Libraries Unlimited South West

Analysis

Libraries Unlimited South West is a registered charity in England and Wales, based in Exeter. It was registered in November 2016, 10 years ago. Its declared purposes cover general charitable purposes, education/training, arts/culture/heritage/science and economic/community development/employment, which this site groups under arts, culture, heritage and science. Legally it is a charitable company (Companies House number 09822597). It says it provides buildings/facilities/open space, provides services and provides advocacy/advice/information.

In the financial year ending March 2025, Libraries Unlimited South West reported income of £9.4m and spending of £9.7m, spending 103% of its income. Across the 5 years on record, from March 2021 to March 2025, income fell from £9.5m to £9.4m (-1.3%), an average of -0.3% a year. Over the whole period it spent 95% of the income it received.

Among 17,634 England and Wales charities whose main cause is arts, culture, heritage and science and that reported income, Libraries Unlimited South West sits at the 99th percentile: it is one of the largest 1% in its cause. Against every charity in England and Wales with reported income it ranks in the 99th percentile. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include The Purcell School (£9.2m), Kirkham Grammar School (£9.6m) and York Museum & Gallery Trust (£9.2m).

In its latest detailed accounts, income came from charitable activities 82%, donations and legacies 10.0%, trading 6.0% and investments 1.8%. Charitable activities took 100% of spending and raising funds 0.3%. Reserves of £2.9m would cover about 4 months of spending at that rate. It employed 360 people.