Ashurst, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, Clifford Chance and Simpson Thacher & Bartlett have landed roles on the £4bn IPO of Merlin Entertainments Group.

Merlin – which owns Madame Tussauds, Alton Towers and the Legoland theme parks – is controlled by Danish investment company Kirkbi and private equity houses CVC and Blackstone. Merlin’s investors will sell some of their stakes but remain shareholders.