Watkin Jones plc Forward sale & development agreement (2295P)
30 August 2017 - 4:00PM
UK Regulatory
TIDMWJG
RNS Number : 2295P
Watkin Jones plc
30 August 2017
For immediate release 30 August 2017
Watkin Jones plc
('Watkin Jones' or the 'Group')
Completion of a forward sale and a development agreement for two
developments
Watkin Jones plc (AIM:WJG), a leading UK developer and
constructor of multi occupancy property assets, with a focus on the
student accommodation sector, is pleased to announce that the Group
has forward sold a development of 354 beds on Little Patrick Street
in Belfast and completed a development agreement to deliver 972
beds on the Hollis Croft scheme in Sheffield to the same
institutional investor. The consideration payable to Watkin Jones
plc over the course of the developments is circa GBP90 million, net
of client funding costs.
Both developments are due for completion for the summer of 2019
and, following these agreements, Watkin Jones have now forward sold
1,981 of the 3,545 beds planned to be delivered ahead of the
2019/2020 academic year. All schemes to be delivered during FY17
and FY18 and ahead of the 2017/2018 and 2018/2019 academic years
have been forward sold.
Mark Watkin Jones, Chief Executive Officer of Watkin Jones plc,
said: "We are delighted to announce that we have successfully
completed the forward sale of a development for 354 beds in Belfast
and entered into a development agreement to deliver 972 beds in
Sheffield for the same institutional investor. Combined the
developments are worth circa GBP90 million to the Group and both
developments are to be completed ahead of the 2019/2020 academic
year. We now have revenue and earnings visibility on 1,981 of the
3,545 beds we plan to deliver in FY19, with the remaining beds
having been secured and working through the early stages of our
business model.
"These agreements further demonstrate the Group's strong and
growing relationships with institutional investors, as well as the
continuing demand for high quality purpose built student
accommodation. Our ability to secure, fund and develop a pipeline
of attractive sites provides excellent earnings visibility for our
shareholders."
- Ends -
For further information:
Watkin Jones plc
Mark Watkin Jones, Chief Tel: +44 (0) 1248 362
Executive Officer 516
Phil Byrom, Chief Financial www.watkinjonesplc.com
Officer
Peel Hunt LLP (Nominated Adviser & Joint Corporate Tel: +44 (0) 20
Broker) 7418 8900
Mike Bell / Justin Jones / Matthew Brooke-Hitching www.peelhunt.com
Jefferies Hoare Govett (Joint Corporate Broker) Tel: +44 (0) 20
7029 8000
Max Jones / Will Souter www.jefferies.com
Media enquiries:
Buchanan
Henry Harrison-Topham / Richard Tel: +44 (0) 20 7466 5000
Oldworth
Jamie Hooper / Steph Watson
watkinjones@buchanan.uk.com www.buchanan.uk.com
Notes to Editors
Watkin Jones is a leading UK developer and constructor of multi
occupancy property assets, with a focus on the student
accommodation sector. The Group has strong relationships with
institutional investors, and a good reputation for successful,
on-time-delivery of high quality developments. Since 1999, Watkin
Jones has delivered over 31,800 student beds across 98 sites,
making it a key player and leader in the UK purpose built student
accommodation market. In addition, Watkin Jones has been
responsible for over 50 residential developments, ranging from
starter homes to executive housing and apartments.
The Group's competitive advantage lies in its experienced
management team and business model, which enables it to offer an
end-to-end solution for investors, delivered entirely in-house with
minimal reliance on third parties, across the entire life cycle of
an asset.
Watkin Jones was admitted to trading on AIM in March 2016 with
the ticker WJG.L. For additional information please visit:
www.watkinjonesplc.com
This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
END
AGROKCDPABKDCFB
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
August 30, 2017 02:00 ET (06:00 GMT)
Watkin Jones (LSE:WJG)
Historical Stock Chart
From Apr 2024 to May 2024
Watkin Jones (LSE:WJG)
Historical Stock Chart
From May 2023 to May 2024