Slaughter and May is advising Merlin Entertainments plc on a recommended cash offer for Merlin’s entire issued and to be issued share capital by a consortium of KIRKBI Invest A/S, Blackstone Core Equity Advisers L.L.C., in its capacity as general partner of Blackstone Core Equity Partners LP and Canadian Pension Plan Investment Board. The offer was announced on 28 June 2019.
Under the offer, each Merlin shareholder will be entitled to receive 455 pence in cash for each Merlin share. The offer values Merlin’s issued and to be issued share capital at approximately £4,766 million. The transaction is to be effected by court-sanctioned scheme of arrangement and is expected to complete in Q4 2019.
Merlin Entertainments plc is a global leader in location based, family entertainment. As Europe's Number 1 and the world's second-largest visitor attraction operator, Merlin operates over 130 attractions (including the LEGOLAND theme parks), 19 hotels and 6 holiday villages in 25 countries and across 4 continents. It is headquartered in Poole, Dorset, UK and is listed on the London Stock Exchange.
KIRKBI is Merlin's current largest shareholder and 75% owner of the LEGO group.
Slaughter and May is working closely with Merlin's general counsel, Matt Jowett.
Elissa Foord / Trainee