Universal Great Britain

[Jamesh22]

I think we need a sweepstake on which page count this thread will be at if/when we get an official announcement.

 

[Altonsky]

I’m being optimistic and saying 154 haha

 

[TheUniC6]

In one of his last posts before he disappeared, Tomfoolery said "Its going to be a long seven years from here." To me UGB is slated for a 2031 debut if all goes to plan. Considering how EU was announced in 2019 and was going to debut in 2023 before Covid threw a massive wrench in that, I am going to say if UGB broke ground it wouldn't be until 2027-2028.

 

[Altonsky]

Honestly wouldn’t surprise me. 2027 seems like a reasonable time especially for UK infrastructure projects.

 

[rob@rar]

I think we are going to see other major milestones before Comcast make a formal announcement. I think we’re going to see the government consult on the environmental impact of the proposals, I think we are going to see the government go through the legislative steps to approve the Special Development Order, and I think we might see the first steps to get the groundwork underway at the site, all before the formal announcement and the substantial PR push which will come with it. So maybe we’re months and months away from “the announcement” but I think we will continue to see positive signs that this thing is progressing through the necessary steps.

 

[Doug88]

Has anyone else lost interest? By the time this is built I'll be to old too ride anything or most of us will be dead. It's boring now.

 

[Altonsky]

S

Has anyone else lost interest? By the time this is built I'll be to old too ride anything or most of us will be dead. It's boring now.

Speak for yourself, i’m immortal

 

[Jake S]

Has anyone else lost interest? By the time this is built I'll be to old too ride anything or most of us will be dead. It's boring now.

give it a rest, doug

 

[JoeMcSqueezy]

Has anyone else lost interest? By the time this is built I'll be to old too ride anything or most of us will be dead. It's boring now.

God you're so desperate to get a rise out of people it hurts

 

[bedfordmassive]

Has anyone else lost interest? By the time this is built I'll be to old too ride anything or most of us will be dead. It's boring now.

Cheerio then!

 

[Rhian]

Something to keep in mind is we found out about this early in the process. This thread started last November and it hasn't even been a year yet! Though it seems like the UK has more transparency with projects like this than the US does I'm unsure we would've known as much as we do right now if it weren't for the public pressure and interest for info as a result of the early scoop.

Extra eyes were already likely on the lookout for anything new since Universal was (and is) also working on major additions elsewhere (kid's resort, HHN LV site, etc.) at the same time. If it weren't for those meddling kids they'd have gotten away with a more surprising announcement methinks.

It sounds like so far things continue pointing to good news that's simply delayed. Anything can happen, but the amount of effort Uni has put forth between the meetings, feedback sessions, and documents strongly points to them being very much interested in proceeding.

Side note: I appreciate officials actually taking time out and giving explanatory answers to questions instead of fluff that you have to sift to find anything worthy of an answer. It's very refreshing! Many thanks to everyone here who's been reaching out to get additional information to share back here.

 

[yepthatguy]

In the last couple of weeks, I keep hearing that landowners near the site are considering rebooting plans from a few years ago to build hotels, drive thru’s and restaurants.

Perhaps they know something we don’t.

I’m starting to feel a bit left out.

 

[rob@rar]

Bedford Councillors on the "Environment and Sustainable Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee" will receive an oral update on the Universal Studios project next week, 26th September, from the Priority Project Consultant employed by the Council to work on their response to the proposal. This is a routine agenda item for this committee, and it appears on all their agenda at the moment. The previous meeting where they received an update was broadcast via their live-streaming website, so we should get to hear what the committee is told by the Priority Project Consultant (although the PPC and at least some of the Councillors have signed Non-Disclosure Agreements, so there is a limit to what they can say in public).

In the last couple of weeks, I keep hearing that landowners near the site are considering rebooting plans from a few years ago to build hotels, drive thru’s and restaurants.

Perhaps they know something we don’t.

Makes sense to me. They won't need inside info to think that there is a high probability of a major opportunity in future years, worth revisiting and perhaps rebooting plans from when development of that site was previously proposed, before Universal bought the land.

Universal Creative have just advertised for a Senior Director, Executive Producer who will have responsibility to "produce and direct the development and implementation of blue-sky, concept and schematic design for Universal Creative projects". The Senior Director will "direct Show Producers and Project Teams through design and development and delivery of early project phases (e.g. Blue Sky, Concept, and Schematic Design)". The Head of Talent Acquisition for Universal Creative said that this type of role is so rare: "I can think of maybe only one other time a role like this has come along in my 8+ years with the company!"

Wonder if some of the Blue Sky development this role will be doing might end up in Bedford...

 

[rob@rar]

The local Labour MP Mohammad Yasin was interviewed by the UK Property Forum and was asked if he was confident that the Universal project would go ahead. He replied:

I am optimistic. Discussions to date have been very positive but of course there is a way to go before any final decision is made. Universal presents a huge opportunity for our towns: employing over 8,000 people directly, creating jobs in the wider supply chain, bringing thousands of new customers to support new and existing businesses, and generating approximately £14.1 billion in additional tax revenue for the Government over a 20-year period, helping to fund our public services.

All of this means more jobs for local residents, and more opportunities for local businesses. But there are important matters that still need to be agreed.

I have been clear from day one that I do not believe this project can progress without clarity around major infrastructure improvements and full Government support for these. This is currently what is being discussed between the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) and Universal.

I will or course continue to do all I can to address any emergent issues to ensure that we secure this significant project and get the best deal for Bedford and Kempston.