Universal Studios, the renowned theme park company, has recently purchased a 480-acre site in Stewartby, between Bedford and Milton Keynes, with the intention of transforming it into a major attraction. With the media giant already operating popular resorts in Orlando and Hollywood in the US, as well as Osaka and Beijing, Stewartby’s location, just 60 miles from London, with its own railway station and proximity to the M1 and Luton Airport, proved to be a key factor in the decision.
However, the news has led some locals to wonder what impact such a large-scale development would have on their village, a former model town built for the workforce of the London Brick Company. While some experts have suggested that such a theme park could create significant economic benefits for the surrounding areas, others warn that infrastructure developments and the theme park’s heavy focus on the customer service, infrastructure, and hospitality sectors could have negative effects on the town.
Dr. Sabrina Mittermeier, theme park history expert and author of A Cultural History of the Disneyland Theme Parks, explains that such developments are often supported, especially by the local community, due to their potential economic benefits. However, she also warns that local authorities may need to foot the bill for significant infrastructure improvements, as was the case in France when the government invested heavily to bring Euro Disney to the country.
Universal Destinations and Experiences has yet to release any official details about its feasibility study of the site or the timeline for making a final decision. But while there is still uncertainty about the potential impact of the project on Stewartby, other UK theme parks such as Legoland Windsor and Thorpe Park have comfortably accommodated millions of visitors and helped generate significant economic benefits for their respective areas
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