ABOVE THE BAY LTD
💤Zombieactive
06678201 · ltd · incorporated 2008-08-21
Investment thesis
Zombie company — trading but stalled; unlikely mover.
Why interesting: Quiet, steady; could be a succession or carve-out candidate with the right conversation.
Why risky: No growth signal; thin margin for error on price.
🔒Estimated value
—
Upgrade to see
Turnover
—
year to Dec 2024
Net worth
—
book net assets
Opportunity
77/100
Strong
What this business does
Primary activity: Activities of sport clubs
Sector: Arts, entertainment & recreation
Investor take
PursueActive trading company with a 64-year-old founder — textbook succession opportunity.
Opportunity 77/100 (strong), bankability 67/100. Strong seller-intent signal (65/100, director aged 64). Share purchase looks the cleaner deal structure. Biggest value-creation lever: Consolidate lender relationships. 14 distinct lenders creates friction — refinance into single-lender structure for cleaner diligence. Most likely exit: share sale to pe / searcher (73/100).
🏦
Refinance opportunity
15 live charges · 8 lenders · oldest 17.7y
15/100
under pressure
Refinance would be pressure-driven, not opportunity-driven. Expect tighter margins and covenant scrutiny.
- · Oldest live charge is 17.7 years old — likely at or near maturity.
- · 8 lenders named — inter-creditor friction likely.
- · Distress signals active — lender appetite narrows.
Data confidence
Overall: high (80/100)Strong data coverage across all sections. AI outputs should be trusted with minimal caveats.
Company profile
address, 1 SIC codes, incorporation date
100
Financials
2 years of iXBRL accounts extracted (YoY deltas available) + narrative notes parsed
75
Lenders & charges
15 charges (15/15 with lender, 15/15 with type)
90
Directors & officers
4 officers (1 active, 4 linked, 3 with DOB)
85
Ownership & PSC
1 active PSC(s) of 2 total, 2 with control declared
90
Director network
3 connected companies via shared directors
54
Filing history
87 filings on record
85
Gazette notices
No matching gazette notices (standard for active companies)
60
Opportunity Score
77/100Strong
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
77
Few red flags.
Signal strength
100
Good data coverage for analysis.
Key financials
2 years extracted from filed iXBRL accountsCash
—
Net Worth
—
Current Assets
—
Current Liabilities
—
Hover to see exact values · click legend to toggle series
Financials
Extracted from Companies House accounts · accounting standard unknown| Metric | 2024-12-31 | 2023-12-31 |
|---|---|---|
| Average employees | 3300 | 3300 |
Amounts extracted automatically from iXBRL. Fields left blank were not reported or not mapped. Values in GBP unless stated.
🔒Filing-note intelligence
2 signals detected in this company's narrative notes — going-concern language, audit opinion, contingent liabilities, related-party transactions.
Available from the Pro tier upwards.
See pricing →Recent activity
Last 30 days
0
filings
Last 90 days
0
filings
Last 180 days
0
filings
Counts from Companies House filing history.
Corporate timeline (58 events)Click to expand
- 2025-09-30📄accounts-with-accounts-type-total-exemption-fullaccounts · AA
- 2024-09-24📄accounts-with-accounts-type-total-exemption-fullaccounts · AA
- 2023-12-14📄notification-of-a-person-with-significant-controlpersons-with-significant-control · PSC02
- 2023-12-14📄cessation-of-a-person-with-significant-controlpersons-with-significant-control · PSC07
- 2023-12-14📍change-registered-office-address-company-with-date-old-address-new-addressaddress · AD01
- 2023-12-14📄termination-director-company-with-name-termination-dateofficers · TM01
- 2023-12-14📄appoint-person-director-company-with-name-dateofficers · AP01
- 2023-12-14✏️certificate-change-of-name-companychange-of-name · CERTNM
- 2023-12-14📄mortgage-satisfy-charge-fullmortgage · MR04
- 2023-12-14📄mortgage-satisfy-charge-fullmortgage · MR04
- 2023-12-14📄mortgage-satisfy-charge-fullmortgage · MR04
- 2023-12-14📄mortgage-satisfy-charge-fullmortgage · MR04
- 2023-12-14📄mortgage-satisfy-charge-fullmortgage · MR04
- 2023-12-14📄mortgage-satisfy-charge-fullmortgage · MR04
- 2023-12-14🔓Charge satisfied #15
- 2023-12-14🔓Charge satisfied #14
- 2023-12-14🔓Charge satisfied #13
- 2023-12-14🔓Charge satisfied #11
- 2023-12-14🔓Charge satisfied #10
- 2023-12-14🔓Charge satisfied #3
- 2023-12-13📄change-account-reference-date-company-current-extendedaccounts · AA01
- 2023-12-07📄mortgage-create-with-deed-with-charge-number-charge-creation-datemortgage · MR01
- 2023-12-04➕LANCASTER, Ian Michael appointeddirector
- 2023-12-04➖HUGHES, David Campbell resigneddirector
- 2023-12-04🔒Charge registered #16Lender: Bank of Scotland PLC
- 2023-11-16📄change-to-a-person-with-significant-controlpersons-with-significant-control · PSC04
- 2023-05-31📄accounts-with-accounts-type-total-exemption-fullaccounts · AA
- 2023-04-03📄mortgage-create-with-deed-with-charge-number-charge-creation-datemortgage · MR01
- 2023-04-03🔒Charge registered #15Lender: Folk Nominee Limited
- 2023-02-13📄mortgage-satisfy-charge-fullmortgage · MR04
- 2023-02-13🔓Charge satisfied #12
- 2023-01-17📍change-registered-office-address-company-with-date-old-address-new-addressaddress · AD01
- 2021-06-30🔒Charge registered #14Lender: Folk Nominee Limited
- 2021-06-30🔒Charge registered #13Lender: Folk Nominee Limited
- 2020-01-31🔒Charge registered #12Lender: Vesta Partnerships LTD
- 2019-12-05🔓Charge satisfied #7
- 2019-05-16➖BURROWS, Stephen John resigneddirector
- 2017-11-15🔓Charge satisfied #9
- 2017-11-15🔓Charge satisfied #8
- 2017-11-08🔒Charge registered #11Lender: Folk Nominee Limited
- 2017-11-08🔒Charge registered #10Lender: Folk Nominee Limited
- 2016-02-13🔓Charge satisfied #6
- 2016-02-13🔓Charge satisfied #5
- 2016-01-28🔒Charge registered #9Lender: Alan John Gimblett
- 2016-01-28🔒Charge registered #8Lender: Alan John Gimblett
- 2014-08-27🔒Charge registered #7Lender: Kier Living Limited
- 2014-02-06🔓Charge satisfied #4
- 2014-02-06🔓Charge satisfied #1
- 2014-01-31🔒Charge registered #6Lender: Heather Mary Stephenson
- 2014-01-31🔒Charge registered #5Lender: Heather Mary Stephenson
Showing most recent 50 of 58 events
Owner dependency
83/100
Critical — business is the founderThe business appears inseparable from the founder. Acquisition without a serious earn-out or meaningful transition period would likely destroy value.
FACTORS
- +Sole director: Only one active director — all governance concentrated on one person.
- +Senior director age: Director aged approximately 64 — approaching natural succession window.
Succession & seller-readiness
65/100
Strong succession signalMultiple signals suggest succession is on the horizon. Candidate for proactive outreach.
SIGNALS
- primaryFounder aged 63+: Senior director is approximately 64. Approaching typical UK retirement age — succession thinking likely.
- primarySole active director: Only one director in control. No visible successor — buyers solve the succession problem.
Red flags
1 med ·Charge satisfaction-then-recreation pattern
mediumMultiple instances where a charge was satisfied and a new charge created within 6 months. Suggests active refinancing cycle.
Group structure
Santo Properties Limited is the ultimate parent — holding 75%+ shares. This company sits inside their group.
🏛️ultimate parent
Santo Properties Limited
Corporate parent · holds 75-100% shares · board control
⬇
ABOVE THE BAY LTD
This company · 06678201
Parent relationships inferred from Persons with Significant Control filings. Full subsidiary tree requires reverse-lookup (coming).
Shareholders & ownership
1 active beneficial owner · dominant holder ≥75%| Name | Shares | Voting rights | Nature of control | Notified |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Santo Properties Limited Corporate entity | 75–100% | 75–100% | board control75-100% shares · 75-100% voting · board control | 04/12/2023 |
1 historic (ceased) PSC
- Mr David Campbell Hughesceased 04/12/2023· 75-100% shares · 75-100% voting · board control · significant influence · firm 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
Active · Leisure & entertainment · MK postcode area| Company | Est. value | Turnover | Net worth | Staff | Age | Opp | Director |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 TO 1 COACH LTD→ 13044154 · est 2020 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 5y | — | — |
| 1IRON GOLF LTD→ 11009050 · est 2017 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 8y | — | — |
| 360 PLAY (FARNBOROUGH) LIMITED→ 10724478 · est 2017 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 9y | — | — |
| 360 PLAY (REDDITCH) LIMITED→ 10402676 · est 2016 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 9y | — | — |
| 360 PLAY (RUSHDEN LAKES) LIMITED→ 10538249 · est 2016 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 9y | — | — |
| 4 BOYS ON A BOAT LTD→ 16852768 · est 2025 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 49’S LIMITED→ 10641214 · est 2017 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 9y | — | — |
| 5M TRAVEL SERVICES LTD→ 08234489 · est 2012 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 13y | — | — |
| AAC MUSIC LTD→ 17013972 · est 2026 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| ACCESS93 LIMITED→ 15790318 · est 2024 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 1y | — | — |
| ACE'S MACHINES LTD→ 17045947 · est 2026 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| ACL COLLECTIVE CIC→ 15708208 · est 2024 · no financials extracted | — | — | — | — | 1y | — | — |
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
Incorporated2008-08-21
Jurisdictionengland-wales
Primary SIC93120 — Activities of sport clubs
Registered office
8 Whittle Court
Knowlhill
Milton Keynes
MK5 8FT
England
Filing status
Accounts
Next due: 2026-09-30
Last made up to: 2024-12-31
Confirmation statement
Next due: 2026-09-04
Last: 2025-08-21
Officers (1 active · 3 resigned)
LANCASTER, Ian Michael→
Activedirector · ~64y · appointed 2023-12-04
View their other companies + combined net worth →
BURROWS, Stephen John→
Resigneddirector · ~75y · appointed 2008-08-26 · resigned 2019-05-16
HUGHES, David Campbell→
Resigneddirector · ~73y · appointed 2008-08-26 · resigned 2023-12-04
Corporate Appointments Limited→
Resignedcorporate-director · appointed 2008-08-21 · resigned 2008-08-26
Click a director name to see their full track record across all companies.
