Universal already intends to expand its proposed UK theme park, which is “just the start” of its plans for the site near Bedford.
Earlier this month, a multi-billion pound deal was agreed for the new Universal theme park in Bedfordshire.
The destination was confirmed in December 2023 after Universal bought a 476-acre parcel of land in the county.
The company is already planning to expand its UK attraction, as it has “a lot more land that we intend to develop”.
Page Thompson, president of new ventures at Universal Destinations & Experiences, told the BBC: “We look at these projects as really long-term projects.
“We try to think about the next 100 years.”
He added: “We have a lot more land that we intend to develop… in ways that bring more people to the area and hopefully is beneficial for everybody.”
Universal to submit UK plans soon
The first phase of the project, Thompson said, includes a theme park, a 500-room hotel, and restaurants “that people can visit without buying a theme park ticket”.
“This is just the start of the development in the Bedford area on our land that we’re going to own,” he said.
Universal expects the planned park “to be a major driver for tourism to the country”, Thompson said.
He added: “A country with the population and the tourist visitation of the UK should have probably three of the top 25 theme parks in the world.
“Right now they don’t have any – and our smallest park that we operate anywhere in the world draws 9 million people.
“So we feel very confident that demand is there.”
Planning documents will be submitted to the government “in the next couple of months”, with construction still scheduled to begin in 2026.
As for the new park‘s attractions and experiences, Thompson said the company “won’t comment on the specific properties or lands in the park until we get a lot closer to opening”.
Images courtesy of Universal
