RNS Number:8938K
Ashley (Laura) Hldgs PLC
09 May 2003

9 May 2003

                           LAURA ASHLEY HOLDINGS PLC
                                ("the Company")

The Company announces that the 1 for 4 Rights Issue of 149,207,073 New Shares at
6p per share as detailed in the circular to shareholders dated 16 April 2003 
("the Circular") closed at 10.30 am on 7 May 2003.

The Company received valid applications in respect of 47,707,334 New Shares from
Qualifying Shareholders, which represents an aggregate take-up of approximately
32 per cent.  This includes the New Shares that certain of the Directors and
Bonham Industries Limited irrevocably undertook to take up.

A provisional order for some of the remaining New Shares not taken up or
subscribed, (the total of these New Shares not taken up or subscribed being
101,499,739 New Shares), has been received but was not able to be executed
before the latest time by which sales for the benefit of shareholders could be
made under the terms of the Underwriting Agreements and the Placing Letter.
With the agreement of the Company and the relevant Underwriter, the latest time
by which this matter can be resolved has been extended to 3.00pm on Monday 12
May 2003.  The balance of the New Shares not taken up or subscribed for, after
any such sale (if it is effected), has been underwritten by Bank of East Asia
Limited (as to part) and Bonham Industries Limited (as to the remainder).

Further to its preliminary statement for the year ended 25 January 2003, the
Company also announces that its discussions relating to the disposal of some or
all of its stores in Continental Europe are continuing.  Whilst the Company is
hopeful that discussions will ultimately be successful, their outcome remains
uncertain and an announcement will be made if heads of terms are agreed.

The Company also announces that movements in like-for-like turnover and margins
for the 14 week period from 26 January 2003 to 2 May 2003 were as follows:

                                   Fashion                 Home Furnishings             Total

Sales
UK                                  2.4%                       3.4%                      3.1%
Europe                             (21.4%)                   (30.1%)                    (27.2%)
Total                              (1.0%)                     (1.0%)                    (1.0%)

Margins
UK                                  2.4%                       8.3%                      6.4%
Europe                             (31.6%)                   (31.8%)                    (31.8%)
Total                              (2.5%)                      2.4%                      0.8%



Note: Percentage movements are calculated on changes in absolute retail sales
and gross profit amounts.

Definitions used in the Circular apply in this announcement unless the context
otherwise requires.


ENQUIRIES:
Laura Ashley Holdings plc                             Tel: 020 7880 5100
David Cook

Numis Securities Limited                              Tel: 020 7776 1500
Charles Crick


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