CARTMEL DISTILLERS LIMITED
🌳Matureactive
05539318 · ltd · incorporated 2005-08-17
Investment thesis
Well-run mature business — low negotiation leverage; premium likely.
Why interesting: Textbook target; clean filings, stable trading.
Why risky: No pressure on seller; any deal likely at full price.
Opportunity decay
hardening · 12-months
Already tight — no obvious softening catalysts on the horizon.
- · Thesis: well-run, low negotiation leverage
🔒Estimated value
—
Upgrade to see
Turnover
—
not disclosed
Net worth
—
book net assets
Opportunity
73/100
Strong
What this business does
Primary activity: SIC 11070
Sector: Manufacturing
Investor take
PursueActive trading company with a 75-year-old founder — textbook succession opportunity.
Opportunity 73/100 (strong), bankability 67/100. Strong seller-intent signal (73/100, director aged 75). Share purchase looks the cleaner deal structure. Biggest value-creation lever: Consolidate lender relationships. 6 distinct lenders creates friction — refinance into single-lender structure for cleaner diligence. Most likely exit: share sale to pe / searcher (65/100).
🏦
Refinance opportunity
6 live charges · 6 lenders · oldest 17.9y
35/100
too messy
Refinance path is blocked by complexity. Rethink structure or expect bespoke, expensive terms.
- · Oldest live charge is 17.9 years old — likely at or near maturity.
- · 6 lenders named — inter-creditor friction likely.
- · Legal-friction score 30/100 — workable, but lender will want more DD.
Data confidence
Overall: medium (61/100)Adequate coverage. AI outputs are reliable for the sections scored high; verify the rest in diligence.
Company profile
address, 1 SIC codes, incorporation date
100
Financials
No iXBRL financials extracted
0
Lenders & charges
6 charges (6/6 with lender, 6/6 with type)
90
Directors & officers
26 officers (5 active, 26 linked, 23 with DOB)
88
Ownership & PSC
2 active PSC(s) of 3 total, 3 with control declared
90
Director network
25 connected companies via shared directors
90
Filing history
154 filings on record
85
Gazette notices
No matching gazette notices (standard for active companies)
60
Opportunity Score
73/100Strong
PassWatchWorth a lookStrongExceptional
Solid opportunity signal. Worth a dedicated memo and management meeting.
Business quality
70
Active, clean filings, stable charge profile.
Acquirability
70
Strong succession / seller-readiness signals.
Risk profile
66
Some moderate concerns — review flags.
Signal strength
100
Good data coverage for analysis.
Recent activity
Last 30 days
0
filings
Last 90 days
4
filings
- • 2 accounts
- • 2 other
Last 180 days
4
filings
- • 2 accounts
- • 2 other
Counts from Companies House filing history.
Corporate timeline (81 events)Click to expand
- 2026-04-16📄accounts-with-accounts-type-audit-exemption-subsiduaryaccounts · AA
- 2026-04-16📄legacyaccounts · PARENT_ACC
- 2026-04-16📄legacyother · GUARANTEE2
- 2026-04-16📄legacyother · AGREEMENT2
- 2025-09-20📍change-sail-address-company-with-old-address-new-addressaddress · AD02
- 2025-04-08📄accounts-with-accounts-type-audit-exemption-subsiduaryaccounts · AA
- 2025-04-08📄legacyaccounts · PARENT_ACC
- 2025-04-08📄legacyother · GUARANTEE2
- 2025-04-08📄legacyother · AGREEMENT2
- 2024-09-10📄change-person-director-company-with-change-dateofficers · CH01
- 2024-09-09➕ABABEI, Ioana Simona appointeddirector
- 2024-09-09➕KILSHAW, Scott Matthew appointeddirector
- 2024-09-09➖KENNEDY, John Hames Taig resigneddirector
- 2024-09-09📄appoint-person-director-company-with-name-dateofficers · AP01
- 2024-09-09📄appoint-person-director-company-with-name-dateofficers · AP01
