Rule 8 - Simon Group PLC

Guinness Peat Group PLC
9 March 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 following the market purchases of 2,016,852
and 100,000 Ordinary 25 pence shares of Simon Group ("Shares") both at a price
of £0.44 on 8 March 2005, the Group's interest in the Shares now amounts to
3,326,752 Shares representing 2.09 % 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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