AssetID: 54654576
Headline: Universal Theme Park To Be Built Near Bedford
Caption: A huge new Universal theme park is set to be built on the outskirts of Bedford. The attraction, which is set to be one of the largest and most advanced in Europe, is set to open in 2031. Welcoming the news on Wednesday, Prime Minister Keir Starmer said: “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, firmly putting the county on the global stage.” Those behind the development say it will create nearly 20,000 jobs during the construction period, with a further 8,000 new jobs across the hospitality and creative industries when it opens in 2031. Hailing the economic benefits of the new park, Starmer added: “This is our Plan for Change in action, combining local and national growth with creating around 28,000 new jobs across sectors such as construction, AI, and tourism. “It is not just about numbers; it’s about securing real opportunities for people in our country. Together, we are building a brighter future for the UK, getting people into work and ensuring our economy remains strong and competitive.” Mark Woodbury, Chairman and CEO of Universal Destinations & Experiences said fans of Universal movies will be able to experience all the thrills and spills they love from the screen at the park. “Bringing a world-class theme park and resort to the United Kingdom is a tremendous opportunity and is part of our strategy to introduce the Universal brand and experiences to new audiences around the globe,” he explained. “We appreciate the incredible support for our proposed project and look forward to bringing it to life in the years ahead.” Mike Cavanagh, President of Comcast Corporation, said: “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, which complements our growing US-based parks business by expanding our global footprint to Europe. “We appreciate the leadership and support of Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Chancellor Rachel Reeves, Minister for Investment Poppy Gustafsson, Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy and their teams, as we work together to create and deliver a fantastic new landmark destination.” Approximately 80% of employees at the theme park expected to come from local areas and Universal expects the site to generate nearly £50 billion for the economy by 2055. They are expecting 8.5 million visitors in its first year – making it the largest visitor attraction in the UK. The news comes just days after the government signed-off the expansion of Luton Airport, which is just a 40 minute, 30 mile drive from the planned new theme park.
Keywords: universal,theme park,film,feature,photo,video
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