Rule 8 - Simon Group PLC

Guinness Peat Group PLC
14 April 2005


Simon Group plc

The following is the text of a Disclosure sent on 14 April to the Company
Secretary of Simon Group plc.

"Disclosure of Interest in Shares Pursuant to Rule 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 13 April 2005 the Group made a market
purchase of 50,000 Ordinary 25 pence shares of Simon Group ("shares") at a price
of £0.43. As a result of this purchase the Group's interest in the Shares now
amounts to 3,627,228 Shares representing 2.28 % 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."


                      This information is provided by RNS
            The company news service from the London Stock Exchange