CPC.L Regulatory News (CPC)

The City Pub Group PLC

(the "City Pub Group", the "Company" or the "Group")

Final Results for the 53 weeks ended 31 December 2017

Pivotal year in the evolution of the business with AIM listing, significant sales and EBITDA growth, strategic expansion and maiden PLC dividend.

The City Pub Group is pleased to announce its audited results for the 53 weeks ended 31 December 2017. The Group operates a predominately freehold estate of 34 wet-led pubs in Southern England and Wales. 5 additional sites acquired and a further 2 are to be completed imminently, bringing the size of the estate to 41.

Highlights:

· Revenue up 35% to £37.4 million (2016: £27.8 million)

· Strong performance with like for like sales growth of 3.8%, driven by good growth in drink and accommodation

· Adjusted EBITDA* up 51% to £6.1 million (2016: £4.1 million)

· Adjusted profit before tax** up 102% to £3.2 million (2016: £1.6 million)

· Total annual dividend up 50% to 2.25p (2016: 1.50p)

· Net debt to EBITDA of nil (2016: 3.3 times)

· Reported (loss)/profit after tax including IPO and other exceptional items of (£0.7) million (2016: £0.4 million)

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

** Adjusted profit before tax is the profit before tax, share option charge and exceptional items.

A number of the financial measures, including Adjusted Profit before tax and Adjusted EBITDA are not defined under IFRS, so they are termed 'Alternative Performance Measures' (APMs). Management use these measures to monitor the Group's financial performance alongside IFRS measures because they help illustrate the underlying performance and position of the Group.

· Continued significant progress throughout the year including the combination of City Pub Company East and City Pub Company West to form the City Pub Group and admission to AIM - raising a total of £35m of new equity to fund future growth.

· Strategic expansion with 8 pubs opened in 2017. This increased number of sites and wet-led focus of the business resulted in substantial EBITDA and sales growth.

· A further 7 openings have already been earmarked for 2018 - additional sites have been identified and are in legals.

· Dividends increased by 50% on 2016 to 2.25p per share and the Group's innovative Profit Share Scheme saw eligible Employees rewarded with a payment of £750 each as a result of the Group's strong financial performance.

Clive Watson, Executive Chairman of The City Pub Group, said:

"2017 was a pivotal year in the evolution of the business. Not only did we combine the two divisions under one roof, but we made the important step of listing on AIM. We have also continued to expand our high-quality drink-led estate which has significantly increased revenue and Group EBITDA. Our increased dividend signals the progress made, our strong financial performance and our confidence for the future.

The momentum from 2017 has continued into the current financial year and we have already earmarked 7 new pub openings for this year. We are on course to meet our target of doubling the size of the estate to around 65 pubs by mid-2021. We have a great head office team in place to deliver on this goal.

The sector continues to experience a number of well-trailed headwinds but we are positioned to meet these challenges and with our robust balance sheet, well invested estate and strong cash generation, we are confident of delivering continued strong progress and meeting our expectations for the year as a whole."

For further information on City Pub Company pubs visit www.citypubcompany.com 

CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT

2017 was a pivotal year in the evolution of the City Pub Group. At the end of last October, the City Pub Company (East) Plc ("CPCE") combined with City Pub Company (West) Ltd ("CPCW") to form the City Pub Group plc. The Group was subsequently listed onto AIM on 23 November 2017 raising £35m at 170p. EIS shareholders also placed £11.6m of shares with new institutional shareholders.

The AIM listing achieved a liquidity event for existing EIS shareholders and the Group's statement of financial position has been significantly strengthened providing the platform for the Group to acquire further pubs and double the size of its estate to around 65 pubs by mid-2021.

2017 was a strong year financially with sales up 35% to £37.4m, adjusted EBITDA up 51% to £6.1m and adjusted EBITDA margin increased from 14.7% to 16.4%.

The Board recommends a final dividend of 2.25p per share (2016 1.5p) representing a 50% increase on the prior year.

Trading Estate

The Group is made up of 39 high quality local pubs that are predominately drink led. The Group has grown steadily by selective acquisitions to build the Group as it is today (34 trading & 5 completed acquisitions to open).

