Headquarters site update

Gooch & Housego PLC
01 April 2005


                                 1 April 2005

                             GOOCH & HOUSEGO PLC

                    New Global Headquarters Site Update

Gooch & Housego, the specialist manufacturer of acousto-optic and electro-optic
devices, precision optical components, crystals, and instruments for measuring
optical radiation, today announces that it expects to complete the purchase of
land and buildings at Dowlish Ford near Ilminster, currently comprising 67,000
sq ft of buildings on 7.8 acres of land, on 6th April 2005. This represents a
milestone in the history of Gooch & Housego allowing extensive scope for
expansion and securing the company's long-term future in Ilminster.

The site will be developed through a mixture of renovation and new purpose built
facilities to become the Company's global headquarters and UK optical
manufacturing facility. The re-development will commence this summer, with full
occupation expected by financial year-end, September 2006.

The new site, currently owned and until today operated by Clarks, the shoe
manufacturer, is located close to Gooch & Housego's existing 25,000 sq ft where
the Company's expansion has been restricted by a lack of space and inefficient
workflows. The Company's high precision optical products are finished in an
ultra clean environment to achieve the very high quality demanded by our global
customer base. The new factory will provide this environment and improve
efficiency, while investment in new plant and machinery will allow the Company
to expand its operations and create the showcase facility originally envisioned
by co-founder Archie Gooch, who has recently retired as Chairman.


For further information:
Gareth Jones                                              01460 52271
Gooch & Housego PLC

Andrew Edwards                                            0207 710 7600
Oriel Securities

Tom Carroll/Nicola Cronk                                  0207 466 5000
Buchanan Communications


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