Nick Varney, chief executive of UK-based Merlin Entertainments, has said that he intends to float the company on the London Stock Exchange.

While being interviewed by The Daily Mail, Varney told the newspaper that “it is definitely our aspiration to bring Merlin to the Stock Market within the next three years”.

Merlin became the second largest attractions operator in the world after Disney following its acquisition of Tussauds and owns brands such as Madame Tussauds, Legoland, Sea Life, Alton Towers and Gardaland.

Merlin is owned by the US private equity house Blackstone, which has recently bid £13bn to buy Hilton Hotels.