2017 was a year of significant growth and development driven by acquisitions and good performance. The Group began the year trading with 25 pubs and 3 newly acquired sites that had yet to trade.

At the end of January, the Group opened its first pub in Southampton, the London Road Brew House (previously Varsity). It had a very encouraging start and has continued to improve performance in the early stages of 2018.

A busy February saw the Group increase its presence in Oxford through the acquisition of Beerd on George Street. This pub traded as Beerd until August before being closed for refurbishment and reopening as The Grapes. At the end of this month we also opened The Petersfield in Cambridge (previously called Backstreet Bistro). During February the Group also acquired its tenth London pub, The Three Crowns in Shoreditch, which was closed for a minor refurbishment before reopening at the end of March. Performance of the Three Crowns has been encouraging to date and with significant development of the local area in progress, we see further potential for growth.

After significant investment, May saw the highly anticipated opening of our largest pub, The Walrus in Brighton. The pub, previously named Smugglers, was purchased in 2015 and it has traded well under our ownership, building on its strong start with an excellent Christmas performance.

In June, the Group added another two well-established freeholds to its estate: the Old Fire House in Exeter and The Red Lion in Histon, Cambridge. The Group also added The Waterman in Cambridge, in July, building on its existing presence in the area. The Waterman has had a major refurbishment.

In September 2017, the Group acquired Aragon House, a freehold pub on the New Kings Road in London, which is due to open in September 2018. The acquisition of the long-leasehold interest of the King Street Brew House in Bristol towards the end of the year further strengthened the balance sheet.

The momentum since IPO in November 2017 has continued with the Group acquiring five further pubs to date and exchanging contracts on another 2 pubs.

· The Belle Vue in Clapham, a freehold asset, was acquired in January and re-opened at the end of February following a minor refurbishment.

· An all-vegan pub in Parsons Green in London will open in April 2018

· The acquisition of two further freehold pubs in Reading and Cardiff allowed the Group to expand its geographic footprint

· The completion of the acquisition of the Old Ticket Office in Cambridge has seen the Group further grow its existing hub there

· Most recently, contracts have been exchanged on two new sites with completion expected at the end of April.

Once the development pubs are opened and contracts for the new pubs completed, the Group will have 41 sites of which 56% are freehold.

Market

While the wider UK pub sector has experienced contraction, the managed pub sub-sector in which the Group operates is forecast to grow in value by 11% from £9.9 billion in 2016 to £11.1 billion in 2019 (Source: MCA UK Pub Market Report).

The Directors believe this growth is driven by consumer preferences moving away from chain and branded pubs and towards pubs with an individual identity and an ambience which reflects the local market. Together with the move toward individual pubs, consumer tastes have continued to evolve, trending towards craft ales and lagers, premium spirits and wines and good quality food which incorporate local produce. The Directors therefore believe that a managed pub with an entrepreneurial tenant or owner, who is able to tailor both the ambience and product range of a pub to its local target market, can retain the flexibility required to respond to evolving consumer trends.

Financial Highlights

As the number of pubs has increased the Group has benefitted from economies of scale which has assisted the financial performance of the Group.

Summary for the year ended 31 December 2017:

- Revenue up 35% to £37.4 million (2016: £27.8 million)

- Adjusted EBITDA* up 51% to £6.1 million (2016: £4.1 million)

- Adjusted profit before tax** up 102% to £3.2 million (2016: £1.6 million)

- Reported (loss) / profit of (£0.7) million (2016: £0.4 million)

- Total annual dividend up 50% to 2.25p (2016: 1.50p)

- Net debt to EBITDA ratio of nil (2016: 3.3 times).

*Adjusted Earnings before exceptional items, share option charge, interest, taxation, depreciation and amortisation.

** Adjusted profit before tax is the profit before tax, share option charge and exceptional items.

The reported loss has been adversely affected by a number of one off costs largely relating to the flotation (see Note 8 for further explanation).

