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2025 General Discussion

James said:
I imagine Scarefest and Fireworks will be protected. Fireworks is pretty much already outsourced (bar the theme/storyline), Scarefest can be outsourced. Oktoberfest seems up in the air. I would welcome a summer event, even though they've tried countless times and failed.

I wonder how CBeebies Land will cope entertainment-wise. It’s easy to cut the department out, so there are no roaming characters or things like stage shows, but CBeebies Land relies heavily on entertainment.
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I wonder if the BBC will be involved with dictating how much entertainment needs to happen at Cbeebies Land.

I'd imagine it'll be the same when Minecraft opens at Chessington and the IP for Project Play as well.

I don't think Merlin can get away with cutting the entertainment entirely without breaching IP contracts.
 
Has something happened at Merlin to warrant these sudden sweeping cuts? Or is this just off the back of a poorer than expected 2024 financially?

I can’t help but think that it all seems very short termist. And I think that’s a very bad thing, as short termism is arguably the key root cause of a number of current issues in the parks.
 
Matt N said:
Has something happened at Merlin to warrant these sudden sweeping cuts? Or is this just off the back of a poorer than expected 2024 financially?

I can’t help but think that it all seems very short termist. And I think that’s a very bad thing, as short termism is arguably the key root cause of a number of current issues in the parks.
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By 'sweeping cuts' do you mean the changes in entertainment? It seems a confusing picture at the minute with not much info in the public domain.

The below quote was listed in Merlin's latest accounts (released June 2024) and whilst very light on the detail and very much in corporate speak could be interpreted that the global outsourcing of entertainment for all Merlin parks could have been something in the works for some time, along with other unknown initiatives that could be in the planning, or could have been discounted.
A globally integrated operating model: Leveraging our skill and scale to proliferate great ideas, best practices and new business models efficiently, we have initiated a process to re-evaluate how we organise our structures, processes, capabilities, locations and management systems to be agile and dynamic so that we can respond swiftly to changing market conditions and deploy capabilities at pace. With an optimal framework in place, we will be investing our resources effectively on everything from staffing, systems and management of people to the way we operate our attractions, shows and rides, with each initiative being actively measured by a robust performance framework. There will be more to come as we iterate and evolve
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AT86 said:
By 'sweeping cuts' do you mean the changes in entertainment? It seems a confusing picture at the minute with not much info in the public domain.

The below quote was listed in Merlin's latest accounts (released June 2024) and whilst very light on the detail and very much in corporate speak could be interpreted that the global outsourcing of entertainment for all Merlin parks could have been something in the works for some time, along with other unknown initiatives that could be in the planning, or could have been discounted.
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Yes, that’s what I was referring to, although I’d argue there are other examples as well.

I guess outsourcing may not necessarily impact the output or may even improve it if done well, but that’s not a sure bet.
 
The disgruntled former Legoland employee has posted a follow up video.

There's not any new information per se but she does seem adamant that the shows will not be returning this year.

She also makes a reasonable plea on two fronts, namely that Merlin should be transparent if this is the case because people are buying tickets/annual passes without that information and that the staff will bear the brunt of any complaints on the day:


From: https://vm.tiktok.com/ZGdUy9CC3/
 
Matt N said:
Yes, that’s what I was referring to, although I’d argue there are other examples as well.

I guess outsourcing may not necessarily impact the output or may even improve it if done well, but that’s not a sure bet.
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I'm more inclined to believe, than not, that the organisational restructure is with a view to list publicly again. Any listing would be a long way off, but it's a step in the direction of getting the ship ready for another float. There's only so far investment capital can get you and Blackstone will want an exit sooner or later.
 
GooseOnTheLoose said:
I'm more inclined to believe, than not, that the organisational restructure is with a view to list publicly again. Any listing would be a long way off, but it's a step in the direction of getting the ship ready for another float. There's only so far investment capital can get you and Blackstone will want an exit sooner or later.
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Really?

That would surprise me; I'd have thought they might have learned from the issues the first listing caused and the fact that they were withdrawn 6 years later.

