Tussauds owner pulls flotation

Feb 12 2010 By nebusiness

The owner of Alton Towers and Madame Tussauds has pulled the leisure group’s stock market debut in a move marking the second flotation to be axed in less than a week, it emerged today.

Private equity group Blackstone has shelved a £2bn initial public offering (IPO) for Merlin Entertainments - the world’s second biggest visitor attraction business behind Walt Disney.

The decision comes just days after Blackstone put on ice plans to list US travel business Travelport after failing to win the support of investors.

It is thought recent heightened market volatility prompted the decision to hold the Merlin IPO.

Reports have also cast doubt over the listing of high street fashion chain New Look as the retailer’s board was due to meet today to decide whether to go ahead.