Exhibit 99.1

[graphic omitted]



FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


THE STANLEY WORKS REPORTS ACCEPTANCES IN EXCESS OF 81% OF OUTSTANDING SHARES
OF BLICK PLC

Offer Extended By One Week

New Britain, Connecticut, January 12, 2004 ... The Stanley Works (New York
Stock Exchange: SWK) today announced that holders of more than 81% of the
outstanding shares of Blick plc (London Stock Exchange: BLK.L) have accepted
Stanley's offer of (pound)3.00 ($5.54) per share, either in cash or by
electing to receive their consideration in the form of loan notes.

Since the majority of the shareholders have accepted the offer, Stanley is in
a position to declare its offer unconditional at any time. The offer is being
extended for 7 days and will remain open for acceptance until the next closing
date which will be 3:00 pm London Time (10:00 am EST) on January 16, 2004.

The Stanley Works, an S&P 500 company, is a worldwide supplier of tools,
hardware and door systems for professional, industrial and consumer use.

This announcement does not constitute an offer to sell or an invitation to
purchase or subscribe for any securities.

                               #################

Contact:   Gerry Gould
Vice President, Investor Relations
(860) 827-3833 or ggould@stanleyworks.com






                                     - 2 -

The Stanley Works corporate press releases are available under Financial News
in the Investor Relations section of the company's corporate web site at
www.stanleyworks.com.

           CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS


All of the statements in this press release, other than historical facts, are
forward looking statements made in reliance upon the safe harbor of the
Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. As a general matter, forward
looking statements are those focused upon anticipated events or trends and
expectations and beliefs relating to matters that are not historical in
nature. Such forward looking statements are subject to uncertainties and
factors relating to Stanley's operations and business environment, all of
which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond the control of
Stanley. These uncertainties and factors could cause actual results to differ
materially from those matters expressed in or implied by such forward-looking
statements. The following uncertainties and factors, among others, could
affect future performance and cause actual results to differ materially from
those expressed in or implied by forward looking statements: (i) the
satisfaction or, where applicable, waiver of the conditions to which the offer
is subject within anticipated time frames; (ii) the successful integration of
the acquired business and other acquisitions with Stanley's existing
businesses and to realize the related financial benefits in a timely manner;
(iii) the success of Stanley's efforts to decentralize its operations
functions, primarily into its Tools and Access Solutions business groups; (iv)
the success of Stanley's efforts to reduce its workforce and close certain
facilities, including the resolution of any labor issues related to such
activities, payments related to such activities, the need to respond to
significant changes in product demand while any facility consolidation is in
process and other unforeseen events; (v) the success of Stanley's efforts to
restructure its Mac Tools organization in order to return it to profitability,
including without limitation, Stanley's ability to liquidate certain Mac Tools
assets at a satisfactory price; (vi) the success of Stanley's marketing and
sales efforts, including Stanley's ability to recruit and retain an adequate
sales force; (vii) continued improvements in productivity and cost reductions;
(viii) the continued improvement in the payment terms under which Stanley buys
and sells goods, materials and products; (ix) the ability to attract and
retain quality management personnel; (x) Stanley's ability to fulfill demand
for its products in a timely manner; (xi) the absence of increased pricing
pressures from customers and competitors and the ability to defend market
share in the face of price competition; (xii) Stanley's ability to identify
and engage a successor CEO on a timely basis; (xiii) the continued success of
The Home Depot, Lowe's and Wal-Mart sales initiatives as well as other
programs to stimulate demand for Stanley products; (xiv) the ability of the
sales force to adapt to changes made in the sales organization and achieve
adequate customer coverage; (xv) the continued ability to effectively manage
and defend litigation matters pending, or asserted in the future, against
Stanley.


Stanley's future performance will also be affected by other external factors.
These external factors include pricing pressure and other changes within
competitive markets, the continued consolidation of customers in consumer
channels, inventory management pressures of Stanley's customers, increasing
competition, changing demand for Stanley's products, changes in trade,
monetary, tax and fiscal policies and laws, inflation, currency exchange
fluctuations, the impact of dollar/foreign currency exchange and interest
rates on the competitiveness of products and Stanley's debt program, the
strength of the U.S. economy and the strength of foreign currencies, including
but not limited to the Euro, and the impact of events that cause or may cause
disruption in Stanley's distribution and sales networks such as war, terrorist
activities, political unrest and recessionary or expansive trends in the
economies of the world in which Stanley operates.


Stanley does not undertake, and hereby disclaims, any duty to update these
forward-looking statements, even though its situation and circumstances may
change in the future.