[IanNem]

Private equity giant, Blackstone, is preparing an initial public offering for its theme park and leisure business, Merlin Entertainments. The company currently operates a series of attractions throughout the UK and Europe including The London Eye, Madam Tussauds and Alton Towers.

The deal which values Merlin at about £2bn would be the 1st big listing on The London Stock Exchange since the onset of the financial crisis. Blackstone bought Merlin back in 2005 for £102m and has since turned it into the second biggest theme park operator after The Walt Disney Company.

Whilst Blackstone is currently in talks with several major investment banks about the offering, nothing yet has been confirmed. It is however expected that Blackstone would remain a majority shareholder and the proportion of the company to be listed will also depend on investment demand. Dubai International Capital who still own a 20% stake in the company are expected to keep that stake regardless.

Merlin currently has approximately £1bn of debt, mostly from the recent acquisition of The Tussaud Group in 2007. People familiar with the plans expect much of the equity raised from the public offering to fund the construction of new outdoor attractions.

Nick Varney, Merlin’s chief executive, told the Financial Times in July there were opportunities for expanding “midway” attractions – catering for city centre and short-stay visitors – in the US.

At the time of the article being written Blackstone, Merlin and the investment banks all declined to comment.

Sources
Financial Times: Merlin theme park group eyes listing

[richdirk123]

The Merlin Entertainments Group actually earn some money from The Walt Disney Company. Because BBC earn money from Disneynature, as they promote it, D.C. Thomson & Co., Ltd. earn money from BBC as they show the Dennis & Gnasher and Bananaman TV shows and The Merlin Entertainments Group earn money from D.C. Thomson & Co., Ltd. because of Beanoland at Chessington.

[Outfit]

richdirk123, on 10 November 2009 - 09:25 PM, said:

because of Beanoland at Chessington.

Not exactly Mr Current Affairs are you?

[IanNem]

richdirk123, on 10 November 2009 - 09:25 PM, said:

The Merlin Entertainments Group actually earn some money from The Walt Disney Company. Because BBC earn money from Disneynature, as they promote it, D.C. Thomson & Co., Ltd. earn money from BBC as they show the Dennis & Gnasher and Bananaman TV shows and The Merlin Entertainments Group earn money from D.C. Thomson & Co., Ltd. because of Beanoland at Chessington.

In fact it worked the other way around. Merlin Entertainments would pay D.V. Thomson & Co, Ltd. to use the Beano brand at the park. Although this was a deal that would have been arranged back when Tussaud's were in charge.

[richdirk123]

Outfit, on 10 November 2009 - 09:50 PM, said:

Not exactly Mr Current Affairs are you?

I have no idea what that means. But I was saying that D.C. Thomson & Co., Ltd. earn some money because of Beanoland, an area that was formerly located at Chessington World of Adventures & Zoo. See http://www.chessington.com/ and click Beanoland. The area will become Wild Asia in 2010, though.

[Outfit]

richdirk123, on 11 November 2009 - 04:55 PM, said:

I have no idea what that means. But I was saying that D.C. Thomson & Co., Ltd. earn some money because of Beanoland, an area that was formerly located at Chessington World of Adventures & Zoo. See http://www.chessington.com/ and click Beanoland. The area will become Wild Asia in 2010, though.

Ah really? Didn't know about that, looks well good!

[richdirk123]

Outfit, on 11 November 2009 - 05:55 PM, said:

Ah really? Didn't know about that, looks well good!

Yeah, it does look good but I'll miss Beanoland!

[Outfit]

richdirk123, on 11 November 2009 - 08:33 PM, said:

Yeah, it does look good but I'll miss Beanoland!

Have you got any further info?

Last time I went to Chessington (Hocus Pocus this year) I enjoyed my ride on Billy's Whizzer but if it's all going.. :'(

[Paul]

Outfit, on 11 November 2009 - 08:48 PM, said:

Have you got any further info?

Last time I went to Chessington (Hocus Pocus this year) I enjoyed my ride on Billy's Whizzer but if it's all going.. :'(

Behave!

[richdirk123]

Outfit, on 11 November 2009 - 08:48 PM, said:

Have you got any further info?

Last time I went to Chessington (Hocus Pocus this year) I enjoyed my ride on Billy's Whizzer but if it's all going.. :'(

Yep! You can see more at http://www.chessington.com/wildasia/.

[Skunky]

Just to put my insight into this Merlin have been planning to go onto the stock exchange for a long time. As the article above states that the 3 Parties declined to comment on this therefore all staff members are also declined to comment on this. So if people are really interested in this then I suggest that before asking any staff members wether being on this forum or in general if they know anything about the floating on the stock exchange please dont.

As for the previous little thing guys this is a friendly forum and I understand fully that you were being sarcastic etc but some people are new on here and are just stating things for other people. There is nothing wrong with this I suggest that members are more welcoming to new users so we can keep a good reputation and get more mebers to join the forum and attend meets.

Skunky

[Peter]

Seemingly looks like DIC will sell their 18% stake in merlin when it floats, however lego will keep its 23% share.

Should happen within the next few weeks. Slightly cool, however you can see why there's so much investment this closed season within merlin.. makes the potential seem massive when they do float

[AeRo]

And most people think that Merlin will do thinhs for the fans.

That's business I suppose.

[Peter]

http://www.guardian....lotation-halted

Floatation halted, not surprised. Wonder whether this'll affect the performance and budgets of the parks or not.