First Universal theme park in Europe to generate '£50bn of economic benefits for UK'

Universal Destinations & Experiences - which is owned by Sky's parent company Comcast - has bought land near Bedford as it plans to build Europe's largest theme park with millions of visitors per year, as well as a 500-room hotel and dining area.
Sky's Ian King assesses the "colossal investment".
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[@maxavery9963]

I liked the transparency about mentioning universal and sky are owned by the same people

[@teddycornerproductions3095]

I think its some kind of ofcom rule or something

[@arfon2000]

@@teddycornerproductions3095 Not sure who sets the rule but pretty sure it's something they have to say.

[@hassnatahmad5339]

If Bedford gets the green light, it’s another step to making the UK less London-concentrated, with a huge project like this! I’m glad the UK is getting more projects outside London like the co-op Live and Therme resort, both in Manchester, taking a huge step closer to Manchester being a world-city. Look at France. Even though it has Paris, other parts of France are still Hugely popular tourist destinations, which drive its economy to incredible heights.

[@LeightonzRadVidz]

Let’s go baby. Universal Studios Europe 👏👏👏

[@TheBlackManMythLegend]

UK is not in Europe anymore.

[@DesignGeek06]

@@TheBlackManMythLegend Europe and the EU are two different things. The UK left the political organisation of the EU, but they are still part of the continent of Europe, as they haven’t floated off into the middle of the Atlantic.

[@joewillockthegoat7512]

@@TheBlackManMythLegendcan’t exactly leave a continent can we 🤣

[@lmaway8545]

​@@TheBlackManMythLegendyou can't leave a continent mate

[@StratsRUs]

MP's placing bets already.

[@adblocker276]

Stop. The. Bets!

[@libsybum3591]

I really hope this actually happens. There was so much hyper around the paramount theme park that never happened and this is actually realistic! I filled out the survey they did back in May and can’t support it enough

[@hassnatahmad5339]

Same

[@Wackospackos]

This is great. We really should disempower planning authorities and local councils so we can build much more in Britain. The country desperately needs it.

[@iestyn77]

On brownfield sites yes, but leave the greenbelt alone, the environment and us need that more than building excessively.

[@benlambert8481]

Yes we do need some kind of reform

[@Luke25437]

totally agree

[@Gamer_Sebby]

Really hoping this goes through and turns out extremely profitable. It will be a real turning point for tax generation for the UK - which is desperately needed post-Brexit.

[@UK_Sgt_7094]

it will indeed be very profitable for the off shore companies that people will l pay when they go there, think of starbucks tax strategy on steriods

[@Wiiggz]

The uk needs universal! They have the rides and themed areas of their parks like no other.

[@hassnatahmad5339]

With it being the only Universal studios theme Park in Europe, I do see this as a major success given its proximity and feasibility to travel to from the rest of the UK and Europe.

[@julianshepherd2038]

It will mostly "generate" money we spend there and the profits will go elsewhere. I'm not against it but I'm not daft.

[@kb4903]

sounds NIMBY

[@Stefan-jk5gx]

more like BANANA

[@birdflox1337]

People need to build the park, build expansions, work hotels, keep up restaurants, refurbish rides... there will be plenty of money still going to local employees.

[@edwardbernthal160]

@@birdflox1337 If they can find employees, farmers, hotels, pubs... are closing because of staff shortages and that's not mentioning the handworkers to build the place, where are they to be had?

[@user-ug8wx5er1w]

Offshore to avoid tax 😅

[@joshhoffman1975]

They would have to be mad not to give planning permission! 🤩

[@Paws4Thought669]

No need , the government is already taking us for a ride

[@ExMuslim-pr5ej]

Great news for british economy.

[@Mbeezy364]

Pause

[@jsan9389]

Feel like I'm living in a dream 😍😍😍😍🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧

[@21cabbage93]

Really don’t need more Tourists in London, should have it further north to bring income to the northern areas like Manchester/Liverpool/Birmingham

[@Gunnermanafc]

To do what there exactly? Look at some old ports and factories?

