---
title: "Universal Studios to open first European theme park near London"
description: "LONDON, April 9 (Reuters) - U.S. media giant Comcast Corp CMCSA.O will build its first Universal theme park and resort in Europe in Bedford, north of London, opening in 2031, the British government said on Wednesday."
type: "NewsArticle"
publisher: "Daily Maverick"
site: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za"
section: "Newsdeck"
author: "Reuters"
author_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/author/reuters/"
canonical_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025-04-09-universal-studios-to-open-first-european-theme-park-near-london/"
published: "2025-04-09T04:28:52"
updated: "2025-04-09T04:28:54"
lang: "en-ZA"
word_count: 286
---

# Universal Studios to open first European theme park near London

> LONDON, April 9 (Reuters) - U.S. media giant Comcast Corp CMCSA.O will build its first Universal theme park and resort in Europe in Bedford, north of London, opening in 2031, the British government said on Wednesday.

By Reuters · Published 9 April 2025, 06:28 SAST · Updated 9 April 2025, 06:28 SAST

## Key points
- In a blockbuster move, Universal Studios is set to transform a former brickworks in Bedford into a multi-billion-pound theme park that promises to create 28,000 jobs and lure 8.5 million visitors annually—because who needs a quiet countryside when you can have roller coasters and wizardry?
- Universal Studios plans to build a massive theme park in Bedford, creating 20,000 construction jobs and 8,000 permanent roles in hospitality and creative sectors.
- The park is projected to attract 8.5 million visitors in its first year, rivaling Disneyland Paris in Europe.
- Prime Minister Keir Starmer supports the multi-billion-pound investment, aiming to position Bedford as a major entertainment hub.
- The project includes a theme park, a 500-room hotel, and a retail complex, pending planning permission from the government.

## Content

By Paul Sandle

The park will create 20,000 jobs during construction and a further 8,000 jobs across the hospitality and creative industries when it opens, it said.

It is expected to attract 8.5 million visitors in its first year, a number currently only exceeded in Europe by Disneyland Paris.

Universal Studios has five resorts and parks in the U.S. states of California and Florida as well as in Singapore, Japan and China, offering rides and attractions based on Jurassic Park, Harry Potter and other movie franchises.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who has sought to ease planning demands to boost investment in Britain, said in a statement the multi-billion pound investment would make Bedford home to one of the biggest entertainment parks in Europe.

Plans for the site include a theme park, featuring several themed lands, a 500-room hotel and a retail, dining and entertainment complex.

Comcast President Mike Cavanagh showed Starmer the plan in London on Tuesday, saying he "could not be more excited" to create a Universal theme park and resort in the heart of the United Kingdom.

Comcast bought a 500-acre former brickworks in Bedfordshire, about 55 miles north of London, in 2023. It already owns Sky, which is Europe's biggest pay-TV business.

It had been in talks with the British government since last year about turning the site into a theme park.

The Labour government, which has pledged to drive investment in infrastructure since it was elected last year, has approved the expansion of [Luton Airport](https://www.reutersconnect.com/all?search=all%3AL5N3QH1II&linkedFromStory=true), which is about 20 miles from the Universal site, boosting the area's international connectivity.

The theme park and resort are subject to planning permission, the government said.

(Additional reporting by Sarah Young; Editing by Paul Simao)