Scarefest setup Already
Does that mean that scarefest wasn't dismantled at all this year? As the towers weren't open at any point, right?
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2019: General Discussion
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Does that mean that scarefest wasn't dismantled at all this year? As the towers weren't open at any point, right?
bluesonichd
TS Member
Towers has been open a few days, I had a wander around there last week, granted it only took 10 mins as most of it is still out of bounds
WickerManiac
TS Member
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Some exciting Merlin institutional investor news breaking this morning:
Merlin Entertaintments Plc were advised by one of its leading shareholders, ValueAct Capital, to reverse its flotation onto the stock exchange, re-purchase its shares and once again become a private company.
The reason for this was because they felt that: “We invested in Merlin because of the company’s global leadership in attraction-based entertainment and demonstrated ability to earn high returns converting family parks into resort destinations.
“Given the challenge for public market investors to appropriately value Merlin’s business, as well as the need to sustain a vibrant workplace, we believe the Company should evaluate a public to private transaction. While Merlin obviously thrived as a private company, it may have come public too quickly, with too many investments left to make for a yield-focused market."
In essence, they are claiming that their business model is somewhat incompatible with the short-term focus of normal, individual shareholders. Furthermore, the need to continually invest and adopt a "Total Quality Model" is also not compatible with the wants and needs of individual shareholders.
Merlin replied rejecting this notion, advising that: "Merlin said it has made good strategic progress in the financial year, with seven Midway attractions and 244 new rooms opened. Merlin added that it has completed the sale of its ski resort business.
Merlin’s board “remains fully confident in the ongoing execution of Merlin’s strategy and that its successful delivery will create significant value for shareholders”.
Link to article: https://blooloop.com/news/merlin-valueact-shareholder-private/
Thoughts?
Merlin Entertaintments Plc were advised by one of its leading shareholders, ValueAct Capital, to reverse its flotation onto the stock exchange, re-purchase its shares and once again become a private company.
The reason for this was because they felt that: “We invested in Merlin because of the company’s global leadership in attraction-based entertainment and demonstrated ability to earn high returns converting family parks into resort destinations.
“Given the challenge for public market investors to appropriately value Merlin’s business, as well as the need to sustain a vibrant workplace, we believe the Company should evaluate a public to private transaction. While Merlin obviously thrived as a private company, it may have come public too quickly, with too many investments left to make for a yield-focused market."
In essence, they are claiming that their business model is somewhat incompatible with the short-term focus of normal, individual shareholders. Furthermore, the need to continually invest and adopt a "Total Quality Model" is also not compatible with the wants and needs of individual shareholders.
Merlin replied rejecting this notion, advising that: "Merlin said it has made good strategic progress in the financial year, with seven Midway attractions and 244 new rooms opened. Merlin added that it has completed the sale of its ski resort business.
Merlin’s board “remains fully confident in the ongoing execution of Merlin’s strategy and that its successful delivery will create significant value for shareholders”.
Link to article: https://blooloop.com/news/merlin-valueact-shareholder-private/
Thoughts?
Alsty
TS Member
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And that one quote sums up Merlin's strategy.
bluesonichd
TS Member
"In its reply, Merlin said it has made good strategic progress in the financial year, with seven Midway attractions and 244 new rooms opened"
... Stargazing sheds
thats gonna help
... Stargazing sheds
thats gonna help
bluesonichd
TS Member
toucheSome exciting Merlin institutional investor news breaking this morning:
Merlin Entertaintments Plc were advised by one of its leading shareholders, ValueAct Capital, to reverse its flotation onto the stock exchange, re-purchase its shares and once again become a private company.
The reason for this was because they felt that: “We invested in Merlin because of the company’s global leadership in attraction-based entertainment and demonstrated ability to earn high returns converting family parks into resort destinations.
“Given the challenge for public market investors to appropriately value Merlin’s business, as well as the need to sustain a vibrant workplace, we believe the Company should evaluate a public to private transaction. While Merlin obviously thrived as a private company, it may have come public too quickly, with too many investments left to make for a yield-focused market."
