once upon a time marketing limited Company Information
Company Number
03406501
Next Accounts
Jan 2026
Shareholders
once upon a time london ltd
Group Structure
View All
Industry
Advertising agencies
Registered Address
17 bowling green lane, clerkenwell, london, EC1R 0QH
Website
http://hixville.comonce upon a time marketing limited Estimated Valuation
Pomanda estimates the enterprise value of ONCE UPON A TIME MARKETING LIMITED at £14.3m based on a Turnover of £18.3m and 0.78x industry multiple (adjusted for size and gross margin).
once upon a time marketing limited Estimated Valuation
Pomanda estimates the enterprise value of ONCE UPON A TIME MARKETING LIMITED at £11.4m based on an EBITDA of £2.2m and a 5.1x industry multiple (adjusted for size and gross margin).
once upon a time marketing limited Estimated Valuation
Pomanda estimates the enterprise value of ONCE UPON A TIME MARKETING LIMITED at £17.6m based on Net Assets of £10m and 1.76x industry multiple (adjusted for liquidity).
Edit your figures and get a professional valuation report.
Once Upon A Time Marketing Limited Overview
Once Upon A Time Marketing Limited is a live company located in london, EC1R 0QH with a Companies House number of 03406501. It operates in the advertising agencies sector, SIC Code 73110. Founded in July 1997, it's largest shareholder is once upon a time london ltd with a 100% stake. Once Upon A Time Marketing Limited is a mature, mid sized company, Pomanda has estimated its turnover at £18.3m with rapid growth in recent years.
Upgrade for unlimited company reports & a free credit check
Once Upon A Time Marketing Limited Health Check
Pomanda's financial health check has awarded Once Upon A Time Marketing Limited a 5 rating. We use a traffic light system to show it exceeds the industry average on 8 measures and has 1 areas for improvement. Company Health Check FAQs


8 Strong

3 Regular

1 Weak

Size
annual sales of £18.3m, make it larger than the average company (£7.1m)
£18.3m - Once Upon A Time Marketing Limited
£7.1m - Industry AVG

Growth
3 year (CAGR) sales growth of 33%, show it is growing at a faster rate (10.5%)
33% - Once Upon A Time Marketing Limited
10.5% - Industry AVG

Production
with a gross margin of 60.5%, this company has a lower cost of product (42.6%)
60.5% - Once Upon A Time Marketing Limited
42.6% - Industry AVG

Profitability
an operating margin of 10.8% make it more profitable than the average company (4.8%)
10.8% - Once Upon A Time Marketing Limited
4.8% - Industry AVG

Employees
with 111 employees, this is above the industry average (35)
111 - Once Upon A Time Marketing Limited
35 - Industry AVG

Pay Structure
on an average salary of £61.1k, the company has an equivalent pay structure (£63.4k)
£61.1k - Once Upon A Time Marketing Limited
£63.4k - Industry AVG

Efficiency
resulting in sales per employee of £164.7k, this is equally as efficient (£176.9k)
£164.7k - Once Upon A Time Marketing Limited
£176.9k - Industry AVG

Debtor Days
it gets paid by customers after 47 days, this is near the average (54 days)
47 days - Once Upon A Time Marketing Limited
54 days - Industry AVG

Creditor Days
its suppliers are paid after 83 days, this is slower than average (43 days)
83 days - Once Upon A Time Marketing Limited
43 days - Industry AVG

Stock Days
it holds stock equivalent to 5 days, this is less than average (18 days)
5 days - Once Upon A Time Marketing Limited
18 days - Industry AVG

Cash Balance
has cash to cover current liabilities for 2 weeks, this is less cash available to meet short term requirements (15 weeks)
2 weeks - Once Upon A Time Marketing Limited
15 weeks - Industry AVG

Debt Level
it has a ratio of liabilities to total assets of 55.7%, this is a lower level of debt than the average (67.2%)
55.7% - Once Upon A Time Marketing Limited
67.2% - Industry AVG
ONCE UPON A TIME MARKETING LIMITED financials