- 2024-09-09📍change-registered-office-address-company-with-date-old-address-new-addressaddress · AD01
- 2024-09-09📄cessation-of-a-person-with-significant-controlpersons-with-significant-control · PSC07
- 2024-09-09📄termination-director-company-with-name-termination-dateofficers · TM01
- 2024-06-26✏️certificate-change-of-name-companychange-of-name · CERTNM
- 2024-03-29📄accounts-with-accounts-type-audit-exemption-subsiduaryaccounts · AA
- 2024-03-29📄legacyaccounts · PARENT_ACC
- 2024-03-29📄legacyother · GUARANTEE2
- 2024-03-29📄legacyother · AGREEMENT2
- 2023-08-15📄memorandum-articlesincorporation · MA
- 2023-08-15📄resolutionresolution · RESOLUTIONS
- 2023-07-25➖PILLAY, Kevin resigneddirector
- 2023-03-06➕KENNEDY, John Hames Taig appointeddirector
- 2022-10-31➖HAINSWORTH, Stewart Andrew resigneddirector
- 2022-08-25🔓Charge satisfied #5
- 2022-08-25🔓Charge satisfied #4
- 2022-07-12➕WILLIAMSON, Edward Peter appointeddirector
- 2022-07-12➖KENNEDY, John Edward James resigneddirector
- 2022-07-12➕PILLAY, Kevin appointeddirector
- 2022-01-31➕KENNEDY, John Edward James appointeddirector
- 2022-01-31➖ROBINSON, Alan William resigneddirector
- 2019-08-31➖EATON, Peter Gary resigneddirector
- 2018-11-29🔒Charge registered #6Lender: Investec Bank PLC
- 2018-05-16➖WRIGHT, James resigneddirector
- 2017-03-31➖WOOLF, Robert Francis resigneddirector
- 2017-03-29➕WRIGHT, James appointeddirector
- 2017-03-16➕TAYBURN, Lee Andrew appointeddirector
- 2017-03-08➖MURRAY, Andrew David resigneddirector
- 2017-02-27🔒Charge registered #5Lender: National Westminster Bank PLC
- 2017-02-27🔒Charge registered #4Lender: Rbs Invoice Finance Limited
- 2017-02-13🔓Charge satisfied #3
- 2017-02-13🔓Charge satisfied #1
- 2016-10-05➖OLDROYD, Simon John resigneddirector
- 2016-03-18➕ROBINSON, Alan William appointeddirector
- 2016-03-01➖HORSFALL, Peter Luke resignedsecretary
- 2015-06-15➕MURRAY, Andrew David appointeddirector
Showing most recent 50 of 81 events
Owner dependency
55/100
Moderate — manageable with handoverSome founder dependency, but not acute. A structured handover period should cover most risk.
FACTORS
- -5 active directors: Broader management team in place — suggests transferable governance.
- +Founder age: Director aged approximately 75 — succession pressure is live.
Succession & seller-readiness
73/100
Strong succession signalMultiple signals suggest succession is on the horizon. Candidate for proactive outreach.
SIGNALS
- primaryFounder aged 70+: Senior director is approximately 75 years old. Natural succession window is now.
- secondary12+ year tenure: Director in role 15 years.
- supportingClean filings + long tenure: Disciplined long-tenure operator — classic lifestyle-business pattern that often sells quietly.
Red flags
2 med · 1 lowCharge satisfaction-then-recreation pattern
mediumMultiple instances where a charge was satisfied and a new charge created within 6 months. Suggests active refinancing cycle.
Name changed recently
mediumName changes can be benign (rebrand) but can also precede distress, phoenix activity, or buyer concealment.
Evidence: 2024-06-26: certificate-change-of-name-company
Multiple registered office changes
lowMultiple address changes in a short period can indicate operational instability or admin disorder.
Group structure
Halewood Artisanal Spirits Plc is the ultimate parent — holding 75%+ shares. This company sits inside their group.
🏛️ultimate parent
Halewood Artisanal Spirits Plc
Corporate parent · holds 75-100% shares · board control
⬇
CARTMEL DISTILLERS LIMITED
This company · 05539318
Parent relationships inferred from Persons with Significant Control filings. Full subsidiary tree requires reverse-lookup (coming).