[@21cabbage93]

@@Gunnermanafc better than selfridges and knife crime

[@somebody2619]

@@21cabbage93famously no knife crime in the Birmingham, Liverpool and Manchester lmao!

[@21cabbage93]

@@somebody2619 compared to London yeah lol read the statistics

[@libsybum3591]

I think it’s far enough outside of London. It seems like pretty much the prefect location actually

[@markwilkie3677]

Levelling up funds for a place less than 50miles from London?

[@SandraCole-f4n]

WOULD BE BRILLIANT FOR THE UK

[@RammingSpeed-lk8kk]

No..for Comcast

[@brg9327]

​@@RammingSpeed-lk8kkGoddamn Comcast. Building a massive theme park for their execs only.

[@brg9327]

Hope this goes through. Universal really are second to none when it comes to theme parks. This could also be a much needed kick up the arse for Merlin to up their game at the current to uk parks.

[@abersan6520]

Come on NIMBYs tell us why this is a disaster

[@jeangenie5807]

Err it's going to cover numerous acres of farm land......the UK already imports too much of our food and our farmers are struggling to feed us because the Tories haven't supported them in so many areas. Yes, lets cover even more land with concrete, houses and now a theme park. Why should we worry about feeding ourselvves?

[@brg9327]

​@@jeangenie5807As if a few acres of farmland will make a difference.

[@tabazan9182]

​@@brg9327It will to those who are victims of gentrification. Remember the Olympic games in the UK. The Commonwealth games in Birmingham.

[@kennyjackson2134]

@@tabazan9182 its a theme park not a 2 week event

[@Sam-qh1rs]

@@jeangenie5807HEYY GUYS LOOK AT NIMBY GET HIM

[@lucasfunkt]

Sounds quite quick? That's 6 years from now and it's been in the planning for several years already

[@cameron2319]

I think he's talking about constructing it, not the overall process

[@kezzakemble2138]

As I live right near this proposed theme park I bet the local area rents will go up due to people wanting to move here in Bedford for the theme park and job opportunities

[@Yo-Two]

No one moves house for a theme park. The impact from that will be low.

[@RubricCoder]

If anything the cost could go down slightly as increased traffic and noise in the area might put people off buying homes in that area

[@thwalesproductions]

Local house prices wont increase because of a theme park

[@ezrapigatt9707]

Give Paris Disney Land a run for its money by having its competition and worst enemy in the UK!!!!

[@hassnatahmad5339]

All current UK theme parks are underwhelming compared to other countries, and if this gets given the green light then it will certainly put the UK on the map as a global theme park hotspot. The other UK theme will up their game when this project gets underway too.

[@Freddycoasterman]

So exciting thanks for coving this !!

[@teresadoherty1853]

It is always in the south of England!

[@RebekkaHay]

England is only looking after England. As always.

[@footyball66]

I am surprised it's not closer to London than that with how many international tourists London gets. It's over an hour North of London.

[@jamessmithson-br7rm]

Mate it’s basically in the midlands, it’s not far from Birmingham. It’s definitely not in the south of England

[@daleharlow6006]

Department of leveling up, so it's going to the south 😂

[@Gamer_Sebby]

It's up to Universal to decide the location, not the useless Department for Levelling Up.

[@joshuabrown1012]

It realistically needs to be south as they have better weather.

[@Josh-wm1pv]

As someone who lives 30 mins away, via a quick bike ride, from our rural village. Definitely interesting.

[@Danny-fz6og]

Great for economic growth. Let's also get some affordable houses built.

