THEBOOKINGROOM_GROUP_LIMI - Accounts

The Directors present their strategic report for the year ended 31 December 2020.

The Group continues to trade in EMEA, US and Asia and across each of its core service lines. The Group recorded a loss for the year before taxation of £4.7m (2019 profit £0.3m)

Key risks and uncertainties facing the business are:

Covid-19 – The principal risk for the Group remains the uncertainty around Covid-19, specifically as it relates to

international travel.

Credit risk – the Group aims to mitigate credit risk by continuing to develop a strong supply chain supported by adequate banking facilities to enable payments to be made as they fall due.

Liquidity risk – the Group aims to mitigate liquidity risk by managing cash generation from its operations and

applying cash collection targets. Investment and ongoing expansion are carefully controlled and the Directors are satisfied that the Group has adequate resources to enable it to meet its liabilities as they fall due for the

foreseeable future.

Foreign exchange risk – the Group aims to mitigate foreign exchange risk through natural hedging where

possible. Where this is not possible and a longer lead time is necessary for buying services for large events the

appropriateness of foreign exchange hedging will be considered for each event.

Sales price risk – The Group aims to mitigate sales price risk by adequate forecasting, a robust pricing strategy

and diversification geographically across service lines.

Brexit – whilst there was previously uncertainty regarding the potential impact of Brexit, the signing in December 2020 of an EU-UK trade deal provided greater clarity. The Directors believe that the Group will be able to continue to mitigate risk by further investing in its operations out with the UK.

The Directors monitor the business globally and regionally through a review of turnover and gross margin across service lines. At a Group level, the Directors also closely monitor cash and cashflow forecasts.

In the year to December 2020, the global travel industry was significantly impacted by Covid-19; with the Group seeing its turnover decrease from £38.2m to £6.3m.

As a result of the downturn and uncertainty in trading during the year, the focus of the Directors has been to ensure that the Group has access to cash to support the business until trading levels resume to more normal levels.

On 11 March 2020, the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared the Covid-19 virus as a pandemic following which a series of measures were implemented by the UK and other governments.

Covid-19 has forced the business to adapt to a new reality. The previous strategy of investment for growth has been revised, with a new focus on servicing the most profitable channels and territories from a lower and more variable cost base.

As a result, the Group embarked on a series of initiatives including increased automation, offshoring operational and financial administration and a reduction in fixed costs.

To fund these initiatives plus losses arising from the reduction in turnover, the Group utilised various business support measures in both the UK and the US and secured CBILS loan funding in the UK.

As 2021 has unfolded, the Group has seen steady increases in demand across all regions with a particular increase and success in winning tenders for major events. This increase in demand operated from a lower and more variable cost base gives the Directors optimism that the Group will deliver profitable trading for the full year.

The Directors do not consider any adjustments to the reported financial information to be required in relation to this and the going concern basis of preparation is considered appropriate for the preparation of the financial statements as per note 1.4.

On behalf of the board

The Directors present their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2020.

The principal activity of the Company was to support the provision of worldwide ground transportation services.

The principal activity of the Group was the provision of worldwide ground transportation services.

The results for the year are set out on page 8.

No ordinary dividends were paid. The Directors do not recommend payment of a further dividend.

The Directors who held office during the year and up to the date of signature of the financial statements were as follows:

Consilium Audit Limited were appointed as auditor to the Group and in accordance with section 485 of the Companies Act 2006, a resolution proposing that they be re-appointed will be put at a General Meeting.

The Directors are responsible for preparing the Annual Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and regulations.

Company law requires the Directors to prepare financial statements for each financial year. Under that law the Directors have elected to prepare the financial statements in accordance with 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 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 applicable UK Accounting Standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the ;

•     prepare the on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the Group and Company will continue in business.

The Directors are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the Group’s and Company’s transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the Group and 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 Group and Company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

So far as each person who was a Director at the date of approving this report is aware, there is no relevant audit information of which the auditor of the Company is unaware. Additionally, the Directors individually have taken all the necessary steps that they ought to have taken as Directors in order to make themselves aware of all relevant audit information and to establish that the auditor of the Company is aware of that information.

