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MAB Mitchells & Butlers Plc

230.00
0.50 (0.22%)
19 Apr 2024 - Closed
Delayed by 15 minutes
Share Name Share Symbol Market Type Share ISIN Share Description
Mitchells & Butlers Plc LSE:MAB London Ordinary Share GB00B1FP6H53 ORD 8 13/24P
  Price Change % Change Share Price Bid Price Offer Price High Price Low Price Open Price Shares Traded Last Trade
  0.50 0.22% 230.00 230.50 232.00 232.00 228.50 228.50 118,466 16:35:16
Industry Sector Turnover Profit EPS - Basic PE Ratio Market Cap
Drinking Places (alcoholic) 2.5B -4M -0.0067 -345.52 1.37B

Mitchells & Butlers PLC FULL YEAR RESULTS (2939X)

23/11/2017 7:01am

UK Regulatory


Mitchells & Butlers (LSE:MAB)
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TIDMMAB

RNS Number : 2939X

Mitchells & Butlers PLC

23 November 2017

MITCHELLS & BUTLERS PLC

LEI no. 213800JHYNDNB1NS2W10

23 November 2017

FULL YEAR RESULTS

(For the 53 weeks ended 30 September 2017)

 
 -   Like-for-like sales growth maintained 
 -   Consistent sales outperformance 
      of market 
 -   Performance reflects successful 
      implementation of strategy 
 

Financial performance

 
 -   Full year like-for-like sales (a) up 1.8% 
      and up 2.3%(a) in recent 7 weeks 
 -   Adjusted operating profit of GBP314m(b) , 
      down 3.1% on a 52 week basis 
 -   Adjusted earnings per share of 34.9p(b) , 
      down 1.4% on a 52 week basis 
 

Strategic progress

 
 -   Completed 252 return generating projects with 
      focus on premiumisation or amenity enhancement 
 -   Disposal of 79 sites not offering long term 
      growth potential 
 -   Improved guest care and responsiveness; net 
      promoter score increased by 7.8ppts 
 -   Time and attendance system now live; stock 
      control system upgraded 
 -   Improved employee engagement; pub staff turnover 
      reduced by 4.1% 
 

Reported results

 
 -    Total revenue of GBP2,180m (FY 2016 GBP2,086m) 
  -    Operating profit of GBP208m (FY 2016 GBP231m) 
  -    Profit before tax of GBP77m (FY 2016 GBP94m) 
 -    Basic earnings per share 15.1p (FY 2016 21.6p) 
 

Balance sheet and cash flow

 
 -   Capital expenditure of GBP169m (FY 2016 GBP167m), 
      including 13 openings of new sites and 252 
      conversions and remodels (FY 2016 8 new sites 
      and 252 conversions and remodels) 
 -   Cash flow of GBP103m(c) (FY 2016: GBP60m) 
 -   Net debt of GBP1.75bn (FY 2016 GBP1.84bn) representing 
      4.2 times adjusted EBITDA(d) (FY 2016 4.3 times) 
 -   Final dividend of 5.0p recommended. No interim 
      dividend in the current financial year pending 
      assessment at year end of capital allocation 
      and prospects. 
 

Phil Urban, Chief Executive, commented:

"This year, we have continued to make progress on our three priority areas: building a more balanced business; instilling a more commercial culture; and driving an innovation agenda. This has resulted in a period of strong operational achievement for Mitchells & Butlers with a sustained return to like-for-like sales growth driving market outperformance. We have also gained agreement with the pensions trustees on future pension contributions which gives clarity to shareholders and pensioners alike.

Cost headwinds across the industry have adversely affected margins but we continue to work hard to mitigate as much of these as possible through our focus on efficiency and profitable sales growth.

Overall, we believe that the progress we have made this year positions the Company well to deliver long-term shareholder value."

Definitions

a - Like-for-like sales growth reflects the sales performance against the comparable period in the prior year of UK managed pubs, bars and restaurants that were trading in the two periods being compared, unless marketed for disposal. Like-for-like sales are measured against relevant accounting weeks in the prior year with full year like-for-like sales growth measured on a 53 week basis. There is a reconciliation of this measure after the notes to this announcement.

b - Adjusted earnings are quoted before separately disclosed items as set out in the Group Income Statement and detailed in note 3 of the accounts. There is a reconciliation of this measure after the notes to this announcement.

c - Cash flow excludes GBP12m cash dividend payment (FY 2016 GBP31m); GBP77m mandatory bond amortisation (FY 2016 GBP67m) and net GBP(25)m movement on unsecured revolving facilities (FY 2016 GBP31m). There is a reconciliation of this measure after the notes to this announcement.

d - EBITDA before separately disclosed items on 52 week basis is used to calculate net debt to EBITDA. There is a reconciliation of this measure after the notes to this announcement.

There will be a presentation today for analysts and investors at 8.45am at the London Stock Exchange, 10 Paternoster Square, London, EC4M 7LS. A live webcast of the presentation will be available at www.mbplc.com. The conference will also be accessible by phone: 0203 059 8125 and quote "Mitchells & Butlers". The replay will be available until 30 November 2017 on 0121 260 4861 replay access pin 7354079#.

All disclosed documents relating to these results are available on the Group's website at www.mbplc.com

For further information, please contact:

 
                                       +44(0)121 498 
 Tim Jones - Finance Director           6112 
 Amy De Marsac - Investor Relations    +44(0) 7712 538660 
                                       +44(0)20 7251 
 James Murgatroyd (Finsbury)            3801 
 

Notes to editors:

 
 -   Mitchells & Butlers is a leading operator 
      of managed restaurants and pubs. Its strong 
      portfolio of brands and formats includes Harvester, 
      Toby Carvery, All Bar One, Miller & Carter, 
      Premium Country Pubs, Sizzling Pubs, Crown 
      Carveries, Stonehouse, Vintage Inns, Browns, 
      Castle, Nicholson's, O'Neill's and Ember Inns. 
      In addition, it operates Innkeeper's Lodge 
      hotels in the UK and Alex restaurants and 
      bars in Germany. Further details are available 
      at www.mbplc.com and supporting photography 
      can be downloaded at www.mbplc.com/imagelibrary 
      . 
 

BUSINESS REVIEW

Over the last year we have made further progress against our three strategic priorities which were introduced to address a period of like for like sales declines and market under-performance:

 
 -   To build a more balanced business 
 -   To instil a more commercial culture 
 -   To drive an innovation agenda 
 

Our initiatives in these areas have been successful in restoring sales growth and mitigating GBP26m of the inflationary cost headwinds which we faced in the past year. With inflationary costs continuing into the next financial year, our focus on efficiency remains at the forefront. To this end, we are embarking on the second phase of initiatives and will provide a further update on these in May.

We achieved like-for-like sales growth of 1.8% in the financial year having continued to build steadily on the sales improvement which began in the second half of FY 2016. The improvement is partly driven by capital however the uninvested estate improved like-for-like sales trajectory by 0.6ppts over the course of the year. This momentum has seen us consistently outperforming the market. Although the final quarter was impacted by disappointing weather, trading since the year end has resulted in strengthened like-for-like sales growth of 2.3% and we will look to carry this momentum forward.

As a result of the inflationary cost pressures, adjusted operating profit was down 3.1%, on a 52 week basis, despite the positive sales trajectory.

THE EXTERNAL ENVIRONMENT

Trends within the broader eating out market are mixed, with the restaurant sector overall seeing sales decline but with branded restaurants experiencing growth of 4.5% in 2017. Recent data suggests that consumer behaviour is changing, with people eating out less frequently but spending more when they do make the decision to go out. In addition, although restaurant supply growth has steadied over the last year the market remains highly competitive and, as a result, levels of discounting appear to be increasing in some segments of the market. This context helps inform our strategic priorities to keep our brands front of mind for the guest through innovation and continuous development, as well as premiumising, in order to take advantage of changing customer behaviour.

There are unprecedented cost headwinds facing the sector, putting the focus on efficiency and maximising profitable sales growth. In addition, there is also political uncertainty domestically and surrounding the impact of the UK leaving the European Union. There are three main areas on which Brexit may impact our business: changes in consumer confidence; changes in employment and immigration laws; and the impact on input costs. Without clarity on the terms of exit, the impact of the first two remains relatively unknown and we continue to closely follow developments in these areas. Input costs will continue to be impacted by changes in the value of sterling. While the fall in the value of the currency since the EU referendum has been profit dilutive we do have a strong track record of partially mitigating input costs inflation through procurement initiatives.

We believe that success in our evolving market requires quality brands, offering great experiences at the right price and with high amenity levels, to generate sufficient sales growth to mitigate cost headwinds.

