A day to dedicated to the plans to build a Universal Studios theme park in Bedford Borough could become a new annual tradition, under proposals due to be debated by councillors next week.
Mayor Tom Wootton will table a motion at the Full Council meeting on Wednesday, 2 July, that would see 9 April designated as ‘Universal Day’, recognising what the motion calls a “once-in-a-generation opportunity” for the area.
Universal Studios announced in March that it plans to build a major theme park and resort on the site of the former brickworks in Kempston Hardwick.
Read: Breaking news: Universal Studios UK gets green light for £50bn Bedford theme park opening 2031
According to the motion, the project is expected to create up to 20,000 construction jobs by 2031, followed by 8,000 permanent roles once the site is operational. It claims that up to 80% of those roles “will be created for residents of Bedford Borough”.
However, Universal’s website states that “approximately 80 per cent of employees [are expected] to come from Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas.”
The motion also refers to an estimated 12 million visitors annually, and a projected £5 billion in economic returns for the local community.
Read: “We chose Bedford”: Universal Studios exec on why the theme park is coming here
If approved, the motion would commit Bedford Borough Council to:
- Add Universal Day to the official civic calendar
- Organise annual events in local schools
- Partner with sixth forms, colleges and universities to promote job opportunities
- Formally thank Bedford Borough MPs Blake Stephenson (Conservative), Mohammad Yasin (Labour), Richard Fuller (Conservative) for their support in securing the project
The Full Council meeting will take place at Borough Hall on 2 July.
Originally by John Guinn
rewritten by Paul Hutchinson
