It’s finally official. NBC Universal and the U.K. government have officially announced the new Universal theme park coming to Bedford, England. While not new, it is exciting that it has been made official with an opening date in 2031. This area will be part of a larger 476-acre entertainment resort complex.
The new theme park is expected to create almost 20k jobs during its multi-year construction and then 8k jobs across the park and hotels when it does open. Universal also expects the park to generate up to $64 billion by 2055.
Proposed plans,
The proposed plans from Universal Destinations & Experiences will include a new theme park with themed lands, rides, attractions, and a 500-room resort hotel along with a retail, dining, and entertainment complex.
Comcast President Mike Cavanagh offered this statement,
“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 U.S.-based parks business by expanding our global footprint to Europe.”
Universal Destinations and Experiences CEO Mark Woodbury said,
“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.”
Prime Minister Keir Starmer made these comments,
“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. 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 U.K., getting people into work and ensuring our economy remains strong and competitive.”
U.K. Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said,
“From Wicked to Minions, Universal is behind some of the biggest blockbusters of recent years. This landmark investment is fantastic news for our economy, for U.K. tourism and for the British public, who will be able to enjoy the biggest and best theme park in Europe on their doorstep.”
What great news for the U.K.!
I’m finally glad it’s been made official!
What do you think? Comment and let us know!
Source: The Hollywood Reporter
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