If growth really is the ambition of this Government, then it should be doing everything possible to secure investment from Universal and deliver a brand-new theme park and resort in my constituency of Mid Bedfordshire. It will be a complete game changer, not just for our local economy in Bedfordshire, but for the national economy as well. After all, this would be the very first Universal theme park anywhere in Europe.
The opportunities for local businesses, local jobs, and so much more are almost unquantifiable, however research does suggest that Universal would boost the economy by £50 billion. I know that during the Covid years we became all too familiar with such large numbers that it can be difficult to appreciate just how big a boost that would be. But it really is. And importantly, 92% of residents support the plans.
And that is where I want the focus to be. Delivering for local people. Too often Bedfordshire is a place people travel through, rather than visit, but we can change that. Getting more people to visit our towns and villages will help boost small and independent businesses and support local jobs.
Bedfordshire is one of the last counties in England without a Local Visitor Economy Partnership, and whilst there are differing views about exactly what the right solution to promote our local tourism industry looks like, the consensus seems clear that we need to do more to promote it. And East-West Rail will help to deepen our county’s connections to Oxford, Cambridge, and nearby Milton Keynes, and provide new markets for our local tourism industry.
Both can help give people the chance to visit some of Bedfordshire’s best attractions, from getting out into nature along the Greensand Ridge, visiting Centre Parks or Woburn Abbey, to exploring our historic areas such as Ridgmont Station’s heritage centre or the market town of Ampthill.
The importance of heritage and the attractiveness of our area is why I am so passionate about ensuring that when it comes to new developments, we must focus on building places and communities, not just houses. Housing alone will not encourage anybody to visit an area. So, diversifying developments and place-making is important to ensure our communities do not simply become dormitories.
Tourism could play such a significant role in boosting so much about our local areas. In this piece alone I have spoken about its importance for jobs, businesses, the economy, and the focus we should place on it when building homes. Bringing Universal Studios to Mid Bedfordshire can play a key role in providing the single greatest boost to tourism this country has seen. We just need to support the investment decisions and have a sensible approach to planning.
As I said in my Westminster Hall debate, we have seen the boost the Jurassic Coast has given to tourism in England, now it is time to unleash the benefits of Jurassic Park on tourism in Bedfordshire. The Government must not let this fantastic opportunity pass us by.
Universal Studios Can Help Turbocharge Growth In Bedfordshire And The Wider Country