We have audited the financial statements of Thebookingroom Group Limited (the 'Company') and its subsidiaries (the 'Group') for the year ended 31 December 2020 which comprise the Group statement of comprehensive income, the Group balance sheet, the Company balance sheet, the Group statement of changes in equity, the Company statement of changes in equity, the Group statement of cash flows and notes to the financial statements, including significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including FRS 102 The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

In our opinion the financial statements:

•     give a true and fair view of the state of the Group's and the Company's affairs as at 31 December 2020 and of the Group's loss for the year then ended;

•     have been properly prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice; and

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

Basis for opinion

We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditor's responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report. We are independent of the 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, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.

Conclusions relating to going concern

In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that the Directors' use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate.

Based on the work we have performed, we have not identified any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the Group's and 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.

Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the Directors with respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections of this report.

Other information

The other information comprises the information included in the annual report other than the financial statements and our auditor's report thereon. The Directors are responsible for the other information contained within the annual report. 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.

Opinions on other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2006

In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of our 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 the Company and its environment obtained in the course of the audit, we have not identified material misstatements in the strategic report and the Directors' report.

We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters where the Companies Act 2006 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion:

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

• the Company financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records and returns; or

• certain disclosures of Directors' remuneration specified by law are not made; or

• we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit.

As explained more fully in the Directors' responsibilities statement, the Directors are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view, and for such internal control as the Directors determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error. In preparing the financial statements, the Directors are responsible for assessing the 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 Company or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.

Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor's report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements.

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

Our approach to identifying and assessing the risks of material misstatement in respect of irregularities, including

fraud and non-compliance with laws and regulations, was as follows:

• We ensured that the engagement team collectively had the appropriate competence, capabilities and skills to identify or recognise non-compliance with applicable laws and regulations.

• We identified the laws and regulations applicable to the Company and Group through discussions with Directors and management and from our knowledge of the regulatory environment relevant to the Company and Group.

• We assessed the extent of compliance with laws and regulations through making enquiries of management and inspecting legal correspondence.

• We assessed the susceptibility of the Group's financial statements to material misstatement, including obtaining an understanding of how fraud might occur, by making enquiries of management as to where they considered there was susceptibility to fraud and their knowledge of actual, suspected and alleged fraud.

• To address the risk of fraud through management bias and override of controls, we tested journal entries to identify unusual transactions, we assessed whether judgements and assumptions made in determining the accounting estimates were indicative of potential bias and we investigated the rationale behind significant or unusual transactions.

There are inherent limitations in our audit procedures described above. The more removed that laws and regulations are from financial transactions, the less likely it is that we would become aware of non-compliance. Auditing standards also limit the audit procedures required to identify non-compliance with laws and regulations to enquiry of the Directors and other management and the inspection of regulatory and legal correspondence.

Material misstatements that arise due to fraud can be harder to detect than those that arise from error as they

may involve deliberate concealment or collusion.

A further description of our responsibilities is available on the Financial Reporting Council’s website at: https://www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our auditor's report.

Use of our report

This report is made solely to the Company’s members, as a body, in accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the Company’s members those matters we are required to state to them in an auditor's report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the Company and the Company’s members as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.

As permitted by s408 Companies Act 2006, the Company has not presented its own profit and loss account and related notes. The Company’s loss for the year was £404,506 (2019 - £178,565 profit).

Thebookingroom Group Limited (“the Company”) is a private limited company domiciled and incorporated in Scotland. The registered office is 15 Birkmyre Road, Glasgow, Scotland, G51 3JH.

The Group consists of Thebookingroom Group Limited and all of its subsidiaries.

These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with FRS 102 “The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland” (“FRS 102”) and the requirements of the Companies Act 2006.

The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the Company. Monetary amounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest £.

The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention. The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below.

