Merlin entertainment gears up for IPO

Chief executive Nick Varney says they prefer flotation in UK instead of New York.

11:09 31 March 2013

After pulling off previous attempt in 2010, Merlin Entertainment gears up for Initial Public Offering. The firm is the one behind great attractions all over the world, which include Madame Tussauds and Legoland. It stressed that its preferred location for stock market flotation is London. However, the firm said that it's still evaluating all options.

On Wednesday, the company announced their earnings for 2012. It posted 15per cent increase in revenue and soared past £1bn for 2012. The increased earnings were attributed to the growth in Asia-Pacific and the US.

Theme parks in Northern Europe did not perform well due to wet weather while attractions in the UK had to compete with the Olympics last year.

Talking about IPO and preferred location for flotation, Chief executive Nick Varney told The Telegraph: “I don’t think the antipathy towards private equity is quite what is was. Some would say the US market is an easier place to list a company than the UK…on the other hand we are a British company. It’s where the heart of the company is.”