Common Locations & Experiences has formally introduced plans to construct and function the corporate’s first-ever theme park & resort in the UK, positioned in Bedford. The venture, informally unknown as Common Studios Nice Britain amongst followers, has been revealed through new idea artwork and particulars from through the UK authorities.
For its half, Common Locations & Experiences has introduced its intent to proceed with the Bedford theme park venture following greater than a yr of feasibility, due diligence, and shut engagement with native and nationwide stakeholders, in addition to members of the native surrounding communities. Common Studios Nice Britain was first rumored again in December 2023, when web sleuthing confirmed that Common had bought a big parcel within the UK and was exploring plans for a theme park.
Common reviews that in its interval of public engagement whereas exploring the brand new park idea, the corporate shared its proposal with native communities. Throughout that public engagement, the corporate met with virtually 1,500 folks and engaged with practically 100 native organisations to listen to concepts and suggestions. Common obtained over 6,000 responses to our engagement survey, with 92% of individuals surveyed expressing their assist for Common Studios Nice Britain.
Quick-forward over a yr, and Common has now introduced that the “exploration” is full and the park is transferring ahead! The proposed plans for Common Studios Nice Britain embody an leisure resort advanced with a world-class theme park with a number of themed lands that includes Common’s distinct model of immersive storytelling, thrilling rides, modern points of interest and thrilling leisure.
Along with the Common Studios Nice Britain theme park, preliminary plans for the resort advanced additionally function a 500-room lodge and a retail, eating and leisure advanced. Will probably be the primary Common-branded theme park within the UK and Europe. At present, a planning proposal has been submitted to the UK authorities with a projected building begin date in 2026, topic to the related planning approvals. Common Studios Nice Britain is projected to open in 2031.
This growth could have a transformative impression on Bedford and the UK economic system. Common Studios Nice Britain shall be a significant contributor to the inventive arts and tourism industries, producing practically £50 billion of financial profit for the UK and creating 1000’s of recent, high-quality jobs.
Common Studios Nice Britain shall be one of many largest employers within the area as soon as it opens, with roughly 80% of workers anticipated to come back from Bedford, Central Bedfordshire, Luton & Milton Keynes. Many extra communities will likewise profit from apprenticeships, coaching and academic alternatives.
Right here’s the conceptual artists’ rendering and site of land space and proposed park:
In its announcement, Common acknowledges the large pleasure its theme parks convey. Nonetheless, it’s too early within the course of to announce any of the points of interest or experiences. Extra particulars about Common Studios Nice Britain shall be revealed over time, and are topic to the mandatory planning consent approvals.
That is to be anticipated with any new theme park. Again when Epic Universe was first introduced in 2019, it was through the same piece of high-level aerial idea artwork. The precise lands weren’t introduced till a number of years later, with the curtain pulled again on particular person points of interest and experiences even later than that. Granted, there was the entire “COVID” factor that possible threw a monkey wrench into issues and launched uncertainty.
Nonetheless, the web did its factor and inside hours of the primary Epic Universe idea artwork being launched, there have been credible reviews of the lands and even particular points of interest. These have been just about on the cash with what was constructed and is about to open over 5 years later.
It’s the same story with Common Youngsters Resort in Texas, though the accuracy fee seems to be a bit decrease on that one. Level being: we might have a reasonably good thought of what’s deliberate for Common Studios Nice Britain through the rumor mill a lot, a lot prior to Common’s subsequent reveal and the federal government planning course of permits.
With that in thoughts, right here’s increased decision idea artwork of Common Studios Nice Britain to help in your investigations:
Talking of the federal government, the UK Prime Minister’s workplace additionally issued its personal announcement, stating that the transfer “represents a significant vote of confidence within the UK economic system and the way forward for partnerships between the UK and the US.” It referred to as the theme park one of many largest and most superior in Europe, and praised Common for its assist of the federal government’s “Plan for Change” to create financial development and alternatives.
This press launch additionally highlighted the financial impression, indicating that Common Studios Nice Britain will convey practically 20,000 jobs in the course of the building interval, with an additional 8,000 new jobs throughout the hospitality and artistic industries when it opens in 2031. This can assist the federal government to ship its development mission – creating increased residing requirements and placing extra money in folks’s pockets.
In addition to producing vital alternatives, the brand new theme park and resort will convey vital native advantages, and assist a stream of ongoing work to unleash the potential of the Oxford-Cambridge hall by development, infrastructure revitalisation and additional job alternatives.
