Subsid's Agreement

Allen PLC
16 August 2000



                      ALLEN PLC ('Allen')
   (Hire Services, Utility Services & Building Contracting)
                               
       TRADING AGREEMENT REACHED WITH JACKSON PLANT LTD

Allen,  the  construction services group, announces  that  its
subsidiary,  Speedy  Hire  Centres  (Southern)  Limited,   has
secured a guaranteed trading agreement with Jackson Group PLC,
a  subsidiary of Peterhouse Group Plc, for the supply of small
tools,  non-mechanical  plant, portable  accommodation,  power
generation equipment and compressed air systems to its trading
divisions: Jackson Civil Engineering Ltd and Jackson  Building
Ltd.

The  agreement is for an initial period of 28 months  and  has
been  secured  through  the purchase of  certain  assets  from
Jackson Plant Limited for a cash consideration of £1.49m.

Ken Fox, the Chief Executive of Allen, said:

'The  trading  agreement  is another example  of  Speedy  Hire
Centres'  success  in  securing preferred supplier  agreements
with  a  broad range of customers who want a national service.
We  believe that we continue to outperform our competitors  in
terms of service, delivery and growth in the Hire Market.'


For further information contact:

Ken Fox (Chief Executive)                 01204 699277
                                     (8.00 am - 5.00 pm)
Neil O'Brien (Finance Director)            01204 699277
                                        (8.00 am - 5.00 pm)

Brian Coleman-Smith / Bruce Croxford      020 7786 9600
Binns & Co Public Relations             (7.00 am - 6.00 pm)