Once Upon A Time Marketing Limited's latest turnover from April 2024 is £18.3 million and the company has net assets of £10 million. According to their latest financial statements, Once Upon A Time Marketing Limited has 111 employees and maintains cash reserves of £671 thousand as reported in the balance sheet.
Data source: Companies House, Pomanda Estimates
Apr 2024 | Apr 2023 | Apr 2022 | Apr 2021 | Apr 2020 | Apr 2019 | Apr 2018 | Apr 2017 | Apr 2016 | Apr 2015 | Apr 2014 | Dec 2012 | Apr 2012 | Apr 2011 | Apr 2010 | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Turnover | 18,285,817 | 19,628,686 | 16,472,976 | 7,829,672 | 11,358,978 | 10,099,276 | 9,428,686 | 9,833,238 | 11,862,895 | 9,819,486 | 19,624,013 | 6,486,168 | 12,218,000 | 20,259,000 | 16,837,000 |
Other Income Or Grants | |||||||||||||||
Cost Of Sales | 7,226,395 | 7,872,878 | 7,361,723 | 3,009,912 | 5,473,822 | 4,004,510 | 4,758,304 | 5,124,076 | 7,084,652 | 5,717,346 | 11,357,593 | 3,796,999 | 7,913,000 | 13,088,000 | 10,589,000 |
Gross Profit | 11,059,422 | 11,755,808 | 9,111,253 | 4,819,760 | 5,885,156 | 6,094,766 | 4,670,382 | 4,709,162 | 4,778,243 | 4,102,140 | 8,266,420 | 2,689,169 | 4,305,000 | 7,171,000 | 6,248,000 |
Admin Expenses | 9,083,603 | 8,222,675 | 5,478,473 | 3,877,664 | 5,175,730 | 5,026,170 | 4,432,349 | 3,456,338 | 4,089,920 | 4,384,656 | 13,206,780 | 1,475,598 | 8,506,000 | ||
Operating Profit | 1,975,819 | 3,533,133 | 3,632,780 | 942,096 | 709,426 | 1,068,596 | 238,033 | 1,252,824 | 688,323 | -282,516 | -4,940,360 | 1,213,571 | -2,258,000 | ||
Interest Payable | 8,545 | 5,218 | 4,657 | 4,807 | 153,258 | 64,276 | 56,271 | 159,159 | 85,913 | 83,164 | |||||
Interest Receivable | 9,165 | 3,305 | 86 | 60 | 132 | 107 | 114 | 148 | 139 | 34 | |||||
Pre-Tax Profit | 1,976,439 | 3,531,220 | 3,628,209 | 937,349 | 556,300 | 1,004,427 | 181,876 | 1,093,813 | 602,549 | -365,646 | 3,825,288 | 1,213,571 | -214,000 | -9,767,000 | -2,258,000 |
Tax | -513,880 | -889,690 | -295,000 | -1,176 | -31,381 | -159,683 | 2,238,000 | -59,000 | 415,000 | -16,000 | |||||
Profit After Tax | 1,462,559 | 2,641,530 | 3,333,209 | 936,173 | 524,919 | 844,744 | 181,876 | 3,331,813 | 602,549 | -365,646 | 3,825,288 | 1,213,571 | -273,000 | -9,352,000 | -2,274,000 |
Dividends Paid | |||||||||||||||
Retained Profit | 1,462,559 | 2,641,530 | 3,333,209 | 936,173 | 524,919 | 844,744 | 181,876 | 3,331,813 | 602,549 | -365,646 | 3,825,288 | 1,213,571 | -273,000 | -9,352,000 | -2,274,000 |
Employee Costs | 6,783,189 | 6,166,953 | 4,322,565 | 3,254,549 | 3,710,846 | 3,604,851 | 3,105,574 | 3,009,663 | 3,202,073 | 3,211,546 | 5,216,442 | 837,000 | 3,708,000 | 6,364,000 | 6,693,000 |
Number Of Employees | 111 | 102 | 78 | 71 | 76 | 71 | 65 | 66 | 68 | 73 | 124 | 47 | 69 | 189 | 176 |
EBITDA* | 2,243,010 | 3,772,400 | 3,818,381 | 1,054,287 | 826,357 | 1,144,113 | 294,792 | 1,290,771 | 772,231 | -195,109 | -4,770,501 | 1,291,467 | -1,787,000 |
* Earnings Before Interest, Tax, Depreciation and Amortisation
Apr 2024 | Apr 2023 | Apr 2022 | Apr 2021 | Apr 2020 | Apr 2019 | Apr 2018 | Apr 2017 | Apr 2016 | Apr 2015 | Apr 2014 | Dec 2012 | Apr 2012 | Apr 2011 | Apr 2010 | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Tangible Assets | 653,267 | 640,203 | 647,827 | 142,736 | 216,371 | 129,691 | 129,173 | 80,702 | 58,211 | 108,998 | 172,125 | 231,399 | 308,000 | 339,000 | 2,259,000 |
Intangible Assets | 34,885 | 13,738 | 30,014 | 46,430 | 62,846 | 72,685 | 9,461 | ||||||||