Mortgages & charges
15
Total charges
1
Outstanding
1
Active lenders
Status:Lender:15 of 15 shown
| Type | Properties | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| outstanding | Lloyds Banking Group Bank of Scotland PLC | A registered charge | — | 04/12/2023 | — | |
| satisfied | Folk Nominee Folk Nominee Limited | A registered charge | 1 property | 03/04/2023 | 14/12/2023 | |
| satisfied | Folk Nominee Folk Nominee Limited | A registered charge | 14 properties | 30/06/2021 | 14/12/2023 | |
| satisfied | Folk Nominee Folk Nominee Limited | A registered charge | 1 property | 30/06/2021 | 14/12/2023 | |
| satisfied | Vesta Partnerships Vesta Partnerships LTD | A registered charge | 1 property | 31/01/2020 | 13/02/2023 | |
| satisfied | Folk Nominee Folk Nominee Limited | A registered charge | 1 property | 08/11/2017 | 14/12/2023 | |
| satisfied | Folk Nominee Folk Nominee Limited | A registered charge | 4 properties | 08/11/2017 | 14/12/2023 | |
| satisfied | Alan John Gimblett / Nicola Jane Frost / Thomas Stanley Bridgewater / Sarah Victoria Shurety | A registered charge | — | 28/01/2016 | 15/11/2017 | |
| satisfied | Alan John Gimblett / Nicola Jane Frost / Thomas Stanley Bridgewater / Sarah Victoria Shurety | A registered charge | 2 properties | 28/01/2016 | 15/11/2017 | |
| satisfied | Kier Living Kier Living Limited | A registered charge | — | 27/08/2014 | 05/12/2019 | |
| satisfied | Heather Mary Stephenson / Mervyn William Bate and Rachel Bate / Mary Beatrice Smyth and John Coey Smyth / Alan Gimblett | A registered charge | 2 properties | 31/01/2014 | 13/02/2016 | |
| satisfied | Heather Mary Stephenson / Mervyn William Bate and Rachel Bate / Mary Beatrice Smyth and John Coey Smyth / Alan Gimblett | A registered charge | 1 property | 31/01/2014 | 13/02/2016 | |
| satisfied | Virgin Money Clydesdale Bank PLC | Legal mortgage | 1 property | 10/09/2008 | 06/02/2014 | |
| satisfied | David Campbell Hughes and Robert George Hughes | Legal mortgage (to co mortgagees) | 1 property | 10/09/2008 | 14/12/2023 | |
| satisfied | Virgin Money Clydesdale Bank PLC | Debenture | 1 property | 10/09/2008 | 06/02/2014 |
Click column headers to sort. Use filters above to narrow by status and lender.
Recent filings (87 total)
accounts-with-accounts-type-total-exemption-full
accounts · AA
2025-09-30
confirmation-statement-with-updates
confirmation-statement · CS01
2025-09-04
accounts-with-accounts-type-total-exemption-full
accounts · AA
2024-09-24
confirmation-statement-with-no-updates
confirmation-statement · CS01
2024-08-27
notification-of-a-person-with-significant-control
persons-with-significant-control · PSC02
2023-12-14
cessation-of-a-person-with-significant-control
persons-with-significant-control · PSC07
2023-12-14
change-registered-office-address-company-with-date-old-address-new-address
address · AD01
2023-12-14
termination-director-company-with-name-termination-date
officers · TM01
2023-12-14
appoint-person-director-company-with-name-date
officers · AP01
2023-12-14
certificate-change-of-name-company
change-of-name · CERTNM
2023-12-14
mortgage-satisfy-charge-full
mortgage · MR04
2023-12-14
mortgage-satisfy-charge-full
mortgage · MR04
2023-12-14
mortgage-satisfy-charge-full
mortgage · MR04
2023-12-14
mortgage-satisfy-charge-full
mortgage · MR04
2023-12-14
mortgage-satisfy-charge-full
mortgage · MR04
2023-12-14