[@obvious-troll]

NIMBY's: "I'm about to end this theme park's whole career"

[@micaeloliveira2727]

I don't see people going from Europe to universal park 😕😕 in England. That's nice to entertain Brits

[@squirtle7G1]

I think London is supposed to be one of the most visited cities in the world and Universal gets a lot of tourists every year from the UK going to Orlando. I would have thought they'd have chosen somewhere with a more central European location but it seems that they are also interested in owning a park called Port Aventura in Spain too

[@msingh2333]

Leveling up is going well

[@iananslow494]

That’ll be fun , rain and cold all the time , no thanks

[@mariojuric6194]

I think that Spain or even Portugal make more sense, weather wise

[@squirtle7G1]

I think Disney chose not to build their European park in Spain because the weather gets too hot. Universal Creative employees have actually been seen touring around Port Aventura, so they might be interested in owning that park again

[@wildandbarefoot]

Better than the royal family ...

[@user-ug8wx5er1w]

Yay big soulless corporations

[@jamessmithson-br7rm]

@TG-ts3xn big soulless monarchy scrounging off the state and avoiding taxes

[@w.m9494]

Government should force this to be built in Yorkshire as part of the so called levelling up

[@edmundironside9435]

Haven't we already got Peppa Pig World?

[@FailedSociety321]

Bad news for Thorpe park lol universal do things differently proper theming and enjoyment for all ages not just 14yr olds

[@ieuansymmonds6967]

The other theme parks better step up there game now

[@claytonmerriman9920]

It’s the uk anything good for revenue we are allergic too

[@IMP01]

Well sky news might want tp get their facts right. If its in the uk its not in europe. Proof read

[@onlyme219]

Cool :)

[@weAreNotAloneHere]

They seem such lovely people, so will they be donating there huge profits to end homelessness or anything of the sort

[@metcalftraining]

As long as they don’t put blackpool pleasure beach out of business

[@gsingh7646]

Yeah but it's in british weather

[@squirtle7G1]

They'd make accomodations for that. In Beijing Universal built more indoor attractions because of the weather

[@gailplatt1]

Oh looks cool

[@boota1979]

Yet again profits from the people of this country going overseas!

[@rajakhan12346]

365 days a year? AHHA the weather is awful most days. Good luck.

[@thwalesproductions]

Most of it will be indoors anyways

[@louischapman1209]

Come on government build the links to park and this be amazing, finally a project that’s not housing !

[@BRKS1999]

Got to give them planning permission

[@NikauPalmCal]

Such an awful location though

[@sportsman2103]

I live 5 minutes away from plan site.

[@muckraker7942]

Meh, just as well hop a cheap flight to Orlando.

[@JayPearson85]

“Ride Closed due to Rain”

[@squirtle7G1]

If they do go ahead and build this park, I wouldn't be surprised if a significant amount of it would be indoors. That's what Universal did in Beijing to accommodate the weather

[@Edmundyu1995]

Michael Gove’s department now would be now under new leadership

[@gregflowers83]

Open for 6weeks of the year.

[@zedtrek]

Why in the UK and not mainland Europe?

[@bigsmerdo]

my guess would be that like in Orlando they'll heavily licence the harry potter franchise - so makes sense to have in in the uk

[@spoofaman]

Well a large population + the tourists that visit here

[@edcola6671]

No language barrier + lots of tourism + large population.

[@jamessmithson-br7rm]

England is never going to end up as a far right extreme country. Who would want a theme park in France at the moment.

[@bigsmerdo]

@@jamessmithson-br7rm i admire your optimism lol

[@LUCATALKSBALL]

2034

[@fialra1]

A fiver says this park will collide with the mating habits of pheasants so it won't be done.

[@user-ug8wx5er1w]

Hope so. Or bats.

[@hugoboss917]

Hopefully, it gets a roof and a fake sun

[@prp3231]

Should be fun. Horse and cart routes and an unreliable railway. Good luck

[@mohammedrahman8000]

Merlin Entertainment are trying to stop this!

[@user-cu5gc4qz8p]

lol it's not going to generate £50bnn in benefits to UK, what nonsense.

[@cpkingadam5]

Building contracts, tourist spending, staff salaries etc. Don't know the timeframe but perfectly plausible

[@thwalesproductions]

This will require thousands of jobs directly and also in the supply chain to upkeep the park + international visitors, yeah it will generate 50bn to the UK

[@countroyhifi8730]

No mention of the locals (to be reviewed in 2034)

[@ewantu]

Good, NIMBY have ruined this country. This would benefit the local people too, most of the economic benefits would be in this area.

