Latham Cagey On LN Theatre Sales

Live Nation is planning to narrow down a list of more than 20 potential buyers for its U.K. theatres by the end of the month, according to the The Stage magazine, but LN COO of international music Paul Latham says it’s not certain the venues will be sold.

The British weekly entertainment industry paper says U.K. theatre operators such as the Ambassador Theatre Group and Qdos Entertainment, foreign-based companies such as Stage Entertainment and Key Brand Entertainment, as well as private equity firms all have their hats in the ring.

Latham says there are half a dozen interested parties and he doesn’t expect any developments within The Stage’s timetable.

He admits the company is looking for the best bid for the 17-venue portfolio and potential suitors have been in contact with LN but said The Stage is “just fishing” for information on who those suitors may be.

The portfolio includes Birmingham Alexandra Theatre, Bristol Hippodrome, Edinburgh Playhouse, Manchester Opera House, and London venues including the Apollo Victoria Theatre, The Dominion and The Lyceum.

They’re all part of Live Nation (Venues) UK Ltd., which also manages venues including Wembley Arena, Sheffield Arena, Southampton Guildhall, and Liverpool Empire.