Trading Statement

Whitbread PLC
02 September 2003


Embargoed until 7am 2 September 2003



                Whitbread reports encouraging first half trading

Whitbread PLC today reported that like-for-like sales growth for the first 24
weeks (to August 14) of the company's financial year had been encouraging.


Marriott                                          (1.2%)
Travel Inn                                         3.4%
Beefeater                                          5.2%
Brewers Fayre / Brewsters                          3.0%
David Lloyd Leisure *                              6.7%



* 22 weeks



David Thomas, chief executive, said:  'These results show all our major brands
outperforming their markets for the first half of the financial year.



'Marriott's like-for-like performance has improved as the year has progressed.



'Travel Inn continued to perform well although overall like-for-like growth was
held back by the depressed London market.



'Our pub restaurant brands traded strongly with the resurgent Beefeater leading
the way.



'David Lloyd Leisure stands out in the health and fitness market for its robust
like-for-like sales growth.



'As a result of the resilience of our brands, the board remains confident about
the prospects for the company and its potential for continuing growth.'



                                     -ends-





Contact:-


David Reed                      020 7806 5436
Dan Waugh                       020 7806 5442



There will be a conference call for analysts at 08.30am hosted by David
Richardson, Finance Director.  Call 020 7984 7572.

The replay will be available for two weeks on 020 7784 1024 - Passcode: 473515


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