19 July 2021
PALACE CAPITAL PLC
("Palace Capital" or the "Company")
Palace Capital's disposal programme continues with Weybridge sale
A total of 50 apartment sales at Hudson Quarter now completed delivering £15m
Palace Capital (LSE: PCA), the Main Market listed property investment company that has a diversified portfolio of UK commercial real estate in carefully selected locations outside of London, but focusing on the office and industrial sectors, has completed the sale of Bridge House, High Street in Weybridge, Surrey as part of its £30 million programme of non-core disposals. The asset is unencumbered and therefore the net proceeds of the £3.7 million sale, which is at a 6% premium to book value, will revert to the Company.
Following the latest disposal, Palace has now completed £9.4 million of strategic sales since the start of the new financial year in April, reflecting a third of its stated disposal programme by value. Proceeds will ultimately be recycled into opportunities that meet the Company's strict acquisition criteria and in line with its strategy to create and maximise value from carefully selected assets in those regional towns and cities which display the right growth fundamentals that can deliver value creation alongside Palace's asset management expertise.
The Company has also agreed a further 7 residential sales at Hudson Quarter in York to the value of £2.4million, with 70 apartments now remaining. A total of 50 apartments at Hudson Quarter have been sold and completed, delivering an aggregate of £15 million, which has been used to reduce the original £26.5 million development facility to its current level of £5.7 million. The Company expects to have the facility paid down in full by the end of the current calendar year.
Neil Sinclair, Chief Executive of Palace Capital commented: "These sales further strengthen our balance sheet as we work towards ensuring that we are well positioned to take advantage of investment opportunities that meet both our pricing and acquisition criteria. We believe that, as Government restrictions continue to lift and the market returns to normal operation, such opportunities will begin to emerge towards the end of this year. In the meantime, interest in our disposal pipeline as well as the remaining residential units and commercial space for rent at Hudson Quarter is strong, as we continue to see growing appetite for regional city centre properties post pandemic."
For further information please contact:
PALACE CAPITAL PLC
Neil Sinclair, Chief Executive
Stephen Silvester, Chief Financial Officer
Tel. +44 (0)20 3301 8331
Broker
Numis Securities
Heraclis Economides / George Fry
Tel: +44 (0)20 7260 1000
Broker
Arden Partners plc
Corporate Finance: Paul Shackleton / Elliot Mustoe
Corporate Broking: James Reed-Daunter
Tel: +44 (0)207 614 5900
Financial PR
FTI Consulting
Claire Turvey / Katie Hughes
Tel: +44 (0)20 3727 1000
palacecapital@fticonsulting.com
About Palace Capital plc
Palace Capital plc (LSE: PCA) is a UK REIT that has a £274 million diversified portfolio of UK regional commercial property. The Company maintains a disciplined investment strategy focused on towns and cities outside of London that are characterised by thriving local economies and strengthening fundamentals. Within those locations the highly experienced management team select assets that provide opportunities to drive both capital value and long-term rental income through tailored active asset management programmes ultimately delivering attractive shareholder returns.