Trading Statement

Big Yellow Group PLC 14 January 2004 14 January 2004 Big Yellow Group Plc Quarterly Trading Update Big Yellow Group PLC, the self storage company, has today provided the following update on trading for the quarter ending 31 December 2003. • Turnover for the quarter was £6.3 million - up 5% from £6.0 million for the quarter to 30 September 2003 - up 54% from £4.1 million for the same quarter last year • Annualised revenue is now £25.7 million - up 4% from £24.8m at 30 September 2003 - up 49% from £17.3m at the same time last year • Profit before tax of £0.52 million for the third quarter - up 6% from £0.49 million for the quarter to 30 September 2003 • 1,181,000 sq ft occupied at the quarter end - up 5% from 1,129,000 sq ft at 30 September 2003 - up 46% from 808,000 sq ft at the same time last year • The number of customers increased by 3% to 19,100 compared to 18,600 at 30 September 2003 and 12,400 at 31 December 2002, up 54% • Merchandise, insurance and other sales were 13.1% of storage income for the quarter to 31 December 2003 (quarter to 30 September 2003: 14.7% and quarter to 31 December 2002: 12.5%) • Two stores at Byfleet and Orpington opened in the quarter bringing the total number of open stores to 29 with a total capacity of 1.75 million square feet • A further 3 freehold sites have been acquired in the quarter at Beckenham, East Finchley, and Edmonton which when developed will provide an additional 180,000 sq ft of net storage. This brings the number of stores open or committed to 37 providing a total of 2.2 million square feet when completed James Gibson, Chief Executive, commented: "I am pleased to report a further increase in quarterly pre-tax profits in a period which is traditionally the weakest for the self storage industry. We can now look forward to the usual seasonal pickup in trading as spring approaches. "During the quarter, we acquired a further three freehold sites in London reinforcing our position as the brand and industry leader in London and the South." -Ends- For further information, please contact: Big Yellow Group PLC 01276 470190 James Gibson, Chief Executive Weber Shandwick Square Mile 020 7067 0700 Louise Robson or Sally Lewis Notes to Editors Big Yellow Group PLC is one of the leading and most dynamic self-storage groups in the UK. It was founded in 1998 by Nicholas Vetch, Philip Burks and James Gibson and listed on the London Stock Exchange in May 2000. Big Yellow has expanded rapidly and now operates from 29 stores in London and the South, with a further 8 stores in development and of the 37, 27 are held freehold. All trading stores, with the distinct yellow branding, are less than five years old, the majority are located within the M25 and the remainder in strong retail towns in the South. When fully built out the portfolio will provide approximately 2.2 million sq ft of flexible storage space. Big Yellow currently has 19,100 customers. The Group has pioneered the development of the latest generation of self-storage facilities, which utilise state of the art technology and are located in high profile, main road locations. Its focus on the location and visibility of its buildings, coupled with excellent customer service, has created the most recognised brand name in the UK storage industry. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange GDZM
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