Trading Statement

Artisan (UK) PLC
24 February 2006



                                Artisan (UK) plc

                                Trading Statement
                                                                   
Artisan (UK) plc, the residential house builder and commercial business park
developer, issues this trading statement in advance of its 31 March 2006 year
end.

During the year the housing market proved more volatile than normal, although
January has started very positively with significantly increased reservations
compared to 2005. After the strong August and September that concluded our first
six months the quarter leading up to 31 December proved disappointing with
relatively low visitor numbers and reservations.

Commercial business park activity remains positive in a generally steady trading
environment. We are in the midst of negotiations for sales of buildings with the
objective of contracting these prior to the year end. If current negotiations
remain on target, the division should exceed our expectations for the year.

The success we have in bringing the sales currently being agreed in both
residential and commercial to exchanges prior to the year end will influence the
year end results. Whilst we expect the full year results to show that
residential volumes will be slightly below those achieved in 2005, margins have
remained robust. Together with the strong performance in our commercial
business, the Board is confident of a reasonable outcome for the year, although
the outcome will remain dependant upon sales in progress completing prior to the
year end.

In order to capitalise on the success achieved in the commercial business and
reasonably buoyant local market conditions, the Board has decided to commit
further investment to expanding its trading activities. The business continues
to progress its land acquisition programme to replace and expand the number of
sites.

Additionally the Board considers that Rippon Homes has also suffered from
insufficient land stocks and believes further substantial investment is needed
to improve the landbank required to facilitate our growth plans. This will
require further acquisitions and investment in improving the prospects for some
of our current sites.

The present landbank of Rippon Homes includes a site of 42 acres near
Chesterfield. A professional report has been commissioned to provide an initial
assessment of its development potential. The East Midlands Regional Assembly has
recently commenced consultation as part of the review of the East Midlands
Regional plan. The review is due to be completed by late 2007/early 2008. The
main issues will include the housing requirements across the region as a whole
to 2026, and the housing distribution between districts. Further work will be
needed to demonstrate that the land or part of it may be suitable for future
development through the Regional Spatial Strategy (RSS). The potential outcome
is uncertain and will require speculative investment and professional advice but
the possibility exists that part of the land may become available for
development and this would significantly improve the value of our holding.

In order for the Group to fulfil its growth objectives, the Board is taking
steps to make additional finance available. Discussions with our bankers have
proved encouraging with the prospect of considerably increasing the debt funding
available beyond the existing £20 million facility. The Board believe that the
company should operate at a gearing ratio significantly above the current low
level of around 55%.
Your Board is very pleased with the manner in which the restructured management
team is operating under the new Chief Executive and strongly believes that this
additional finance will stimulate further progress in trading in future years

The recent difficult market conditions have demonstrated that, for both Artisan
(UK) Developments and Rippon Homes, the inherent quality of the product offered
has secured sales against competitors' products.

Enquiries to:
Artisan (UK) plc:     Chief Executive             01480 436666
Chris Musselle                                    [e-mail]
Seymour Pierce        Nominated advisers          020 7107 8000
Sarah Wharry
Bankside Consultants  Financial PR advisers       020 7367 8888
Simon Rothschild                                  07703 167065

Company website: www.artisan-plc.co.uk



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