An MP has said that Universal Destinations and Experiences has a “big vision” for the proposed theme park in Bedfordshire, UK.
Universal Destinations and Experiences recently confirmed plans for a UK theme park after the company purchased 480 acres of land in Stewartby.
Labour MP for Mid Bedfordshire Alistair Strathern told the BBC he had been in “lots of discussions with Universal”.
“There are some exciting aspects of the project, but they also need it to work for the local area,” he added.
Strathern said he attended a “positive and constructive” meeting with Universal executives, as well as the local parish council, Stewartby and Kempston Hardwick.
“There is a lot of real excitement among local residents, after some initial disbelief,” he said.
“People are excited about the scale of the project and job opportunities, and see this as a chance to address longstanding concerns about our infrastructure.”
As millions of visitors would be travelling to the park, Strathern said “there is lots of work still to be done to make the idea work”.
“Fundamentally, this is one of the biggest opportunities to come to Mid Bedfordshire for a long time,” he added.
Universal’s global expansion
Universal currently operates theme parks in Hollywood and Orlando, and in Japan, Beijing and Singapore.
The company is expanding in the US with two new parks – Universal Kids Resort in Frisco, Texas, and Universal Epic Universe in Orlando. Universal is also opening a permanent horror experience at Area15 in Las Vegas.
In a statement confirming plans for a UK park in December, Universal said: “We recently acquired land in Bedford and are at the early stages of exploring its feasibility for a potential park and resort at this site.
“It will be many months before we are ready to make a decision to proceed and we look forward to engaging with all relevant stakeholders and the local community.”
Images courtesy of Universal Destinations and Experiences
