ARE.L Regulatory News (ARE)

29 Jun 2005 07:00

Arena Leisure PLC29 June 2005 Press Release Arena Leisure Plc New Fixtures Acquired Arena Leisure Plc ("Arena" or "the Company"), the racecourse owner and operator,is pleased to announce that following the recent auction of fixtures, conductedby the British Horseracing Board ("BHB"), Arena has acquired 66 new fixtures for2006. The Company returned 68 fixtures to the BHB, comprising 7 national and 61regional events. Within the new fixtures secured the Company has gained 28national, and 38 regional fixtures. In this respect, the Company believes it hassignificantly enhanced the quality of its fixture list, by increasing the numberof national meetings. The average cost of each fixture was approximately £6,300 and considering theoverall increase in quality, Arena is confident that the net outcome will beearnings enhancing for the Group in 2006. Arena Leisure will maintain its eminent position as the UK's largest provider ofracing with approximately 26% of all UK fixtures held at the Group's sevenowned, or managed, courses. Ian Penrose, Chief Executive, Arena Leisure, commented: "We are delighted to have acquired these 66 new fixtures. We have carefullychosen those that we believe will provide an added draw to our venues and areconfident that this will translate into additional profits for the Company." -ends- For further information please contact: Arena Leisure PlcIan Penrose, Chief Executive 020 7495 2277 Bell Pottinger Corporate & FinancialDavid Rydell / Zoe Sanders 020 7861 3232 This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange