Universal Studios to open European park in 2031

The British government said on Wednesday that U.S. media giant Comcast Corp will build its first Universal theme park and resort in Europe in Bedford, north of London, and open it in 2031.

It said the park will create 20,000 jobs during construction and 8,000 jobs in the hospitality and creative industries when it opens.

It is expected to attract 8.5 million visitors in its first year, a number currently exceeded in Europe only by Disneyland Paris.

Universal Studios has five resorts and parks in California and Florida, as well as in Singapore, Japan, and China. It offers rides and attractions based on Jurassic Park, Harry Potter, and other movie franchises.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who sought to ease planning demands to boost investment in Britain, said in a statement that the multi-billion-pound investment would make Bedford home to one of the biggest entertainment parks in Europe.

Plans for the site include a theme park featuring several themed lands, a 500-room hotel, and a retail, dining, and entertainment complex.

Comcast President Mike Cavanagh showed Starmer the plan in London on Tuesday, saying he "could not be more excited" to create a Universal theme park and resort in the heart of the United Kingdom.

Comcast bought 500-acre former brickworks in Bedfordshire, about 55 miles north of London, in 2023. It already owns Sky, Europe's biggest pay-TV business.

It had been in talks with the British government since last year about turning the site into a theme park.

The Labour government, which has pledged to drive investment in infrastructure since it was elected last year, has approved the expansion of Luton Airport, which is about 20 miles from the Universal site. This will boost the area's international connectivity.

The government said the theme park and resort are subject to planning permission.