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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
World
Rebecca Koncienzcy

Alton Towers sold in £5.9bn deal that includes Thorpe Park and Madame Tussauds

Alton Towers has been sold in a £5.9bn takeover deal that includes Thorpe Park and Madame Tussauds.

The current owners Merlin Entertainments have agreed the sale to family owners of Lego and private equity firm Blackstone.

Merlin controls theme parks and attractions across the UK and beyond - including Alton Towers, Sea Life, Peppa Pig World of Play, Chessington World of Adventures, The Blackpool Tower, the London Dungeons, Warwick Castle and Thorpe Park as well as Legoland parks around the world.

Moving to take control, Blackstone and Lego have had an interest in Merlin since they bought Legoland, the Mirror reports.

Kirkbi - which is the investment vehicle of Lego's founding family - was joined by private equity firm Blackstone and investment firm CPPIB in the bid.

Kirkbi chief executive Søren Thorup Sørensen said: "As the long-term owner of the Lego brand and as a strategic shareholder in Merlin since 2005, we have great pride and passion for this amazing company, its management team and its employees.

"With a shared understanding of the business and its culture, we believe that this group of investors has the unique collective resources necessary to equip Merlin, including the Legoland Parks and Legoland  Discovery Centres, for their next phase of growth.

"We are committed to ensuring Legoland and the other activities in Merlin reach their full potential, which we believe is best pursued under private ownership, in order to deliver fantastic experiences to visitors of all ages around the world."

Merlin chairman Sir John Sunderland said: "Merlin is a global leader in location based, family entertainment, with a unique portfolio of brands and attractions spanning 25 countries and four continents, and with a proven strategy that has delivered over many years."

He added that the board had rejected a number of proposals from the consortium before settling on this one - which he thinks "represents an opportunity for Merlin Shareholders to realise value for their investment in cash at an attractive valuation.

"We are therefore unanimously recommending it to our shareholders."

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