Comcast NBCUniversal will invest more than £5 billion to build its first European theme park, the Universal United Kingdom Resort, in Bedfordshire, north of London. The project is supported by a £1.3 billion government package for infrastructure upgrades, including road and rail improvements.
Key Takeaways
Comcast NBCUniversal will invest over £5 billion to build its first European theme park in Bedfordshire, north of London, with £1.3 billion in government support for infrastructure upgrades. The Universal United Kingdom Resort is set to open in 2031 and create thousands of jobs.
Source Claims Check
High Consensus| Claim | Status | Reason | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Investment Amount | Broad Agreement | £5 billion investment by Comcast NBCUniversal | |
| Government Support | Broad Agreement | £1.3 billion in government funding for infrastructure | |
| Job Creation During Construction | Broad Agreement | 20,000 jobs during construction phase | |
| Job Creation After Opening | Broad Agreement | 8,000 additional jobs upon opening in 2031 |
The resort, announced on Wednesday, will employ nearly 20,000 people during construction and create an additional 8,000 jobs upon its opening in 2031. It aims to attract about 8.5 million visitors annually, featuring themed lands based on popular movie franchises like Jurassic Park and Harry Potter.
The site, a former brickworks covering 500 acres, was purchased by Comcast in 2023 and received planning permission in December 2025. The government's investment includes £474 million for transport projects and grants totaling £838 million for community infrastructure.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves highlighted the economic impact, stating that the project will unlock nearly £50 billion of growth and create tens of thousands of jobs in construction, hospitality, creative industries, and technology. Comcast chairman Brian Roberts emphasized the company's long history in the UK through Sky and NBCUniversal.
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