Lego film gives sales a boost at Merlin

Legoland and Madame Tussauds owner Merlin Entertainments has made a promising start to its new financial year, helped by the success of the Lego Movie.

Merlin aims to open a Legoland in Dubai in 2016

The firm, which also owns the Edinburgh Dungeon, said like-for-like revenues jumped 12 per cent during the 18 weeks to 3 May, with demand also receiving a boost from favourable weather.

However, chief executive Nick Varney said sales growth will be “considerably more challenging” to deliver in the coming quarter, due to tough comparisons with strong summer trading last year.

He added: “As a consequence, underlying trading is consistent with the long-term growth trajectory and full-year expectations remain unchanged.”

The private equity owners of Merlin – the world’s second-largest visitor attractions operator after Walt Disney – floated 30 per cent of the group in November, raising £957 million in the process.

The firm aims to open a Legoland in Dubai in 2016 and is working on plans for a venue in Japan.