The Board is pleased with the significant increase in the Group's adjusted EBITDA performance

and the improvements in its operating (EBITDA) margins which have increased from 14.7% to 16.4% and should increase further as the central overhead base becomes more efficient.

Statement of Financial Position and Bank Borrowings

As a result of the equity fundraising the statement of financial position has been significantly strengthened. Using the net proceeds of the IPO, the Group repaid its revolving credit facility and ended the year without any borrowings and subsequent to the recent pub purchases bank debt remains low at approximately £3m.

The Group has in place a £30m revolving credit facility with Barclays expiring in July 2021. At the appropriate time it is the Board's intention to renegotiate these facilities, increase their quantum extend the length. The Board has adopted a conservative gearing policy of approximately 30% of asset value and will also utilise cash generated from the existing estate to fund acquisitions.

Board

With the amalgamation of CPCE and CPCW, Rupert Clark and Alex Derrick were appointed Joint Group Managing Directors responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Group.

 As Executive Chairman I am responsible for managing the Board, the growth of the Group and exploring further acquisition opportunities.

On listing, Richard Prickett was appointed Senior Independent Director with James Watson stepping down after 5 years as a Board member. We thank James for his contribution to the success of the business.

In January this year Neil Griffiths became our second independent Director. Neil, formerly Chief

Operations Officer of Punch Plc, replaced David Bruce who was one of the Co-Founders of the Group. The Board is immensely grateful to David for his energy, insight and guidance as we went from start up to trading on AIM.

Dividend

The Board's intention is to have a progressive dividend policy increasing future dividends in line with underlying performance of the Group.

The Board recommends a final dividend of 2.25p per share (2016 1.50p) representing a 50% increase on the prior year. If approved, at the Company's AGM, the dividend will be paid on 30 June to shareholders on the share register as of 31 May 2018. As previously, a scrip dividend alternative will be available to those shareholders who wish to receive their dividends in shares. I will be electing to subscribe for the scrip dividend for the entirety of my holding.

Employee Profit Share

With retention of staff becoming increasingly important, the Board believes that the Group is at the forefront of the industry in rewarding its employees. In 2015 the Board put in place an innovative Profit Share Scheme so that all employees could share in the Company's success.

As a result of the Employee Profit Share Scheme, employees who had been with the Group since 1 January 2017 were each paid £750 representing an increase of over 30% on last year's payment. By sharing up to 3% of the Group's EBITDA less bank interest we continue to build and retain a motivated and incentivised workforce.

Annual General Meeting

The AGM will be held at Temple Brew House at 11am on Monday 14 May 2018.

Current Trading & Outlook

For the first 14 weeks of the year, total sales were up 22% on prior year with 34 sites open and trading. The snow in the first quarter adversely impacted trading for a short period, however with key sporting events, particularly the World Cup football tournament in June, the opening of the pubs already earmarked for 2018 and a strong acquisition pipeline, we are confident of delivering continued strong progress and meeting expectations for the year as a whole.

The last six months have seen us complete the initial part of our journey and start our second stage. In common with all in the hospitality industry, there are challenges such as rising employee costs, business rates increase and uncertainty around Brexit. Increasing sales, scale and efficiency will mitigate the bulk of these.

The Board is confident that with its strong trading estate and balance sheet we are well placed to take advantage and will benefit from weakening acquisition prices as we expand our portfolio.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone: employees, advisors, suppliers, banks and my co-directors for their contributions in enabling this Group to thrive thus far. The City Pub Group has the opportunity to continue to grow and prosper and build on the solid foundations already in place.

Clive Watson

Chairman

The City Pub Group plc

BUSINESS REVIEW

Financial Performance

The Group has a strong financial position as a cash generative business with a high quality, mainly freehold asset base. The bank debt has been repaid leaving the ratio of net debt to pro forma EBITDA of nil (2016: 3.3 times).

We have grown our revenue by 35% on the prior year with the majority of growth coming from the eight new pubs opened in the year along with the strong like for like trading of the existing estate. Our adjusted operating profit before separately disclosed exceptional items grew by 62% to £4.1 million (2016: £2.6 million).

