AGM Statement
July 29 2003 - 8:37AM
UK Regulatory
RNS Number:0793O
Sutton Harbour Holdings PLC
29 July 2003
SUTTON HARBOUR HOLDINGS plc
Ellen Winser, the chairman of Sutton Harbour Holdings made the following
statement on current trading at the company's Annual General Meeting, held
today, Tuesday July 29th 2003.
Key Points
* The company remains strongly confident of its longer term prospects.
* Major development and regeneration projects are moving forward well.
* Rental income now rising following rent reviews.
* New consultancy contract won for Penzance waterfront regeneration scheme.
* Revenue from fishing related activities continues to improve in current
period.
* Investment in Air Southwest offers the potential to grow the profitability
of Sutton's air transport business following the withdrawal of British
Airways from the Plymouth and Newquay to Gatwick route.
CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT IN FULL
"In my statement accompanying the report and accounts, I mentioned that income
from fishing related activities had recovered in the second half of our
financial year. I am pleased to report that this improvement has continued into
the first quarter of the current year. Our marina remains full and the number
of visiting yachts has been encouraging. The boatyard and marine leisure
businesses continue to trade satisfactorily as does the chandlery."
"Our property portfolio continues to provide good rental incomes for the
Company. In recent months a number of rent reviews have taken place and these
have given rise to satisfactory increases in revenues."
"The Sutton Partnership and other regeneration projects are moving forward very
well. We have agreed terms for the development of part of the Moon Street site
with a national developer and we expect to submit detailed planning permission
this September. We have received detailed planning permission for the second
phase of the Harbour East development and have signed a conditional contract
with another developer."
"In my statement in the report and accounts I mentioned that we were looking to
apply our regeneration related skills further afield. I am pleased to tell you
that we have been appointed consultants by Penwith District Council to produce a
development framework plan for the waterfront in Penzance. This plan is nearing
completion and we are hopeful of signing a partnership agreement with Penwith
District Council in the near future to facilitate the regeneration of the
Penzance waterfront area, very similar to the Sutton Partnership with Plymouth
City Council."
"We are short-listed to the last three on two other projects, one a public/
private sector initiative to provide local facilities and the other a
development project outside the city. We expect to hear whether we have been
selected as preferred bidder on these projects before the end of the calendar
year."
"Since the year end, as is well documented, British Airways has announced its
withdrawal of services between Plymouth and Newquay and Gatwick. This, in
addition to its withdrawal of other services last year, will have a negative
effect on this year's results. However, we have taken the initiative to let some
airport land in the short term to boost our income. In my letter of a few days
ago, I gave detailed information of our plans to operate the Plymouth/Newquay/
Gatwick services from 26th October 2003 and, potentially, additional routes next
Spring. These plans to take over the Gatwick slots and commence the services
mean that we now have the potential to rebuild and grow the profitability of our
air transport interests. Nevertheless, it is worth noting that in the current
financial year the airline will only operate during the weaker winter period."
"But for our air transport activities, we believe your company will make good
progress in the current year and we are very confident of our longer term
prospects." Ellen Winser, Chairman.
For further information please call:
Nigel Godefroy, Managing Director (Designate) 01752 204186
Ken Rees, Winningtons, 07802 466567
This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
END
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