Executive Chairman's Statement

For the six-month period to 30 September 2020

Results and Financial position

Profit before taxation for the six month period to 30 September 2020 was £0.058m, down £0.223m from £0.281m for the comparative period to 30 September 2019.

As at 30 September 2020, net assets were £46.140m compared to £46.082m, as last reported as at 31 March 2020, and this represents a net asset value of 39.8p per share (31 March 2020: 39.7p per share). There has been no re-valuation of assets during the reporting period, with the next external independent valuation due to be undertaken at the financial year end.

Net debt has increased to £24.472m, up by £0.881m from £23.591m at 31 March 2020. This budgeted movement reflects the lower point in the annual cash cycle (as rents and annual berthing fee receipts peak between January and April) and expenditure on pre-construction costs in connection with new development schemes due to be submitted to the local planning authority in the coming weeks and with other previously consented schemes. This has resulted in a rise in gearing to 53.0% as at 30 September 2020 up from 51.1% as at 31 March 2020.

To ensure continuity of financing the Group had already entered into a new 4 year facility agreement in December 2019 and a further £2.0million borrowing facility through to May 2021 to provide working capital during the Covid pandemic. Funding for consented projects will be funded by separate development financing.

Trading Report

The Group's business activities have been affected by the Covid pandemic during the first half year but with impacts varying across the different trading segments. The marinas have performed well with overall results exceeding the comparative period last year arising from an increase in annual berths sales. The car parks were materially affected by the lock-down for the period of April, May and June, and this is the main reason for the fall in group revenue during the first half year; trade bounced back quickly to normal seasonal levels once lockdown restrictions ended.  Fisheries' operations continued throughout the lockdown, albeit that fish prices were relatively low and landings were reduced as the export market weakened. The shortfall in fisheries revenues has been partly compensated by the improved lettings of on-site stores and commercial units. The Group has continued to work with tenants, assisting in some cases by agreeing to payment plans. Following the release from lock-down restrictions, the retail activity during the summer months returned to high level of utilisation by the visiting public enjoying the leisure activity. The Group owns a 7,500 sq ft unit currently occupied by Edinburgh Woollen Mill (in administration) and arrears have accumulated since 1 April 2020. We await the outcome of the administration but can report that a number of high quality enquires to rent this iconic waterfront unit have been received. Pre-season marina bookings have started at a high level of retention of existing berth-holders committing to stay for 2021/22. Occupancy of the investment property estate has upheld well throughout the first half year with further new lettings expected to complete before the financial year end.

Regeneration

Finalisation of pre-construction preparations for the planning consented scheme at Harbour Arch Quay, Sutton Harbour, have continued in recent months. Selection of the construction management team and finalisation of the detailed drawings are in process. It is expected that, subject to completion of finance, this 14 apartment building at will start on site during 2021, with marketing of the units to be launched in the springtime of the New Year. In addition, the Group has submitted the preliminary applications for additional 200+ residential units with retail and live/work space, a public east-west walkway and a new urban square, on a site immediately to the east of the approved Sugar Quay development at Sutton Harbour. Efforts are being made to secure planning consent in the first half of 2021. The Sugar Quay site proposal is being re-submitted to the Planning Authority after changes to the original application have been made to remove the basement parking and to relocate it to the adjacent new development on the site immediately to the east.

Summary

The first half year has been used productively to get development projects ready to start and to deliver new homes as the country emerges from the Covid crisis. The Group has remained operational throughout the crisis period with appropriate safety measures put in place to manage infection risk and in accordance with UK Government advice. Inevitably, the restrictions have had an impact on trading revenues but to date our business activities have shown resilience to recover as more normal operations can resume. The Group has intensified its efforts to promote the marinas and lifestyle attributes of Sutton Harbour to increase its profile as a 'staycation' destination and to position the location benefits of the new developments scheduled to go ahead in 2021.

Philip Beinhaker

EXECUTIVE CHAIRMAN