Universal Studios United Kingdom
 | |
| Location | Kempston Hardwick, Bedford, England |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 52°05′23.1″N 0°29′58.5″W / 52.089750°N 0.499583°W |
| Status | Planned |
| Opens | TBA (no earlier than 2031)[1] |
| Owner | NBCUniversal (Comcast) |
| Operated by | Universal Destinations & Experiences |
| Theme | Universal properties |
| Area | 476 acres |
| Website | Official website |
Universal Studios United Kingdom is a planned 476 acres (2 km2) theme park and resort to be located near the town of Bedford, Bedfordshire, England, 51 miles (82 km) northwest of Central London.[2][3] The theme park will be the seventh Universal Studios Resort, and the first in the United Kingdom.
Development history
[edit]NBCUniversal parent company, Comcast, registered the domain names UniversalStudiosGreatBritain.com and UniversalGreatBritain.com in September 2023.[4]
On 1 December 2023, Comcast acquired construction and development company, Cloud Wing UK, and took control of the company assets including 240 acres (0.4 sq mi; 1.0 km2) of land in Bedford, England.
Announced on 19 December 2023, it would be the first Universal Studios Resort in the United Kingdom, and Universal's third attempt at a European resort,[a] and is to be located approximately 45 minutes north of London.[3]
Proposal
[edit]
The planned site is to be located on a plot of land mostly within the A421 road, B530 road, and Broadmead Road, with Manor Road cutting through it. The planned site is split into four "zones": the "Core Zone" is where the theme park and hotel(s) are to be located, the adjacent "Lake Zone" located north of the "Core Zone" is intended for mixed-use purposes (likely a Universal CityWalk), and two transportation hubs dubbed the "East Gateway Zone" and the "West Gateway Zone".[7]
Talks are ongoing and there is no time frame as to when construction will begin, with an opening previously expected around 2030.[8][2][9] As of February 2025[update], the project is expected to get the final approval within the next few weeks, with "only the Treasury left to sign off on financial arrangements for the plan".[1] Once approved, construction will commence, which will occur over the next 6 years, for an opening no earlier than 2031.[1]
Notes
[edit]- ^ Their first attempt was a cancelled Universal Studios Europe park in Sénart, France, which was cancelled in the 1990s due to the then failure of Euro Disneyland.[5] Their second attempt was their 1998 purchase of PortAventura Park and the subsequent construction of the surrounding Universal Mediterranean Resort in Salou, Spain. Universal ended up selling the resort and theme park in 2004.[6]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c Smith, Mikey (15 February 2025). "UK Universal Studios theme park to get go-ahead within weeks with Florida-style resort coming to Bedford". Daily Mirror. Retrieved 15 February 2025.
- ^ a b Hutchinson, Erica Roffe & Paul (19 December 2023). "Breaking news: Universal Studios confirm they are planning a theme park in Bedford Borough". Bedford Independent. Retrieved 29 July 2024.
- ^ a b Phillips, Jacob (19 December 2023). "Universal Studios planning first UK theme park". Evening Standard. Retrieved 29 July 2024.
- ^ ‘Universal Studios Great Britain’ mooted. RideRater. 18 December 2023. Retrieved 31 December 2024.
- ^ Williams, Michael (14 April 1993). "MCA in talks to become Euro Disney neighbor". Variety. Retrieved 29 July 2024.
- ^ Hopewell, John; Geitz, Christopher (20 June 2004). "U sells Port Aventura stake". Variety. Retrieved 29 July 2024.
- ^ "Information Pack (April 2024)" (PDF). Universal UK Project: 6.
- ^ "Universal UK Project |". Retrieved 29 July 2024.
- ^ Fullbrook, Danny. "Universal UK resort talks ongoing, says government". BBC.com. Retrieved 30 January 2025.
External links
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