---
title: "Universal Studios to open first European theme park near London"
description: "Universal Studios, owned by Comcast Corp, will open its first European theme park in Bedford, north of London, by 2031. The project is expected to create 20,000 construction jobs and 8,000 additional "
type: "news"
locale: "en"
url: "https://longbridge.com/en/news/235096583.md"
published_at: "2025-04-08T23:01:00.000Z"
---

# Universal Studios to open first European theme park near London

> Universal Studios, owned by Comcast Corp, will open its first European theme park in Bedford, north of London, by 2031. The project is expected to create 20,000 construction jobs and 8,000 additional jobs in hospitality and creative sectors. The park aims to attract 8.5 million visitors in its first year, rivaling Disneyland Paris. Plans include a theme park, a 500-room hotel, and a retail complex. The project is pending planning permission and is part of the UK government's efforts to boost investment in infrastructure.

By Paul Sandle

LONDON, April 9 (Reuters) - U.S. media giant Comcast Corp (CMCSA.O) will build its first Universal theme park and resort in Europe in Bedford, north of London, opening in 2031, the British government said on Wednesday.

The park will create 20,000 jobs during construction and a further 8,000 jobs across the hospitality and creative industries when it opens, it said.

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

Universal Studios has five resorts and parks in the U.S. states of California and Florida as well as in Singapore, Japan and China, offering rides and attractions based on Jurassic Park, Harry Potter and other movie franchises.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who has sought to ease planning demands to boost investment in Britain, said in a statement 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 a 500-acre former brickworks in Bedfordshire, about 55 miles north of London, in 2023. It already owns Sky, which is 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, boosting the area’s international connectivity.

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

### Related Stocks

- [CMCSA.US - Comcast](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/CMCSA.US.md)
- [DIS.US - Disney](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/DIS.US.md)

## Related News & Research

| Title | Description | URL |
|-------|-------------|-----|
| New Xfinity Store Opens in South Bend \| CMCSA Stock News | Comcast has opened a new Xfinity Store in South Bend, Indiana, enhancing its retail presence in the Michiana area. The g | [Link](https://longbridge.com/en/news/276479753.md) |
| Tesla Paid No Federal Income Tax While Elon Musk Could Earn $3 Billion More Than U.S. Teachers Combined, Says Robert Reich —'See the Problem?' | Tesla reported paying no federal income tax in 2025, despite having $5.7 billion in pretax income. Former Labor Secretar | [Link](https://longbridge.com/en/news/276133290.md) |
| Siligmueller & Norvid Wealth Advisors LLC Makes New $690,000 Investment in Tesla, Inc. $TSLA | Siligmueller & Norvid Wealth Advisors LLC has invested $690,000 in Tesla, Inc. by acquiring 1,550 shares in Q3. Other in | [Link](https://longbridge.com/en/news/276513419.md) |
| Tesla's brand has gone negative, says investor who wants Rivian to buy the EV business | Ross Gerber, a Wall Street investor, suggests Tesla should sell its EV business to Rivian, claiming the Tesla brand has  | [Link](https://longbridge.com/en/news/276188858.md) |
| Tesla meets Giga New York’s Buffalo job target amid political pressures | Tesla has met its job commitments at Giga New York, reporting over 3,460 jobs by the end of 2025, easing political press | [Link](https://longbridge.com/en/news/276238037.md) |

---

> **Disclaimer**: This article is for reference only and does not constitute any investment advice.
