BARNFATHER PROPERTIES LTD

Executive Summary

BARNFATHER PROPERTIES LTD exhibits a strong asset base and healthy equity, reflecting a solid foundation in property investment. However, the company faces short-term liquidity challenges due to a working capital deficit and high current liabilities. Focused improvements in cash flow management and related party transactions are recommended to ensure ongoing financial wellness and operational stability.

BARNFATHER PROPERTIES LTD - Analysis Report

Company Number: 14174330

Analysis Date: 2025-07-29 16:27 UTC

Financial Health Assessment of BARNFATHER PROPERTIES LTD as of 30 June 2024

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1. Financial Health Score: B

Explanation:
BARNFATHER PROPERTIES LTD demonstrates solid asset backing and positive equity, indicative of a generally sound financial position. However, the presence of a significant current liabilities exceedance relative to current assets (working capital deficit) raises a red flag around short-term liquidity and cash flow management. The overall health is good but with caution needed on near-term obligations.

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2. Key Vital Signs

Metric	Value (2024)	Interpretation
Fixed Assets	£5,194,101	Strong investment in long-term assets, mainly property (investment property valued at £3.69m). Stable base for value creation.
Current Assets	£253,211	Low relative to liabilities; mainly cash (£157,807) and debtors (£95,404).
Current Liabilities	£783,137	Substantially high short-term obligations, more than triple current assets.
Net Current Assets (Working Capital)	-£529,926	Indicates a liquidity strain; company has "symptoms of short-term distress".
Total Equity (Shareholders Funds)	£4,664,175	Healthy equity base with a comfortable buffer over liabilities.
Share Capital	£3,000,000	Large equity injection suggests strong owner commitment.
Debtors	£95,404	Decline from £316,869 in prior year; potential cash flow timing issues or collection delays.
Investments	£1,389,269	Significant growth in investments, indicating reinvestment or diversification.
Auditor's Opinion	Unqualified	No audit concerns raised; accounts present true and fair view.

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3. Diagnosis: What the Financial Data Reveals

The company has a robust asset base mainly through investment properties and fixed asset investments, which aligns with its SIC code of buying and selling own real estate. The increase in fixed assets and investments year-on-year suggests growth or asset acquisition strategy.

However, the liquidity "vital sign"—working capital—is negative by over half a million pounds, indicating that the company may struggle to meet its short-term obligations without resorting to financing or asset sales. This "symptom of distress" could be due to timing mismatches in cash inflows and payables or owing to increased short-term creditors from related parties (£490,221 owed).

The reliance on related parties for receivables and payables may reflect intra-group financing or operational linkages that could present risks if not managed carefully.

The positive shareholder funds and continued capital injection provide a strong capital cushion, which is a "healthy heart" for the company, reducing immediate insolvency risk.

Overall, the company shows a growth phase with solid equity and asset foundation but with a liquidity "infection" that needs attention to avoid worsening cash flow problems.

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4. Recommendations: Specific Actions to Improve Financial Wellness

1. Improve Liquidity Management:

   • Accelerate debtor collections, especially from related parties, to convert receivables into cash faster.
   • Negotiate extended payment terms with creditors to reduce pressure on current liabilities.
   • Monitor cash flow forecasts closely to identify potential shortfalls early.

2. Review Related Party Transactions:

   • Ensure transparency and arm's length terms in related party dealings to avoid concentration risk and potential conflicts.
   • Consider formalising intercompany loans or repayments schedules to improve predictability.

3. Cost and Expense Control:

   • Review operational expenses and capital expenditure to ensure they align with cash availability.
   • Avoid excessive short-term borrowing or creditor build-up that could exacerbate liquidity strain.

4. Strategic Asset Use:

   • Explore opportunities to monetise or refinance investment properties or other fixed asset investments if liquidity remains tight.
   • Evaluate the return on new investments to confirm they will contribute positively to cash flow.

5. Regular Financial Health Monitoring:

   • Implement monthly financial reviews focusing on cash flow, working capital, and creditor/debtor aging to catch early symptoms of financial distress.
   • Consider financial stress testing under different scenarios to prepare contingency plans.

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