Universal will build its first European theme park in Britain, Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced Wednesday, in a massive deal that may create thousands of jobs and bring millions of tourists.
“Today we closed the deal on a multi-billion-pound investment that will see Bedford home to one of the biggest entertainment parks in Europe,” Starmer said in a statement, referring to the English market town north of London.
No specific figures were provided for the agreement reached with US telecom giant Comcast, which owns Universal, following years of negotiations with UK officials.
There are now five Universal theme parks around the world.
The first debuted in 1964 in Hollywood, cantered around the historic film studios, followed by an East Coast park in Orlando.
Three others are in Asia: Beijing, Osaka, Japan, and Singapore.
Visitors to Europe’s first Universal park may be able to enjoy rides and performances themed by iconic movie characters such as the ogre Shrek, the bumbling Minions, the scary dinosaurs of Jurassic Park, and the enormously popular world of boy magician Harry Potter.
According to a statement from Starmer’s office, the new park may produce 28,000 employment, including 20,000 during construction, and enhance the UK economy by £50 billion ($64 billion) in 2055.
Some 80 percent of the employees would come from the local area, the statement added.
An estimated 8.5 million people would visit in its first year planned for 2031, making it the largest attraction in Britain.
“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,” said Comcast president Mike Cavanagh in the statement.
Universal has said it would work with local colleges and universities to train the next generation of hospitality workers, with apprenticeships and internships.
The area is linked by a train ride of about an hour from St Pancras station, which also houses the Eurostar serving links to Paris, Brussels and Amsterdam.
Among the plans for the new park, are a 500-room hotel as well as rides, shows and a large dining complex.
The proposals will be subject to a planning decision from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.
Universal has not yet revealed details of the rides, but media reports have already indicated a possible attraction themed around Paddington Bear, which is now a major film franchise.
The whole attraction would be intended to rival Disneyland Paris which said that in 2023 it drew some 10.4 million visitors.
News of the deal comes just a few days after the government signed off on the expansion of nearby Luton Airport which serves destinations across Europe.
