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REG - Minoan Group PLC - Subscription & Broker Offer <Origin Href="QuoteRef">MIN.L</Origin>

RNS Number : 5773Z
Minoan Group PLC
18 December 2017

THIS ANNOUNCEMENT, INCLUDING THE APPENDIX TO THIS ANNOUNCEMENT, AND THE INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS RESTRICTED AND IS NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN OR INTO THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, THE REPUBLIC OF IRELAND, AUSTRALIA, CANADA, JAPAN, THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA OR ANY OTHER JURISDICTION IN WHICH SUCH RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION WOULD BE UNLAWFUL.

THIS ANNOUNCEMENT, INCLUDING THE APPENDIX TO THIS ANNOUNCEMENT, IS FOR INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY AND DOES NOT ITSELF CONSTITUTE AN OFFER FOR SALE OR SUBSCRIPTION OF ANY SECURITIES IN THE COMPANY. THIS ANNOUNCEMENT AND THE APPENDIX DOES NOT CONSTITUTE OR CONTAIN ANY INVITATION, SOLICITATION, RECOMMENDATION, OFFER OR ADVICE TO ANY PERSON TO SUBSCRIBE FOR, OTHERWISE ACQUIRE OR DISPOSE OF ANY SECURITIES OF MINOAN GROUP PLC IN ANY JURISDICTION IN WHICH ANY SUCH OFFER OR SOLICITATION WOULD BE UNLAWFUL.

18 December 2017

MINOAN GROUP PLC
("Minoan" or the "Company")

Subscription which has raised 300,000 at 6 pence per share

Broker Offer to place up to approximately 16.7 million shares at 6 pence per share

Approach for purchase of Travel & Leisure division

Minoan Group PLC (AIM:MIN) is pleased to announce the completion of a private subscription for 5,000,000 ordinary shares of 1 pence each in the capital of the Company ("Ordinary Shares") which has raised 300,000 before expenses (the "Subscription"). In addition, a Broker Offer is being made by the Company's nominated adviser and broker, WH Ireland Limited ("WH Ireland") to accept applications to subscribe for up to approximately 16.7 million Ordinary Shares at a price of 6 pence per share (the "Broker Offer").

Highlights:

Subscription of 5,000,000 Ordinary Shares raising 300,000 at a price of 6 pence per share.

In addition, the Broker Offer is being made by WH Ireland on behalf of the Company so as to raise up to approximately 1 million before expenses.

Broker Offer is being made through an accelerated book build process which will open with immediate effect following this announcement and is expected to close by 4.30pm on 19 December 2017.

Proceeds to be used to assist with the Company's working capital position, as further detailed below.

Subscription Price represents a discount of approximately 21.3 per cent to the closing mid-market price of Minoan's existing Ordinary Shares of 7.625 pence on 15 December 2017.

Subscription Shares and Broker Offer Shares, assuming full take-up of the Broker Offer, will represent approximately 10.2 per cent. of the Company's existing issued ordinary share capital.

Further details of the Broker Offer are set out in the appendix to this announcement.

Following the dismissal of appeals in June 2017 the Group has reviewed it operations and aims to concentrate its efforts on optimising the value of its project in Crete ("Crete Project").

Firm and credible approach received for the sale of the Travel & Leisure division which may or may not result in the sale of that division.

EXPECTED TIMETABLE OF PRINCIPAL EVENTS

Dateofpublication of this announcement

18 December 2017

Expected time for closing of the Broker Offer

4.30pm on 19 December 2017

Expected date for Admission of the Subscription Shares and the Broker Offer Shares

28 December 2017

CREST accounts to be credited for Subscription Sharesand Broker Offer Shares in uncertificated form

28 December 2017

Expected latest date for posting of share certificates for Subscription Shares and Broker Offer Shares

3 January 2018

Each of the times and dates above are indicative only and refer to London time and are subject to change. Any such change will be notified by an announcement on a Regulatory Information Service.

Additional information on the Fundraising is included below. Attention is also drawn to the section headed 'Important Notice' and to the Appendix to this Announcement containing, inter alia, the terms and conditions of the Broker Offer (representing important information for Placees only). The number of Broker Offer Shares to be issued in connection with the Broker Offer will be determined by WH Ireland at the close of the Bookbuild process, and the results of the Broker Offer will be announced as soon as practicable thereafter. The timing of the closing of the book, pricing and allocations is at the absolute discretion of WH Ireland.

