A movie theme park is coming to the UK! No wait, a Universal theme park is coming to the UK!!! A public engagement period is now underway for proposals of this upcoming Universal UK theme park.
Now, excitement aside nothing is set in stone but the prospect of having a Universal theme park in the UK that will instantly obliterate the rest of the UK theme park landscape is an exciting prospect to me.
Universal quality theming, quality rides, Citywalk, Potential tram tours and accommodation it all seems too good to be true and at this early stage, it still very much hangs in the balance.
Universal Destination and Experiences have purchased 476 acres of land in Kempston Hardwick, near Bedford for this major attraction.
Two exhibition events will take place this month for residents and businesses from the local area with a public engagement period running until May 3rd.
In recent documents released, it states that 8000 jobs will be created once operation rising to 10,000 by year 20 of operation.
The park would become one of the largest single employers in Bedroom, surrounding areas and indeed the whole of the UK.
Documents also state that the maximum height for any component will be 115m with regards to any attraction meaning the park has room to build the UK’s tallest coaster rather easily and all themed buildings would be between 20m-30m in height except under certain circumstances.
Flat ground parking has also been proposed instead of multi-storey with two rail stations and new road developments created in order to enhance access to the park.
Hotel space has also been proposed with the option of expanding space at the back of the land purchased for any additions such as more hotels, theme park expansion or a whole separate theme park entirely under the Universal umbrella similar to Island of Adventures in Florida.
The theme park company said the secretary of state for the Department for Culture, Media and Sport agreed to act as the sponsor of a potential special development order application for the project.
With CityWalk (the park free to enter entertainment space) mentioned on proposals frequently we could potentially see a tourist attraction in its own right (separate from the theme park) opening up and with tram tours also mentioned we could have a themed ride/experience idea already in the works.
Throw in Halloween Horror Nights into the equation (Universal’s very own scare maze Halloween event) and you may just have not only the best theme park in the UK before its even built, but potentially Europe.
My fingers and toes are all crossed as this would be one very exciting proposal indeed if they decide to go ahead.
They’ve stated it would be 5-6 years of construction time which means the park will open around 2030 / 2031.
Now where did I leave my time machine?!
