Council bosses from across the region joined the Government’s tourism minister in Bedford on Wednesday, to discuss how to maximise the benefits of the Universal Destinations & Experiences investment.
Mayor of Bedford Borough Tom Wootton and Council chief executive Laura Church were joined by Stephanie Peacock MP at the Swan Hotel, alongside council leaders and chief executives from Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority, Central Bedfordshire Council, Huntingdonshire District Council, Luton Borough Council, Milton Keynes City Council, North Northamptonshire Council, and West Northamptonshire Council.
Also present were MPs Blake Stephenson and Mohammad Yasin, and a senior representative from Universal and civil servants from the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport.
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. Topics discussed included how to boost the local economy by attracting tourists across the region, driving town centre regeneration 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.
Mayor Tom said; “The first thing the minister said was to thank officers from Bedford Borough Council for all their hard work and dedication in bringing this fantastic project to our borough. I hope that will give every Bedford Borough Council employee an added spring in their step.
“Universal will be like nothing we’ve ever seen in Bedford Borough, and we’re doing everything we can to maximise the value it will bring. We’re expecting it to create 28,000 jobs and generate nearly £50billion for the UK economy, bringing new jobs, skills and investment to Bedford and the surrounding region.
“Whether it’s our creative industries, digital, culture and heritage, or the visitor economy, this is going to transform our future. That is why a Socio-Economic Taskforce has been created, with Bedford Borough Council officers proactively working to help make sure the local workforce is prepared to take advantage of the opportunities the theme park and resort will bring, working towards providing world-class training opportunities 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.”
Stephanie Peacock, 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 and collaboration with local authorities.