(NICL) Nichols PLC

RNS Number : 0557I Nichols PLC 04 March 2010

Date: Thursday 4 March 2010

Contacts: John Nichols, Non-Executive Chairman
Brendan Hynes, Group Chief Executive
Tim Croston, Group Finance Director
Nichols plc
Telephone: 01925 222222
Website:www.nicholsplc.co.uk

Alistair Mackinnon-Musson Mark Brady
Nathan Field Brewin Dolphin Ltd
Hudson Sandler (NOMAD)
Telephone:020 7796 4133 Telephone: 0845 213 4748
Email:nichols@hspr.com Website:www.brewinib.co.
uk

Nichols plc

SECOND 2009 INTERIM DIVIDEND PAYMENT

Nichols plc, the highly focused soft drinks business comprising two operations, Soft Drinks and Dispense (see Notes to Editors below), is pleased to announce the Board has decided it is in the interests of shareholders to pay a second interim dividend of 8.1p per Ordinary Share ("Ordinary Shares"), instead of declaring a final dividend for the year ended 31 December 2009.

This gives a total dividend for the year of 12.15 pence (2008:11.15 pence) which is an increase of 9.0% on last year and indicates the confidence the Board has in the business generally and also how well it performed during 2009. The Group's results for this period will be announced on 24 March 2010.

The second interim dividend will be paid on 31 March 2010, to shareholders on the register at the close of business on 12 March 2010. The Ordinary Shares will be marked ex-dividend on 10 March 2010.

The Board anticipates that future dividend payments will be paid in line with our normal dividend schedule.