Panther Securities Regulatory News (PNS)

14 Jul 2011 16:56

14 July 2011 Panther Securities PLC ("Panther" or the "Company") Acquisitions

Panther is pleased to announce that on 13 July 2011 the Company entered into contracts to purchase five freehold department stores which are owned and were formerly occupied by the Anglia Regional Co-operative Society Limited ("ARCS") trading as Westgate Stores. The majority of the trade and assets of Westgate Stores were recently acquired by Beale PLC, a Fully Listed department store group in which Panther holds just under 20 per cent. of the issued ordinary share capital. The Company paid approximately £7.1 million (in aggregate) for these five properties.

The stores in question are:

80 Newgate Street, Bishop Auckland, County Durham comprising approximately 50,000 sq ft over three floors just off the prime shopping position in the town centre.

49 Low Street, Keighley, West Yorkshire comprising approximately 35,000 sq ft on three floors. It adjoins a Marks &Spencer store and the main shopping centre in the town.

53-57 High Street, St Neots, Cambs comprising approximately 30,000 sq ft on two floors together with an 80 space car park to the rear, adjoining a Marks & Spencer store.

Market Place/Bridge Street, Spalding, Lincolnshire comprising approximately 23,000 sq ft on two floors in the main trading position of the town.

8 Market Place, Diss, Norfolk comprising approximately 8,000 sq ft in the prime shopping of the town centre.

These department stores previously generated approximately £14 million per annum, excluding VAT, under the ARCS ownership. The acquisition agreements relating to these stores allow for a two year rent free period commencing on 22 May 2011 for the stores other than 80 Newgate Street, Bishop Auckland which has a one year rent free period. The total rent that will be receivable by Panther (the majority of which will be received in 22 months' time) will be £675,000 per annum.

The rent passing under the leases is a minimum figure, subject to an additional five per cent. Turnover rent on turnover in excess of targets which the board believes should be achieved. The leases are all on full repairing and insuring terms for 15 years with rent reviews.

In addition, the Company exchanged auction contracts last week to purchase the long leasehold property known as Templegate House, 115-123 High Street, Orpington for £1,250,000. This modern building contains five shops and 17,000 sq ft of office space over the three floors above. The property is almost fully let and produces rent of £276,000 per annum. The price reflects the fact that two of the larger tenants' leases expire towards the end of this year. The property is held under a ground lease at a peppercorn rent, with approximately 94 years unexpired, and was purchased from an LPA Receiver.

In addition, this week Panther exchanged contracts to purchase 79/97 Commercial Street, Batley, a freehold property which is well positioned in the town. The property currently produces £143,000 per annum, excluding the potential income from two vacant shops. The tenants include Boots, the Card Factory, Coral Estates, TUI UK and Kirkwood Hospice. The price paid was £1,326,000.

All the purchase prices quoted are, of course, exclusive of the monstrously excessive four per cent. stamp duty on larger purchases.

The Directors are extremely pleased with the range and spread of these properties which, in due course, will increase Panther's rental income by over £1.1 million per annum, for an aggregate purchase price of £10.1 million, including stamp duty.

The Directors hope to be able to purchase other long term investment opportunities immediately following the completion of the Company's new loan facility, which was set out in the announcement of the Company's final results on 20 April 2011. The current purchases set out above are being funded out of existing cash resources and short term loan facilities available to the Group.

For further information contact:

Panther Securities PLC 01707 667 300 Andrew Perloff - Chairman Simon Peters - Finance Director

City Profile 020 7448 3244 Simon Courtenay Sheena Khan