Terms used but not defined in this Announcement shall have the meanings given to such terms in the Definitions section of, or otherwise in the text of, the Appendix to this Announcement.

Enquiries

Minoan Group Plc

Christopher Egleton

christopher.egleton@minoangroup.com

Duncan Wilson

0141 226 2930

Bill Cole

020 8253 4305

WH Ireland (Nominated Adviser, Broker and Bookrunner)
Bookrunning queries: Jasper Berry

Corporate finance queries: Adrian Hadden / Jessica Cave / Alex Bond

020 7220 1666

The information contained within this announcement is deemed by the Company to constitute inside information as stipulated under the Market Abuse Regulations (EU) No. 596/2014 ("MAR").

Important Notice

Market soundings, as defined in MAR, were taken in respect of the Subscription with the result that certain persons became aware of inside information, as permitted by MAR. That inside information is set out in this Announcement and has been disclosed as soon as possible in accordance with paragraph 7 of article 17 of MAR. Therefore, those persons that received inside information in a market sounding are no longer in possession of inside information relating to the Company and its securities.

This AnnouncementdoesnotconstituteaprospectusforthepurposesoftheProspectusRulesoftheFinancialConductAuthority, nordoesitcompriseanadmissiondocumentpreparedinaccordancewiththeAIMRules.Accordingly,this Announcementhas notbeenapprovedbyorfiledwiththeFinancialConductAuthority.

This Announcement must not be distributed to a US Person (as such term is defined in Rule 902 of Regulation S under the US Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act")) or within or into the United States of America, Canada, Japan, the Republic of South Africa, the Republic of Ireland or Australia. The Ordinary Shares have not been and will not be registered under the Securities Act, and may not be offered or sold or subscribed, directly or indirectly, within the United States of America, Canada, Japan, the Republic of South Africa, the Republic of Ireland or Australia or to or by any US Person or any national, resident or citizen of Canada, Japan, the Republic of South Africa, the Republic of Ireland or Australia or any corporation, partnership or other entity created or organised under the laws thereof.

WH Ireland Limited (''WH Ireland'') which is a member of the London Stock Exchange and authorised and regulated in the United Kingdom by the Financial Conduct Authority, is acting as Nominated Adviser and Broker to Minoan Group plc and no-one else in connection with the Broker Offer. WH Ireland will not regard any other person (whether or not a recipient of this Announcement) as its client or be responsible to any other person for providing the protections afforded to clients of WH Ireland nor for providing advice in relation to the transactions and arrangements described in this Announcement. WH Ireland is not making any representation or warranty, express or implied, as to the contents of this Announcement. WH Ireland has not approved the contents of, or any part of, this Announcement and no liability whatsoever is accepted by WH Ireland for the accuracy of any information or opinions contained in this Announcement or for the omission of any information from this Announcement.

Past performance is not a guide to future performance.

Forward-Looking Statements

ThisAnnouncementcontainsforward-lookingstatements.ThesestatementsrelatetotheGroup'sfuture prospects,developmentsandbusinessstrategies.Forward-lookingstatementsareidentifiedbytheiruse oftermsandphrasessuchas "potential", "estimate", "expect", "may", "will" orthenegativeofthose, variationsorcomparableexpressions,includingreferencestoassumptions.Theforward-looking statements in this Announcement are based on current expectations and are subject to risks and uncertainties thatcouldcauseactualresultstodiffermateriallyfromthoseexpressedorimpliedbythosestatements. Theseforward-lookingstatementsspeakonlyasatthedateofthisAnnouncement.Nostatementinthis Announcementisintendedtoconstituteaprofitforecastorprofitestimateforanyperiod.NeithertheDirectors northeGroupundertakeanyobligationtoupdateforward-lookingstatementsorriskfactorsotherthan asrequiredbytheAIMRulesorbytherulesofanyothersecuritiesregulatoryauthority,whetherasa resultofnew information, futureevents orotherwise.

Minoan Group PLC

Subscription and Broker Offer to raise up to approximately 1,300,000

Additional Information

1. Introduction

Minoan Group plc (AIM:MIN), the travel and leisure group, is pleased to announcethe completion of a private subscription for 5,000,000 ordinary shares of 1 pence each in the capital of the Company ("OrdinaryShares") which has raised 300,000 before expenses. In addition, a Broker Offer is being made by the Company's nominated adviser and broker, WH Ireland Limited ("WHIreland"), to accept applications to subscribe for up to approximately 16.7 million Ordinary Shares at a price of 6 pence per share ("BrokerOffer").

