March 10, 2010
 
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FINANCIAL REPORTS AND COMPANY INFORMATION

YES! Project Development Agreement signed

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PRESS [ THE CURRENT FLIGHT STATUS ]


"Let us take you there"

OAK HOLDINGS OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASES

LEASE OF ROTHER VALLEY COUNTRY PARK SIGNED

ACQUISITION OF RINGWOOD TOWN & COUNTRY EXPERIENCE

NEW CONSULTANCY CONTRACT

SIGNIFICANT PROGRESS ON FUNDING DISCUSSIONS 11/05/2009

Oak Holdings plc (“Oak” or the “Company”), the AIM listed property development and consultancy group, is pleased to announce that on 7th May 2009 it executed an Agreement with Rotherham Metropolitan Borough for a 7 year Head Leasehold interest in the Rother Valley Country Park (“The Park”). Oak will take over the operation and management of the Park, with a clear strategy to improve and enhance the existing facilities whilst also embarking on a programme of progressively introducing new attractions to widen the appeal of this existing significant destination which currently attracts over 800,000 visitors per annum.

The Park, which extends to 1,097 acres, will be integrated into Oak’s adjacent 327 acre, £300 million YES! Project, the Development Agreement for which was executed in August 2008. The YES! Project will comprise 1.2million sq ft covered, fully integrated, mixed-use, leisure and entertainment based resort, activity and conference destination, situated within a regenerated parkland setting within 2 Km of the M1. When completed the project will become the largest undercover leisure based scheme in Europe.

Chief Executive of Oak Holdings, Steve Lewis, said: "The acquisition of the lease is further confidence in this location and in the YES! Project. The future integration of the Park into the YES! Project has always been our intention, but this early acquisition allows us to progress new initiatives earlier. The early inward investment will not only enhance the well established reputation of the Park, but also create new jobs and opportunities for the region. This arrangement cements our relationship with RMBC and demonstrates our commitment to develop an all-encompassing attraction, integrating facilities at both the YES Project and the Park. The opportunities that this regeneration of a former coal field can bring to the region are substantial."

Acquisition of Ringwood Town & Country Experience

After lengthy negotiations, Oak is pleased to announce that conditional acquisition terms for the acquisition of the Ringwood Town & Country Experience Ltd ["RTCE"] have been agreed with its owner proprietors. RTCE is a museum packed with thousands of items of eclectic memorabilia including a rare Hispano Suiza motor car, and one of only two original "Dam Buster" bouncing bombs. RTCE also operates a growing restaurant and private function business. The agreed cost of the RTCE acquisition is £700,000, equal to the estimated value of the asstes being acquired. The purchase will comprise £85,000 paid in cash, £435,000 settled in new shares of Oak at the price of the forthcoming proposed placing and £180,000 in the form of existing indebtedness. Steve Lewis said, "This acquisition demonstrates Oak's intent to develop revenue earning opportunities. The skill sets of the management will also be valuable to Oak in delivering our planned improvements to the Rother Valley Country Park".

New Consultancy Contract

The Company has also announced that it has executed an Agreement to advise a private land owner in the North of England to provide strategic advice and direct all activities on a major, 130 acre tract of development land. Oak has secured a carried equity interest at a prescribed rate in the eventual development gain.

Steve Lewis commented; “In the current economic climate, the recognised property and financial talents of Oak are increasingly pertinent and valuable. The award of this consultancy contract reflects Oak’s growing reputation as a creator of viable solutions for challenging sites.

Significant Progress on Funding Discussions

Oak wishes to confirm that it is in advanced discussions with several parties who have expressed serious interest in investing in Oak. Graham Axford, Director of Oak said "Several potential investors and also several existing shareholders have witnessed our determined progress over the years and are in serious discussions to invest. Each recognises the skills of the management team and the potential value that we have produced for our shareholders and for our partner, Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council, as well as the sustainable social and employment value that we shall create for the local area by delivering our inclusive scheme in South Yorkshire". Oak expects to conclude these serious discussions within the following weeks.



OAK AND SHEFFIELD STEELERS

SIGN MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING 07/03/08

Oak Holdings plc ("Oak" or "Oak Holdings"), the AIM listed property development and consultancy company, is pleased to announce that it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding ("MoU") with Sheffield Steelers, one of Britain's top ice-hockey teams. The MoU covers the collaboration in the development of the Steelers� own purpose-built arena at Oak's £350m YES! Project, the leisure based resort, activity and convention destination in South Yorkshire.

Under the terms of the agreement, Sheffield-based Steelers will be the first ice hockey club in the UK to have its own purpose-built arena. Steelers' management says this will not only be a first in UK ice-hockey but it will benefit the club and its fans.

Steelers' owner Bob Phillips said 'This is a great deal for us, but more importantly, it's a great deal for our fans and sponsors in delivering a long term sustainable business for the Steelers club. It will help us in our plans to grow our club and in our work to expand interest in ice-hockey throughout Yorkshire.

