WELCOME BREAK GROUP LIMITED
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Next accounts due
2026-09-30 (in 4mo)
Last filed for 2024-12-31
Confirmation statement due
2027-04-14 (in 11mo)
Last made up 2026-03-31
Watchouts
None on the register
Cash
£27M
-27.3% vs 2023
Net assets
£12M
+41.9% vs 2023
Employees
1,863
-3.8% vs 2023
Profit before tax
£66M
+49.4% vs 2023
Name history
Renamed 3 times since incorporation
- WELCOME BREAK GROUP LIMITED 1997-05-08 → present
- WELCOME BREAK LIMITED 1996-11-06 → 1997-05-08
- FORTE MOTORWAY SERVICES LIMITED 1996-07-19 → 1996-11-06
- 864TH SHELF TRADING COMPANY LIMITED 1996-01-18 → 1996-07-19
Net assets
2-year trend · vs Consumer Discretionary median
Accounts
2-year trend · latest reflected 2024-12-31
| Metric | Trend | 2023-12-31 | 2024-12-31 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Turnover | £294,808,000 | £304,299,000 | |
| Operating profit | £7,064,000 | £7,105,000 | |
| Profit before tax | £44,352,000 | £66,282,000 | |
| Net profit | £43,948,000 | £66,038,000 | |
| Cash | £36,980,000 | £26,895,000 | |
| Total assets less current liabilities | £380,901,000 | £390,488,000 | |
| Net assets | £8,103,000 | £11,500,000 | |
| Equity | £8,103,000 | £11,500,000 | |
| Average employees | 1,937 | 1,863 | |
| Wages | £37,322,000 | £40,734,000 |
Values shown as filed in the company's annual accounts. — indicates the figure wasn't present under that line item in that period. About these numbers
Ratios
Computed from the line items above — sparklines read oldest → newest
| Ratio | Trend | 2023-12-31 | 2024-12-31 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Operating margin | 2.4% | 2.3% | |
| Net margin | 14.9% | 21.7% | |
| Return on capital employed | 1.9% | 1.8% | |
| Current ratio | 0.71x | 0.72x | |
| Interest cover | 0.49x | 0.47x |
Margins divide P&L lines by turnover. Gearing is liabilities over total assets. Current ratio is current assets over creditors falling due within one year. Interest cover is operating profit over absolute finance costs. Sector-distribution context coming next.
Audit & accounting basis
- Accounting basis
- FRS 102
- Reporting scope
- Standalone (parent only)
- Auditor
- Deloitte LLP
- Audit opinion
- Unqualified (clean)
- Going concern
- Affirmed
“The position of the Company at the balance sheet date was a net asset of £11,500,000 (31 December 2023: £8,103,000) and net current liability of £92,190,000 (31 December 2023: £96,431,000). This position reflects the debt funding structure in place for the Company and wider Group. Whilst there is a net current liability position the Directors conclude the going concern basis is appropriate for the reasons discussed in the following paragraphs.”
Group structure
- WELCOME BREAK GROUP LIMITED · parent
- Welcome Break Limited 100%
- Hickling Service Area Limited 100%
- Welcome Break KFC Limited 100%
- Welcome Break Coffee Primo Limited 100%
- Welcome Break KFC Starbucks Limited 100%
- Welcome Break Birchanger Limited 100%
- Welcome Break Burger King Limited 100%
- Welcome Break Waitrose Limited 100%
- Welcome Break McDonald's Limited 100%
- Coffee Primo Burger King Limited 100%
- Welcome Break Waitrose KFC Limited 100%
- Welcome Break Starbucks Waitrose KFC Limited 100%
- Welcome Break Starbucks Burger King Limited 100%
- Welcome Break Starbucks McDonald's Limited 100%
- Welcome Break Starbucks Waitrose Burger King Limited 100%
- Starbucks Coffee Burger King Limited 100%
- Starbucks Coffee KFC Limited 100%
- Starbucks Coffee McDonald's Limited 100%
- Starbucks Coffee Waitrose Limited 100%
- Starbucks Coffee Waitrose KFC Limited 100%
- Starbucks Coffee McDonald's Waitrose Limited 100%
- Motorway Services Limited 92%
Significant events
- “Capital expenditure in the year was £11.7m (31 December 2023: £7.6m) which included the the introduction of a new brand in Taco Bell with one of these units opening during the year.”
- “On 31 May 2024 the Company acquired the shares in Hickling Service Area Limited to Welcome Break Group Limited for £1,447,700.”
- “The transition from fossil fuel vehicles to electric is something that will impact the business in the coming years and plans are well advanced to expand the provision of EV charging at sites.”