[@Rick-vm8bl]

The locals are in favour of it. We're local and Universal has held a number of meetings with residents to address concerns, listen to requests etc. They've been genuinely really good and it's been refreshing to see a developer so engaged with making sure the locals are happy.

[@gavinbarnes6310]

House prices are gunna go up the locals are fine

[@Bungle-UK]

Plenty of new jobs for the locals.

[@andrewcoulson2375]

​@@Rick-vm8blmeetings are 1 thing, actions are another..... I hope they don't just listen 🤞

[@Oscar_s_World]

❤

[@cpkingadam5]

All the people against this are the exacct reason why we're all so poor nowadays. Austerity stopped public investment and NIMBYs stop private investment

[@Bungle-UK]

We need a Disney park in the UK.

[@andrewcoulson2375]

We don't 🤷‍♂️

[@DogScreenTV]

We had a chance before Paris opened, the locals kicked up a fuss and it never happened

[@Bungle-UK]

@@DogScreenTV ah, those green belt NIMBY’s strike again.

[@Exciteddelirium1]

No we certainly dont

[@user-ug8wx5er1w]

No. It’s a 3 hr train ride away already

[@johnsonsteven664]

Please no I love universal but not in the uk it’s to cold and wet here

[@deano_bites]

Does not mean nothing more likely to be scrapped pipe dreams

[@MattWiles]

Nightmare for locals

[@adblocker276]

They should put that on the side of a bus.

[@chrysalis4126]

"for people to get here easily and conveniently" Is it near a station then? or being American will they just cater for drivers?

[@brg9327]

There is one practically on site.

[@1nbp]

They’re building not just one, but two stations on site. 40% of people are expected to arrive by rail, 50% by car and the rest by other modes (buses, taxis…).

[@edcola6671]

The site is straddled by a pair of railway lines. Kempston Hardwick station is located right next to the site and may be upgraded to cope with the demand.

[@ian_md]

Won't end up viable, low and behold they'll build houses!

[@rtleeson]

If we build it, it will probably collapse after a week.

[@edwardbernthal160]

They were going to open it years ago but were waiting for the Conservatives to leave.

[@jamessmithson-br7rm]

Now it won’t open because Starmer is going to put business taxes up 🙄😅

[@adambarnes8797]

Poor sky presenter so ill prepared If he researched the new universal park in the states he would know couple of years to build a park. Maybe he should read his company newsletter occasionally

[@Cartoonman154]

Which is funny because Comcast owns Universal and Sky.

[@wildandbarefoot]

Lots of in character acting jobs

[@FredScuttle456]

If it's as woke as Disney - - no thanks.

[@OFH_K]

Why not build homes on that land?

[@Martin.Lewis..]

For more immigrants?

[@D.Ducktar]

no

[@chrisfryer3118]

I don't want it. Low quality jobs. Pointless shyte.

[@RammingSpeed-lk8kk]

BOYCOTT!!...keep OUR LAND!!

[@RammingSpeed-lk8kk]

@Invisiblewiz Native Britons have a RIGHT to the mineral resource wealth of this LAND!

[@obvious-troll]

@@RammingSpeed-lk8kk nimby

[@nanostar6138]

It may not happen, these projects always fall through, remember the one that was planned for Kent

[@thwalesproductions]

This may happen, Universal is taking this very seriously and it appears the Government Conservative or Labour are backing the plans

[@JimmyTimmy-wh8dz]

Won't be visiting that

[@user-ug8wx5er1w]

No thanks if it means more people. We don’t have the infrastructure as the ones here don’t pay in.

[@chrisoneill3999]

Economic benefits: petty crime, drug use, pollution.

[@user-ug8wx5er1w]

Aka immigration

[@chrisoneill3999]

@@user-ug8wx5er1w There isn't any immigration. Brexit put a stop to that.

