Trading Statement

Whitbread PLC
02 September 2004

7am September 2nd, 2004


                Whitbread trading statement - September 2, 2004
                           Budget hotels lead the way

Whitbread today reports on trading to August 19, 2004 - the first 24 weeks of
its 2004/5 financial year.  Group like-for-like sales were up 3.1% (FY 03/04 +
2.7%).


Like-for-like sales growth (%)                   24 weeks           FY 03/04

Travel Inn *                                          6.3                3.6
Marriott                                              4.9               (0.2)
Pub restaurants                                       0.4                2.2
High Street restaurants                               3.0                3.1
David Lloyd Leisure                                   4.1                5.2

 * Travel Inn brand only

Alan Parker, chief executive, said:  'With the newly acquired Premier Lodge
business, budget hotels will account for an even higher proportion of
Whitbread's operating profit so Travel Inn's continuing strong performance is
particularly pleasing.

'The integration of the two brands is going well and I can confirm that the year
to date performance of the business that we acquired is meeting our
expectations.

'Marriott's like-for-like performance has continued to benefit from the
improvement in the 4-star hotel market.  The pub restaurants' conversions to the
new format are producing healthy sales uplifts but like-for-like sales in the
period were affected by the poor weather and a strong comparative period last
year.

'The high street brands broadly maintained their position and at David Lloyd
Leisure, new member recruitment was off-set by lower retention in London.

'Some of the brands achieved slightly lower like-for-like sales growth than
anticipated.  In the longer term, however, I am confident that there are a
number of areas of unrealised potential.  I am fully committed to achieving
performance improvements and I shall provide further details at the time of the
interim results announcement on October 28th, 2004.'

                                     -ends-

Contact:

David Reed                  020         7806 5436
Dan Waugh                   020         7806 5442
Julie Weldon                020         7806 5443



David Richardson and David Reed will be available for a conference call at
08.30am today, 2nd September, 2004.  Please dial: 0207 984 7582.


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