Enter Valhalla
TS Member
The rebrand of Dungeons and Tussauds will be interesting. Those attractions are Merlin to the core.
There is no indication of a rebrand. Blackpool Tourism Ltd will operate them as franchises with support from Merlin Magic Making on new exhibits.The rebrand of Dungeons and Tussauds will be interesting. Those attractions are Merlin to the core.
Only renewed my Merlin Pass this week and now the only places I use it outside of the theme parks will no longer be valid from 1st January 2026.
Hadn't realised but Merlin had handed operating control of the Sandcastle back to Blackpool Council quite recently as well.
I can't see them floating Merlin, especially as they not long took it private because they had less control over business (which all three current owners had large stakes in anyway). I do think however that splitting the business up isn't entirely of the cards, I don't think it's something that'll happen instantly but I could see them split into two different companies.Seems like something you would do when you are preparing to float. Or split the business up
With all due respect, it's the norm with ice hockey with the team renting ice time at a ice rink which I know sounds mad but there you go.A bit like buying a football club and not owning the ground. Utter madness.
A bit like Wimbledon?Why would you want to buy the theme parks, isn’t the land under Alton, Chessington and Thorpe owned by a 3rd party?
A bit like buying a football club and not owning the ground. Utter madness.
A bit like Wimbledon?
A lot of american football teams have jumped grounds as well, it happens, renting!
I think Tesco did very well out of renting early on as well, frees up capital for other things.