OUR PRIORITIES

Building a more balanced business

Our estate comprises over 1,750 pubs and restaurants, of which more than 80% are freehold or long-leasehold. Our focus in this area is to optimise the balance of brands across the estate in order to create long-term value.

We are committed to improving the quality of the estate by exposing it to more premium market spaces and by improving overall amenity. We conducted a full estate review giving us a plan for each of our sites. One outcome of this review was the disposal of 79 sites, which completed earlier in the year. A second was the identification of a section of the estate which we believe may not be positioned to generate value. These are predominantly short leasehold sites in retail and leisure locations, currently trading below expectations. Having reviewed in detail the future trading potential and brand or offer conversion options for these sites this year, we have concluded that several are unlikely to generate a positive return over the remaining life of their lease. We have reflected this judgement in an increased onerous lease provision this year.

One way in which we have increased the premium aspect of the business is through growth of Miller & Carter, our successful steakhouse format which is generating strong like-for-like sales. Over the past year we have increased the number of sites from 52 to 84, with 26 of the additional sites facilitated through conversions of existing sites, and we anticipate reaching 100 sites at the beginning of the next calendar year. Conversions are delivering average EBITDA returns of more than 40%, and we continue to explore various new types of locations for the brand.

We also continue to work on enhancing the amenity of other formats through our remodel programme. For example, we have continued to progress our evolution of Harvester through remodels offering a fresh and contemporary design, bringing rotisserie chicken to the fore, as well as a retargeted offer which is delivering sales uplifts of 10% following investment.

During the year we have also focused investment on our accommodation offer. We operate over 900 rooms across 52 locations and believe we can generate a strong return by upgrading the rooms to be more closely aligned with the feel of the brand they are attached to, which in most cases means premiumisation of the accommodation. We have completed 15 remodels this financial year with sales uplifts of over 20.0% following investment. We intend to continue our investment in accommodation next financial year and, in addition, will complete the build of a purpose-built lodge.

In total we have completed 252 remodels and conversions in FY 2017 (FY 2016 252), which means we are on track to maintain the reduction in our redevelopment cycle from 11-12 years previously to 6 -7 years now.

Instilling a more commercial culture

Instilling a commercial culture is critical to achieving profitable sales growth and we are pleased with the progress made in this area over the year. The four new operating divisions, each containing similar customer types and brands, introduced last year have improved our guest focus and we have made significant progress across a number of initiatives as evidenced by our like-for-like sales improvement.

The growth of social media has made online reputation more important than ever and we have made significant progress in this area over the course of the year. Using reputation.com, an online feedback consolidation tool, managers are now responding to 83% of the growing number of online comments, up from 59% a year ago. As managers have increased their level of engagement with their guests we have also seen average feedback scores increase over the course of the year with total net promoter score having increased by 7.8ppts to 59.

In these times of unprecedented cost headwinds, it is important that we rigorously identify and secure efficiency and cost saving opportunities across the business. Our progress in this area is well advanced with cost savings of GBP26m delivered in FY 2017 and further initiatives identified for delivery in the current financial year. For example, we have improved two key operational systems during the year.

The first is a time and attendance labour system which requires team members to clock in and out, ensuring that staff are paid accurately for the time worked, whilst also increasing deployment efficiency through enhanced planning tools. In addition, managers are able to access the system from any device and the next stage of roll out will include the capability for team members to swap shifts and for us to share resource across local sites.

The second system which we have updated during the year is our stock control system. This upgraded technology halves the time taken to do stock counts and improves stock control ability, reducing both the instances of an item being out of stock and wastage. The next stage of this development is an auto ordering system which is now in trial.

In addition to this activity, we continue to leverage our scale through our central procurement processes, meaning that we are able to mitigate a large portion of the input cost inflation currently impacting the market. Alongside our procurement efforts, pricing and margin management remain critical activities within the business. We are currently trialling the use of a dynamic pricing model in order to challenge and to fine tune our pricing strategy.

Our focus on maximising bookings continues and we have now set up a central bookings team to take calls which are missed at site, with the conversion rate to a booking of these intercepted calls at 47%.

Food safety and health and safety will always remain a top priority for the business, we are pleased therefore that our safety record improved during the year. At the end of the year 97.5% of our sites were rated good or very good for food hygiene, a higher proportion than any other national pub company.

Driving an innovation agenda

Technology continues to evolve at a rapid pace and we have made good progress against our digital strategy which positions us well to benefit from these changes. Technology now impacts each aspect of the guest journey, from learning about our offers to experiences in site with us and our ability to encourage guests to return. One significant area of progress during the year has been the development of our mobile order at table facility, allowing guests to order food and drinks from their own devices. This technology is currently in trial in O'Neill's with a view to roll out across the brand and to identify opportunities in other brands for development and roll out. The order at table facility will be combined with our existing mobile payment platform within our brand apps, facilitating a digital experience throughout the guest journey.

The demand for food delivery within the industry has remained in growth and we have been positioning ourselves in order to benefit from customers' changing habits which we believe provide an opportunity to capture incremental sales. Over the course of the year we have increased the number of sites offering Deliveroo from 25 to 61. We have also carried out a successful trial with JustEat, allowing us to offer Harvester and Toby Carvery delivery as well as click and collect.

PEOPLE

As ever, people are central to our company's success. We operate in the hospitality industry where the guest experience is critical and cannot be delivered without the dedication of our 46,000 employees. In the face of numerous changes within the business, we are pleased that our engagement scores have improved by 2.0 pts and our retail team turnover has reduced by 4.1ppts. When considered in the context of the average cost of replacing each team member, including the cost of recruitment, management time and training, this represents a significant cost saving.

Our apprentice scheme is vitally important to us. We believe these young people are the lifeblood of the industry and we are delighted to have added a further 1,300 people to our programme during the financial year.

A further advancement in this area is the launch of our new online training platform containing a complete library of training materials and with the ability to plan and track development. This resource allows employees access to materials which will help them to further their career as and when they want to and also allows them to learn remotely using their own device. The platform also encourages employees to connect and share their learning experiences to encourage others.

CURRENT TRADING AND OUTLOOK

In the first 7 weeks of the new financial year like-for-like sales have grown by 2.3%.

We are pleased with the progress made in the last year, having returned the company to sales growth, consistently outperforming the market. However, the market in which we operate presents us with an unprecedented level of challenge and uncertainty. Through this period we shall remain focused on delivering our strategy and give priority to maintaining both the competitiveness of our estate and a strong balance sheet, both of which we believe will leave us well positioned in the long term.

FINANCIAL REVIEW

On a statutory basis, profit before tax for the year was GBP77m (FY 2016 GBP94m), on sales of GBP2,180m (FY 2016 GBP2,086m).

The Group Income Statement additionally discloses adjusted profit and earnings per share information that excludes separately disclosed items to allow a better understanding of the adjusted trading of the Group. Separately disclosed items are those which are separately identified by virtue of their size or incidence.

The financial year being reported on was a 53 week period, therefore in order to facilitate comparison to prior year a restated 52 week summary of performance measures is detailed below. All year-on-year growth rates in the financial review are provided on a 52 week basis.

 
                       FY 2017    FY 2017    FY 2016    Variance 
                       53 weeks   52 weeks   52 weeks   52 weeks 
                         GBPm       GBPm       GBPm 
 Revenue                2,180      2,141      2,086       2.6% 
 Adjusted operating 
  profit                 314        308        318       (3.1%) 
 Adjusted PBT            183        180        181       (0.6%) 
 Adjusted EPS           34.9p      34.4p      34.9p      (1.4%) 
 Adjusted operating 
  profit margin         14.4%      14.4%      15.2%     (0.8ppts) 
 

At the end of the period, the total estate comprised 1,695 managed businesses and 59 leased businesses, in the UK and Germany.

Changes in accounting policies

There have been no changes in accounting policies in the period.

Revenue

The Group's total revenues of GBP2,141m were 2.6% higher than last year, with growth in like-for-like sales supported by new site openings.

Total like-for-like sales(a) grew by 1.8% with food sales up by 1.4% and drink sales by 2.1%. Average spend per item on food was up 5.6%, and average drink spend up 3.9%, reflecting the impact of pricing and the increasing premiumisation of the estate. The uninvested estate saw an improvement in like-for-like sales trajectory of 0.6ppts over the course of the year.

 
 Like-for-like sales    Week 1    Week 34    Week 
  growth:                 - 33      - 53     1 - 53 
                        FY 2017   FY 2017   FY 2017 
                       --------  --------  -------- 
 
 Food                    1.4%      1.3%      1.4% 
 Drink                   2.4%      1.7%      2.1% 
 
 Total                   1.9%      1.6%      1.8% 
 

Separately disclosed items

Separately disclosed items are items that are identified due to their nature or materiality to help the reader form a better view of overall and adjusted trading.

A GBP51m charge was recognised relating to the downward valuation movements on selected sites in the property portfolio resulting from the revaluation (FY 2016 GBP80m).

A GBP17m charge for impairment of short leaseholds and unlicensed properties (FY 2016 GBP8m) was recognised as a result of our annual review of asset carrying values.

A GBP4m impairment charge was recognised in relation to assets held for sale at the half year and disposed of prior to the year end.

During the year we completed a review focusing on the challenges around sites not currently generating an economic return, the majority of which are short leasehold sites in retail and leisure park locations. With lower footfall on many of these parks and an uncertain economic outlook, alongside increased cost pressures such as living wage, business rates, apprenticeship levy, sugar tax and food price inflation we believe that a number of sites will now be challenged to achieve a breakeven performance. We have therefore extended both the number of sites for which a provision is made and the period recognised. In addition, we have reduced the discount rate used to calculate the present value of the provision to an estimation of the risk free rate. The impact of these judgements is a charge of GBP35m in the year.

Operating margins

Inflationary cost pressures have continued to impact the business and have driven a year-on-year operating margin reduction. Cost increases for the year have impacted labour, utilities, property costs, duty, and food and drink costs. Adjusted operating margins(b) for the full year were 0.8ppts lower than last year at 14.4%.

Adjusted operating profit(b) of GBP308m was 3.1% lower than last year as a result of the inflationary costs pressures outlined above partially offset by mitigating cost reductions and the improvement we have made in both the invested and uninvested estates' sales performance in the period.

Internal rent

A regime of internal rent is in place to enable greater internal transparency around the performance of freehold and long leasehold properties. Operating performance is monitored on a regular basis through a system of profit reviews through all levels of the Group. Estate management is primarily undertaken and monitored by the Portfolio Development Committee.

Interest

Net finance costs of GBP131m for the full year (53 week basis) were GBP6m lower than last year, reflecting a lower net pensions finance charge of GBP7m (FY 2016 GBP12m), and a reduction in Group securitised borrowings.

The full year pensions finance charge for next year will be around GBP7m.

Earnings per share

Basic earnings per share, after the separately disclosed items described above, were 15.1p (FY 2016 21.6p). Adjusted earnings per share(b) were 34.4p, 1.4% lower than last year. The weighted average number of shares in the period of 418m has increased due to the issue of shares as scrip dividends. The total number of shares issued at the balance sheet date is 423m.

Cash flow and net debt

The cash flow statement below excludes the net movement on unsecured revolving facilities of GBP(25)m (FY 2016 GBP31m).

 
                                     FY 2017   FY 2016 
                                      GBPm      GBPm 
 EBITDA before adjusted items(b)       429       431 
 Working capital movement / 
  non-cash items                      (10)       (7) 
 Pension deficit contributions        (46)      (49) 
                                    --------  -------- 
 Cash flow from operations before 
  adjusted items                       373       375 
 Capital expenditure                  (169)     (167) 
 Interest                             (121)     (125) 
 Tax                                  (26)      (28) 
 Disposals and other                   46         5 
                                    --------  -------- 
 Cash flow before adjusted items       103       60 
 Mandatory bond amortisation          (77)      (67) 
                                    --------  -------- 
 Net cash flow before dividends        26        (7) 
 Dividend                             (12)      (31) 
 Net free cash flow                    14       (38) 
                                    --------  -------- 
 
 

The business generated GBP429m of EBITDA before separately disclosed items which are predominantly non-cash. Capital expenditure of GBP169m was only marginally higher than the prior year although the accelerated capital programme was partially offset by a reduction in maintenance expenditure. Disposals income of GBP46m is in relation to the 79 sites sold during the year. The annualised EBITDA of these sites was around GBP5m. After capital expenditure, disposals income, interest and tax, GBP103m of cash flow was generated by the business. The cash dividend payment of GBP12m is lower than last year due to take up on the scrip dividend alternative.

Net debt of GBP1,750m at the year end (FY 2016 GBP1,840m), represented 4.2 times adjusted EBITDA(c) on a 52 week basis (FY 2016 4.3 times).

Capital allocation

The group has a number of fixed charges on its cash flow which it needs to cover before discretionary items, as shown in the cashflow statement above. Namely:

 
 -   Pension deficit contributions of GBP46m per annum 
      indexed until 2023 under the current (2016) triennial 
      agreement; and, 
 -   Mandatory bond amortisation within the existing 
      securitisation. Over the next five years from FY18 
      to FY22 this will be GBP82m, GBP87m, GBP95m, GBP104m 
      and GBP110m respectively. 
 

Neither of these items results in a direct charge against earnings in the Income Statement. As such group capital allocation decisions, particularly across capital expenditure (both on the existing estate and new sites), short term borrowings and dividends to shareholders, are assessed on a cash rather than an earnings basis. In making these choices the Board considers investment to maintain the condition and competitiveness of the existing estate to be of primary importance for the long term health of the business.

Cash flow to the parent company is derived from dividends from subsidiaries, including the securitised estate. To the extent that cash flow to the parent company in any given year, having met all other obligations, is insufficient to fund dividend payments then this must be financed by short term facilities. During the year the parent company renewed its committed short term facilities of GBP150m, now expiring in December 2020. These were only marginally drawn on the balance sheet date. The Board views the holding of these facilities as a necessary buffer to accommodate volatility in its cash usage and requirements. It does not see them as a substitute for longer term debt or as a means to fund an ongoing dividend stream. As such when assessing dividends the Board would not expect to see a structural, or permanent, increase in the usage of these facilities.

Capital expenditure

Total maintenance and infrastructure capex of GBP53m was GBP28m lower than the prior year, due to increased remodel and conversion activity supported by initiatives to improve the cost efficiency of maintenance work.

During the year we completed 252 remodels and conversions (FY 2016 252 sites) and opened 13 new sites (FY 2016 8 sites) with investment of return generating capital increasing by GBP30m. Acquisitions were primarily focused on premiumisation with the opening of six new Miller & Carter sites, including one purpose built restaurant, and five new All Bar Ones. Similarly, the higher proportion of Miller & Carter conversions resulted in the average spend per project increasing, a reflection of the premiumisation strategy.

The EBITDA return across all conversion and acquisition capital invested since FY 2014 is 18%, with projects since the start of the financial year returning 22%. Recent remodel performance has been encouraging, delivering sales uplifts in excess of 10%.

 
                                    FY 2017      FY 2016 
                                   GBPm    #    GBPm    # 
--------------------------------  -----  ----  -----  ---- 
 Maintenance and infrastructure     53           81 
 
 Remodels - refurbishment           42    143    34    137 
 Remodels - expansionary            14    31     13    38 
 Conversions                        39    78     31    77 
 Acquisitions - freehold            3      1     1      2 
 Acquisitions - leasehold           18    12     7      6 
--------------------------------  -----  ----  -----  ---- 
 Total return generating 
  capital expenditure              116    265    86    260 
 
 Total capital expenditure         169          167 
 

The Group capital expenditure on the existing estate going forward is expected to be around GBP180m per year.

Property

In line with our property valuation policy, a red book valuation of the freehold and long leasehold estate has been completed in conjunction with the independent property valuer, CBRE. In addition, the Group has conducted an impairment review on short leasehold and unlicensed properties. The overall property portfolio has increased by GBP2m (FY 2016 increase of GBP128m) reflecting a GBP72m separately disclosed charge in the income statement and a GBP74m increase in the revaluation reserve.

Pensions

During the year the company reached agreement on the 2016 triennial pensions valuation with the scheme trustees. The agreed deficit of GBP451m as at 31 March 2016 (2013: GBP572m) will be funded by an unchanged level of cash contributions (of GBP46m pa indexed) to 2023, as per the agreement reached in 2013.

In 2024 an additional payment of GBP13m will be made into escrow, should such further funding be required at that time.

Dividend policy

Payment of dividends is recognised as an important element of overall shareholder return where this can be achieved sustainably and without undue risk to the ongoing and future health of the business. To that end in determining the affordable level of dividend in any year a number of factors are taken into account. Namely:

 
 -   The level of dividend cover both in the current 
      year and looking forward. The Board considers 
      cashflow, rather than earnings, to currently be 
      the more constraining factor on assessing dividends. 
 -   The future investment requirements of the business 
      and the availability and attractiveness of potential 
      strategic opportunities. 
 -   The maintenance of a degree of headroom or prudence 
      against assumptions, particularly with regard 
      to the principal risks as identified in our Annual 
      Report. 
 -   The assessment of the ongoing prospects of the 
      business, having notice of the macroeconomic and 
      sector outlook and the anticipated business performance 
      within that. 
 -   The level of available distributable reserves 
      in the parent company. 
 

