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NEWS
CVC prepares bid for Blackstone's £2.5bn Center Parcs
POSTED 09 Mar 2015 . BY Tom Anstey
Center Parcs Woburn has had a 99 per cent occupancy rate since opening earlier this year Credit: Center Parcs
CVC Capital Partners – one of Europe’s biggest private equity firms – is preparing to bid for the Blackstone-owned Center Parcs, thought to be worth around £2.5bn (US$3.8bn, €3.5bn).

The bid follows an £2bn (US$3bn, €2.8bn) attempt from BC Partners to buy Center Parcs in December. Blackstone rebuffed the bid, saying the offer undervalued the UK-based leisure operator.

Blackstone first purchased Center Parcs in 2006 and is currently exploring a listing on the London Stock Exchange. Blackstone reported 99 per cent occupancy for its newest site in Woburn Forest, Bedfordshire, since opening and is in talks with tourism authorities in Ireland over the construction of a resort there.

According to its annual review, Center Parcs reported earnings of £314.6m (€437.7m, US$475.2m) in the year ending April 2014. Blackstone recently launched the sale of its shares in Merlin Entertainments, with the sale worth £667.6m (US$1bn, €917.6bn).
PROJECT PROFILE:

Centre Parcs Woburn Forest
Centre Parcs' fifth UK village is now open in Woburn, Bedfordshire The park has a 17,000sq m lake at its heart, and features 625 lodges, a 75 bedroom hotel, an outdoor activity centre, an Aqua Sana spa and the largest of Center Parcs’ Subtropical Swimming Paradises. The swimming complex will be clam-shaped, and will feature three new water rides – Tornado, Twister and Typhoon, which are unique to Woburn Forest.

Location: United Kingdom

RELATED STORIES
  Center Parcs owner 'engages banks' on £2.5bn listing


US-based private equity group Blackstone has hired several investment banks to lay the foundations for a £2.5bn (US$3.8bn, €3.4bn) London listing of UK leisure resort chain Center Parcs, according to reports.
  Blackstone 'rejects' £2bn Center Parcs bid with plans to float on stock market


Blackstone – the private equity giant which owns Center Parcs – is believed to have rejected a joint £2bn (€2.5bn, $3.1bn) bid from BC Partners and the Canada Pension Plan (CPP) for the chain of leisure resorts.
  Spa Life UK to take place on 18-19 November at Center Parcs Woburn


The fifth annual Spa Life UK event will take place on 18-19 November at Center Parcs Woburn Forest, featuring a jam-packed schedule of talks from industry experts.
  Center Parcs CEO Martin Dalby calls for overhaul of ‘ridiculous’ UK planning process


As Center Parcs today opens its new £250m Woburn Forest holiday resort, CEO Martin Dalby has called for the UK government to take the development of major leisure investments more seriously.
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Uniting the world of spa & wellness
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News   Products   Magazine   Subscribe
NEWS
CVC prepares bid for Blackstone's £2.5bn Center Parcs
POSTED 09 Mar 2015 . BY Tom Anstey
Center Parcs Woburn has had a 99 per cent occupancy rate since opening earlier this year Credit: Center Parcs
CVC Capital Partners – one of Europe’s biggest private equity firms – is preparing to bid for the Blackstone-owned Center Parcs, thought to be worth around £2.5bn (US$3.8bn, €3.5bn).

The bid follows an £2bn (US$3bn, €2.8bn) attempt from BC Partners to buy Center Parcs in December. Blackstone rebuffed the bid, saying the offer undervalued the UK-based leisure operator.

Blackstone first purchased Center Parcs in 2006 and is currently exploring a listing on the London Stock Exchange. Blackstone reported 99 per cent occupancy for its newest site in Woburn Forest, Bedfordshire, since opening and is in talks with tourism authorities in Ireland over the construction of a resort there.

According to its annual review, Center Parcs reported earnings of £314.6m (€437.7m, US$475.2m) in the year ending April 2014. Blackstone recently launched the sale of its shares in Merlin Entertainments, with the sale worth £667.6m (US$1bn, €917.6bn).
RELATED STORIES
Center Parcs owner 'engages banks' on £2.5bn listing


US-based private equity group Blackstone has hired several investment banks to lay the foundations for a £2.5bn (US$3.8bn, €3.4bn) London listing of UK leisure resort chain Center Parcs, according to reports.
Blackstone 'rejects' £2bn Center Parcs bid with plans to float on stock market


Blackstone – the private equity giant which owns Center Parcs – is believed to have rejected a joint £2bn (€2.5bn, $3.1bn) bid from BC Partners and the Canada Pension Plan (CPP) for the chain of leisure resorts.
Spa Life UK to take place on 18-19 November at Center Parcs Woburn


The fifth annual Spa Life UK event will take place on 18-19 November at Center Parcs Woburn Forest, featuring a jam-packed schedule of talks from industry experts.
Center Parcs CEO Martin Dalby calls for overhaul of ‘ridiculous’ UK planning process


As Center Parcs today opens its new £250m Woburn Forest holiday resort, CEO Martin Dalby has called for the UK government to take the development of major leisure investments more seriously.
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Synergy The Retreat Show launches resource for retreat business leaders to showcase specialisms
Global retreat trade show, Synergy The Retreat Show, has launched a resource called The Source, which hosts an open-access online Transformation Series programme.
The SATCC announces first five-day Living with Cancer and Beyond retreat
The Standards Authority for Touch in Cancer Care (SATCC) charity has announced its first five- day Living with Cancer and Beyond retreat, which will be held at Carden Park Hotel and Spa in Cheshire, UK, between 1 and 5 September.
Palazzo di Varignana launches family wellbeing and longevity retreat in Emilia Romagna
Palazzo di Varignana, in the Emilia Romagna region of Italy, has created a new tailored health programme designed specifically for families.
Ansana Wellness and Spa debuts at Patmos Aktis as it joins Marriott
Patmos Aktis, a Luxury Collection Resort and Spa, has opened in Greece, with a renovated and rebranded wellness offering called Ansana Wellness and Spa.
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03-05 Jul 2026

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ADVERTISE . CONTACT US

Leisure Media
Tel: +44 (0)1462 431385

©Cybertrek 2026

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