Draft:Universal Studios Great Britain

Universal UK Project, also known unofficially as Universal Studios Great Britain, is a proposed 480 acre theme park and resort complex in Bedford, England. United Kingdom. Announced on 2023-12-20 in a letter to residents in Bedfordshire, Universal Destinations & Experiences are "exploring the possibility of a potential park and resort experience at this location".

Planning
On 2023-09-22, NBCUniversal Media, LLC registered the domain names “universalstudiosgreatbritain.com” and “universalgreatbritain.com,” as well as co.uk versions on Whois.

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On December 2023, speculation surrounding the planning of a possible Universal theme park and resort in the United Kingdom grew through various forum posts and YouTube videos. A video posted on December 18 2023 by theme park blogger Theme Park Stop revealed the plot of land in Bedford, England, United Kingdom as the proposed location for the resort.

On 20 December 2023, Universal Destinations and Experiences launched a website announcing the news of their proposed project in Bedford. At the time of writing on 16th March 2024, the website refers to the plans in ‘very early stages’ and that it will be ‘many months’ before a decision to proceed with the project development can be made.

On 2023-12-20 Universal Destinations & Experiences contacted residents in Bedfordshire referencing the possibility of a "potential park and resort experience".

On 25 February 2024, it was noted that markers had been painted on several trees within the southern portion of purchased land.

On 11 March 2024, Universal representatives met with Bedfordshire Council and Bedfords Mayor Tony Wootton and visited the proposed site. No information related to the contents of any discussions were made public, although the Mayor stated a Universal Resort in Bedford would be ‘transformational’ for the surrounding area.

On 5th April 2024, Universal Destinations and Experiences launched a public engagement and consultation campaign on its universalukproject.co.uk website. The campaign includes an online survey which ran for 28 days, up to 3th May 2024. Universal also announced two public events being held in the area on 13th April 2024 and 16th April 2024. Universal stated that no decision has been made at this stage to proceed with the plans.

Public Interest
Due to Universal Destinations and Experiences’ established portfolio of large-scale theme park resort complexes globally, public interests in the developments continue to grow.