Lego Expands its Empire by Acquiring Merlin Entertainments

The Danish billionaire family that controls the Lego toy firm, with private investor Blackstone, is paying £4.8bn for Merlin. Kirkbi Invest says it has the money and experience to “realise the company’s potential to grow”.

Merlin owns the Madame Tussauds brand, Legoland theme parks, the London Eye, Alton Towers and Chessington Adventures, alongside many other attractions, hotels and holiday villages.

Kirkbi chief executive Søren Thorup Sørensen said,”we believe that this group of investors has the unique collective resources necessary to equip Merlin, 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.”

The deal is expected to complete in the fourth quarter of 2019.

Kirkbi already owns almost a third of the shares in Merlin Entertainments, and says it does not expect the deal to lead to any significant changes.

All existing Merlin attractions in the UK will remain open and it has no plans to sell any part of the business, it said.

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