30 October 2001

Information on base cost of Wincanton shares for Capital Gains Tax purposes

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Information on Base Cost of Wincanton Shares for Capital Gains Tax Purposes

30 October 2001

Reproduced below is a note, prepared by Uniq plc, on the calculation of base cost for capital gains tax purposes for those shareholders who were shareholders of Uniq plc prior to the demerger of Wincanton and the divestment of the Dairy and Cheese Business. The note has been prepared for guidance only and shareholders should take independent advice on their individual tax position.

Note to shareholders:

Both the demerger of Wincanton and the divestment of the Dairy and Cheese business and connected return of capital to shareholders give rise to a need to split the base cost for capital gains tax purposes of your Uniq plc (formerly Unigate PLC) shares, if you held them on the relevant dates as follows:

1. If you were a Uniq (Unigate) shareholder on 3 July 2000 you were given shares representing an interest in Unigate Dairies which Dairy Crest then offered to buy from you for cash, a loan note or Dairy Crest shares. The Inland Revenue have indicated that they will accept a split of your base cost 78.66% Uniq and 21.34% to the cash, shares or loan note given by Dairy Crest.

2. If you were a Uniq plc shareholder on 17 May 2001 you will have received one Uniq share and one Wincanton share for every 2 Uniq shares then held. You should again split your base cost (that is the 78.66% of your original base cost if you held the shares prior to 3 July 2000) between your Wincanton and Uniq shares and this base cost should be allocated 50.24% to Wincanton plc and 49.76% to Uniq plc shares. The Inland Revenue have indicated that for convenience a 50/50 split may be used.