Universal UK: Everything we know so far about the new theme park coming to Bedford
Universal has been given the green light to build its first European theme park and resort - here in the UK.
The resort in Bedfordshire is set to be one of the largest and most advanced theme parks in Europe, with 8.5 million visitors expected in its first year.
But thrill seekers have a bit of a wait on their hands, with the park not expected to open in 2031, following an agreement between Universal, the government and the local council.
Here is everything we know about the planned attraction so far.
Where will it be?
The theme park will be constructed on a 500-acre former brickworks site in Bedfordshire, which Universal bought in 2023.
It is about 55 miles north of London and 20 miles from Luton Airport.
The park will lie between the towns and villages of Stewartby, Wooton, Wixams and Kempston, just south of the centre of Bedford.
Why Bedford?
Universal, which is owned by Sky News' US parent company Comcast, said the Bedfordshire site is an "ideal location" with convenient and fast rail links to London and London Luton Airport.
It said it is also "well-connected for travel from all parts of the UK and Europe".
Bedford Borough Council has wanted to redevelop the site for some time, according to Universal, with its size and the features of the landscape lending itself to a large-scale theme park resort.
The site is near the A421, a major road connecting Cambridge through Milton Keynes to Oxford. The road will be improved ahead of the park opening.
On the railways, the Thameslink line runs directly to Bedford from East Grinstead in West Sussex. The train passes through London Bridge and London St Pancras, taking just under an hour to get to Bedford.
A separate 16-mile-long line known as the Marston Vale Line connects Bedford and Bletchley in Buckinghamshire.
To help the area cope with increased footfall to the area, upgrades will be made to Bedford station, as well as a new station at Wixams.
Additional transport improvements are set to be made, particularly on the Marston Vale Line, as part of the East West Rail project.
The project also ties in with other work around the Oxford-Cambridge corridor - the development of the area between Oxford and Cambridge, which was revived by the chancellor in January after the Conservatives scrapped plans for an Abingdon-Milton Keynes train link in 2021.
It will also support the expansion of Luton Airport, the UK's fifth-busiest airport last year, which was approved by the transport secretary in early April.
What will be in the park?
Universal says visitors to the theme park will be "fully immersed in different experiences".
As well as the theme park itself, there are plans to build a 500-room hotel and a retail and entertainment complex.
Universal is known for franchises that lend themselves to themed rides, including Minions, Fast and the Furious and Jurassic World.
However, the company has said it is "still too early" to sketch out details of any specific attractions and experiences.
A 'job creation machine'
The government has said the new theme park is set to generate nearly £50bn for the economy as well as creating around 28,000 jobs - 20,000 in the construction period and 8,000 working on the site when it opens to visitors.
Sir Keir Starmer said the project will "secure real opportunities for people in our country" and "ensure our economy remains strong and competitive".
Chancellor Rachel Reeves called the investment "a vote of confidence in Britain as a place to do business".
The government estimates about 80% of employees at the theme park will come from local areas.
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy told Sky's Wilfred Frost on Breakfast it is "one of the biggest investments into the United Kingdom in recent times" and a "huge vote of confidence in the UK".
She said the deal comes off the back of "one of the most tumultuous few weeks in global markets", referring to Donald Trump's 10% tariffs on all UK exports setting in after British trade teams failed to agree a deal with the US.
Mark Woodbury, chairman and chief executive of Universal Destinations and Experiences, also told Sky News the theme park would be a "job creation machine".
Speaking from the site in Bedford, he said: "This will soon be one of the great Universal destinations in the world.
"We're super excited about this opportunity and how transformative it will be for the UK, and the rest of Europe for that matter.
"These are long-term projects. We've travelled through many economic cycles, and we see that this is just one of those, and we're looking forward to the future.
"Five years from now, we'll be opening this park, if all things go our way. And we think there'll be a bright future for all."
Mike Cavanagh, the president of Universal's parent company Comcast Corporation added: "We could not be more excited to take this very important step in our plan to create and deliver an incredible Universal theme park and resort in the heart of the United Kingdom."
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How have local residents reacted?
Residents in Bedford have largely expressed excitement about plans for the new theme park.
Bedford mayor Tom Wootton said it is a "landmark moment" for the borough and will bring "exciting opportunities to our doorstep - thousands of jobs, new training and career paths, and a huge boost for local businesses".
Maria Perez, a warehouse worker in the area, told the PA news agency there is currently nothing for families or young people to do in Bedford, so the park will be "really great" for the area.
"It will be good for the economy, for the town and for the people. People will invest more," she said.
"Prices will go up for rent, which is not good, but it's a good thing for the town and will be for the people in the area."
Tanvi Mahesh, a 14-year-old who moved to Bedford from Saudi Arabia last year, said she normally stays at home because there isn't much to do in the area, but would take up a Saturday job at the theme park "no questions asked".
Jagdeep Singh, a 36-year-old business change analyst from Kempton, said he thinks the park will benefit businesses and bring jobs to the area, but added he is worried about the increased amount of traffic.
"I worried a bit about traffic on the bypass, what's going to happen to our hospitals if there's any accidents," he said.
Another resident, 85-year-old Margaret Wilson, added that at the moment the plans are "cost-effective" but the park is still years away from completion.
She said: "It will be four years until anything is built. Who knows what will happen in four years?
"Before COVID, Bedford was a market town. It's not where it used to be. This won't bring it back to the same place as before, but it will be good for the area."
When will construction start?
A proposed start date for construction has been set for 2026.
But before any building can begin, the proposals to transform the site remain subject to a formal planning decision process from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG).
A public consultation by MHCLG is expected to be carried out before any planning decisions are made.
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