Universal Theme Park for Bedfordshire approved by Starmer

The government will be built in the UK, the first universal theme park in Europe.

The attraction would be built on the old site Kempston Hardwick Brickworks near Bedford And before it was opened in 2031, he would create 28,000 jobs.

Universal Estimates 476 acres of complex It can attract 8.5 million visitors in the first year.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, the company’s multibillion -pound investment “Bedford’u one of the biggest amusement parks in Europe will host and put the district firmly on the global stage,” he said.

Universal destinations and experience, 80% of those employed in new jobs will be from Bedfordshire and the environmental regions, he said.

The production company, including Minions and Wicked, has the theme parks in Orlando and Los Angeles in the USA, as well as Osaka, Japan, Sentosa, Singapore and Beijing, China.

The company says the Bedfordshire site will be completed once from the “largest and most advanced” theme parks.

Universal had previously named his name to Portaventura Resort in Spain, but it seems that the charm of England will be the first in Europe, which he designed and built.

Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy greeted the “Landmark investment” as a “great news” for the economy.

BBC told Breakfast, “This is not only about bringing great American creations to the UK, but also to exhibit great British creations to the world,” he said.

“These are things like James Bond, Paddington Bear, these things like Harry Potter. We have a lot to be proud of.”

A British government, which is expected to begin in 2026, will be offered a complete planning proposal.

Universal’s Orlando Resort in Florida brought 9.75 million visitors in 2023, while Hollywood Resort saw 9.66 million in the same year – Theme directory report.

In 2016, NBCuniversal, Warner Bros. and accepted a seven -year agreement.

The Prime Minister said that the TEMA Park will create business between construction, artificial intelligence and tourism.

“Together, we build a brighter future for the United Kingdom, put people to work, and make our economy strong and competitive.”

Chancellor Rachel Reeves said: “In the time of global change, this investment is a vote of trust as a place to do business in England.”

According to the plans of Universal Destinations & Experiences, the UK site will include a theme park, a 500 -room hotel and a retail complex.

Universal has already purchased 476 acres for the project, but it can buy more land to upgrade the land to about 700 acres – this will improve transportation connections.

However, residents living in the surrounding villages responded positively to plans. Some are worried, infrastructure will not be enough To support the amount of expected visitors.

Universal said Investigated more than 6,000 local people and organizations and 92% of them supported the project.

Universal said he would raise Wixams Train Station And build a new station on the east -west railway line near the facility.

It would also add Slip roads to A421. It was flooded in October after heavy rainfall.

On Thursday, Transport State Secretary Heidi Alexander Approved expansion plans At the nearby London Luton airport.

Previously universal Described Bedford Site As an ideal place with fast railway connections, “London and London Luton Airport”.

Nandy also said that the government’s commitment to improve the local transportation infrastructure provides the security of the agreement with Universal.

Mike Cavanagh, president of Comcast Corporation, the owner of Universal, said he was excited to expand the Parks brand to Europe.

The company said it would work with the Bedford District Council in the project.

Local authority Six Councils to support plans Last year, Central Bedfordshire, Luton, Milton Keynes, North Northamponshire and West Northamponshire councils.

Bedford Tom Wootton Mayor BBC Breakfast said “the best news” for the town for a very long time.

“Working on some of the brightest and most fantastic people in Universal [the infrastructure]”he said.

When the residents of Bedford were asked on Wednesday, there were mixed thoughts about plans.

85 -year -old Margaret Wilson from Elstow said he would not visit the theme park, but believed that his 19 and 16 years old grandchildren would enjoy it.

But he said: “Something will last for four years until it was built. Who knows what will happen in four years?”

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

“The economy will be good for the towns and people. People will invest more.”

He said he wouldn’t be good for rental prices, but he felt that he would be positive for Bedford in general.

Jagdeep Singh is a 36 -year -old job change analyst from Kempston.

While the TEMA Park would direct businesses and bring business, he was afraid that the number of visitors could have a negative impact.

“I was a little worried about the traffic in Bypass – what will happen to our hospitals if there is any accident?” Added.

The proposals are subject to a planning decision from the Ministry of Housing, Community and Local Government.