Acquisition of Garden Centre in Nottingham

NWF Group PLC
1 February 2000



                         NWF Group plc
                   (Diversified Industrials)

     ACQUISITION OF WHEATCROFT GARDEN CENTRE IN NOTTINGHAM


The  NWF Group has acquired the business of Wheatcroft  Garden
Centre, located on the Southern outskirts of Nottingham.   The
Garden Centre occupies a 9 acre site which will be leased  for
a period of 35 years from the owner, Chris Wheatcroft, who has
developed  the business from the rose-growing origins  founded
by  his  father, Harry Wheatcroft.  The Garden  Centre  has  a
turnover of approximately £3m and employs some 50 staff.

Graham   Scott,  the  Chief  Executive,  commenting   on   the
acquisition said:

'From  its origins as a rose growing nursery founded by  Harry
Wheatcroft,   it  has  been  developed  by  his   son,   Chris
Wheatcroft,  into  a  high  quality  garden  centre  with   an
impressive reputation.
'With  the increased plant growing capacity at Rivendell Garden
Centre,  which was successfully integrated into the Group  last
year,  we will be supplying a proportion of the plants  to  the
Wheatcroft  Garden Centre and we are confident that  this  will
prove to be an excellent acquisition for NWF.'


For further information contact:

Graham Scott (Chief Executive)                01829 260 260

Binns & Co Public Relations
Brian Coleman-Smith / Bruce Croxford          0207 786 9600

http://www.nwf.co.uk