Investments & Other | |||||||||||||||
Debtors (Due After 1 year) | 150,000 | 1,176,000 | |||||||||||||
Total Fixed Assets | 688,152 | 803,941 | 1,853,841 | 189,166 | 279,217 | 202,376 | 138,634 | 80,702 | 58,211 | 108,998 | 172,125 | 231,399 | 308,000 | 339,000 | 2,259,000 |
Stock & work in progress | 99,811 | 81,622 | 249,499 | 202,214 | 123,735 | 51,567 | 80,633 | 74,801 | 92,706 | 77,220 | 110,858 | 114,450 | 124,000 | 239,000 | 467,000 |
Trade Debtors | 2,370,514 | 2,712,491 | 3,061,853 | 1,346,530 | 1,973,118 | 2,511,452 | 1,900,371 | 2,596,569 | 2,183,886 | 1,042,857 | 1,483,930 | 2,618,493 | 1,388,000 | 3,492,000 | 2,414,000 |
Group Debtors | 16,857,371 | 14,527,634 | 10,620,240 | 8,246,207 | 5,548,941 | 3,032,221 | 790,142 | 822 | 615 | 105,958 | 430,000 | 748,000 | 4,918,000 | ||
Misc Debtors | 1,905,120 | 1,677,902 | 1,321,624 | 2,590,591 | 2,369,967 | 2,396,017 | 2,433,451 | 2,413,283 | 193,052 | 238,818 | 323,485 | 165,359 | 247,000 | 419,000 | 686,000 |
Cash | 670,998 | 1,020,408 | 776,574 | 864,687 | 491,728 | 229,695 | 192,497 | 280,762 | 262,713 | 177,705 | 36,219 | 1,417 | |||
misc current assets | |||||||||||||||
total current assets | 21,903,814 | 20,020,057 | 16,029,790 | 13,250,229 | 10,507,489 | 8,220,952 | 5,397,094 | 5,366,237 | 2,732,972 | 1,536,600 | 1,954,492 | 3,005,677 | 2,189,000 | 4,898,000 | 8,485,000 |
total assets | 22,591,966 | 20,823,998 | 17,883,631 | 13,439,395 | 10,786,706 | 8,423,328 | 5,535,728 | 5,446,939 | 2,791,183 | 1,645,598 | 2,126,617 | 3,237,076 | 2,497,000 | 5,237,000 | 10,744,000 |
Bank overdraft | 7,951,699 | 9,491,000 | 8,396,000 | 4,888,000 | |||||||||||
Bank loan | 551,000 | ||||||||||||||
Trade Creditors | 1,646,578 | 1,357,814 | 1,755,168 | 1,275,329 | 1,326,107 | 1,388,954 | 1,145,234 | 1,372,698 | 1,813,628 | 2,078,932 | 2,726,699 | 240,932 | 362,000 | 2,962,000 | 3,358,000 |
Group/Directors Accounts | 9,209,443 | 9,655,201 | 8,860,059 | 7,651,999 | 6,898,175 | 3,300,069 | 2,112,544 | 1,539,140 | 2,211,739 | 1,802,367 | 509,051 | 1,111,921 | 10,000 | 31,000 | |
other short term finances | 1,667,175 | 1,361,264 | 1,687,270 | 1,239,478 | 845,794 | 1,209,841 | |||||||||
hp & lease commitments | 24,348 | 62,635 | 63,817 | 14,200 | 13,953 | ||||||||||
other current liabilities | 1,708,477 | 1,183,439 | 1,213,080 | 1,930,882 | 903,231 | 962,400 | 656,700 | 769,721 | 780,041 | 774,757 | 1,130,616 | 1,207,402 | 571,000 | 1,763,000 | 1,361,000 |
total current liabilities | 12,588,846 | 12,259,089 | 11,892,124 | 10,872,410 | 9,141,466 | 7,318,598 | 5,275,742 | 5,368,829 | 6,044,886 | 5,501,850 | 5,576,207 | 10,511,954 | 10,985,000 | 13,152,000 | 9,607,000 |
loans | |||||||||||||||
hp & lease commitments | 24,348 | 92,476 | 1,163 | 15,591 | |||||||||||
Accruals and Deferred Income | |||||||||||||||
other liabilities | |||||||||||||||
provisions | 300,000 | ||||||||||||||
total long term liabilities | 24,348 | 92,476 | 1,163 | 15,591 | 300,000 | ||||||||||
total liabilities | 12,588,846 | 12,283,437 | 11,984,600 | 10,873,573 | 9,157,057 | 7,318,598 | 5,275,742 | 5,368,829 | 6,044,886 | 5,501,850 | 5,576,207 | 10,511,954 | 10,985,000 | 13,452,000 | 9,607,000 |
net assets | 10,003,120 | 8,540,561 | 5,899,031 | 2,565,822 | 1,629,649 | 1,104,730 | 259,986 | 78,110 | -3,253,703 | -3,856,252 | -3,449,590 | -7,274,878 | -8,488,000 | -8,215,000 | 1,137,000 |
total shareholders funds | 10,003,120 | 8,540,561 | 5,899,031 | 2,565,822 | 1,629,649 | 1,104,730 | 259,986 | 78,110 | -3,253,703 | -3,856,252 | -3,449,590 | -7,274,878 | -8,488,000 | -8,215,000 | 1,137,000 |
