HOTC.L Regulatory News (HOTC)

19 December 2023

Hotel Chocolat Group plc

("Hotel Chocolat", the "Company" or the "Group")

Block Admission Application

Hotel Chocolat Group plc (AIM:HOTC), a direct-to-consumer premium chocolate brand, provides notification that a new block listing application ("Block Admission Application") has been made to the London Stock Exchange for the admission to trading on AIM of up to 3,473,442 ordinary shares of 0.1 pence each in the Company (the "New Ordinary Shares").

The New Ordinary Shares will be issued to satisfy the requirement to allot shares under the Company's Long Term Incentive Plan, Save as You Earn Plan and Restricted Stock Plan as agreed to be allocated under the Scheme of Arrangement. It is expected that admission will become effective on 22 December 2023.

When issued, the New Ordinary Shares will be credited as fully paid and will rank pari passu in all respects with the existing ordinary shares of 0.1 pence each in the capital of the Company.

For further information:

Hotel Chocolat Group plc c/o Citigate + 44 (0) 20 7638 9571

Angus Thirlwell, Chief Executive Officer

Jon Akehurst, Chief Financial Officer

Liberum Capital Limited - Nominated Advisor and Broker + 44 (0) 20 3100 2222

Dru Danford

Ed Thomas

Miquela Bezuidenhoudt

Citigate Dewe Rogerson - Financial PR + 44 (0) 20 7638 9571

Angharad Couch

Ellen Wilton

Alex Winch

In accordance with Rule 26.1 of the Takeover Code, a copy of this announcement will be available, subject to certain restrictions relating to persons resident in restricted jurisdictions, on Hotel Chocolat's website at https://www.hotelchocolat.com/uk/investor-relations-offer.html by no later than 12 noon (London time) on the business day following the date of this announcement. The content of the website referred to in this announcement is not incorporated into and does not form part of this announcement.

Notes to Editors:

Hotel Chocolat is a premium British chocolate maker with a strong and distinctive D2C brand. The business was founded by Angus Thirlwell and Peter Harris, who are still executives within the business, and has traded under the Hotel Chocolat brand since 2003. The Group is unusual in being a grower (organic cacao farm in Saint Lucia), a manufacturer (Cambridgeshire, UK) and owning its extensive direct to consumer channels (branded stores, websites). The Group was admitted to trading on AIM in 2016.