The Company is a qualifying entity for the purposes of FRS 102, being a member of a Group where the parent of that Group prepares publicly available consolidated financial statements, including this Company, which are intended to give a true and fair view of the assets, liabilities, financial position and profit or loss of the Group. The Company has therefore taken advantage of exemptions from the following disclosure requirements for parent Company information presented within the consolidated financial statements:

• Section 7 ‘Statement of Cash Flows’: Presentation of a statement of cash flow and related notes and disclosures;

• Section 11 ‘Basic Financial Instruments’ and Section 12 ‘Other Financial Instrument Issues: Interest income/expense and net gains/losses for financial instruments not measured at fair value; basis of determining fair values; details of collateral, loan defaults or breaches, details of hedges, hedging fair value changes recognised in profit or loss and in other comprehensive income;

• Section 26 ‘Share based Payment’: Share-based payment expense charged to profit or loss, reconciliation of opening and closing number and weighted average exercise price of share options, how the fair value of options granted was measured, measurement and carrying amount of liabilities for cash-settled share-based payments, explanation of modifications to arrangements;

• Section 33 ‘Related Party Disclosures’: Compensation for key management personnel.

In the parent Company financial statements, the cost of a business combination is the fair value at the acquisition date of the assets given, equity instruments issued and liabilities incurred or assumed, plus costs directly attributable to the business combination. The excess of the cost of a business combination over the fair value of the identifiable assets, liabilities and contingent liabilities acquired is recognised as goodwill. The cost of the combination includes the estimated amount of contingent consideration that is probable and can be measured reliably, and is adjusted for changes in contingent consideration after the acquisition date. Provisional fair values recognised for business combinations in previous periods are adjusted retrospectively for final fair values determined in the 12 months following the acquisition date. Investments in subsidiaries, joint ventures and associates are accounted for at cost less impairment.

Deferred tax is recognised on differences between the value of assets (other than goodwill) and liabilities recognised in a business combination accounted for using the purchase method and the amounts that can be deducted or assessed for tax, considering the manner in which the carrying amount of the asset or liability is expected to be recovered or settled. The deferred tax recognised is adjusted against goodwill or negative goodwill.

The consolidated Group financial statements consist of the financial statements of the parent Company Thebookingroom Group Limited together with all entities controlled by the parent Company (its subsidiaries) and the Group’s share of its interests in joint ventures and associates.

All financial statements are made up to 31 December 2020. Where necessary, adjustments are made to the financial statements of subsidiaries to bring the accounting policies used into line with those used by other members of the Group.

All intra-group transactions, balances and unrealised gains on transactions between Group companies are eliminated on consolidation. Unrealised losses are also eliminated unless the transaction provides evidence of an impairment of the asset transferred.

Subsidiaries are consolidated in the Group’s financial statements from the date that control commences until the date that control ceases.

Given the Group trading losses during the period of £4,677,025 and reduction in net assets to £539,047 the Directors have considered the appropriateness of the going concern basis of preparation of the financial statements.

Whilst there remains some uncertainty surrounding the timing of a return to pre-Covid levels of trading because of the pandemic, the development and roll-out of vaccines supported by the easing of travel restrictions gives the Directors confidence surrounding the longer-term prospects of the business.

Steady increases in demand across all regions including success in winning tenders for major events all delivered from a lower variable cost should ensure that the Group will deliver profitable trading results for 2021.

The Group is funded by working capital and term loan facilities provided by its banking partner. The Directors continue to manage cashflows carefully to ensure there is sufficient working capital to fund the business through any further potential volatility in demand.

The Directors have prepared financial projections covering a period of 12 months from the date of signing these financial statements. These show that based on reasonable assumptions with regards to revenue, costs and cash flows that the Group can continue to operate as a going concern, meeting liabilities as they fall due. On this basis the Directors believe it is appropriate for these financial statements to be prepared on a going concern basis.

Turnover is recognised as the fair value of the consideration received or receivable for goods and services provided in the normal course of business, and is shown net of VAT and other sales related taxes. The fair value of consideration takes into account trade discounts, settlement discounts and volume rebates.