Apr 2024 | Apr 2023 | Apr 2022 | Apr 2021 | Apr 2020 | Apr 2019 | Apr 2018 | Apr 2017 | Apr 2016 | Apr 2015 | Apr 2014 | Dec 2012 | Apr 2012 | Apr 2011 | Apr 2010 | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Operating Activities | |||||||||||||||
Operating Profit | 1,975,819 | 3,533,133 | 3,632,780 | 942,096 | 709,426 | 1,068,596 | 238,033 | 1,252,824 | 688,323 | -282,516 | -4,940,360 | 1,213,571 | -2,258,000 | ||
Depreciation | 254,312 | 222,991 | 169,185 | 95,775 | 102,054 | 69,952 | 56,433 | 37,947 | 83,908 | 87,407 | 169,859 | 77,896 | 117,000 | 497,000 | 471,000 |
Amortisation | 12,879 | 16,276 | 16,416 | 16,416 | 14,877 | 5,565 | 326 | ||||||||
Tax | -513,880 | -889,690 | -295,000 | -1,176 | -31,381 | -159,683 | 2,238,000 | -59,000 | 415,000 | -16,000 | |||||
Stock | 18,189 | -167,877 | 47,285 | 78,479 | 72,168 | -29,066 | 5,832 | -17,905 | 15,486 | -33,638 | 110,858 | -124,550 | -115,000 | -228,000 | 467,000 |
Debtors | 2,064,978 | 2,888,310 | 3,996,389 | 2,291,302 | 1,952,336 | 2,815,726 | 113,290 | 2,633,121 | 1,095,878 | -525,740 | 1,807,415 | -1,769,190 | -2,594,000 | -3,359,000 | 8,018,000 |
Creditors | 288,764 | -397,354 | 479,839 | -50,778 | -62,847 | 243,720 | -227,464 | -440,930 | -265,304 | -647,767 | 2,726,699 | -2,721,068 | -2,600,000 | -396,000 | 3,358,000 |
Accruals and Deferred Income | 525,038 | -29,641 | -717,802 | 1,027,651 | -59,169 | 305,700 | -113,021 | -10,320 | 5,284 | -355,859 | 1,130,616 | -555,598 | -1,192,000 | 402,000 | 1,361,000 |
Deferred Taxes & Provisions | -300,000 | -300,000 | 300,000 | ||||||||||||
Cash flow from operations | 459,765 | -264,718 | -758,256 | -339,797 | -1,351,544 | -1,252,810 | -164,815 | 462,305 | -599,153 | -639,357 | -2,831,459 | -391,459 | -5,569,000 | ||
Investing Activities | |||||||||||||||
capital expenditure | -149,515 | -86,000 | |||||||||||||
Change in Investments | |||||||||||||||
cash flow from investments | -149,515 | -86,000 | |||||||||||||
Financing Activities | |||||||||||||||
Bank loans | 551,000 | ||||||||||||||
Group/Directors Accounts | -445,758 | 795,142 | 1,208,060 | 753,824 | 3,598,106 | 1,187,525 | 573,404 | -672,599 | 409,372 | 1,293,316 | 509,051 | 1,080,921 | -21,000 | 31,000 | |
Other Short Term Loans | -1,667,175 | 305,911 | -326,006 | 447,792 | 393,684 | -364,047 | 1,209,841 | ||||||||
Long term loans | |||||||||||||||
Hire Purchase and Lease Commitments | -62,635 | -69,310 | 140,930 | -14,181 | 29,544 | ||||||||||
other long term liabilities | |||||||||||||||
share issue | |||||||||||||||
interest | 620 | -1,913 | -4,571 | -4,747 | -153,126 | -64,169 | -56,157 | -159,011 | -85,774 | -83,130 | |||||
cash flow from financing | -507,773 | 723,919 | 1,344,419 | 734,896 | 1,807,349 | 1,429,267 | 191,241 | -383,818 | 717,282 | 805,123 | -5,555,986 | 807,472 | 31,000 | 3,411,000 | |
cash and cash equivalents | |||||||||||||||
cash | -349,410 | 243,834 | -88,113 | 372,959 | 262,033 | 37,198 | -88,265 | 18,049 | 85,008 | 141,486 | 36,219 | 1,417 | |||
overdraft | -444,301 | 1,095,000 | 3,508,000 | 4,888,000 | |||||||||||
change in cash | -349,410 | 243,834 | -88,113 | 372,959 | 262,033 | 37,198 | -88,265 | 18,049 | 85,008 | 141,486 | 36,219 | 445,718 | -1,095,000 | -3,508,000 | -4,888,000 |
once upon a time marketing limited Credit Report and Business Information
Once Upon A Time Marketing Limited Competitor Analysis