Adjusted EBITDA increased by 51% to £6.1 million (2016: £4.1 million) reflecting the performance of the larger estate. There was an increase in depreciation of 28% on the prior period. Net finance costs before separately disclosed exceptional items are in line with prior year at £1.0 million. 

The Group generated cash from operating activities of £4.0 million (2016: £4.2 million). In line with our acquisition strategy, we invested £17.3 million on the acquisition and opening of eight pubs during the year, including the subsequent refurbishments. The new sites were - The Grapes in Oxford, The Petersfield in Cambridge, The Three Crowns in Shoreditch, The Old Fire House in Exeter, The Red Lion in Histon, The Waterman in Cambridge, Aragon House in Parson's Green and what will be a vegan pub also in Parson's Green.

The Group has £30 million of available long term facilities, available until June 2021. The Group had repaid all the bank debt following the equity raise at the time of the IPO. There is a further £6.4 million of cash held on the statement of financial position at year end.

Separately disclosed exceptional items before tax of £3.2 million comprised £0.45 million impairment provision on a Bristol site, £0.9 million of pre-opening costs expensed and £1.8 million of costs related to the IPO. Before separately disclosed exceptional items and share option charge, adjusted profit before tax was therefore £3.2 million (2016: £1.6 million).

Tax has been provided for at a rate of 19.25% (2016: 20.0%) on adjusted profits. A full analysis of the tax charge for the year is set out in note 7.

THE CITY PUB GROUP PLC

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

FOR THE 53 WEEK PERIOD TO 31 December 2017

THE CITY PUB GROUP PLC

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION

THE CITY PUB GROUP PLC

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY

FOR THE 53 WEEK PERIOD ENDED 31 December 2017

THE CITY PUB GROUP PLC

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

FOR THE 53 WEEK PERIOD ENDED 31 December 2017

THE CITY PUB GROUP PLC

NOTES

FOR THE 53 WEEK PERIOD ENDED 31 December 2017

1 Company information

The Company is a public limited company incorporated and domiciled in the UK. The Company number is 07814568 and the registered office is located at Essel House 2nd Floor, 29 Foley Street, London, England, W1W 7TH.

The Group's principal activity is the management and operation of public houses. Information on the Company's ultimate controlling party and other related party relationships is provided in Note 28.

Exemption from audit

For the period ended 31 December 2017 The City Pub Group plc has provided a guarantee in respect of all liabilities due by its subsidiary The City Pub (West) Limited (Company No. 07814571) and Flamequire Limited (Company No. 01834157) thus entitling them to exemption from audit under section 479A of the Companies Act 2006 relating to subsidiary companies.

2 Basis of preparation

2.1 Basis of preparation

The figures for the 53 week period ended 31 December 2017 have been extracted from the audited statutory financial statements for the period on which the auditors have issued an unqualified opinion. The financial information attached has been prepared in accordance with the recognition and measurement requirements of international financial reporting standards (IFRS) as adopted by the EU and international financial reporting interpretations committee (IFRIC) interpretations issued and effective at the time of preparing those financial statements. The accounting policies applied in the period ended 31 December 2017 are consistent with those applied in the financial statements for the period ended 25 December 2016 having noted the predecessor value method of accounting has been adopted to account for the business combination of the Group.

The financial information for the period ended 31 December 2017 does not constitute statutory financial information as defined in Section 434 of the Companies Act

2006 and does not contain all of the information required to be disclosed in a full set of IFRS financial statements. This announcement was approved by the Board of Directors and authorised for issue on 12 April 2018. The auditor's report on the financial statements for 31 December 2017 was unqualified, and did not include reference to any matters to which the auditors drew attention by way of emphasis without qualifying their reports and did not contain a statement under either Section 498 (2) or 498 (3) of the Companies Act 2006.

