The Universal United Kingdom Resort, set to open in 2031, is expected to create thousands of jobs and attract millions of visitors to Bedfordshire. The resort, which has already started construction, will bring themed 'lands', rides, restaurants, and a new hotel to the heart of the county. Chancellor Rachel Reeves has hailed the project as a boost to the region's economy, bringing jobs and 'joy' to the area, while Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy says it will 'put rocket boosters under our entertainment industry'.
The resort will be built on 476 acres of land in Kempston Hardwick, with an option to acquire additional land up to 700 acres. This is larger than Alton Towers in Staffordshire, which covers around 550 acres. The tallest ride that Universal UK could build is expected to be 115m tall, equivalent to a 35-storey apartment block.
The resort is expected to attract 8.5 million visitors in the first year, growing to 12 million in time. This would make it the biggest tourist attraction in the UK, surpassing the Natural History Museum, which currently attracts over 7 million annual visitors. The resort will also include a hotel with 500 rooms and a new station on the Midland Mainline, connecting passengers from Leeds to London.
Universal has committed to creating 20,000 jobs during the construction phase, including engineering and technical positions. Once the park opens, a further 8,000 jobs will be created, including in hospitality, technology, and creative fields. The company has already employed over 100 people from the UK to work on the project and has expressed an interest in working with local businesses.
The UK government has praised Universal's commitment to creating local jobs and training opportunities for the next generation of its workforce. The project aligns with the government's work to unleash the potential of the Oxford-Cambridge Growth Arc and create a thriving economy in the region.