Appointment of New Chairman

City Centre Restaurants PLC
20 March 2001


                         City Centre Restaurants plc


                         Appointment of New Chairman



Henry King is retiring as Non Executive Chairman of City Centre Restaurants
plc and the Board has decided to appoint an Executive Chairman with relevant
industry background. The Board is today appointing Alan Jackson (57) as
Executive Chairman of the Company. Henry King will remain a Non Executive
Director until July 2001. The Board wishes to express its gratitude to Henry
King for his wise counsel since 1986.


For 18 years, from 1973 to 1991 Alan Jackson occupied various positions within
Whitbread principally Managing Director of Beefeater steakhouses and also the
Whitbread restaurant division where he was responsible for the creation and
development of Beefeater, Travel Inns and TGI Friday brands all of which
remain as part of Whitbread's estate. After the Beer Orders in 1991 he founded
his own business which became Inn Business Group plc in 1995. Subsequently,
this business was acquired by Punch in 1999. He chaired Oriental Restaurant
Group plc until its sale to Noble House in 2000 and is currently non-executive
Chairman of Jamies Bars plc and a non-executive director of De Vere plc.


The Group will be announcing its preliminary results on 28 March 2001.
Shareholders will be updated on the performance of the Group and of recent
current trading trends.


Alan Jackson, Executive Chairman said:


'I am delighted to join City Centre Restaurants - they have some excellent
brands and a solid business that has much potential. Andrew Guy, the Board and
I have one simple goal in maximising value for shareholders.'


                                                                 20 March 2001


ENQUIRIES:
City Centre Restaurants plc                         Tel: [phone]
Alan Jackson, (Executive Chairman)
Andrew Guy, Chief Executive

College Hill                                        Tel: [phone]
Matthew Smallwood
Justine Warren