Sun, 21 Dec 2025

Sun, 21 Dec 2025 The 'winners and losers' in Universal UK's plan to rival Disneyland Paris

Within its first 20 years, Universal is expecting more annual visitors than any park gets in Europe.

* Universal Studios' UK theme park has been given planning permission to be built in Kempston Hardwick, Bedford.
* The park is expected to draw 8.5 million visitors per year and feature the tallest rides seen in Europe.
* The total size of the resort will be 268 hectares (662 acres), with the theme park covering 96.7 hectares (238 acres).
* Universal said its UK visitor numbers are expected to rise to 12 million by 2051, making it the most-visited park in Europe.
* Some local residents have expressed concerns about the impact of the park on traffic and property prices.
* However, many others are optimistic about the project's potential benefits for the local economy and community.
* The park is expected to create 8,050 jobs directly, with many staff coming from the surrounding areas.
* The development includes an upgraded four-platform railway station in Wixams, a town which will border the new theme park.
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