The UK government has announced plans for the first Universal theme park in Europe to be built on the site of a former brickworks near Bedford. The multibillion-pound investment is expected to create an estimated 28,000 jobs before opening in 2031.
Sir Keir Starmer praised the investment, saying it would put Bedford “on the global stage”. He added that his children were surprisingly interested in the news.
Universal Destinations and Experience emphasized that 80% of the new jobs created by the theme park will be from local communities, including Bedford, central Bedfordshire, Luton, and Milton Keynes.
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy hailed the “landmark investment” as a boost to the economy. She added that it would not only bring great American creations to Britain but also showcase British successes like James Bond, Paddington Bear, and Harry Potter.
Construction on the theme park is expected to start in 2026, with a full planning proposal submitted to the UK government.
