Look, I know, it seems like we’ve been hearing about and waiting for this new theme park in the UK for ages.
But even if it going to be a bit of a way off, that’s not stopping us from getting excited about it.
And really adding to that build-up, there have been some exciting new details shared about Universal Studios’ plans to build a new theme park here in the UK.
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Geared up to be constructed in Bedford, it’ll be its first park in Europe and it’s likely that it’ll take ‘around five to six years’ before its built.
But apparently it’s going to be ‘one of the greatest theme parks in the world’ so I guess that takes a bit of time.
Universal bought the 467-acre site last year for a whopping £213 million and it sounds like it’s got some big plans for the space - not just a load of mega rides.
Universal Destinations & Experiences (which is owned by Sky’s parent company Comcast) is planning to build Europe’s largest theme park ready to welcome millions of visitors a year.
And get this, the place is set to be open 365 days a year - plus, it’s going to be complete with a massive 500-room hotel and dining area.
So, if you’ve got to trek over to Bedford to visit, at least you know you can even stay the night there.
Not only are you going to be able to go there no matter the time of year, but it’s also going to do some good things for our economy.
Universal’s economic impact analysis, published today (26 June) in line with HM Treasury guidelines on economic appraisal, suggests the place will generate almost £50 billion of economic benefits for the UK.
The report found the construction of the place would create 20,000 jobs in the long-term with 5,000 workers on site at its peak.
And once its operational, the resort would initially create 8,000 new jobs.
Page Thompson, president of new ventures for Universal Destinations and 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.”
Building hasn’t actually began for the new park yet, but it’s understand that Universal is likely to seek planning permission directly from the government using a special development order (SDO) later this year.
And if that goes ahead, construction is likely to take at least five years.
But hey, at least it sounds like it’s going to be worth the wait.
Topics: Travel, UK News, Theme Park
Jess Battison