Investment strategy

Artisan (UK) PLC 08 May 2007 8 May 2007 Artisan (UK) plc Investment property strategy The Board announced in its trading update on 16 February 2007 that it was examining the possibility of utilising its in-house skills to re-establish a property investment arm within the Group. Following further review, the Board has decided to pursue this strategy and hold selected properties from its ongoing development property portfolio where it believes the covenant of the tenant, possibility for further development or medium term asset appreciation will provide scope for additional attractive returns to the Group over the disposal of the property on completion. It will also consider selectively acquiring third party properties where it believes that there is similar scope for attractive returns. The financial effects on the Group of retaining selected properties will primarily be an increase in borrowings as these properties are financed and a rise in related interest charges offset by a rental income stream. Recognition through the income statement of the revaluation of the property at the point of completion as opposed to the recognition of profit on sale, is expected to have a broadly neutral effect on the declared profit on ordinary activities before taxation of the Group. In respect of the transaction announced today, more details of which are set out below, the revaluation surplus is expected to be reflected in the Income Statement with some contribution in the 15 months to 30 June 2007 and the balance in 2008. As the first investment under this policy, the Board of Artisan is very pleased to announce that a major forward let of a 36,600 ft2 industrial unit has been secured to Black Teknigas Limited, a subsidiary of Watts Industries Europe BV. The agreement to lease is in respect of a bespoke unit at Colmworth Business Park, St Neots, due for build completion early 2008. There is provision for the development of an extension to this unit of 18,500 ft2, at the tenant's, option over the next 5 years. Further details of this forward let are set out in a separate announcement also released today. Artisan (UK) plc Chris Musselle Chief Executive 01480 436666 email@artisan-plc.co.uk Brewin Dolphin Securities Limited Nominated advisers 0121 236 7000 Ifor Williams Bankside Consultants Financial PR advisers 020 7367 8888 Simon Rothschild 07703 167065 Louise Mason Company website: www.artisan-plc.co.uk This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
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