OVER £5 billion has been pledged to be invested in the Universal United Kingdom Resort during its expected five years of construction.
The commitment, from Comcast NBCUniversal, has been supported by an additional £1.3 billion pledge by the UK Government to support local community and regional infrastructure related to the Bedfordshire attraction.
Enabling works are underway, with almost 20,000 jobs in construction expected to be created throughout the project. Universal has also committed to ‘world-class’ training opportunities for the next generation of its workforce, including a range of apprenticeships and internships.
The UK Government said that its investment of £1.3 million will unlock regional transport and infrastructure improvements that will maximise the benefits of the development and enable wider growth across the region. The theme park and resort is expected to attract millions of visitors each year – including more than a million additional overseas visitors.
Universal expects the attraction to generate nearly £50 billion of economic benefit for the UK economy by 2055.
UK Government secretary of state for culture, media, and sport, Lisa Nandy, said, “This unparalleled investment is a huge vote of confidence in the UK and puts rocket boosters under our entertainment industry.
“When it comes to creating world class experiences, the UK is second to none. We’re proud to be backing British industry, investing in local talent and partnering with powerhouses like Universal to create jobs, growth and opportunities across the UK.”
Mark Woodbury, chairman and CEO of Universal Destinations & Experiences, added, “Today marks a significant milestone on our journey to bring Universal United Kingdom Resort, featuring immersive storytelling, thrilling attractions and unparalleled creativity and innovation to the UK. This new theme park and resort will create so many new opportunities for the people of Bedford and beyond and allow us to share our distinct experiences with guests from around the world.”
