Re Agreement

Clarkson PLC
26 May 2004


CLARKSON PLC



Embargoed until 12.00 noon


Press Release
26 May 2004


Clarkson PLC, the shipping services group, has agreed to take an assignment of
HSBC's lease of St Magnus House, 3 Lower Thames Street, London EC3.  The lease
of the 135,000 sq ft building expires in December 2015.


HSBC pre-let 87,000 sq ft on the lower floors to law firm Berwin Leighton
Paisner in 2002 and Clarksons will occupy or sub-let the remaining vacant office
accommodation, totalling 48,000 sq ft on floors five to eight.


HSBC completed a comprehensive refurbishment of the building last year following
its move to Canary Wharf.  An undisclosed premium was paid for the benefit of
the lease.


JPW Peiser Wainwright advised Clarksons, whilst CB Richard Ellis represented
HSBC in the transaction.


For further information please contact:



Rob Ward at Clarksons                       Tel [phone] or

Howard Lock at HSBC                         Tel [phone] or

Simon Wainwright at JPW Peiser Wainwright   Tel [phone] or

Roger Lister at CB Richard Ellis            Tel [phone]




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