Luton Council are among the leaders and chief executives of six local authorities that have collectively endorsed Universal Studios expanding its theme park empire in Bedfordshire, in a letter sent to the Prime Minister.
Though the theme park is proposed on a 476-acre site just south of Bedford, which was bought by Universal Destinations and Experiences last year, research revealed by Universal last month outlined that the project would deliver a boost of over £49bn to the regional and wider UK economy.
Luton Council Leader, Cllr Hazel Simmons MBE, and CEO Robin Porter, signed a letter delivered to new Prime Minister Sir Kier Starmer, which said: ‘Across the region, we recognise the huge potential for a Universal Destinations & Experiences theme park and resort project. Universal are proposing a transformative project which will create 20,000 jobs during construction, with an additional 20,000 jobs generated directly and in the supply chain during the resort’s operation.’
This significant job creation underscores the tangible economic impact the potential project will have on Bedfordshire and the region. Additionally, the project’s scale will help set England’s South East Midlands as one of the foremost visitor destinations in Europe and the World.
The letter to the Prime Minister, which is also signed by the chief executives and political leaders of Bedford Borough, Central Bedfordshire, Milton Keynes City, North Northamptonshire, and West Northamptonshire councils, concluded: ‘As the Chief Executives and political leadership of the six local authorities representing the South East Midlands region, we strong support this project.’
Page Thompson, president, new ventures of Universal Destinations & Experiences said: “A world-class theme park and resort from Universal has the potential to generate billions in economic benefit for the UK, by creating thousands of high-quality jobs and attracting millions of new visitors to the country.”
With the theme park close to Bedford Chief Executive of Bedford Borough Council, Laura Church, said: “We know the importance of this Universal project getting the green light. The potential theme park and resort serve as a major draw for tourists, attracting millions of annual visitors, with many projected to come from Europe and overseas. It will also help bolster the UK’s profile as a leader in the creative industries, a must-see visitor destination and business investment hub, resulting in growth for the region.”
Universal will continue to share updates as the project progresses on their website at
universalukproject.co.uk.
