Unite Announces Scottish Move

Unite Group PLC
23 March 2001

Date:               23 March 2001

Embargoed until:     0700hrs


UNITE ANNOUNCES SCOTTISH MOVE

The UNITE Group plc, the UK's leading specialist provider of accommodation
services for students and NHS key workers, today announced the opening of a
new office in Scotland.


UNITE is currently negotiating a number of projects in Scotland and will be
formally opening its office in Edinburgh shortly. The Scottish Office will be
UNITE's fourth after Bristol, London and Leeds.


Commenting on the announcement, Nick Porter, Chief Executive of UNITE said:


'We are currently in negotiations with a number of universities in Scotland
and look forward to working with them to manage all their student
accommodatIon requirements. UNITE is dedicated to providing universities and
their customers, the students, with the highest quality, affordable
accommodation. The opening of the new office in Scotland is in line with the
Group's strategy of national expansion.'


ENDS


Press Enquiries to:

Emma Kane, Chief Executive      Tel: [phone]

Redleaf Communications Ltd      Mob: [phone]

Nick Porter, Chief Executive Tel: [phone]

UNITE



Notes to Editors:

As the UK's leading specialist provider of student and key worker
accommodation, UNITE is committed to maximising its understanding of all
markets it operates in. UNITE's recent Student Living Report, conducted by
MORI, revealed that:

  * Only 10% of students studying in Scotland have chosen an arts degree.
    This compared with 25% in the North of England and Northern Ireland and
    17% in the South. Students studying in Scotland prefer courses such as
    social sciences and business studies rather than science and engineering
    or arts courses.
  * Students in Scotland and Wales feel the safest from the threat of crime
    against the person.
  * More students studying in the North and Northern Ireland owe money (29%)
    than their counterparts in Scotland (12%) and Wales (9%). 20% of students
    owe money in the South.

About UNITE

  * UNITE was founded in 1991 by Nick Porter.
  * UNITE is fully listed on the London Stock Exchange and is currently
    capitalised at £128.9 million.
  * UNITE is the UK's leading specialist provider of accommodation services
    for students and key workers.
  * Further information is available at the Company's website at
    www.unite-group.co.uk

  * www.bunk.com is a comprehensive, on-line accommodation service for
    university students launched by UNITE in September 2000.