2.2  New and Revised Standards

IFRS in issue but not applied in the annual financial statements

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

· IFRS 9, 'Financial instruments', effective date 1 January 2018

· IFRS 15, 'Revenue from Contracts with Customers', effective date 1 January 2018

· IFRS 16, 'Leases', effective date 1 January 2019

· Disclosure Initiative: Amendments to IAS 7: Statement of Cash Flows (effective: 1 January 2017)

· Amendments to IAS 12: Recognition of Deferred Tax Assets for Unrealised Losses (effective: 1 January 2017).

· IFRIC 22, 'Foreign Currency Transactions and Advance Consideration (effective: 1 January 2018 and not yet endorsed by the EU).

· "Amendments to IFRS 2 Classification and Measurement of Share Based Payment Transactions", "Amendments to IAS 40 Investment Property and Annual Improvements to IFRS Standards 2014 -2016 Cycle" (Mandatory in 2018 and not endorsed by the EU)

· "Amendments to IFRS 4 Applying IFRS 9 Financial Instruments with IFRS 4 Insurance Contracts" (Endorsed by the EU and mandatory in 2018)

· IFRIC 23 "Uncertainty over Income Tax Treatments" (Mandatory in 2019 and not yet endorsed by the EU)

·  "Amendments to IFRS 9: Prepayment Features with Negative Compensation", "Amendments to IAS 28: Long-term Interests in Associates and Joint Ventures", "Annual Improvements to IFRS Standards 2015-2017 Cycle" and "Amendments to IAS19 - Plan Amendment, Curtailment or Settlement" (Mandatory in 2019 and not yet endorsed by the EU)

· IFRS 17 "Insurance Contracts" (Mandatory in 2021 and not yet endorsed by the EU)

The above standards are yet to be subject to a detailed review. IFRS 9 will impact both the measurement and disclosure of financial instruments, IFRS 15 is not considered to have a material impact on revenue recognition and related disclosures, given the nature of retail pub sales to the public. IFRS 16 will impact the treatment of leases currently treated as operating leases, but beyond this, it is not practicable to provide a reasonable estimate of the effect of IFRS 16 until a detailed review has been completed.

2.3 Predecessor value method

During the period the Company undertook a common control combination, through the issue of new Ordinary Shares, B-Ordinary Shares and Convertible Preference Shares in exchange for 100% of the Ordinary Shares, B Ordinary Shares and Convertible Preference Shares of The City Pub Company (West) Limited an entity under common control. The Directors considered the business combination to be a common control combination, as the combining entities were ultimately controlled by the same parties both before and after the combination and the common control was not transitory.

The share capital and convertible preference shares issued to effect the merger (accounted for under the predecessor value method) had a nominal value of £6,530,316 and £5,133,227 respectively (representing £6,455,202 in respect of shares as at 28 December 2015 and £75,144 subsequent to that date; representing £2,094,358 in respect of the equity element of the CPS as at 28 December 2015 and £3,038,869 subsequent to that date). This results in enlarged share capital and convertible preference share balances for the group of £12,910,404 and £4,188,716 as at 28 December 2015. Replacement share options issued have also been accounted for under the predecessor value method.

As a common control combination, the transaction is outside the scope of IFRS 3 ('Business Combinations') and the Directors have therefore considered the nature of the transaction, which is eligible for Merger Relief under the Companies Act and decided that the predecessor value method would be most appropriate for preparing the annual financial statements.

The predecessor value method involves accounting for the assets and liabilities of the acquired business using existing carrying values rather than at fair values, as a result no goodwill has arisen on the combination. The comparative period has been restated as if the combination had taken place at the beginning of the comparative period, as the Directors consider this to give the user the most meaningful information to assess the performance of the Group.

The use of the predecessor value method has given rise to an "other reserve", which represents the share premium of the subsidiary entity on consolidation.

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

income and expenses arising from intra-group transactions, are eliminated in preparing the consolidated financial information.

2.4 Going concern

The Directors consider it appropriate to prepare the annual financial statements on a going concern basis. Cash flow forecasts have been produced to June 2019 that indicate the Company has sufficient headroom to meet its liabilities as they fall due for the foreseeable future. The Company has repaid its borrowings with its bankers, Barclays Bank during the year.