The Steelers average about 4,300 spectators per home match. Their proposed new base at YES! will cover 60,000 sq ft, hold about 5,000 spectators, and offer its own amenities plus all the others available within YES!, which is forecast to be Europe's largest covered leisure destination. In addition, YES! will regenerate 327 acres of former coalfield land, creating up to 3,000 new jobs for people across South Yorkshire and beyond.

The Steelers are set to relocate to YES! in 2011.

Steve Lewis, Chief Executive of Oak Holdings, said: "We're very proud to be associated with the Steelers. This is a significant step forward not just for YES! and the Steelers, but for the sport of ice hockey".

"The road, public transport and infrastructure improvements will make access to the venue very easy. Moreover, we aim to ensure that whilst with us the fans and their families will enjoy an all-round enjoyable experience."

Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council has worked closely with Oak Holdings over the past four years. The council's cabinet has recently approved Heads of Terms, setting out the commercial terms between the Local Authority and Oak for a Development Agreement and terms for a 250 year lease at the YES! Project.



YES! PROJECT APPROVED

DEVELOPMENT HEADS OF TERMS AGREED 12/02/08

Oak Holdings plc ("OAK"), the AIM listed property development and consultancy company, today announces that Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council ('RMBC') has approved the Heads of Terms for the Development Agreement and terms for a 250 year lease on its £350 million YES! Project, the leisure based resort, activity and convention destination in South Yorkshire.

This agreement marks a memorable year for Oak in which it has secured planning consent, executed the Section 106 agreement and secured the purchase of a strategic parcel of land (11 Ha) which accommodates the main entrance into the scheme.

YES! will be Europe's largest covered leisure based development, where Oak plans to create more than 164,000m2 of leisure and entertainment space in the former coalfield site in the Rother Valley. RMBC voted unanimously to accept the Heads of Terms that have been negotiated since planning consent was granted.

Oak is now focusing on completing YES!'s tenant profile and on detailed design and construction procurement.

Oak Chief Executive, Steve Lewis, said: "This places us in an excellent position to deliver this new and innovative scheme. It represents another significant milestone on this major £350 million regeneration project that will help transform the economy of South Yorkshire."

Roger Stone, Leader of the Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council, said: "This is a proud day for Rotherham, vindicating our support for this state of the art leisure, entertainment, sports and convention project that will generate permanent employment for up to 3,000 people".



AGM STATEMENT 24/05/07

At the Annual General Meeting of Oak Holdings plc, the AIM-listed property development and consultancy group, that is developing the 350m YES! Project, a 1.2m sq ft covered fully integrated mixed-use leisure and conference scheme on a 327-acre site in South Yorkshire, which is to be held at 11.00 a.m. today, Malcolm Savage, Chairman, will make the following statement: - more>>



RESULT OF AGM and SHARE CONSOLIDATION 24/05/07

The Company announces that at its Annual General Meeting, held earlier today, all resolutions proposed were duly passed. - more>>



OAK ACQUIRES KEY 27 ACRES ACCESS SITE FOR YES! PROJECT

Oak Holdings Plc ("Oak"), the AIM-listed property development and consultancy group, today announces it has completed the purchase of a key 27-acre site adjoining its groundbreaking £350m leisure, entertainment and convention project in South Yorkshire. - more>>



YES! PROJECT GRANTED PLANNING CONSENT WITH SKANSKA SIGNED AS CONSTRUCTION PARTNER

Oak Holdings plc, the AIM-listed property development and consultancy company today announces that outline planning permission (subject to certain conditions) has been issued for YES!, its £350m leisure, entertainment, sports and convention project in Rotherham. - more>>



MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING SIGNED WITH BT

Oak Holdings plc has signed a Memorandum of Understanding ('MOU') with BT, one of the world's leading providers of communications solutions and services, to collaborate on the development of the South Yorkshire mixed-use leisure scheme known as the YES! Project. - more>>



YES! PROJECT IN SOUTH YORKSHIRE - UPDATE 14/06/06

Government Office for Yorkshire and Humber has entrusted the local planning authority of Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council ('RMBC') with responsibility for the planning application for the Company's YES! Project. - more>>



 

EXTERNAL MEDIA COVERAGE ON OAK HOLDINGS

DECEMBER 2005

Leisure Opportunities
Supperclub Heads for London (689kb)
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YES! Project News
EXTERNAL MEDIA COVERAGE ON YES! PROJECT


YES! covered in various media publications and on the web.
View here >>

 

OTHER NEWS

NEW PR CONSULTANTS
Oak have recently re assigned all public relation affairs to:

Rawlings Financial PR Limited
Croft House Studio
Litton
Skipton
BD23 5QJ

Contact: John Rawlings
Telephone: +44 (0) 1756 770 376
Email: john@rawlingsfinancial.co.uk

CONSULTANCY SERVICES
The crew at Oak are advisors to a major European Investor on four confidential UK schemes in Leeds, Manchester and London.

FUTURE PROJECTS
Future projects negotiations to be advised shortly.

 

 

 
   
 
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