Following a leak of concept art, Universal has confirmed Universal Studios Great Britain is now official and has an opening year.
Universal Studios Great Britain
An article from The Hollywood Reporter has confirmed development of the new park has been agreed upon by the Labour Party national government and the Bedford Borough Council, making the construction of Universal Studios Great Britain official. The council had previously written a letter to Prime Minister Keir Starmer in support of the project.
Today we closed the deal on a multi-billion-pound investment that will see Bedford home to one of the biggest entertainment parks in Europe, firmly putting the county on the global stage. It is not just about numbers; it’s about securing real opportunities for people in our country. Together, we are building a brighter future for the U.K., getting people into work and ensuring our economy remains strong and competitive.
Prime Minister Stramer
Universal has also officially confirmed the new park is set to open in 2031.
In addition to a theme park, current plans, “also include a 500-room hotel and a retail, dining, and entertainment complex.” Once it opens, Universal Studios Great Britain will be the largest visitor attraction in the U.K. Universal expects the new park will generate nearly $64 billion for the country’s economy by 2055 and attract an estimated 8.5 million visitors in its first year of operation.
The official UK Project website by Universal has been updated since the announcement to include the official concept art for Universal Studios Great Britain. The park appears to have a large central lagoon, with themed lands surrounding the water. Fans have already attempted to identify some of the possible franchises depicted in the art, with top contenders including Waterworld and Jurassic World. The Hollywood Reporter article also directly referenced “Harry Potter” saying, “NBCUniversal, which has rights to ‘Harry Potter’ park attractions, may look to port over its Wizarding World to the country that originally made the franchise a smash bestseller.”
Stay tuned for more updates.
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