Shareholders & ownership
2 active beneficial owners · dominant holder ≥75%| Name | Shares | Voting rights | Nature of control | Notified |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Mr Ian Alan Douglas Individual · British · DOB 03/1951 · age 75 | 75–100% | 75–100% | board control75-100% shares · 75-100% voting · board control · trust interest | 06/04/2016 |
Halewood Artisanal Spirits Plc Corporate entity | 75–100% | 75–100% | board control75-100% shares · 75-100% voting · board control | 06/04/2016 |
1 historic (ceased) PSC
- Mrs Judith Margaret Halewoodceased 09/09/2024· 75-100% shares · 75-100% voting · board control · trust interest
From Companies House Persons with Significant Control filings. Share ranges are banded per the public PSC regime.
🔒Co-director network graph
Radial SVG graph showing every company connected via shared directors, colour-coded by status.
Available from the Pro tier upwards.
See pricing →Similar companies
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BEWICHED LOGISTICS LIMITED→ 10832338 · est 2017 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 8y | — | — |
| BLUE SKIES (UK) LIMITED→ 03402110 · est 1997 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 28y | — | — |
| BORN & BREAD BAKERY LTD→ 11136670 · est 2018 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 8y | — | — |
| BRIGADEIROS UK LTD→ 16174926 · est 2025 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 1y | — | — |
| BRUNCH BAE LTD→ 14034511 · est 2022 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 4y | — | — |
| BYRN BAKERY LTD→ 13290029 · est 2021 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 5y | — | — |
| CAKESBYLULU LTD→ 13027355 · est 2020 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 5y | — | — |
| CALM COFFEE ROASTERY LTD→ 15551823 · est 2024 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 2y | — | — |
| CAMBRIDGE WEIGHT PLAN LIMITED→ 01673704 · est 1982 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 43y | — | — |
| CARR'S FLOUR MILLS LIMITED→ 00480341 · est 1950 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 76y | — | — |
| CASSMAX LIMITED→ 16332780 · est 2025 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 1y | — | — |
| CAWSTON PRESS LIMITED→ 04019196 · est 2000 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 25y | — | — |
Peers ranked by estimated value, then turnover, then opportunity score.See all →
🔒Tailored diligence questions
7 specific questions generated from this company's actual signals — liquidity, leverage, director age, charge count, red flags, age-of-company.
Available from the Pro tier upwards.
See pricing →🔒Advanced scoring suite
Exit-route ranking, improvement thesis, quiet-distress detector, covenant-pressure proxy, extraction monitor, approaching triggers, ownership drift, local cluster, value trap, debt capacity, archetype classification — 48+ scoring modules.
Available from the Pro tier upwards.