[@chrisoneill3999]

@@user-ug8wx5er1w Brexit fixed that.

[@cpkingadam5]

Who does drugs at a theme park ? These are family areas, if anything I'd expect crime to be lower

[@sluglife9785]

Nothing gets built: Brits complain. Something gets built: Brits complain.

[@datprawn4850]

Nothing gets built: French complain. Something gets built: French riot.

[@Rabbitzz]

This actually had a 96% approval rate from the locals

[@datprawn4850]

@@Rabbitzz Whereas the French were up in arms when Disneyland Paris was announced.

[@isunlloaoll]

Well, that's informed people in general, not exclusive to Brits. The people who don't ever complain either don't care, or simply can't.

[@boota1979]

@sluglife9785 America profiting from this country! Screw your loaf!

[@smith9808]

UK needs this so bad. Our theme parks are absolutely terrible compared to other countries. This will force other parks to up their game and give us something better.

[@kylem8811]

Couldn't agree more. I've been to several parks in Europe and they make our parks look terrible

[@Competent-rides]

Alton Towers has a lot of potential. hopefully this will increace the quality of merlin parks.

[@hassnatahmad5339]

Agreed

[@INFINITY-oe4is]

I would buy an annual pass to this park and it's not even built yet;

[@chrisoneill3999]

The economic benefits will be felt at Comcast HQ. (Not in Bedfordshire).

[@r9kv753]

Nimby..

[@chrisoneill3999]

@@r9kv753 Dupe.

[@edwardbernthal160]

@Nigelfarij at a time of labour shortages, smart idea.

[@edwardbernthal160]

@Nigelfarij of course it would, employees are hard to come by since leaving the EU.

[@1nbp]

This is a bit stupid. It’ll bring infrastructure investment along with jobs - sounds like economic benefit, no?

[@gdwlaw5549]

Infrastructure....Pot holes?

[@benlambert8481]

Sounds Brilliant

[@michaelkavanagh5947]

50 billion! lol. Yeah right.

[@LUCATALKSBALL]

lol going take 10 years

[@samuelfoster]

Can’t get houses and green energy passed, but can get theme parks passed. Cool.👍🏼

[@TheHesK9]

Some incredibly boring people in the replies here

[@a13xdunlop]

Ridiculous given our weather and lack of transport infrastructure.

[@edwardbernthal160]

Not to mention that a lot of people have very little money and probably unable to reach the place by public transport.

[@edwardbernthal160]

@Invisiblewiz getting to the place and finding the money to get in for starters.

[@toxichazard5015]

Its Universal. People fly from all over the world to get to Universal USA - I imagine we will see the same in the UK, atleast from Europe. Transport will/should be one of their main concerns. They will be investing Billions, they WILL make sure people can get there.

[@edwardbernthal160]

@@toxichazard5015 would have been more attractive to Europeans when the UK was a member of the EU. I guess the sinking of the GBP will make the bother of transport problems a little less painfull.

[@_lewis]

Because the transport infrastructure is sooooo much better in Orlando (it's practically non-existant)

[@atomiswave1971]

That American guy picked a hot day to make a speech. The guy is sweating his pants off. Sadly we only get about 30-50 days a year like that.

[@krag3r]

Tacky, forced, pseudo-fun for the masses.

[@julianshepherd2038]

Snob

[@marktucker208]

lol £50bn, no chance

[@nickolas4637]

leveling up the south.

[@jamessmithson-br7rm]

*East Midlands… it’s not in the south

[@nickolas4637]

@@jamessmithson-br7rm I know. I was joking. And failing 🙃

[@LovingUKCoastandsealife]

Love it, just annoying it will take so long, I bet it'll be Amazing!

[@aidensilgram6606]

I thought Disney Paris was the depressing one. Now this will be the depressing and smallest one.

[@squirtle7G1]

The smallest Universal park is in Singapore. I'm pretty sure this will be significantly bigger than that. I love Disneyland Paris and think it is magical 🙂