Bedford Independent first reported that Mohammad Yasin MP joined regional leaders in Bedford for a roundtable on Universal United Kingdom Resort, the official name of the project that is planned to open in 2031. The meeting points to the continuing political and council-level coordination around the resort as it moves towards that target date.
The discussion brought together Yasin, DCMS Minister Stephanie Peacock MP, Mid Beds MP Blake Stephenson and local authority leaders from across the region. It was held in Bedford and also involved Universal representatives, underlining how closely the resort is already being considered by those expected to shape the next phase of the project.
Who was in the room
The roundtable gave local authorities a chance to set out their priorities, discuss the support they need from Government and explore how they can work together to maximise the benefits of the investment. In attendance were Bedford Borough Council, the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority, Central Bedfordshire Council, Huntingdonshire District Council, Luton Borough Council, Milton Keynes City Council, North Northamptonshire Council and West Northamptonshire Council.
That is a wide regional spread, and it reflects the scale of interest around the development. Bedford Borough Council’s Universal UK page says Universal Destinations & Experiences plans to build and operate the company’s first Universal-branded theme park and resort in the UK in Bedford Borough, with works on site starting in 2026 and opening planned for 2031.
What Yasin said about the project
Yasin described the resort as a “once-in-a-generation opportunity” for Bedfordshire and the wider region. He said it could create jobs, develop skills and creative industries, attract further investment and strengthen the economy, and he thanked Universal for its ongoing dialogue with Government, local authorities and communities.
He also said Government has an important role in creating the conditions for the investment to succeed, including support for infrastructure and skills. Yasin added that early engagement matters because developments on this scale inevitably bring challenges, and he praised Bedford Borough Council officers for working constructively with partners while representing Bedford’s interests.
What happens next
The roundtable ended with a commitment to continued engagement between local authorities, Government and Universal, with a focus on maximising the opportunities from the development while addressing the wider impacts of growth. For now, that means the next stage is further coordination rather than a new public decision.
