News of the Year: Universal Theme Park Resort is coming to Europe


Universal Destinations & Experiences is bringing its first fully owned European theme park resort to the UK, to rival Disneyland Paris. The company is set to transform a 190ha former brickworks site in Bedford, just under 100km from Central London, into a multi-billion-pound destination set to open in 2031. The project will include a world-class theme park, an RDE Zone, multiple hotels and amenities. Backed by £500 million in government investment for transport infrastructure, including a new rail station, Universal estimate that the Bedford project will contribute nearly £50 billion to the UK economy by 2055.


Universal would mark a very positive turn for consumers, upping the bar in terms of theming, storytelling and longform show-based attractions, as compared to the typical parks in the UK. The UK market has been crying out for a global theme park for decades and the news has been very welcome in the country.


Of course, there is some worry about potential cannibalisation of the existing parks and these will no doubt have to up their game to remain competitive (which bodes well for the visitors). This will be further exacerbated by another high profile opening of Puy du Fou only an hour away, with Phase I scheduled to be delivered in 2029. Data indicates that not only the UK has one of the lowest levels of park visitation per 1,000 residents in Western Europe, the economic impact per resident is less than a third of the closest comparable economy – France, and is also tracking behind Germany, which suggests the market is underserved. Additionally, our research into park clusters around the world demonstrates that parks that invest wisely and find the right niche, should be able to benefit from the overall market growth catalysed by Universal.


Universal estimate that the Bedford project will contribute nearly £50 billion to the UK economy by 2055.


THE EXPERIENCE ECONOMIST: EUROPE EDITION 2025 | © LDP 9


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