UNITE OPENS TWO NEW CENTRES

Unite Group PLC
12 October 2000



Date:               12 October 2000



UNITE TO OPEN CENTRES IN SHEFFIELD AND

PLYMOUTH WORTH £11 MILLION

Leading provider of student/key worker accommodation services opens 432 new
beds

The UNITE Group plc ('UNITE'), the UK's leading specialist provider of student
and NHS key worker accommodation services, today announces the acquisition of
two new student accommodation centres in Sheffield and Plymouth for a total
cash consideration of £7.8M. On completion the two schemes will have a value
of £11M and increase the Group's portfolio to 46 properties.

Sheffield - Wellington Street

This city centre residence comprises 319 student beds in 63 flats servicing
both the University of Sheffield and Hallam University. The majority of the
accommodation at this residence is arranged in clusters of between four and
five en-suite bedrooms around a kitchen and lounge area. The residence also
includes a retail unit and on-site launderette. It will be fully managed by
UNITE's facilities management team based in Leeds.

Plymouth - St Teresa

St Teresa is located close to the Plymouth University Campus and has 113
student beds. Currently undergoing a full internal conversion the site will
have a further storey added to the top of the building to accommodate a new
design of UNITE's modular bedroom unit. As the university is a popular choice
for surfers, UNITE is also incorporating a special surfboard and wetsuit
storage area.

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

'UNITE's quality accommodation, comprehensive facilities management and
customer services for students are rapidly becoming available across the
length and breadth of the UK. These new acquisitions firmly reinforce our
presence as a high growth, support services company within the education and
key worker sectors, making UNITE the partner of choice for academic
institutions nationwide.'



                                   - 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:

About UNITE

  * UNITE was founded in 1991 by Nick Porter
  * UNITE is fully listed on the London Stock Exchange and is currently
    capitalised at £132.9m.
  * 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.