Recommendation - Takeover Offer

    RNS Number : 8927V
  Dobbies Garden Centres PLC
  03 June 2008
   

    Dobbies Garden Centres plc

    Recommendation - Takeover Offer
    The boards of directors of Tesco PLC ("Tesco") and Dobbies Garden Centres plc ("Dobbies") announce that they have reached agreement on
the terms of a recommended cash offer for Dobbies by Tesco Holdings Limited ("Tesco Holdings") at a price of 1,200 pence in cash for each
Dobbies share not already held by Tesco or its associates (the "Offer").  
    James Barnes and Sharon Brown, being the independent directors of Dobbies (the "Independent Directors"), who have been so advised by
Brewin Dolphin Limited, consider the terms of the Offer to be fair and reasonable. In providing its advice, Brewin Dolphin Limited has taken
into account the commercial assessments of the Independent Directors.  
    The Offer by Tesco Holdings represents an enterprise value which is a multiple of approximately 17.7 times Dobbies' adjusted EBITDA for
the 12 months ended 31 October 2007. The Offer also represents a price to earnings ratio of approximately 30 times Dobbies' adjusted diluted
earnings per share. Both of these ratios are at a significant premium to the average valuation at which small cap retailers currently trade
and against the background of volatile debt and equity markets and an uncertain outlook for consumer spending the Independent Directors view
the Offer as extremely attractive. It should also be noted that since Tesco Holdings acquired a majority shareholding in Dobbies in
September 2007, the FTSE All-Share General Retailers Index has fallen by approximately 27 per cent.  
    Tesco Holdings beneficially owns approximately 65.5 per cent. of the existing issued share capital of Dobbies and has received an
irrevocable commitment to accept the Offer in respect of approximately a further 29.2 per cent. of Dobbies' share capital from West Coast
Capital (Lios) Limited. On acquisition of 75 per cent. or more of the voting rights attaching to the Dobbies Shares, it is Tesco Holdings'
intention to procure an application for the cancellation of Admission to AIM which will result in the cancellation of trading of the Dobbies
Shares on AIM. Cancellation would be likely to reduce significantly the liquidity and marketability of any Dobbies Shares which are retained
by shareholders following the Offer.  
    Given the circumstances set out above, the Independent Directors unanimously recommend that Dobbies Shareholders accept the Offer.
    The offer documentation in relation to the Offer, has been posted by Tesco Holdings to Dobbies shareholders and will be available on the
Dobbies website at: www.dobbies.com.


    Enquiries:  

 James Barnes, Chief Executive
 Sharon Brown, Finance Director
 Dobbies Garden Centres plc
                                          Tel: [phone]

 Sandy Fraser
 Brewin Dolphin Limited (Nomad)           Tel: [phone]

 Ben Woodford / Emma Kent / Antonia Coad
 Bell Pottinger Corporate & Financial     Tel: [phone]





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