Private equity backer Epiris is expected to table an offer for several of Merlin Entertainments’ UK Sea Life Centres.
Sky News is reporting that Epiris is among other interested parties, with initial bids expected “in the coming weeks”.
Founded in 1976, Epiris tends to conduct buyouts and part-takeovers of established UK businesses.
Sky News reported back in February that Merlin’s 40 Sea Life Centres worldwide are under review.
Sea Life Centres at Brighton, Scarborough, Blackpool, Hunstanton, Great Yarmouth, Loch Lomond, Gweek, and Weymouth are understood to be in the frame for offloading.
It is unclear how many will be offered to potential bidders.
The flagship National Sea Life Centre in Birmingham, the London Aquarium, and the centre in Manchester’s Trafford Centre will not form part of the sale, Sky reports.
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.