Common expects the positioning to generate practically £50 billion for the economic system by 2055, with 8.5 million guests anticipated in its first yr. In so doing, Common Studios Nice Britain will turn into the most important customer attraction within the UK–and will ultimately rival Disneyland Paris because the #1 vacationer vacation spot in all of Europe.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer mentioned:
Right now we closed the deal on a multi-billion-pound funding that can see Bedford residence to one of many greatest leisure parks in Europe, firmly placing the county on the worldwide stage.
That is our Plan for Change in motion, combining native and nationwide development with creating round 28,000 new jobs throughout sectors resembling building, AI, and tourism.
It isn’t nearly numbers; it’s about securing actual alternatives for folks in our nation. Collectively, we’re constructing a brighter future for the UK, getting folks into work and guaranteeing our economic system stays sturdy and aggressive.
Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves mentioned:
At a time of worldwide change, this funding is a vote of confidence in Britain as a spot to do enterprise. Common’s funding will convey billions to the economic system and create 1000’s of jobs to the UK, placing extra money in folks’s pockets.
Mike Cavanagh, President of Comcast Company, mentioned:
We couldn’t be extra excited to take this crucial step in our plan to create and ship an unimaginable Common theme park and resort within the coronary heart of the UK, which enhances our rising US-based parks enterprise by increasing our international footprint to Europe.
We respect the management and assist of Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Chancellor Rachel Reeves, Minister for Funding Poppy Gustafsson, Tradition Secretary Lisa Nandy and their groups, as we work collectively to create and ship a unbelievable new landmark vacation spot.
Mark Woodbury, Chairman and CEO of Common Locations & Experiences, mentioned:
Bringing a world-class theme park and resort to the UK is an incredible alternative and is a part of our technique to introduce the Common model and experiences to new audiences across the globe. We respect the unimaginable assist for our proposed venture and sit up for bringing it to life within the years forward.
As a part of the Plan for Change, the UK authorities will decide to a significant funding in infrastructure across the web site to assist the supply of the venture and guarantee it’s nicely related and simply accessible. It comes simply days after the federal government signed-off the enlargement of Luton Airport, showcasing how the federal government’s pro-growth agenda is delivering real-life advantages for working folks.
The deal helps the UK’s world main inventive industries, a growth-driving sector recognized within the authorities’s fashionable Industrial Technique, which shall be revealed this spring. The Technique will drive funding into excessive development sectors, unlocking jobs and development proper throughout the nation.
Common Locations & Experiences has a confirmed monitor document of constructing and working main theme parks and resorts throughout the globe. A Common growth within the UK will be a part of the corporate’s current portfolio of locations throughout america and Asia-Pacific.
The proposals for Common Studios Nice Britain stay topic to a planning choice from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Native Authorities. Right here’s some extra financial impression stuff from Common:
Turning to commentary, the timing of that is as soon as once more fascinating. This venture is turning into official within the lead-up to Epic Universe’s opening and as recent rumors swirl in regards to the firm’s aggressive enlargement plans in Orlando. In the meantime, the information of the week on the Disney facet of the ledger is that this: Bob Iger Warns of Tariffs’ Impression on Disney’s $60 Billion Growth Plans. (Spoiler: he’s not “warning” that Disney is doubling down on investments!)
Though I hate to contribute to theme park tribalism, it’s feeling like possibly we’re due for a sequel to: Is Common “Beating” Disney?That article is now over a yr outdated, and is particularly about Common Orlando and Walt Disney World, however conceivably might be prolonged to embody the broader Common Locations & Experiences and Disney Parks & Resorts divisions.
It nonetheless appears like Comcast has their foot on the gasoline, pushing the pedal to the steel. In the meantime, it appears like Disney has set the cruise management for a leisurely Sunday drive at finest, and beginning to pump the brakes at worst.
Though Disney has fortunately moved past speaking and blue sky daydreaming about nebulous future plans and at last has shovels within the soil, it nonetheless looks like Comcast is transferring a lot sooner. They’re hungrier, and certain appear to be full steam forward on their theme parks enterprise. In the meantime, DINOSAUR remains to be open till 2026 (for causes unknown), the primary of Walt Disney World’s enlargement received’t come on-line till after 2027, and people $60 billion plans certain appear topic to vary.
It’s not simply Epic Universe in Orlando or this potential Common Nice Britain advanced, both. There’s additionally the Common Youngsters Resort theme park and lodge beneath building Frisco, Texas. Then there’s the Common Horror Unleashed in Las Vegas, Nevada. These are two smaller-scale initiatives, however they’re indicative of modern ways in which Common is trying to enter the points of interest market with out tentpole vacationer locations.
