Universal UK Resort Wins £1.3bn UK Funding Pledge

Universal Destinations & Experiences said Tuesday it has officially named its planned UK theme park the Universal United Kingdom Resort and secured a £1.3 billion government funding pledge to support related infrastructure. The development is planned for Kempston Hardwick in Bedfordshire, with the company and officials pitching it as a major European tourist destination. The resort is expected to open in 2031.

Universal said it expects the attraction to draw 8.5 million visitors a year when it opens, with ambitions to make it Europe’s most-visited theme park. The company said it plans to invest £5 billion to build the resort and a further £1 billion over its first 10 years of operation.

Officials said the government’s £1.3 billion contribution will go toward upgrades to local infrastructure and transport links aimed at accommodating visitors from across the UK and overseas.

Transport upgrades and site plans

Part of the government investment is expected to fund improvements to the A421 and upgrades to Wixams station to create a four-platform stop. Those transport enhancements were expected to cost £474 million, officials said. Wixams is the Thameslink line stop closest to the resort.

The project site spans 268 hectares and is expected to include a free-to-access entertainment and retail district alongside a year-round theme park. Universal has said the park will feature immersive storytelling and attractions.

Jobs and visitor targets

Universal said more than 100 people in the UK have already been employed to work on the project. It also forecast 20,000 jobs during construction and 8,000 permanent roles once the attraction opens, with about 80% of those roles slated for people from Bedfordshire and surrounding areas.

Universal said it aims to reach 12 million annual visitors within 20 years of operation.

Next steps will hinge on continued site preparation and the delivery of the transport upgrades ahead of the planned 2031 opening.