The Merlin Entertainments Group has planned to raise nearly GBP3 billion or USD4.69 billion through an IPO before the end of 2013. This plan was reported by the Telegraph, who did not disclose the source of the information. 

What was confirmed were the plans to offer as much as 10% of its shares to retail investors. Furthermore, Merlin Entertainments Group CEO and CFO Andrew Carr had met institutional investors in the past few days to help provide a 'smooth path' towards the IPO. 

Merlin spokesperson declined to make any comment on the news report.

The company is a theme park operator that operates the Alton Towers, the London Eye, Blackpool Tower and Warwick Castle. Its current oners are buyout firms Blackstone Group and CVC. 

In 2010, the company had planned to undertake an IPO but did not push through with the plan because of the aftermath of the credit crunch that hit Europe.