I could be misinformed, but from where I'm standing, very little good came out of Merlin's first spell on the stock market for either side of the coin, so I'm frankly baffled if they think it's a good idea to list again merely 6 years after they withdrew.
 
tayspru said:
What she is doing is guaranteeing that she won’t get a contract should a new entertainments company be brought in
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I don’t think anyone denies that, and I’m sure she realises it herself, she doesn’t strike me as an idiot.

They’re not the most advisable videos to post, but I guess when you feel you’ve been treated in a certain way you have to find a way to deal with it
 
tayspru said:
What she is doing is guaranteeing that she won’t get a contract should a new entertainments company be brought in
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Exactly. I'd have thought everyone would be under some sort of NDA while this process is going on? Certainly when it comes to speaking to the press/posting on public sites etc
 
Steve74 said:
Exactly. I'd have thought everyone would be under some sort of NDA while this process is going on? Certainly when it comes to speaking to the press/posting on public sites etc
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I believe they're seasonal staff which may be why it's happening quicker than it would with permanent full time staff and why staff are speaking out on social media.
 
Matt N said:
Really?

That would surprise me; I'd have thought they might have learned from the issues the first listing caused and the fact that they were withdrawn 6 years later.

I could be misinformed, but from where I'm standing, very little good came out of Merlin's first spell on the stock market for either side of the coin, so I'm frankly baffled if they think it's a good idea to list again merely 6 years after they withdrew.
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The leadership team who let that first float are all out of the door. The company is restructuring in a way which will please the markets, with a focus on outsourcing as much as possible, whilst retaining a core offering. Attractions which were follies have been shuttered.

Kirkbi own the controlling stake in the company, but Blackstone will want out. They very rarely hang on to an asset for this long and their entire MO is to leverage a buyout, pivot the company and then float it, in order to recoup investment (and hopefully make a profit).

Arguably they also floated on the wrong stock market last time, with NASDAQ being a strong possibility vs FTSE.
 
Steve74 said:
Exactly. I'd have thought everyone would be under some sort of NDA while this process is going on? Certainly when it comes to speaking to the press/posting on public sites etc
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NDAs are governed by contract law in the UK and aren't exactly really enforceable. Theoretically Merlin could sue her for breach of contact (if there is an NDA), but it would cost more than they'd get back in damages.

What she has done is committed gross misconduct, which is a summary dismissal, so she won't be getting a redundancy package anymore.
 
Since its almost that time of year again, when us towers fans far and wide begin the long voyage to our beloved theme park for the opening day. I thought I'd get us all hyped up by reminding us all of the fun journey that awaits....
 

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Matt N said:
Has something happened at Merlin to warrant these sudden sweeping cuts? Or is this just off the back of a poorer than expected 2024 financially?

I can’t help but think that it all seems very short termist. And I think that’s a very bad thing, as short termism is arguably the key root cause of a number of current issues in the parks.
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This is all very much standard fare for Merlin, certainly for the past decade, probably longer if at lesser rate. I'm not sure if there's anything surprising happening here.

Downscale, downgrade, spend as little as possible, don't take risks, work year to year with no consideration for the long-term... it's all pretty much a continuation of what we've been seeing for years.
 
Squiggs said:
This is all very much standard fare for Merlin, certainly for the past decade, probably longer if at lesser rate. I'm not sure if there's anything surprising happening here.

Downscale, downgrade, spend as little as possible, don't take risks, work year to year with no consideration for the long-term... it's all pretty much a continuation of what we've been seeing for years.
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speaking of short termism, alton towers dungeons would like a work

just thought actually has the dungeons technically been operating longer than sub terra ever has?
 
Squiggs said:
This is all very much standard fare for Merlin, certainly for the past decade, probably longer if at lesser rate. I'm not sure if there's anything surprising happening here.

Downscale, downgrade, spend as little as possible, don't take risks, work year to year with no consideration for the long-term... it's all pretty much a continuation of what we've been seeing for years.
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And don't forget, all those re recruited staff have had a clear break in service and reduced employment rights for another lengthy period.
Other parks recruit in the same manner, "difficult" junior staff rarely get kept on for the winter work.
 
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