Universal, the UK government, and Bedford’s local council have reached an agreement on a multibillion-pound investment for a new theme park and resort in Bedford.
This new development is poised to be the first Universal-branded theme park in Europe.
According to the proposal by Universal Destinations & Experiences, a business unit of Comcast, the 476-acre entertainment complex, in collaboration with Bedford Borough Council, will comprise a theme park with various themed lands.
The park will include rides and entertainment, all harnessing advanced technology.
Plans also include a 500-room hotel alongside a retail, dining, and entertainment complex.
These proposals await a formal planning decision from the UK’s Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.
The project is expected to create around 20,000 jobs during its construction phase and an additional 8,000 jobs in the hospitality and creative industries upon its opening in 2031.
Universal will collaborate with local educational institutions to train its future hospitality workforce, which includes offering apprenticeships and internships.
The theme park is expected to bring substantial local benefits, with approximately 80% of the employees anticipated to be hired from the surrounding areas.
This project is also set to contribute to the growth and infrastructure revitalisation of the Oxford-Cambridge corridor, creating further job opportunities.
Specifically, Universal anticipates the site will contribute nearly £50bn ($63.8bn) to the economy by 2055 and attract 8.5 million visitors in its first year of operation, according to the UK government’s press release.
Comcast president Mike Cavanagh said: “We could not be more excited to take this very important step in our plan to create and deliver an incredible Universal theme park and resort in the heart of the United Kingdom, which complements our growing US-based parks business by expanding our global footprint to Europe.
Universal Destinations & Experiences chair and CEO Mark Woodbury added: “Bringing a world-class theme park and resort to the United Kingdom is a tremendous opportunity and is part of our strategy to introduce the Universal brand and experiences to new audiences around the globe.
“We appreciate the incredible support for our proposed project and look forward to bringing it to life in the years ahead.”