The Board keeps its dividend policy in constant review in the context of its capital allocation policies, capital structure, and inherent visibility on trading. We do not expect to declare an interim dividend in the current financial year but will make an assessment of pay-out at the end of the year based on a full year of trading and development of the sector outlook, using the criteria set out above.

For the FY 2017 financial year the Board has recommended a final dividend of 5.0 pence per share (full year 7.5 pence per share) which will be paid on 6 February 2018 to shareholders on the register at the close of business on 15 December 2017. The Board intends to make a scrip dividend alternative available to shareholders, details of the procedure to access this alternative are available on the company website.

Definitions

a - Like-for-like sales growth reflects the sales performance against the comparable period in the prior year of UK managed pubs, bars and restaurants that were trading in the two periods being compared, unless marketed for disposal. Like-for-like sales are measured against relevant accounting weeks in the prior year. Full year like-for-like sales growth is measured on a 53 week basis. There is a reconciliation of this measure after the notes to this announcement.

b - Adjusted measures are quoted before separately disclosed items as set out in the Group Income Statement and detailed in note 3 of the accounts. There is a reconciliation of this measure after the notes to this announcement.

c - Annualised EBITDA on a 52 week basis before separately disclosed items is used to calculate net debt to EBITDA. There is a reconciliation of this measure after the notes to this announcement.

 
 Group income statement 
 For the 53 weeks ended 30 September 2017 
 
 
       2017         2016 
     53 weeks     52 weeks 
    ---------    --------- 
 
 
                                        Before                                     Before 
                                    separately          Separately             separately          Separately 
                                     disclosed           disclosed              disclosed           disclosed 
                                         items            items(a)     Total        items            items(a)     Total 
                      Notes               GBPm                GBPm      GBPm         GBPm                GBPm      GBPm 
                             -----------------  ------------------  --------  -----------  ------------------  -------- 
 
 Revenue                2                2,180                   -     2,180        2,086                   -     2,086 
 
 Operating 
  costs before 
  depreciation, 
  amortisation 
  and movements 
  in the valuation 
  of the property 
  portfolio           2, 3             (1,751)                (35)   (1,786)      (1,655)                   -   (1,655) 
 Net profit 
  arising on 
  property 
  disposals                                  -                   1         1            -                   1         1 
 
 EBITDA(b)                                 429                (34)       395          431                   1       432 
 
 Depreciation, 
  amortisation 
  and movements 
  in the valuation 
  of the property 
  portfolio           2, 3               (115)                (72)     (187)        (113)                (88)     (201) 
                             -----------------  ------------------  --------  -----------  ------------------  -------- 
 
 Operating 
  profit/(loss)                            314               (106)       208          318                (87)       231 
 
 Finance costs          4                (125)                   -     (125)        (126)                   -     (126) 
 
 Finance revenue        4                    1                   -         1            1                   -         1 
 
 Net pensions 
  finance charge      4, 9                 (7)                   -       (7)         (12)                   -      (12) 
                             -----------------  ------------------  --------  -----------  ------------------  -------- 
 
 Profit/(loss) 
  before tax                               183               (106)        77          181                (87)        94 
 
 Tax 
  (expense)/credit      5                 (37)                  23      (14)         (37)                  32       (5) 
                             -----------------  ------------------  --------  -----------  ------------------  -------- 
 
 Profit/(loss) 
  for the period                           146                (83)        63       144                   (55)        89 
                             =================  ==================  ========  ===========  ==================  ======== 
 
 Earnings 
  per ordinary 
  share 
  Basic                 6                34.9p                         15.1p        34.9p                         21.6p 
  Diluted               6                34.8p                         15.0p        34.9p                         21.6p 
                             =================                      ========  ===========                      ======== 
 
 
 a.   Separately disclosed items are explained and analysed 
       in note 3. 
 b.   Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, amortisation 
       and movements in the valuation of the property 
       portfolio. 
 

All results relate to continuing operations.

 
 Group statement of comprehensive income 
 For the 53 weeks ended 30 September 2017 
 
 
                                                          2017               2016 
                                                      53 weeks           52 weeks 
                                        Notes             GBPm               GBPm 
                                               ---------------  ----------------- 
 
 Profit for the period                                      63                 89 
                                               ---------------  ----------------- 
 
 Items that will not be reclassified 
  subsequently to profit or 
  loss: 
 Unrealised gain on revaluation 
  of the property portfolio               7                 74                216 
 Remeasurement of pension liability       9               8                  (22) 
 Tax relating to items not 
  reclassified                                            (13)               (21) 
 
                                                            69                173 
                                               ---------------  ----------------- 
 
 Items that may be reclassified 
  subsequently to profit or 
  loss: 
 
 Exchange differences on translation 
  of foreign operations                                      1                  3 
 Cash flow hedges: 
 - Gains/(losses) arising during 
  the period                                                60              (116) 
 - Reclassification adjustments 
  for items included in profit 
  or loss                                                   53                  8 
 Tax relating to items that 
  may be reclassified                                     (19)                 10 
 
                                                            95               (95) 
 
 
 Other comprehensive income 
  after tax                                                164                 78 
                                               ---------------  ----------------- 
 
 
 Total comprehensive income 
  for the period                                           227                167 
                                               ===============  ================= 
 
 
 Group balance sheet 
 30 September 2017 
 
 
                                                2017                     2016 
                                     Notes      GBPm                     GBPm 
                                            --------  ----------------------- 
 Assets 
 Goodwill and other intangible 
  assets                                          10                        9 
 Property, plant and equipment         7       4,429                    4,423 
 Lease premiums                                    1                        2 
 Deferred tax asset                              110                      143 
 Derivative financial instruments                 41                       52 
 Total non-current assets                      4,591                    4,629 
 
 Inventories                                      24                       25 
 Trade and other receivables                      53                       32 
 Other cash deposits                             120                      120 
 Cash and cash equivalents                       147                      158 
 Derivative financial instruments                  2                        1 
 Assets held for sale                              1                        - 
                                            --------  ----------------------- 
 Total current assets                            347                      336 
 
 
 Total assets                                  4,938                    4,965 
                                            --------  ----------------------- 
 
 Liabilities 
 Pension liabilities                   9        (47)                     (46) 
 Trade and other payables                      (297)                    (293) 
 Current tax liabilities                         (3)                     (12) 
 Borrowings                                    (235)                    (253) 
 Derivative financial instruments               (43)                     (44) 
 Total current liabilities                     (625)                    (648) 
 
 Pension liabilities                   9       (245)                    (291) 
 Borrowings                                  (1,827)                  (1,920) 
 Derivative financial instruments              (249)                    (360) 
 Deferred tax liabilities                      (324)                    (329) 
 Provisions                           10        (42)                      (9) 
                                            --------  ----------------------- 
 Total non-current liabilities               (2,687)                  (2,909) 
 
 Total liabilities                           (3,312)                  (3,557) 
 
 Net assets                                    1,626                    1,408 
                                            ========  ======================= 
 
 Equity 
 Called up share capital                          36                       35 
 Share premium account                            26                       27 
 Capital redemption reserve                        3                        3 
 Revaluation reserve                           1,202                    1,142 
 Own shares held                                 (1)                      (1) 
 Hedging reserve                               (244)                    (338) 
 Translation reserve                              14                       13 
 Retained earnings                               590                      527 
 
 Total equity                                  1,626                    1,408 
                                            ========  ======================= 
 
 
 Group statement of changes in equity 
 For the 53 weeks ended 30 September 2017 
 
 
                    Called    Share     Capital                  Own 
                        up  premium  redemption  Revaluation  shares  Hedging  Translation  Retained   Total 
                     share 
                   capital  account     reserve      reserve    held  reserve      reserve  earnings  equity 
                      GBPm     GBPm        GBPm         GBPm    GBPm     GBPm         GBPm      GBPm    GBPm 
                   -------  -------  ----------  -----------  ------  -------  -----------  --------  ------ 
 
At 26 September 
 2015                   35       26           3          938     (1)    (240)           10       500   1,271 
 
Profit for 
 the period              -        -           -            -       -        -            -        89      89 
Other 
 comprehensive 
 income/(expense)        -        -           -          204       -     (98)            3      (31)      78 
Total 
 comprehensive 
 income/(expense)        -        -           -          204       -     (98)            3        58     167 
 
