REG - Helical Bar PLC - Acquisition

Released: 15/12/2009

 
Click for Link:
http://pdf.reuters.com/Regnews/regnews.asp?i=43059c3bf0e37541&u=urn:newsml:reuters.com:20091215:nRSO1233Ea
RNS Number : 1233E
Helical Bar PLC
15 December 2009
 
 
Helical Bar plc ("Helical")
15 December 2009
Helical Bar plc and Prime Commercial Properties plc joint venture acquire Clyde Shopping Centre, Glasgow in P69m
transaction
Helical Bar plc, in joint venture with Prime Commercial Properties plc ("PCP"), has acquired the long leasehold interest in
the Clyde Shopping Centre, Clydebank, Glasgow, for a cash consideration of approximately P69m from the Co-operative
Insurance Society Limited ("CIS").

Clyde Shopping Centre is the dominant retail location in Clydebank and for the north west quarter of Glasgow. The centre
comprises in excess of 625,000 sq ft of net retail floor space with 121 shops, six anchor stores (Asda, Primark, BHS,
Dunnes, Boots and Argos), cafes, a multiplex cinema (not part of the acquired property) and parking for nearly 1,700 cars.
The centre was originally opened in 1978 and subsequent phases were built in 1980, 1987 and 2003.
The purchase price, reflecting a net initial yield of 8.3% (rent of circa P6m p.a.), will be funded by bank debt of
approximately P44m, with Helical and PCP having a 60:40 economic interest in the property, respectively.
Michael Slade, Chief Executive of Helical, said: 
"This is the first major purchase we have carried out since the onset of the financial crisis. We are attracted to it
because it will provide us with a good yield whilst offering a number of opportunities to use our asset management skills
to deliver income and capital appreciation in the near term. We hope that this will be the first of a number of
acquisitions of this nature.
 "The asset constitutes the majority of the town centre of Clydebank and therefore has a very significant role to play and
we look forward to making a positive contribution to the local area."  
Claude Gubbay, PCP, said:
"This is an asset that PCP has tracked for many years and we are very pleased to have our return to UK shopping centre
investment and management sealed with this purchase. Clyde Shopping Centre is typical of the type of property we
traditionally like and are looking to acquire, having so many asset management opportunities for us to work on in
conjunction with our partner and the Council."
Cushman and Wakefield represented Helical and PCP and DTZ represented CIS.
Norton Rose, London and Leslie Wolfson & Co, Glasgow acted on behalf of the purchasers.
Enquiries:
Helical Bar plc 020 7629 0113
Nigel McNair Scott
Financial Dynamics 020 7831 3113
Dido Laurimore/ Laurence Jones
This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange