London, Wednesday, 22 October 2025.
In a BBC interview last Saturday, Merlin Entertainments’ CEO set out a clear 12‑month playbook: accelerate global rollouts of IP‑led attractions (LEGO, PAW Patrol, Bluey, Minecraft), prioritise targeted capex in key markets and press UK policymakers for a lower VAT and planning reform to unlock cheaper, faster development. For retail and location strategists, the most striking claim is the direct link she drew between tax/planning settings and site selection — Merlin says policy shifts could materially alter where and when new attractions open. The conversation also acknowledged industry headwinds (post‑pandemic recovery, cost‑of‑living impacts and a recent credit downgrade) and the competitive threat from screen time, which is shaping partnership choices. This briefing previews Merlin’s near‑term pipeline focus, implications for destination competitiveness, and what a policy‑enabled capex re‑rate would mean for landlords, planning teams and investment timetables.