Universal United Kingdom Resort: Name of Bedford theme park unveiled
OK, we may have been hoping it would be called Universal Bedford but the new name is maybe a bit more predictable.
The much-anticipated theme park will be called (drum roll, please) ... the Universal United Kingdom Resort.
Believed to be one of the largest ever investments in the UK tourism sector, Comcast NBCUniversal’s more than £5 billion cash injection will bring nearly 20,000 jobs during construction and a further 8,000 jobs when it opens in 2031.
Plus, the company will also give an additional £1 billion in capital investment over the first 10 years of operation.
And if that wasn’t enough, it’s also anticipated the site will generate nearly £50 billion of economic benefit for the economy by 2055.
To mark this milestone, chancellor Rachel Reeves visited the site this morning (Wednesday) where she met with Mark Woodbury, chairman and CEO of Universal Destinations & Experiences and other senior executives from Universal – as well as many of Universal’s new hires already based in Bedford.
The chancellor and culture secretary Lisa Nandy also hosted Brian Roberts, chairman of Comcast Corporation, and Mr Woodbury at 11 Downing Street to unveil the name and logo for the theme park and resort.
Enabling works are already on the site and construction will soon begin.
Over 100 people in the UK employed to work on the project, with more than 33,000 individuals expressing interest to work there. Approximately 80% of employees at the theme park and resort are expected to come from Bedfordshire and the surrounding regions.
Separately, Universal and the Government are working together to maximise benefits to local colleges and universities. For example, Universal has committed to world-class training opportunities for the next generation of its workforce, including through a range of apprenticeships and internships. This aligns with the government’s ongoing work to unleash the potential of the Oxford-Cambridge Growth Corridor and lay the foundations for Bedford to become an innovation hub.
As part of its total £1.3 billion investment, the Government will provide a grant of £400 million through the exceptional Regional Growth Fund and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport will provide a grant of £438 million to invest in new community infrastructure to maximise the benefits of the development and support growth across the region. These grants will only be paid once Universal has completed the community infrastructure (in the case of the DCMS grant) and officially opened the theme park and resort.
The Department for Transport is also going ahead with plans to upgrade the strategic road and rail network, on the A421 and at Wixams station, which will provide wider resilience and improved connectivity within the region, at an expected cost of £474 million.
Ms Nandy said: “This unparalleled investment is a huge vote of confidence in the UK and puts rocket boosters under our entertainment industry.
“When it comes to creating world class experiences, the UK is second to none. We're proud to be backing British industry, investing in local talent and partnering with powerhouses like Universal to create jobs, growth and opportunities across the UK.”
Ms Reeves said: “This landmark investment in the heart of the Oxford to Cambridge Growth Corridor will unlock nearly £50 billion of economic growth and create tens of thousands of jobs across Bedfordshire in construction, hospitality, creative and technology sectors.
“Our own investment in transport and infrastructure means that local people will benefit — improving connectivity, backing our creative industries, and bringing millions of visitors to the UK from across the world.”
Mr Roberts said: “This historic partnership is a special moment for our company as we bring our first Universal theme park and resort to Europe. We have a long and proud history in the United Kingdom through Sky and NBCUniversal and look forward to creating a spectacular destination that supports the UK creative industries and brings joy to millions for generations to come.”
Mr Woodbury said: “Today marks a significant milestone on our journey to bring Universal United Kingdom Resort, featuring immersive storytelling, thrilling attractions and unparalleled creativity and innovation to the UK. This new theme park and resort will create so many new opportunities for the people of Bedford and beyond and allow us to share our distinct experiences with guests from around the world.”
Tom Wootton, Bedford mayor, said: “We’ve rolled out the red carpet for Universal, we’ve worked closely with them – so closely that they’ve opened offices in Borough Hall, with their staff working in the heart of Bedford. Now we’re starting to reap the benefits.
“The eyes of the world are now on Bedford borough, and they’re seeing that it really is the centre of the universe.”