Plan to build Universal Studios resort near London still ‘ongoing’, say government
Plan to build Universal Studios resort near London still ‘ongoing’, say government
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The proposed development is expected to bring 8,000 new jobs to the region. Negotiations regarding a proposed Universal Studios theme park in the UK are “ongoing”, the government has told MPs. The US-based company has purchased a 700-acre site in Kempston, Hardwick, Bedfordshire, with plans to build Europe’s largest theme park, plus a 500-room hotel. Following Chancellor Rachel Reeves’s speech on 29 January about infrastructure projects and growth, Conservative MP for Mid Bedfordshire, Blake Stephenson, told the Commons that his constituents would be “surprised not to hear the government back Universal Studios”.
He continued: “Will the minister confirm when he intends to conclude negotiations with Universal Studios and come back to the House with an update?”. In response, Treasury Minister Darren Jones said: “I am afraid I cannot give the honourable gentleman a date, because negotiations are, as he will know, negotiations. “They are ongoing, but I am hopeful that we will be able to come back shortly with updates to show that we are able to deliver deals much faster than his party, when it was last in government.”.
Labour MP for Bedfordshire and Kempston, Mohammad Yasin, also sought reassurance that progress was being made on the development. Mr Jones responded: “The government is in negotiations with partners for this development and unfortunately I can't update the House at this stage but I look forward to doing so in due course”. Universal Destinations and Experiences has yet to confirm whether the theme park will go ahead, but has claimed that the development could bring around 8,000 jobs to the region once the resort became operational, rising to 10,000 after two decades.
It also said that it would “help facilitate” a series of upgrades to local transportation facilities, including the construction of new railway stations, upgrades to Manor Road and new slip roads from the A421 should the project go ahead. Universal’s economic impact analysis, which it said was undertaken “in line with HM Treasury guidance on economic appraisal”, states that the “net economic contribution of the potential project for the UK is forecast to be £35.1 billion over the construction period and first 20 years of operation”.
Universal has five entertainment and resort complexes around the world: Universal Orlando Resort and Universal Studios Hollywood in the USA, Universal Studios Japan (Osaka), Universal Beijing Resort in China and Universal Studios Singapore. The proposed resort would be easily accessible from London Luton Airport, and less than an hour away from London. The resort could also attract millions of international visitors to the UK.
