Merlin Entertainments dives into sale of aquarium belongings

The world’s greatest theme park operator has begun exploring a sale of a few of its aquarium belongings because it seeks to prioritise funding in its greatest worldwide websites.

Sky Information has learnt that Merlin Entertainments, which is collectively owned by the personal fairness big Blackstone and the funding car of the household behind the Lego dynasty, is working with bankers on a doable disposal of websites in quite a few cities in Britain and abroad.

Merlin owns greater than 40 aquariums globally, lots of which commerce below the Sea Life model.

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Sources near the method, which is being dealt with by Rothschild, mentioned these three websites had been definitively not on the market.

Its different places in Britain embrace Blackpool, Brighton, Nice Yarmouth, Loch Lomond, Scarborough and Weymouth.

Some or all of those may very well be offered relying upon curiosity from bidders, the sources added.

The doable disposals solely relate to Merlin’s aquariums division and don’t embody some other space of its operations, which embrace Legoland, Madame Tussauds and Alton Towers.

Responding to an enquiry from Sky Information, a Merlin spokesperson mentioned: “Like several well-run enterprise, Merlin recurrently opinions its property, to make sure it displays the corporate’s long-term development technique.

“We proceed to spend money on our sights globally – opening 24 new rides, sights and experiences in 2024.

“Subsequent month, the primary standalone Peppa Pig Theme Park will open in Dallas Fort Price adopted by the primary LEGOLAND Resort in China, opening in Shanghai this summer time.

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“This follows our latest announcement of a brand new international strategic partnership to deliver Minecraft to life in Merlin places – initially on either side of the Atlantic.”

Merlin is at the moment with no everlasting chief after Scott O’Neil resigned late final yr to run LIV, the breakaway golf sequence.

The function is being occupied by chief working officer Fiona Eastwood on an interim foundation.