Panther Securities Regulatory News (PNS)

23 Aug 2011 07:00

23 August 2011 Panther Securities PLC ("Panther", "Company" or "the Group") Acquisitions

Further to the announcements dated 14 July 2011 and 2 August 2011 setting out details of new loan facilities entered into by the Company, the Board is pleased to announce that it has made further acquisitions, the details of which are set out below.

Bentalls Complex, Colchester Road, Heybridge, Maldon, Essex

In August 2011, Panther purchased, via a sale and lease back arrangement, a 200,000 sq ft freehold industrial building set in 8.5 acres of grounds for £ 3,900,000 (including stamp duty). The property has been let for 10 years to Wyndeham Group Ltd for £500,000 per annum, with a one year rent free period which commenced at completion in August 2011. This property offers a high return from a good covenant together with long-term redevelopment prospects.

Lyceum Building, Bold Street, Liverpool

In August 2011, Panther completed on this prime, iconic listed building let to the Post Office with 3.5 years remaining on its lease. The rent is £500,000 per annum. The tenant is not in occupation but has sublet part of the building to the Co-operative Building Society. The purchase price was £2,964,000 (including stamp duty).

The Mill and Warehourse, Upper Mills Trading Estate, Bristol Road, Stonehouse

In August 2011, Panther purchased a 13,000 sq ft office with an adjoining 12,000 sq ft warehouse building for £489,000 (including stamp duty). The building was purchased for Panther's 75 per cent owned subsidiary MRG Systems Ltd ("MRG"). The Board expects that this will not only reduce MRG's rental cost of £30,000 a year and provide it with a permanent office but it should also provide much additional space for MRG to sublet and generate additional rental income to benefit the group overall.

34 Marine Terrace, Margate, Kent

This freehold property was purchased by the Company in August 2011 for £190,000 (including stamp duty) and is positioned on the seafront. The property has food use and is for £21,000 a year. This investment is in a location which the Board hopes to see improve in the medium to long-term, thus increasing its rental value.

The Directors are extremely pleased with these further investment properties, which will generate additional income to the group of over £1 million per annum and, together with the acquisitions announced on 14 July 2011, in due course will increase Panther's rental income by over £2 million per annum. The aggregate purchase price of the acquisitions set out in this announcement is £ 12 million (and £22 million combined with that announced in July 2011).

The Directors still have a further £15 million revolving facility and £3 million of cash funds to purchase other long term investment opportunities. The majority of properties announced above and on 14 July 2011 are in the process of being provided as security for the Company's loan, which should give the Board immediate access to most of the £15 million facility as if it were cash.

For further information: Andrew Perloff, Panther Securities plc: 01707 667 300 Simon Peters, Panther Securities plc: 01707 667 300