Anker acquisition update

17 Aug 2005 17:13

Torex Retail PLC17 August 2005 Torex Retail Plc17 August 2005 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION IN WHOLE OR IN PART IN OR INTO THE UNITED STATES, CANADA, AUSTRALIA OR JAPAN TOREX RETAIL PLC ___________________________________________________________________________ RECOMMENDED OFFER FOR ANKER PLC Offer Update The Board of Torex Retail Plc ("Torex Retail") announced on 15 August 2005 thatthe offer (the "Offer") made by USB Investment Bank on behalf of Torex Retailfor Anker Plc ("Anker") had become unconditional as to acceptances. Torex Retail is awaiting confirmation from the Office of Fair Trading ("OFT")that it does not propose to refer the proposed acquisition of Anker, or any partof it, to the Competition Commission. The Torex Retail Board is confident thatthe Acquisition will not be referred and expects a decision from the OFT shortly("OFT Decision"). It is therefore expected that admission of 55,297,740 New Torex Retail Shares totrading on AiM (for which application has been made) will become effective onthe business day following the OFT Decision. Torex Retail will make a further announcement in due course. Terms defined in the offer document dated 22 July 2005 (the "Offer Document")shall, unless the context requires otherwise, have the same meanings in thisannouncement. EnquiriesTorex Retail Plc Telephone: 01993 230 030Richard Thompson / Nigel Horn UBS Investment Bank Telephone: 0207 567 8000Ben Robertson / Jackie Lee This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange