: £18.5m). Overall, the properties 
secured under the Group’s debt facilities 
would need to fall 33.7% in value before this 
LTV headroom level was breached. As at the 
date of this report the headroom metrics 
and percentage fall have increased to 
£31.9m and 35.1% respectively following the 
post-balance sheet transactions highlighted 
in this financial report.

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STRATEGIC REPORT

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.

Town Centre Securities PLC    Annual Report and Accounts 2023 

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. This review has 
been as part of a longer-term three-year 
strategic planning exercise and three-year 
budgeting process.

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 the 

current economic downturn (cost-of-
living crisis, inflation and increasing 
interest rates) 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.

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 £2.5m 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.

•  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.

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 2026.

•  A range of levels of car parking income 
affecting profitability up to the end of 
June 2026.

•  A range of levels of hotel net income 
affecting profitability up to the end of 
June 2026.

•  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 last five years.

The results of the reverse stress test show that 
the sensitivities occur between Q3 of FY24 
and Q1 of FY25 and are only temporary. 

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 with 
our disposal programme of the last three 
years, the repayment of borrowings and the 
fixed interest borrowings of the Group, which 
represent 93% of borrowings. It is however 
likely that this reduced risk will continue 
beyond the shorter-term future covered by 
the going concern statement.

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Town Centre Securities PLC    Annual Report and Accounts 2023 

STRATEGIC REPORT
Financial Review

Financial
review

The financial performance of the Company 
during the year ended 30 June 2023 shows 
EPRA profits comparable to those of the 
previous period, however the statutory profit 
of the year is dominated by both reductions in 
investment property values and impairments 
to the Group Car Parking portfolio, with these 
reductions primarily due to real-estate 
investor and market sentiment around the 
macro-economic outlook.”

The statutory loss for the year was £29.5m, 
compared to a profit of £11.0m in the 
previous year, with the current year heavily 
influenced by investment property losses 
of over £21.9m (£26.0m of revaluation 
losses, which includes £5.0m of valuation 
movements on joint venture properties and 
£4.1m of profits recognised on disposal).

EPRA Earnings* were a profit of £3.1m in 
the year, compared to a profit of £3.3m 
in the prior year, highlighting a resilient 
performance in the underlying business, 
despite the macroeconomic outlook. The 
profit for the current year included the 
cost to the Company of extraordinary YPS 
bonuses paid to the Executive Directors 
amounting to £0.8m; excluding these 
bonuses, the EPRA profit of the Company 
would have been £3.9m.

A final dividend of 2.5p per Ordinary Share 
has been approved by the Board, giving 
a full-year dividend of 5.0p, which is the 
same as in the previous year.

During the year the Company sold four 
separate investment property assets which 
generated £33.4m of gross proceeds. In 
July 2022 the Company received both 
the initial proceeds from the sale of its 
investment in YPS, which generated 
£11.6m of proceeds, and £18.7m of 
funds were released from the debenture 
security group. In aggregate the Company 
generated over £63m from these activities.

The funds generated have been deployed 
in a number of ways:
•  £7.5m acquisition of 45 Weymouth 

Street, London

•  £3.5m to fund the acquisition of the 

remaining 50% of our Burlington House 
joint venture

•  £7.8m to fund a tender offer and also a 

small share buy-back programme in the 
first five months of the year

•  £31.0m was used to part repay 

Group borrowings

•  £13.3m was used to buy in for 

cancellation £13.6m of the Company’s 
debenture stock

Net borrowings has reduced from £135.1m 
to £101.9m in the year. Net borrowings 
represent total financial borrowings of 
£131.5m less lease liabilities of £28.0m and 
net cash of £1.6m. 

*  

 Alternative performance measures are detailed, 
defined and reconciled within notes 11 and 21 of the 
financial statements.

62 

01 
01   
STRATEGIC REPORT
STRATEGIC REPORT

DUCIE HOUSE, MANCHESTER

INCOME STATEMENT

EPRA Earnings* for the year ended 30 June 2023 were £3.1m. 

£000s

Gross revenue

Impairment of debtors 
provision movement

FY23

FY22

30,363

28,141

YOY

7.9%

0

49 (100.0%)

Property expenses

(15,551)

(13,666)

13.8%

Net revenue

14,812

14,524

2.0%

Other income/JV profit

1,764

2,497

(29.4%)

Other expenses

0

0

–

Administrative expenses

(6,780)

(6,531)

3.8%

OPERATING PROFIT

9,796

10,490

(6.6%)

Net finance costs

EPRA EARNINGS

(6,733)

(7,215)

(6.7%)

3,063

3,275

(6.5%)

SEGMENTAL

PROPERTY

Net revenue

Operating profit

CITIPARK

Net revenue

Operating profit

IBIS STYLES HOTEL

Net revenue

Operating profit

INVESTMENTS

Other income and 
operating profit

FY23

FY22

YOY

9,435

5,911

9,188

6,437

2.7%

(8.2%)

4,891

3,360

4,843

3,525

1.0%

(4.7%)

486

486

493

493

(1.4%)

(1.4%)

39

35

11.4%

STATUTORY PROFIT

On a statutory basis the reported loss for 
the year was £29.5m.

The statutory profit reflects the EPRA 
Earnings* of £3.1m less £36.3m of non-cash 
valuation and impairment movements plus 
the profit on disposal recognised of £3.3m 
on the four investment properties and 
investments sold in the year plus £0.4m 
of profit recognised on the repurchase of 
debenture stock in the year.

Gross revenue
Gross revenue was up £2.2m or 7.9%  
year-on-year, with key drivers being:
1.  Property revenue during the year had 

a positive impact of £0.3m on the total 
gross revenue. The majority of property 
sales in the year related to development 
sites where temporary car park income 
was generated.

2.  CitiPark revenues have continued to grow 
strongly in the year, with gross revenue 
across the portfolio increasing by 14% in 
the year from £11.4m to £13.1m , with total 
occupancy now at just under 90% of pre-
COVID-19 levels.

3.  Income for the ibis Styles hotel, has 

also continued to grow with revenue of 
£3.1m in the year, up £0.3m from £2.8m 
last year.

Property expense
Property expenses have increased in the 
year by 14.0%, reflecting both the increased 
trade experienced in both the Hotel and 
Car Park businesses but also inflationary 
pressures on both utility costs and index-
linked car park leases.

Other/JV income
Total Other/JV income was down 29.4% 
or £0.7m year-on-year; the majority of the 
difference relates to substantial dilapidation 
payments received by the Company in the 
previous year.

Administrative expenses
Administrative costs were higher  
year-on-year; however in the current year 
exceptional bonuses awarded and paid 
to the Executive Directors resulting from 
the YPS sale cost the Company £0.8m. 
Excluding these costs, administrative costs 
were 9% lower than in the previous period.

Finance costs
Finance costs were 6.7% or £0.5m lower 
year-on-year as a result of the reduction in 
both the Company’s bank borrowings and 
the buy-back of £13.6m of debenture stock.

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

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STRATEGIC REPORT
Financial Review continued

BALANCE SHEET

The below table shows the year-end balance sheet as reported.

£m

Freehold and right-to-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 INCL. AVAILABLE FOR SALE

Net borrowings

Other assets/(liabilities)

STATUTORY NAV

STATUTORY NAV PER SHARE

EPRA NET TANGIBLE ASSETS (‘NTA’)

EPRA NTA PER SHARE

* 

Includes assets held for sale in FY22 of £20.4m.

Non-current assets:
Our total non-current assets (including 
investments in JVs) of £280.2m (2022: 
£331.2m) have reduced by £51.0m during 
the year, this movement is made up of 
the following:
•  Disposals, including YPS receipts of 

£(39.7m)

•  Depreciation charge of £(2.3m)

•  Capital expenditure of £26.3m

•  Revaluation uplift/reversal of impairments 

totalling £(36.1m)

•  Operating profits generated and retained 
in JV entities and other movements of 
£0.8m

FY23

162.9

20.9

74.4

9.5

267.7

7.1

4.1

1.3

280.2

(129.9)

(9.2)

141.1

291p

137.7

284p

FY22

158.5

42.6

97.9

9.1

308.1

18.0

4.1

1.0

331.2

(163.8)

vs FY22

2.8%

(50.9%)

(24.0%)

4.4%

(13.1%)

(60.6%)

0.0%

30.0%

(15.4%)

(20.7%)

11.9

(177.3%)

179.3

341p

174.9

333p

(21.3%)

(14.6%)

(21.3%)

(14.6%)

Borrowings:
During the year our net borrowings have 
reduced by £33.9m, from £163.8m as at 30 
June 2022 to £129.9m. This was primarily 
as a direct consequence of the disposals 
made throughout the year. As part of this 
we bought back £13.6m of our £96.1m 2031 
5.375% debenture stock with the remaining 
reduction spread across our bank facilities.

We had two of our three revolving credit 
facilities expiring in June 2023. Our Lloyds 
Bank facility was refinanced immediately 
after the year-end and is therefore classed 
as current liabilities in the balance sheet. . 
This facility has been reduced to a £30m 
revolving credit facility with a further £5m 
overdraft facility and expires in June 2026 
(with two one-year optional extensions).

The acquisition of the remaining half of 
Burlington House, has resulted in the full 
consolidation of the Belgravia Living Group. 
The Company’s investment in the Belgravia 
Living Group was previously categorised as 
a joint venture investment. As part of this 
consolidation a further ‘ring-fenced’ facility 
has been consolidated into the results and 
balance sheet of the Group. This facility 
expires in January 2029.

During the year we refinanced our £25m 
facility with Handelsbanken, for a further 
three years albeit at lower facility limit of 
£15m, this facility will expire in June 2026.

Loan-to-value has been reduced to 45.8%, 
down from 46.4% a year ago. Note the 
calculation of loan-to-value includes both 
the finance lease assets and liabilities.

01 
STRATEGIC REPORT

EPRA NET ASSET REPORTING

We focus primarily on the measure of Net 
Tangible Assets (‘NTA’). The below table 
reconciles IFRS net assets to NTA, and the 
other EPRA measures.

There are three 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.

£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

EPRA NET DISPOSAL VALUE

FY23

141.1

19.3

160.4

(19.3)

(3.4)

137.7

14.2

151.9

FY22

179.3

19.1

198.4

(19.1)

(4.4)

174.9

1.3

176.2

FY23  
p per share

FY22  

p per share

291

341

331

378

284

333

313

335

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.

FUTURE FINANCIAL 
CONSIDERATIONS

Future P&L pressure
As highlighted elsewhere in this report, our 
recent disposal programme and the wider 
economy has had a material impact on 
profitability in the year ended 30 June 2023, 
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. We have seen 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 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 continuing to 
review options for how the proceeds of any 
further sales could be utilised including debt 
repayment, asset purchases and share  
buy-backs.

Although we have started to increase the level 
of the dividend, 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
As identified in the Risk Report, we have 
highlighted the continued pressure on 
retail and office investments to be a 
significant risk to the business. 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 ongoing viability of the business was 
not threatened.

CITIPARK AO ARENA, 
MANCHESTER

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02 
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

Corporate
Governance

Town Centre Securities PLC    Annual Report and Accounts 2023 

STRATEGIC REPORT
Financial Review continued

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 2023 was £30.0m (2022: £18.5m), 
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 33.7% 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 the financial statements.

TOTAL SHAREHOLDER RETURN 
AND TOTAL PROPERTY RETURN

Total shareholder return of minus 3.2% 
(2022: minus 4.5%) was calculated as the 
total of dividends paid during the financial 
year of 5.0p (2022: 5.0p) and the movement 
in the share price between 30 June 2022 
(133.5p) and 30 June 2023 (125.0p), 
assuming reinvestment of dividends.  
This compares with the FTSE All Share REIT 
index at minus 22.1% (2022: minus 5.2%)  
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

10 YEARS

20 YEARS

(3.2%)

0.3%

(22.1%)

2.4%

3.4%

1.8%

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 minus 6.0% (2022: 
8.7%). This compared to the MSCI/IPD market return of minus 15.3% (2022: 19.3%).

Stewart MacNeill
Group Finance Director

This Strategic Report and the information referred to herein was approved on behalf of the 
Board on 17 October 2023.

Edward Ziff OBE DL
Chairman & Chief Executive
17 October 2023

WHITEHALL RIVERSIDE 
DEVELOPMENT (CGI), LEEDS

02  |  CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

Introduction from the Chairman 
Board of Directors 
Statement of compliance with the UK Corporate 
Governance Code 
Nomination Committee Report 
Audit Committee Report 
Directors’ Remuneration Report 
Directors’ Report 
Statement of Directors’ Responsibilities 

68
70

76
78
80
84
91
93

CARVERS WAREHOUSE, 
MANCHESTER

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Town Centre Securities PLC    Annual Report and Accounts 2023 

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Introduction from the Chairman

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

Edward Ziff OBE DL 
Chairman and Chief Executive

WHITEHALL RIVERSIDE 
DEVELOPMENT (CGI), LEEDS

68 

02 
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

Introduction

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 this year has 
been on the difficult economic conditions 
resulting from inflation, rising interest rates, 
the cost-of-living crisis and the conflict 
in Ukraine with the goal of ultimately 
protecting shareholder value. These 
conditions have significantly influenced 
the Board and the long-term strategy of the 
Company, with the reduction of borrowings 
a key priority.

The independent Non-Executive Directors 
have provided robust challenge.

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 facilitates 
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. 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 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, 
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
17 October 2023

Our Section 172 statement 
demonstrates how Directors have 
discharged their duties to the 
Company’s stakeholders. This 
statement can be found on pages 
34 to 37.

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Town Centre Securities PLC    Annual Report and Accounts 2023 

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Board of Directors

EXECUTIVE BOARD

COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP

Audit Committee Member

Sustainability and Climate Change 
Committee Member

Nomination Committee Member

Chairman of Committee

Remuneration Committee Member

02 
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

THE NON-EXECUTIVE BOARD

Edward Ziff | OBE DL
Chairman & Chief Executive

Stewart MacNeill | FCA
Group Finance Director

Ben Ziff 
Managing Director CitiPark  
 TCS Energy and Technology

Craig Burrow
Group Property Director

Michael Ziff | Hon DUniv (Brad)
Non-Executive Director

Ian Marcus | OBE MA FRICS
Non-Executive Director

Paul Huberman | FCA CTA
Non-Executive Director

Jeremy Collins
Non-Executive Director

APPOINTED:  

08/1985

APPOINTED:  

06/2021

APPOINTED:  

09/2015

APPOINTED:  

01/2023

APPOINTED:  

07/2004

APPOINTED:  

01/2015

APPOINTED:  

01/2015

APPOINTED:  

02/2018

INDEPENDENT:  

No

INDEPENDENT:  

No

INDEPENDENT:  

No

INDEPENDENT:  

No

INDEPENDENT:  

No

INDEPENDENT:  

Yes

INDEPENDENT:  

Yes

INDEPENDENT:  

Yes

SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

Edward Ziff joined the Company 
in 1981 before being appointed 
to the Board in 1985, becoming 
Managing Director in 1983, 
Chief Executive in 2001 and 
succeeding his Father and 
Founder of the Company as 
Chairman in 2004. Edward is a 
life-long supporter of the city of 
Leeds 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 of the TCS, and his 
lifelong experience working at 
different levels in the business 
make him uniquely qualified to 
lead the Company. In addition, 
the wider role he plays in the 
Leeds community in particular, 
support him leading this proudly 
Leeds-based business.

EXTERNAL APPOINTMENTS

He is a Trustee of the United 
Hebrew Congregation, Leeds, 
a member of the council of 
University College School, 
London and a Deputy Lieutenant 
for the County of West Yorkshire.

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. He was previously 
Chair and Trustee of Leeds 
Hospitals Charity.

70 

Stewart’s chartered accounting 
qualification clearly underpins 
his ability to deliver in his role 
as Group Finance Director. In 
addition, his 20 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.

Ben’s long and close contribution 
to 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 
the Property, Energy and Parking 
subsidiaries of the Company.

EXTERNAL APPOINTMENTS

He is an executive of Blizzard 
Properties, a small private 
property development and 
consultancy business that 
specialises in out-of-town retail.

PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE

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 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.

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

EXTERNAL APPOINTMENTS

He is a mentor at the Creative 
Destruction Lab, part of the Said 
Business School at the University 
of Oxford.

PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE

In 2013, Ben successfully led a 
team in the redevelopment of 
the Merrion Centre multi-storey 
car park, which turned a 1960’s 
structure into a state-of-the-art 
facility featuring Skidata, ApplePay, 
Contactless Payment and ANPR 
technologies. 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 
electric vehicle charging led to the 
development of TCS Energy in 2012 
which pursues renewable energy 
production and storage to add 
to our existing portfolio of solar 
farm installations. 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, which TCS successfully 
exited in July 2022. 

Craig is a chartered surveyor 
with over 20 years’ experience 
in the Leeds and Manchester 
office market. He is well known 
throughout the region’s business 
community for his long-standing 
positions on boards, committees 
and steering groups.

EXTERNAL APPOINTMENTS

He is Chair of the Yorkshire 
Property Charitable Trust, a 
member of the committee of 
the Crypt Factor and Yorkshire 
Property Charity Football and 
a steering group member at 
LeedsBID; a not-for-profit, non-
political organisation set up to 
improve Leeds city centre for all. 

PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE

Craig joined the Company in 
October 2020 as Development 
Director becoming Group 
Property Director in January 
2023. He has significant 
experience in the property 
industry having started as a 
commercial agent at Weatherall 
Green & Smith and then DTZ 
Debenham Tie Leung before 
moving to Bruntwood, where for 
most of his 13 years he was the 
Director of Leeds responsible 
for overseeing all aspects of 
managing the Leeds portfolio 
including asset management, 
acquisitions, disposals, 
investments and redevelopments 
including Platform, Hepworth 
Point and Sovereign Square.

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.

EXTERNAL APPOINTMENTS

He is a Director of W Barratt & 
Co Ltd, Transworld Business 
Advisors UK Ltd, London Business 
Franchise & Brokerage Ltd, 
Board of Deputies Charitable 
Foundation and Board of 
Deputies of British Jews Limited. 
He is President and a trustee of 
Maccabi GB and International 
Vice President of Maccabi World 
Union. He is a trustee of the 
Western Charitable Foundation, 
the Western Marble Arch 
Synagogue and the Polacks 
House Educational Trust and 
also Hon. President of UK Israel 
Business. He has recently 
stepped down as a Member 
of Council at the University 
of Bradford.

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.

EXTERNAL APPOINTMENTS

Ian is a member of Redevco’s 
Advisory Board. He is Senior 
Advisor to Eastdil Secured, the 
Chair of Shurgard Self Storage 
SA, Senior Advisor to Elysian 
Residences, Advisor to Work.Life, 
and a senior advisor to Anschutz 
Entertainment Group. Ian is also a 
Non-Executive Director of Future 
Places, a regeneration subsidiary 
of BCP Council and a visiting 
Professor at Aberdeen University.

PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE

Ian spent over 32 years as an 
investment banker latterly 
at Credit Suisse. Ian was 
previously a Crown Estate 
Commissioner, a Trustee of The 
Princes Foundation, is a former 
chairman of the Bank of England 
Commercial Property Forum, 
a past President of the British 
Property Federation, past Chair 
of the Investment Property 
Forum and former President 
of Cambridge University 
Land Society.

Paul Huberman was appointed a 
Director in January 2015. He brings 
over 36 years’ experience in the 
property and finance sectors. 

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.

EXTERNAL APPOINTMENTS

He is currently a Non-Executive 
Director of Galliard Homes 
Limited, a London housebuilder, 
a Non-Executive Director at 
GetBusy plc, a developer of 
document management and task 
management software, a Non-
Executive Director at a privately-
owned property group, and a 
Non-Executive Director at The 
Industrial Dwellings Society (1885) 
Ltd, a housing association. 

PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE

Paul was previously Finance 
Director at three quoted 
companies. Previously Paul was 
a Non-Executive Director at GRIT 
Real Estate Income Group Ltd, 
a listed pan-African property 
investment company, a Non 
Executive Director at LiFE At Ltd, 
a multi branch London-based 
residential estate agency 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 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.

EXTERNAL APPOINTMENTS

During the year Jeremy was 
Property Director and Executive 
Board member at Fenwick.

PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE
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.

 71

Contents Generation - SectionContents Generation - SectionContents Generation - SectionContents Generation - SectionContents Generation - SectionTown Centre Securities PLC    Annual Report and Accounts 2023 

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Board of Directors continued

Details of the Board of Directors are given on pages 
70 to 71 of this report. At the end of the year the Board 
comprised four Non-Executive Directors, three of whom 
are independent and four Executive Directors, including 
the Chairman and Chief Executive.

The key roles and responsibilities are as follows:

Edward Ziff | OBE DL
Chairman & CEO

Stewart MacNeill | FCA
Group Finance Director

Ben Ziff 
Managing Director, CitiPark 

Craig Burrow
Group Property Director

•  Provide advice and guidance 

•  Provide advice and guidance 

on financial strategy.

on Car Parking strategy.

•  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 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.

Ian Marcus | FRICS
Senior Independent Director

•  Support the Chairman and 

CEO’s delivery of objectives.

•  Lead the Non-Executive 

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

•  Being available to 

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

•  Ensure implementation of 

•  Take responsibility for an 

Board decisions.

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

• 

• 

• 

• 

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 
Parking-related technology 
investments.

•  Oversee the asset 
management of 
the Company’s 
property portfolio.

• 

• 

Identify and propose 
commercial acquisitions  
and/or disposals.

 Manage the development 
programme.

•  Propose major projects 

and bids.

•  Manage commercial 

expenditure.

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.

02 
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

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 directorships 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 Paul Huberman has stood as our Senior 
Independent Director and therefore, from 
the date of this report until the next, the 
position will be rotated to Ian Marcus. 

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. 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 76 to 77.

72 

 73

Contents Generation - SectionContents Generation - SectionContents Generation - SectionContents Generation - SectionContents Generation - SectionContents Generation - Section02 
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

ATTENDANCE AT BOARD MEETINGS (OF 8) 
CONTINUED

Michael Ziff

Ian Marcus

Paul Huberman

Jeremy Collins

8

8

8

8

ATTENDANCE AT AUDIT COMMITTEE MEETINGS 
(OF 2)

Paul Huberman

Ian Marcus

Jeremy Collins

2

2

2

Town Centre Securities PLC    Annual Report and Accounts 2023 

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Board of Directors continued

LISTING RULES

Committees of the Board

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

NOMINATION COMMITTEE

REMUNERATION COMMITTEE

Edward Ziff (Chair)

Ian Marcus

Paul Huberman

Jeremy Collins

Michael Ziff

AUDIT COMMITTEE

Paul Huberman (Chair)

Ian Marcus

Jeremy Collins

Ian Marcus (Chair)

Paul Huberman

Jeremy Collins

ATTENDANCE AT BOARD MEETINGS (OF 8)

Edward Ziff

Ben Ziff

Stewart MacNeill 

Craig Burrow

8

8

8

8  
(incl. 4 prior to his 
formal appointment)

LISTING RULE REQUIREMENT

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

LOCATION

Not applicable

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

Not applicable

Details of any long-term incentive schemes.

No such long-term incentive plans

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

Not applicable

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.

No such share allotments

No such share allotments

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

Not applicable

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

No such contract

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

No such contract

Details of waiver of dividends by a Shareholder.

No such waiver

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

Directors’ Report, page 92

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.

74 

TOWN CENTRE HOUSE, LEEDS

 75

Contents Generation - SectionContents Generation - SectionContents Generation - SectionContents Generation - SectionContents Generation - SectionContents Generation - SectionStatement of compliance with the UK Corporate 

Governance Code

Town Centre Securities PLC    Annual Report and Accounts 2023 

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Statement of compliance with the UK Corporate Governance Code

02 
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

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:

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

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, to 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 9

PROVISION

MITIGATION EXPLANATION OF DEPARTURE FROM THE CODE

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 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 nine 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 36 years’ experience on the TCS Board and is well respected 
within both the Leeds and Manchester property markets – which geographically 
represent 89% 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.

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 2023 financial statements. More details can be found 
in the Risk Report on page 59 and the Directors’ Report on page 91.

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 2026. Our Viability Statement can be found in the Risk Report on page 60.

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 52.

5. Risk management and 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 82.

6. Fair, balanced and understandable
The Board is required to 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 82 and the Statement of Director’s Responsibilities on 
page 93.

Relations with Shareholders
The Board is committed to maintaining good communication 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).

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. 

Dr. Edward Ziff OBE DL
Chairman & Chief Executive
17 October 2023

76 

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Town Centre Securities PLC    Annual Report and Accounts 2023 

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Nomination Committee Report

VICAR LANE, LEEDS

78 

02 
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

Dear Shareholder, 
I am pleased to continue to act as Chairman of the Nomination 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 and 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 91. As a result of this 
exercise, the Committee will be focusing 
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 with significant uncertainty 
in the general economy. The Committee 
will be considering the Board’s skill set to 
ensure it is able to lead the Company 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.

The Board appointed Craig Burrow to the 
Board as Group Property Director with effect 
from 1 January 2023. Prior to this date, he 
was Development Director at the Company 
with overall responsibility for progressing 
the Company’s development pipeline.

The Committee recognises that the Chair 
of the Board has remained in post beyond 
nine years and the reasons for this are 
regularly 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 69. 

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 70 to 71.

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, 14 of the Company’s 30 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 does not meet any of the targets on board diversity as set out in Listing Rule 
9.8.6(9). As a relatively small Plc based in Leeds, the Company has always recruited 
Board and executive management members primarily for their skills and experience. The 
experience of the Company is that potential pool of candidates does not allow it to fulfil any 
of the diversity and inclusivity targets in the listing rules. In assessing the members of the 
executive management team, the Company has included all heads of departments and the 
key members of the individual business segment meetings. The composition of the Board 
and at executive management level as at both 30 June 2023 and at the date of this report 
is as follows:

Gender identity

Men

Women

Not specified/prefer not to say

Ethnic background

White British or other white

Mixed/Multiple ethnic groups

Black/African/Caribbean/
Black British

Other ethnic group, including 
Arab

Not specified/prefer not to say

Number 
of Board 
members

Percentage 
of the Board

Number of 
senior positions 
on the Board

Number in 
executive 
management

Percentage 
of executive 
management

8

0

0

8

0

0

0

0

100%

0%

0%

100%

0%

0%

0%

0%

3

0

0

3

0

0

0

0

5

3

0

8

0

0

0

0

62.5%

37.5%

0%

100%

0%

0%

0%

0%

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 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.

Edward Ziff OBE DL
Chairman of Nomination Committee
17 October 2023

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Town Centre Securities PLC    Annual Report and Accounts 2023 

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Audit Committee Report

CITIPARK NEW JACKSON, MANCHESTER

80 

02 
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

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 2023.”

Paul Huberman FCA CTA 
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 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 its 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 2023 

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 
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 2023 
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 longer-term viability of the 
business and its going concern status.

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CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Audit Committee Report continued

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. 

•  The sale of the Company’s investment in 
YourParkingSpace.co.uk (‘YPS’), and the 
valuation of the deferred and contingent 
elements of consideration at the year-end. 

•  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.

•  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.

Going concern and viability
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 59, 
but in summary key Audit Committee 
activities included:
•  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 2023 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. 
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 remained unchanged in the year. 
The macroeconomic environment in the 
UK has worsened over the year however 
the Company has mitigated this with 
the robustness of the Group’s property 
portfolio, its tenant mix, the underlying 
trade in both the Group’s Car Parking and 
Hotel businesses and the reduction in 
borrowings over the year. 

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.

02 
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

£000’s

205

10

38

253

–

253

Internal audit
The Group has recently appointed an 
external accountancy firm, independent 
of the auditors, to provide an internal audit 
service. This service will typically provide 
two reviews per annum – each review on a 
specific targeted activity of the Group. The 
activity chosen will be agreed between the 
internal auditors and the audit committee.

Whistleblowing
The Group has in place a whistleblowing 
policy which encourages employees to 
report any malpractice or illegal acts 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
17 October 2023

•  The maintenance of a risk register, and a 

Audit fees for the year are broken down as follows:

formal review of significant business risks 
twice a year.

•  A formal whistleblowing policy and anti-

bribery policy.

Audit of year end consolidated financial statements

Audit of Company subsidiaries pursuant to legislation

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

Other Audit related services

TOTAL AUDIT SERVICES

Other non-audit services

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 2023 audit was the second audit by 
Chris Young.

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.

TOTAL AUDITOR’S REMUNERATION

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 2023 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. 

82 

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Town Centre Securities PLC    Annual Report and Accounts 2023 

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Directors’ Remuneration Report

The report is divided into two sections:

•  This Annual Statement for the year ended 30 June 

2023, which summarises remuneration outcomes and 
how the Remuneration Policy will operate for the year ending 
30 June 2024.

•  The Annual Report on Remuneration which explains how the 

Remuneration Policy was implemented in the year ended 30 June 
2023, and how the Remuneration Policy will be implemented for the  
year ended 30 June 2024.

DUCIE HOUSE, MANCHESTER

84 

02 
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

On behalf of the Board I am pleased to 
present the Directors’ Remuneration 
Report of the Remuneration Committee 
(the ‘Committee’). ”

Ian Marcus 
Chairman of Remuneration Committee

There are no proposed changes to 
the Remuneration Policy from that 
which was approved by 
Shareholders last year. Only the 
Annual Statement and Annual 
Report on Remuneration will be 
subject to a vote at the forthcoming 
2023 AGM.

Pay and performance 
during 2023
In determining the bonus award levels 
for the year ended 30 June 2023 the 
Remuneration Committee have taken 
full account of the progress made by the 
Company in the past year. As there were no 
specific benchmarks set for these bonuses, 
they were entirely at the discretion of the 
Remuneration Committee.

Bonus award for the year ended 
30 June 2023
Following a change to the Remuneration 
Policy at the Company’s AGM in 2022 we 
are able to award exceptional bonuses in 
relation to significant transactions that are 
outside of the ordinary course of business 
for the Company. These bonuses are on top 
of the annual bonus opportunity of up to a 
maximum of 100% of base salary.

During the year the Committee approved 
extraordinary bonuses in relation to the 
initial consideration received from the 
sale of the Company’s investment in 
YourParkingSpace Ltd (‘YPS’).

The financial performance assessment 
considered the following achievements:
•  The EPRA profit for the year of £3.1m 

(£3.9m if you add back the extraordinary 
bonus award relating to the sale of YPS), 
£3.3m in FY22.

•  EPRA Net Tangible Assets per share at the 

year end of 284p, FY22: 333p.

•  Net debt (including finance leases) 

reducing 20.7% in the year, from £163.8m 
to £129.9m.

•  Group loan-to-value reducing from 46.4% 

to 45.8% in the year.

In addition to financial performance the 
overall strength and security of the Group 
has been improved in the last year, with key 
factors being:
•  The oversubscribed tender offer which 
successfully resulted in the Company 
acquiring in for cancellation 4,000,000 
of its own shares and returning to 
Shareholders £1.85 per Ordinary Share.

•  The successful purchase in for 

cancellation of £13,681,000 nominal 
value of the Company’s debenture stock.

•  The acquisition of the remaining 50% of 

Burlington House, Manchester.

•  The renewal of two revolving credit 

facilities, both of which expired in June 
2023, which have expiry dates of no later 
than June 2026.

•  Bringing forward the Group’s 

development pipeline, in particular 
the sales of part of Whitehall Riverside, 
Leeds and our Port Street car parks 
in Manchester.

Having considered the overall performance 
of the Company, the Committee has 
approved awards in connection with the 
annual bonus opportunity of 15% of base 
salary for 2023; this award was debated and 
agreed in a meeting of the Committee in 
September 2023 and is not included in the 
results of the Company for the year ended 
30 June 2023.

During the year Company paid bonuses 
to Craig Burrow totalling £9,500 following 
completion of the two development site 
sales in the year.

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 remuneration 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. 
In previous years 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. This opportunity 
was increased to a maximum of 100% 
following the 2021 AGM where changes 
to the Remuneration Policy were 
approved, however this is still considered 
to be low.

•  Actual remuneration is also low relative to 
peers, with an average bonus pay-out of 
6% of base salary over the last five 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 2023
•  There will be cost of living increases of 

4% for all four of the Executive Directors.

• 

In addition there will be a further 9% 
increase to the salary of Stewart MacNeill 
to reflect his individual performance 
in promoting the overall strategy of 
the business and managing the debt 
exposure of the Company.

•  Actual cash bonuses of 15% have 

been awarded following discussion 
at the September 2023 meeting of 
the Remuneration Committee. These 
bonuses will be paid during the year 
ending 30 June 2024.

•  Exceptional bonuses have been paid 

during the year to three of the Executive 
Directors in connection with the profits 
crystallised and initial consideration 
received from the sale of the Company’s 
investment in YourParkingSpace Limited.

