Merlin Entertainment buys London Aquarium

The entertainment group which runs the London Eye, Alton Towers and Madame Tussauds added the London Aquarium to its portfolio today.

Merlin Entertainments has bought the sea life centre in the South Bank’s County Hall from its Japanese owners.

The value of the 35-year lease on the site, which houses 400 species including sand sharks, stingrays and a “Finding Nemo” clownfish in more than 50 separate displays, has not been disclosed.

It welcomes more than 750,000 visitors a year, and is just a stone’s throw from the London Eye.

As well as its flagship London sites – the London Eye is the UK’s number one paid-for attraction with around 3.5 million visitors a year – the group also operates Legoland in Windsor, Thorpe Park and the global chain of Sea Life aquariums.

Glenn Earlam, managing director of Merlin Entertainments’ Midway brands, which include Sea Life, said: “It is a wonderful site – big enough to be awe inspiring, but also very accessible for visitors.

“There is no one better qualified than Merlin to operate marine attractions; and when we add the Sea Life ’magic’ we believe it will once again quickly become a must see attraction for both Londoners, and those visiting the capital.”

As well as the aquarium, which opened in 1997, the site houses a luxury hotel, cafes and restaurants and other businesses.