The Broker Offer Shares are being offered by way of an accelerated bookbuilding process (the "Bookbuild"), which will be launched immediately following this Announcement in accordance with the terms and conditions set out in the Appendix to this Announcement. WH Ireland Limited ("WHIreland") will be acting as sole bookrunner in connection with the Bookbuild. A further announcement will be made to confirm the completion of the Bookbuild in due course.

2. Background to andreasonsfor the Fundraising and useof net proceeds

The Company intends to use the net proceeds from the Fundraising to assist with its working capital position, to continue to provide funding support for the Travel & Leisure division and to progress towards unlocking value in its Crete Project, following the dismissal of the appeals against the Presidential Decree granting Outline Planning Consent.

The principal assumption underlying the Company's working capital budget for the current financial year is the disposal of the Travel & Leisure division which the Board anticipates will take place in the first half of the financial year. The proceeds will be used to pay down all, or the majority of, group debt resulting in the Company being largely debt free. Whilst this will allow the management team to concentrate its efforts on optimising value from the Crete Project on behalf of its shareholders, the disposal of the Travel & Leisure division will also remove the Company's principal source of working capital in the short term. As a result, the Company has adopted a stringently conservative approach to the management of its working capital and is streamlining its working capital requirements and cost base so that funds raised from the Subscription and Broker Offer will be sufficient to provide working capital until the end of the financial year ending 30 October 2018. During this period the Company may seek third party finance by way of involving other parties in the Crete project.

Should the Broker Offer fail or fall short of the desired amount, the Company will need to seek alternative methods of financing which it has done successfully when necessary in the past.

3. Details of the Broker Offer

The Broker Offer Shares will be offered by way of an accelerated bookbuilding process which will launch immediately following this Announcement. The Subscription Price represents a discount of approximately 21.3 per cent. to the closing middle market price of 7.625 pence per Ordinary Share on 15 December 2017, being the Latest Practicable Date.

The New Ordinary Shares to be issued pursuant to the Broker Offer will be conditionally placed by WH Ireland, as agent of the Company, with institutional and other investors who wish to subscribe New Ordinary Shares, pursuant to the Broker Offer Agreement. The Broker Offer is conditional, inter alia, on Admission.

The Broker Offer is exercisable on more than one occasion at any time prior to the Closing Time. Any Ordinary Shares issued pursuant to the exercise of the Broker Offer will be issued on the same terms and conditions as the Subscription Shares. WH Ireland has agreed to use reasonable endeavours to seek to procure subscribers for Ordinary Shares pursuant to the Broker Offer. The number of new Ordinary Shares that are anticipated to be issued pursuant to the exercise of the Broker Offer, is up to approximately 16.7 million. Accordingly, the number of Ordinary Shares that are anticipated to be issued under the Subscription and pursuant to the Broker Offer, taken together, is approximately 21.7 million shares at 6 pence per share, to raise up to approximately 1,300,000 in aggregate.

Under the terms of the Broker Offer Agreement, WH Ireland will receive a corporate advisory fee and commission from the Company conditional on Admission and the Company will give customary warranties and undertakings to WH Ireland in relation, inter alia, to its business and the performance of its duties.

In addition, the Company has agreed to indemnify WH Ireland and its affiliates in relation to certain liabilities that they may incur in undertaking the Broker Offer. WH Ireland has the right to terminate the Broker Offer Agreement in certain circumstances prior to Admission, in particular, in the event that there has been, inter alia, a material breach of any of the warranties. The Broker Offer is not being underwritten.

Following the issue of the New Ordinary Shares, the Company is expected to have approximately 233.9 million Ordinary Shares in issue (assuming full take up of the Broker Offer) and there are no shares held in treasury.

The New Ordinary Shares will, when issued, be credited as fully paid and will rank pari passu in all respects with the existing Ordinary Shares of the Company, including the right to receive all dividends or other distributions made, paid or declared in respect of such shares after the date of issue of the New Ordinary Shares.

The Company may agree to the payment of a commission to a Placee, at the discretion of WH Ireland and the Company, in consideration of it agreeing to subscribe for Broker Offer Shares.

4. Details of the Subscription

Certain existing shareholders of the Company have agreed to subscribe for 5,000,000 New Ordinary Shares at the Subscription Price pursuant to the Subscription. The Subscription is conditional only on Admission of the Subscription Shares to trading on AIM and otherwise has been made on the same terms and conditions as the Broker Offer. Following Admission of the Subscription Shares, and assuming no take up of the Broker Offer, such shares will represent 2.3 per cent. of the Enlarged Share Capital. The Subscription is not conditional upon any New Ordinary Shares being subscribed under the Broker Offer.