2.5 Revenue

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

Revenue principally consists of drink, food and accommodation sales, which are recognised at the point at which goods and services are provided and rental income which is recognised on a straight line basis over the lease term. Revenue for bedroom accommodation is recognised at the point the services are rendered.

2.6 Cost of sales

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

2.7 Operating profit

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

2.8 Exceptional items

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

2.9 Finance income and expense

Finance income is recognised as interest accrues (using the effective interest method) on funds invested outside the Group. Finance expense includes the cost of borrowing from third parties and recognised on an effective interest rate basis, resulting from the financial liability being recognised on an amortised cost basis, including commitment fees. Finance expense also includes the accrued dividends on the convertible preference shares ("CPS").

2.10 Taxation and deferred taxation

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

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

of deductible and taxable temporary differences to measure the deferred tax asset or liability.

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

2.11 Financial instruments

Recognition, initial measurement and derecognition

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

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

Classification and subsequent measurement of financial assets

For the purpose of subsequent measurement financial assets are classified into the following categories upon initial recognition:

Loans and receivables

Loans and receivables are non-derivative financial assets with fixed or determinable payments that are not quoted in an active market. After initial recognition, these are measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method, less provision for impairment. Discounting is omitted where the effect of discounting is immaterial. The Group's cash and cash equivalents, trade and most other receivables fall into this category of financial instruments.

Trade and other receivables

Trade and other receivables do not carry any interest and are recognised at their original invoiced amounts, less an allowance for any amounts that are not considered collectible. The carrying amount of the asset is reduced through the use of an allowance account, and the amount of the loss is recognised in the profit or loss within 'cost of sales'. When a trade or other receivable is uncollectible, it is written off against the allowance account for trade and other receivables. Subsequent recoveries of amounts previously written off are credited against 'cost of sales' in the profit or loss.

Cash and cash equivalents

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

Classification and subsequent measurement of financial liabilities

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

Trade and other payables

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

Borrowings

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

Classification of Shares as Debt or Equity

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

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

The carrying amount of the equity component is not remeasured in subsequent years. The Group's ordinary shares are classified as equity instruments. For the purposes of the disclosures given in note 22, the Group considers its capital to comprise its ordinary share capital, share premium and accumulated retained earnings plus its preference shares which are classified as a financial liability in the statement of financial position. There have been no changes to what the Group considers to be capital since the prior year.

Convertible Preference Shares

The Group's convertible preference shares are reported under equity and non-current liabilities, as apportioned on recognition. The corresponding dividends on preference shares are charged as interest in the Income Statement, with any accrued interest recorded as a current liability. Preference shares carry interest at fixed rates. On conversion the equity and non-current liabilities are extinguished in exchange for ordinary shares, with the initial costs of raising the capital incurred on issue being off-set against the share premium. The preference shares have all been converted in the current period.

Share repurchases

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

2.12  Business combinations and goodwill

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

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

2.13 Property, plant and equipment

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

Freehold properties To residual value over fifty years straight line

Leasehold properties Straight line over the length of the lease

Fixtures, fittings and equipment Between four and ten years straight line

Computer equipment Between two and five years straight line

No depreciation is charged on freehold land. Where there is no depreciation on historic freehold buildings as a result of a high residual value / long useful lives, the freehold building is subject to an impairment review.

Residual values and useful lives are reviewed every year and adjusted if appropriate at each financial period end.

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

2.14  Investments in subsidiaries

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

2.15 Impairment of goodwill, property, plant and equipment and investments in subsidiaries

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

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

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

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

2.16 Inventories

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

2.17 Leasing

Leases in which a significant portion of the risks and rewards of ownership are not transferred to the

Group as lessee are classified as operating leases. These are the only types of lease utilised by the entity. Operating lease payments for assets leased from third parties are charged to profit or loss on a straight line basis over the period of the lease, on an accrued basis.

2.18 Share-based employee remuneration

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

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

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

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

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

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

3 Significant estimates and judgements

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

The selection of the predecessor value method, rather than the acquisition method, for accounting for the common control combination was a significant judgement for the directors. The predecessor value method was considered to better reflect the nature of the common control combination, which met the requirements for Merger Relief under the Companies Act 2006, and is considered to give users of the annual financial statements better comparability for assessing the performance of the combined businesses.