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CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Directors’ Remuneration Report continued

Implementation of the 
remuneration policy in 2023 
continued
•  The Remuneration Committee continue 
to discuss 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 2022.

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. For the period up 
to 31 December 2022 the Chairman and 
Chief Executive received reimbursement 
of the costs of maintaining a flat in London 
which was regularly used for Company 

meetings. Following his move to London 
these London-based costs ceased and from 
1 January 2023, the Chairman and Chief 
Executive receives reimbursement of the 
costs of maintaining a flat in Leeds. The 
value of the benefit is not pensionable. The 
Company makes no pension contributions 
in respect of Edward Ziff. The Group makes 
payments to a defined contribution scheme 
for Stewart MacNeill, Ben Ziff and Craig 
Burrow 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, Ben Ziff 
and Craig Burrow are in alignment with 
contributions made on behalf of other 
members of the senior management team.

Variable remuneration
The Group operates two bonus plans, 
the first is 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 
movement in net asset value per share and 
dividends paid as well as any movement 
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, 
in particular the gearing level, absolute 
level of external debt and ultimately the 
capital structure of the business. The 
maximum award under this plan is 100% of 
base salary. 

In addition to the above plan the Committee 
are able to award exceptional bonuses 
that are no more than 10% of the profits 
generated from any significant transactions 
that are outside of the ordinary course 
of business for the Company, subject to 
a maximum of £3m in any one financial 
year. The purpose of this is to encourage 
relatively small but ultimately value 
enhancing strategic and innovative 
technological investments that are 
complementary to the existing core 
businesses of TCS.

These bonuses are 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 two years notice. 
Ben Ziff, Stewart MacNeill and Craig 
Burrow have service contracts with one 
year’s, six months’ 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.

02 
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

Board remuneration including theoretical maximum bonuses
Year ended 30 June 2023. £000s

0

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

1400

1600

Edward Ziff

674

55

220

652

Ben Ziff

250

42

440

242

Salary

Benefits

Bonus (paid)

Bonus (unpaid)

Craig Burrow

111

182

12

10

Stewart MacNeill

165

66

160

24

Note: The unpaid element of the bonus represents the difference between the maximum possible bonus award of 100% of salary and the actual amount received 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 2023 and 30 June 2022.

Fixed

Variable

Salaries and fees

Taxable benefits1

Pensions contributions3

Bonuses

SIP shares2

TOTAL

2023 
£’000

2022 
£’000

2023 
£’000

2022 
£’000

2023 
£’000

2022 
£’000

2023 
£’000

2022 
£’000

2023 
£’000

2022 
£’000

2023 
£’000

2022 
£’000

EXECUTIVE CHAIRMAN &  
CHIEF EXECUTIVE

E M Ziff

674

648

53

43

–

–

220

293

EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS

C B A Ziff

C Burrow4

S MacNeill

NON-EXECUTIVE  
DIRECTORS

M A Ziff

P Huberman

I Marcus

J Collins

Note: 

250

111

165

240

–

160

7

1

1

4

–

1

1,200

1,048

62

48

53

57

57

53

50

54

54

50

220

208

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

33

11

21

65

–

–

–

–

–

31

–

21

52

–

–

–

–

–

440

10

66

109

–

48

736

450

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

1,420

1,256

62

48

65

52

736

450

2

2

–

2

6

–

–

–

–

–

6

2

2

–

–

4

–

–

–

–

–

4

949

986

732

133

255

386

–

230

2,069

1,602

53

57

57

53

50

54

54

50

220

208

2,289

1,810

1 

Taxable benefits include cash and non-cash benefits principally company cars or a cash alternative, permanent health and medical insurance premiums. Until 31 December 
2022, Edward Ziff received reimbursement of the costs of maintaining a flat in London which was regularly used for Company meetings. From 1 January 2023, following his 
move to London, the Company reimburses Edward Ziff the costs of maintaining a flat in Leeds. The value of the benefits is 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 Ben Ziff, Stewart MacNeill and 

Craig Burrow (all at 13% of base salary).

4  Craig Burrow joined the Board in January 2023.

86 

 87

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CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Directors’ Remuneration Report continued

02 
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

Notes to the single figure table – 
Annual bonus targets and outcomes 
for 2022
The current AGM-approved bonus scheme 
allows for a maximum pay-out of 100% of 
base salary.

For the year ended 30 June 2023, the 
Executive Directors did not receive an 
annual bonus award, however:
•  A bonus to all Executive Directors of 15% 

of base salary relating to the performance 
of the Company in the year ended 30 
June 2023 will be paid in the year ending 
30 June 2024. The decision to award 
these bonuses was deferred until after 
the year-end; once the draft results of 
the Company were better known, in 
particular the valuation movements on 
the Company’s investment property 
portfolio and impairments on the 
Company’s car park assets.

•  Exceptional bonuses were paid to Edward 
Ziff, Ben Ziff and Stewart MacNeill during 
the year of £220,000, £440,000 and 
£66,000 respectively following receipt 
of the initial consideration from the 
YourParkingSpace investment sale.

•  During the year the Company paid 
bonuses to Craig Burrow totalling 
£9,500 following completion of the two 
development site sales in the year.

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 2023 all four Executive Directors 
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 2023 
and November 2023. 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 2023. 
For illustration, based on the share price as 
at 30 June 2023, this would equate to each 
Director receiving 1,440 partnership shares 
and 1,440 matching shares. In November 
2022 Edward Ziff, Ben Ziff, Stewart MacNeill 
and Craig Burrow received 1,379 partnership 
shares and 1,379 matching shares in respect 
of the 2022 Share Incentive Plan. 

88 

The total number of partnership and matching SIP shares beneficially held at 30 June 2023 
is shown below.

Over the long term TCS has outperformed FTSE All Share REIT companies. On a 20-year basis TCS TSR was 3.4% versus the FTSE All Share 
REIT at 1.8%. On a 10-year basis TCS TSR was 0.3% behind the FTSE All Share REIT at 2.4%.

Executive

Edward Ziff

Ben Ziff

Stewart Macneill

Craig Burrow

Holding of partnership and matching SIP Shares 
(30 June 2023)

12,362

12,362

2,758

5,356

Directors’ Shareholdings (audited)
The table below sets out the shares held by the Directors as at 30 June 2023: 

Edward Ziff

Ben Ziff

Stewart MacNeill

Craig Burrow

Michael Ziff

Beneficial

Non-beneficial

5,493,346

13,403,427

775,520

2,758

15,707

–

–

–

2,515,731

7,443,445

The non-beneficial interest disclosures include 649,278 Ordinary Shares held by the estate 
of Dr Marjorie Ziff, an estate to which Edward and Michael Ziff are executors, and 5,959,982 
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, Stewart MacNeill 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 2023, TCS 
Trustees Limited held 35,237 Ordinary Shares (2022: 55,239) on behalf of all participants 
including those share awards of Executive Directors shown above.

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 2023. 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
Jun-13

Jun-14

Jun-15

Jun-16

Jun-17

Jun-18

Jun-19

Jun-20

Jun-21

Jun-22

Jun-23

Source: DataStream

TOWN

FTSE UK REITs

The table below sets out the total remuneration and incentive plan pay-outs for the Executive Chairman and CEO over a ten-year period. 

Single total figure of 
remuneration (£000s)

Annual bonus pay-out
(% of maximum)

2022/23

2021/22

2020/21

2019/20

2018/19

2017/18

2016/17

2015/16

2014/15

2013/14

949

986

650

674

684

914

809

718

782

784

0%

45%

0%

0%

0%

40%

20%

10%

30%

33%

Percentage change in remuneration of the Directors
The table below sets 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, from 2020 to 2021, from 2021 to 2022 and from 2022 to 2023.

Salary change

Edward Ziff

Ben Ziff

Stewart MacNeill

Craig Burrow

Michael Ziff

Ian Marcus

Paul Huberman

Jeremy Collins 

Average employee1

2019 to 2020

2020 to 2021

2021 to 2022

2022 to 2023

(1.6%)

10.3%

n/a

n/a

(0.8%)

(0.8%)

(0.8%)

(0.8%)

5.5%

0.8%

3.6%

n/a

n/a

0.8%

0.8%

0.8%

0.8%

6.9%

7.3%

8.0%

0.0%

n/a

4.8%

4.8%

4.8%

4.8%

5.4%

4.0%

4.0%

3.3%

n/a

7.5%

7.5%

7.5%

7.5%

13%

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

2021 to 2022

2022 to 2023

Edward Ziff

Ben Ziff

Stewart MacNeill

Craig Burrow

Michael Ziff

Ian Marcus

Paul Huberman

Jeremy Collins 

Average employee

0.0%

28.6%

n/a

n/a

0.0%

0.0%

0.0%

0.0%

21.9%

(38.9%)

(92.6%)

n/a

n/a

0.0%

0.0%

0.0%

0.0%

0.0%

(2.3%)

100.0%

0.0%

n/a

0.0%

0.0%

0.0%

0.0%

0.0%

23.6%

69.9%

7.6%

n/a

0.0%

0.0%

0.0%

0.0%

0.0%

 89

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CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Directors’ Remuneration Report continued

Percentage change in remuneration of the Directors continued

Bonus change

Edward Ziff

Ben Ziff

Stewart MacNeill

Craig Burrow

Michael Ziff

Ian Marcus

Paul Huberman

Jeremy Collins 

Average Employee

2019 to 2020

2020 to 2021

2021 to 2022

2022 to 2023

0.0%

0.0%

n/a

n/a

0.0%

0.0%

0.0%

0.0%

0.0%

0.0%

0.0%

n/a

n/a

0.0%

0.0%

0.0%

0.0%

0.0%

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

0.0%

0.0%

0.0%

0.0%

n/a

(24.9%)

303.7%

37.5%

n/a

0.0%

0.0%

0.0%

0.0%

(100.0%)

Relative importance of spend on pay
The table below shows how expenditure on total pay compares to other financial outgoings. 

Staff remuneration costs 

Dividends to Shareholders

2022  

(£000)

5,807

2,237

2023
(£000)

7,000

2,423

% change

12.1%

8.3%

External appointments 
Stewart MacNeill was a Non-Executive Director of a small family-owned property group and 
received a salary of £24,000 per annum, he resigned from this position with effect from 31 
March 2023. None of the other Executive Directors have other external appointments for 
which they are paid. During the year Edward Ziff was the unpaid Chair and Trustee of Leeds 
Hospitals Charity.

Implementation of the remuneration policy for 2024
The following table outlines how TCS intends to implement the remuneration policy in the 
year ending 30 June 2024.

Component

Implementation for 2024

Base salary

The Committee usually agrees base salary increases effective from October. 
This year the Committee has agreed that there will be a 4.0% cost-of-living 
increase to the Executive Directors. In addition Stewart MacNeill will receive 
a further 9.0% increase.

Benefits provisions will be as per 2023, 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 Leeds.

Benefits

Pension

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 2023: 
Ian Marcus
• 

•  Paul Huberman

•  Jeremy Collins 

The key activities of the Committee during 
the year were: 
•  Whilst no bonus was approved during 
the year 2023, a bonus of 15% of base 
salary was approved after the year-end 
which will be included in the results 
of the Company for the year ending 
30 June 2023.

•  Approving exceptional bonuses 

awarded to Edward Ziff, Ben Ziff and 
Stewart MacNeill arising from receipt 
of the initial consideration from the 
sale of the Company’s investment in 
YourParkSpace Limited.

•  Approving the salaries for 2023 (cost-

of-living increases for all the Executive 
Directors plus a further 9.0% increase for 
Stewart MacNeill).

•  Setting the bonus targets for 2024.

•  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.

Statement of voting in relation to the 
2022 AGM 

Annual Report on 
Remuneration

99.05%

0.95%

Edward Ziff does not receive a contribution. The Group makes payments to a 
Defined Contribution scheme for Stewart MacNeill, Ben Ziff and Craig Burrow 
of 13% of base salary.

Votes for

Votes against

Annual bonus

The Remuneration Committee are able to award two types of bonus:

An annual bonus with a maximum opportunity of up to 100% of base salary.

Exceptional bonuses that are no more than 10% of the profits generated from 
any significant transactions that are outside of the ordinary course of business 
for the Company, subject to a maximum of £3m in any one financial year. The 
purpose of this is to encourage relatively small but ultimately value-enhancing 
strategic and innovative technological investments that are complementary 
to the existing core businesses of TCS. 

All 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. 

SIP

Executive Directors will continue to participate in the SIP.

NED fees

NED fees will increase by 4.0% with effect from October 2023.

90 

This report was approved by the Board on 17 
October 2023 and signed on its behalf by

Ian Marcus
Chairman of the Remuneration 
Committee
17 October 2023

Directors’ Report

02 
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

Directors’ Report

The Directors present their report 
for the year ended 30 June 2023.

The corporate governance statement on 
pages 68 to 90 form part of this report.

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 parks.

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 102.

An interim dividend of 2.5p per share was 
paid on 16 June 2023 as a PID. The Directors 
now propose a payment of a final dividend 
of 2.5p 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 4 January 2024 to ordinary 
Shareholders on the register at the close 
of business on 15 December 2023. The ex-
dividend date will be 14 December 2023.

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 2023, 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 
130 to 131.

Share capital
The changes in the Company’s issued share 
capital during the year are as set out below 
in the Purchase of own shares section. 
At 30 June 2023, there were 48,455,599 
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 
4,000,000 of its own ordinary shares 
for cancellation as part of a tender 
offer announced on 15 July 2022 and a 
further 75,000 as part of a share buy-
back programme which commenced 
on 3 November 2022. The aggregate 
consideration including associated costs for 
the tender offer was £7,765,225 and for the 
share buy-back programme was £123,032. 

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 2023.

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 (2022: nil).

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 
70 to 71. 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 86.

Beneficial and non-beneficial interests of 
the Directors in the shares of the Company 
as at 30 June 2023 are disclosed in the 
Directors’ Remuneration Report on page 88. 
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 1 December 2023 
and offer themselves for re-election. 

Service agreements of Executive Directors 
and terms of conditions of Non-Executive 
Directors are available for inspection at the 
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 41.

Emission reporting
The Group’s Greenhouse Gas Emissions 
Statement is included within the Strategic 
Report on page 44.

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.

2023 Annual General Meeting
A Notice of Meeting can be found on pages 
146 to 152 explaining the business to be 
considered at the AGM on 1 December 
2023 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 59 of the 
Strategic Report.

Independent auditors
The auditors, BDO LLP, have indicated their 
willingness to continue in office, and a 
resolution that they be re-appointed will be 
proposed at the AGM.

 91

Contents Generation - SectionContents Generation - SectionContents Generation - SectionContents Generation - SectionContents Generation - SectionTown Centre Securities PLC    Annual Report and Accounts 2023 

Substantial shareholdings
As at 17 October 2023, 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

26,534,400

4,834,769

54.8%

9.98%

Post-balance sheet events
Post-balance sheet events since 30 June 2023 are detailed in note 26.

By order of the Board

Edward Ziff OBE DL
Chairman and Chief Executive
17 October 2023

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Directors’ Report continued

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.

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 54.8% of the Company’s 
voting rights.

The Board confirms that, since the 
entry into the relationship agreement 
until 17 October 2023, 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.

02 
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

This responsibility statement for the year 
ended 30 June 2023 was approved by the 
Board on 17 October 2023.

For and on behalf of the Board

Edward Ziff OBE DL
Chairman and Chief Executive
17 October 2023

Statement of Directors’ Responsibilities

Statement of Directors’ Responsibilities

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 UK adopted 
international accounting standards and 
the Parent Company financial statements 
in accordance with United Kingdom 
Generally Accepted Accounting Practice 
(United Kingdom Accounting Standards 
and applicable law). 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 UK adopted 
international 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; and

•  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.  

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, 
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.

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Independent auditor’s report

Town Centre Securities PLC    Annual Report and Accounts 2023 

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Financial 
Statements

03  |  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Independent auditor’s report 
95
Consolidated income statement 
102
Consolidated statement of comprehensive income  102
Consolidated balance sheet 
103
Consolidated statement of changes in equity 
104
Consolidated cash flow statement 
105
Notes to the consolidated financial statements 
106
Company balance sheet 
134
Statement of changes in equity 
135
Notes to the Company financial statements 
136

03 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

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 2023 and of 
the Group’s loss for the year then ended;

• 

• 

the Group financial statements have been properly prepared in accordance with UK adopted international accounting standards;

the Parent Company financial statements have been properly prepared in accordance with United Kingdon Generally Accepted 
Accounting Practice; and

• 

the financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006.

