Re Joint Venture

Pathfinder Properties PLC 30 May 2002 30th May 2002 ANNOUNCEMENT Pathfinder Properties PLC ('Properties') Reorganisation of joint venture interests and settlement of litigation between Pathfinder Recovery 1 PLC ('Recovery 1') and Pathfinder Recovery 2 PLC ('Recovery 2') The Board of Properties announces that agreement has been reached between Recovery 1, a 95% owned subsidiary of Properties, and Recovery 2 in respect of joint ventures between those companies and that a settlement has been agreed between Recovery 1 and Recovery 2 in respect of the claims made by Recovery 2 against Recovery 1. The effect of this is a clean break between the Properties Group and Recovery 2 whereby each acquire, or have the right to acquire, certain of the previously jointly-owned ventures. The ongoing relationship between the companies becomes solely that of debtor/creditor. John Parry, Chairman of Properties, commented: 'We are pleased that this matter has now been settled, after an arduous and difficult process of negotiation, and that the integration process of the Properties Group, which started with the acquisition of Recovery 1 is, to all intents and purposes complete. We can now move ahead with maximising the value of our projects to the overall benefit of our shareholders.' The principal effects of the agreement are as follows: Pathfinder Recovery Ventures Limited ('PRVL'), previously owned 50% each by Recovery 1 and Recovery 2, becomes a wholly owned subsidiary of Recovery 1, which is itself a 95% owned subsidiary of Properties The Properties Group increases its interest in its major development sites at Merchant Village, Glasgow, from 65% to 80% for a consideration of £475,000 The Properties Group increases its interest in its major development sites at River Quay, Manchester, from 65% to 80% for a consideration of £475,000 PRVL disposes of its interest in its site at Tib Street, Manchester All litigation ceases Enquiries: Malcolm Bacchus - Pathfinder Properties PLC 020 7736 9669 Marc Green - Pathfinder Properties PLC 020 7736 9669 Robert Lo - Nabarro Wells & Co. Limited 020 7710 7407 David Nabarro - Nabarro Wells & Co. Limited 020 7710 7409 Notes Background Recovery 1 and Recovery 2 have been carrying out jointly owned property developments through PRVL since May 2000. Recovery 1 and Recovery 2 also each held 15% interests in Pathfinder (Scotland) Limited and Pathfinder (River Quay) Limited, respectively the development companies for projects at Merchant Village, Glasgow and River Quay, Manchester. A 50% interest in both Pathfinder (Scotland) Limited and Pathfinder (River Quay) Limited is held directly by Properties. In June 2001, Properties acquired a controlling interest in Recovery 1 thereby acquiring controlling interests in the Merchant Village and River Quay developments and a 50% interest in PRVL. Following this acquisition Recovery 2 commenced litigation against PRVL with a view to forcing an early conclusion to PRVL's joint venture operations. Other terms of the agreement 1. PRVL repays £4.2m of a £4.609m loan to Recovery 2 as a result of a settlement on inter-company debt on the transfer of Pathfinder (Tib Street) Limited. The balance to be repaid within two years. 2. Recovery 1 and Properties will procure that Pathfinder (Scotland) Limited and Pathfinder (River Quay) Limited will fully discharge their remaining indebtedness (including purchase consideration outstanding) to Recovery 2 amounting to £3.554 million, within two years of the settlement. Recovery 1 acquires Recovery 2's 15% holdings in Pathfinder (Scotland) Limited and Pathfinder (River Quay) Limited on final discharge of the outstanding indebtedness. Any distributions made to Recovery 2 by way of dividend or equivalent during the above period will be treated as a reduction in the loans outstanding to Recovery 2 and not as a distribution of value. 3. Interest is payable on all outstanding indebtedness or deferred consideration at 5.5% p.a. 4. The obligations of Recovery 1 and PRVL will be guaranteed by Properties. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
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