Work Begins On Site of Universal's Bedford Resort

Work has begun on the site of Universal Destinations & Experiences' planned theme park and resort south of Bedford, the first the company will build in Europe. Mayor of Bedford Borough Tom Wootton welcomed the start of construction in a statement published by Bedford Borough Council on 3 June, the same day the operator confirmed the project would be named the Universal United Kingdom Resort. The resort is being built on the site of a former brickworks between Wootton and Wixams, off the A6 to the south of the town.

According to figures released by the company, the project is expected to contribute £50 billion to the UK economy over the construction period and the first 20 years of operation, including an estimated £14 billion in net additional tax returns to the Treasury over the same period. Universal has said it will spend around £5 billion building the resort, with a further £1 billion of investment planned within the first decade, while the Government has committed £1.3 billion towards surrounding infrastructure.

The developer expects construction to support nearly 20,000 jobs, with a further 8,000 roles when the resort opens, which is currently planned for 2031. In his statement, the Mayor said the investment would create "apprenticeships, upskilling our existing workforce" and new Bedford-based jobs across "creative industries, engineering, construction and hospitality," adding that Universal staff had already begun working from offices opened within Borough Hall.

The start of work follows the Government's decision in December 2025 to grant planning permission through a Special Development Order. Universal has framed Bedford Borough as joining its existing resort destinations of Orlando, Beijing and Osaka. Further detail on construction phasing, transport works and local recruitment is expected to be set out by the Council and the developer in the coming months.