New UK theme park to be as massive as Disneyland Paris | UK | News | EUROtoday

An enormous new Universal Studios theme park is ready to open within the UK by 2031, with the resort close to Bedford anticipated to be as massive as Disneyland Paris. The UK resort is anticipated to draw round 8.5 million guests a yr when it opens, with forecasts suggesting numbers may rise to 12 million yearly by 2051.

If these targets are reached, it may turn out to be Europe’s most visited theme park, overtaking Disneyland Paris, which drew 10.2 million guests final yr.

The park will likely be constructed at Kempston Hardwick and can mark Universal’s first-ever theme park in Britain, becoming a member of its present resorts in Orlando, Hollywood, Japan, Singapore and Beijing.

Universal is likely one of the world’s greatest leisure firms, behind blockbuster franchises together with Jurassic Park, Harry Potter, Minions, Fast & Furious and The Simpsons.

In phrases of dimension, the size is huge. The complete resort will cowl 662 acres, with the theme park itself spanning 238 acres. By comparability, Disneyland Paris is estimated to cowl slightly below 130 acres.

Although full trip particulars haven’t but been confirmed, guests can anticipate points of interest much like these at different Universal parks around the globe.

These sometimes embrace high-speed rollercoasters, immersive indoor darkish rides, large-scale simulators and story-driven points of interest that place visitors inside well-known film scenes. Universal has additionally advised the UK park may function among the tallest rides in Europe.

The undertaking is anticipated to have a serious financial affect. Developers say it can generate practically £50 billion in financial profit and create round 28,000 jobs. At opening, the resort can be one of many largest employers within the area, with roughly 80% of employees anticipated to return from Bedford, Central Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes.

The firm stated this undertaking can be set to carry long-awaited transport upgrades, together with an expanded Wixams railway station, new direct slip roads from the A421, and different native highway enhancements.

Universal has described the undertaking as “transformative” for each Bedford and the broader UK financial system, signalling a serious enhance for tourism, infrastructure and employment when the park opens later this decade.

According to business estimates cited by Forbes, Disneyland Paris attracted 10.2 million guests final yr, making it Europe’s hottest theme park. Universal believes its UK resort has the potential to surpass that determine over time.

The use of a Special Development Order allowed the federal government to approve the undertaking straight, fairly than via conventional native authority planning routes.

Universal argued this method would pace up supply of the large-scale improvement whereas guaranteeing nationwide financial advantages.

With planning permission now secured, work is anticipated to maneuver ahead on detailed designs and infrastructure, marking a major step in the direction of the arrival of one of many largest theme parks Europe has ever seen.