Regional leaders have met with the government and Universal to discuss how a planned theme park and resort in Bedford could bring jobs, investment and new opportunities to communities across the region.
Tourism Minister Stephanie Peacock chaired the meeting at The Swan Hotel in Bedford, bringing together representatives from eight local authorities, Universal Destinations and Experiences and local MPs.
The local authorities represented were: Bedford Borough, Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority, Central Bedfordshire, Huntingdonshire, Luton, Milton Keynes, North Northamptonshire and West Northamptonshire.
The Universal United Kingdom Resort, announced in June, is expected to create around 28,000 jobs across its construction and operation and generate almost £50 billion for the UK economy.
Discussions focused on how the benefits of the development can extend beyond Bedford, including opportunities for local businesses, tourism, education, skills and transport.
Council leaders also looked at how businesses across the region could become part of the resort’s supply chain, while ensuring young people have access to training, apprenticeships and routes into employment.
The meeting is the first of a series aimed at coordinating the response to the development. Working groups will focus on the creative industries, culture and heritage, and the visitor economy, while a separate socio-economic taskforce will look at preparing the local workforce for the jobs expected to be created.
The government said the work would help ensure the resort supports existing local priorities and contributes to wider economic growth, including ambitions for the Oxford-Cambridge Growth Corridor.
The planned resort is expected to become one of the UK’s biggest tourist attractions, adding to an established visitor economy that includes Wrest Park and Whipsnade Zoo.
The government said working with local leaders from the outset would help ensure communities across the region are positioned to benefit from the development.
Minister for Tourism and Place Stephanie Peacock said: ‘For the people of Bedford, the Universal United Kingdom Resort is more than just the thrill of a new theme park on their doorstep – it’s about the jobs, investment and opportunities it’ll create.
‘That is why the Government is committed to supporting local communities to drive forward their priorities as the development progresses towards its opening in 2031.’
‘From apprenticeships and career pathways for young people, to new opportunities for local businesses and tradespeople, we want communities across Bedford and the wider region to feel the benefits of this investment. This is about putting power and opportunity into local communities, driving growth and bringing pride to every postcode.’
Image: Universal/Comcast
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