UK (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Universal’s UK theme park confirmed after £500m rail and road deal, with ministers projecting £50bn economic uplift and millions of annual visitors.
As reported by The Guardian, the British government has pledged £500m in road and rail upgrades as part of a support package to secure Universal’s new Bedford theme park deal.
What made Comcast choose the UK for its new theme park?
The UK is in discussions with Comcast to finalise the size of its support package for Universal’s theme park, which could include more than infrastructure funding.
Universal announced in April that it would build its new theme park on a 192-hectare site at the former Kempston Hardwick brickworks, after reviewing several international locations.
What will £500m buy for Bedford’s Universal Park project?
A £500m infrastructure package has been allocated to support the Bedford theme park project. According to the Financial Times, £270m will go towards rail works, such as the long-planned Wixams station, while £200m is granted for road improvements.
Bedford Council agreed last year to a £62.6m partnership with Network Rail to build a two-platform station at Wixams.
Local councillors maintained that Universal’s theme park would require a larger four-platform station and additional investment.
What did the UK government project about Universal’s park impact?
According to the government, the Bedford theme park is expected to contribute £50bn to Britain’s economy by 2031, plus creating nearly 28,000 jobs.
Around 8.5 million visitors are expected to visit the park in its first year, with Comcast forecasting £14.1bn in tax contributions to the UK over 20 years.
The government approved a major expansion of Luton Airport in April, despite objections from planning inspectors, predicting it will serve millions heading to the new theme park.
The Planning Inspectorate is set to review Comcast’s plans before a final ruling is issued by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.
Which departments have declined to comment on the Universal deal?
Departments that declined to comment:
- Comcast
- The Treasury
- Department for Transport
- Department for Culture, Media and Sport
Universal Theme parks overview
- Total parks: 5 major locations with 2 new parks (Texas, UK) under development
- Annual Visitors (2023): ~60 million globally
- Revenue (2023): $8.95 billion (18.6% growth from 2022)
Park details
1. Universal Studios Hollywood (USA)
- Location: California, USA
- Opened: 1964 (originally as a studio tour in 1915)
- Annual visitors (2023): 9.66 million
2. Universal Orlando Resort (USA)
- Annual visitors (2023): 21.25 million (combined)
- Revenue growth: 49.2% (2021–2022, reaching $7.54B)
3. Universal Studios Japan (Osaka)
- Annual visitors (2023): ~14 million
4. Universal Studios Singapore
- Annual visitors: ~4 million (pre-pandemic estimates)
- Unique aspect: Licensed by Genting Group
5. Universal Beijing Resort
- Established: 2021
- Annual visitors (2022–2023): ~10 million (estimated)
- Phase 2 expansion: Construction begins in 2025