AGM Statement

Sutton Harbour Holdings PLC 29 July 2003 SUTTON HARBOUR HOLDINGS plc Ellen Winser, the chairman of Sutton Harbour Holdings made the following statement on current trading at the company's Annual General Meeting, held today, Tuesday July 29th 2003. Key Points • The company remains strongly confident of its longer term prospects. • Major development and regeneration projects are moving forward well. • Rental income now rising following rent reviews. • New consultancy contract won for Penzance waterfront regeneration scheme. • Revenue from fishing related activities continues to improve in current period. • Investment in Air Southwest offers the potential to grow the profitability of Sutton's air transport business following the withdrawal of British Airways from the Plymouth and Newquay to Gatwick route. CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT IN FULL 'In my statement accompanying the report and accounts, I mentioned that income from fishing related activities had recovered in the second half of our financial year. I am pleased to report that this improvement has continued into the first quarter of the current year. Our marina remains full and the number of visiting yachts has been encouraging. The boatyard and marine leisure businesses continue to trade satisfactorily as does the chandlery.' 'Our property portfolio continues to provide good rental incomes for the Company. In recent months a number of rent reviews have taken place and these have given rise to satisfactory increases in revenues.' 'The Sutton Partnership and other regeneration projects are moving forward very well. We have agreed terms for the development of part of the Moon Street site with a national developer and we expect to submit detailed planning permission this September. We have received detailed planning permission for the second phase of the Harbour East development and have signed a conditional contract with another developer.' 'In my statement in the report and accounts I mentioned that we were looking to apply our regeneration related skills further afield. I am pleased to tell you that we have been appointed consultants by Penwith District Council to produce a development framework plan for the waterfront in Penzance. This plan is nearing completion and we are hopeful of signing a partnership agreement with Penwith District Council in the near future to facilitate the regeneration of the Penzance waterfront area, very similar to the Sutton Partnership with Plymouth City Council.' 'We are short-listed to the last three on two other projects, one a public/ private sector initiative to provide local facilities and the other a development project outside the city. We expect to hear whether we have been selected as preferred bidder on these projects before the end of the calendar year.' 'Since the year end, as is well documented, British Airways has announced its withdrawal of services between Plymouth and Newquay and Gatwick. This, in addition to its withdrawal of other services last year, will have a negative effect on this year's results. However, we have taken the initiative to let some airport land in the short term to boost our income. In my letter of a few days ago, I gave detailed information of our plans to operate the Plymouth/Newquay/ Gatwick services from 26th October 2003 and, potentially, additional routes next Spring. These plans to take over the Gatwick slots and commence the services mean that we now have the potential to rebuild and grow the profitability of our air transport interests. Nevertheless, it is worth noting that in the current financial year the airline will only operate during the weaker winter period.' 'But for our air transport activities, we believe your company will make good progress in the current year and we are very confident of our longer term prospects.' Ellen Winser, Chairman. For further information please call: Nigel Godefroy, Managing Director (Designate) 01752 204186 Ken Rees, Winningtons, 07802 466567 This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
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