- “The launch of the Welcome Break Charitable Fund solidifies our commitment to giving back to our local communities and Team Members. We are thrilled to share that over £1 Million Pounds has been raised for the Welcome Break Charitable Fund since its launch in May 2023.”
Auditor, going-concern and subsidiary information is drawn from the narrative of the latest annual accounts. About these numbers
People
5 active · 51 resigned
| Name | Role | Appointed | Born | Nationality |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BARRETT, Joseph James | Director | 2018-11-29 | Jul 1966 | Irish |
| DIVINEY, John | Director | 2018-11-29 | Feb 1979 | Irish |
| DOLAN, Niall | Director | 2018-10-31 | Aug 1973 | Irish |
| HAZELWOOD, Charles John Gore | Director | 2017-05-23 | Jul 1963 | British |
| TOOR, Surinder Singh | Director | 2017-05-23 | Mar 1972 | British |
Show 51 resigned officers
| Name | Role | Appointed | Resigned |
|---|---|---|---|
| HARRIS, Ian Michael Brian | Secretary | 1999-10-30 | 2003-08-27 |
| JAVES, Peter Howard | Secretary | 1997-09-01 | 1999-10-29 |
| TAUTZ, Helen Jane | Secretary | 1996-07-29 | 1997-03-06 |
| WALKER, Ruth Alison | Secretary | 2006-02-01 | 2011-04-12 |
| WARNER, Richard Taylor | Secretary | 1997-03-06 | 1997-09-01 |
| WRIGHT, Nicholas David | Secretary | 2003-09-12 | 2006-02-01 |
| SISEC LIMITED | Corporate Nominee Secretary | 1996-01-18 | 1996-07-29 |
| BARR, Paul Johnstone | Director | 2009-12-14 | 2011-11-15 |
| BARR, Thomas Gary | Director | 1999-04-19 | 2002-10-29 |
| BELL, Robbie Ian | Director | 2017-09-29 | 2018-12-20 |
| BROUGHTON, Martyn John | Director | 1997-05-16 | 1999-05-19 |
| BRYAN, Nicholas Martin | Director | 1998-10-06 | 2001-11-14 |
| CANHAM, Michael Derek | Director | 2009-12-14 | 2016-11-11 |
| CARTWRIGHT, Stacey Lee | Director | 1996-08-29 | 1997-03-06 |
| CHARTERS, Robert George Beattie | Director | 2002-10-01 | 2005-12-14 |
| DICKIE, Brian Norman | Director | 2003-09-17 | 2003-11-10 |
| DOWLING, Christopher Bruce | Director | 2008-06-17 | 2009-12-14 |
| ETCHINGHAM, Robert Christopher | Director | 2018-10-31 | 2018-11-29 |
| FINEGAN, Andrea | Director | 2008-06-17 | 2009-09-15 |
| FRANKLIN, Steven Henry | Director | 1997-11-03 | 1999-11-24 |
| GRANDIN, Anne Andree Marie | Director | 2014-12-11 | 2017-05-23 |
| GUTHRIE, Garth Michael | Director | 1997-03-06 | 2008-03-28 |
| HARRIS, Ian Michael Brian | Director | 2000-05-09 | 2003-08-27 |
| HUDSON, Mark Benjamin Bays | Director | 1998-05-05 | 1999-09-22 |
| KAWONCZYK, Artur Tadeusz | Director | 2011-07-25 | 2017-05-23 |
| KYTE, Darren Stephen | Director | 2008-06-17 | 2018-10-31 |
| LANE, Philip Martin | Director | 1998-05-27 | 1999-03-12 |
| LOVE, David Arthur | Director | 2009-09-15 | 2011-07-25 |
| MACARTNEY, Elizabeth Anne | Director | 2010-03-01 | 2011-06-17 |
| MAHONEY, James | Director | 2003-09-17 | 2008-03-28 |
| MCKAY, Ian, Dr | Director | 2002-09-11 | 2006-02-05 |
| MCKECHNIE, Michael Antony | Director | 1998-10-12 | 2001-08-09 |
| MCKIE, Roderick Wallace | Director | 2002-03-14 | 2018-05-31 |
| MERRY DEL VAL BARBAVARA DI GRAVELLONA, Felipe Domingo | Director | 2002-01-04 | 2003-09-17 |
| MULLETT, George Gavin | Director | 2012-10-23 | 2014-12-11 |
| O'FLAHERTY, Peter Bartholomew | Director | 2016-11-11 | 2018-10-31 |
| O'FLAHERTY, Peter Bartholomew | Director | 2008-06-17 | 2009-12-14 |
| PARROTT, Graham Joseph | Director | 1996-08-29 | 1997-03-06 |
| PARSONS, Lisa Marie | Director | 2014-10-21 | 2018-07-02 |
| PATTERSON, Nigel John Arthur | Director | 1997-05-16 | 1998-10-06 |
| PENNYCOOK, Richard | Director | 1998-12-01 | 2002-05-22 |
