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Prime minister confirms new UK Universal theme park in Bedford Universal theme park for Bedfordshire confirmed by Starmer
(about 8 hours later)
A new Universal theme park will be built in the UK, the government has confirmed. The first Universal theme park in Europe will be built in the UK, the government has promised.
It will be constructed on the site of the former Kempston Hardwick brickworks near Bedford and is expected to generate 28,000 jobs before it opens in 2031. The attraction would be constructed on the site of the former Kempston Hardwick brickworks near Bedford and would create an estimated 28,000 jobs before opening in 2031.
Universal estimated the 476-acre complex could attract 8.5 million visitors in its first year and generate £50bn for the UK economy by 2055. Universal estimated the 476-acre complex could attract 8.5 million visitors in its first year.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said the muti-billion-pound investment by the company would "see Bedford home to one of the biggest entertainment parks in Europe, firmly putting the county on the global stage". Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said the multibillion-pound investment by the company would "see Bedford home to one of the biggest entertainment parks in Europe, firmly putting the county on the global stage".
Universal Destinations and Experience said 80% of those employed in the new jobs will be from Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas. Universal Destinations and Experience said 80% of those employed in the new jobs would be from Bedfordshire and surrounding areas.
Universal, which produced films such as Minions and Wicked, currently has theme parks in Orlando and Los Angeles in the US, as well as Osaka, Japan, Sentosa, Singapore, and Beijing, China. The production company, which has made films including Minions and Wicked, has theme parks in Orlando and Los Angeles in the US, as well as Osaka, Japan, Sentosa, Singapore, and Beijing, China.
The park will be the first Universal-branded destination in Europe. The Bedfordshire site will be "one of the largest and most advanced" theme parks on the continent once complete, the company says.
Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport Lisa Nandy said: "This landmark investment is fantastic news for our economy, for UK tourism and for the British public, who will be able to enjoy the biggest and best theme park in Europe on their doorstep." Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy hailed the "landmark investment" as "fantastic news" for the economy.
"This is not just about bringing great American creations to Britain, this is also about showcasing great British creations to the world," she told the BBC Breakfast.
"These are things like James Bond, Paddington Bear, these are things like Harry Potter. We've got so much to be proud of."
Sir Keir Starmer, pictured with Comcast Corporation president Mike Cavanagh, said the park would strengthen the UK economy
A full planning proposal will be submitted to the UK government with construction expected to start in 2026.A full planning proposal will be submitted to the UK government with construction expected to start in 2026.
Sir Keir Starmer said the park would generate jobs and strengthen the economy Universal's Orlando resort in Florida brought in 9.75 million visitors in 2023, while its Hollywood resort saw 9.66 million the same year - according to the Theme Index Report.
The prime minister added: "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, artificial intelligence and tourism. In 2016, NBCUniversal agreed to a seven-year deal with Warner Bros. That meant it had television rights to show the Harry Potter films and the Fantastic Beasts franchise.
"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." The prime minister said the theme park would create jobs across construction, artificial intelligence and tourism.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves added: "At a time of global change, this investment is a vote of confidence in Britain as a place to do business. "Together, we are building a brighter future for the UK, getting people into work and ensuring our economy remains strong and competitive," he added.
"Universal's investment will bring billions to the economy and create thousands of jobs to the UK, putting more money in people's pockets." Chancellor Rachel Reeves said: "At a time of global change, this investment is a vote of confidence in Britain as a place to do business."
According to plans from Universal Destinations & Experiences the UK site would include a theme park, a 500-room hotel and a retail complex. According to plans from Universal Destinations & Experiences, the UK site would include a theme park, a 500-room hotel and a retail complex.
These proposals remain subject to a planning decision from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government. Universal has already bought 476 acres for the project, but could buy more land to increase the plot to about 700 acres - which would improve transport links.
Universal has already bought 476 acres for the project, but could buy more land to increase the plot to about 700 acres, which would enable it to link the site with transport routes.
Residents living in surrounding villages have responded positively to the plans, though some are concerned infrastructure will not be enough to support the amount of expected visitors.Residents living in surrounding villages have responded positively to the plans, though some are concerned infrastructure will not be enough to support the amount of expected visitors.
Universal said it surveyed more than 6,000 local people and organisations and 92% of those supported the project.Universal said it surveyed more than 6,000 local people and organisations and 92% of those supported the project.
Universal has parks all over the world including the latest, Epic Universe, in OrlandoUniversal has parks all over the world including the latest, Epic Universe, in Orlando
Universal said it would make upgrades to the Wixams railway station and build a new station on the East West Rail line near the resort.Universal said it would make upgrades to the Wixams railway station and build a new station on the East West Rail line near the resort.
It will also add new dedicated slip roads to the A42, which flooded in October after heavy rainfall. It would also add dedicated slip roads to the A421, which flooded in October after heavy rainfall.
The government has said it will commit to investing in infrastructure that supports the project and makes it more accessible. On Thursday, Secretary of State for Transport Heidi Alexander approved expansion plans at the nearby London Luton Airport.
On Thursday Secretary of State for Transport Heidi Alexander approved expansion plans at London Luton Airport. Universal previously described the Bedford site as "an ideal location with convenient, fast rail links to London and London Luton Airport".
Universal had previously described the Bedford site as "an ideal location with convenient, fast rail links to London and London Luton Airport". Nandy also said the government's commitment to improve local transport infrastructure had helped secure the deal with Universal.
Universal Destinations and Experiences confirmed it purchased Bedfordshire land in December 2023Universal Destinations and Experiences confirmed it purchased Bedfordshire land in December 2023
Mike Cavanagh, the president of Comcast Corporation, which owns Universal, said he was excited to expand the parks brand into Europe.Mike Cavanagh, the president of Comcast Corporation, which owns Universal, said he was excited to expand the parks brand into Europe.
He said: "We appreciate the leadership and support of Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Chancellor Rachel Reeves, Minister for Investment Poppy Gustafsson, Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy and their teams, as we work together to create and deliver a fantastic new landmark destination." The company said it would work with Bedford Borough Council on the project.
The company said it will work with Bedford Borough Council on the project. The local authority was one of six councils to support the plans last year, alongside Central Bedfordshire, Luton, Milton Keynes, north Northamptonshire and west Northamptonshire councils.
The local authority was one of six councils to support the plans last year, alongside Central Bedfordshire, Luton Borough, Milton Keynes City, North Northamptonshire and West Northamptonshire councils. Mayor of Bedford Tom Wootton told BBC Breakfast it was the "best news" for the town in "a very long time".
"Some of the brightest and most fantastic people at Universal are working on [the infrastructure]," he said.
Margaret Wilson, 85, from Elstow, believed the theme park would be good for young people
Bedford residents had mixed thoughts on the plans when asked on Wednesday.
Margaret Wilson, 85, from Elstow, said she would not visit the theme park but believed her grandsons, aged 19 and 16, would enjoy it.
But she said: "It will be four years until anything is built. Who knows what will happen in four years?"
Maria Perez, a warehouse worker in the area, said the theme park would be "really great" for families and young people.
"It will be good for the economy, for the town and for the people. People will invest more."
She said it would not be good for rent prices, but overall felt it would be positive for Bedford.
Jagdeep Singh from Kempston shared his worries about the number of visitors coming to the area to visit the theme park
Jagdeep Singh is a 36-year-old business change analyst from Kempston.
While he believed the theme park would drive businesses and bring jobs, he feared the number of visitors could have a negative affect.
"I worried a bit about traffic on the bypass - what's going to happen to our hospitals if there's any accidents?" he added.
The proposals remain subject to a planning decision from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.
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