Harworth Group PLC GBP35.8m of Investment Portfolio asset sales (8629Y)

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RNS Number : 8629Y

Harworth Group PLC

10 May 2023

Harworth Group plc

("Harworth" or "the Company")

Harworth completes GBP35.8m of Investment Portfolio asset sales

Harworth Group plc, a leading regenerator of land and property for sustainable development and investment, announces the sale of Towngate Business Park, Widnes and Four Oaks Business Park in Walton Summit, Preston, for a combined consideration of GBP35.8m, reflecting a blended net initial yield of 4.7%, and at prices in line with December 2022 valuations.

Towngate Business Park was sold for GBP11.2m, and the disposals at Four Oaks Business Park comprised a multi-let unit sold for GBP12.3m and a single unit sold for GBP12.3m.

Following these transactions, Harworth's Investment Portfolio sales completed so far this year total GBP48.4m, at prices in line with December 2022 valuations. They form part of the Group's key strategic objective of transitioning its Investment Portfolio to 100% modern Grade A by 2027, by largely retaining the assets that it develops while disposing of those where value has been maximised through the completion of asset management initiatives. Following these disposals, the Investment Portfolio is now 27% Grade A (31 December 2022: 18%).

The sale proceeds will be used to pursue other elements of Harworth's growth strategy, including its objective of increasing the direct development of industrial & logistics space. The Group developed 432,000 sq. ft in 2022, of which 65% is now let, and a further 110,000 sq. ft so far in 2023, of which 35% is now let. Development of a further 93,000 sq. ft is currently underway at the Advanced Manufacturing Park in Rotherham, with construction of an additional 73,000 sq. ft pre-let and built-to-suit unit at the site expected to commence shortly.

Lynda Shillaw, Chief Executive of Harworth Group plc, commented: "Last year Harworth directly developed a record amount of sustainable Grade A industrial & logistics space, as we progressed our growth strategy to become a GBP1bn business by 2027. As we retain more of these high-specification units, we have sought to recycle capital from the disposal of older assets where we have maximised value creation through asset management and development works, and our sales at Widnes and Preston demonstrate this pillar of our strategy in action. These transactions also demonstrate continued demand for high-quality industrial & logistics assets from investors."

For further information

 
 Harworth Group plc 
 Lynda Shillaw (Chief Executive)                 T: [phone] 
  Kitty Patmore (Chief Financial Officer)         E: [e-mail] 
  Tom Loughran (Head of Investor & Stakeholder 
  Relations) 
 
 FTI Consulting 
 Dido Laurimore                                  T: [phone] 
  Richard Gotla                                   E: [e-mail] 
  Eve Kirmatzis 
 

About Harworth

Listed on the Premium Segment of the Main Market, Harworth Group plc (LSE: HWG) is a leading sustainable regenerator of land and property for development and investment which owns, develops and manages a portfolio of over 13,000 acres of land on around 100 sites located throughout the North of England and Midlands. The Group specialises in the regeneration of large, complex sites, in particular former industrial sites, into new residential and industrial & logistics developments. Visit www.harworthgroup.com for further information. LEI: 213800R8JSSGK2KPFG21

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May 10, 2023 02:00 ET (06:00 GMT)