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| Legoland owner Merlin Entertainments plans share float | Legoland owner Merlin Entertainments plans share float |
| (34 minutes later) | |
| Merlin Entertainments, the UK company that owns Legoland, Madame Tussauds and Chessington World of Adventures, says it plans to issue shares to the public. | |
| Merlin operates 99 attractions in 22 countries, and has 54 million visitors to its parks a year. | Merlin operates 99 attractions in 22 countries, and has 54 million visitors to its parks a year. |
| It says it is the second-largest company of its kind in the world after Walt Disney. | It says it is the second-largest company of its kind in the world after Walt Disney. |
| Its other well-known attractions include Alton Towers, Thorpe Park and Warwick Castle. | Its other well-known attractions include Alton Towers, Thorpe Park and Warwick Castle. |
| Discount | Discount |
| The business has a turnover of £1bn a year and is thought to be worth some £3bn. | The business has a turnover of £1bn a year and is thought to be worth some £3bn. |
| The share offer, which will see 20% of the company pass to public investors, is accessible to smaller shareholders with a minimum investment stake of £1,000. Shareholders will also get a one-off 30% discount on certain entry passes for Merlin's theme parks. | The share offer, which will see 20% of the company pass to public investors, is accessible to smaller shareholders with a minimum investment stake of £1,000. Shareholders will also get a one-off 30% discount on certain entry passes for Merlin's theme parks. |
| The company, which was formed in 1999, says the number of visitors to its parks has grown by 11% a year since 2008. | The company, which was formed in 1999, says the number of visitors to its parks has grown by 11% a year since 2008. |
| The company's non-executive chairman, Sir John Sunderland, said: "I have been impressed by the significant growth that Merlin has delivered as a private company. | The company's non-executive chairman, Sir John Sunderland, said: "I have been impressed by the significant growth that Merlin has delivered as a private company. |
| "But there is more to come and I believe Merlin has a very promising future as a publicly listed company." | "But there is more to come and I believe Merlin has a very promising future as a publicly listed company." |