Universal Studios is considering plans to build a UK theme park after buying a former brickworks in Bedfordshire.
The US film giant confirmed its parks division has purchased 480 acres of land in Stewartby as part of its efforts to explore new locations around the world.
It raises the prospect that Universal, which is owned by US media giant Comcast, could bring a major new theme park to the UK.
The company already operates sites in Hollywood and Orlando, as well as in Japan, Beijing and Singapore.
Its parks boast a range of attractions based on Universal’s deep catalogue of films, including Despicable Me and the Jurassic Park franchise.
The company also licenses some intellectual property from third parties, including Harry Potter.
The Bedfordshire site has been chosen due to its central location, with more than half the UK population located within a two-hour journey. It also has good links to London and is close to Luton Airport.
A spokesman for Universal stressed that the company was in the “early stages of exploring its feasibility”.
They added: “It will be many months before we are ready to make a decision to proceed and we look forward to engaging with all relevant stakeholders and the local community.”
If confirmed, the plans would add another major Hollywood attraction to the south of England after Warner Bros opened a public Harry Potter attraction at its studio complex in Watford.
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***The Telegraph reports:***
Universal Studios is considering plans to build a UK theme park after buying a former brickworks in Bedfordshire.
The US film giant confirmed its parks division has purchased 480 acres of land in Stewartby as part of its efforts to explore new locations around the world.
It raises the prospect that Universal, which is owned by US media giant Comcast, could bring a major new theme park to the UK.
The company already operates sites in Hollywood and Orlando, as well as in Japan, Beijing and Singapore.
Its parks boast a range of attractions based on Universal’s deep catalogue of films, including Despicable Me and the Jurassic Park franchise.
The company also licenses some intellectual property from third parties, including Harry Potter.
The Bedfordshire site has been chosen due to its central location, with more than half the UK population located within a two-hour journey. It also has good links to London and is close to Luton Airport.
A spokesman for Universal stressed that the company was in the “early stages of exploring its feasibility”.
They added: “It will be many months before we are ready to make a decision to proceed and we look forward to engaging with all relevant stakeholders and the local community.”
If confirmed, the plans would add another major Hollywood attraction to the south of England after Warner Bros opened a public Harry Potter attraction at its studio complex in Watford.
**Read more: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2023/12/19/universal-studios-plots-uk-theme-park/**