FIRSTSITE LIMITED

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

• Turnover

  +0.6%

  £2,349,812 → £2,363,822

• Cash

  -27.8%

  £72,993 → £52,672

• Net assets

  0%

  £950,775 → £950,682

• Employees

  -12.8%

  78 → 68

• Wages

  -7.3%

  £774,622 → £718,051

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

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.

1. FIRSTSITE LIMITED 2008-01-10 → present
2. COLCHESTER AND DISTRICT VISUAL ARTS TRUST 1994-01-04 → 2008-01-10

Accounting basis

FRS 102

Reporting scope

Consolidated group

Auditor

Streets Audit LLP

Audit opinion

Unqualified (clean)

Going concern

Affirmed

“The trustees have formed a judgement, at the time of approving the financial statements, that based upon funding secured and actions being taken to respond the financial impact of the cost-of-living crisis the group will continue its activities for the foreseeable future and remains a going concern.”

Group structure

1. FIRSTSITE LIMITED · parent
   1. Firstsite Enterprises Limited 100% · United Kingdom · Trading arm of charity

Significant events

• “Firstsite has consolidated and augmented its position as one of the leading contemporary art spaces in the country.”
• “We have been on national TV and in the papers; our shows have been reviewed extremely well, and the beautiful golden crescent that is our home has had three outings on BBCI by way of Antiques Roadshow.”
• “Crowds of people came from across the UK to Firstsite, bringing their treasures to be valued and discussed, and as a result, Firstsite acquired legions of inore supporters and fans. We also hosted a pre-election debate for Channel 4.”
• “Our exhibitions this year have been typically diverse, inspiring and beautiful. The artis:, traveller and bohemian creative Lucy Harwood had a long-awaited retrospective in the first half of 2024; her family were there at the opening, and were moved to tears to see their relative's beautiful, vibrant paintings displayed as they should be.”
• “David Lock, another artist who has waited a long time, had a terrific show which was challenging, dramatic and beautiful all at once.”
• “As always, Firstsite has had children and young people busily making art, being noisy and dancing their way through the galleries as part of our award-winning Holiday Fun programme.”
• “Our late-night events at Firstsite have been terrific; we have altered our opening hours to reflect when people have time to come and use the facilities, and this has worked very well indeed.”
• “Earlier this year we said goodbye to our wonderful deputy Chair Richard Polom, who served on the Board of Firstsite for many years, and who also looked after the Finance Committee with great diligence and creativity.”
• “We also bid farewell to Sarah Caven-Atack who served in many roles at Firstsite, but was latterly our Chief Operating Officer.”
• “The financial climate of 2024/25 has tested Firstsite more than any year since the pandemic. Audience caution, rising energy and operating costs, and pressure on philanthropy have created real challenges.”
• “Major infrastructure improvements, such as the gallery-wide lighting project, have secured long-term efficiency and enhanced the visitor experience.”

Auditor, going-concern and subsidiary information is drawn from the narrative of the latest annual accounts. About these numbers

Filings

6

last 12 months

Capital events

0

last 24 months

Officers appointed

0

last 12 months

Officers resigned

2

last 12 months

Direct counts from the register. No score, no rating — see the Filing timeline for the underlying events.