Share capital 
 issued                  -        1           -            -       -        -            -         -       1 
Purchase of 
 own shares              -        -           -            -     (1)        -            -         -     (1) 
Release of 
 own shares              -        -           -            -       1        -            -       (1)       - 
Credit in 
 respect of 
 share-based 
 payments                -        -           -            -       -        -            -         2       2 
Dividends 
 paid                    -        -           -            -       -        -            -      (31)    (31) 
Tax on share 
 based payments 
 taken directly 
 to equity               -        -           -            -       -        -            -       (1)     (1) 
 
At 24 September 
 2016                   35       27           3        1,142     (1)    (338)           13       527   1,408 
 
Profit for 
 the period              -        -           -            -       -        -            -        63      63 
Other 
 comprehensive 
 income                  -        -           -           61       -       94            1         8     164 
                   -------  -------  ----------  -----------  ------  -------  -----------  --------  ------ 
Total 
 comprehensive 
 income                  -        -           -           61       -       94            1        71     227 
 
Credit in 
 respect of 
 share-based 
 payments                -        -           -            -       -        -            -         2       2 
Dividends 
 paid                    -        -           -            -       -        -            -      (12)    (12) 
Revaluation 
 reserve realised 
 on disposal 
 of properties           -        -           -          (1)       -        -            -         1       - 
Scrip dividend 
 related share 
 issue                   1      (1)           -            -       -        -            -         -       - 
Tax on share 
 based payments 
 taken directly 
 to equity               -        -           -            -       -        -            -         1       1 
 
At 30 September 
 2017                   36       26           3        1,202     (1)    (244)           14       590   1,626 
                   =======  =======  ==========  ===========  ======  =======  ===========  ========  ====== 
 
 
 
 Group cash flow statement 
 For the 53 weeks ended 30 September 2017 
                                                        2017                 2016 
                                                    53 weeks             52 weeks 
                                                        GBPm                 GBPm 
                                             ---------------      --------------- 
 Cash flow from operations 
 Operating profit                                        208                  231 
 Add back: adjusted items                                106                   87 
                                             ---------------      --------------- 
 
 Operating profit before adjusted 
  items                                                  314                  318 
 
 Add back: 
 Depreciation of property, plant and 
  equipment                                              113                  111 
 Amortisation of intangibles                               2                    2 
 Cost charged in respect of share-based 
  payments                                                 2                    2 
 Administrative pension costs                              2                    2 
                                             ---------------      --------------- 
 
 Operating cash flow before adjusted 
  items, movements in working capital 
  and additional pension contributions                   433                  435 
 
 Decrease/(increase) in inventories                        1                  (1) 
 Increase in trade and other receivables                (20)                  (4) 
 Increase/(decrease) in trade and 
  other payables                                           7                  (5) 
 Decrease in provisions                                  (2)                  (1) 
 Additional pension contributions                       (46)                 (49) 
                                             ---------------      --------------- 
 
 Cash flow from operations before 
  adjusted items                                         373                  375 
 Interest paid                                         (122)                (126) 
 Interest received                                         1                    1 
 Tax paid                                               (26)                 (28) 
 
 Net cash from operating activities                      226                  222 
 
 Investing activities 
 Purchases of property, plant and 
  equipment                                            (166)                (166) 
 Purchases of intangible assets                          (3)                  (1) 
 Proceeds from sale of property, plant 
  and equipment                                           46                    5 
 
 Net cash used in investing activities                 (123)                (162) 
 
 Financing activities 
 Issue of ordinary share capital                           -                    1 
 Purchase of own shares                                    -                  (1) 
 Dividends paid (net of scrip dividend)                 (12)                 (31) 
 Repayment of principal in respect 
  of securitised debt                                   (77)                 (67) 
 Net movement on unsecured revolving 
  credit facilities                                     (25)                   31 
 
 Net cash used in financing activities                 (114)                 (67) 
 
 Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents              (11)                  (7) 
 
 Cash and cash equivalents at the 
  beginning of the period                                158                  163 
  Foreign exchange movements on cash                       -                    2 
 
 Cash and cash equivalents at the 
  end of the period                                      147                  158 
                                             ===============      =============== 
 

Notes to the financial statements

1. Preparation of preliminary financial statements

Basis of preparation

Mitchells & Butlers plc, along with its subsidiaries, (together 'the Group') is required to prepare its consolidated financial statements in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs) as adopted by the European Union and in accordance with the Companies Act 2006. While the financial information included in this release is based on the Group's consolidated financial statements and has been prepared in accordance with the recognition and measurement criteria of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs), this announcement does not itself contain sufficient information to comply with IFRSs.

The preliminary financial statements include the results of Mitchells & Butlers plc and all its subsidiaries for the 53 week period ended 30 September 2017. The comparative period is for the 52 week period ended 24 September 2016. The respective balance sheets have been drawn up as at 30 September 2017 and 24 September 2016.

The preliminary financial statements have been prepared on the historical cost basis as modified by the revaluation of properties, pension obligations and financial instruments.

Going concern

The Group's forecasts and projections take account of anticipated trading performance and show that the Group should be able to operate within the level of its current borrowing facilities.

The Directors have, at the time of approving the financial statements, a reasonable expectation that the Company and the Group have adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus they continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements.

Foreign currencies

The results of overseas operations have been translated into sterling at the weighted average euro rate of exchange for the period of GBP1 = EUR1.16 (2016 GBP1 = EUR1.28), where this is a reasonable approximation to the rate at the dates of the transactions. Euro and US dollar denominated assets and liabilities have been translated at the relevant rate of exchange at the balance sheet date of GBP1 = EUR1.13 (2016 GBP1 = EUR1.16) and GBP1 = $1.34 (2016 GBP1 = $1.30) respectively.

2. Segmental analysis

IFRS 8 Operating Segments requires operating segments to be based on the Group's internal reporting to its Chief Operating Decision Maker (CODM). The CODM is regarded as the Chief Executive together with other Board members. The CODM uses EBITDA and profit before interest and adjusted items (operating profit pre-adjustments) as the key measures of the segment results. Group assets are reviewed as part of this process but are not presented on a segment basis.

The retail operating business operates all of the Group's retail operating units and generates all of its external revenue. The property business holds the Group's freehold and long leasehold property portfolio and derives all of its income from the internal rent levied against the Group's retail operating units. At a macro level, rent is set on a market based measure with this being reviewed on a five yearly basis.

Segmental information

 
                              Retail operating                Property 
                                  business                    business                      Total 
                          ------------------------  ----------------------------   ----------------------- 
                               2017       2016               2017           2016         2017         2016 
                           53 weeks   52 weeks           53 weeks       52 weeks     53 weeks     52 weeks 
                               GBPm       GBPm               GBPm           GBPm         GBPm         GBPm 
                          ---------  ---------      -------------  -------------   ----------   ---------- 
 
 Revenue                      2,180      2,086                  -              -        2,180        2,086 
 EBITDA pre-adjustments         213        217             216(a)         214(a)          429          431 
 Operating profit 
  pre-adjustments               111        117                203            201          314          318 
 
 Separately disclosed items (note 3)                                                    (106)         (87) 
                                                                                   ----------   ---------- 
 
 Operating profit                                                                         208          231 
 
 Net finance costs                                                                      (131)        (137) 
                                                                                   ----------   ---------- 
 
 Profit before tax                                                                         77           94 
 
 Tax expense                                                                             (14)          (5) 
                                                                                   ----------   ---------- 
 
 Profit for the period                                                                     63           89 
                                                                                   ==========   ========== 
 
 
 
 a.   The EBITDA pre-adjustments of the property business 
       relates entirely to rental income received from 
       the retail operating business. 
 

3. Separately disclosed items

The items identified in the current period are as follows:

 
                                                    2017       2016 
                                                53 weeks   52 weeks 
                                       Notes        GBPm       GBPm 
                                               ---------  --------- 
 Adjusted items 
 
 Net profit arising on property 
  disposals                                            1          1 
                                               ---------  --------- 
 
 Movement in the valuation of the 
  property portfolio: 
 - Impairment arising from the 
  revaluation                            a          (51)       (80) 
 - Impairment of short leasehold 
  and unlicensed properties              b          (17)        (8) 
 - Impairment of assets held for         c           (4)          - 
  sale 
 
 Net movement in the valuation 
  of the property portfolio                         (72)       (88) 
                                               ---------  --------- 
 
 Other adjusted items: 
 Onerous lease provision additions       d          (35)          - 
                                               ---------  --------- 
 
   Total adjusted items before tax                 (106)       (87) 
 
 Tax credit relating to above items                   23         18 
 Tax credit in respect of change 
  in tax legislation                     e             -         14 
 
 Total adjusted items after tax                     (83)       (55) 
                                               =========  ========= 
 
 
 a.   Impairment arising from the Group's revaluation 
       of its pub estate where their carrying values 
       exceed their recoverable amount. 
 b.   Impairment of short leasehold and unlicensed properties 
       where their carrying values exceed their recoverable 
       amount. 
 c.   Impairment recognised on reclassification of property, 
       plant and equipment to assets held for sale. 
 d.   During the period, a review of estate strategy 
       in relation to managed leasehold sites has been 
       completed, with specific focus on the challenges 
       around loss making sites and those located on 
       retail and leisure parks. The losses are now considered 
       unavoidable for the remaining committed lease 
       term. In addition, the discount rate applied in 
       the calculation has been updated. As a result, 
       the onerous lease provision has been increased 
       significantly with the majority of this increase 
       recognised as a separately disclosed item. See 
       note 10 for further details. 
 e.   The prior year deferred tax credit relates to 
       the enactment of the Finance (No.2) Act 2015 on 
       18 November 2015 which reduced the main rate of 
       corporation tax from 20% to 19% from 1 April 2017. 
       In addition, the Finance Act 2016 was substantively 
       enacted on 15 September 2016 and reduced the main 
       rate of corporation tax to 17% from 1 April 2020. 
 

