Europe's first Universal theme park coming to UK

The UK's government has announced plans for Europe's inaugural Universal theme park, which will be located on a 476-acre site at the former Kempston Hardwick brickworks near Bedford (as depicted in the artist's rendering).

This major attraction is projected to generate around 28,000 jobs prior to its anticipated opening in 2031. Universal estimates that the park could draw approximately 8.5 million visitors in its first year of operation. Sir Keir Starmer commented that this multibillion-pound project will position Bedford as home to one of Europe's largest entertainment parks, enhancing the county's visibility on the global stage.

The Prime Minister humorously noted that his children, aged 14 and 16, were particularly interested in this announcement, unlike others made previously. "They usually don't pay much attention to my daily briefings, but this one has definitely caught their interest," Starmer remarked during a visit to Kimberley College in nearby Stewartby. Sir Keir Starmer reviewed maps and an artist's impression of the site alongside Chancellor Rachel Reeves and leaders from Comcast and Universal Destinations. Universal, known for popular film franchises such as *Minions* and *Wicked*, already operates multiple theme parks in locations including Orlando and Los Angeles in the U.S, as well as Osaka, Japan, Sentosa, Singapore, and Beijing, China. Once completed, the park at the former Kempston Hardwick brickworks is expected to be "one of the largest and most advanced" theme parks in Europe.

While Universal previously had its name associated with the PortAventura resort in Spain, this will mark the first time the company has designed and constructed a park in Europe from the ground up.
According to Universal Destinations and Experiences, roughly 80% of the jobs created will be filled by residents from Bedfordshire and its surrounding areas. Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy praised the "landmark investment" as "fantastic news" for the economy, emphasizing that the project is not only about introducing iconic American attractions to the UK, but also about presenting British culture globally through characters like James Bond, Paddington Bear, and Harry Potter.

A full planning application is set to be submitted to the UK government, with construction slated to begin in 2026. Universal's Orlando resort welcomed 9.75 million visitors in 2023, while its Hollywood counterpart attracted 9.66 million visitors as reported in the Theme Index Report.

The Prime Minister noted that the theme park would generate employment opportunities across construction, artificial intelligence, and tourism sectors. Chancellor Rachel Reeves confirmed that the government had arranged with Universal to prioritize the use of British steel "where possible" in the project, following similar initiatives for HS2 and Heathrow. Initial plans for the UK site include a theme park, a hotel with 500 rooms, and a retail complex. Universal has already secured the 476 acres for the development but may acquire additional land to expand the site to around 700 acres, which could enhance transport connections. Community feedback has largely been positive, with some residents expressing concerns about whether local infrastructure can handle the anticipated influx of visitors.

A survey conducted by Universal indicated that 92% of over 6,000 local residents and organizations voiced support for the project. Universal has committed to upgrading the Wixams railway station and constructing a new station along the East West Rail line close to the resort, alongside adding dedicated slip roads to the A421, which recently experienced flooding. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander approved expansion plans for nearby London Luton Airport, further supporting the connectivity of the Universal site, which has been described as "an ideal location" due to its excellent rail links to London and the airport.

Mike Cavanagh, president of Comcast Corporation, expressed enthusiasm about bringing the Universal brand to Europe and stated that the company will collaborate closely with Bedford Borough Council on this initiative. The local authority was one of six councils that supported the development last year. Mayor of Bedford Tom Wootton celebrated the theme park's announcement as "the best news" for the town in "a very long time." He remarked that "some of the brightest and most fantastic people at Universal are working on [the infrastructure]." Mixed reactions were observed among local residents. Margaret Wilson, 85, from Elstow, felt that while she personally might not visit the park, her grandsons would find it enjoyable.

However, she cautioned, "It will be four years until anything is built. Who knows what will happen in that time?" Conversely, Maria Perez, a warehouse worker in the area, viewed the theme park as a "great" opportunity for families and the local economy, even acknowledging potential challenges such as rising rent prices. Jagdeep Singh, a 36-year-old business analyst from Kempston, voiced concerns over the impact of increased visitor numbers on local traffic and hospital services. These proposals are pending a planning decision from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.
Source BBC
Edited:Bosman