Nichols plc Regulatory News (NICL)

19 Mar 2007 11:31

Nichols PLC19 March 2007 NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION IN WHOLE OR IN PART IN, INTO ORFROM ANY JURISDICTION WHERE IT IS UNLAWFUL TO DO SO 19 March 2007 Nichols plc ("Nichols") Response to press speculation In response to the recent press speculation, the Board of Nichols announces thatit is currently in preliminary discussions regarding the possibility of an offerfor the entire issued and to be issued share capital of the Company. The discussions referred to above are at an early stage and accordingly, thereis no certainty that any offer will be made. A further announcement will be made in due course. Pursuant to Rule 2.10 of the City Code, Nichols announces that it has 36,968,772ordinary shares of 10p each in issue (ISIN GB0006389398). Enquiries: Nichols plc 01925 222222John Nichols, Chairman Brewin Dolphin Securities Limited (Nominated Adviser toNichols) 0161 214 5553Richard Evans N M Rothschild & Sons Limited (Financial Adviser to Nichols) 0161 827 3800Richard Bailey Hudson Sandler (Financial Public Relations Adviser to Nichols) 0207 796 4133Alistair Mackinnon-Musson The distribution of this announcement into jurisdictions other than the UnitedKingdom may be restricted by law and therefore persons into whose possessionthis announcement comes should inform themselves about and observe suchrestrictions. Any failure to comply with the restrictions may constitute aviolation of the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. The Directors of Nichols accept responsibility for the information contained inthis announcement. To the best of knowledge and belief of the Directors, whohave taken all reasonable care to ensure such is the case, the informationcontained in this announcement is in accordance with the facts and does not omitanything likely to affect the import of such information. Brewin Dolphin Securities Limited is acting for Nichols and no one else inconnection with this announcement and will not be responsible to anyone otherthan Nichols for providing the protections afforded to clients of Brewin DolphinSecurities Limited or for providing advice in relation to the contents of thisannouncement. N M Rothschild & Sons Limited is acting for Nichols and no one else inconnection with this announcement and will not be responsible to anyone otherthan Nichols for providing the protections afforded to clients of N M Rothschild& Sons Limited or for providing advice in relation to the contents of thisannouncement. Dealing Disclosure Requirements Under the provisions of Rule 8.3 of the City Code on Takeovers and Mergers (the"Code"), if any person is, or becomes, "interested" (directly or indirectly) in1% or more of any class of "relevant securities" of Nichols, all "dealings" inany "relevant securities" of that company (including by means of an option inrespect of, or a derivative referenced to, any such "relevant securities") mustbe publicly disclosed by no later than 3:30pm (London time) on the Londonbusiness day following the date of the relevant transaction. This requirementwill continue until the date on which the offer becomes, or is declared,unconditional as to acceptances, lapses or is otherwise withdrawn or on whichthe "offer period" otherwise ends. If two or more persons act together pursuantto an agreement or understanding, whether formal or informal, to acquire an"interest" in "relevant securities" of Nichols, they will be deemed to be asingle person for the purpose of Rule 8.3. Under the provisions of Rule 8.1 of the Code, all "dealings" in "relevantsecurities" of Nichols by Nichols, or by any of their respective "associates",must be disclosed by no later than 12:00 noon (London time) on the Londonbusiness day following the date of the relevant transaction. A disclosure table, giving details of the companies in whose "relevantsecurities" "dealings" should be disclosed, and the number of such securities inissue, can be found on the Takeover Panel's website atwww.thetakeoverpanel.org.uk. "Interests in securities" arise, in summary, when a person has long economicexposure, whether conditional or absolute, to changes in the price ofsecurities. In particular, a person will be treated as having an "interest" byvirtue of the ownership or control of securities, or by the virtue of any optionin respect of, or derivative referenced to, securities. Terms in quotation marks are defined in the Code, which can also be found on thePanel's website. If you are in any doubt as to whether or not you are requiredto disclose a "dealing" under Rule 8, you should consult the Panel. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange