TRADING UPDATE

RNS Number : 6925U

EPE Special Opportunities PLC

29 December 2011

 

EPE Special Opportunities plc

Trading Update

29 December 2011

The board of EPE Special Opportunities plc ("ESO plc") notes the recent press speculation regarding Past Times Holdings Limited ("Past Times").

The board confirms that the investment in Past Times (held via ESO Investments 1 LP, a limited partnership in which ESO plc is the majority partner) is under review.

The outcome of the review is not expected to have a material impact on the Net Asset Value ("NAV") of ESO plc (last release date 30 November 2011 at 84.63p). The next NAV will be released for 31 December 2011, along with a fuller trading update, in early January 2012.

The remainder of the portfolio is trading broadly in line with or ahead of expectations. The only other retail sector investment, Whittard of Chelsea, is trading well and has made significant progress since 2010, demonstrating like-for-like sales growth of 3% in UK retail, 52% internationally and 37% online.

Enquiries:

EPIC Private Equity LLP                      James Henderson [phone]

IoMA                                                    Philip Scales [phone]

Cardew Group                                     Richard Spiegelberg / Alexandra Stoneham [phone]

Numis Securities Ltd                            Tel: [phone]   

Nominated Advisor:                                Stuart Skinner / Hugh Jonathan

Corporate Broker:                                   Alex Ham    

 

END

 

 

SPCLLFLEFALTFIL