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[🌎 Universal GB] General Discussion

MattBTP said:
I remember when I last visited Universal Orlando, was waiting in the pre-show on Simpsons. American family in the room as well, both parents drunk and the kids trying to smash up/tear the theming down. Was quite an eye opening experience
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Ironically this sounds like something Homer and Bart would do
 
What about a area based on all the itv cop shows.

Midsummer Murders
Inspector Morse
A Touch Of Frost
 
dave___ said:
I’m feeling a Budget announcement
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If you would like the project to progress and not lose public support, you better hope that there isn't anything to do with the project in the budget.

If an announcement of further state aid is to be given to a US conglomerate, worth approximate $188 billion, in the same budget as the widely reported rumoured tax hikes and austerity cuts, it could become dead in the water.

The ÂŁ500 million for the theme park, that's already been announced previously, would be presented by the government as a vital "investment in growth, jobs, and levelling up.", but, when set against widespread personal tax rises and public service cuts, the media would almost certainly frame it as a handout, a vanity project, or a sign of perverse priorities.

Here are some theoretical headlines for you....

JURASSIC PORK!
Chancellor gives ÂŁ500m to US film giants for theme park... while YOU pay with tax hikes and brutal cuts.

THE UN-FUNFAIR BUDGET
Misery for millions with austerity and tax rises, but ÂŁ500m of YOUR cash goes to Hollywood bosses.

A ROLLERCOASTER OF A BUDGET... AND YOU'RE THE ONE SICK!

CUTS FOR NURSES, CASH FOR MINIONS

DESPICABLE SQUEEZE
Misery for minions as Chancellor hikes taxes... but hands ÂŁ500m to Despicable Me bosses.

WE'RE GONNA NEED A BIGGER BUDGET
Warning on cuts as ÂŁ500m Jaws payout takes a bite out of public cash.

YOU MUST BE SHREKKING!
Families face bill for Chancellor's ÂŁ500m theme park gamble as taxes and cuts bite deep.

MADNESS! ÂŁ500M SPLURGE ON THEME PARK AS HARD-PRESSED FAMILIES FACE TAX SQUEEZE

A TALE OF TWO BRITAINS: AUSTERITY FOR YOU, ÂŁ500M FOR A US GIANT

WHAT PLANET ARE THEY ON?
Chancellor defends "gimmick" ÂŁ500m theme park grant while pleading poverty on public services.

Chancellor Pairs Deep Austerity With ÂŁ500m "Growth Bet" on Universal Park

NEW AGE OF AUSTERITY BEGINS WITH ÂŁ500M HANDOUT FOR US ENTERTAINMENT GIANT

"PERVERSE PRIORITIES": Chancellor Faces Tory Backlash Over Theme Park Deal Amid Tax Rises

BEDFORD'S ÂŁ500M JACKPOT!
Town secures huge Universal theme park deal... but local families will still feel pinch from national tax rises.
 
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GooseOnTheLoose said:
JURASSIC PORK!
Chancellor gives ÂŁ500m to US film giants for theme park... while YOU pay with tax hikes and brutal cuts.

THE UN-FUNFAIR BUDGET
Misery for millions with austerity and tax rises, but ÂŁ500m of YOUR cash goes to Hollywood bosses.

A ROLLERCOASTER OF A BUDGET... AND YOU'RE THE ONE SICK!

CUTS FOR NURSES, CASH FOR MINIONS

DESPICABLE SQUEEZE
Misery for minions as Chancellor hikes taxes... but hands ÂŁ500m to Despicable Me bosses.

WE'RE GONNA NEED A BIGGER BUDGET
Warning on cuts as ÂŁ500m Jaws payout takes a bite out of public cash.

YOU MUST BE SHREKKING!
Families face bill for Chancellor's ÂŁ500m theme park gamble as taxes and cuts bite deep.

MADNESS! ÂŁ500M SPLURGE ON THEME PARK AS HARD-PRESSED FAMILIES FACE TAX SQUEEZE

A TALE OF TWO BRITAINS: AUSTERITY FOR YOU, ÂŁ500M FOR A US GIANT

WHAT PLANET ARE THEY ON?
Chancellor defends "gimmick" ÂŁ500m theme park grant while pleading poverty on public services.

Chancellor Pairs Deep Austerity With ÂŁ500m "Growth Bet" on Universal Park

NEW AGE OF AUSTERITY BEGINS WITH ÂŁ500M HANDOUT FOR US ENTERTAINMENT GIANT

"PERVERSE PRIORITIES": Chancellor Faces Tory Backlash Over Theme Park Deal Amid Tax Rises

BEDFORD'S ÂŁ500M JACKPOT!
Town secures huge Universal theme park deal... but local families will still feel pinch from national tax rises.
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I heard The Sun is hiring..
 
GooseOnTheLoose said:
If you would like the project to progress and not lose public support, you better hope that there isn't anything to do with the project in the budget.

If an announcement of further state aid is to be given to a US conglomerate, worth approximate $188 billion, in the same budget as the widely reported rumoured tax hikes and austerity cuts, it could become dead in the water.

<Tabloid gubbins>
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Quite possibly. However it seems like the perfect "one more thing" to show how much they are investing in the economy; Budgets always have major infrastructure announcements - last year's had Sizewell C, confirmation of HS2 through to Euston, Transpennine Upgrade continued funding etc. When I worked on the roads we always kept an eye on the budget to see what they were going to make us do the next year.

I might be wrong but knowing how this government seem to like to botch everything at the moment, the stars seem to be aligning to add another thing to the list.

Someone should contact Collins Earthworks and ask them what they are doing, plenty of their plant working there at the moment..
 
dave___ said:
Quite possibly. However it seems like the perfect "one more thing" to show how much they are investing in the economy; Budgets always have major infrastructure announcements - last year's had Sizewell C, confirmation of HS2 through to Euston, Transpennine Upgrade continued funding etc.
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Those projects all have a fairly public reasoning behind their existence though. Universal is a leisure venture which happens to potentially benefit locals with jobs and traffic.
 
Seems like Universal UK will be getting it's own train station after all on the west of the site. This is in addition to the new station being built nearby at Wixam.

Positive news I'd say and definitely needed. However train stations being built and opened in time in this country are almost a thing of myth. There's a small one being built near me on the Cheshire / Greater Manchester border which has already been delayed by a few years from the original planned completed date.

I feel incredibly positive that this park will indeed be built. However a 2031 opening date is feeling less likely by the week. If they get all the work done and have this place open for summer 2031 I will be seriously impressed.
 
The fact that the gov.uk press release directly references the “upcoming Universal theme park” all but confirms it’s a go really doesn’t it. As well as same press release having a quote from Universal in it

www.gov.uk

East West Rail unveils next phase for Oxford-Cambridge growth

East West Rail confirms next phase of construction, boosting Oxford-Cambridge links with more frequent trains, new stations and major economic growth.
www.gov.uk www.gov.uk

I’m still anticipating an announcement next week
 
dave___ said:
The fact that the gov.uk press release directly references the “upcoming Universal theme park” all but confirms it’s a go really doesn’t it. As well as same press release having a quote from Universal in it

www.gov.uk

East West Rail unveils next phase for Oxford-Cambridge growth

East West Rail confirms next phase of construction, boosting Oxford-Cambridge links with more frequent trains, new stations and major economic growth.
www.gov.uk www.gov.uk

I’m still anticipating an announcement next week
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Budget is due on Weds, and as much as @GooseOnTheLoose will probably blow a gasket, could see Reeves announce it directly or indirectly via the infrastructure stuff.
 
I feel sorry for universal, if they government do mention it around the budget I can see headlines being very damaging to the idea of announcing money towards them park transport infrastructure (I know not directly) over screwing people who actually work.
 
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