The owner of Madame Tussauds and London Dungeons has been slapped with a winding up petition.
Merlin Entertainments faces court proceedings due to a dispute over debt with Experian, the FTSE 100 listed credit company.
A winding up petition sees unpaid creditors take legal action against the company owing them funds.
Double trouble: Merlin Entertainments owns Madame Tussauds where the wax figures of Harry and Meghan (pictured) are among those on display
A spokesman for Merlin branded Experian’s actions ‘wholly inappropriate’ and said it will apply to have the petition thrown out.
The spokesman said: ‘Merlin Entertainments has a 20-year track record as a highly cash generative company, and supportive owners.
‘Our 2021 audited accounts show a strong recovery from the pandemic.’
The petition has been served on Merlin Attractions Operations Limited, rather than the group. Winding up petitions can lead to the liquidation of a company if the debt is not paid.
But they are also used as a tactic in a dispute where liquidation is unlikely. Supplier disputes are expected to pick up pace when the country enters recession.
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