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NEWS
CVC prepares bid for Blackstone's £2.5bn Center Parcs
POSTED 09 Mar 2015 . BY Tom Anstey
Center Parcs Woburn has had a 99 per cent occupancy rate since opening earlier this year Credit: Center Parcs
CVC Capital Partners – one of Europe’s biggest private equity firms – is preparing to bid for the Blackstone-owned Center Parcs, thought to be worth around £2.5bn (US$3.8bn, €3.5bn).

The bid follows an £2bn (US$3bn, €2.8bn) attempt from BC Partners to buy Center Parcs in December. Blackstone rebuffed the bid, saying the offer undervalued the UK-based leisure operator.

Blackstone first purchased Center Parcs in 2006 and is currently exploring a listing on the London Stock Exchange. Blackstone reported 99 per cent occupancy for its newest site in Woburn Forest, Bedfordshire, since opening and is in talks with tourism authorities in Ireland over the construction of a resort there.

According to its annual review, Center Parcs reported earnings of £314.6m (€437.7m, US$475.2m) in the year ending April 2014. Blackstone recently launched the sale of its shares in Merlin Entertainments, with the sale worth £667.6m (US$1bn, €917.6bn).
PROJECT PROFILE:

Centre Parcs Woburn Forest
Centre Parcs' fifth UK village is now open in Woburn, Bedfordshire The park has a 17,000sq m lake at its heart, and features 625 lodges, a 75 bedroom hotel, an outdoor activity centre, an Aqua Sana spa and the largest of Center Parcs’ Subtropical Swimming Paradises. The swimming complex will be clam-shaped, and will feature three new water rides – Tornado, Twister and Typhoon, which are unique to Woburn Forest.

Location: United Kingdom

RELATED STORIES
  Center Parcs owner 'engages banks' on £2.5bn listing


US-based private equity group Blackstone has hired several investment banks to lay the foundations for a £2.5bn (US$3.8bn, €3.4bn) London listing of UK leisure resort chain Center Parcs, according to reports.
  Blackstone 'rejects' £2bn Center Parcs bid with plans to float on stock market


Blackstone – the private equity giant which owns Center Parcs – is believed to have rejected a joint £2bn (€2.5bn, $3.1bn) bid from BC Partners and the Canada Pension Plan (CPP) for the chain of leisure resorts.
  Spa Life UK to take place on 18-19 November at Center Parcs Woburn


The fifth annual Spa Life UK event will take place on 18-19 November at Center Parcs Woburn Forest, featuring a jam-packed schedule of talks from industry experts.
  Center Parcs CEO Martin Dalby calls for overhaul of ‘ridiculous’ UK planning process


As Center Parcs today opens its new £250m Woburn Forest holiday resort, CEO Martin Dalby has called for the UK government to take the development of major leisure investments more seriously.
MORE NEWS
Mubadala makes €1 billion bid for Pierre and Vacances
Abu Dhabi-based investment firm Mubadala Capital has made a binding, fully financed €1 billion offer to acquire Pierre and Vacances SA, the European holiday resort operator behind the continental European Center Parcs business.
Disney confirms US$30 billion investment programme as it highlights its economic impact
Disney has reaffirmed its commitment to investing US$30 billion in its US parks and cruise business by 2033, using new America250 celebrations to underline the role its attractions play in supporting jobs, tourism and economic growth.
Expo 2030 Riyadh will create a permanent global destination
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The owner of one of Australia's best-known waterparks has acquired a major competitor, creating a new attractions business spanning two of the country's largest visitor destinations.
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NEWS
CVC prepares bid for Blackstone's £2.5bn Center Parcs
POSTED 09 Mar 2015 . BY Tom Anstey
Center Parcs Woburn has had a 99 per cent occupancy rate since opening earlier this year Credit: Center Parcs
CVC Capital Partners – one of Europe’s biggest private equity firms – is preparing to bid for the Blackstone-owned Center Parcs, thought to be worth around £2.5bn (US$3.8bn, €3.5bn).

The bid follows an £2bn (US$3bn, €2.8bn) attempt from BC Partners to buy Center Parcs in December. Blackstone rebuffed the bid, saying the offer undervalued the UK-based leisure operator.

Blackstone first purchased Center Parcs in 2006 and is currently exploring a listing on the London Stock Exchange. Blackstone reported 99 per cent occupancy for its newest site in Woburn Forest, Bedfordshire, since opening and is in talks with tourism authorities in Ireland over the construction of a resort there.

According to its annual review, Center Parcs reported earnings of £314.6m (€437.7m, US$475.2m) in the year ending April 2014. Blackstone recently launched the sale of its shares in Merlin Entertainments, with the sale worth £667.6m (US$1bn, €917.6bn).
RELATED STORIES
Center Parcs owner 'engages banks' on £2.5bn listing


US-based private equity group Blackstone has hired several investment banks to lay the foundations for a £2.5bn (US$3.8bn, €3.4bn) London listing of UK leisure resort chain Center Parcs, according to reports.
Blackstone 'rejects' £2bn Center Parcs bid with plans to float on stock market


Blackstone – the private equity giant which owns Center Parcs – is believed to have rejected a joint £2bn (€2.5bn, $3.1bn) bid from BC Partners and the Canada Pension Plan (CPP) for the chain of leisure resorts.
Spa Life UK to take place on 18-19 November at Center Parcs Woburn


The fifth annual Spa Life UK event will take place on 18-19 November at Center Parcs Woburn Forest, featuring a jam-packed schedule of talks from industry experts.
Center Parcs CEO Martin Dalby calls for overhaul of ‘ridiculous’ UK planning process


As Center Parcs today opens its new £250m Woburn Forest holiday resort, CEO Martin Dalby has called for the UK government to take the development of major leisure investments more seriously.
MORE NEWS
Mubadala makes €1 billion bid for Pierre and Vacances
Abu Dhabi-based investment firm Mubadala Capital has made a binding, fully financed €1 billion offer to acquire Pierre and Vacances SA, the European holiday resort operator behind the continental European Center Parcs business.
Disney confirms US$30 billion investment programme as it highlights its economic impact
Disney has reaffirmed its commitment to investing US$30 billion in its US parks and cruise business by 2033, using new America250 celebrations to underline the role its attractions play in supporting jobs, tourism and economic growth.
Expo 2030 Riyadh will create a permanent global destination
Expo 2030 Riyadh is being planned as a permanent visitor destination, with organisers confirming the six-million-square-metre site will become a Global Village after the event closes.
Australian waterpark acquisition creates new leisure attractions group
The owner of one of Australia's best-known waterparks has acquired a major competitor, creating a new attractions business spanning two of the country's largest visitor destinations.
London Museum reveals 2026 opening date for new Smithfield home
The London Museum’s new site will open in Smithfield, East London, on 28 November 2026.
Toverland unveils €98m expansion plan as park prepares to launch resort development
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Painting With Light

By combining lighting, video, scenic and architectural elements, sound and special effects we tell s [more...]
IDEATTACK

IDEATTACK is a full-service planning and design company with headquarters in Los Angeles. [more...]
iPlayCO

iPlayCo was established in 1999. [more...]
Alterface

Alterface’s Creative Division team is seasoned in concept and ride development, as well as storyte [more...]
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+ More catalogues  
DIRECTORY
+ More directory  
DIARY

 

23-26 Aug 2026

Elevate Spa Riviera Maya Edition

The Riviera Maya Edition Kanai, Playa del Carmen, Mexico
29 Sep - 02 Oct 2026

Synergy - The Retreat Show

Pical Resort, Valamar Collection, Porec, Croatia
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