Maybe I’m being unfair, or am “nearer” to the Disney facet of issues, making me extra apt to note the faults and really feel the gradual tempo of those initiatives. I’m undecided. However from the place I sit, it certain looks like Disney and Comcast are transferring at totally different speeds. Whereas there’s an actual sense of urgency to double-down on Common’s theme parks, Disney feels methodical to a fault. Just like the distinction between a lean startup and a bloated forms.
With regard to commentary about Common Studios Nice Britain, the park & resort venture is definitely intriguing. One earlier matter of dialog amongst readers on this Florida-centric web site was whether or not it’s a possible risk to Walt Disney World or Common Orlando. My assumption can be that it’s to a point, however not a significant sufficient one to warrant fear by both operator.
Any theme park within the yard of Brits goes to siphon off some company from the UK. That’s simply the sensible actuality of this sort of growth, and no quantity of intelligent menu planning for the journey roster will change that. A sure proportion of company see “Common” or “Disney” and think about the entire parks as interchangeable, and can go to the one most handy to them.
However that already would’ve been taking place to some extent–Disneyland Paris has existed in France for over 30 years. It’s in all probability honest to say that Walt Disney World hasn’t been struggling on account of DLP. There are nonetheless loads of Europeans who view Central Florida because the definitive vacation spot for theme parks, and that’ll be true for Common, too, because it quickly has 3 gates in Orlando to Nice Britain’s one. (This park might additionally function a ‘style’ of Common that will get extra high-spending European ‘whales’ to e-book journeys to Florida!)
To that time, I’d assume that Common Studios Nice Britain can be extra of a direct competitor to Disneyland Paris, Alton Towers, Europa Park, Efteling, and different theme parks in Europe. This can virtually definitely be extra of a fear for Disneyland Paris than will probably be for Walt Disney World or Common Orlando.
One other factor that’ll be fascinating is what classes Common learns from Disneyland Paris in designing for the climate of Europe. Clearly, there shall be extra indoor points of interest and one thing like World Bazaar at Tokyo Disneyland or the Arcades at Disneyland Paris to supply a coated procuring space. One thing like this additionally exists in Common Studios Japan over the principle entrance space. However the idea artwork additionally reveals just a few uncovered curler coasters, so there’s that.
Personally, I feel issues about climate are overstated. Florida is downright depressing for a number of months of the yr, and Walt Disney World and Common Orlando put up unimaginable attendance numbers regardless of that. Positive, it’s a special form of disagreeable–however I’ll take just a few weeks of chilly and snow over months of warmth and humidity any day. You’ll be able to at all times placed on extra layers–solely so many you’ll be able to take away earlier than park safety will get concerned.
Joking apart, I feel theme park operators with the funds and experience of Common or Disney can work round inclimate climate in designing their parks to maintain company comfy. Equally as essential, they’ve sufficient drawing energy to draw company year-round. Even when it’s snowy or wet, if phrase will get out that crowds are low, folks will bear with the climate.
In the end, it ought to be enjoyable to observe Common Studios Nice Britain take form. Whereas I received’t faux to be an skilled on Nice Britain, the proposed web site in Bedford Borough appears savvy. It presents a handy and accessible location, favorable visitor demographics, and it certain looks like locals are on board with the venture–and that’s half the battle. If Common’s statements in regards to the constructive reception are correct–and never simply spin–this park ought to have a smoother total path to its 2031 opening, and better chance of native embrace.
On the very least, we wouldn’t count on Brits to dub Common Nice Britain as a “cultural chernobyl,” which is what occurred with Euro Disneyland We hope all of those bulletins from Common create a better sense of urgency throughout the Walt Disney Firm to energy ahead with its personal plans with a better sense of urgency, fast-tracking initiatives versus hitting pause because of tariffs, financial uncertainty, or numerous different issues (most of which shall be a distant reminiscence by 2028–two years after the midterm elections–when these things begins opening).
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YOUR THOUGHTS
What do you consider the Common Studios Nice Britain theme park advanced? Excited for this addition? Will you be there for opening day in 2031? Suppose it’ll be a competitor to Walt Disney World and Common Orlando, or largely Disneyland Paris and different main theme parks in Europe? What potential lands and/or points of interest would you wish to see Common construct in the UK? Suppose this shall be a worthy addition to Common’s theme parks portfolio? Anticipate Disney to “reply” with a giant announcement of its personal? Any questions? We love listening to from readers, so please share every other ideas or questions you could have within the feedback under!
