en.Wedoany.com Reported - Four companies, including Bovis and Sir Robert McAlpine, have been selected to build Universal Studios' new £5 billion theme park on a former brickworks site near Bedford. Named the "Universal United Kingdom Resort," the project spans nearly 500 acres in Kempston Hardwick and will be the largest theme park in Europe, as well as the American company's first theme park on the continent.
The UK resort will be divided into five zones, with Bovis constructing two of them and McAlpine building one. Additionally, Wates and Morgan Sindall will each construct one zone. Careys has been appointed to carry out groundwork before the main construction begins. The resort is expected to be completed by 2031, creating 20,000 construction jobs, with 5,000 workers on site at peak times.
A spokesperson for Universal Destinations & Experiences told Building: "For a project of this scale, we will work with a range of different suppliers, including local businesses already on site supporting early preparation work." The UK government is investing £1.3 billion in the project for "regional and local community infrastructure to ensure the park can operate successfully and improve transport connections for local residents, as well as visitors from across the UK and overseas." Chancellor Rachel Reeves and Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy hosted Universal Chairman and CEO of Universal Destinations & Experiences, Mark Woodbury, at 11 Downing Street earlier this month. Reeves said: "Our investment in transport and infrastructure means local people will benefit—improving connectivity, supporting our creative industries, and attracting millions of visitors from around the world to the UK."
Comcast NBCUniversal, the company behind the project, said it will invest over £5 billion in the resort during the five-year construction period, with an additional £1 billion in the first decade of operation. Universal estimates the project will generate £50 billion for the economy by 2055. Woodbury added: "The Universal United Kingdom Resort will bring immersive storytelling, thrilling attractions, and unparalleled creativity and innovation to the UK. This new theme park and resort will create many new opportunities for people in Bedford and the surrounding areas, and allow us to share unique experiences with guests from around the world."
Earlier this year, Universal said it had appointed Veolia to design and build a major new water treatment facility aimed at alleviating potential pressure on water infrastructure near Bedford caused by the theme park. The facility will recycle and reuse water, including rainwater runoff, and will be operated by UK facilities management company ESP Utilities Group.
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