See pricing →Company details
Statusactive
Typeltd
Incorporated2005-08-17
Jurisdictionengland-wales
Primary SIC11070 — SIC 11070
Registered office
2 Spire Road
Rushden
NN10 0FN
England
Filing status
Accounts
Next due: 2027-03-29
Last made up to: 2025-06-29
Confirmation statement
Next due: 2026-08-31
Last: 2025-08-17
Officers (5 active · 21 resigned)
ABABEI, Ioana Simona→
Activedirector · ~36y · appointed 2024-09-09
View their other companies + combined net worth →
HALEWOOD, Judith Margaret→
Activedirector · ~75y · appointed 2011-10-18
View their other companies + combined net worth →
KILSHAW, Scott Matthew→
Activedirector · ~48y · appointed 2024-09-09
View their other companies + combined net worth →
TAYBURN, Lee Andrew→
Activedirector · ~52y · appointed 2017-03-16
View their other companies + combined net worth →
WILLIAMSON, Edward Peter→
Activedirector · ~31y · appointed 2022-07-12
View their other companies + combined net worth →
HORSFALL, Peter Luke→
Resignedsecretary · appointed 2011-07-01 · resigned 2016-03-01
WHEAWELL, Michael Anthony→
Resignedsecretary · appointed 2005-08-17 · resigned 2011-07-01
SWIFT INCORPORATIONS LIMITED→
Resignedcorporate-nominee-secretary · appointed 2005-08-17 · resigned 2005-08-17
COTTON, Neill Andrew→
Resigneddirector · ~52y · appointed 2011-07-01 · resigned 2012-01-09
EATON, Peter Gary→
Resigneddirector · ~66y · appointed 2011-10-18 · resigned 2019-08-31
HAINSWORTH, Stewart Andrew→
Resigneddirector · ~57y · appointed 2015-06-01 · resigned 2022-10-31
HALEWOOD, John Edward→
Resigneddirector · ~79y · appointed 2011-07-01 · resigned 2011-10-15
HOPE, Margaret Mary→
Resigneddirector · ~69y · appointed 2005-08-17 · resigned 2011-07-01
KENNEDY, John Hames Taig→
Resigneddirector · ~46y · appointed 2023-03-06 · resigned 2024-09-09
KENNEDY, John Edward James→
Resigneddirector · ~46y · appointed 2022-01-31 · resigned 2022-07-12
MURRAY, Andrew David→
Resigneddirector · ~61y · appointed 2015-06-15 · resigned 2017-03-08
OLDROYD, Simon John→
Resigneddirector · ~73y · appointed 2011-07-01 · resigned 2016-10-05
PILLAY, Kevin→
Resigneddirector · ~58y · appointed 2022-07-12 · resigned 2023-07-25
PRICE JONES, Clwyd→
Resigneddirector · ~64y · appointed 2006-12-08 · resigned 2012-01-20
ROBINSON, Alan William→
Resigneddirector · ~61y · appointed 2016-03-18 · resigned 2022-01-31
Click a director name to see their full track record across all companies.
Mortgages & charges
6
Total charges
1
Outstanding
1
Active lenders
Status:Lender:6 of 6 shown
| Type | Properties | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| outstanding | Investec Bank Investec Bank PLC | A registered charge | 13 properties | 29/11/2018 | — | |
| satisfied | National Westminster Bank National Westminster Bank PLC | A registered charge | 1 property | 27/02/2017 | 25/08/2022 | |
| satisfied | NatWest Group Rbs Invoice Finance Limited | A registered charge | 1 property | 27/02/2017 | 25/08/2022 | |
| satisfied | Halewood Water Holdings Halewood Water Holdings Limited | Debenture | 1 property | 01/07/2011 | 13/02/2017 | |
| satisfied | Close Asset Finance Close Asset Finance Limited | Legal charge | 2 properties | 28/11/2008 | 09/08/2011 | |
| satisfied | Bibby Financial Services Bibby Financial Services Limited | Debenture | 1 property | 28/07/2008 | 13/02/2017 |
Click column headers to sort. Use filters above to narrow by status and lender.
Recent filings (154 total)
accounts-with-accounts-type-audit-exemption-subsiduary
accounts · AA
2026-04-16
legacy
accounts · PARENT_ACC
2026-04-16
legacy
other · GUARANTEE2
2026-04-16
legacy
other · AGREEMENT2
2026-04-16
change-sail-address-company-with-old-address-new-address
address · AD02
2025-09-20
confirmation-statement-with-no-updates
confirmation-statement · CS01
2025-09-19
accounts-with-accounts-type-audit-exemption-subsiduary
accounts · AA
2025-04-08
legacy
accounts · PARENT_ACC
2025-04-08
legacy
other · GUARANTEE2
2025-04-08
legacy
other · AGREEMENT2
2025-04-08
change-person-director-company-with-change-date
officers · CH01
2024-09-10
confirmation-statement-with-no-updates
confirmation-statement · CS01
2024-09-09
appoint-person-director-company-with-name-date
officers · AP01
2024-09-09
appoint-person-director-company-with-name-date
officers · AP01
2024-09-09
change-registered-office-address-company-with-date-old-address-new-address
address · AD01
2024-09-09