Interim Results

Crown Eyeglass PLC
6 December 1999


INTERIM REPORT

HALF YEAR TO 26 SEPTEMBER 1999

Introduction

I  am  pleased to be able to report increases in both turnover and profit  for
the first half of the current financial year.  These were achieved following a
continuation  of the performance improvements which took place in  the  second
half of the last financial year.  Once again, the improvement came mainly from
the activities of Crown Eyeglass through its supply of prescription spectacles
through our company-owned outlets and franchises in the UK.

Results

For the half year ended 26 September 1999, Group turnover increased to £5.120m
from  £5.018m, whilst Group profit on ordinary activities before taxation rose
to  £103,000 compared with £16,000 for the corresponding period last year.  UK
turnover  showed an increase of 7.5 per cent. (1998: 1.7 per cent.  increase),
whilst  turnover in Sweden was down by 6.1 per cent. in sterling terms  (1998:
24.7 per cent. decrease).  Earnings per share increased from 0.7p to 4.5p.

Operations

The  improved performance of our Crown Eyeglass Optical Centres in the UK  was
particularly  pleasing bearing in mind the highly competitive nature  of  both
the optical market and retailing in general.  We currently operate 30 company-
owned outlets and 20 franchises in the UK.

In  Sweden,  where  our subsidiary Direkt Optik AB operates  20  company-owned
optical  centres,  the decrease in turnover was not unexpected  following  our
decision  to implement a series of cost cutting measures.  We now hope  to  be
able, in the second half of the year, to see turnover rise once again.

Readyspex Limited, our ready-made reading glasses subsidiary, produced another
satisfactory performance in the UK.

Our  improved  results  for  the half year would not,  of  course,  have  been
possible  without the continued support and commitment of our dedicated  staff
to whom I should like to express the gratitude of the Board.

I  am  delighted  to  welcome  Alan Watson who was appointed  a  non-executive
Director  last month following Jim Mason's decision to step down in September.
The  Board  looks forward to the contribution of the many years of  experience
gleaned  by  Alan, particularly those derived during his time as the  Bank  of
England's Agent for the North West.

Prospects

The  grounds for cautious optimism for our UK business to which I referred  in
my  last Annual Report have continued not only into the 6 months to the end of
September, but also into the months of October and November.

In  Sweden, despite the continuing strength of the pound, it would appear that
although  there  is  still  some way to go, the policy  of  consolidation  and
adherence to strict cost controls implemented last year is beginning  to  show
results.

Finally,  I  am  pleased to announce the recommencement of the payment  of  an
interim  dividend which will be 2.0p per share payable on 30 December 1999  to
those shareholders on the register of members on 17 December 1999.

J G Lee
Chairman

6 December 1999

CONSOLIDATED PROFIT AND LOSS ACCOUNT (UNAUDITED)
FOR THE HALF YEAR TO 26 SEPTEMBER 1999

                             Half year to    Half year to        Year to
                             26 September    27 September       31 March
                                    1999             1998           1999
                                   £'000            £'000          £'000

Turnover                           5,120            5,018          9,891
Cost of sales                     (1,993)          (1,892)        (3,765)
                                --------         --------       --------
Gross profit                       3,127            3,126          6,126
Net operating expenses            (3,025)          (3,089)        (6,090)
                                --------         --------       --------
Operating profit                     102               37             36
Net interest receivable/(payable)       1             (21)            (29)
                                 --------        --------        --------
Profit on ordinary activities
before taxation                      103               16              7
Taxation on profit on ordinary
Activities                           (31)              (5)          (125)
                                --------         --------       --------
Profit/(loss) on ordinary activities
after taxation attributable to
shareholders of Crown Eyeglass plc    72               11           (118)

Dividends                            (32)               -              -
                                --------         --------       --------
Retained profit/(loss)                40               11           (118)
                                ========         ========       ========

Earnings/(loss) per ordinary
share (p)                          4.5p               0.7p         (7.4p)
                              ========           ========      ========
Net dividends per
ordinary share (p)                2.00p              0.00p         0.00p
                              ========           ========      ========

NOTES:

1.  The  interim results are unaudited and do not constitute full accounts  as
defined  in  Section 227 of the Companies Act 1985 (as amended).   Information
relating  to  the  full  year ended 31 March 1999  does  not  constitute  full
accounts as defined in Section 227 of the Companies Act 1985 (as amended)  and
has  been  extracted  from  the  latest published  accounts  which  have  been
delivered to the Registrar of Companies.  The report of the auditors on  these
accounts was unqualified.

2.  Taxation has been provided for at the rate estimated to be payable for the
full year.

3.   Earnings per ordinary share of 4.5p (0.7p) are calculated on  the  profit
after  taxation of £72,000 (£11,000) and on 1,600,000 Ordinary  shares,  being
the number of Ordinary shares in issue for both interim periods.

4.  Copies of this interim statement will be despatched to shareholders in due
course.   Further copies will be available from the registered office  of  the
company at Glenfield Park, Blakewater Road, Blackburn, Lancashire BB1 5QH.