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 2023 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 the preparation of the Group financial statements is applicable law and UK adopted international accounting 
standards. 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 by the Directors for the year ended 30 June 2016. 
We were reappointed by the Members on 23 November 2022 to audit the financial statements for the year ended 30 June 2023 and 
subsequent financial periods. The period of total uninterrupted engagement including retenders and reappointments is 8 years, covering 
the years ended 30 June 2016 to 30 June 2023. 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 the following considerations:
•  Using our knowledge of the Group and its market sector together with the current economic environment to assess the Directors’ 

identification of the inherent risks to the Group’s business and how these might impact the Group’s ability to remain a going concern for 
the going concern period, being the period to 31 December 2024, which is at least 12 months from when the financial statements are 
authorised for issue;

•  We assessed the forecast cash flows with reference to historic performance and challenged the Directors’ assumptions in comparing 

them to the 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 Group’s 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 challenged the Directors’ as to their intentions for loan facilities maturing during the going concern period. At the 30 June 2023 the 
Group had three Revolving Credit Facilities (“RCFs”) with total facilities available of £70m, of which £7m had been drawn. We obtained 
evidence to corroborate the post year end extension of one of the Group’s RCFs to June 2026. We also confirmed that one of the RCFs 
due for repayment in September 2024 can be extended by an additional two years at the option of the Parent Company if exercised and 
approved by the lender;

•  We considered board minutes, and evidence obtained through the audit and challenged the Directors on the identification of any 

contradictory information the forecasts and impacting the going concern assessment; and

•  We analysed the Director’s stress testing calculations and challenged the assumptions made using our knowledge of the business and 

current economic climate, to assess the reasonableness of the scenarios selected.

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FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Independent auditor’s report continued
to the members of Town Centre Securities Plc

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

100% (2022: 100%) of Group profit before tax

100% (2022: 100%) of Group revenue

100% (2022: 100%) of Group total assets

KEY AUDIT  
MATTERS

Valuation of property interests

2023

2022

MATERIALITY

Group financial statements as a whole

£2.8m (2022: £3.1m) based on 1% (2022: 1%) of Group non-current assets

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 20 active components in the Group, 5 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. Our audit procedures for non-significant components were 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.

Climate change

Our work on the assessment of potential impacts on climate-related risks on the Town Centre Securities Plc operations and financial 
statements included:
•  Enquiries and challenge of management to understand the actions they have taken to identify climate-related risks and their potential 

impacts on the financial statements and adequately disclose climate-related risks within the annual report;

•  Our own qualitative risk assessment taking into consideration the sector in which the Group operates and how climate change affects this 

particular sector;

•  Review of the minutes of Board and Audit Committee meeting and other papers related to climate change and performed a risk 

assessment as to how the impact of the Group’s commitment as set out in pages 46 to 51 may affect the financial statements and 
our audit.

We challenged the extent to which climate-related considerations, including the expected cash flows from the initiatives and commitments 
have been reflected, where appropriate, in management’s going concern assessment and viability assessment. We also assessed the 
consistency of managements disclosures included as ‘Other Information’ on page 99 with the financial statements and with our knowledge 
obtained from the audit. 

Based on our risk assessment procedures, we did not identify there to be any Key Audit Matters materially impacted by  
climate-related risks. 

03 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

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. This matter was 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 this matter.

Key audit matter 

VALUATION 
OF PROPERTY 
INTERESTS

Refer to accounting 
policies on the Group 
property interests in 
note 1 (on pages 108 
to 109) 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 
£218.4m (2022: £239.4m) and interests 
in joint ventures being the Group’s 
share of the fair value of investment 
and development properties within 
these joint ventures totalling £30.7m 
(2022 £48.2m). 

All interests in property as listed above 
are subject to independent revaluation 
to open market value at each reporting 
date by independent external valuation 
experts, with the exception of one 
property totalling £51,000 (2022: 
£51,000) 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 
tenants, 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. 

The hotel property, which is classified 
as property, plant and equipment and 
carried at fair value is valued using a 
discounted cash flow model. 

How the scope of our audit addressed the key audit matter

Experience of valuers and relevance of their work

We obtained the valuation reports prepared by the independent 
valuers and discussed the basis of the valuations with them. We 
determined whether the basis of the valuations was in accordance 
with the requirements of accounting standards.

We assessed the independent external valuation experts’ 
objectivity, independence and qualifications to undertake 
the valuations.

Data provided to the valuer

We validated, on a sample basis, the underlying data provided to 
the valuer by the Directors. This data included internal tenancy 
schedules, capital expenditure details and lease terms, which were 
agreed back to appropriate supporting documentation. 

Assumptions and estimates used by the valuers

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 income 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. 

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FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Independent auditor’s report continued
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Key audit matter 

How the scope of our audit addressed the key audit matter

Specific materiality

03 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Key observations

Based on our work we consider that the assumptions adopted 
by the Directors in the valuation of investment property were 
reasonable and the methodology applied was appropriate.

All of these valuation methods involve 
significant judgement and estimation 
to be applied by management and the 
external valuation experts, increasing 
the inherent risk in this area.

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 and hence we considered 
this to be a key audit matter.

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

2023
£m

2.8

2022
£m

3.1

2023
£m

1.0

2022
£m

1.1

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 investment property assets.

Performance materiality

1.96

2.015

0.7

0.72

Basis for determining 
performance materiality

Rationale for the 
percentage applied for 
performance materiality

70% of materiality

65% of materiality

70% of materiality

65% of materiality

In determining 
70% performance 
materiality we have 
considered our risk 
assessment, including 
our assessment of the 
Group’s overall control 
environment and the 
level of misstatements in 
previous years.

In determining 
65% performance 
materiality we have 
considered our risk 
assessment, including 
our assessment of the 
Group’s overall control 
environment and the 
level of misstatements in 
previous years.

In determining 
70% performance 
materiality we have 
considered our risk 
assessment, including 
our assessment of the 
Group’s overall control 
environment and the 
level of misstatements in 
previous years.

In determining 
65% performance 
materiality we have 
considered our risk 
assessment, including 
our assessment of the 
Group’s overall control 
environment and the 
level of misstatements in 
previous years.

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, property revaluation movements, 
gains or losses on disposal of properties, changes in the fair value of financial instruments and movements in accrued income receivable 
relating to 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. 

We determined specific materiality for these items to be £225,000 (2022: £225,000). This is based on 7.4% (2022: 7%) of European Public 
Real Estate Association (“EPRA”) earnings. EPRA earnings excludes the impact of the net surplus or deficit on the revaluation of, and 
profit or loss on disposal of, investment properties and financial instruments. We further applied a performance materiality level of 70% 
(2022: 65%) of specific materiality to ensure that the risk of errors exceeding specific materiality was appropriately mitigated.

Parent Company specific materiality was set at £140,000 (2022: £120,000) which equates to 1.0% (2022: 1.5%) of EPRA earnings excluding 
accrued interest.

Component materiality

We set financial statement materiality for each significant component of the Group on the same basis as Group materiality, being 2% (2022: 
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 £150,000 to £1,994,000 (2022: £40,000 to £1,210,000). In the 
audit of each component, we further applied performance materiality levels of 70% (2022: 65%) of the component materiality to our testing 
to ensure that the risk of errors exceeding component materiality was appropriately mitigated.

Specific materiality for each component, was calculated on the same basis as outlined above for the Parent Company specific materiality. 
Specific materiality for the components ranged from £8,000 to £140,000 (2022: £6,080 to £120,000). For each specific materiality set, we 
applied a performance materiality level of 70% (2022: 65%). 

Reporting threshold 

We agreed with the Audit Committee that we would report to them all individual audit differences in excess of £11,000 (2022: £11,250). 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 and 
Accounts 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 Code 
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

•  The Directors’ statement with regards to the appropriateness of adopting the going concern basis of 

accounting and any material uncertainties identified set out on page 77; and

•  The Directors’ explanation as to their assessment of the Group’s prospects, the period this assessment 

covers and why the period is appropriate set out on page 59

OTHER CODE 
PROVISIONS 

•  Directors’ statement on fair, balanced and understandable set out on page 77; 

•  Board’s confirmation that it has carried out a robust assessment of the emerging and principal risks set out 

on page 52; 

•  The section of the annual report that describes the review of effectiveness of risk management and internal 

control systems set out on page 82; and

•  The section describing the work of the audit committee set out on page 81

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FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
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03 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

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. 

Our procedures in respect of the above included:
•  Review of minutes of meeting of those charged with governance for any instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations;

•  Review of correspondence with regulatory and tax authorities for any instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations;

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 require 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.

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:

Non-compliance with laws and regulations

Based on:
•  Our understanding of the Group and the industry in which it operates;

•  Discussion with management and those charged with governance, which included the Audit Committee; and

•  Obtaining and understanding the Group’s policies and procedures regarding compliance with laws and regulations.

we considered the significant laws and regulations to be the Companies Act 2006, applicable accounting standards, the UK Listing Rules 
and the UK Real Estate Investment Trust (“REIT”) regime.

The Group is also subject to laws and regulations where the consequence of non-compliance could have a material effect on the amount or 
disclosures in the financial statements, for example through the imposition of fines or litigations. We identified such laws and regulations to 
be UK VAT regulations.

•  Review of financial statement disclosures and agreeing to supporting documentation;

• 

Involvement of tax specialists in the audit; and

•  Review of legal expenditure accounts to understand the nature of expenditure incurred. 

Fraud

We assessed the susceptibility of the financial statements to material misstatement, including fraud. Our risk assessment 
procedures included:
•  Enquiry with management and those charged with governance regarding any known or suspected instances of fraud;

•  Obtaining an understanding of the Group’s policies and procedures relating to:

•  Detecting and responding to the risks of fraud; and 

• 

Internal controls established to mitigate risks related to fraud. 

•  Review of minutes of meeting of those charged with governance for any known or suspected instances of fraud;

•  Discussion amongst the engagement team as to how and where fraud might occur in the financial statements;

•  Performing analytical procedures to identify any unusual or unexpected relationships that may indicate risks of material misstatement 

due to fraud; and

•  Considering remuneration incentive schemes and performance targets and the related financial statement areas impacted by these.

Based on our risk assessment, we considered the area’s most susceptible to fraud to be the valuation of the Group’s property interests, 
management bias and override of controls and the potential manipulation of revenue through the assessment of lease terms over which 
to spread lease incentives.

Our procedures in respect of the above included:
•  Testing a sample of journal entries throughout the year, which met a defined risk criterion, by agreeing to supporting documentation;

• 

Involvement of forensic specialists within the audit to assess the susceptibility of the financial statements to material fraud;

•  To address the fraud risk in relation to the assessment of lease terms over which to spread lease incentives, we agreed all critical inputs 
to the calculations to lease agreements and performed a recalculation of the adjustment to rental income, investigating any variances;

•  Assessing significant estimates made by management for bias, which included the valuation of the Group’s property interests as 

mentioned under the key audit matters; and

•  Testing of the consolidation including a sample of manual adjustments at the consolidation level to supporting documentation.

We also communicated relevant identified laws and regulations and potential fraud risks to all engagement team members who were all 
deemed to have appropriate competence and capabilities and remained alert to any indications of fraud or non-compliance with laws and 
regulations throughout the audit.

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.

Christopher Young (Senior Statutory Auditor)
For and on behalf of BDO LLP, Statutory Auditor
London, UK
17 October 2023

BDO LLP is a limited liability partnership registered in England and Wales (with registered number OC305127).

100 

 101

Contents Generation - SectionContents Generation - SectionContents Generation - SectionContents Generation - SectionContents Generation - SectionContents Generation - SectionConsolidated income statement

Consolidated statement of comprehensive 

Consolidated balance sheet

income

Town Centre Securities PLC    Annual Report and Accounts 2023 

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Consolidated income statement
for the year ended 30 June 2023

Gross revenue (excl service charge income)

Service charge income

Gross revenue

Release of provision for impairment of debtors

Service charge expenses

Property expenses

NET REVENUE

Administrative expenses

Other income

Valuation movement on investment properties

Impairment of Car Parking assets

Impairment of goodwill

Loss on disposal of investments

Valuation movement on investments

Profit on disposal of investment properties

Share of post-tax (losses)/profits from joint ventures

OPERATING (LOSS)/PROFIT

Finance costs

Finance income

(LOSS)/PROFIT BEFORE TAXATION

Taxation

(LOSS)/PROFIT 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

Notes

3

3

3

3

3

3

4

7

12

12

13

15

14

8

8

9

11

11

10

10

Consolidated statement of comprehensive income
for the year ended 30 June 2023

(Loss)/profit for the year

ITEMS THAT WILL NOT BE SUBSEQUENTLY RECLASSIFIED TO PROFIT OR LOSS

Revaluation gains on Car Parking assets

Revaluation gains on hotel assets

Revaluation gains on other investments

Total other comprehensive income

TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS)/INCOME FOR THE YEAR

Notes

12

12

15

2023
£’000

27,631

2,732

30,363

–

2022
£’000

25,383

2,758

28,141

49

(3,991)

(3,666)

(11,560)

(10,000)

14,812

(6,780)

880

(21,033)

(10,467)

(991)

(777)

1,162

4,123

(4,066)

(23,137)

(6,948)

594

(29,491)

–

14,524

(6,531)

1,612

3,489

(384)

–

(89)

–

4,563

1,315

18,499

(8,063)

576

11,012

–

(29,491)

11,012

(60.1p)

6.2p

5.0p

2.5p

2023
£’000

(29,491)

929

642

16

1,587

(27,904)

20.9p

6.2p

4.25p

2.5p

2022
£’000

11,012

–

713

15,306

16,019

27,031

Consolidated balance sheet
as at 30 June 2023

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

Trade and other receivables

Cash and cash equivalents

Investments

Assets held for sale

TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS

TOTAL ASSETS

CURRENT LIABILITIES

Trade and other payables

Bank overdrafts

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

03 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Notes

2023
£’000

2022
£’000

12

14

12

13

12

12

15

16

15

15

17

18

183,801

201,106

7,123

190,924

60,791

3,674

64,465

9,500

9,500

1,269

7,503

18,016

219,122

72,226

4,912

77,138

9,100

9,100

976

4,506

273,661

310,842

3,264

23,320

6,436

33,020

–

33,020

21,708

22,150

–

43,858

20,368

64,226

306,681

375,068

(12,387)

(9,828)

(21,700)

(23,414)

(4,665)

(34,655)

(38,752)

(67,897)

18

(126,841)

(127,867)

(165,593)

(195,764)

141,088

179,304

23

12,113

200

1,736

2,784

13,132

200

717

1,213

124,255

164,042

141,088

179,304

21

291p

341p

All profit and total comprehensive income for the year is attributable to owners of the Parent. The notes on pages 106 to 133 are an integral 
part of these consolidated financial statements.

102 

Company number: 00623364
The financial statements on pages 102 to 133 were approved by the Board of Directors on 17 October 2023 and signed on its behalf by

E M Ziff
Chairman and Chief Executive

 103

Contents Generation - SectionContents Generation - SectionContents Generation - SectionConsolidated statement of changes in equity

Consolidated cash flow statement

Town Centre Securities PLC    Annual Report and Accounts 2023 

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Consolidated statement of changes in equity
for the year ended 30 June 2023

Consolidated cash flow statement
for the year ended 30 June 2023

03 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Share 
premium 
account
£’000

Capital 
redemption 
reserve
£’000

Revaluation 
reserve
£’000

Retained 
earnings
£’000

Total 
equity
£’000

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES

2023

2022

Notes

£’000

£’000

£’000

£’000

200

567

500

140,846

155,395

Cash generated from operations 

24

13,769

Balance at 30 June 2021

Comprehensive income for the year

Profit for the year

Other comprehensive income

Total comprehensive income for the year

Called up 
share 
capital
£’000

13,282

–

–

–

Contributions by and distributions to owners

Arising on purchase and cancellation of own shares

(150)

Final dividend relating to the year ended 30 June 2021

Interim dividend relating to the year ended 30 June 2022

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

Balance at 30 June 2022

13,132

200

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

(1,019)

Final dividend relating to the year ended 30 June 2022

Interim dividend relating to the year ended 30 June 2023

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

150

–

–

717

–

–

–

1,019

–

–

–

713

713

–

–

–

11,012

15,306

26,318

11,012

16,019

27,031

(885)

(924)

(885)

(924)

(1,313)

(1,313)

1,213

164,042

179,304

–

(29,491)

(29,491)

1,571

1,571

16

1,587

(29,475)

(27,904)

–

–

–

(7,888)

(7,888)

(1,212)

(1,212)

(1,212)

(1,212)

BALANCE AT 30 JUNE 2023

12,113

200

1,736

2,784

124,255

141,088

104 

415

(6,149)

(7,526)

(1,145)

(576)

51,723

11,195

–

(3,500)

887

16,000

(60,241)

–

(1,657)

(2,423)

(7,888)

Interest received

Interest paid

Net cash generated from operating activities

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES

Purchase and construction of investment properties

Refurbishment of investment properties

Purchases of fixtures, equipment and motor vehicles

Proceeds from sale of investment properties

Proceeds from sale of investments

Payments for business acquisitions

Investments in joint ventures

Purchase of subsidiary, net of cash acquired

Net cash generated from investing activities

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES

Proceeds from non-current borrowings

Repayment of non-current borrowings

Arrangement fees paid

Principal element of lease payments

Dividends paid to Shareholders

Purchase of own shares

Net cash used in financing activities

NET INCREASE/(DECREASE) 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

The Consolidated Cash Flow Statement should be read in conjunction with note 24.

