Proposed Sale and Leaseback & Other News

MFI Furniture Group PLC 26 November 1999 MFI FURNITURE GROUP PLC Proposed Sale and Leaseback and Proposed Authority to make market purchases of ordinary shares MFI Furniture Group Plc ('MFI' or 'the Company') announces today that it has entered into an agreement, conditional on approval by its shareholders, with two subsidiaries of MEPC plc ('MEPC') regarding the sale of ten of the Group's retail parks, and the leaseback of the associated retail units on those parks which the Group currently occupies. Under the terms of the sale MEPC will pay £109.7 million in cash of which up to £5.0 million will be paid directly to one of the Group's lending banks. The proceeds of the sale, after expenses of approximately £2.0 million, will be used to substantially reduce the Group's indebtedness. The Board is also seeking a general authority for MFI to purchase up to 59,489,302 of its ordinary shares representing 10 per cent of the issued share capital of the Company. The Directors do not have any present plans for the Company to purchase its own shares and will not use the proposed authority unless they consider that it will result in a benefit to the Company and its shareholders. In view of the amount of the proceeds of the sale relative to the market capitalisation of the Company, the sale and leaseback requires the prior approval of the Company's shareholders. The authority to make market purchases of its own shares also requires authorisation by the Company's shareholders. Accordingly a circular, explaining the sale and leaseback and the authority to purchase its own shares and convening two extraordinary meetings relating to the above, will be sent to shareholders shortly. Commenting on both the sale and leaseback and the authority to purchase its own shares, John Hancock, Chief Executive of MFI, said: 'The Board of MFI believes that these are excellent opportunities to unlock value for shareholders by promoting operational flexibility, and allowing the Group headroom for future development.' For Further Information MFI Furniture Group Plc 01430 430 905 Michael Williamson, Group Finance Director Brunswick 0171 404 5959 William Cullum
UK 100

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