RNS Number:8950T
Austin Reed Group PLC
6 January 2004


                           AUSTIN REED GROUP PLC
     

                           CHANGE IN SHAREHOLDING

On 5 January 2004, the Company was advised by Cantor Fitzgerald Europe under 
Section 198 of the Companies Act 1985 ("the Act") that as at 2 January 2004 they 
had an interest in and were the registered holder of 3,759,800 ordinary shares 
of 25p each in the Company.

The shares represent an interest of 11.9% of the issued share capital of the 
Company (which is a decrease of 0.2% from the 12.1% interest announced on 21 
November 2003.)

Cantor Fitzgerald is a party to an agreement relating to 2,886,300 ordinary 
shares of 25p each in the Company (which represents an interest of 9.1% of the 
issued share capital and is the same interest as that announced on 21 November 
2003) with Shami Ahmed who has an interest in the voting rights to the shares,
under a contract for differences.

6 January 2004


Enquiries:

Simon Waite, Company Secretary            Tel:   01845-573071


                      This information is provided by RNS
            The company news service from the London Stock Exchange

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