On the 9 th of April, Universal Studios announced in conjunction with the UK government that they are set to start developing a brand new 476-acre Universal theme park in Bedfordshire.
Competing against already established giants in the industry, such as Alton Towers, Drayton Manor and Thrope Park, the park is set to start construction in 2026 and should be ready to open by 2031. The new park is expected to deliver immersive experiences from the studio’s most popular franchises, including Jurassic Park and Minions. Additionally, reports suggest that there will be a focus on UK-based franchises such as Paddington and James Bond.
The opening of Universal’s Bedford park is set to significantly impact the local economy, with an estimated 28,000 jobs created during the construction of the park, with an estimated 80% coming from nearby areas such as Luton, Bedford and Milton Keyes. Once the park is open, 8,000 new roles will be available, ranging from management to security and hospitality, ensuring this project remains sustainable for the UK in the long run. Additionally, Universal expects that they will see 8.5 million visitors in the first year of the park’s opening, a reasonably optimistic but not unreasonable figure, given its location.
With the site being in Bedford, travel shouldn’t be an issue for any incoming tourists, with planned infrastructure enhancements to local roads, including the A421. Additionally, a new train station will be developed and opened in Wixams, located next to the site. Tourism is a key driver of the UK economy, with an estimated 20.3 million visitors to London alone in 2023. Universal Park may be a crucial factor in how long foreign tourists spend in the country.
Comparing this project to the well-established Universal Studios Florida site in Orlando, the UK seems to have a bright future regarding the theme park sector. Universal Floria has been one of the world’s premier theme parks since its opening in 1990, covering 108 acres of land and receiving 9.75 million visitors in 2023. That same year, on the other side of the country, Universal Studios Hollywood in Los Angeles opened up the long-awaited Super Nintendo World, piggybacking off of the recent success of The Super Mario Bros. Movie produced by Nintendo, Universal Pictures and Illumination.
The UK government has backed the project, describing it as a “job- creating machine” and a way for the UK to show off its culture and history, and 92% of residents surveyed supported the development of the park, although many shared concerns about the lack of infrastructure to support the boom in tourism expected.
Universal’s new park in Bedford represents a transformative moment for the UK’s tourism industry and the economy. The park will catalyse regional growth and development by introducing world-class entertainment and creating thousands of jobs. With its expected £50 billion contribution to the UK economy and an immersive experience for fans of various franchises, the park will undoubtedly prove to serve as significant competition in the sector.