11,688

–

(6,839)

8,035

4,849

(7,433)

(1,617)

(283)

20,608

68

(293)

(326)

–

51,058

10,724

6,399

(18,643)

(380)

(1,648)

(2,237)

(885)

(56,209)

2,884

(1,264)

1,620

23,320

(21,700)

1,620

(17,394)

(1,821)

557

(1,264)

22,150

(23,414)

(1,264)

 105

Contents Generation - SectionContents Generation - SectionContents Generation - SectionContents Generation - SectionNotes to the consolidated financial statements

Town Centre Securities PLC    Annual Report and Accounts 2023 

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
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 2023 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 UK-adopted international 
accounting standards.

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.

Adoption of new and revised standards

In the current financial year, the Group has adopted a number of minor amendments to standards effective in the year issued by the IASB, 
none of which have had a material impact on the Group.

Disclosure of accounting policies

Amendments to IAS 1, which change the disclosure requirements with respect to accounting policies from ‘significant accounting policies’ 
to ‘material accounting policy information’. The amendments provide guidance on when accounting policy information is likely to be 
considered material.

The amendments include clarifications relating to:
i.  How events after the end of the reporting period affect liability classification.
ii.  What the rights of an entity must be in order to classify a liability as non-current.
iii.  How an entity assesses compliance with conditions of a liability (e.g. bank covenants).
iv.  How conversion features in liabilities affect their classification.

Definition of accounting estimates

Amendments to IAS 8, which added the definition of ‘accounting estimates’ in IAS 8. The amendments also clarified that the effects of a 
change in an input or measurement technique are changes in accounting estimates, unless resulting from correction of prior-period errors. 

There was no material effect from the adoption of other amendments to IFRS effective in the year. They have no significant impact on 
the Group as they are either not relevant to the Group’s activities or require accounting which is consistent with the Group’s current 
accounting policies.

03 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

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 an 
economic downturn 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 £82.4m debenture which is due for repayment in 2031 and an asset-specific facility of £13.8m which is due 
for repayment in 2029. In addition the business has three bilateral Revolving Credit Facilities (‘RCF’) totalling £70m which, as at the year-end, 
were due for repayment or renewal between July 2023 and June 2026. Each of the debt facilities is ring-fenced within security sub pools of 
assets charged to the respective lender.

At 30 June 2023 one of the Group’s RCFs was due for renewal immediately after the year-end. The facility was renewed on 4 July 2023 with 
a new renewal date of June 2026. This facility has two one-year extensions, which if exercised and approved by the lender will extend the 
repayment date to June 2028.

The Group has one bank facility falling due for repayment in September 2024, within the going concern period. This facility has two one 
year extensions, which if exercised and approved by the lender will extend the repayment date to September 2026. 

As at the date of this report, the Group has drawn in aggregate under all three RCFs total borrowings of £4.0m. 

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 2023 was £30.0m (2022: £18.5m). Overall, the properties 
secured under the Group’s debt facilities would need to fall 33.7% in value before this LTV headroom level was breached. As at the date of 
this report the headroom metrics and percentage fall have increased to £31.9m and 35.1% respectively following the post balance sheet 
transactions highlighted in this financial report.

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 and the asset-specific loan. At the year-end the actual income cover levels ranged from 219% (for the 
100% debenture covenant) up to 862% on the Lloyds facility.

In order to assess the potential impact of a future economic downturn 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 2024. 
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 
expected. 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 cash flows 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 both the cash headroom figure is resilient and the financial covenant tests 
are met. Under the base case the minimum cash headroom is expected to be £26.0m, which compares to a minimum of £14.9m under the 
downside scenario. The significant downside case applied a total discount of 12% 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 2026 and none of the other 
financial covenants were breached. The reverse stress test shows that the financial covenants are not breached until either of the discounts 
applied in the significant downside case are pushed even further. This breach is forecast to occur in Q3 of FY24 and last until Q1 of FY25 
before the position then improves.

The Group is currently experiencing collection rates of over 99% of rent and service charge income invoiced, and for the first two months 
of FY24 the Car Park and Hotel businesses are trading significantly ahead of expectation and this is expected to continue.

The forecasts show that the Group has sufficient resources to continue to operate as a going concern for at least the period to 31 
December 2024. 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.

Standards and interpretations in issue not yet adopted

The following are new standards, interpretations and amendments, which are not yet effective, and have not been early adopted in this 
financial information, that will or may have an effect on the Group’s future financial statements:

Consolidation
(a) Subsidiaries

The IASB has proposed further amendments in an exposure draft that was issued in November 2021 and further amended in October 2022, 
as part of these further amendments the effective date is proposed to be deferred to 1 January 2024. Based on communications from the 
IASB to date there is not expected to be a material impact on the classification of liabilities as current or non-current on the Statement of 
Financial Position.

There are other new standards and amendments to standards and interpretations which have been issued that are effective in future 
accounting periods, and which the Group has decided not to adopt early. None of these are expected to have a material impact on the 
condensed consolidated financial statements of the Group.

106 

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. 
Inter-Company transactions and balances between Group Companies are therefore eliminated in full.

 107

Contents Generation - SectionContents Generation - SectionContents Generation - SectionContents Generation - SectionContents Generation - SectionTown Centre Securities PLC    Annual Report and Accounts 2023 

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued

1. Accounting policies continued
Consolidation continued
(a) Subsidiaries continued

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.

A company purchase that does not meet the definition of a business is treated as an asset acquisition (e.g., this may be the case if a 
property is acquired in a corporate wrapper). The asset(s) (and any associated acquired liabilities) acquired are recognised at fair value of 
the consideration paid on the date that control is obtained.

Where the company increases its stake in a previously held joint venture (JV) that does not constitute a business and thereby obtains 
control, an accumulated cost approach is used. The carrying value of the equity accounted JV at the date of obtaining control is 
considered to form part of the consideration paid, in additional to the fair value of any additional consideration paid to acquire the 
additional stake. The assets acquired (and any associated liabilities) are recognised based on the combined accumulated cost.

(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.

03 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Investment property is derecognised 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 leased 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.

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.

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.

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 four business segments comprising Property rental, car park operations, hotel operations and in Investments. 
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.

Gains and losses on disposals are determined by comparing the disposal proceeds with the carrying amount and are included in the 
Consolidated Income Statement.

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.

108 

 109

Contents Generation - SectionContents Generation - SectionContents Generation - SectionContents Generation - SectionContents Generation - SectionContents Generation - SectionTown Centre Securities PLC    Annual Report and Accounts 2023 

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued

1. Accounting policies continued
Investments – investments in shares

The Group’s investments comprise of investments in quoted and unquoted equity investments. 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 and the Company’s investment in YourParkingSpace Limited.

Dividends on equity instruments are recognised in the Consolidated Income Statement when the Group’s right to receive payment 
is established.

Investments – deferred and contingent consideration

The Group’s investments in loan notes, both deferred and contingent consideration elements, are classified as financial assets within the 
balance sheet of the Company. The Company is holding these investments solely to receive future cashflows in accordance with the terms 
of the different loan note instruments.

The deferred consideration loan notes will ultimately result in the payment of both 100% of the principal and an interest charge – there are 
no other cashflows and are accounted for using the ‘Amortised Cost’ basis.

The contingent consideration loan notes will ultimately result in the payment of Principal with no Interest, with the quantum of the actual 
payment contingent and based on the net revenue of YPS earned post completion. Due to the variable nature of this ultimate receipt they 
are accounted for using the ‘Fair Value through profit or loss’ (‘FVTPL’) basis.

Assets held for sale

Assets held for sale represent investment properties and investments 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.

03 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

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 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.

Bank overdrafts

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 2023 (and 30 June 2022 respectively) has meant that the 
cash and overdraft balances have been presented on a gross basis.

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.

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 fair value of property assets held for sale is calculated applying the same process as that applied to the Group’s investment properties.

• 

the exercise price of any purchase option granted in favour of the Group if it is reasonably certain to assess that option; and

The fair value of investment assets held for sale is calculated based on the underlying cash consideration expected to arise on the sale. 
Where amounts are deferred, these are discounted back to the balance sheet date at a suitable discount rate.

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 the 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.

•  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.

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 re-assesses 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 re-measured using the discount rate applicable on the modification date, with the 
right-of-use asset being adjusted by the same amount; and

110 

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FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued

03 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1. Accounting policies continued
Leased (right-of-use) assets (where Group acts as a lessee) continued

• 

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 or 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)

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.

Leases are classified as operating leases unless the risks and rewards incidental to ownership of the asset pass to the lessee.

(b) Car Park income

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. 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).

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 its 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 (eg 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; and

ii)  final dividends are recognised in the period in which the dividends are approved by the Company’s Shareholders.

Share buy-backs

Where shares are redeemed or purchased wholly out of profits available for distribution, a sum equal to the total amount paid by the 
Company’s share is deducted from the Company’s retained earnings.

Where shares are redeemed or purchased wholly out of profits available for distribution, a sum equal to the amount by which the Company’s 
share capital is diminished on cancellation of the shares (the nominal value of the shares) is transferred to the capital redemption reserve.

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 and 

Hotel operations.

•  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.

112 

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FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued

03 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1. Accounting policies continued
Financial risk management continued
(a) Credit risk continued

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.

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.

(A) Segmental assets

The Group has no significant interest bearing assets. Borrowings issued at variable rates expose the Group to cash flow interest rate risk.

Gross revenue

14,177

13,066

3,120

– 30,363 13,896

11,417

2,828

The material financial assets to which the ECL impairment model is applied are set out below:
•  Cash and cash equivalents (£23,320,000 at 30 June 2023 and £22,150,000 at 30 June 2022) – 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 any ECL in respect of this balance 
is immaterial.

•  Trade receivables (£1,345,000 at 30 June 2023 and £1,701,000 at 30 June 2022) – 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.

•  Deferred Consideration Loan Notes (£4,493,000 in current assets and £3,025,000 in non-current assets at 30 June 2023, £nil at 30 

June 2022) – all deferred consideration loan notes are ultimately due from significant US-based financial institutions for which there is 
considered to be no significant credit risk, as such any ECL in respect of these balances are immaterial.

(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 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 2023, 93.4% (2022: 71.6%) 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 judgments
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.  Asset acquisition – the judgement that the Group’s acquisition of the remaining 50% of the Belgravia Living Group Ltd joint venture was 

not a business combination but actually to facilitate the acquisition outright of a single investment property.

iii.  Loan note investments – contingent consideration – the estimate of the fair value of these assets has been based on information 

provided by the management team of YourParkingSpace and extrapolated over the entire contingent consideration ‘earnout’ period.

iv.  Impairments have been applied to the Group’s Right-of-Use Car Park assets and goodwill as set out in notes 12 and 13 – these have been 
based on an assessment of the net present value of the future cashflows of each individual car park related asset. These calculations 
have been based on the individual forecasts prepared by the Company for each car park and used an assessment of the Group’s 
weighted average cost of capital and suitable discount rates.

114 

Property rental

Car park activities

Hotel operations

Investments

(B) Segmental results

2023
£’000

2022
£’000

212,249

263,598

64,993

9,500

19,939

77,496

9,100

24,874

306,681

375,068

2023

2022

Property
rental
£’000

Car park
activities
£’000

Hotel
operations
£’000

Investments
£’000

Total
£’000

Property
rental
£’000

Car park
activities
£’000

Hotel
operations
£’000

Investments
£’000

Total
£’000

Gross revenue (excl  
service charge income)

11,445

13,066

3,120

Service charge income

2,732

–

–

–

–

27,631

11,138

11,417

2,828

– 25,383

2,732

2,758

–

–

Release of provision for 
impairment of debtors

–

Service charge expenses

(3,991)

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

49

(3,991)

(3,666)

–

–

–

–

Property expenses

(751)

(8,175)

(2,634)

– (11,560)

(1,091)

(6,574)

(2,335)

– (10,000)

NET REVENUE

9,435

4,891

486

14,812

9,188

4,843

493

Administrative expenses

(5,242)

(1,538)

(6,780)

(5,213)

(1,318)

834

884

7

–

39

880

1,577

–

884

885

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

2,758

28,141

49

(3,666)

–

–

14,524

(6,531)

35

1,612

–

885

Other income

Share of post-tax profits from 
joint ventures

OPERATING PROFIT BEFORE 
VALUATION MOVEMENTS

Valuation movement on 
investment properties

Impairment of car park assets

Impairment of goodwill

Loss on disposal of investments

Valuation movement on 
investments

Profit on disposal of investment 
properties

4,123

Valuation movement on  
joint venture properties

(4,950)

5,911

3,360

486

39

9,796

6,437

3,525

493

35 10,490

(21,033)

–

–

–

–

–

(10,467)

(991)

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

– (21,033) 3,489

– (10,467)

–

(991)

(777)

(777)

1,162

1,162

–

–

–

–

–

4,123

4,563

–

(4,950)

430

–

(384)

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

3,489

(384)

–

(89)

(89)

–

–

–

–

4,563

430

OPERATING (LOSS)/PROFIT

(15,949)

(8,098)

486

424 (23,137)

14,919

3,141

493

(54) 18,499

Finance costs

Finance income

(LOSS)/PROFIT BEFORE 
TAXATION

Taxation

(LOSS)/PROFIT FOR THE YEAR

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

(6,948)

–

594

– (29,491)

–

–

– (29,491)

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

(8,063)

576

11,012

–

11,012

 115

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FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued

3. Segmental information continued
(B) Segmental results continued

All results are derived from activities conducted in the United Kingdom.

The Car Parking 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 2023, arising from car park operations, was £2,014,000. After 
allowing for an allocation of administrative expenses, the operating profit at these sites was £1,386,000.

Revenue received within the Car Parking 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

2023
£’000

4,344

124

60

2,252

6,780

2022
£’000

4,281

129

35

2,086

6,531

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 Parking 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

2023
£’000

2022
£’000

205

10

38

253

–

–

253

2023
£’000

6,080

705

215

145

10

28

183

3

3

186

2022
£’000

5,029

556

222

7,000

5,807

03 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The average monthly number of staff employed during the year was 129 (2022: 124).

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.

7. Other income and expenses

Other income

Commission received

Dividends received

Management fees receivable

Dilapidations receipts and income relating to surrender premiums

Other

8. Finance costs

Interest payable on debenture loan stock

Loss on repurchase of debenture stock

Interest payable on bank borrowings

Amortisation of arrangement fees

Interest expense on lease liabilities

Total finance costs

Interest receivable on loans to joint ventures

Other interest receivable

TOTAL FINANCE INCOME

NET FINANCE COSTS

2023
£’000

154

39

260

312

115

880

2023
£’000

4,819

(379)

1,330

230

948

2022
£’000

139

35

235

1,145

58

1,612

2022
£’000

5,303

272

1,265

252

971

6,948

8,063

(245)

(349)

(594)

(163)

(413)

(576)

6,354

7,487

9. Taxation
There was no current or deferred tax charge for both of the years presented.

Taxation for the year is higher (2022: lower) than the standard rate of corporation tax in the United Kingdom of 19% (2022: 19%). 
The differences are explained below:

(Loss)/profit before taxation

(Loss)/profit on ordinary activities multiplied by rate of corporation tax in the United Kingdom of 19%  
(2022: 19%)

Effects of:

– Utilisation of brought forward trading losses

– United Kingdom REIT tax exemption on net income before revaluations

– United Kingdom REIT tax exemption on revaluations

TOTAL TAXATION

2023
£’000

(29,491)

2022
£’000

11,012

(5,603)

2,092

–

(582)

6,185

–

(36)

(471)

(1,585)

–

Disclosures required by the Companies Act 2006 on Directors’ remuneration, including salaries, share options, pension contributions and 
pension entitlement are included on pages 86 to 87 in the Directors’ Remuneration Report and form part of these consolidated financial 
statements.

