Perks per Share

LSE: MERL

Merlin Entertainments

Merlin Shareholder Perk

Discontinued
What shareholders got Up to 40% off annual passes 317 shares or more

Merlin Entertainments runs visitor attractions including LEGOLAND parks, Madame Tussauds and SEA LIFE centres. Its UK attractions include Alton Towers and the London Eye.

This scheme has endedMerlin stopped issuing shareholder discounts after its takeover on 4 November 2019. Its notice still sent holders of existing discounts to the redemption page. Each code was valid for one year from issue.

History of the perk

  1. New discounts stopped

    A consortium of KIRKBI, Blackstone and CPP Investments completed its takeover of Merlin on 4 November 2019, and new shareholder discounts stopped.

  2. Discount launched at the flotation

    Merlin’s 2013 prospectus offered retail buyers in its Intermediaries Offer 30% off two adult annual passes or one family pass for 12 months. Buyers had to hold the minimum allocation at admission, expected to be worth £1,000. Merlin floated at 315p a share; at that price, 317 shares cost £998.55.

What shareholders got

The 2019 offer gave shareholders up to 40% off the full price of two individual Merlin Annual Passes or one family pass in the UK. Standard and Premium passes qualified.

Who qualified

You needed at least 317 shares on 6 November 2018.

Shares held through a broker

Shares held in your own name qualified.

Claiming through a nominee depended on the broker’s support.

Previous claim process

The shareholder needed a discount code supplied through Computershare or their participating broker.

  1. 1. Getting a codeComputershare supplied codes to directly registered holders. Nominee holders had to obtain a code through their broker; Merlin warned that some brokers did not participate.
  2. 2. Buying the passesThe shareholder had to apply and pay online. The passes could be issued in the names of relatives or friends. Each code covered one purchase.

Dates

The former terms did not specify any minimum holding period.

Qualifying ownership date
Expiry
Codes expired one year after issue.
Scheme ended

Practical notes

Pass restrictions

The offer was for individual shareholders. A family pass covered up to five people, including no more than three adults aged 12 or over. VIP passes did not qualify, and the discount could not be combined with other promotions or discounts. Standard-pass date restrictions still applied.