Merlin cheered by Alton Towers’ Halloween performance
ALTON Towers owner, Merlin Entertainments, has cited a change in “product and customer mix” for a recent improvement in performance.
It said the Halloween period with its emphasis away from the theme park’s rollercoasters had seen declines narrow.
Nevertheless, the legacy of the Smiler accident in June continues to cast a cloud over the company with the Resort Theme Parks Operating Group significant down on last year.
Outside of the UK day-visit market, Merlin said its accommodation offerings continued to perform well, as did its two continental European resorts. The Operating Group is now on track to deliver underlying EBITDA in line with previous guidance of £40-45m.
Ahead of entering its close period on December 27, 2015, Merlin said that overall trading for the 47 weeks ended November 21, 2015 had been in line with expectations, with year to date growth rates similar to those provided at the time of its trading update in September.
Like for like revenue growth in the LEGOLAND Parks Operating Group remains strong, with the resorts enjoying an excellent Halloween period. Continued growth in RPC is expected to contribute to a strong margin performance for the Operating Group in 2015.
Merlin will report its 2015 Preliminary results on February 25, 2016.
