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Exclusive: Universal’s proposed UK theme park would bring ‘enormous prosperity’ to region, says MP

Plans for Universal’s UK theme park project are looking ‘positive’, according to Bedford MP Mohammad Yasin, who told Planet Attractions that the plans would bring ‘enormous prosperity’ to the region should it come to fruition

Universal’s UK theme park project would be a gamechanger for Bedford and the surrounding areas

Mohammad Yasin, the Labour MP for Bedford, has shared new details surrounding Universal’s proposed UK theme park resort.

It was reported in December that Universal’s parent company, Comcast, had purchased a 480-acre (195 hectare) parcel of land for the would-be Universal theme park site, with the park likely to feature more indoor attractions so it can act as a year-round operation in the colder British climate.

Speaking to Planet Attractions Yasin, who reached out to Universal on hearing the plans, said that they were looking “positive”.

“The company purchased a plot of land and are taking the plans seriously, but plans are still in the early stages and nothing is confirmed,” he said.

“Geographically Bedford is in a great location. It’s not far from the capital and two hours from lots of big cities and the corridor between North and South, East and West. The land, between Bedford and Milton Keynes is 60mi (97km) from London.”

According to Yasin, such a development would be a gamechanger for Bedford and the surrounding area, with new jobs, new opportunities and more.

“Bedford Borough could become the home of the only Universal theme park in Europe,” he said. “This would bring enormous prosperity and jobs to my constituency and, indeed, the eastern region. It is without doubt a very interesting proposition for our area.”



A similar project which has so far failed to materialise is the proposed London Resort in Kent. The project, whose parent company recently insisted they would continue despite calling in administrators, calls for a £2.5bn (US$3.2bn, €2.9bn) development on the Swanscombe Peninsula to form a theme park and wider resort development on the scale of Disneyland.

When asked about this project and whether Universal’s UK project could avoid such pitfalls, Yasin was positive about its prospects.

“As I understand it, the company went into administration after falling into substantial debt. I can’t see Universal being in that position and I’m sure they will do their due diligence very well,” he said, adding that he had received “overwhelmingly positive responses from constituents”, and that there was “some understandable caution about ensuring locals are involved and included in the planning.”

Universal has been significantly expanding its attractions operations in recent times, with the launch of the multi-billion dollar Universal Beijing in 2021, the ongoing development of Epic Universe in Orlando, the development of Universal Kids Resort in Texas and Horror Unleashed in Las Vegas.

When the news first broke, Universal said it would be “many months” before a decision would be made as to whether or not to proceed with its UK project, which is still in the very early stages.

Following his discussions with Universal, Yasin said: “To have such a huge global brand like Universal Studios invest in Britain, indeed in Bedford Borough would be fantastic and would bring significant investment and growth into the area, bringing jobs and tourism with it.”

The plans have also been discussed by Britain’s chancellor, Jeremy Hunt, who is exploring the possibility, while transport secretary Mark Harper said “the government would “look carefully at the proposals that are brought forward”, doing what they can to “ensure that that exciting proposal comes to fruition.”