116 

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.

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FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued

9. Taxation continued
Factors affecting current and future tax charges continued

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 £3.2m (2022: £3.3m). 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.

10. Dividends

2021 final paid: 1.75p per share

2022 interim paid: 2.5p per share 

2022 final paid: 2.5p per share

2023 interim paid: 2.5p per share 

2023
£’000

–

–

1,212

1,212

2,424

2022
£’000

924

1,313

–

–

2,237

12. Non-current assets
(A) Investment properties

Valuation at 30 June 2021

Additions at cost

Other capital expenditure

Disposals

Valuation movement

Movement in tenant lease incentives

Valuation at 30 June 2022

Additions at cost

Held in subsidiaries acquired

Other capital expenditure

Disposals

Valuation movement

Movement in tenant lease incentives

VALUATION AT 30 JUNE 2023

03 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Freehold
£’000

174,690

7,433

1,053

(29,680)

2,878

(144)

156,230

7,526

23,400

735

(7,645)

(19,376)

(170)

Right-of-use 
asset
£’000

Development
£’000

Total
£’000

2,768

41,451

218,909

–

22

(518)

(22)

–

–

542

–

633

–

7,433

1,617

(30,198)

3,489

(144)

2,250

42,626

201,106

–

–

31

–

(31)

–

–

706

395

7,526

24,106

1,161

(21,250)

(28,895)

(1,626)

(21,033)

–

(170)

160,700

2,250

20,851

183,801

An interim dividend in respect of the year ended 30 June 2023 of 2.5p per share was paid to Shareholders on 16 June 2023. This dividend 
was paid entirely as a Property Income Distribution (‘PID’).

A final dividend in respect of the year ended 30 June 2023 of 2.5p per share is proposed. This dividend, based on the shares in issue at 
17 October 2023, amounts to £1.2m which has not been reflected in these accounts and will be paid on 4 January 2024 to Shareholders on 
the register on 15 December 2023. 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 49,075,785 (2022: 52,755,750).

At 30 June 2023, investment property valued at £181,340,000 (2022: £198,630,000) was held as security against the Group’s borrowings.

During the year the Group acquired an investment property that it had previously owned 50% of, through the Group’s joint venture 
investment in Belgravia Living Group Limited (‘BLG’). The property acquisition was facilitated by the acquisition by the Group of the 
remaining 50% interest in BLG.

Right-of-use investment property assets include long leasehold property interests.

The Company occupies an office suite in part of the Merrion Centre and one floor of an investment property in London. The Directors do 
not consider these elements to be material.

(B) Freehold and leasehold properties – car park activities

(LOSS)/PROFIT FOR THE YEAR AND EARNINGS PER SHARE

Valuation movement on investment properties

Impairment of Car Parking assets

Impairment of goodwill

Valuation movement on properties held in joint ventures

Profit on disposal of investment and development properties

Loss on disposal of investments

Valuation movement on investments

(Gain)/loss on repurchase of debenture stock

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.

2023

2022

Earnings
£’000

(29,491)

21,033

10,467

991

4,950

(4,123)

777

(1,162)

(379)

3,063

Earnings
per share
p

(60.1)

42.9

21.3

2.0

10.1

(8.4)

1.6

(2.4)

(0.8)

6.2

Earnings
£’000

11,012

(3,489)

384

–

(430)

(4,563)

89

–

272

3,275

Earnings
per share
p

20.9

(6.6)

0.7

–

(0.8)

(8.7)

0.2

–

0.5

6.2

Valuation at 30 June 2021

IFRS 16 adjustment

Depreciation

(Impairment)/reversal of impairment

Valuation at 30 June 2022

Additions

IFRS 16 adjustment

Depreciation

Valuation movement

Impairment

VALUATION AT 30 JUNE 2023

Freehold
£’000

29,900

–

(316)

(384)

Right-of-use 
asset
£’000

Development
£’000

44,602

74,502

(96)

(1,480)

–

(96)

(1,796)

(384)

29,200

43,026

72,226

6

–

(312)

929

–

(95)

6

(95)

(1,496)

(1,808)

–

929

(4,713)

25,110

(5,754)

(10,467)

35,681

60,791

The historical cost of freehold properties and right-of-use assets relating to car park activities is £30,153,000 (2022: £30,153,000).

At 30 June 2023, freehold properties and right-of-use assets relating to car park activities, held as security against the Group’s borrowings 
are held at £35,610,000 (2022: £42,170,000).

118 

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FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued

12. Non-current assets continued
(C) Freehold and leasehold properties – hotel operations

Valuation at 30 June 2022

Depreciation

Valuation movement

VALUATION AT 30 JUNE 2023

Freehold
£’000

9,100

(242)

642

9,500

At 30 June 2023, freehold and leasehold property relating to hotel operations valued at £9,500,000 (2022: £9,100,000) was held as 
security against the Group’s borrowings.

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 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 as at 30 June 2023 in the table below.

Retail and leisure

Merrion Centre (excluding offices)

Offices

Hotels

Out-of-town retail

Residential

Development property

Car Parks

IFRS 16 Adjustment – Right-of-use assets held within investment property

Passing 
rent
£’000

984

4,610

3,040

816

1,006

1,392

ERV
£’000

1,292

4,919

4,953

816

1,070

1,526

Value
£’000

14,510

51,414

52,966

9,500

13,000

31,060

11,848

14,576

172,450

Initial  
yield
%

Reversionary 
yield
%

6.4%

8.5%

5.4%

8.1%

7.3%

4.2%

6.5%

8.4%

9.0%

8.8%

8.1%

7.8%

4.6%

8.0%

20,851

37,644

23,147

254,092

03 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Property income, values and yields have been set out by category as at 30 June 2022 in the table below.

Retail and leisure

Merrion Centre (excluding offices)

Offices

Hotels

Out-of-town retail

Residential

Development property

Car parks

Passing 
rent
£’000

1,122

4,874

2,862

500

1,006

428

ERV
£’000

1,709

5,234

4,801

950

1,155

428

Value
£’000

22,125

58,818

55,262

9,100

14,500

7,775

10,792

14,277

167,580

Initial  
yield
%

Reversionary 
yield
%

4.3%

7.8%

4.9%

5.2%

6.6%

5.1%

6.0%

6.8%

8.4%

8.2%

9.9%

7.5%

5.1%

8.0%

42,626

45,527

26,699

282,432

IFRS 16 Adjustment – Right-of-use assets held within investment property

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 £172.5m of applying a different weighted average yield 
and a different weighted average ERV would be as follows:

Valuation in the consolidated financial statements at an initial yield of 5.5% – £203.8m, Valuation at 7.5% – £149.4m.

Valuation in the consolidated financial statements at a reversionary yield of 7.0% – £197.1m, Valuation at 9.0% – £153.3m.

Investment properties (development properties)

The key unobservable inputs in the valuation of one of the Group’s development properties of £14.8m 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:

Valuation in the consolidated financial statements if a 5% increase in the per acre or per unit value – £15.5m, 5% decrease in the per acre or 
per unit value – £14.1m.

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 £25.1m in applying a different yield/discount rate and a 
different assumed rental value/net income would be as follows:

Valuation in the consolidated financial statements based on a 1% decrease in the yield/discount rate – £29.6m, 1% increase in the yield/
discount rate – £21.8m.

Valuation in the consolidated financial statements based on a 5% increase in the assumed rental value/net income – £26.4m, 5% decrease 
in the assumed rental value/net income – £23.8m.

Right-of-Use car park activities

The effect on the total valuation of the Group’s Right-of-Use car park properties of £35.7m in applying a different discount rate and a 
different assumed net income would be as follows:

Valuation in the consolidated financial statements based on a discount rate of 8% – £37.2m, Valuation at 9% – £34.2m.

Valuation in the consolidated financial statements assuming net revenue 10% above anticipated – £38.2m, Valuation at 10% below 
anticipated – £33.1m.

120 

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FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued

12. Non-current assets continued
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

96,740

87,010

51

183,801

–

183,801

Freehold and 
leasehold 
Properties 
£’000

19,260

5,850

–

25,110

35,681

60,791

03 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Hotel  
Operations 
£’000

Total
£’000

9,500

125,500 

–

–

9,500

–

92,860

51

218,411

35,681

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 prior to 30 June 2020 relate to 
businesses that held car parks under leases with a net asset value of £nil and amounted to consideration (before any impairment) of 
£4,024,000. Goodwill therefore represents the full consideration of these acquisitions.

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. 
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% (2022: 1%) and a discount rate of 8.5% (2022: 6%). 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, with the key underlying reasons 
for the impairment being the increase in discount rate applied to the cash flow forecasts and an increase in the underlying cost base of the 
car parks (staff costs and utility costs). The recoverable amount of Goodwill has been determined on the basis of value-in-use.

The effect on the value of goodwill at the year end of £3.4m of applying a different discount rate would be as follows:

9,500

254,092

Valuation in the consolidated financial statements assuming a discount rate of 8% – £3.6m, Valuation at 9% – £3.3m.

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 (ie 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.

(D) Fixtures, equipment and motor vehicles

At 1 July 2021

Additions

Depreciation

At 30 June 2022

Net book value at 30 June 2022

At 1 July 2022

Additions

Depreciation

AT 30 JUNE 2023

NET BOOK VALUE AT 30 JUNE 2023

13. Goodwill and intangible assets

GOODWILL

At the start of the year

Impairment

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

4,711

283

–

4,994

4,994

576

–

5,570

2023
£’000

4,436

(991)

3,445

476

–

(247)

229

Accumulated 
depreciation
£’000

3,756

–

262

4,018

976

4,018

–

283

4,301

1,269

2022
£’000

4,436

–

4,436

405

293

(222)

476

Goodwill amounting to £3,033,000 at 30 June 2023 (£4,024,000: 30 June 2022) relate to assets with definite useful lives based on the 
unexpired duration of certain car park leases. The balance of goodwill and intangible assets are not significant and relate to assets with 
indefinite useful lives.

14. Investments in joint ventures

At the start of the year

Investments in joint ventures

Loan interest

Valuation movement on investment properties

Share of profits after tax

Amounts eliminated on consolidation of subsidiary

AT THE END OF THE YEAR

Investments in joint ventures are broken down as follows:

Equity

Loans

2023
£’000

18,016

3,500

245

(4,950)

884

(10,572)

2022
£’000

16,212

326

163

430

885

–

7,123

18,016

2023
£’000

7,123

–

7,123

2022
£’000

11,691

6,325

18,016

Investments in joint ventures as at 30 June 2022 primarily related 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. On 14 April 2023, the Group acquired the remaining 50% of the share 
capital of Belgravia Living Group Limited and therefore no longer accounts for this as a joint venture. This acquisition did not meet the 
definition of a business and it is treated as an asset acquisition. The carrying value of the equity accounted joint venture on the date of 
acquisition has formed part of the consideration paid for the investment property. The consideration for the acquisition was £1, with the key 
asset acquired being a £23.4m investment property and an associated bank loan of £14.4m.

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.

TOTAL GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS

3,674

4,912

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FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued

14. Investments in joint ventures continued
The assets and liabilities of Merrion House LLP for the current and previous year are as stated below:

Non-current assets

Cash and cash equivalents

Debtors and prepayments

Trade and other payables

Current financial liabilities

Non-current financial liabilities

NET ASSETS

2023
£’000

2022
£’000

61,450

71,850

767

–

(700)

(1,717)

278

295

(616)

(1,659)

(45,554)

(47,270)

14,246

22,878

Listed investments

At start of the year

Disposals

Increase/(decrease) in value of investments

AT THE END OF THE YEAR

03 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

2023
£’000

4,096

(44)

16

4,068

2022
£’000

5,802

(62)

(1,644)

4,096

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 £875,000 (2022: £882,300).

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 (losses)/profits of Merrion House LLP for the current and previous year are as stated below:

The maximum risk exposure at the reporting date is the fair value of the other investments.

Revenue

Expenses

Finance costs

Valuation movement on investment properties

NET (LOSS)/PROFIT

2023
£’000

3,460

(23)

(1,669)

(10,400)

(8,632)

2022
£’000

3,328

(2)

(1,725)

200

1,801

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 (2022: £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 (as at 30 June 2023 and 30 June 2022)

Belgravia Living Group Limited (as at 30 June 2022 only)

Bay Sentry Limited (as at 30 June 2023 and 30 June 2022)

15. Investments

CURRENT ASSETS

Loan notes – deferred consideration

Loan notes – contingent consideration

NON-CURRENT ASSETS

Listed investments

Non-listed investments

Loan notes – deferred consideration

TOTAL ASSETS

Beneficial 
Interest
%

50

50

50

Activity

Property investment

Property investment

Software Development

2023
£’000

4,493

1,943

6,436

4,068

410

3,025

7,503

13,939

2022
£’000

–

–

–

4,096

410

–

4,506

4,506

Non-listed investments

At the start of the year

Loan interest

Increase in value of investments

Transferred to assets held for sale

AT THE END OF THE YEAR

2023
£’000

410

–

–

–

2022
£’000

3,415

413

16,950

(20,368)

410

410

In the prior year, non-listed investments primarily related to an equity shareholding and loans advanced to YourParkingSpace Limited 
(‘YPS’), a privately owned company incorporated in the United Kingdom. The investment in YPS was transferred to assets held for sale in 
the year ending 30 June 2022.

In July 2022, the Company sold its entire equity interest in YPS, in exchange for upfront cash consideration of £9.6m, plus a deferred and 
contingent element of consideration in the form of loan notes. In addition to the equity consideration the Company also received in July 
2022 full repayment of its loan to YPS which, including rolled-up interest, totalled £1.95m.

The non-listed investments 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.

Loan notes – deferred consideration

CURRENT ASSETS

At the start of the year

Loan notes issued to the Company in the period

Loan interest

NON-CURRENT ASSETS

At the start of the year

Loan notes issued to the Company in the period

Loan interest

2023
£’000

–

4,287

206

4,493

–

2,888

137

3,025

2022
£’000

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

The interest earned on the deferred consideration loan notes is 5% per annum. The current element of deferred consideration was received 
by the Company in July 2023, the non-current element of deferred consideration is due in July 2024.

The deferred consideration loan notes are accounted for using the amortised cost basis and are assessed for impairment under the IFRS 9 
expected credit loss model.

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FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued

15. Investments continued
Loan notes – contingent consideration

Assets held for sale are broken down as follows:

At the start of the year

Loan notes issued to the Company in the period

Unwind of discount applied to contingent consideration

Valuation movement

The contingent consideration loan notes were initially recognised at fair value, based on the estimated performance of YPS in the 14-month 
period ended October 2023. This is an estimate prepared by the Company. The contingent consideration loan notes are then accounted 
for using the fair value through profit and loss basis. Following completion of the sale of its investment in YPS, the Company does not have 
access to regular YPS management information, however it does receive ad hoc updates. The valuation of the contingent consideration 
has been based on the performance of YPS for the period ended 30 June 2023 and assumes no further growth in the remaining four 
months of the earnout period. The Directors of the Company believe this to be the most reasonable approach, based on their knowledge of 
the car parking market, but also in relation to the current macroeconomic environment where revenue growth is being seen, but it is very 
much geographically specific.

These loan note 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.

The effect on the value of the contingent consideration at the year end of £1.9m of applying a different level of revenue for the period to 
October 2023:

Valuation in the consolidated financial statements assuming net revenue 10% above anticipated – £2.3m, Valuation at 10% below 
anticipated – £1.4m. The maximum amount due to the Company under the terms of the contingent consideration loan notes is £3.8m.

Non-listed investments – assets held for sale

Assets held for sale are broken down as follows:

Equity investments

Loans

2023
£’000

–

743

38

1,162

1,943

2022
£’000

–

–

–

–

–

2023

2022

Total
£’000

1,345

1,701

03 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Included within other debtors as at 30 June 2022 is £18,705,000 of cash that was temporarily held as collateral at the year-end against the 
Company’s debenture stock. This cash was released in July 2022.

As at 30 June 2023, trade receivables which had not been impaired can be analysed as follows:

Movements in the Group provision for impairment of trade receivables are as follows:

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:

2023

2022

Outside credit terms

Within credit 
terms
£’000

Less than  

one month
£’000

One to two 
months
£’000

Older than  

two months
£’000

1,345

1,701

–

–

–

–

2023
£’000

277

304

(149)

(79)

353

–

–

2022
£’000

673

–

(347)

(49)

277

Total
£’000

353

277

Less than  

one month
£’000

One to two 
months
£’000

Older than  

two months
£’000

–

–

–

–

353

277

2023
£’000

–

–

–

2022
£’000

18,420

1,948

20,368

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.

