Universal agrees multi-million pound deal to build theme park in Bedford
The government, Universal and Bedford Borough Council have agreed a deal to build Europe’s first Universal theme park and resort.
The theme park is expected to boost the economy by £50bn by 2055, providing nearly 20,000 jobs during the construction period with a further 8,000 jobs being created across the hospitality and creative industries when it opens in 2031.
The development, working with Bedford Borough Council, will be part of a larger 476-acre entertainment resort complex.
The government, Universal and Bedford Borough Council have agreed a deal to build Europe’s first Universal theme park and resort.
The theme park is expected to boost the economy by £50bn by 2055, providing nearly 20,000 jobs during the construction period with a further 8,000 jobs being created across the hospitality and creative industries when it opens in 2031.
The development, working with Bedford Borough Council, will be part of a larger 476-acre entertainment resort complex.
Proposed plans from Universal Destinations & Experiences, a business unit of Comcast, include a world-class theme park with several themed lands, as well as a 500-room hotel and a retail, dining and entertainment complex.
Prime minister Keir Starmer said: “Today we closed the deal on a multi-billion-pound investment that will see Bedford home to one of the biggest entertainment parks in Europe, firmly putting the county on the global stage.
“This is our Plan for Change in action, combining local and national growth with creating around 28,000 new jobs across sectors such as construction, AI, and tourism.
“It is not just about numbers; it’s about securing real opportunities for people in our country. Together, we are building a brighter future for the UK, getting people into work and ensuring our economy remains strong and competitive.”
Mike Cavanagh, president of Comcast Corporation, 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.”
Mark Woodbury, chairman and chief executive of Universal Destinations & Experiences, said: “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.”
Image © Universal
