Merlin’s attractions saw a 3.5% rise in visitors to reach 66 million last year, which helped to push up revenue by 11.6% to £1.59 billion. The group’s operating profit also rose by 6.8% to £323 million.
The results were greeted warmly by investors with Merlin’s shares rising by 12% to £3.80 in early trading on the London Stock Exchange.
Nick Varney, Merlin’s chief executive, said: “A year that started well with positive momentum in almost every part of the group was ultimately defined by the unprecedented spate of terror attacks in the UK and poor to extreme weather throughout the summer season in Europe.