Perform a competitor analysis for once upon a time marketing limited by selecting its closest rivals, whether from the PROFESSIONAL, SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL ACTIVITIES sector, other mid companies, companies in EC1R area or any other competitors across 12 key performance metrics.
once upon a time marketing limited Ownership
ONCE UPON A TIME MARKETING LIMITED group structure
Once Upon A Time Marketing Limited has no subsidiary companies.
Ultimate parent company
2 parents
ONCE UPON A TIME MARKETING LIMITED
03406501
once upon a time marketing limited directors
Once Upon A Time Marketing Limited currently has 3 directors. The longest serving directors include Mr Robert Ward (Jan 2014) and Andrea Pilgram (Jan 2014).
officer | country | age | start | end | role |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Mr Robert Ward | United Kingdom | 49 years | Jan 2014 | - | Director |
Andrea Pilgram | United Kingdom | 48 years | Jan 2014 | - | Director |
Mr Daniel Miller | 50 years | Apr 2017 | - | Director |
P&L
April 2024turnover
18.3m
-7%
operating profit
2m
-44%
gross margin
60.5%
+0.98%
turnover
Turnover, or revenue, is the amount of sales generated by a company within the financial year.
Balance Sheet
April 2024net assets
10m
+0.17%
total assets
22.6m
+0.08%
cash
671k
-0.34%
net assets
Total assets minus all liabilities
once upon a time marketing limited company details
company number
03406501
Type
Private limited with Share Capital
industry
73110 - Advertising agencies
incorporation date
July 1997
age
28
incorporated
UK
ultimate parent company
accounts
Full Accounts
last accounts submitted
April 2024
previous names
coutts retail communications limited (July 2014)
shelfco (no. 1364) limited (October 1997)
accountant
-
auditor
HURST ACCOUNTANTS LIMITED
address
17 bowling green lane, clerkenwell, london, EC1R 0QH
Bank
BARCLAYS BANK PLC
Legal Advisor
OSBORNE CLARKE
once upon a time marketing limited Charges & Mortgages
A charge, or mortgage, refers to the rights a company gives to a lender in return for a loan, often in the form of security given over business assets.
We found 22 charges/mortgages relating to once upon a time marketing limited. Currently there are 2 open charges and 20 have been satisfied in the past.
once upon a time marketing limited Capital Raised & Share Issues BETA
When a company issues new shares, e.g. to new investors following a funding round, it is required to notify Companies House within one month of making an allotment of shares.
Click to start generating capital raising & share issue transactions for ONCE UPON A TIME MARKETING LIMITED. This can take several minutes, an email will notify you when this has completed.
once upon a time marketing limited Companies House Filings - See Documents
date | description | view/download |
---|