| PETERS, Phillip William | Director | 2011-11-15 | 2012-10-23 |
| POSTER, Stephen Michael | Director | 1996-09-11 | 1997-03-06 |
| ROBSON, Patricia Anne | Director | 1998-05-27 | 1999-05-19 |
| STAUNTON, Henry Eric | Director | 1996-07-29 | 1997-03-06 |
| TAUTZ, Helen Jane | Director | 1996-07-29 | 1997-03-06 |
| WARNER, Richard Taylor | Director | 1997-03-06 | 2002-06-13 |
| WRIGHT, Nicholas David | Director | 2003-08-27 | 2017-09-29 |
| YEA, Philip Edward | Director | 2001-11-20 | 2004-06-16 |
| LOVITING LIMITED | Corporate Nominee Director | 1996-01-18 | 1996-07-29 |
| SERJEANTS' INN NOMINEES LIMITED | Corporate Nominee Director | 1996-01-18 | 1996-07-29 |
Ownership
Persons with significant control
| Name | Kind | Nature of control | Notified | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Welcome Break Holdings (1) Limited | Corporate entity | Shares 75–100%, Voting 75–100%, Appoints directors | 2016-04-06 | Active |
Filing timeline
Last 20 of 334 total filings
| Date | Type | Category | Description | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-04-09 | CS01 | confirmation-statement | Confirmation statement with updates | |
| 2025-12-29 | MR01 | mortgage | Mortgage create with deed with charge number charge creation date | |
| 2025-10-16 | SH01 | capital | Capital allotment shares | |
| 2025-10-09 | MR01 | mortgage | Mortgage create with deed with charge number charge creation date | |
| 2025-10-07 | MR04 | mortgage | Mortgage satisfy charge full | |
| 2025-10-07 | MR04 | mortgage | Mortgage satisfy charge full | |
| 2025-10-07 | MR01 | mortgage | Mortgage create with deed with charge number charge creation date | |
| 2025-10-06 | MR04 | mortgage | Mortgage satisfy charge full | |
| 2025-10-06 | MR04 | mortgage | Mortgage satisfy charge full | |
| 2025-09-08 | SH01 | capital | Capital allotment shares | |
| 2025-07-25 | AA | accounts | Accounts with accounts type full | |
| 2025-04-03 | CS01 | confirmation-statement | Confirmation statement with no updates | |
| 2024-07-30 | AA | accounts | Accounts with accounts type full | |
| 2024-07-08 | PSC05 | persons-with-significant-control | Change to a person with significant control | |
| 2024-04-11 | CS01 | confirmation-statement | Confirmation statement with no updates | |
| 2023-09-27 | AA | accounts | Accounts with accounts type full | |
| 2023-04-06 | CS01 | confirmation-statement | Confirmation statement with no updates | |
| 2023-02-02 | AUD | auditors | Auditors resignation company | |
| 2023-02-02 | AUD | auditors | Auditors resignation company | |
| 2022-09-21 | AA | accounts | Accounts with accounts type full |
Public-record activity
Raw counts from Companies House — last 12–24 months
- Filings
- 11
- Capital events
- 2
- Officers appointed
- 0
- Officers resigned
- 0
last 12 months
last 24 months
last 12 months
last 12 months
Direct counts from the register. No score, no rating — see the Filing timeline for the underlying events.
Year-on-year
FY2023 → FY2024 · period ending 2024-12-31 vs 2023-12-31
-
Turnover
+3.2%
£294,808,000 £304,299,000
-
Cash
-27.3%
£36,980,000 £26,895,000
-
Net assets
+41.9%
£8,103,000 £11,500,000
-
Employees
-3.8%
1,937 1,863
-
Operating profit
+0.6%
£7,064,000 £7,105,000
-
Profit before tax
+49.4%
£44,352,000 £66,282,000
-
Wages
+9.1%
£37,322,000 £40,734,000
Each % is (latest − prior) ÷ |prior| for the line item as filed. The comparison is only shown when the latest and prior accounts cover broadly equal-length periods — short or long stubs (typical around incorporation or a year-end change) are suppressed rather than misrepresented. Lines a company doesn't report are omitted. About these numbers