Universal’s first European theme park could bring £50 billion to the UK

Details of Universal’s first Europe theme park have emerged, including plans for the attraction to be open every day of the year and bring in £50 billion for the UK economy.

Universal Destinations & Experiences recently bought land near Bedford as it plans to build Europe’s largest theme park and a 500-room hotel and dining area.

It is estimated that the attraction could generate nearly £50 billion of economic benefits for the UK. This would include the generation of 20,000 jobs during the construction period and once operational, an initial 8,000 jobs at the park, which would then rise over time.

The site acquired by Universal is close to 500 acres and is located south of Bedford between Kempston, Wootton, Stewartby and Wixams. The company also has the opportunity to buy a further 200 acres.

The new park would take around six years to build, and would sit on the former site of Kempston Hardwick brickworks — once the world’s largest brickworks in terms of output.

“I can tell you it’s going to be a world-class park with all experiences that people will love based upon the most popular films, video games and stories that people have enjoyed for decades,” Page Thompson, the company’s president in charge of new ventures, told Sky News.

“We’ve spent the last decade looking all over Europe and the United Kingdom for locations, and we think this is the best location we’ve ever seen,” he added. “Our phase one plans consist of a theme park, a 500-room hotel and a dining area that people can come to even if they don’t have a theme park ticket.”

“Over time, I would expect the number of hotels to grow. Our intention is that this park would be open 365 days a year, just like all of our other major theme parks. We have a whole series of special events, like our Halloween Horror Nights and carnival parties… and it just allows us to attract people throughout this time,” Page explained.