Rule 8 - Simon Group PLC

Guinness Peat Group PLC
5 April 2005


Simon Group plc


The following is the text of a Disclosure sent today to the Company Secretary of
Simon Group plc.


"Disclosure of Interest in Shares Pursuant to Rules 8.3 of the City Code on
Takeovers and Mergers. 

Guinness Peat Group plc and its subsidiary companies ("the Group") hereby notify
Simon Group plc ("Simon Group") that on 4 April 2005 the Group made a market
purchase of 100,000 Ordinary 25 pence shares of Simon Group ("Shares") at a
price of £0.44.  As a result of this purchase and a small correction to the
previous announcement which increases its holding by 476 shares, the Group's
interest in the Shares now amounts to 3,427,228 Shares representing 2.15 % of
the issued share capital.

The Group has an interest by virtue of being a Rule 8.3 shareholder of Simon
Group.  No member of the Group is party to any agreement or arrangement relating
to the exercise of any rights conferred by holding the Shares subject to this
notification."


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