4. Finance costs and revenue

 
                                             2017       2016 
                                         53 weeks   52 weeks 
                                             GBPm       GBPm 
                                        ---------  --------- 
 Finance costs 
 Interest on securitised debt               (120)      (121) 
 Interest on other borrowings                 (4)        (5) 
 Unwinding of discount on provisions          (1)          - 
 
 Total finance costs                        (125)      (126) 
                                        =========  ========= 
 
 Finance revenue 
 Interest receivable - cash                     1          1 
                                        =========  ========= 
 
 Net pensions finance charge (note 9)         (7)       (12) 
                                        =========  ========= 
 

5. Taxation

Taxation - income statement

 
       2017         2016 
   53 weeks     52 weeks 
       GBPm         GBPm 
  ---------    --------- 
 

Current tax:

 
 
   *    UK corporation tax                        (20)   (28) 
 
   *    Amounts over provided in prior periods       3      3 
                                                 -----  ----- 
 
 
 Total current tax charge    (17)   (25) 
                            -----  ----- 
 
 

Deferred tax:

 
 
   *    Origination and reversal of temporary differences      7     9 
 - Adjustments in respect of prior periods                   (4)   (3) 
 - Change in tax rate                                          -    14 
                                                            ----  ---- 
 
 
 Total deferred tax credit                               3              20 
                                             -------------  -------------- 
 
 Total tax charged in the income statement            (14)             (5) 
                                             =============  ============== 
 

Further analysed as tax relating to:

 
 Profit before adjusted items    (37)   (37) 
 Adjusted items                    23     32 
                                -----  ----- 
 
                                 (14)    (5) 
                                =====  ===== 
 

6. Earnings per share

Basic earnings per share (EPS) has been calculated by dividing the profit or loss for the period by the weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue during the period, excluding own shares held by employee share trusts.

For diluted earnings per share, the weighted average number of ordinary shares is adjusted to assume conversion of all dilutive potential ordinary shares.

Adjusted earnings per ordinary share amounts are presented before adjusted items in order to allow a better understanding of the adjusted trading performance of the Group.

 
                                            Basic    Diluted 
                                              EPS        EPS 
                                            pence      pence 
                                              per        per 
                                Profit   ordinary   ordinary 
                                  GBPm      Share      share 
                               -------  ---------  --------- 
 53 weeks ended 30 September 
  2017: 
 Profit/EPS                         63      15.1p      15.0p 
 Adjusted items, net of tax         83      19.8p      19.8p 
                               -------  ---------  --------- 
 
 Adjusted profit/EPS               146      34.9p      34.8p 
                                                   ========= 
 
 52 weeks ended 24 September 
  2016: 
 Profit/EPS                         89      21.6p      21.6p 
 Adjusted items, net of tax         55      13.3p      13.3p 
 
 Adjusted profit/EPS               144      34.9p      34.9p 
                               =======  =========  ========= 
 

6. Earnings per share (continued)

The weighted average number of ordinary shares used in the calculations above are as follows:

 
                                              2017       2016 
                                          53 weeks   52 weeks 
                                                 m          m 
                                         ---------  --------- 
 
 For basic EPS calculations                    418        413 
 
 Effect of dilutive potential ordinary 
  shares: 
                                                 1          - 
   *    Contingently issuable shares 
 
 For diluted EPS calculations                  419        413 
                                         =========  ========= 
 

At 30 September 2017, 3,124,559 (2016 2,697,038) other share options were outstanding that could potentially dilute basic EPS in the future but were not included in the calculation of diluted EPS as they are anti-dilutive for the periods presented.

7. Property, plant and equipment

 
                                       2017    2016 
                                       GBPm    GBPm 
                                     ------  ------ 
 
 At beginning of period               4,423   4,242 
 
 Additions                              163     167 
 
 Revaluation                              2     128 
 
 Disposals                              (3)     (5) 
 
 Transfers to assets held for sale     (43)       - 
 
 Depreciation provided during the 
  period                              (113)   (111) 
 
 Exchange differences                     -       2 
 
 
 At end of period                     4,429   4,423 
                                     ======  ====== 
 

Revaluation of freehold and long leasehold properties

The freehold and long leasehold properties have been valued at market value, as at 30 September 2017 using information provided by CBRE, independent chartered surveyors. The valuation was carried out in accordance with the provisions of RICS Appraisal and Valuation Standards ('The Red Book') assuming each asset is sold as part of the continuing enterprise in occupation individually as a fully operational trading entity. The market value has been determined having regard to factors such as current and future projected income levels, taking account of location, quality of the pub restaurant and recent market transactions in the sector.

Sensitivity analysis

Changes in either the FMT or the multiple could materially impact the valuation of the freehold and long leasehold properties. It is estimated that, given the multiplier effect, a 2.5% change in the EBITDA of the freehold or long leasehold properties would generate an approximate GBP70m movement in their valuation. It is estimated that a 0.1 change in the multiple would generate an approximate GBP31m movement in valuation.

7. Property, plant and equipment (continued)

Impairment review of short leasehold and unlicensed properties

Short leasehold and unlicensed properties (comprising land and buildings and fixtures, fittings and equipment) which are not revalued to fair market value, are reviewed for impairment by comparing site value in use calculations to their carrying values. The value in use calculation uses forecast trading performance cash flows, which are discounted by applying a pre-tax discount rate of 7% (2016 7%). Any resulting impairment relates to sites with poor trading performance, where the output of the value in use calculation is insufficient to justify their current net book value.

Current year valuations have been incorporated into the financial statements and the resulting revaluation adjustments have been taken to the revaluation reserve or income statement as appropriate. The impact of the revaluations/impairments described above is as follows:

 
                                                              2017              2016 
                                                          53 weeks          52 weeks 
                                                              GBPm              GBPm 
                                                 -----------------  ---------------- 
 Income statement 
 Revaluation loss charged as an impairment                   (109)             (144) 
 Reversal of past impairments                                   58                64 
                                                 -----------------  ---------------- 
 
 Total impairment arising from the revaluation                (51)              (80) 
 
 Impairment of short leasehold and unlicensed 
  properties                                                  (17)               (8) 
 Impairment of assets held for sale                            (4)                - 
                                                 -----------------  ---------------- 
 
                                                              (72)              (88) 
                                                 -----------------  ---------------- 
 
 Revaluation reserve 
 Unrealised revaluation surplus                                210               329 
 Reversal of past revaluation surplus                        (136)             (113) 
                                                 -----------------  ---------------- 
 
                                                                74               216 
 
 Net increase in property, plant and 
  equipment                                                      2               128 
                                                 =================  ================ 
 

Assets held for sale

 
              2017     2016 
              GBPm     GBPm 
             -----    ----- 
 Properties      1        - 
             =====    ===== 
 

In accordance with IFRS 5, properties categorised as held for sale are held at the lower of book value and fair value less costs to sell.

During the period, GBP43m of properties were classified as held for sale. An impairment of GBP4m was recognised prior to reclassification.

Subsequently, GBP42m of properties have been sold, leaving GBP1m remaining as held for sale at the balance sheet date.

8. Net debt

Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash at bank and in hand and other short-term highly liquid deposits with an original maturity at acquisition of three months or less. Cash held on deposit with an original maturity at acquisition of more than three months is disclosed as other cash deposits. In the cash flow statement, cash and cash equivalents are shown net of bank overdrafts that are repayable on demand.

 
                                                         2017                                           2016 
 Net debt                                                GBPm                                           GBPm 
                                              ---------------  --------------------------------------------- 
 
 Cash and bank balances                                 147                                              158 
 Cash and cash equivalents                               147                             158 
 
 Other cash deposits                                      120                                            120 
 Securitised debt                                     (1,909)                                        (1,995) 
 Liquidity facility                                     (147)                                          (147) 
 Revolving credit facilities                              (6)                                           (31) 
 Derivatives hedging balance sheet debt(a)                 45                                             55 
 
                                                      (1,750)                                        (1,840) 
                                              ===============  ============================================= 
 
 a.                                           Represents the element of the fair value of currency 
                                               swaps hedging the balance sheet value of the Group's 
                                               US$ denominated A3N loan notes. This amount is 
                                               disclosed separately to remove the impact of exchange 
                                               movements which are included in the securitised 
                                               debt amount. 
                                                         2017                                             2016 
                                                     53 weeks                                         52 weeks 
 Movement in net debt                                    GBPm                                             GBPm 
                                              ---------------  ----------------------------------------------- 
 
 Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents               (11)                                              (7) 
 
 Add back cash flows in respect of 
  other components of net debt: 
 Repayment of principal in respect 
  of securitised debt                                      77                                               67 
 Net movement on unsecured revolving 
  facilities                                               25                                             (31) 
 
 Decrease in net debt arising from 
  cash flows                                               91                                               29 
 
 Movement in capitalised debt issue 
  costs net of accrued interest                           (1)                                              (1) 
 
 Decrease in net debt                                      90                                               28 
 Opening net debt                                     (1,840)                                          (1,870) 
 Foreign exchange movements on cash                         -                                                2 
 
 Closing net debt                                     (1,750)                                          (1,840) 
                                              ===============  =============================================== 
 
 

9. Pensions

The following amounts relating to the Group's defined benefit and defined contribution arrangements have been recognised in the Group income statement and Group statement of comprehensive income:

 
                                                     2017       2016 
                                                 53 weeks   52 weeks 
 Group income statement                              GBPm       GBPm 
                                                ---------  --------- 
 Operating profit: 
 Employer contributions (defined contribution 
  plans)                                              (7)        (7) 
 Administrative costs (defined benefit 
  plans)                                              (2)        (2) 
                                                ---------  --------- 
 
 Charge to operating profit                           (9)        (9) 
                                                ---------  --------- 
 
 Finance costs: 
 Net pensions finance charge on actuarial 
  deficit                                             (4)        (3) 
 Additional pensions finance charge due 
  to minimum funding                                  (3)        (9) 
                                                ---------  --------- 
 
 Net finance charge in respect of pensions            (7)       (12) 
 
 Total charge                                        (16)       (21) 
                                                =========  ========= 
 

9. Pensions (continued)

 
                                                 2017       2016 
                                             53 weeks   52 weeks 
 Group statement of comprehensive income         GBPm       GBPm 
                                            ---------  --------- 
 
 Return on scheme assets and effects 
  of changes in assumptions                       337      (148) 
 Movement in pension liability recognised 
  due to minimum funding                        (329)        126 
                                            ---------  --------- 
 
 Remeasurement of pension liability                 8       (22) 
                                            =========  ========= 
 
 
                                                 2017      2016 
 Group balance sheet                             GBPm      GBPm 
                                              -------  -------- 
 
 Fair value of scheme assets                    2,390     2,381 
 Present value of scheme liabilities          (2,219)   (2,587) 
                                              -------  -------- 
 
 Actuarial surplus/(deficit) in the schemes       171     (206) 
 Additional liability recognised due 
  to minimum funding                            (463)     (131) 
                                              -------  -------- 
 
 Total pension liability(a)                     (292)     (337) 
                                              =======  ======== 
 
 Associated deferred tax asset                     50        57 
                                              =======  ======== 
 

a. The total pension liability of GBP292m (2016 GBP337m) is represented by a GBP47m current liability (2016 GBP46m) and a GBP245m non-current liability (2016 GBP291m).

The movement in the fair value of the schemes' assets in the period is as follows:

 
                                                  Scheme assets 
                                                ---------------- 
                                                   2017     2016 
                                                   GBPm     GBPm 
                                                -------  ------- 
 
 Fair value of scheme assets at beginning 
  of period                                       2,381    2,010 
 Interest income                                     53       71 
 Remeasurement gain: 
     - Return on scheme assets (excluding 
      amounts included in net finance charge)         3      355 
 Employer contributions                              46       49 
 Benefits paid                                     (91)    (102) 
 Administration costs                               (2)      (2) 
 
 At end of period                                 2,390    2,381 
                                                =======  ======= 
 

Changes in the present value of defined benefit obligations are as follows:

 
                                                        Defined benefit 
                                                           obligation 
                                                   ------------------------ 
                                                       2017            2016 
                                                       GBPm            GBPm 
                                                   --------  -------------- 
 
 Present value of defined benefit obligation 
  at beginning of period                            (2,587)         (2,112) 
 Interest cost                                         (57)            (74) 
 Benefits paid                                           91             102 
 Remeasurement losses: 
    - Effect of changes in demographic                  139               - 
     assumptions 
    - Effect of changes in financial assumptions        164           (577) 
    - Effect of experience adjustments                   31              74 
                                                   --------  -------------- 
 
 At end of period(a)                                (2,219)         (2,587) 
                                                   ========  ============== 
 
 
 a.   The defined benefit obligation comprises GBP34m 
       (2016 GBP39m) relating to the MABETUS unfunded 
       plan and GBP2,185m (2016 GBP2,548m) relating to 
       the funded plans. 
 

10. Provisions

The provision for unavoidable losses on onerous property leases has been set up to cover rental payments of vacant or loss-making properties. Payments are expected to continue on these properties for periods of 1 to 19 years.

Provisions can be analysed as follows:

 
                              Property 
                                leases 
                                  GBPm 
                             --------- 
 
 At 26 September 2015               10 
 Released in the period            (2) 
 Provided in the period              5 
 Unwinding of discount               - 
 Utilised in the period            (4) 
                             --------- 
 
 At 24 September 2016                9 
 Released in the period(a)         (1) 
 Provided in the period(b)          36 
 Unwinding of discount               1 
 Utilised in the period            (3) 
 
 At 30 September 2017               42 
                             ========= 
 

a. Releases in the period primarily relate to property disposals. This has been recognised within adjusted profit to reflect where the charge for these properties was originally recognised.

b. During the period, a full review of estate strategy in relation to managed leasehold properties has been completed, with specific focus on the challenges around loss making sites and those located on retail and leisure parks. With lower footfall on many of these parks and the continued uncertain economic outlook, alongside increased cost pressures such as living wage, business rates review, apprenticeship levy and sugar tax, a number of short leasehold sites are now challenged when striving to achieve a break-even profit performance. As a result, the losses are now considered unavoidable for the remaining committed lease term for managed properties. In addition, the discount rate applied in the calculation has been updated. As a result of these changes, a GBP35m increase in the provision which has been included as a separately disclosed item (see note 3).

The remaining increase of GBP1m is recognised within adjusted profit, as this represents unavoidable losses on unlicensed properties. There is no change in approach for these sites from the prior period.

11. Dividends

Declared and paid in the period

 
                                    2017                              2016 
                      --------------------------------  -------------------------------- 
                         Total     Settled     Pence       Total     Settled     Pence 
                        Dividend     via        per       Dividend     via        per 
                                    scrip     ordinary                scrip     ordinary 
                                               share                             share 
                         GBPm       GBPm                   GBPm       GBPm 
                      ----------  --------  ----------  ----------  --------  ---------- 
 
 Interim dividend 
  - 53 weeks ended 
  30 September 
  2017                    11          3         2.5          -          -          - 
 Final dividend 
  - 52 weeks ended 
  24 September 
  2016                    21         17         5.0          -          -          - 
 Interim dividend 
  - 52 weeks ended 
  24 September 
  2016                     -          -          -          10          -         2.5 
 Final dividend 
  - 52 weeks ended 
  26 September 
  2015                     -          -          -          21          -         5.0 
                      ----------  --------              ----------  -------- 
                          32         20                     31          - 
                      ----------  --------              ----------  -------- 
 

The final dividend of 5.0p per ordinary share declared in relation to the 52 weeks ended 24 September 2016 (2015 5.0p) was approved at the Annual General Meeting on 28 January 2017 and was paid to shareholders on 7 February 2017. Shareholders were able to elect to receive ordinary shares credited as fully paid instead of the cash dividend under the terms of the Company's scrip dividend scheme. Of the GBP21m final dividend, GBP17m was in the form of the issue of ordinary shares to shareholders opting in to the scrip alternative. The market value per share at the date of payment was 227.3 pence per share, resulting in the issue of 7 million new shares, fully paid up from the share premium account. An interim dividend of 2.5p per ordinary share (2016 2.5p) was declared in the period and paid on 3 July 2017. Of the GBP11m interim dividend, GBP3m was in the form of the issue of ordinary shares to shareholders opting in to the scrip alternative. The market value per share at the date of payment was 243.2 pence per share, resulting in the issue of 1 million new shares, fully paid up from the share premium account. The nominal value of the 8 million shares issued in relation to the final and interim scrip dividends is GBP1m.

