Attractions industry news
03 Mar 2015
CVC and Blackstone launch US$1bn sale of Merlin shares
Private equity firms CVC and Blackstone have launched the sale of their remaining shares in Merlin Entertainments.
156,541,347 shares are being sold through Deutsche Bank via an accelerated bookbuild. According to Reuters, a source familiar with the matter said the shares were being sold at a range of 417-426.50 pence per share. At the top end of share value, the placement would be worth £667.6m (US$1bn, €917.6bn).
Last week, Merlin posted strong end of year results, recording a compounded annual growth rate from 2010 to 2014 of 12.6 per cent and welcoming 62 million visitors across its portfolio of 105 attractions. This was attributed to positive growth from existing attractions along with the continued rollout of its various brands, in particularly its Lego theme parks.
US-based Blackstone has been active on the market, recently hiring several investment banks to lay the foundations for a £2.5bn (US$3.8bn, €3.4bn) London listing of UK leisure resort chain Center Parcs.
News powered by attractionsmanagement.com
The Everyday Heritage initiative celebrates and preserves working class histories
Off the back of the success of the first round of Everyday Heritage Grants in 2022, Historic England is funding 56 creative projects that honour the heritage of working-class England. [more...]
Heartbreak for Swedish theme park, Liseberg, as fire breaks out
A fire has destroyed part of the new water world, Oceana, at Liseberg in Sweden, and a construction worker has been reported missing. [more...]
Raby Castle reveals ambitious plans to become a major visitor destination
Raby Castle, known as one of the finest medieval fortifications in England, is nearing the end of an ambitious two-year renovation project. [more...]
Wake The Tiger launches new 1,000sq m expansion
Wake the Tiger, the Bristol-based immersive art experience, is set to open its 1,000sq m expansion on Friday 2 February. [more...]
Tate Modern and Frame collaborate on a mind/body experience
London boutique operator, Frame, has teamed up with the Tate Modern to offer two yin and sound yoga classes, following by a tour of the art gallery. [more...]
on Facebook
on Twitter