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.

Assets held for sale at 30 June 2022 relate to an equity shareholding and loans advanced to YourParkingSpace Limited (`YPS’), a privately 
owned company incorporated in the United Kingdom. The Company completed the sale of these assets in July 2022.

17. Trade and other payables

16. Trade and other receivables

Trade receivables

Less: provision for impairment of receivables

Other receivables and prepayments

2023
£’000

1,698

(353)

1,345

1,919

3,264

2022
£’000

1,978

(277)

1,701

20,007

21,708

Trade payables

Social security and other taxes

Other payables and accruals

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 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.

2023
£’000

603

3,252

8,532

12,387

2022
£’000

575

408

8,845

9,828

126 

 127

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FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
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.

CURRENT

Bank borrowings – revolving credit facilities

Lease liabilities

NON-CURRENT

Bank borrowings – revolving credit facilities

Bank borrowings – single asset facility

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 (incl cancellation of debenture stock)

Borrowings drawn down

Principal element of finance lease payments

Arrangement fees paid

TOTAL CASH ITEMS

NON-CASH ITEMS

Amortisation of arrangement fees relating to banking facilities

Held within subsidiaries acquired

Movement in finance leases

TOTAL NON-CASH ITEMS

AT THE END OF THE YEAR

2023
£’000

2022
£’000

3,000

1,665

4,665

3,841

14,313

26,362

82,325

126,841

131,506

32,999

1,656

34,655

4,792

–

27,080

95,995

127,867

162,522

2023
£’000

2022
£’000

162,522

176,090

(60,750)

(18,643)

16,000

(1,657)

(100)

6,399

(1,648)

(380)

(46,507)

(14,272)

230

14,313

948

15,491

252

–

452

704

03 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The Group’s remaining contractual non-discounted cashflows for financial liabilities are set out below:

Within one year

One to two years

Two to three years

Three to four years

Four to five years

Five to ten years

Ten to fifteen years

In more than fifteen years

Within one year

One to two years

Two to three years

Three to four years

Four to five years

Five to ten years

Ten to fifteen years

In more than fifteen years

2023

Bank 
borrowings
– single asset 
facility 
£’000

417

417

417

417

417

Debenture 
stock
£’000

4,430

4,430

4,430

4,430

4,430

97,479

14,008

–

–

–

–

Bank 
borrowings  
– RCFs
£’000

3,267

2,638

1,595

–

–

–

–

–

Trade and  
other creditors
£’000

603

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

603

7,500

119,629

16,093

Trade and  

other creditors
£’000

575

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

Bank
borrowings
£’000

34,208

5,039

–

–

–

–

–

–

2022

Debenture 
stock
£’000

5,165

5,165

 5,165

5,165

5,165

118,825

–

–

575

39,247

144,650

Lease 
liabilities
£’000

1,665

1,674

1,682

1,691

1,700

8,643

8,897

23,571

49,523

Lease 
liabilities
£’000

1,656

1,665

1,674

1,682

1,691

8,595

8,845

25,372

51,180

Total
£’000

10,382

9,159

8,124

6,538

6,547

120,130

8,897

23,571

193,348

Total
£’000

41,604

11,869

6,839

6,847

6,856

127,420

8,845

25,372

235,652

The debenture stock is net of issue costs. These costs are amortised on a straight-line basis 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.

131,506

162,522

The Group had undrawn committed floating rate bank facilities as follows:

The debenture, bank loans and overdrafts are secured by fixed charges on properties and restricted cash, valued at £226,450,000 (2022: 
£268,785,000) owned by the Company and its subsidiary undertakings.

The gross cash and overdraft balances on the individual accounts are summarised as follows:

Expiring in one year or less

Expiring in more than one year

Cash balances

Overdrawn balances

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

Included within cash balances are restricted cash balances of £693,000 at 30 June 2023 (2022: £nil).

2023
£’000

2022
£’000

23,320

22,150

(21,700)

(23,414)

1,620

(1,264)

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.

On 4 July 2023, the undrawn facility amount of £27,000,000 expiring in one year or less was refinanced and, along with all other undrawn 
facilities, now expires in more than one year.

2023
£’000

27,000

36,000

63,000

2022
£’000

26,933

20,000

46,933

128 

 129

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FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued

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 facilities, 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;

•  on the Group’s single asset facility the Loan-to-value percentage must not exceed 75%; 

• 

• 

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 facilities, 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 percentage of rental income and net car park income must not be less than 175% of the interest 
charged under the three bank facilities 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.

Interest rate risk

The interest rate risk of the Group’s financial liabilities is as follows:

Debenture stock

Bank floating rate liabilities

Bank fixed rate liabilities

Lease liabilities

As at 30 June 2023

As at 30 June 2022

Nominal value
£’000

Weighted 
average rate
%

Weighted 
average period
Years

Nominal value
£’000

Weighted 
average rate
%

Weighted 
average period
Years

82,417

7,000

13,800

28,028

131,245

5.375

6.63

3.02

3.5

8

1

6

33

96,098

38,067

–

28,736

162,901

5.375

3.00

–

3.75

9

1

–

36

The above amounts represent the monetary liabilities and are therefore different to the book values set out in note 18 as a result of 
unamortised arrangement fees at 30 June 2023 of £222,000 (2022: £379,000).

Floating rate financial liabilities bear interest at rates for term loans based on SONIA plus an average margin of 1.8% 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 SONIA by one percentage point would have reduced profit for the year by approximately £344,000 (2022: £443,000).

Financial instruments held for trading purposes

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.

Interest rates

The interest rates (Effective interest rate (‘EIR’) or Incremental borrowing rate (‘IBR’) at the balance sheet date were as follows:

Bank overdraft facility

Bank borrowings – revolving credit facilities

Debenture loan

Lease liabilities

130 

EIR

EIR

EIR

EIR

2023
£’000

7.00%

6.63%

2022
£’000

3.25%

3.00%

5.375%

5.375%

3.5%

3.5%

03 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Fair value of current borrowings

The fair value of bank borrowings and overdrafts approximates to their carrying value.

Fair value of non-current borrowings

Debenture stock

Non-current bank borrowings – revolving credit facilities

Non-current bank borrowings – single asset facility

2023

2022

Book value
£’000

82,325

3,788

14,313

Fair value
£’000

68,169

3,788

14,313

Book value
£’000

95,995

4,792

–

Fair value
£’000

94,694

4,792

–

The above debenture stock has been valued as at 30 June 2023 (and 30 June 2022 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.

20. Lease liabilities
At 30 June 2023 the Group has a long leasehold interest in six (30 June 2022: six) properties that are accounted for under IFRS16.

Future lease payments are as follows:

Within one year

One to two years 

Two to three years

Three to four years

Four to five years

Five to ten years

Ten to fifteen years

2023

2022

Minimum lease 
payments
£’000

Interest
£’000

Present value
£’000

Minimum lease 
payments
£’000

Interest
£’000

Present value
£’000

1,665

1,674

1,682

1,691

1,700

8,643

8,897

23,571

49,523

923

897

869

840

810

3,721

2,779

11,045

21,884

742

777

813

851

890

4,922

6,118

12,526

27,639

1,656

1,665

1,674

1,682

1,691

8,595

8,845

25,372

51,180

947

923

897

869

840

3,721

2,779

11,468

22,444

709

742

777

813

851

4,874

6,066

13,904

28,736

21. Net asset value per share
The Basic and diluted net asset values are the same, as set out in the table below.

Net assets at 30 June

Shares in issue (000)

Basic and diluted net asset value per share

2023
£’000

2022
£’000

141,088

179,304

48,456

291p

52,531

341p

 131

It is, and has been throughout the year under review, the Group’s policy not to trade in financial instruments.

In more than fifteen years

Contents Generation - SectionContents Generation - SectionContents Generation - SectionContents Generation - SectionContents Generation - SectionContents Generation - SectionTown Centre Securities PLC    Annual Report and Accounts 2023 

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Notes to the consolidated financial statements continued

22. Commitments
The Group has no capital commitments (2022: £nil) in respect of capital expenditure contracted for at the balance sheet date but not yet 
incurred, for investment and development property.

24. Cash flows from operating activities

Minimum total future lease payments receivable:

Within one year

One to two years

Two to three years

Three to four years

Four to five years

Five to ten years

Ten to fifteen years

In more than fifteen years

2023
£’000

10,586

10,031

9,326

7,828

7,104

24,824

10,133

6,343

2022
£’000

9,569

8,740

8,095

7,484

6,021

21,840

10,956

22,055

The Group has a wide range of leases in place with tenants across a broad range of properties, sectors, tenures and rental values.

23. Called up share capital
Authorised

The authorised share capital of the Company is 164,879,000 (2022: 164,879,000) Ordinary Shares of 25p each. The nominal value of 
authorised share capital is £41,219,750 (2022: £41,219,750).

Issued and fully paid-up

At 30 June 2022

Purchase and cancellation of own shares

AT 30 JUNE 2023

Number
 of shares
000

52,531

(4,075)

48,456

Nominal 
value
£’000

13,132

(1,019)

12,113

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 7,279,590 Ordinary Shares.

(Loss)/profit for the financial year

Adjustments for:

Depreciation

Amortisation

Profit on disposal of fixed assets

Profit on disposal of investment properties

Loss on sale of investments

Movement in valuation of investments

Finance costs

Finance income

Share of post-tax losses/(profits) from joint ventures

Movement in valuation of investment properties

Movement in lease incentives

Impairment of car parking assets

Impairment of goodwill

(Increase)/decrease in receivables

Increase/(decrease) in payables

Cash generated from operations

03 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

2023
£’000

(29,491)

2022
£’000

11,012

2,333

2,301

247

(48)

222

–

(4,123)

(4,563)

795

(1,162)

6,948

(594)

4,066

21,033

170

10,467

991

(218)

2,355

13,769

89

–

8,063

(576)

(1,315)

(3,489)

144

384

–

1,083

(1,667)

11,688

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 87.

Short-term employee benefits

Post-employment benefits

Dividends paid to the Ziff Concert Party

2023
£’000

2,590

65

1,327

3,982

2022
£’000

1,758

52

1,161

2,971

During the year the Company received rental income of £21,703 (FY22: £nil) from Dr Marjorie Ziff in relation to a flat in London owned by the 
Company. The Ziff Concert Party includes Edward Ziff, Ben Ziff (Executive Directors) and Michael Ziff (Non Executive Director) together with 
their immediate family members, the estate of Edward Ziff and Michael Ziff’s late mother, their sister and a number of trusts that Edward Ziff 
and Michael Ziff are not beneficiaries of but they do control.

26. Post-balance sheet events
On 4 July 2023 the Company renewed its revolving credit facility that was due for repayment. The renewed facility has an expiry date of 
June 2026.

On 14 July 2023 the Company received the first element of deferred consideration arising from the sale of its investment in 
YourParkingSpace Limited. The proceeds of £4.4m (which were net of selling costs of £0.1m) were applied in part to repaying £3.0m of 
bank borrowings with the balance added to the cash funds held within the Group.

132 

 133

Contents Generation - SectionContents Generation - SectionContents Generation - SectionContents Generation - SectionContents Generation - SectionContents Generation - SectionCompany balance sheet

Statement of changes in equity

Town Centre Securities PLC    Annual Report and Accounts 2023 

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Company balance sheet
as at 30 June 2023

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

Retained earnings

TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS’ FUNDS

Notes

2023
£’000

2022
£’000

4

4

5

6

8

7

8

9

82,040

105,146

712

592

247,238

269,433

329,990

375,171

113,984

116,544

14

14

113,998

116,558

(24,116)

(56,413)

(217,768)

(202,478)

(241,884)

(258,891)

(127,886)

(142,333)

202,104

232,838

(86,750)

(100,787)

115,354

132,051

12,113

200

1,736

57,524

43,781

13,132

200

717

63,313

54,689

115,354

132,051

Company number: 00623364
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 £6,385,000 (2022: profit of £17,005,000).

The financial statements on pages 134 to 144 were approved by the Board of Directors on 17 October 2023 and signed on its behalf by

E M Ziff
Chairman and Chief Executive

03 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Statement of changes in equity
for the year ended 30 June 2023

BALANCE AT 30 JUNE 2021

Comprehensive income for the year

Profit

TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE INCOME FOR THE YEAR

Contributions by and distributions to owners

Called-up 
share 
capital
£’000

13,282

–

–

Arising on purchase and cancellation of own shares

(150)

Final dividend relating to the year ended 30 June 2021

Interim dividend relating to the year ended 30 June 2022

–

–

Share 
premium 
account
£’000

Capital 
redemption 
reserve
£’000

Other 
reserve
£’000

Retained 
earnings
£’000

Total 
equity
£’000

200

567

63,313

40,806

118,168

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

150

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

17,005

17,005

17,005

17,005

(885)

(924)

(885)

(924)

(1,313)

(1,313)

BALANCE AT 30 JUNE 2022

13,132

200

717

63,313

54,689

132,051

Comprehensive income for the year

Loss

TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE INCOME FOR THE YEAR

Reserve transfer – impairment of investment 
in subsidiaries

Contributions by and distributions to owners

–

–

–

Arising on purchase and cancellation of own shares

(1,019)

Final dividend relating to the year ended 30 June 2022

Interim dividend relating to the year ended 30 June 2023

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

1,019

–

–

–

–

(6,385)

(6,385)

(6,385)

(6,385)

(5,789)

5,789

–

–

–

–

(7,888)

(7,888)

(1,212)

(1,212)

(1,212)

(1,212)

BALANCE AT 30 JUNE 2023

12,113

200

1,736

57,524

43,781

115,354

134 

 135

Contents Generation - SectionContents Generation - SectionContents Generation - SectionContents Generation - SectionNotes to the Company financial statements

Town Centre Securities PLC    Annual Report and Accounts 2023 

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
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.

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;

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

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 11.42, 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; and

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 2023 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.

03 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

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 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.

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.

136 

 137

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FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Notes to the Company financial statements continued

2.  Judgments in applying accounting policies and key sources of 

5. Fixed asset investments

SHARES IN GROUP UNDERTAKINGS

At 1 July 

Impairment

AT 30 JUNE

LISTED INVESTMENTS

At 1 July

Disposals

Revaluation

AT 30 JUNE

OTHER INVESTMENTS

At 1 July

Additions

Loan interest

Revaluation

Disposals

AT 30 JUNE

INTEREST IN JOINT VENTURES

At 1 July

Loans advanced

Share of profit after tax

Disposals

AT 30 JUNE

TOTAL FIXED ASSET INVESTMENTS

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

2023
£’000

4,204

541

166

4,911

2022
£’000

3,434

422

180

4,036

Employee benefits are charged to the profit and loss account through administrative expenses.

All of the pension costs in the table above relate to defined contribution schemes.

The aggregate remuneration of the Directors of the Company was £2,554,000 (2022: £1,810,000).

The average monthly number of staff employed during the year was 46 (2022: 45). Disclosures required by the Companies Act 2006 
on Directors’ remuneration, including salaries, share options, pension contributions and pension entitlement, are included on pages 
86 to 87 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 2023 is included in 
note 5 to the consolidated financial statements.

4. Tangible assets

Investment properties

Valuation at 30 June 2022

Additions 

Disposals

Valuation movement

Movement in tenant lease incentives

VALUATION AT 30 JUNE 2023

Freehold
£’000

Long leasehold
£’000

Development
£’000

Total
£’000

59,931

8,067

–

(9,355)

(43)

2,640

42,575

105,146

31

–

(31)

–

1,101

9,199

(21,250)

(21,250)

(1,626)

(11,012)

–

(43)

58,600

2,640

20,800

82,040

The above freehold and long leasehold properties have been independently externally valued as at 30 June 2023 and 30 June 2022 
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.

Fixtures, equipment and motor vehicles

Balance at 30 June 2022

Additions 

Depreciation

BALANCE AT 30 JUNE 2023

NET BOOK VALUE AT 30 JUNE 2023

Net book value at 30 June 2022

TOTAL TANGIBLE ASSETS

AT 30 JUNE 2023

At 30 June 2022

138 

Cost
£’000

2,292

227

–

Accumulated 
depreciation
£’000

1,700

–

107

2,519

1,807

712

592

82,752

105,738

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 £875,000 (2022: £882,300).

