9.1.09 Fourth Quarter Trading Update

Bank facilities increased and operating result expectation for the year remains unchanged

Uniq, the European chilled convenience food group, today provides the following trading update for the fourth quarter 2008 and announces the renewal, increase and extension of its banking facilities.

As anticipated at the time of the October update, the slowdown in consumer spending has continued, resulting in fourth quarter Group sales being down 3.8%¹ on last year. The expectation for the operating result for the year remains unchanged.

- UK sales in the fourth quarter were down 9.6% on the same quarter last year, having been just over 1% up in the first three quarters in total. Slowing consumer spending and trading down was evident across all business units and in desserts and fish the Christmas volumes were below our expectations.

- In Northern Europe sales grew by 1.9% in the fourth quarter. Poland and our Dutch sandwich business continued their strong growth, sales in Germany held up well in very tough markets and The Netherlands declined slightly. The operational performance of Poland through the busy winter period improved significantly on last year.

- In France sales declined by 1.1% in the fourth quarter, which was a significant improvement after a very slow third quarter, reflecting the success of new product development and promotional activity.  Own label and food service had a stronger fourth quarter and, while volumes in our frozen branded business recovered, demand for branded chilled product remained subdued.

Refinancing of bank facility

The Group is pleased to announce that it has agreed committed terms with its existing relationship lender Lloyds TSB Bank plc, to replace its existing £40m revolving credit facility due to expire on 31 March 2010, with an increased and extended £60m revolving credit facility with unchanged covenants that will mature on 31 December 2010².

With modest net debt at the year end, this new facility provides the Group with sufficient working capital to complete the restructuring and recovery commenced in 2006.

Geoff Eaton, Chief Executive of Uniq plc said: “These are undoubtedly extraordinary economic times.  The renewal and improvement of our banking facilities will enable us to take the tough decisions and implement the actions necessary to complete the recovery and restructuring we started in 2006.”

1 All sales percentage changes are quoted assuming constant currency of the underlying trading currency or currencies

2 The terms of the new facility (of which £25m is secured) reflect current market conditions including warrants over 2% of Uniq’s issued ordinary share capital exercisable at a price of 10p per share

For further information:

Uniq plc               +44 (0)1753 276011

Geoff Eaton         Chief Executive

Martin Beer          Finance Director

The Hogarth Partnership   +44 (0)20 7357 9477

Julian Walker & James Longfield