New Universal Theme Park: A Huge Deal for Bedford

Amidst all the doom and gloom of a flatlining economy and the predictions of a global recession, following in the wake of ‘Trump’s Tariffs’, Universal Studios have announced they are to build the UK’s largest theme park in Bedford!

This is a huge deal for the town. It is reported that the park, scheduled to open in 6 years, will generate 28,000 jobs in construction, AI, and tourism – including 8,000 operational roles once the park is up and running. It will bring a £50bn boost to Britain’s economy and attract 12 million visitors per year to what will be the biggest single visitor attraction in the country.

Bedford is famous for its historic brick factories, but the gradual decline of this industry has given way to a new opportunity. The planned site, the former Kempston Hardwick brickworks, will host the new multi billion-pound theme park as part of a larger development incorporating a 500-bed hotel and retail, dining, and entertainment complex.

All parties, including national and local government, should be congratulated on getting this deal over the line. The priority now will be to bring forward development within the projected timeline for opening in 2031. The project does not yet have planning permission and will be a test of the government’s promise to speed up major construction projects by reducing the scope for legal challenges.

As part of the announcement, the Government has said it will make “a major investment in infrastructure around the site” to ensure it is easily accessible. Bedford’s relative proximity to London is clearly an important factor, and connectivity by rail and road will be improved to increase access with the rest of the UK, and with continental Europe via St. Pancras International and Luton airport, which has now had plans for a major expansion approved by the Transport Secretary – which will see annual passenger numbers almost double to 32 million by 2043.

In addition to providing a much-needed boost to the national economy the development of a theme park also provides a unique opportunity for place-making. Val d’Europe, which incorporates the Disney theme park on the outskirts of Paris, provides an interesting blueprint. It was built in the eastern sector of the new town Marne-la-Vallee as part of a public–private partnership between The Walt Disney Company and the French state, based on a convention signed in 1987 when the deal to build Euro Disney was first agreed.

Built in the architectural style of Baron Haussmann, who designed and supervised the reconstruction of central Paris in the 19th century, the mixed development at Val d’Europe includes apartments, hotels, restaurants, a shopping mall and a designer outlet village. Served by the RER A suburban train line as well as the LGV Interconnexion Est high-speed train line the town has become a desirable commuter suburb of Paris.

The development of the Universal Theme Park in Bedford offers a once in a lifetime opportunity to capture the wider economic and social benefits for generations to come.