RNS Number:4246T
Strategic Retail PLC
19 December 2003


Strategic Retail plc
19 December 2003
7.00 AM



                              Strategic Retail plc

                         First Day of Dealings on AIM



Strategic Retail plc ('Strategic Retail' or 'the Company') announces the
admission of its Ordinary Shares to trading on the Alternative Investment Market
of the London Stock Exchange ('AIM').



Key Points:



*   The Company's shares begin trading on AIM today



*   A total of 13,084,472 Company Ordinary Shares were admitted to trading,
    giving a market capitalisation at the Placing Price of #11.9m



*  Strategic Retail was formed in April 2003 as a cash shell to attract
   companies and businesses which were seeking admission to trading on AIM



*  The Company raised #1.515m before expenses by way of an offer for
subscription which closed on 24 November 2003. To fund the expenses of the
acquisition and the admission to AIM the company has raised a further #384,450
before expenses by way of a placing



*  On 28 November 2003 the Company acquired the entire issued share
capital of Fads (Trading) Limited ("Fads"). Fads operates 53 retail outlets in
the home decor and furnishings market.



* The Company intends to seek further acquisitions in the retail sector



* The Company's Nominated Adviser and Broker is W.H. Ireland Limited


Ian Currie, Chairman of Strategic Retail, commented:


"With the recently acquired Fads we intend to undertake a programme of
improvements to the profile and variety of products stocked in its stores. In
addition we intend to identify appropriate sites in market towns and central
London for new stores to be established as well as identifying other suitable
businesses to acquire. Admission of the Company's securities to AIM will now
afford us the opportunity to develop the business and start to realise its
potential."



Enquiries:-


Strategic Retail plc: Ian William Currie, Executive Chairman, Tel: 0161 831 1512

W.H. Ireland Ltd. David  Youngman, Deputy Chief Executive,    Tel: 0161 832 6644

Smith Grundon & Partners.  Andrew Smith / James Thurston,     0207 072 8616

The information contained herein is restricted and is not for release or
distribution in or into the United States of America, Canada, Australia, the
Republic of South Africa, the Republic of Ireland or Japan.



This press release has been issued by Strategic Retail plc and is the sole
responsibility of Strategic Retail plc and has been approved for the purposes of
Section 21 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 by W.H. Ireland
Limited ('W.H. Ireland') of 11 St James's Square, Manchester, M2 6WH. W.H.
Ireland, which is regulated by the Financial Services Authority, is acting as
the nominated adviser for Strategic Retail plc and will not be responsible to
any other person for providing the protections afforded to clients by W.H.
Ireland or for providing advice regarding the Placing.



This document does not constitute an offer or invitation to purchase or
subscribe for any securities of Strategic Retail plc and should not be relied on
in connection with any decision to purchase or subscribe for any such
securities. The securities referred to herein have not been nor will be
registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933 (as amended) nor under
the securities legislation of any state of the United States of America or of
any province or territory of Canada, Australia, the Republic of South Africa,
the Republic of Ireland or Japan or in any country, territory or possession
where to do so may contravene local securities law or regulations.  Accordingly,
these securities may not, subject to certain exceptions, be offered or sold
directly or indirectly in or into the United States of America, Canada,
Australia, the Republic of South Africa, the Republic of Ireland or Japan or to
any national, citizen or resident of the United States of America, Canada,
Australia, the Republic of South Africa, the Republic of Ireland or Japan.






                      This information is provided by RNS
            The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
END

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