Top theme park could be coming to nearby Bedford.
A massive new family theme park could get the go-ahead as soon as next week, bringing US-style holiday entertainment to Bedford.
Media giant Comcast, which owns Universal Studios, is seeking a deal to build the largest theme park in Europe on a 480-acre Bedfordshire site, according to news reports.
The park could create 10,000 local jobs and bring billions of pounds into the UK economy. The plans are said to include a premium theme park and associated attractions such as a hotel, a surrounding entertainment district, waterpark and a dedicated railway station to bring holidaymakers direct to the site.
The Financial Times says that UK Government ministers are close to agreeing a deal with Comcast to build the theme park while the BBC reported recently that Universal Studios had registered to trademark its name in the UK in connection with an amusement park and water park.
If it goes ahead, it’s reported that the park would attract millions of visitors each year – many of them coming from overseas. The central location of Bedford has been cited as one reason for Universal’s interest – more than half of the UK population can reach it within two hours.
“We continue to evaluate the potential project and are engaged in productive discussions with the UK government,” a spokeswoman for Universal told the BBC.
The Government has confirmed that negotiations are ongoing.
Picture courtesy Universal Studios.
