Universal’s planned UK theme park will be named Universal United Kingdom Resort, it has been revealed and will be supported by £1.3bn in government funding.
Comcast NBCUniversal said it expected the attraction to draw 8.5 million visitors a year when it opens in 2031, with ambitions for it to become Europe’s most-visited theme park.
The US entertainment giant said it would invest £5bn in building the resort, in Kempston Hardwick, Bedfordshire, with a further £1bn planned over its first 10 years. The government’s contribution will go towards upgrading local infrastructure and transport links to help accommodate visitors from across the UK and overseas.
With the park expected to attract 8.5 million visitors annually and create 28,000 jobs, the development is being tipped as one of the most significant boosts to the UK tourism economy in decades. But research reveals that Bedfordshire will need to transform quickly to cope with the crowds.
With Universal Studios officially naming its Bedfordshire park “Universal Studios United Kingdom”, a study by Approved Business Finance reveals the development could unlock up to £1bn in local business investment, as the area races to build enough hotels and restaurants to meet demand.