Revenue from contracts for the provision of professional services is recognised by reference to the stage of completion when the stage of completion, costs incurred and costs to complete can be estimated reliably. The stage of completion is calculated by comparing costs incurred, mainly in relation to contractual hourly staff rates and materials, as a proportion of total costs. Where the outcome cannot be estimated reliably, revenue is recognised only to the extent of the expenses recognised that it is probable will be recovered.

Goodwill represents the excess of the cost of acquisition of a business over the fair value of net assets acquired. It is initially recognised as an asset at cost and is subsequently measured at cost less accumulated amortisation and accumulated impairment losses. Goodwill is considered to have a finite useful life and is amortised on a systematic basis over its expected life, which is 20 years.

For the purposes of impairment testing, goodwill is allocated to the cash-generating units expected to benefit from the acquisition. Cash-generating units to which goodwill has been allocated are tested for impairment at least annually, or more frequently when there is an indication that the unit may be impaired. If the recoverable amount of the cash-generating unit is less than the carrying amount of the unit, the impairment loss is allocated first to reduce the carrying amount of any goodwill allocated to the unit and then to the other assets of the unit pro-rata based on the carrying amount of each asset in the unit.

Intangible assets acquired separately from a business are recognised at cost and are subsequently measured at cost less accumulated amortisation and accumulated impairment losses.

Intangible assets acquired on business combinations are recognised separately from goodwill at the acquisition date where it is probable that the expected future economic benefits that are attributable to the asset will flow to the entity and the fair value of the asset can be measured reliably; the intangible asset arises from contractual or other legal rights; and the intangible asset is separable from the entity.

Amortisation is recognised to write off the cost or valuation of assets less their residual values over their useful lives on the following bases:

Tangible fixed assets are initially measured at cost and subsequently measured at cost or valuation, net of depreciation and any impairment losses.

Depreciation is recognised to write off the cost or valuation of assets less their residual values over their useful lives on the following bases:

The gain or loss arising on the disposal of an asset is determined as the difference between the sale proceeds and the carrying value of the asset, and is recognised in the profit and loss account.

In the parent Company financial statements, investments in subsidiaries, associates and jointly controlled entities are initially measured at cost and subsequently measured at cost less any accumulated impairment losses.

Other investments are shown at cost less any accumulated impairment losses.

At each reporting period end date, the Group reviews the carrying amounts of its tangible and intangible assets to determine whether there is any indication that those assets have suffered an impairment loss. If any such indication exists, the recoverable amount of the asset is estimated to determine the extent of the impairment loss (if any). Where it is not possible to estimate the recoverable amount of an individual asset, the Company estimates the recoverable amount of the cash-generating unit to which the asset belongs.

The carrying amount of the investments accounted for using the equity method is tested for impairment as a single asset. Any goodwill included in the carrying amount of the investment is not tested separately for impairment.

Recoverable amount is the higher of fair value less costs to sell and value in use. In assessing value in use, the estimated future cash flows are discounted to their present value using a pre-tax discount rate that reflects current market assessments of the time value of money and the risks specific to the asset for which the estimates of future cash flows have not been adjusted.

If the recoverable amount of an asset (or cash-generating unit) is estimated to be less than its carrying amount, the carrying amount of the asset (or cash-generating unit) is reduced to its recoverable amount. An impairment loss is recognised immediately in profit or loss, unless the relevant asset is carried at a revalued amount, in which case the impairment loss is treated as a revaluation decrease.

Recognised impairment losses are reversed if, and only if, the reasons for the impairment loss have ceased to apply. Where an impairment loss subsequently reverses, the carrying amount of the asset (or cash-generating unit) is increased to the revised estimate of its recoverable amount, but so that the increased carrying amount does not exceed the carrying amount that would have been determined had no impairment loss been recognised for the asset (or cash-generating unit) in prior years. A reversal of an impairment loss is recognised immediately in profit or loss, unless the relevant asset is carried at a revalued amount, in which case the reversal of the impairment loss is treated as a revaluation increase.

