Universal themed park for Bedfordshire confirmed by Starmer

A new universal theme park will be built in the United Kingdom, has promised the government.

The attraction – The first of the company in Europe – would be built on the site of the former Kempston Hardwick BrickWorks near Bedford and would create around 28,000 jobs before opening in 2031.

Universal estimated that the 476 acres complex could attract 8.5 million visitors during its first year.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said that Mutillion-Livre’s investment in the company “would see Bedford at home in one of the largest entertainment parks in Europe, firmly putting the county on the world stage”.

Universal destinations and experience have said that 80% of people employed in new jobs come from Bedfordshire and the surrounding area.

The production company, which made films including Minions and Wicked, has themed parks in Orlando and Los Angeles in the United States, as in Osaka, Japan, Sentosa, Singapore and Beijing, China.

The Secretary of State for Culture, the Media and Sports Lisa Nandy said: “This historic investment is a fantastic news for our economy, for British tourism and for the British public, who will be able to take advantage of the largest and best theme park in Europe at their door.”

A complete planning proposal will be subject to the British government, construction should start in 2026.

The Orlando Resort of Universal in Florida reported 9.75 million visitors in 2023, while its Hollywood complex saw 9.66 million the same year – according to the Theme index report.

In 2016, Nbcuniversal accepted a seven -year agreement with Warner Bros., which meant that he had television rights to show the Harry Potter films and the fantastic Beasts.

The Prime Minister said that the themed park would create jobs through construction, artificial intelligence and tourism.

“Together, we build a better future for the United Kingdom, making people work and ensuring that our economy remains strong and competitive,” he added.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves said: “At a time of world change, this investment is a vote of trust in Britain as a place to do business.”

According to the plans of universal destinations and experiences, the British site would include a theme park, a hotel with 500 rooms and a retail complex.

Universal has already bought 476 acres for the project, but could buy more land to increase the land to around 700 acres – which would improve transport links.

Residents living in the surrounding villages have responded positively to the plans, however Some are infrastructure concerned will not be enough To support the amount of expected visitors.

Universal said they interviewed more than 6,000 people and local organizations and 92% of those who supported the project.

Mike Cavanagh, the president of Comcast Corporation, who owns Universal, said that he was delighted to extend the Parks brand in Europe.

The company said it would work with the Bedford Borough Council on the project.

Local authority was one of the Six tips for supporting the plans Last year, alongside Central Bedfordshire, Luton, Milton Keynes, Northampothire and West Northampothire.

The residents of Bedford had mixed reflections on the plans when asked on Wednesday.

Margaret Wilson, 85, from Elstoy, said that she would not visit the theme park but believed that her grandsons, aged 19 and 16, would appreciate him.

But she said: “It will be four years until everything is built. Who knows what will happen in four years?”

Maria Perez, a warehouse worker in the region, said that the theme park would be “really great” for families and young people.

“It will be good for the economy, for the city and for people. People will invest more.”

She admitted that it would not be good for rental prices, but overall, it would be positive for Bedford.

Jagdeep Singh is an analyst of 36 -year -old business changes in Kempton.

Although he thought that the theme park would lead companies and bring jobs, it feared that the number of visitors could have a negative effect.

“I was a little worried about traffic on bypass – what will happen to our hospitals if there are accidents?” He added.

The proposals remain subject to a planning decision of the Ministry of Housing, Communities and the Local Government.