The US private equity majority owner of Bourne Leisure is reportedly weighing up a bid for holiday park operator Parkdean Resorts.
A successful deal would see Parkdean combined with Bourne-owned caravan parks rival Haven.
Bourne and its owner Blackstone are working with investment bankers from Bank of America on a possible takeover proposal, according to The Times.
Parkdean was put up for sale in the autumn by Canadian investment group Onex Corporation, after acquiring the business for £1.35 billion in 2016.
Blackstone agreed a £3 billion deal to take control of Bourne just over a year ago. Bourne’s founding Cook, Allen and Harris families still retain a minority stake in the leisure company.
Blackstone and Bourne are thought to believe Parkdean would fit well with the Haven business, which runs 37 parks around the country.
Parkdean operates 66 parks from Newquay in Cornwall and Carmarthen Bay in Wales to Dornoch in the Scottish Highlands.
Former Center Parcs UK owner Blackstone was in a consortium that acquired theme parks and attractions group Merlin Entertainments for $4.8 billion in 2019.
The Parkdean interest follows Bourne considering a sale of its Butlin’s business.
Parkdean chief customer officer Catherine Lynn reported increased interest in staycations as the company issued research into domestic holidays in December.
She said: “Demand has increased, and the UK’s appetite for staycations remained high throughout 2021, even as international travel opened up again.
“Bookings were strong throughout September and October, and we’re looking forward to another busy year in 2022.”
Former Carnival UK and Cunard boss Simon Palethorpe joined Haven as managing director in December.