A deal with the UK government and Bedford Borough Council to deliver a multi-billion-pound theme park and resort is expected to create 20,000 construction jobs ahead of a 2031 opening.
The agreement with Universal Destinations & Experiences, announced today, marks Universal’s first branded resort in Europe.
The scheme will be built on a 476-acre site at the former Kempston Hardwick brickworks in Bedfordshire and is set to become the largest visitor attraction in the UK.
According to Universal, the development will feature a world-class theme park divided into multiple “lands” showcasing the company’s “immersive storytelling” and advanced ride technologies.
Plans include a 500-room hotel, a leisure and entertainment district, and extensive retail and dining space.
The developer said it expects the site to attract 8.5 million visitors in its first year of operation and generate up to £50bn for the UK economy by 2055. A further 8,000 permanent jobs are forecast across the hospitality and creative sectors once the resort is open.
No construction partners have yet been appointed. Architect details are also unconfirmed.
The development will be subject to a planning decision by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.
Universal said 80 per cent of operational staff would be recruited locally. The firm also pledged to work with colleges and universities to provide training and apprenticeships throughout the construction and resort phases.
The government committed to investing in infrastructure around the site to support the project, although further details are yet to be published.
The scheme aligns with its Plan for Change, which aims to support economic growth across sectors such as tourism, creative industries and AI.
Prime minister Sir Keir Starmer said the deal would bring “around 28,000 jobs across construction, AI and tourism” and “firmly put Bedford on the global stage”.
Comcast Corporation president Mike Cavanagh said the UK scheme would “expand our footprint into Europe” and praised government support for what he described as a “landmark destination”.
The announcement comes days after government approval for the expansion of nearby Luton Airport, part of a wider strategy to boost the Oxford-Cambridge corridor.
Source: UK government press release