Milton Keynes is preparing to capture jobs, visitor spending and business opportunities generated by the Universal UK Resort, as councils across the region begin coordinating their response to the major Bedford development.
Milton Keynes City Council was among eight local authorities represented at a government roundtable in Bedford, bringing council leaders together with tourism minister Stephanie Peacock and Universal Destinations & Experiences.
The meeting examined how the economic benefits of the Universal United Kingdom Resort can extend beyond Bedford, with local supply chains, employment and skills, tourism and transport connectivity among the priorities.
The Government estimates that the Universal UK Resort will create around 20,000 jobs during construction and a further 8,000 when it opens in 2031. It estimates the development will generate almost £50 billion of economic benefit for the UK by 2055.
Milton Keynes City Council has already made preparing for the development part of its 2026-27 Council Plan, with work under way on how the city can make the most of the economic opportunities associated with the resort.
Transport will be a significant part of that preparation. The council says around 150,000 visitors each weekend are expected to use special shuttle buses between Milton Keynes Central railway station and the resort.
The regional talks also considered how businesses outside Bedford could become suppliers to the development and how visitors attracted to the resort could be encouraged to spend more time and money elsewhere in the region.
That creates potential opportunities for Milton Keynes businesses across sectors including hospitality, retail, transport, creative industries and the wider visitor economy.
Skills and recruitment are another focus. A socio-economic taskforce is being established to help prepare the regional workforce for employment created by the Universal UK Resort, alongside plans for training, apprenticeships and internships for young people and those early in their careers.
Working groups covering creative industries, culture and heritage and the visitor economy are also being brought together as councils look at how the development could support wider regional growth.
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.”
The Universal UK Resort is being developed in Bedford Borough by Universal Destinations & Experiences, part of Comcast NBCUniversal. The planned entertainment resort will include a theme park, visitor accommodation, retail, restaurants and entertainment.
Universal and the Government announced the investment agreement in June. Comcast NBCUniversal has committed more than £5 billion during the expected five-year construction period and a further £1 billion of capital investment during the first decade of operation.
The Government has also committed £1.3 billion towards regional and local infrastructure intended to support the development and improve transport connections.
The resort is expected to attract millions of visitors each year, with Universal forecasting 8.5 million annual visits initially. Its proximity to Milton Keynes means the city is now looking at how businesses, workers and its visitor economy can share in the opportunities created when the Universal UK Resort opens in 2031.
Main Image: Tourism Minister, Stephanie Peacock attends a roundtable with local authorities, MPs and stakeholders to discuss the opportunities arising from Universal’s planned theme park and resort in Bedford. Photo by DCMS.