5. Current trading and outlook

As announced on 14 December 2017, year-to-date trading remains in line with management expectations. In relation to the Crete Project, the Group has been discussing various types of joint venture and other "partnership" style transactions with a number of different parties for some time and this process will be accelerated in 2018. In the meantime the Company is continuing the work necessary for the development of the Project including, inter alia, the various detailed studies required. This process is expected to enhance the value of the Project whilst negotiations with prospective joint venture partners continue.

6. Approach for the purchase of the Travel & Leisure Division

The Group has received a credible approach for the acquisition of the Travel & Leisure division. Negotiations are in progress, which may or may not conclude in a sale of the business. Should the disposal go ahead, the Board will use the proceeds to repay the majority or all of the debt owed to Hillside International Holdings Limited, which is anticipated to leave the Group largely debt free. Should there be any excess cash remaining after the repayment of group debt, this will be used for working capital purposes. The Board expects to be in a position to update its shareholders on the likely outcome in the New Year.

7. Admission, Settlement and CREST

Application will be made to the London Stock Exchange for the admission of the New Ordinary Shares to trading on AIM. It is expected that Admission of the New Ordinary Shares will become effective at 8.00 a.m. on 28 December 2017 and that dealings in the New Ordinary Shares will commence at that time.

The Articles permit the Company to issue shares in uncertificated form. CREST is a computerised paperless share transfer and settlement system which allows shares and other securities to be held in electronic rather than paper form. The Ordinary Shares are already admitted to CREST and therefore the New Ordinary Shares will also be eligible for settlement in CREST.

8. Warrants

Under the terms of the extension of the Loan facility announced on 14 December 2017 the lender is entitled to hold such number of warrants as will result in it holding warrants over 17 per cent. of the number of Ordinary Shares which is represented by the aggregate of the ordinary share capital of the Company as enlarged by the Subscription and Broker Offer and such warrants. 50 million warrants are currently in issue and held by the lender, so there will be no requirement to issue further warrants as a result of the Subscription and Broker Offer. Further, under the terms of the existing warrants the exercise price of both the existing and any new warrants are adjusted down to the price at which the New Ordinary Shares are issued plus one pence. The Company will announce the enlarged issued and fully diluted share capital of the Company on closing of the Broker Offer.

APPENDIX

TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE BROKER OFFER

Details of the Broker Offer Agreement and the Broker Offer Shares

6 pence per Ordinary Share (the "Subscription Price") with up to approximately 16.7 million Broker Offer Shares able to be placed.The Broker Offer is not being underwritten by WH Ireland or any other person.

, including the right to receive all dividends and other distributions (if any) declared, made or paid on or in respect of the Ordinary Shares on or after the date of issue of the Broker Offer Shares.

The Broker Offer Shares will trade on AIM under the TIDM: AIM:MIN

Application for admission to trading

28 December 2017 and that dealings in the New Ordinary Shares will commence at that time.

Bookbuild

WH Ireland will today commence an accelerated bookbuilding process (the "Bookbuild") to determine demand for participation in the Broker Offer by potential Placees at the Subscription Price. This Appendix gives details of the terms and conditions of, and the mechanics of participation in, the Broker Offer. Under the terms of the Broker Offer Agreement, WH Ireland will receive a corporate advisory fee and commission from the Company conditional on Admission and the Company will give customary warranties and undertakings to WH Ireland in relation, inter alia, to its business and the performance of its duties.

Participation in, and principal terms of, the Broker Offer

4.30pm on 19 December 2017. The Company and WH Ireland reserve the right to reduce or increase the amount to be raised pursuant to the Broker Offer, in their absolute discretion and WH Ireland reserves the right to extend the time for closing of the Bookbuild.

Conditions of the Broker Offer

28 December 2017 (or such later time or date as the Company and WH Ireland may agree, not being later than8.00 a.m. on 31 January); and

31 January 2018

conditions relating to Admission taking place and the Broker Offer Agreement not having been terminated may not be waived.

Right to terminate the Broker Offer Agreement

No Admission Document or Prospectus

Registration and Settlement

) following Admission will take place within the system administered by Euroclear UK & Ireland Limited ("CREST") provided that, subject to certain exceptions, reserves the right to require settlement for, and delivery of, the Broker Offer Shares (or a portion thereof) to Placees by such other means that it deems necessary if delivery or settlement is not possible or practicable within CREST within the timetable set out in this Announcement or would not be consistent with the regulatory requirements in any Placee's jurisdiction.

