Merlin boss identifies 2013/2014 for stock market flotation
Merlin Entertainments chief executive Nick Varney has identified a window of late 2013 or early 2014 as possible time to float his company on the stock market. He withdrew a…
Merlin Entertainments reveals strong 2011 performance
Merlin Entertainments has reported a double-figure rate of growth for 2011, with profits of £222.5 million being recorded for the British company. The 12.4% rise on the same period for…
How a 15% VAT cut would affect theme park pricing
Merlin Entertainments – among a growing number of others in tourism – have long been calling for the government to slash VAT from 20% to 5% on their business. VAT,…
Review: Nemesis Sub-Terra at Alton Towers
We review the Nemesis Sub-Terra dark ride, which continues the alien backstory of the original Nemesis rollercoaster from 1994.
The Swarm: Average thrills but a solid investment
Last Thursday marked the opening of Thorpe Park’s new £20 million rollercoaster The Swarm. It is the latest example of Bolliger & Mabillard’s wingrider design, the first being Raptor at…
Bringing the Chained Oak legend to the big screen
The Chained Oak legend, on which the Alton Towers ride Hex is based, will soon be brought to life in the form of a feature film.
£100,000 traffic payment sought from Alton Towers
Planners reviewing Alton Towers’ 2013 rollercoaster application have recommended that permission only be granted in exchange for a £100,000 payment for road improvements. The ride, currently dubbed Secret Weapon Seven…
Alton Towers opening times reduced for 2012 season
Alton Towers has trimmed the length of its opening times for much of its operational season in 2012. Ride queues will close as early as 4pm during term-time weekdays in…