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

The assessment of fair values for the assets and liabilities recognised in the annual financial statements on the acquisition of a business and additional consideration, and the date that control is obtained, require significant judgement and estimate. Management assess fair values, particularly for property, plant and equipment, with reference to current market prices. See note 26 for business combinations and property purchases made in the year.

4 Segmental analysis

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

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

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

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

5 (Loss)/profit on ordinary activities before taxation

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

6 Interest payable and similar charges

During the period, no interest was capitalised; (2016: £nil).

The accrued dividend on the CPS was paid in January 2018.

7 Tax charge on (loss)/profit on ordinary activities

(a) Analysis of tax charge for the period

The tax charge for the Group is based on the profit for the period and represents:

(b) Factors affecting total tax for the period

The tax assessed for the period differs from the standard rate of corporation tax in the United Kingdom 19.25% (2016: 20.00%). The differences are explained as follows:

8 Exceptional items

Other non-recurring items include IPO costs expensed totalling £1,841,190 for the period ended 31 December 2017.

9 Dividends

Dividends paid during the reporting period

The Board declared its maiden dividend of 1.5p per share 50p Ordinary share for shareholders on the share register as at 31 May 2017, which was approved at the Annual General Meeting and paid on 30 June 2017. The dividend per share was the same for The City Pub Company (West) Limited and in total the dividend was £387,688.

Dividends not recognised at the end of the reporting period

Since the year end, the Directors have proposed the payment of a dividend in respect of the full financial year of 2.25p per fully paid Ordinary share (2016: 1.5p). The aggregate amount of the proposed dividend expected to be paid out of retained earnings at 30 June 2018, but not recognised as a liability at the year end, is £1,270,515 (2016: £387,688).

10 Earnings per share

11 Goodwill

The carrying value of goodwill included within the Group statement of financial position is £2,524,681 (Company: £1,102,295), which is allocated to the cash-generating unit ("CGU") of groupings of public houses as follows:

The CGU's recoverable amount has been determined as the higher of its fair value less costs to sell and value in use based on an internal discounted cash flow evaluation.

The fair value less costs to sell is calculated based on the market value of the associated property and the discounted operating cash flows based on management's forecasts.

For the 53 week period ended 31 December 2017, the cash-generating unit recoverable amount was determined based on value-in-use calculations, using cash flow projections based on one year budgets, extrapolated into perpetuity for freehold properties and for the length of the lease for leasehold properties (with key assumptions for both CGU's being the long-term growth rate of 2% and pre-tax discount rate of 10%). Cash flows for the businesses are based on management forecasts, which are approved by the Board and reflect management's expectations of sales growth, operating costs and margin based on past experience and anticipated changes in the local market places.

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

The calculations show that a reasonably possible change, as assessed by the directors, would not cause the carrying amount of the CGU to exceed its recoverable amount. 

12 Property, plant and equipment

During the period ended 31 December 2017 the group has made a provision for impairment against a Pub Site in Bristol, due to poor performance and it has been reduced to its fair value less costs to sell. The fair value less costs to sell represents a Level 3 fair value measurement, with the asset being held at its recoverable amount of £200,000.

13 Investments in subsidiaries

During the year the Company entered into a Scheme of Arrangement to acquire 100% of the Ordinary Shares, 100% of the Ordinary B Shares and 100% of the Convertible Preference Shares of The City Pub Company (West) Limited in exchange for the issue of the same number and type of new shares by the Company, see note 22 for further information.

The Company had the following subsidiary undertakings as at 31 December 2017:

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

* These companies are held indirectly through the Company's 100% subsidiary The City Pub Company (West) Limited.

14 Inventories

15 Trade and other receivables

16 Current trade and other payables

17 Non-current other payables

Deferred consideration has arisen in relation to the acquisition of the Old Fire House, see note 26, with the £155,000 due within one year included within other payables.

18 Borrowings and financial liabilities