Cash and cash equivalents are basic financial assets and include cash in hand, deposits held at call with banks, other short-term liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less, and bank overdrafts. Bank overdrafts are shown within borrowings in current liabilities.

The Group has elected to apply the provisions of Section 11 ‘Basic Financial Instruments’ and Section 12 ‘Other Financial Instruments Issues’ of FRS 102 to all its financial instruments.

Financial instruments are recognised in the Group's balance sheet when the Group becomes party to the contractual provisions of the instrument.

Financial assets and liabilities are offset and the net amounts presented in the financial statements when there is a legally enforceable right to set off the recognised amounts and there is an intention to settle on a net basis or to realise the asset and settle the liability simultaneously.

Basic financial assets, which include debtors and cash and bank balances, are initially measured at transaction price including transaction costs and are subsequently carried at amortised cost using the effective interest method unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the transaction is measured at the present value of the future receipts discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial assets classified as receivable within one year are not amortised.

Other financial assets, including investments in equity instruments which are not subsidiaries, associates or joint ventures, are initially measured at fair value, which is normally the transaction price. Such assets are subsequently carried at fair value and the changes in fair value are recognised in profit or loss, except that investments in equity instruments that are not publicly traded and whose fair values cannot be measured reliably are measured at cost less impairment.

Financial assets, other than those held at fair value through profit and loss, are assessed for indicators of impairment at each reporting end date.

Financial assets are impaired where there is objective evidence that, as a result of one or more events that occurred after the initial recognition of the financial asset, the estimated future cash flows have been affected. If an asset is impaired, the impairment loss is the difference between the carrying amount and the present value of the estimated cash flows discounted at the asset’s original effective interest rate. The impairment loss is recognised in profit or loss.

If there is a decrease in the impairment loss arising from an event occurring after the impairment was recognised, the impairment is reversed. The reversal is such that the current carrying amount does not exceed what the carrying amount would have been, had the impairment not previously been recognised. The impairment reversal is recognised in profit or loss.

Financial assets are derecognised only when the contractual rights to the cash flows from the asset expire or are settled, or when the Group transfers the financial asset and substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership to another entity, or if some significant risks and rewards of ownership are retained but control of the asset has transferred to another party that is able to sell the asset in its entirety to an unrelated third party.

Financial liabilities and equity instruments are classified according to the substance of the contractual arrangements entered into. An equity instrument is any contract that evidences a residual interest in the assets of the Group after deducting all its liabilities.

Basic financial liabilities, including creditors, bank loans, loans from fellow Group companies and preference shares that are classified as debt, are initially recognised at transaction price unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the debt instrument is measured at the present value of the future payments discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial liabilities classified as payable within one year are not amortised.

Debt instruments are subsequently carried at amortised cost, using the effective interest rate method.

Trade creditors are obligations to pay for goods or services that have been acquired in the ordinary course of business from suppliers. Amounts payable are classified as current liabilities if payment is due within one year or less. If not, they are presented as non-current liabilities. Trade creditors are recognised initially at transaction price and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.

Derivatives, including interest rate swaps and forward foreign exchange contracts, are not basic financial instruments. Derivatives are initially recognised at fair value on the date a derivative contract is entered into and are subsequently re-measured at their fair value. Changes in the fair value of derivatives are recognised in profit or loss in finance costs or finance income as appropriate, unless hedge accounting is applied and the hedge is a cash flow hedge.

Debt instruments that do not meet the conditions in FRS 102 paragraph 11.9 are subsequently measured at fair value through profit or loss. Debt instruments may be designated as being measured at fair value through profit or loss to eliminate or reduce an accounting mismatch or if the instruments are measured and their performance evaluated on a fair value basis in accordance with a documented risk management or investment strategy.

Financial liabilities are derecognised when the Group's contractual obligations expire or are discharged or cancelled.

Equity instruments issued by the Group are recorded at the proceeds received, net of transaction costs. Dividends payable on equity instruments are recognised as liabilities once they are no longer at the discretion of the Group.

