The Merlin Entertainments Group has gained full control of the Blackpool Sea Life Centre after agreeing to acquire the 50 per cent share held by joint venture partner Leisure Parcs.

“This deal makes good sense for both parties,” said Sea Life director James Burleigh, adding that since Merlin had already been entirely responsible for the development and management of the attraction, very little will change day-to-day.

Leisure Parcs will remain landlord of the site under a new 20-year lease arrangement.

“We believe Blackpool has great potential for future development, and will continue to work with Leisure Parcs and other key partners lobbying for more inward investment to the town,” Burleigh said.

UK-based Merlin has invested in the Blackpool Sea Life attraction since its opening in 1990 as part of its Sea Life chain of aquariums, the largest in the world.

The chain will next expand to Lake Garda in Italy, where an aquarium is set to open adjacent to Merlin’s Gardaland theme park next month, and to the US, with an aquarium opening as an addition to Merlin’s Legoland park in California.