In essence, they are claiming that their business model is somewhat incompatible with the short-term focus of normal, individual shareholders. Furthermore, the need to continually invest and adopt a "Total Quality Model" is also not compatible with the wants and needs of individual shareholders.
Merlin replied rejecting this notion, advising that: "Merlin said it has made good strategic progress in the financial year, with seven Midway attractions and 244 new rooms opened. Merlin added that it has completed the sale of its ski resort business.
Merlin’s board “remains fully confident in the ongoing execution of Merlin’s strategy and that its successful delivery will create significant value for shareholders”.
Link to article: https://blooloop.com/news/merlin-valueact-shareholder-private/
Thoughts?
Already being discussed over here https://towersstreet.com/talk/threads/merlin-investor-suggests-business-should-go-private.5101/
As someone from Merlin office once said, they are happy with the direction of the parks
They seem to have lost the plot without having any form of long term strategy with only investing in short term white elephants attractions
Stuie
TS Member
ChristmasPud
TS Member
Merlin should become a private company again and that advice sums up the case pretty well. But Merlin are run at the top by people who have spent their lives wanting to run a short term massive growth company, and it just so happened that theme parks was the way they got there. Could have been crisps or drinks just the same to them.
The actual long term running of the parks is a chore to them. They didn't have much involvement in developing them into successes in the first place (though they make out like they do) and they grew their company by buying parks/attractions out when the hard work was already done.
They were desperate to get Merlin to this place so now they're hardly going to change sadly. The only positives are that they are literally so big that they can't control every single decision that gets made in all their parks, which is why occasionally we have good things come through and patches of management who do want what's best.
The actual long term running of the parks is a chore to them. They didn't have much involvement in developing them into successes in the first place (though they make out like they do) and they grew their company by buying parks/attractions out when the hard work was already done.
They were desperate to get Merlin to this place so now they're hardly going to change sadly. The only positives are that they are literally so big that they can't control every single decision that gets made in all their parks, which is why occasionally we have good things come through and patches of management who do want what's best.
Chessy Shop
TS Member
The new entrance sign is up, apparently they have replaced the flags too...
DistortAMG
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I visited Towers today with a few non enthusiast mates. First visit of the season. It wasn't quiet but wasn't massively busy either.
I do give Merlin and Alton a lot of stick sometimes and sometimes they are justified, but all things considered we did have a great day.
I think that the team at Towers are doing a pretty good job at running the place given the difficult constraints that are obviously placed upon them from Merlin. A much better job than other Merlin parks.
There is big room for improvement of course, but I guess they are mainly out of Towers hands due to Merlin, so they have to work with what they have. Operations were slick, rides were running well and overall the place felt good. Well done Alton!
I do give Merlin and Alton a lot of stick sometimes and sometimes they are justified, but all things considered we did have a great day.
I think that the team at Towers are doing a pretty good job at running the place given the difficult constraints that are obviously placed upon them from Merlin. A much better job than other Merlin parks.
There is big room for improvement of course, but I guess they are mainly out of Towers hands due to Merlin, so they have to work with what they have. Operations were slick, rides were running well and overall the place felt good. Well done Alton!
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Dave
TS Founding Member
It’s been like that since it opened.
DistortAMG
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Does anyone else think the Congo River Rapids should be renamed to the Glorified Congolian Lazy River whilst it is running with no wave machines and waterfalls?
I know they are being overly cautious after what happened at DMP, however, they need to find a better solution soon and hopefully they do! As the ride is nothing more than a glorified lazy river at the moment and a shadow of what a great family ride it should be.
I know they are being overly cautious after what happened at DMP, however, they need to find a better solution soon and hopefully they do! As the ride is nothing more than a glorified lazy river at the moment and a shadow of what a great family ride it should be.
delta79
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- Nemesis, Air
Maybe just call it Congo River, as its a cheap and easy fix.
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