Merlin Entertainments is looking to offload many of its Sea Life Centres in the UK, reports suggest.
Sky News reported earlier this week that the 40 Sea Life Centres worldwide are under review.
Merlin did not directly address a query from Sky News, but told the outlet: “Like any well-run business, Merlin regularly reviews its estate, to ensure it reflects the company’s long-term growth strategy.”
Sea Life Centres at Brighton, Scarborough, Blackpool, Hunstanton, Great Yarmouth, Loch Lomond, Gweek, and Weymouth are understood to be under review.
The flagship National Sea Life Centre in Birmingham, the London Aquarium, and the centre in Manchester’s Trafford Centre are understood to be unaffected.
It is unclear how many Sea Life locations will be affected internationally.
Restructure
Last month, Merlin announced a consultation on redundancies at it reviews its structure worldwide.
RideRater understands the review process with staff is now largely concluded, with roles including marketing and support functions now centralised across the UK.
Changes have seen marketing staff previously assigned to a single theme park moved to UK-wide roles covering multiple attractions.
Others roles have been made redundant with no replacement positions offered.
Seasonal entertainment staff are not expected to return in the same numbers during the 2025 season, with events such as Alton Towers Oktoberfest withdrawn.
Chief executive Scott O’Neil left Merlin Entertainments last year.
Updating in June last year, the company said that trading conditions were “challenging in most geographies” with a “softer demand” at a number of locations.
The company’s 2024 results have not yet been published, but the previous year it lost £214 million.