The tax expense represents the sum of the tax currently payable and deferred tax.

The tax currently payable is based on taxable profit for the year. Taxable profit differs from net profit as reported in the profit and loss account because it excludes items of income or expense that are taxable or deductible in other years and it further excludes items that are never taxable or deductible. The Group’s liability for current tax is calculated using tax rates that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the reporting end date.

Deferred tax liabilities are generally recognised for all timing differences and deferred tax assets are recognised to the extent that it is probable that they will be recovered against the reversal of deferred tax liabilities or other future taxable profits. Such assets and liabilities are not recognised if the timing difference arises from goodwill or from the initial recognition of other assets and liabilities in a transaction that affects neither the tax profit nor the accounting profit.

The carrying amount of deferred tax assets is reviewed at each reporting end date and reduced to the extent that it is no longer probable that sufficient taxable profits will be available to allow all or part of the asset to be recovered. Deferred tax is calculated at the tax rates that are expected to apply in the period when the liability is settled or the asset is realised. Deferred tax is charged or credited in the profit and loss account, except when it relates to items charged or credited directly to equity, in which case the deferred tax is also dealt with in equity. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are offset if, and only if, there is a legally enforceable right to offset current tax assets and liabilities and the deferred tax assets and liabilities relate to taxes levied by the same tax authority.

The costs of short-term employee benefits are recognised as a liability and an expense, unless those costs are required to be recognised as part of the cost of stock or fixed assets.

The cost of any unused holiday entitlement is recognised in the period in which the employee’s services are received.

Termination benefits are recognised immediately as an expense when the Group is demonstrably committed to terminate the employment of an employee or to provide termination benefits.

Payments to defined contribution retirement benefit schemes are charged as an expense as they fall due.

Equity-settled share-based payments are measured at fair value at the date of grant by reference to the fair value of the equity instruments granted. The fair value determined at the grant date is expensed on a straight-line basis over the vesting period, based on the estimate of shares that will eventually vest. A corresponding adjustment is made to equity. Any adjustment required in respect of the current and prior years is wholly immaterial.

Leases are classified as finance leases whenever the terms of the lease transfer substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership to the lessees. All other leases are classified as operating leases.

Assets held under finance leases are recognised as assets at the lower of the assets' fair value at the date of inception and the present value of the minimum lease payments. The related liability is included in the balance sheet as a finance lease obligation. Lease payments are treated as consisting of capital and interest elements. The interest is charged to profit or loss so as to produce a constant periodic rate of interest on the remaining balance of the liability.

Rentals payable under operating leases, including any lease incentives received, are charged to profit or loss on a straight line basis over the term of the relevant lease except where another more systematic basis is more representative of the time pattern in which economic benefits from the leased asset are consumed.

Rental income from operating leases is recognised on a straight line basis over the term of the relevant lease. Initial direct costs incurred in negotiating and arranging an operating lease are added to the carrying amount of the leased asset and recognised on a straight line basis over the lease term.

Government grants are recognised at the fair value of the asset received or receivable when there is reasonable assurance that the grant conditions will be met and the grants will be received.

A grant that specifies performance conditions is recognised in income when the performance conditions are met. Where a grant does not specify performance conditions it is recognised in income when the proceeds are received or receivable. A grant received before the recognition criteria are satisfied is recognised as a liability.

Transactions in currencies other than pounds sterling are recorded at the rates of exchange prevailing at the dates of the transactions. At each reporting end date, monetary assets and liabilities that are denominated in foreign currencies are retranslated at the rates prevailing on the reporting end date. Gains and losses arising on translation in the period are included in profit or loss.

On consolidation, the results of overseas entities are translated into Sterling at rates approximate to those ruling when the transaction took place. All assets and liabilities of overseas entities are translated at the rate ruling at the reporting date. Exchange differences arising on consolidation are recognised in other comprehensive income.

