Boost for Northamptonshire residents, suppliers and businesses as £5bn Universal theme park creates 28,000 jobs for region
Northamptonshire residents, suppliers and businesses could benefit from one of the largest ever investments in the UK tourism sector as work starts on the £5bn Universal United Kingdom Resort in Bedfordshire.
It is Universal’s first major destination in Europe, with the construction by Universal Destinations & Experiences to bring nearly 20,000 jobs and a further 8,000 jobs when it opens in 2031.
Combining movie-based attractions and hospitality, Universal expects the site to generate nearly £50 billion of economic benefit for the UK by 2055 and businesses in Northamptonshire can register to become official suppliers.
A ground breaking ceremony took place today (Wednesday) led by Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves, who has committed a £1.3bn investment package in the venture with Comcast NBCUniversal.
Mark Woodbury, chairman and CEO of Universal Destinations & Experiences, said: “Today marks a significant milestone on our journey to bring Universal United Kingdom Resort, featuring immersive storytelling, thrilling attractions and unparalleled creativity and innovation to the UK. This new theme park and resort will create so many new opportunities for the people of Bedford and beyond and allow us to share our distinct experiences with guests from around the world.”
With existing rail and road links to Bedford from Northamptonshire, there could be an economic boost for the suppliers during the construction phase, for workers willing to commute and hospitality providers in the county.
The new resort will be located on the site of a former brickworks south of Bedford between east of Wootton and to the west of Wixham.
A government spokesman said: “The government’s investment unlocks regional transport and infrastructure improvements that will maximise the benefits of the development and enable wider growth across the region.
"The theme park and resort is expected to attract millions of visitors each year including more than a million additional overseas visitors.
“With enabling works on the site now in progress and construction soon to begin, today marks a significant milestone in Universal advancing this landmark project.
"Over 100 people in the UK have been employed to work on the project, with Universal receiving expressions of employment interest from over 33,000 individuals. Approximately 80 per cent of employees at the theme park and resort are expected to come from Bedfordshire and the surrounding regions.”
As part of its total £1.3bn investment, the government will provide a grant of £400m through the exceptional Regional Growth Fund and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport will provide a grant of £438m to invest in new community infrastructure to ‘maximise the benefits of the development and support growth across the region’.
Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves said: “Our own investment in transport and infrastructure means that local people will benefit — improving connectivity, backing our creative industries, and bringing millions of visitors to the UK from across the world.”
The Department for Transport will upgrade the road and rail network, on the A421 and at Wixams station, to provide ‘wider resilience and improved connectivity within the region’, at an expected cost of £474m.
To register your interest to become a supplier for the Universal UK Project, to be built by Universal Destinations & Experiences – part of Comcast NBCUniversal – click here to fill in a form.