Response to Announcement by Piedmont

RNS Number : 1344Q

Mitchells & Butlers PLC

13 October 2011

 



13 October 2011

NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN, INTO OR FROM ANY JURISDICTION WHERE TO DO SO WOULD CONSTITUTE A VIOLATION OF THE RELEVANT LAWS OR REGULATIONS OF SUCH JURISDICTION

Response to announcement by Piedmont

The Independent Directors of the Board of Mitchells & Butlers plc (the "Company" or "Mitchells & Butlers") note the statement made by Piedmont Inc. that it will not proceed with its possible offer for the Company.

Interim Chairman, Bob Ivell, said: "The Independent Directors have been consistent in their view that an offer of 230p would substantially undervalue the Company. We will continue to focus on our growth strategy for developing Mitchells & Butlers further as the UK's leading operator of restaurants and managed pubs creating value for all shareholders."

Enquiries:

Mitchells & Butlers

Tim Jones, Finance Director                                                        [phone]

Erik Castenskiold, Director of Corporate Affairs                             [phone]

UBS Investment Bank

Nick Reid                                                                                  [phone]

Jackie Lee                                                                                 [phone]

Nick Bishop                                                                               [phone]

Finsbury

James Murgatroyd                                                                     [phone]

James Leviton                                                                            [phone]

About Mitchells & Butlers:

Mitchells & Butlers is the leading operator of restaurants and pubs in the UK. Its leading portfolio of brands includes Harvester, Toby Carvery, Vintage Inns, Premium Country Dining Group, Crown Carveries, Sizzling Pubs, Browns, Miller & Carter, Metro Professionals, All Bar One, Nicholson's, O'Neill's and Ember Inns. Further details are available at www.mbplc.com

Mitchells & Butlers serves around 120 million meals and 415 million drinks each year and is one of the largest operators within the UK's eating and drinking out market

General

This announcement is not intended to, and does not, constitute or form part of any offer, invitation or the solicitation of an offer to purchase, otherwise acquire, subscribe for, sell or otherwise dispose of, any securities whether pursuant to this announcement or otherwise.

The distribution of this announcement in jurisdictions outside the United Kingdom may be restricted by law and therefore persons into whose possession this announcement comes should inform themselves about, and observe, such restrictions. Any failure to comply with the restrictions may constitute a violation of the securities law of any such jurisdiction.

The Independent Directors, whose names are set out below, accept responsibility for the information contained in this announcement. To the best of the knowledge and belief of the Independent Directors (who have taken all reasonable care to ensure that such is the case), the information contained in this announcement for which they accept responsibility is in accordance with the facts and does not omit anything likely to affect the import of that information.

The Independent Directors of Mitchells & Butlers are those Directors who are independent of Piedmont Inc., being Bob Ivell (Interim Chairman), Jeremy Blood (Interim CEO) and Tim Jones (Finance Director). Each of Ron Robson and Douglas McMahon were appointed to the Board by Piedmont Inc. and accordingly are not independent for the purposes of the possible offer previously disclosed (the "Possible Offer").

UBS Limited ("UBS") does not accept any responsibility whatsoever for the contents of this announcement or for any statement made or purported to be made by it or on its behalf in connection with the Possible Offer. UBS accordingly disclaims all and any liability whether arising in tort, contract or otherwise which it might otherwise have in respect of this announcement or any such statement. UBS is acting as Financial Adviser to Mitchells & Butlers and no-one else and will not be responsible to anyone other than Mitchells & Butlers for providing the protections offered to clients of UBS or for providing advice in relation to the Possible Offer or the contents of this announcement.

 

END

 

 

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