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Parques eyeing up US rival bid
By Pete Hayman
Candover, the owner of European theme park operator Parques Reunidos, is rumoured to be considering a bid for US-based theme park operator Busch Entertainment Corporation (BEC).
BEC, which owns Sea World and Busch Gardens in the United States, is expected to be offloded by new owners, InBev, in a deal that could be worth a possible $4.5bn (£2.3bn). Belgium-based brewer Inbev acquired Busch last month as part of its take over of parent company Anheuser-Busch. According to the The Times, investment bankers Morgan Stanley has been hired by Candover to advise on a possible bid. Parques Reunidos, which was acquired by the British-based equity firm in 2007, already operates the largest chain of water parks in the US as well as a number of amusement parks and family entertainment centres. A spokesperson for Candover declined to comment on the speculation. Meanwhile, the UK-based attractions operator Merlin Entertainments is also reportedly interested in acquiring Anheuser, along with Disney and Dubai World.Candover, the owner of European theme park operator Parques Reunidos, is rumoured to be considering a bid for US-based theme park operator Busch Entertainment Corporation (BEC).
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