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MERLIN’S MAGIC RIDE

ABOVE: Thrill-seekers like these at Thorpe Park boost Merlin Entertainments

10th March 2010

By Daily Star Reporter

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THEME park and tourist attractions group Merlin Entertainments said it was still considering a £2billion float as it unveiled a recession-busting set of annual figures.

Nick Varney, chief exec of the Thorpe Park, Legoland and Madame Tussauds business, sees a float as a “very, very big option” as he revealed an underlying profits rise of 16.6% to £238.6million on revenues up 1% to £769m.

“These results speak for themselves,” said Varney. “We are a very attractive company.”

private equity-owned Merlin was said to have postponed float plans last month, but Varney said none had been announced.

He said the company had grown business by revamping attractions. They are planning to open two new Legolands, in Florida and Malaysia.

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