COLLINS DEBDEN LIMITED
Company number 02020029 · Monitor this company
This analysis was written by an AI from the company's public filings. It may contain errors or omissions and is not financial or professional advice.
Credit Assessment: Collins Debden Limited (Companies House No. 02020029)
1. Credit Opinion: CONDITIONAL APPROVE
Reasoning: Collins Debden Limited presents several positive indicators warranting consideration for credit, including a 39-year trading history, a clear identity as the UK's leading diary and stationery supplier, recent filing compliance, and apparent ownership stability through a corporate parent (Debden Importing (UK) Limited). However, the assessment is conditional pending receipt and verification of full financial statements to validate revenue scale, profitability, and cash generation capability. The company qualifies as a small/micro entity filing under "Total Exemption Full," which limits the depth of publicly available financial disclosure.
2. Financial Strength
Balance Sheet Indicators (Inferred): - Established Trading History: Incorporated 1986, with three prior corporate name changes culminating in the current brand established in 1997 — indicating a long-established market position in the diary and stationery sector. - Share Capital: £1,000,000 issued share capital is notable for a small company filing under Total Exemption Full, suggesting a reasonably capitalised entity. - Corporate Ownership Structure: Greater than 75% ownership held by Debden Importing (UK) Limited (a corporate entity), providing group backing and potential intercompany support, but also indicating reliance on a parent relationship for capital decisions. - Filing Status: Accounts made up to 31 December 2025 (current year), with next filing due 30 September 2027 — fully compliant. Confirmation Statement also up to date.
Concerns: - The Total Exemption Full filing status means full audited accounts are not required or publicly filed, restricting transparency. We would need to request management accounts or full set for facility assessment. - Two SIC codes related to printing and stationery supply suggest a relatively niche sector exposed to declining print/diary markets and discretionary consumer spending.
3. Cash Flow Assessment
Liquidity and Working Capital (Limited Data Available): - Public Data Limitations: No balance sheet figures (current assets, current liabilities, net current assets) are provided in the available filings, making quantitative cash flow analysis impossible without requesting internal management information. - Sector Considerations: The diary and stationery sector is heavily seasonal, with significant Q4 (Back-to-School, Christmas) revenue concentration. Working capital strain during peak production periods should be expected and modelled. - Group Backing: Ownership by Debden Importing (UK) Limited suggests potential for group treasury support, which can be a positive liquidity buffer but also creates intercompany dependency risk.
Action Required: Obtain at minimum: - Latest management accounts (P&L and balance sheet) - 12-month cash flow forecast - Details of any intercompany funding arrangements with parent - Debtor aging and concentration analysis
4. Monitoring Points
Going forward, the following should be tracked: - Filing Compliance: Continued timely filing of accounts and confirmation statements - Director Stability: Two active directors (name shown to subscribers, name shown to subscribers) — monitor for any resignations or changes in control structure - Parent Company Health: Financial standing of Debden Importing (UK) Limited, given majority ownership concentration - Sector Headwinds: Decline in physical diary/paper stationery demand due to digital substitution; ESG considerations around print/paper supply chains - Working Capital Seasonality: Q3/Q4 peak demand period performance - Concentration Risk: Likely exposure to major stationery retailers (e.g., WH Smith, Tesco, Sainsbury's) — single customer dependency should be quantified - Director Conduct: No disqualification records disclosed — maintain periodic checks - Import/Supply Chain Risk: "Debden Importing" in parent name suggests reliance on imported product; monitor for FX and tariff exposure post-Brexit
Recommended Facility Structure: - Consider invoice discounting or stock facility to support seasonal working capital - Request personal guarantees from active directors or parent company guarantee from Debden Importing (UK) Limited - Set facility limits conservatively until full financials demonstrate debt service capacity