Universal’s First European Theme Park Is Coming to the UK – and the Numbers Are Massive 🎢 🏗️
- Aran Kaila
- Apr 9
- 3 min read
Updated: Apr 25
Universal Destinations & Experiences has announced plans for a brand-new theme park and resort on the outskirts of Bedford – their first branded park in Europe. If approved, this will be one of the largest entertainment construction projects in UK history, transforming a disused brickworks into a 700-acre resort experience that could open its gates by 2031.
The scale? Colossal. The ambition? Global. The impact? Quantifiable – and that’s where we come in!
🚧 The Build: One of the UK’s Largest Private Construction Projects
Construction is expected to kick off in 2026, spanning around 5–6 years. At its peak, the site will host 5,000 workers – the equivalent of 4% of the entire construction workforce within a 1-hour commute radius, or 20% within a 30-minute radius. Universal expects to recruit locally wherever possible, helping keep that spending and opportunity within the Bedfordshire economy. The total construction site will stretch across 700 acres, including the 476 acres already purchased and an additional plot earmarked to connect directly to the A421.
This is more than bricks and mortar – it's a multi-layered development that will include:
🏨 A 500-room hotel
🛍️ A themed retail and dining complex ("CityWalk"-style)
🚉 Transport Infrastructure
🌳 Thousands of new trees and landscaped public zones
💼 The Jobs: A Long-Term Engine for Local Employment
From opening day, the project will provide around 8,000 permanent jobs, growing to 10,000+ by year 20. For every role inside the resort, an estimated 1.5 jobs will be created elsewhere in the economy – in supply chains, transport, food production, hospitality, and entertainment. That’s a projected 28,000 total jobs supported at the resort’s peak. Importantly, Universal is committing to hiring 80% of the workforce from Bedfordshire and surrounding areas. Over time, the resort is expected to become one of the single largest employers in the region – second only to key public sector bodies. They’re also setting up training pathways: ride engineers and operators will begin work before the park opens and stay on as permanent staff. Career development is baked into the model – at Universal Hollywood, 50% of the management team started in hourly roles. 👷♀️🔧
🎟️ Tourism: 8.5 Million Visitors in Year One
Let’s talk footfall: Universal estimates 8.5 million people will visit the resort in its first year. That figure puts the Bedford site in the same league as Universal Orlando (9.75M) and Hollywood (9.66M). The UK’s inbound tourism market already welcomes 38 million visitors per year, spending over £34 billion. This park will capture part of that market, while also encouraging UK residents to stay local rather than fly abroad. ✈️➡️🇬🇧
🛣️ Travel & Transport: Designed for the Long Haul
The project includes significant investment in local infrastructure:
🚆 A new station on the East West Rail line
🚉 Upgrades to Wixams station
🚗 Direct slip roads from the A421 to the resort
🚲 Improved cycleways and pedestrian access
🅿️ On-site parking for 4,200 vehicles, with electric vehicle charging as standard
Only 10% of visitors are expected to drive themselves, with a further 25% arriving as passengers. Up to 40% will arrive by train, making this one of the most public transport-reliant resorts of its kind. Universal is also developing travel packages that bundle train tickets and park entry to nudge people toward green travel. 🌱🚆
🌍 Sustainability: Building Green from the Ground Up
Universal is targeting LEED Gold Certification – the global benchmark for sustainable, healthy, and efficient buildings (similar to the UK’s BREEAM). That means:
☀️ Solar energy systems
💧 Sustainable water use and flood control
🌿 Eco-friendly building materials
♻️ Waste diversion and composting
🌳 Expansive landscaping and biodiversity programs
They’re also talking to the Forest of Marston Vale about reforestation and landscape integration. All in all, it’s a rare mix of economic development and ecological regeneration – especially given the site's industrial past.
🏘️ A Place Rooted in Local History
The site used to house the Kempston Hardwick brickworks, one of the UK’s key suppliers during the early 20th century. Universal plans to honour that industrial legacy in the resort’s architecture and design – even incorporating original bricks into select buildings. 🧱
📊 At Built on Numbers, We’ll Be Watching Every Metric
From construction cost curves to job multipliers, train capacity modeling to flood control systems – we’ll be breaking down the facts behind one of the UK’s boldest developments. This is entertainment, infrastructure, and investment all rolled into one 🤞. Follow us on social media or subscribe to our website to keep updated.
📷 UNIVERSAL DESTINATIONS & EXPERIENCES/COMCAST
Comments