Other investments are stated at market value in the table above and have a historic cost of £915,000 (2022: £3,415,000).

6. Debtors

Trade debtors

Less: provision for impairment of debtors

Amounts owed by subsidiary undertakings

Other debtors and prepayments

2023
£’000

411

(299)

112

2022
£’000

464

(288)

176

113,245

627

96,973

19,395

113,984

116,544

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 financial position of tenants.

 139

03 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

2023
£’000

2022
£’000

239,351

239,351

(5,789)

–

233,562

239,351

4,096

(44)

16

4,068

19,661

–

347

1,166

(11,566)

5,801

(61)

(1,644)

4,096

3,415

–

413

15,833

–

9,608

19,661

6,325

3,500

245

(10,070)

5,865

326

134

–

–

6,325

247,238

269,433

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FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Notes to the Company financial statements continued

6. Debtors continued
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 2023 was £177,000 (2022: £254,000).

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

2023
£’000

117

2,505

211,761

3,385

2022
£’000

179

–

198,650

3,649

217,768

202,478

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

2023
£’000

2022
£’000

4,425

82,325

86,750

4,792

95,995

100,787

24,116

56,413

110,866

157,200

The debenture, bank loans and overdrafts are secured by fixed charges on properties and restricted cash, valued at £226,450,000 
(2022: £268,785,000) 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

2023
£’000

27,000

36,000

63,000

2022
£’000

26,933

20,000

46,933

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 
£22,902,000 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.

03 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

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

Lease liabilities

As at 30 June 2023

As at 30 June 2022

Nominal value
£’000

Weighted 
average rate
%

Weighted 
average period
Years

Nominal value
£’000

Weighted 
average rate
%

Weighted 
average period
Years

82,417

7,000

89,417

5.375

6.63

8

1

96,098

38,067

134,165

5.375

3.00

9

1

The above amounts represent the monetary liabilities and are therefore different to the book values set out in as a result of 
unamortised arrangement fees at 30 June 2023 of £222,000 (2022: £379,000).

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

2023

7.00%

6.63%

2022

3.25%

3.00%

5.375%

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.

Fair value of non-current borrowings

Debenture stock

Long-term bank borrowings

2023

2022

Book value
£’000

82,417

4,425

Fair value
£’000

68,169

4,425

Book value
£’000

95,995

4,792

Fair value
£’000

94,694

4,792

140 

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FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Notes to the Company financial statements continued

9. Called up share capital
Authorised

164,879,000 (2022: 164,879,000) ordinary shares of 25p each.

Issued and fully paid up

At 30 June 2022 

Purchase and cancellation of own shares

AT 30 JUNE 2023

Number
 of shares
000

52,531

(4,075)

48,456

Nominal value
£’000

13,132

(1,019)

12,113

The Company has only one type of ordinary share class in issue. All shares have equal entitlement to voting rights and dividend distributions.

10. Subsidiary Companies
The Company’s wholly owned active subsidiary undertakings at 30 June 2023, registered in England or Scotland and operating in the 
United Kingdom, are as follows:

Company number

Activity

HELD DIRECTLY

TCS Holdings Limited

Buckley Properties (Leeds) Limited*

Citipark plc*

TCS (Residential Conversions) Limited*

TCS Property Management Limited*

TCS Trustees Limited*

TCS Properties Limited*

TCS (Brownsfield Mill) Limited*

TCS (Merrion Hotel) Limited*

Bay Sentry Solutions Limited*

Belgravia Living Group Limited*

TCS (Whitehall Plaza) Limited

Dundonald Property Investments Limited

TCS (9 Cheapside) Limited

TCS (Tariff Street) Limited

TCS Development Management (Merrion) Limited

Citicharge Limited

Apperley Bridge Limited

TCS Park Row Limited

Citipark Management Limited

TCS (Merrion House JVC02) Limited

Tassgander Limited

Blackpool Markets Limited

Emett Exhibitions Limited

Milngavie East Limited

No 29 Management Co (Eastgate) Limited

142 

2271353

647309

8837214

3946495

5281225

Property investment

Property investment

Car park operations

Property investment

Management company

3112933

Trustee for employee benefit plans

2831154

10291290

10380988

12133595

09554878

9922032

3672365

10139127

09929851

8696141

13322988

6879596

8077103

8837203

8561356

4077297

2740190

1544918

SC464805

3873683

Property investment

Property investment

Hotel operator

Car park operations

Property investment

Dormant

Dormant

Dormant

Dormant

Dormant

Dormant

Dormant

Dormant

Dormant

Dormant

Dormant

Dormant

Dormant

Dormant

Dormant

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

Citiflex 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*

Belgravia Living (Burlington House) Limited*

BLG (Burlington House) Limited

Parking Ticketing Limited

Dundonald (Cumbernauld) Limited

TCS (Bothwell Street) Limited

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

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

9948722

11284761

7818341

5983938

4240551

6430444

4569350

4413344

4413343

4768830

4768845

4414144

4413341

4249007

5113915

* 

The subsidiaries marked with an asterisk above are exempt from preparing audited statutory accounts under Section 479a of the Companies Act 2006.

03 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Activity

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

Property investment

Property investment

Dormant

Dormant

Dormant

Dormant

Dormant

Dormant

Dormant

Dormant

Dormant

Dormant

Dormant

Dormant

Dormant

 143

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FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Notes to the Company financial statements continued

10. Subsidiary Companies continued
The Company’s directly owned joint ventures, which are all registered in England and operate in the United Kingdom, are as follows:

Bay Sentry Limited

50

Software Development

Proportion of 
ordinary shares 
held
%

Activity

The Company also has an indirect 50% interest in Merrion House LLP.

The registered office of subsidiaries and joint ventures is as follows:

KBT Cornwall Limited 
20-22 Wenlock Road 
London  
N1 7GU  

Parking Ticketing Limited
The Cube
Albion Street
Leeds
LS2 8ER

All other subsidiaries and joint ventures
Town Centre House
The Merrion Centre
Leeds
LS2 8LY

04  |  SHAREHOLDER INFORMATION

04 
SHAREHOLDER INFORMATION

Shareholder
Information

144 

 145

04  |  SHAREHOLDER INFORMATION

Notice of Annual General Meeting 
Investor information 
Glossary 

146
153
154

MERRION CENTRE, LEEDS

Contents Generation - SectionContents Generation - SectionContents Generation - SectionContents Generation - SectionContents Generation - Section 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notice of Annual General Meeting

Town Centre Securities PLC    Annual Report and Accounts 2023 

Notice of Annual General Meeting

Notice is hereby given that the 2023 annual general meeting 
(the ‘Meeting’) of Town Centre Securities Plc (the ‘Company’) will 
be held at Town Centre House, The Merrion Centre on Friday 1 
December 2023 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.

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 Wednesday, 
29 November 2023. 

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 2023.

Resolution 2: Directors’ Remuneration Report 

2.  To approve the Directors’ Remuneration Report set out on pages 
84 to 90 of the Company’s 2023 Annual Report for the year 
ended 30 June 2023 (excluding the Directors’ remuneration 
policy included in the report). 

Resolution 3: Final dividend 

3.  To declare a final cash dividend recommended by the Board 

for the year ended 30 June 2023 of 2.5 pence per ordinary 
share, to be paid on 4 January 2024 to Shareholders whose 
names appear on the register at close of business on 
15 December 2023. 

Resolution 4 to 11: Re-election and election of Directors’ 
Resolutions 5 to 11: Re-election of Directors

4.  To re-elect Michael Ziff as a Non-Executive Director of 

the Company.

5.  To re-elect Ian Marcus as a Non-Executive Director of 

the Company.

6.  To re-elect Paul Huberman as a Non-Executive Director of 

the Company.

7.  To re-elect Jeremy Collins as a Non-Executive Director of 

the Company.

8.  To re-elect Edward Ziff as an Executive Director of the Company.

9.  To re-elect Benjamin Ziff as an Executive Director of 

the Company.

10.  To re-elect Stewart MacNeill as an Executive Director of 

the Company.

11.  To elect Craig Burrow as an Executive Director of the Company

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.

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,

04 
SHAREHOLDER INFORMATION

(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) 

(ii) 

to ordinary Shareholders in proportion (as nearly as 
may be practicable) to their existing holdings; and 

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 £605,695.00, 

such power to apply until the end of the next Annual General 
Meeting to be held in 2024, or 1 March 2025, 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 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 £605,695.00; 
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 2024, or 1 March 2025, 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.

(as such terms are defined in the Act), up to an aggregate 
amount of £50,000, 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 2024. 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 £4,037,966.50 

(representing 16,151,866 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 £8,075,933.25 (representing 32,303,733 
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) 

(ii) 

to ordinary Shareholders in proportion (as nearly as 
may be practicable) to their existing holdings; and

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 2024, or 1 March 2025, 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:

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Notice of Annual General Meeting continued

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 7,268,340;

(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)  

(ii) 

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

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 1 March 2025, 
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

Dr Edward Ziff OBE DL
Chairman & Chief Executive
17 October 2023

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 2023 Annual Report and financial 
statements for the year ended 30 June 2023 (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 2023.

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 84 to 90 of the Annual Report. 
Resolution 2 is an advisory vote only and the Directors’ entitlement 
to remuneration is not conditional on it. 

Resolution 3: Final dividend

The Board proposes a final dividend of 2.5 pence per share 
in respect of the year ended 30 June 2023 If approved, the 
recommended final dividend will be paid on 4 January 2024 to  
all Ordinary Shareholders who are on the register of members  
on 15 December 2023.

Resolutions 4 – 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 page 70 to 71 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.

04 
SHAREHOLDER INFORMATION

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 
14 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.

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 22 November 2022, which 
expires at the end of the 2023 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 
£4,037,966.50 (representing 16,151,866 ordinary shares), which is 
equivalent to approximately one third of the total issued ordinary 
share capital of the Company as at 17 October 2023, 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 
£8,075,933.25 representing approximately two thirds (66.67%) of 
the Company’s existing issued ordinary share capital and calculated 
as at 17 October 2023 (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 2024 or 
1 March 2025, whichever is earlier.

SPECIAL RESOLUTIONS
Resolution 16: Authority to disapply  
pre-emption rights

At the annual general meeting held on 22 November 2022, the 
Directors were given the authority to issue equity securities of 
the Company and sell treasury shares in exchange for cash until 
the 2023 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 £605,695.00 (representing 
2,422,780 ordinary shares). This number represents approximately 
5% of the issued share capital as at 17 October 2023 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 2024 or 1 March 2025, 
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.

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Notice of Annual General Meeting continued

SPECIAL RESOLUTIONS continued
Resolution 17: Additional authority to disapply  
pre-emption rights for purposes of acquisitions or 
capital investments continued

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.

Resolutions and Important Notes

The formal notice convening the Meeting (‘the Notice’) is set out on 
pages 146 to 152 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 2023, 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

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 2024, or 1 March 2025, 
whichever is earlier. 

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.

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 7,268,340 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 2024 or on 1 March 2025, 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.

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 Wednesday 29 November 2023 (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.

04 
SHAREHOLDER INFORMATION

4.  You can vote either:

Apple App Store

Google Play

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

by logging on to www.signalshares.com where full 
instructions can be found;

through the LinkVote+ app (see notes below);

by requesting a hard copy form of proxy directly from the 
registrar, Link Group, by emailing shareholderenquiries@
linkgroup.co.uk or calling 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; or

if you are an institutional investor you may also be able to 
appoint a proxy electronically via the Proxymity platform, 
a process which has been agreed by the Company 
and approved by the Registrar. For further information 
regarding Proxymity, please go to www.proxymity.io (see 
notes 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 Wednesday 29 November 2023 (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 Wednesday 29 November 2023 (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. Unless otherwise indicated on the Form of Proxy, 
CREST, Proxymity or any other electronic voting instruction, the 
proxy will vote as they think fit or, at their discretion, withhold 
from voting.

7.  Link Group, the Company’s registrar, has launched a 

Shareholder app: LinkVote+. It’s free to download and use and 
gives Shareholders the ability to access their shareholding 
record at any time and allows users to submit a proxy 
appointment quickly and easily online rather than through 
the post. The app is available to download on both the Apple 
App Store and Google Play, or by scanning the relevant QR 
code below.

8.  CREST members who wish to appoint a proxy or proxies 

9. 

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). 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.

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 & International 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 10:00am on Wednesday 29 November 2023. 
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.

10.  CREST members and, where applicable, their CREST sponsors, 
or voting service providers should note that Euroclear UK 
& International 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.

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04 
SHAREHOLDER INFORMATION

Investor information

Notice of Annual General Meeting continued

Investor information

11.  If you are an institutional investor you may also be able to 

14.  As at 17 October 2023 (being the last practicable date prior 

Registrar

All general enquiries concerning shareholdings in  
Town Centre Securities PLC should be addressed to:

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

Dividends

Interim dividend: 2.5p per share paid on 16 June 2023  
to Shareholders on the register on 19 May 2023.

Final dividend: 2.5p per share to be paid on 4 January 2024  
to Shareholders on the register on 15 December 2023.

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.

appoint a proxy electronically via the Proxymity platform, a 
process which has been agreed by the Company and approved 
by the Registrar. For further information regarding Proxymity, 
please go to www.proxymity.io. Your proxy must be lodged 
by 10:00am on 29 November 2023 in order to be considered 
valid or, if the meeting is adjourned, by the time which is 48 
hours before the time of the adjourned meeting. Before you can 
appoint a proxy via this process you will need to have agreed 
to Proxymity’s associated terms and conditions. It is important 
that you read these carefully as you will be bound by them and 
they will govern the electronic appointment of your proxy. An 
electronic proxy appointment via the Proxymity platform may 
be revoked completely by sending an authenticated message 
via the platform instructing the removal of your proxy vote.

12.  A Shareholder or Shareholders having a right to vote at the 
meeting and holding at least 5% of the total voting rights of 
the Company (see note 14 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:

12.1  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;

12.2  comply with the requirements set out in note 7 below; and

12.3 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:

12.4 it may not require the Shareholder(s) making the request to 

pay any expenses incurred by the Company in complying 
with the request;

12.5 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 the statement may be dealt 
with as part of the business of the meeting.

13.  Any request by a Shareholder or Shareholders to require the 

Company to publish audit concerns as set out in note 6 above:

13.1  may be made either:

13.1.1 in hard copy, by sending it to the Company Secretary, 
Town Centre House, The Merrion Centre, Leeds, 
LS2 8LY; or

13.1.2 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);

13.2 must state the full name(s) and address(es) of the 

Shareholder(s); and

13.3 (where the request is made in hard copy from or by fax) 

must be signed by the Shareholder(s).

to the publication of this notice) the Company’s issued share 
capital consists of 48,455,599 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 17 October 2023 are 48,455,599.

15.  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:

15.1  to do so would interfere unduly with the preparation 
for the meeting or would involve the disclosure of 
confidential information;

15.2  the answer has already been given on a website in the 

form of an answer to a question; or

15.3 it is undesirable in the interests of the Company or the 

good order of the meeting that the question be answered.

16.  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’):

16.1  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

16.2 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.

17.  Biographical details of all those Directors who are offering 
themselves for appointment or re-appointment at the 
meeting are set out on page 70 and 71 of the Annual Report 
and Accounts.

18.  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.

19.  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. 

19.1  copies of the service contracts of the Executive Directors; 

and

19.2  copies of the letters of appointment of the  

Non-Executive Directors.

20. 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 

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

152 

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SHAREHOLDER INFORMATIONContents Generation - SectionContents Generation - SectionContents Generation - SectionContents Generation - SectionContents Generation - Section 
Glossary

Town Centre Securities PLC    Annual Report and Accounts 2023 

Glossary

AGM

CVA

EPC

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

Total Shareholder return

Void rate

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.

Energy Performance Certificate

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 

(incl. overdrawn balances) 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

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

The percentage of the portfolio (based on rental and estimated rental value) of units 
that are not subject to a lease or an agreement for lease. This measure excludes units 
that are specifically held for redevelopment

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

154 

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100% of the inks used are HP Indigo ElectroInk which 
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printing companies, 95% of press chemicals are recycled for 
further use and, on average 99% of any waste associated with 
this production will be recycled and the remaining 1% used to 
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The paper is Carbon Balanced with World Land Trust, 
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CBP00019082504183028

SHAREHOLDER INFORMATIONContents Generation - SectionContents Generation - SectionTown Centre Securities PLC

Town Centre House 
The Merrion Centre 
Leeds 
LS2 8LY 
Tel: 0113 222 1234

tcs-plc.co.uk

45 Weymouth Street
London
W1G 8BY