Merlin Entertainments is the largest entertainments company operating in Europe with 127 attractions, 19 hotels and 7 holiday villages through 27 countries, across 4 continents. With headquarters in Poole, England it trades on the London Stock Exchange and is part of the UK Index 250 Index. An impressive $1.5 billion was raised through the Merlin IPO in 2013.

 

Merlin Entertainments has the ambitious, yet realistic vision “to become the worldwide leader in branded, location-based family entertainment”. Merlin prides itself on being an exciting company to be involved with at any level. In 2017 it welcomed over 66 million visitors to its portfolio of attractions worldwide.

 

The company was established in December 1998 with a management buyout at Vardon Attractions (Vardon plc), backed by Apax Partners. Merlin Entertainments was later purchased by Hermes Private Equity in 2004.

 

In May 2005 the great expansion of Merlin began when it was acquired by The Blackstone Group for around £110 million. A key factor in the Merlin IPO, over coming years Merlin acquired LEGOLAND for a sum of £250 million and gained Kirkbi A/S, the investment division of LEGO as shareholders.

 

In May 2007 Blackstone purchased and merged The Tussauds Group (owner of Madame Tussauds) with Merlin for US $1.9 billion. As part of the agreement former owner, Dubai International Capital received a cash sum of £1.03 billion and a 20% stake in the combined organisation. At this point Merlin owned Thorpe Park, The London Eye, Alton Towers, Chessington Wold of Adventures, Madame Tussauds, Heide Park to name a few.

 

By way of financing the Tussauds Group deal on July 17 2007, the Alton Towers, Thorpe Park, Warwick Castle and Madame Tussauds freeholds were sold to Leslau, a private investor. The sites have a renewable 35-year lease agreement meaning, although owned by Leslau, the sites remain under Merlin’s operation and management. This shrewd financial operation went along way to securing the Merlin IPO.

 

Defunct Cypress Gardens, a Florida based theme park was purchased on January 15 2010 it later rebranded and reopened as LEGOLAND Florida.

 

In 2011 a deal for Merlin to purchase attractions in New Zealand and Australia worth approximately A$115 million. Quickly followed by the purchase of Living and Leisure Australia for $140 million.

 

In November 2013 the Merlin IPO raised $1.5 billion. On November 8 2013 30% of Merlin was floated on the London Stock Exchange and the private equity backed company was valued at £3.4 billion.

 

Merlin has recently announced plans, in 2018, for Peppa Pig World of Play attractions across sites in China and the US further increasing their portfolio and reinforcing their mission.