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21 Apr 2021 13:15
Hammerson plc ("Hammerson" or the "Company")
21 April 2021
THIS ANNOUNCEMENT CONTAINS INSIDE INFORMATION
Hammerson disposes of retail parks portfolio
Hammerson has exchanged unconditional contracts on the portfolio sale of its seven retail park assets to Brookfield for £330m cash proceeds, representing an 8% discount to the 31 December 2020 book value of £357m. This transaction concludes Hammerson's exit from the UK retail parks sector.
As previously announced, Hammerson has also recently disposed of Brent South Shopping Park (£22m at Hammerson share) and its minority interests in Nicetoile and Espace Saint Quentin for £73m, these were in line with 31 December 2020 valuations. The transaction announced today takes the total gross proceeds of Hammerson's disposals in 2021 to £403m at an average discount to 31 December 2020 valuations of 6%.
The proceeds of these disposals will further strengthen the balance sheet, reducing net debt, which was £2.2bn at 31 December 2020, and increasing liquidity, which stood at £1.7bn at the same date.
Rita-Rose Gagné, Chief Executive of Hammerson, said: "As highlighted at the full year results, our immediate priority is to strengthen the balance sheet. This latest disposal is a positive step. Alongside this, we continue to focus on delivering operationally. We have successfully welcomed back our customers in England to our flagship venues, with footfall levels well above the June 2020 reopening, and look forward to reopening our other destinations as local restrictions allow over the coming months."
Details on the retail parks portfolio disposal
The portfolio comprises 205,000m² of space across the following retail parks:
· Central Retail Park (Falkirk)
· Cleveland Retail Park (Middlesbrough)
· Cyfarthfa Retail Park (Merthyr Tydfil)
· Elliott's Field Shopping Park (Rugby)
· Telford Forge Shopping Park (Telford)
· Ravenhead Retail Park (St Helens)
· The Orchard Centre (Didcot)
The total sale price of this portfolio transaction represents a net initial yield of 8.6%. Completion of the transaction is expected by the end of May.
The announcement above has also been released on the SENS system of the Johannesburg Stock Exchange and Euronext Dublin.
ENDS
Enquiries
Hammerson Investor Contact
Josh Warren, Hammerson, Head of Investor Relations
T: +44 20 7887 1053 E: josh.warren@hammerson.com
Hammerson Media Contacts
Catrin Sharp, Head of Corporate Communications
T: +44 20 7887 1063 E: catrin.sharp@hammerson.com
FTI Consulting (for Hammerson)
Dido Laurimore
T: +44 20 3727 1000 E: Dido.Laurimore@FTIConsulting.com
Notes to editors
Hammerson
Hammerson creates vibrant, continually evolving spaces, in and around thriving European cities, with a focus on flagship retail destinations and premium outlets. As at 31 December 2020, our portfolio of high-quality venues had a value of £6.3 billion and included 20 flagship destinations in thriving cities and investments in nine premium outlet villages through our partnership with Value Retail. Key retail venues include Bullring & Grand Central, Birmingham, Bicester Village, Oxfordshire, Dundrum Town Centre, Dublin, and Les Terrasses du Port, Marseille.
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