Oliver Stocken to Join as Non-executive Director

Great Universal Stores PLC
3 February 2000

                       THE GREAT UNIVERSAL STORES P.L.C.
                               BOARD APPOINTMENT

The Great Universal Stores P.L.C. announces that Oliver Stocken is to
join its Board as a non-executive director with effect from 1 April 2000.
Mr Stocken, who is 58, had a twenty year career with Barclays PLC, during
which period he held a number of senior managerial appointments in both
its banking and investment banking arms.  He served as Group Finance
Director of Barclays PLC from 1993 until his retirement in September of
last year.

He is a non-executive director of 3i plc, MEPC plc, Rank Group plc,
Pilkington plc, Bunzl plc and Chairman of Rutland plc and of Lupus
Capital plc.

Enquiries:

Finsbury                                0207 251 3801
Rupert Younger
Timothy Grey