A new Universal theme park will be built in the UK, the government has confirmed. 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. 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.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said the multi-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." Universal Destinations and Experience said 80% of those employed in the new jobs will be from Bedfordshire and the 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 park will be the first Universal-branded destination in Europe.
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." A full planning proposal will be submitted to the UK government with construction expected to start in 2026.
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. 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." Chancellor Rachel Reeves emphasized the significance of the investment, stating: "At a time of global change, this investment is a vote of confidence in Britain as a place to do business. Universal's investment will bring billions to the economy and create thousands of jobs to the UK, putting more money in people's pockets."
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 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. Universal said it surveyed more than 6,000 local people and organizations, and 92% of those supported the project. 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.
The government has said it will commit to investing in infrastructure that supports the project and makes it more accessible. On Thursday, April 10, 2025, Secretary of State for Transport Heidi Alexander approved expansion plans at 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."
Mike Cavanagh, the president of Comcast Corporation, which owns Universal, expressed enthusiasm for the project, stating: "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 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 Borough, Milton Keynes City, North Northamptonshire, and West Northamptonshire councils.
The first Universal theme park in Europe will open in the UK, set to be one of the largest and most advanced theme parks in Europe. The deal has reportedly been closed by the Government in the hope it will generate tens of billions of pounds for the economy. The resort is set to open in 2031 in Bedfordshire following an agreement between Universal, the Government, and the local council.
By 2055, Universal expects the 476-acre site near Bedford to generate nearly £50 billion for the economy, with a 500-room hotel and a retail and entertainment complex planned along with the theme park. The announcement is a boost for Sir Keir Starmer’s Government after US President Donald Trump’s tariffs have sent stock markets on a rollercoaster ride. The Prime Minister said the attraction will create around 28,000 jobs – 20,000 in the construction period and 8,000 working on the site when it opens to visitors in 2031.
“It is not just about numbers; it’s about securing real opportunities for people in our country,” he said. “Together, we are building a brighter future for the UK, getting people into work and ensuring our economy remains strong and competitive.” The Government has promised a major investment in infrastructure and transport around the site to support the delivery of the project and make sure it is easily accessible for visitors. The project ties in with other work around the Oxford-Cambridge corridor, including support for the expansion of Luton Airport.
The proposals to transform the site, a former brickworks, remain subject to a formal planning decision process from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government. Chancellor Rachel Reeves said the investment is “a vote of confidence in Britain as a place to do business.” The Prime Minister welcomed Mike Cavanagh, the president of Universal’s parent company Comcast Corporation to Downing Street to mark the announcement.
Mr. Cavanagh 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.” Universal has five entertainment and resort complexes around the world – Universal Orlando Resort and Universal Studios Hollywood in the USA, Universal Studios Japan in Osaka, Universal Beijing Resort in China, and Universal Studios Singapore. 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.”
