Ardent Leisure eyes Dreamworld sale - The Australian
Ardent Leisure is believed to be considering a sale of its Australian theme park Dreamworld, with the asset said to be in the crosshairs of a Chinese suitor.
It comes after the company was believed to have set its sights on rival Village Roadshow as a takeover target.
This was before a fatal tragedy at Dreamworld last year that caused its share price to fall and visitor numbers to the Gold Coast theme park to plummet.
Songcheng, which owns land on the Gold Coast, may be the party eyeing Dreamworld, given that it currently has plans a rival nearby theme park.
Discussions have also previously been held with China’s Wanda, which owns entertainment assets globally about buying Dreamworld, but the talks later went cold.
Plans are currently thought to be afoot to break up the company that also owns entertainment and bowling centres in the United States.
Ardent Leisure — soon to be renamed Main Event — was earlier thought to be in play after property investor Ariadne, backed by corporate radar Gary Weiss, bought at least 5 per cent of the business.
It comes this week as chief executive Deborah Thomas was replaced by former Nine chief financial officer Simon Kelly.
Mr Kelly declined to comment.
Shares in Ardent closed down 1c to $2.03.