Manchester terror attack: Merlin, Intu shares fall after tragedy

Manchester's horrific terror attack reverberated in the Square Mile on Tuesday as shares in London Eye operator Merlin Entertainments suffered and fashion chain Burberry closed its store in the city.

Merlin, operator of several high-profile public attractions, dropped 5.5p to 520p, making it one of the FTSE 100’s worst performers. Shares in shopping centre firm Intu Properties, which owns Manchester’s Trafford Centre and has a half share in the Arndale Centre, fell 1.6p to 266p. Burberry shut its New Cathedral Street store in Manchester for the day.

Intu operations director Gordon McKinnon said the firm was “shocked” but added: “Manchester is an extremely resilient city and we can be assured that everybody will pull together.”

Chris Fletcher, policy director at the Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce, said: “I’ve spoken to a few members and the attitude is that we can’t forget what’s happened but we’ve got to carry on as best we can.”

Melanie Leech, chief executive of the British Property Federation, said the city’s appeal as an investment destination would remain undimmed. “Manchester’s star has risen significantly in the past few years with investment pouring into the city, improving the physical environment in which we all live, work and play,” she said.

“The events of last night will not change this, nor will it deter other investors from seeing the city’s potential growth and their desire to be a part of its success.”