RNS Number:2887O
Laragrove Limited
04 August 2003

Not for release, publication or distribution, in whole or in part, in or into
Canada, Australia or Japan


4 August 2003



                              Laragrove Limited
           a company formed at the request of funds advised by
                                  Permira,
                                 Blackstone
                                    and
                            Goldman, Sachs & Co.

                 Offer document for Debenhams plc posted


Laragrove Limited today posted the offer document relating to its recommended
cash offer for Debenhams plc.

As set out in the offer document, acceptances should be received no later than
3.00pm on 26 August 2003.



Enquiries:

UBS Investment Bank

Paul Morris
Mihiri Jayaweera
+44 (0) 20 7567 8000


Finsbury

Edward Orlebar
Melanie Gerlis
+44 (0) 20 7251 3801



The offer is not being made, directly or indirectly, in or into Canada,
Australia or Japan or any other jurisdiction if to do so would constitute a
violation of the relevant laws of such jurisdiction and the offer cannot be
accepted from or within Canada, Australia or Japan or any other such
jurisdiction. Accordingly, copies of the offer document, the form of acceptance
and any accompanying document are not being, and must not be, directly or
indirectly, mailed or otherwise distributed or sent in or into or from Canada,
Australia or Japan or any such other jurisdiction. The availability of the offer
to persons outside the United Kingdom and the United States may be affected by
the laws of other jurisdictions. Such persons should inform themselves about and
observe any applicable requirements of those jurisdictions.

The offer in the United States is made solely by Laragrove. Neither UBS, nor any
of its affiliates, is making the offer in the United States.



UBS, which is regulated in the United Kingdom by the Financial Services
Authority, is acting for the Laragrove Group, Permira Advisers Limited,
Blackstone Management Partners IV L.L.C. ("Blackstone") and GS Capital Partners
2000, L.P. and other affiliated investment partnerships ("Goldman Sachs Capital
Partners") in connection with the Offer and no-one else and will not be
responsible to anyone other than the Laragrove Group, Permira Advisers Limited,
Blackstone and Goldman Sachs Capital Partners for providing the protections
afforded to clients of UBS or for providing advice in relation to the Offer.


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