1500 Jobs Saved as Orchid Gets Premium

LONDON, December 15 - The Orchid Group, the UK's largest independent managed pub and restaurant
operator, today announces it has completed the acquisition of 43 businesses
from Premium Bars & Restaurants plc (in administration).

The acquisition includes The Living Room and Prohibition brands as well
as a number of bars, restaurants and nightclubs across the country, employing
over 1500 people.

Over the next 12 months, Orchid intends to roll out a GBP3 million
capital investment programme across the estate, further leveraging its
operating disciplines and maximising the skill sets and talents of the
acquired businesses.

The new sites take the number of pubs, bars and restaurants within the
Orchid portfolio to 292, further demonstrating the Group's commitment to
growth. With an active strategy for acquiring distressed assets, this is
Orchid's second deal this year after taking Bar Room Bar's profitable sites
out of administration six months ago.

The move will also see Orchid re-open Premium Bars & Restaurants'
Newcastle Head Office with 8 full time staff members based at the Moseley
Street address.

Rufus Hall, CEO explains "This purchase further cements
Orchid's commitment to growth, and we are delighted to have completed what is
an important development for the business. The acquisition of Premium Bars &
Restaurants is an exciting move for us with their well placed City Centre
locations. This deal will save hundreds of jobs and also provide significant
investment right across the UK."

Premium Bars & Restaurants plc was placed in administration in August
2009 after shareholders the Reuben brothers failed to buy the business after
bidding around GBP50m.

Notes to editors

Orchid

Led by Chief Executive Rufus Hall, and supported by a quality
team of experienced and dedicated individuals, The Orchid Group is the UK's
largest independent managed house operator with a national network of quality
pubs, bars and restaurant, operating across a number of successful concepts.
www.orchidgroup.co.uk

GI Partners

Orchid is backed by GI Partners, an international private
equity fund focused on investments in recurring revenue and asset-intensive
businesses in the United States and Western Europe, with circa $3.5 billion
under management across three funds.

Full site list, interview opportunities and accompanying high res images
available. Please contact: Katherine Sparkes or Philip Maclean - T:
+44(0)117-968-80-90 - E: pr@orchidgroup.co.uk

Full site list, interview opportunities and accompanying high res images available. Please contact: Katherine Sparkes or Philip Maclean - T: +44(0)117-968-80-90 - E: pr at orchidgroup.co.uk