Acquisition

Nichols PLC
21 January 2005





Date:                   Embargoed until 07.00 hrs Friday, 21 January 2005

Contacts:               John Nichols, Executive Chairman
                        Brendan Hynes, Group Finance Director
                        Nichols plc
                        Telephone:  [phone]
                        Website:  www.nicholsplc.co.uk

                        Alistair Mackinnon-Musson
                        Philip Dennis
                        Hudson Sandler
                        Telephone:  [phone]
                        Email:          [e-mail]

              Photographs available:  On request from Hudson Sandler, as above



                            NICHOLS PLC ('Nichols')

                    Acquisition of Panda Soft Drink Brand





Nichols plc, the soft drinks group, announces the purchase of leading children's
soft drink brand Panda, from Dorset based brewer, Hall & Woodhouse Limited.



Following the disposal of its food manufacturing business and related property
in November 2004 for £11.63 million in cash, Nichols now has two principal
operations:



1)      Soft Drinks (primarily involved in the sale of soft drinks, including
        Vimto, throughout the world and Sunkist in the UK) and



2)      Beverage Systems (including Cabana, soft drinks on draught and Balmoral
        supplier of hot beverage systems)



Panda is a market leading and popular range of still and sparkling soft drinks
aimed primarily at the children's market, with annual sales of circa £11.5
million. The acquisition also includes the 'Popzone' branded concept of
retailing Panda products through supermarkets such as Asda - where consumers
make their selection on a 'pick and mix' basis, in store.  Visuals and further
details of Panda and Popzone are available at:  www.pandapops.com



The addition of the Panda brand will significantly enhance the Nichols Soft
Drinks portfolio, which had sales in the year to 31 December 2003 of £27.5
million.



The consideration paid by Nichols for Panda was £5.5 million in cash and the
assets acquired are the registered trademarks, domain names and other
intellectual property associated with the Panda brand and Popzone concept.



The Panda brand was accounted for within Hall & Woodhouse's overall accounts and
as a result there is no separately available profit information for the brand
itself.


Commenting John Nichols, Chairman, said:



'This is exciting news for the group and our Soft Drinks Operation in
particular.  Panda is a strong brand orientated towards children that will
significantly enhance our portfolio.  Following the recent sale of Nichols
Foods, it confirms our intention to continue to grow our core soft drinks
business'.



'We already have a number of exciting marketing initiatives and new product
developments planned for the Panda range to ensure its continuing growth in the
coming months'.







                                    - ENDS -


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