Demerger Effective

WH Smith PLC
01 September 2006

                                                              

                                  WH Smith PLC


 Demerger effective and trading expected to commence in shares of WH Smith PLC


All the conditions to the Demerger and the creation of two separately listed
companies, WH Smith PLC ('WH Smith') (formerly New WH Smith PLC) and Smiths News
PLC, have now been satisfied and the Demerger has become effective.


WH Smith is now the holding company for the Retail business only. Trading in WH
Smith shares under the ticker 'SMWH' is expected to commence on the London Stock
Exchange at 8.00am (BST) today.


CREST accounts will be credited with WH Smith shares at 8.00am (BST) today.
Shareholders will, on 8 September 2006, be sent share certificates in respect of
their holdings in WH Smith.


Enquiries:


WH Smith
Mark Boyle     Investor Relations     020 7851 8820
Louise Evans   Media Relations        020 7851 8850



The contents of this announcement have been issued by and are the sole
responsibility of WH Smith.


Greenhill & Co. International LLP, which is regulated in the UK by the Financial
Services Authority, is acting for WH Smith PLC as sponsor in connection with the
demerger and for no one else and will not be responsible to any other person for
providing the protections afforded to its clients, or for providing advice in
relation to the demerger.


This announcement is an advertisement and does not comprise a prospectus
relating to WH Smith PLC. It does not constitute or form part of any offer of
securities, or constitute solicitation of any offer of securities. You should
not purchase or subscribe for securities referred to in this announcement except
on the basis of information in the prospectuses published in relation to WH
Smith PLC (and any supplement or amendment thereto).


This announcement does not constitute a recommendation concerning the demerger,
and should not be construed as legal, business, tax or investment advice. The
value of shares can go down as well as up. Past performance is not a guide to
future performance.


Shares in WH Smith PLC have not been and will not be registered under the United
States Securities Act of 1933 (as amended) and will be issued in transactions
that are exempt from or not subject to the registration requirements of such
Act. In addition, shares in WH Smith PLC have not been and will not be
registered under the securities laws of any state of the United States, and will
be issued in reliance on available exemptions from such state law registration
requirements.


                                      ENDS



                      This information is provided by RNS
            The company news service from the London Stock Exchange