In the application of the Group’s accounting policies, the Directors are required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions about the carrying amount of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors that are considered to be relevant. Actual results may differ from these estimates.

The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised where the revision affects only that period, or in the period of the revision and future periods where the revision affects both current and future periods.

The following judgements (apart from those involving estimates) have had the most significant effect on amounts recognised in the financial statements.

Provisions are recognised where the Group has an obligation, because of a past event, that can be measured reliably. The recording of provisions is an area which requires the exercise of management judgement relating to the nature, timing and probability of the liability.

Management estimation is required to determine the amount of deferred tax assets that can be recognised, based upon likely timing and level of future taxable profits.

The estimates and assumptions made to determine useful economic lives for intangible and tangible fixed assets require judgements to be made. The useful lives and residual values of the Group's fixed assets are determined by management at the time the asset is acquired and reviewed annually for appropriateness. The lives are based on historical experience with similar assets. Historically, changes in useful lives have not resulted in material changes to the Group's depreciation charge.

Investments in subsidiaries are carried at cost less impairment. Investments and associated goodwill are reviewed annually for indications of impairment. The methods used by management for this impairment review, such as discounted cash flow forecasts, include assumptions regarding future trading activity.

Grants received of £758,520 relates to monies received as part of the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme.

The average monthly number of persons (including Directors) employed by the Group during the year was:

Their aggregate remuneration comprised:

The actual (credit)/charge for the year can be reconciled to the expected (credit)/charge for the year based on the profit or loss and the standard rate of tax as follows:

The net carrying value of tangible fixed assets includes the following in respect of assets held under finance leases or hire purchase contracts.

The depreciation charge for the year in respect of assets held under finance leases or hire purchase contracts was £401,264 (2019: £450,920).

The addition to Investments in Subsidiaries relates to the establishment of a new subsidiary, TBR Global Japan KK.

Details of the Company's subsidiaries at 31 December 2020 are as follows:

Registered office addresses:

The bank overdrafts are secured by floating charges over the whole assets of Thebookingroom Group Limited, Thebookingroom.com Limited, Charlton Chauffeur Drive Limited, TBR Europe Limited, TBR Global Limited, TBR Logistics Limited and Charlton Scotland Limited.

A bank loan of £320,000 is repayable by 60 monthly instalments. The interest rate payable is 2.25% above base rate.

A bank loan of £430,000 is repayable by 120 monthly instalments. The interest rate payable is 2.25% above base rate.

During the year, the Group received CBILS loan funding of £1,900,000. This is repayable in 60 monthly instalments. The interest rate payable is 3.99% above base rate with 12 months interest free.

The loans are secured by a standard security over the Group's property, a floating charge over all assets of the Group, floating charges over assets of the other companies in the same Group and a personal guarantee from the Director.

Hire purchase contracts are secured over the assets to which they relate, supported by a personal guarantee from a Director.

The following are the major deferred tax liabilities and assets recognised by the Group and Company, and movements thereon:

A defined contribution pension scheme is operated for all qualifying employees. The assets of the scheme are held separately from those of the Group in an independently administered fund.

Each class of share ranks pari passu in all respects.

Share premium account

This incorporates the excess over nominal value received on the issue of share capital.

Other reserves

This reserve includes foreign exchange retranslation gains and losses on consolidation and movements in share-based payments.

Retained earnings

This incorporates all current and prior period profits and losses less distributions made to shareholders.

At the reporting end date the Group had outstanding commitments for future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases, which fall due as follows:

The Company has taken advantage of the exemption in section 33.1A of FRS 102 not to disclose transactions with other wholly owned members of the Group.

During the year the Company made sales of £509,723 (2019: £1,391,415) to TBR USA Inc, a subsidiary in which it has a 80% shareholding.

At the year end the balance due from Directors to the Group was £199,155 (2019: £62,155).

At the year end the balance due to entities controlled by a Director was £175,701 (2019: £175,701)

The shareholders of Thebookingroom Group Limited are M O'Hare and L O'Hare and as a result they were in ultimate control of the Group during the year.