British companies get boost as Universal Studios theme park announces list of contractors who will bring 2031 attraction to life - with UK set for '£50billion economic benefit'

See more Daily Mail on Google - save us as a Preferred Source Published: 10:11 EDT, 17 September 2026 | Updated: 10:29 EDT, 17 September 2026 The Universal UK Resort set to open in 2031 has released a list of firms that will bring the theme park to life – and British companies are carrying out much of the planning and construction work.Located in Kempston Hardwick, near Bedford, the park will be the brand's first major destination in the UK and Europe – and will generate thousands of jobs and nearly £50billion for the economy. The 540-acre resort is tipped to have rides themed around Jurassic World, James Bond and Paddington.It is expected to attract 8.5million guests in its first year, which would make it the UK's most-visited theme park.Companies appointed to support construction include Sir Robert McAlpine Ltd and Wates Construction Ltd, while other firms helping with the project include UK-based DWD Property and Planning Ltd and LDA Design Consulting Ltd. The resort will offer a 500-room hotel alongside rides and attractions based on iconic Universal franchises. The Universal UK Resort set to open in 2031 will be a huge win for British construction Early signs of construction were seen at the future site of Universal Studios in June The project marks one of the largest investments in the UK tourism sector, with £5billion dedicated to construction, and an additional £2.2billion to fund ongoing operations following its opening.To ensure the park operates efficiently, the Government has also pledged an investment of £1.3billion on regional and local community infrastructure, as well as improved transport links for locals and visitors.The theme park is set to create 28,000 jobs across the construction, hospitality, creative and technology sectors – with 80 per cent of its workforce expected to be hired locally around Bedfordshire. The park will be accessed via a grand tree-lined boulevard for drivers and a purpose-built transport hub for public transport users.Guests will arrive at a large entry plaza – open to ticket-holders and non-ticket-holders alike – featuring restaurants, shops and entertainment venues.Paying guests will enter the main park through an iconic Universal archway.The park itself will be divided into four main zones, including the Core Zone, which will be the central heart of the attraction, potentially housing a theme park, a water park and an amusement park.The Lake Zone will boast a new wetland habitat, business hotels with 2,000 rooms, and supporting entertainment infrastructure. Former Prime Minister Keir Starmer discussing the Universal theme park plans Former Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves at the ceremony for Universal Theme Park at Kempston Hardwick earlier this summer Adjacent to the future Wixams Rail Station, the East Gateway Zone will be a key access point for visitors arriving by train.The West Gateway Zone, meanwhile, will become home to a 200-room hotel, petrol station, restaurants and additional entertainment spaces.The park also seeks to operate music and dance venues, nightclubs and even tattoo parlours, along with creating events spaces for shows, parades and displays.Across the site, Universal plans to develop over 7,100 parking spaces, 100 coach bays and 250 cycle spaces. Construction firms for Universal Arcadis Consulting (UK) Ltd AtkinsRéalis UK Ltd Blumano Ltd Bovis Construction (Europe) Ltd Brindle & Green LtdBuro Happold Ltd Galliford Try Construction Ltd Gensler Europe Ltd Gillespies LLP Gleeds LLP Mace Consult Ltd Morgan Sindall Construction & Infrastructure Ltd Mott MacDonald Ltd Ove Arup & Partners Ltd Oxford Archaeology LtdPinsent Masons LLP P.J. Carey Contractors Ltd Rider Levett Bucknall UK Ltd Ridge and Partners LLP Sir Robert McAlpine Ltd Wates Construction Ltd Wilson James Ltd Winvic Construction Ltd ... and the companies who have supported the project: CMS Cameron McKenna Nabarro Olswang LLPDWD Property and Planning Ltd Edelman Smithfield Flint Global LtdLCA Communications LtdLDA Design Consulting Ltd Saphira Group Ltd SLR Consulting Ltd Town Legal LLP Volterra Partners LLP WSP UK Ltd