28 December2017 in accordance with the instructions set out in the form of confirmation.

Under the terms of the Broker Offer Agreement, WH Ireland will receive an advisory fee and commission from the Company conditional on Admission and the Company will give customary warranties and undertakings to WH Ireland in relation, inter alia, to its business and the performance of its duties.

Representations, Warranties and Further Terms

By participating in the Broker Offer, each Placee (and any person acting on such Placee's behalf) makes the following representations, warranties, acknowledgements, agreements and undertakings (as the case may be) to WH Ireland (for itself and also on behalf of the Company):

confirmation, contract note or investment letter relating to the Broker Offer in the form provided to it by WH Ireland;

DEFINITIONS

The following definitions apply in this Announcement, unless the contextotherwise requires:

"Act"

the Companies Act 2006 (as amended);

"Admission"

admission of the New Ordinary Shares to trading on AIM becoming effective in accordance with the AIM Rules;

"AIM"

the market of that name operated by London Stock Exchange;

"AIM Rules"

the rules for AIM companies and their AIM advisers, as published from time to time by the London Stock Exchange;

"Announcement"

this announcement regarding the Subscription and Broker Offer released by theCompany on 18 December 2017;

"Articles"

the articles of association of the Company;

"Broker Offer"

the placing of the Broker Offer Shares at the Subscription Price by WH Ireland as agent for the Company by way of an accelerated bookbuilding process;

"Broker Offer Agreement"

the agreement between the Company and WH Ireland dated 18 December 2017 relating to the Broker Offer;

"Broker Offer Shares"

up to approximately 16.7 million New Ordinary Shares to be placed with institutional and certain other investors at the Subscription Price pursuant to the Broker Offer;

"Closing Time"

the time at which the Broker Offer closes, at the discretion of WH Ireland;

"Company"or"Minoan"

Minoan Group PLC, a public limited company registered in England and Wales with registration number 03770602;

"CREST"

the computerised settlement system (as defined in the CREST Regulations) operated by Euroclear which facilitates the transfer of title to shares in uncertificated form;

"CRESTRegulations"

the Uncertificated Securities Regulations 2001 (SI 2001/3755) including any enactment or subordinate legislation which amends or supersedes those regulations and any applicable rules made under those regulations or any such enactment or subordinate legislation for the time being in force;

"Directors"or "Board"

the directors of Minoan;

"Dealing Day"

a day on which AIM is open for business, other than a day on which AIM is scheduled to or does close prior to its regular weekday closing time;

"Enlarged Share Capital"

the entire issued Ordinary Share capital of the Company immediately following Admission of the New Ordinary Shares;

"Euroclear"

Euroclear UK & Ireland Limited;

"Existing Ordinary Shares"

the 212,223,442 OrdinarySharesin issueon the Latest PracticableDate;

"FSMA"

the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000;

"Fundraising"

the Subscription and Broker Offer;

"Group"

theCompany and its subsidiaries;

"LatestPracticable Date"

closeofbusiness(5.00p.m.Londontime)on15 December 2017, being the latest practicable date prior to the publication of this Announcement;

"London Stock Exchange"

London Stock Exchange PLC;

"New Ordinary Shares"

up to approximately 21.7 million new Ordinary Shares to be issued by the Company pursuant to the Subscription and the Broker Offer;

"Ordinary Shares'

the ordinary shares of 0.01 each in the capital of the Company;

"Shareholders"

the holders of Ordinary Shares from time to time;

"Subscriber"

the existing Sharesholder who has agreed to subscribe for the Subscriber Shares under the Subscription Agreement;

"Subscription"

the allotment and issue of 5,000,000 New Ordinary Shares to the Subscriber pursuant to the Subscription Agreement;

"Subscription Agreement"

the agreements entered into between the Company and the Subscriber under which the Subscriber has agreed to make the Subscription;

"Subscription Price"

6 pence per New Ordinary Share;

"Subscription Shares"

the 5,000,000 New Ordinary Shares subscribed for under the Subscription;

"WH Ireland"

WH Ireland Limited of 24 Martin Lane, London EC4R 0DR, the Company's nominated adviser and broker.

Referencesto"","pence"and"p"aretoBritishpoundsandpencesterling,thecurrencyofthe United Kingdom.


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