The first European Universal theme park is set to open door in 2031, in Bedford, UK. The British Prime Minister Keir Starmer closed the deal for the park on 9 April, estimating that the new investment will bring a “£50 billion boost for the economy”.
According to plans, the project will create approximately 20,000 jobs during its construction and an additional 8,000 in sectors such as hospitality and creativity. 80% of these roles will be filled by local residents from areas including Bedford, Central Bedfordshire, Luton, and Milton Keynes. Moreover, local communities are also expected to benefit from the new enterprise through apprenticeships, training, and educational opportunities.
NEW: Prime Minister @Keir_Starmer has closed a deal with Universal that will bring jobs and opportunities for British people.
— UK Prime Minister (@10DowningStreet) April 9, 2025
As well as a lot of fun.
With our Plan for Change, we are building a brighter future. pic.twitter.com/EP3heByqLd
The theme park will be part of a bigger development, featuring a “500-room hotel along with a retail, dining and entertainment complex” wrote Universal. Additionally, the public response has been positive. Universal conducted nearly 1,500 local interviews and received more than 6,000 survey responses, which resulted in 92% of respondents expressing support for the initiative.
In a letter to the local community, Universal stated that the construction of the new attraction will also contribute to improvements in local transpiration infrastructure. Planned upgrades include the expanded development of Wixams railway station, the creation of direct slip roads from the A421 to better manage road traffic, and the enhancement of Manor Road, as well as the upgrades to the Active Travel Network.
Visitors can expect attractions inspired by some of the most iconic blockbuster movies, such as Jurassic Park, Jaws, Transformers, and Minions.
‘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,” said Prime Minister Keir Starmer in a press release. “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.”
A new Universal theme park is coming to the UK.
— Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) April 9, 2025
We have closed the deal on a multi-billion-pound investment that will make Bedford home to one of Europe's biggest theme parks.
Creating 28,000 jobs, boosting our economy, and driving local and national growth. pic.twitter.com/0brg57M52H
The announcement comes just a day after the local government approved the expansion of Luton Airport, underscoring how the growth agenda is bringing positive impact to everyday workers. This initiative is also part of the Plan for Change, in which the government has committed to investing in infrastructure surrounding the site to support the project’s success and ensure easy accessibility.
'This will drive growth here and across the country'
— Sky News (@SkyNews) April 9, 2025
PM Sir Keir Starmer speaks at an event in Bedfordshire unveiling Comcast's investment in a new Universal theme park in Bedfordshire.https://t.co/e8qfACzqou
📺 Sky 501 and YouTube pic.twitter.com/xRnljhsS1V
“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,” said Mark Woodbury, Chairman and CEO of Universal Destination and Experiences.
Currently, Universal Studios has 5 resorts in the United States as well as China, Singapore, and Japan. Universal’s resort in Orlando, Florida, for instance, welcomed 9,75 million visitors in 2023, while the Hollywood resort attracted 9.66 million.
