MYW Merrydown

RNS Number:3612B
Merrydown PLC
29 July 2004


For immediate release                                              29 July 2004

                                 Merrydown PLC

                        AGM Statement and Trading Update

The Board of Merrydown PLC are pleased to announce that at the Annual General
Meeting held today, all resolutions were duly passed.

At the meeting, the Chief Executive, Nigel Freer, made the following statement:

"I am pleased to report that Shloer sales continue to grow strongly and we are
poised for the main burst of summer promotional activity which this year will
take place in the late summer.

"The new product programme is progressing well. The Posh Squash and Sorelle
trials are encouraging and the new 275ml Shloer bottle is now in production. We
are also planning the launch of another completely new drink in the autumn.

"Vintage sales have started the year in line with the same period last year.
Whilst the underlying rate of sale in supermarkets is growing, the wholesale
sector overall continues to under-perform.

"This year a greater proportion of our marketing activity will take place in the
second half of the financial year. This will benefit the results for the half
year to 30 September 2004, whilst not affecting the full year outlook.

"Whilst Christmas remains our most important trading period, we are encouraged
by the Group's trading and profitability in the year to date and we look forward
to making further progress during the rest of the financial year.

"Sadly on 15 July 2004 we announced the closure of the Horam factory. It is
anticipated that this will give rise to exceptional costs of #2.5m during the
year and a gain on disposal of the site substantially in excess of this cost in
the following year to 31 March 2006.

"Robert Neame is today retiring as a Director of Merrydown PLC and, as planned,
is not offering himself for re-election. On behalf of the Board and our
shareholders we thank Bobby for his support and excellent contribution to
Merrydown over the last 6 years."

                                    - ends -

For further information, please contact:

Merrydown PLC
Nigel Freer, Chief Executive                                      020 7067 0700
Mike Dinnis, Finance Director

Weber Shandwick Square Mile
Chris Lynch / Katie Hunt / Helen Thomas                           020 7067 0700

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