The Directors propose a final dividend of 5.0p per share for approval at the Annual General Meeting, which equates to GBP21m based on the number of ordinary shares in issue at 30 September 2017. The dividend will be paid on 6 February 2018 to shareholders on the register at close of business on 15 December 2017.

12. Financial Statements

The preliminary statement of results was approved by the Board of Directors on 22 November 2017. It does not constitute the Group's statutory financial statements for the 53 weeks ended 30 September 2017 or for the 52 weeks ended 24 September 2016. The financial information is derived from the statutory financial statements of the Group for the 53 weeks ended 30 September 2017.

Statutory accounts for 2016 have been delivered to the Registrar of Companies and those for 2017 will be delivered following the Company's Annual General Meeting. The Company's auditor reported on those accounts; their reports were unqualified; did not draw attention to any matters by way of emphasis without qualifying their report and did not contain statements under S498(2) or (3) of the Companies Act 2006.

Alternative Performance Measures

The performance of the Group is assessed using a number of Alternative Performance Measures (APMs).

The Group's results are presented both before and after separately disclosed items. Adjusted profitability measures are presented excluding separately disclosed items as we believe this provides both management and investors with useful additional information about the Group's performance and supports a more effective comparison of the Group's trading performance from one period to the next. Adjusted profitability measures are reconciled to unadjusted IFRS results on the face of the income statement with details of separately disclosed items provided in note 3.

The Group's results are also described using other measures that are not defined under IFRS and are therefore considered to be APMs. These APMs are used by management to monitor business performance against both shorter term budgets and forecasts but also against the Group's longer term strategic plans.

APMs used to explain and monitor Group performance include:

 
 APM                  Definition                              Source 
-------------------  --------------------------------------  ------------- 
 EBITDA               Earnings before interest,               Group income 
                       tax, depreciation and amortisation.     statement 
-------------------  --------------------------------------  ------------- 
 Adjusted EBITDA      Annualised EBITDA on a 52               Group income 
                       week basis before separately            statement 
                       disclosed items is used to 
                       calculate net debt to EBITDA. 
-------------------  --------------------------------------  ------------- 
 EBITDA before        Adjusted measures are quoted            Group income 
  adjusted items       before separately disclosed             statement 
                       items. 
-------------------  --------------------------------------  ------------- 
 Operating            Earnings before interest and            Group income 
  profit               tax.                                    statement 
-------------------  --------------------------------------  ------------- 
 Adjusted operating   Operating profit before separately      Group income 
  profit               disclosed items.                        statement 
-------------------  --------------------------------------  ------------- 
 Like-for-like        The sales this year compared 
  sales                to the sales in the previous 
                       year of all UK managed sites 
                       that were trading in the two 
                       periods being compared, expressed 
                       as a percentage. 
-------------------  --------------------------------------  ------------- 
 Like-for-like        Like-for-like sales growth 
  sales growth         reflects the sales performance 
                       against the comparable period 
                       in the prior year of UK managed 
                       pubs, bars and restaurants 
                       that were trading in the two 
                       periods being compared, unless 
                       marketed for disposal. Like-for-like 
                       sales are measured against 
                       relevant accounting weeks 
                       in the prior year. Full year 
                       like-for-like sales growth 
                       is measured on a 53 week basis. 
-------------------  --------------------------------------  ------------- 
 Adjusted earnings    Earnings per share using profit         Note 6 
  per share            before separately disclosed 
                       items. 
-------------------  --------------------------------------  ------------- 
 Net debt :           The multiple of net debt as 
  EBITDA               per the balance sheet compared 
                       against 52-week EBITDA before 
                       separately disclosed items 
                       which is a widely used leverage 
                       measure in the industry. 
-------------------  --------------------------------------  ------------- 
 Free cash            Calculated as operating cash            Cash flow 
  flow                 flow less the movement on               statement 
                       unsecured revolving credit 
                       facilities. 
-------------------  --------------------------------------  ------------- 
 

A. Like-for-like sales

The sales this year compared to the sales in the previous year of all UK managed sites that were trading in the two periods being compared, expressed as a percentage. FY 2017 is a 53 week year and the measure is given for the full year. This widely used industry measure provides better insight into the trading performance than total revenue which is impacted by acquisitions and disposals.

 
                                                     2017       2016 
                                                 53 weeks   52 weeks 
                            Source                   GBPm       GBPm 
                                                ---------  --------- 
 
 Reported revenue           Income statement        2,180      2,086 
 Less non like-for-like 
 sales                      Non GAAP                (288)      (202) 
 Adjust for 53(rd) week 
 comparability              Non GAAP                    -         34 
                                                --------- 
 
 Like-for-like sales on 
 a 53 week basis                                    1,952      1,918 
                                                =========  ========= 
 
 
 

B. Adjusted Operating Profit

Operating profit before separately disclosed items as set out in the Group Income Statement. As separately disclosed items are identified as such due to their size or incidence (see note 3) excluding these items allows a better understanding of the trading of the Group.

 
                                                         2017       2016 
                                                     53 weeks   52 weeks 
                                Source                   GBPm       GBPm 
                               ------------------   ---------  --------- 
 
 Operating profit               Income statement          208        231 
 Separately disclosed items     Income statement          106         87 
                                                    --------- 
 
 Adjusted operating profit                                314        318 
                                                    =========  ========= 
 
 
 

C. Adjusted Earnings per Share

Earnings per share using profit before separately disclosed items. As separately disclosed items are identified as such due to their size or incidence excluding these items allows a better understanding of the trading of the Group.

 
                                                            2017       2016 
                                                        53 weeks   52 weeks 
                                   Source                   GBPm       GBPm 
                                  ------------------   ---------  --------- 
 
 Profit for the period             Income statement           63         89 
 Separately disclosed items        Income statement           83         55 
                                                       ---------  --------- 
 Adjusted profit                                             146        144 
                                                       --------- 
 Weighted average number           Notes to 
  of shares                         accounts                 418        413 
 
  Adjusted earnings per share                               34.9       34.9 
                                                       =========  ========= 
 
 

D. Net Debt: EBITDA

The multiple of net debt as per the balance sheet compared against 52-week EBITDA before separately disclosed items which is a widely used leverage measure in the industry. Adjusted EBITDA is used for this measure to prevent distortions in performance resulting from separately disclosed items.

 
                                                        2017       2016 
                                                    53 weeks   52 weeks 
                               Source                   GBPm       GBPm 
                              ------------------   ---------  --------- 
 
 Net debt                      Income statement        1,750      1,840 
                                                   ---------  --------- 
 EBITDA                        Income statement          395        432 
 Less separately disclosed 
 items                         Non GAAP                   34        (1) 
 Adjusted for 53rd week                                  (8)          - 
                                                   ---------  --------- 
 Adjusted 52 week EBITDA                                 421        431 
                                                   ---------  --------- 
 
   Net debt : EBITDA                                     4.2        4.3 
                                                   =========  ========= 
 
 

E. Free Cash Flow

Free cash flow excludes the cash movement on unsecured revolving credit facilities and is presented to allow understanding of the cash movements excluding short term debt.

 
                                                     2017       2016 
                                                 53 weeks   52 weeks 
                                  Source             GBPm       GBPm 
                                 ------------   ---------  --------- 
 
 Net decrease in cash and         Cash flow 
  cash equivalents                 statement         (11)        (7) 
 Net movement on unsecured        Cash flow 
 revolving credit facilities       statement           25       (31) 
                                                --------- 
 
 Net free cash flow                                    14       (38) 
                                                =========  ========= 
 
 

F. FY 2017 52 week reconciliation

A 53 week accounting period occurs every 5 years. FY 2017 was a 53 week period and therefore presentation of a 52 week basis provides better comparability to previous financial years.

 
                                             2017        2017     2017 
                        Source               52 weeks    Week     53 weeks 
                                                          53 
                       ------------------   ----------  -------  ---------- 
 Revenue                Income statement     GBP2,141m   GBP39m   GBP2,180m 
 Adjusted operating     Income statement     GBP308m     GBP6m    GBP314m 
  profit 
 Adjusted PBT           Income statement     GBP180m     GBP3m    GBP183m 
 Adjusted EPS            Income statement     34.4p       0.5p     34.9p 
 

This information is provided by RNS

The company news service from the London Stock Exchange

END

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