Town Centre Regulatory News (TOWN)

17 December 2018

Town Centre Securities PLC( 'TCS' or the 'Company')

Sale of Rochdale Central Retail Park

Town Centre Securities PLC, the regional property investor and car park operator, today announces that it has exchanged contracts for the sale of Rochdale Central Retail Park and its adjoining 4.7 acres of land to Rochdale Council for £13.2 million, payable in cash on completion.

As at 30 June 2018 the combined site was valued at £14 million and generated annual net rent of £1.15 million.  

The park totals 70,000 sq ft with current tenants Argos, Halford, Matalan and Poundstretcher all with relatively short leases. Through its prior ownership of the Rochdale Canal Company, TCS has actively managed a number of developments around Central Retail Park. As a result, the park is strongly let at an average of £16.50 per sq ft, although this is ahead of current market rates.

Having reduced our exposure to retail and leisure from 70% to 55% of the portfolio over the past two financial years, this further disposal reduces that exposure to 52% on a pro forma basis. 

The sale is unconditional and is expected to complete on 4 January 2019. The proceeds will initially be used to reduce TCS's indebtedness.

Edward Ziff, Chairman and Chief Executive of TCS, said:

"This disposal is in line with our on-going strategy of repositioning TCS's portfolio; reducing our exposure to mature out-of-town retail, and enabling further diversification of our assets and investment in our development and investment pipeline.

"Despite making significant improvements to the retail park in recent years we identified this asset as having further downside potential. This sale removes that risk whilst at the same time having the benefit of lowering debt and giving further headroom for future investments.

"Our recent sales and purchase activity reflect our strategy of investing in assets that offer the ability to create value and income through intensive asset management. We continue to concentrate our, now smaller, retail portfolio by targeting good value prime assets or supermarket and convenience retail. We see this approach as being key to generating long term growth and taking advantage of the tough retail environment."

ENDS

For further information, please contact:

Town Centre Securities PLC www.tcs-plc.co.uk / @TCS PLC

Edward Ziff, Chairman and Chief Executive 0113 222 1234

Mark Dilley, Group Finance Director

MHP Communications 020 3128 8572 / 8742

Reg Hoare / Alistair de Kare-Silver tcs@mhpc.com

Notes to Editors:

Town Centre Securities PLC (TCS) is a Leeds, Manchester, Glasgow and London based property investment and car parking operator with assets of over £400m. With more than 50 years' experience, a commitment to sustainable development and a reputation for quality and innovation, TCS create mixed use developments close to transport hubs in major cities across the UK. Their current portfolio delivers an annual income of more than £30m.

For more information visit www.tcs-plc.co.uk