MYW Merrydown

RNS Number:0517E
Merrydown PLC
13 October 2004

For immediate release                                           13 October 2004

                                 Merrydown PLC

                            Half Year Trading Update

Merrydown PLC, owner of the market leading Shloer adult soft drink and Merrydown
cider brands, today issues an update on trading for the six months to 30
September 2004, in anticipation of its interim results announcement in November.

Despite the poor summer weather which has affected the soft drinks market,
Shloer has delivered 14% turnover growth and gained further market share from
competitors in the adult soft drinks category.

Merrydown Vintage has enjoyed double-digit organic growth following distribution
gains and is now in its best trading position for many years as the introduction
of new packaging and the current polarisation of the market appears to be
favouring premium cider offerings. It remains our policy to concentrate on
Merrydown branded sales rather than bulk products and overall Group turnover is
approximately 8% ahead of the same period last year.

It is expected that profit before exceptional costs for the 6 months will be in
excess of #0.75m reflecting the strong performance of the Group's key brands.
Marketing spend in the first half was approximately #0.2m lower than in the same
period last year but is expected to be #0.5m higher in the second half. There
were also one-off bonus costs of #0.2m in the first half of last year. As ever,
the out-turn for the full year is heavily dependent on Christmas trading.

On 15 July 2004 Merrydown announced the closure of its production site at Horam
and confirmed its successful strategy to focus on brand management. Shloer
bottling will cease in November 2004 and all activities at Horam are expected to
have finished by 31 March 2005. The majority of the #2.5m exceptional costs will
be reported in the first half.

The interim results will be announced on 29 November 2004.

Nigel Freer, Chief Executive of Merrydown, commented:

"Given the very real issues concerning the poor summer weather affecting some
companies, this is a very pleasing position to be in. Our outlook remains
positive and we look forward to reporting on further progress in November."

                                    - ends -

For further information, please contact:

Weber Shandwick Square Mile
Chris Lynch / Helen Thomas                                        020 7067 0740

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