Minister for Tourism and Place brings together leaders across
eight local authorities to understand local perspectives on new
theme park and resort development.
- Leaders discussed the range of opportunities across jobs and
skills, education and training, creative industries, culture,
heritage, tourism and local transport connectivity
- The project is expected to create 28,000 jobs between
construction and employment and generate nearly £50 billion for
the UK economy, bringing new jobs, skills and investment to
Bedford and the surrounding region
- Demonstrates government's commitment to devolution to empower
local leaders and deliver for their communities
Following the announcement in June of the transformational
investment in a new theme park and resort in Bedford, Tourism
Minister held the first meeting of
regional leaders to understand local priorities and discuss how
the benefits of the development will be spread across the
region.
Minister Peacock chaired the roundtable at The Swan Hotel in
Bedford, bringing together government, Universal Destinations and
Experiences and eight local authorities to discuss how they can
work together to maximise the benefits of the landmark Universal
United Kingdom Resort for Bedford and the wider
region.
Attendees at the roundtable were council leaders and CEOs from
Bedford Borough Council, Cambridgeshire & Peterborough
Combined Authority, Central Bedfordshire Council, Huntingdonshire
District Council, Luton Borough Council, Milton Keynes City
Council, North Northamptonshire Council, and West
Northamptonshire Council; as well as the MPs for Bedford and Mid
Bedfordshire, and a senior representative from
Universal.
At the roundtable, leaders discussed the opportunities the
Universal United Kingdom Resort will provide, and the importance
of working together in a coordinated way to take advantage of
them. Opportunities discussed included how to drive local
regeneration and boost the local economy by attracting tourists
across the region and making sure local businesses can be
involved in supplying the park and resort. Attendees also
considered how to make sure young people across the region have a
chance to gain skills, qualifications, and paths to employment to
leave a lasting legacy for the region.
To deliver this work partners are being brought together in a
series of themed groups. Working groups covering the Creative
Industries, Culture and Heritage, and the Visitor Economy, are
aiming to ensure the transformative impact of the development
supports local priorities and contributes to growth across the
region. A Socio-Economic Taskforce will help make sure the local
workforce is prepared to take advantage of the opportunities the
theme park and resort will bring. This includes working towards
providing world-class training opportunities, in a variety of
industries, for the next generation of the Universal workforce,
including through a range of apprenticeships and internships for
young people and those early in their careers.
Benefits from this work are expected to be felt across the region
as young people gain valuable skills. This aligns with the
Government's ongoing work to unleash the potential of the
Oxford-Cambridge Growth Corridor and lay the foundations for
Bedford to become an innovation hub.
Set to become the UK's most popular tourist attraction, the
Universal United Kingdom Resort will bolster Bedfordshire's
existing visitor offering, which boasts a range of attractions
including Wrest Park, the 18th-century mansion set in 90 acres of
gardens, and Whipsnade Zoo the largest zoo in the
UK.
Minister for Tourism and Place 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.
This roundtable was the first of its kind and there will be
continued engagement with local authorities.
ENDS Notes to
Editors
- More information on the project can be found at
universalukproject.co.uk.
- The roundtable follows the signing of the
agreement between the Government and Comcast NBCUniversal,
announced in June.
