Construction Instruments Acquired for £1.29m

Allen PLC
10 January 2000




             Allen Plc ('Allen')
(Hire Services, Housebuilding, Civil Engineering Contracting,
Building Contracting, Property Development & Investment)
                      
                      
ACQUISITION OF CONSTRUCTION INSTRUMENTS FOR £1.29 MILLION
                   

Speedy  Survey Ltd, a new subsidiary of Allen Plc  ('Allen'),
the  construction services group, has acquired  the  business
and   certain  assets  of  Construction  Instruments  Limited
('Construction Instruments') for a cash consideration of
£1.29 million.

Construction  Instruments  which  operates  from  depots   in
Sheffield,  Luton, Birmingham and Oldham is  engaged  in  the
sale and hire of surveying equipment.

The  accounts  of  Construction Instruments  for  the  twelve
months to 30 September 1998 showed turnover of
£1.63 million.


Ken Fox, Allen's Chief Executive, commented:

'This  latest  acquisition is in line with  our  strategy  of
increasingly focusing on the services activities provided  by
our hire and utilities divisions.

'Speedy  Survey, based in Newbury, started trading in October
last  year  and  following  the  successful  acquisition   of
Construction  Instruments we estimate that  we  will  have  a
substantial share of this specialist market.'


For further information:

Ken Fox (Chief Executive)                       01204 699277
Neil O'Brien (Group Finance Director)           01204 699277
Brian Coleman-Smith                            0171 786 9600
Binns & Co Public Relations