• ℹ️ Heads up...

    This is a popular topic that is fast moving Guest - before posting, please ensure that you check out the first post in the topic for a quick reminder of guidelines, and importantly a summary of the known facts and information so far. Thanks.

Potential New Universal UK Park

Matt N said:
There were also some other nice surprises for them in the budget, though, such as the permanent lowering of business rates for hospitality and leisure from 2026/27.

Universal may also have negotiated some unique-to-them tax breaks, for all we know. We don’t know the details.
Click to expand...
Would they fall under that? I can’t remember if there was some rule about venue size or something like that?
 
Benzin said:
They can afford it.

If they really want to build here they will.
Click to expand...
I’m not disputing they can afford it, but whilst at the negotiating table it’d make perfect sense to try and minimise any additional costs before the green light is given.

No business is going to be happy about millions of additional pounds being spent on tax every year no matter how much money they have.
 
Matt N said:
Universal may also have negotiated some unique-to-them tax breaks, for all we know. We don’t know the details.
Click to expand...
That's not how our tax system works. Bespoke arrangements can be applied to an industry, but not for one singular entity.
Blackrock said:
No business is going to be happy about millions of additional pounds being spent on tax every year no matter how much money they have.
Click to expand...
If the project goes ahead they're going to be spending millions of additional pounds more than they currently are anyway, considering that they currently don't pay anything for theme parks in this country.

I would be surprised if the rise in Employer's National Insurance Contributions wasn't factored into their projections when scoping the project initially. Tax rises are always a possibility and it's very short sighted if you haven't modelled for them, if you're going to make a significant long term investment somewhere.
 
They’ll be reviewing their revenue projections on both cost and income very frequently over the next 5/6/however many years it is until they open. Any self respecting business (of which they clearly are) planning a huge capital outlay will have factored in that there’s a huge number of variables that could change during the particularly long timescale of the project.
 
Quantum said:
The pound is down against the dollar quite significantly. Even though it's not great for the UK for Universal if they pay contracts in dollars they could certainly get more bang for Thier buck
Click to expand...

Trump is planning to deliberately try and devalue the dollar so that might not last for long.
 
LordOfDarkness said:
On Page 9.1
Click to expand...

Section 9.1 (page 43) for those like me who may be confused!

We are aware that Universal Destinations & Experiences is exploring thepotential to develop a theme park and resort next to the Marston Vale Linenorth of Stewartby. The proposals for the Marston Vale Line presented inthis consultation do not take account of the Universal development. Weare discussing the proposals with Universal Destinations & Experiences andBedford Borough Council and considering the implications of the themepark and resort for the railway
 
One of the proposals in the document as part of the consolidated stations option is to move Stewartby station further north (about halfway between the existing Stewartby station and Kempston Hardwick), and close both stations. It also mentions in 9.2.4.4 that Universal will impact on their decisions on this point. EWR plans require a rebuild of Stewartby station whatever happens with Universal in order to accommodate the new bay platform for the additional hourly service to and from Bedford.

If it was relocated to the proposed new site, providing a suitable amount of access was able to be provided I think it would work out quite well for all involved.
 
This post is very topical and will probably date really easily, but considering the recent success of Wicked in the cinemas at the moment, what are the odds that we see Oz as a themed land replace a Harry Potter land in a Universal GB lineup?

Universal have been putting on a Wicked overlay on one of their covered areas at the moment in Singapore. I also believe there’s currently a tribute store in Orlando too!



Obviously this park would open a distance after Wicked Part 2 is released and is the cultural zeitgeist (although still more relevant than Fantastic Beasts). There’s a lot of potential they could do with Oz especially if they obtain the rights to the Wizard of Oz film, or do something original based upon the stories of Oz in the public domain, like Dark Universe is doing.

The franchise has enough scope for shows and multiple e-ticket attractions with no shortage of food and merchandising options. Having Oz/Wicked as an IP would possibly be a more stable and relative IP compared to Potter depending on how insane/unstable JK Rowling comes in the following years, and even if she does there’s the risk of it occurring and then being unable to change plans later down the line.

Especially if this is paired with other IPs like Lord of the Rings, I don’t think audiences and guests will be bothered of Harry Potter’s absence from the park as the fantasy and world building aspects of the franchise will be more than saturated!
 
there is talk that universal executives have set universal creative on creating a wicked/oz land attractions(s) for the Florida parks. The 3 possible areas mentioned are replacing the Simpsons area, lost continent in IOA or the old fear factor live show theatre.

Certainly could see it being a property that they could add to a UK park of it goes ahead
 
I guess it depends on how successful Wicked ends up being. If it's a box office hit, I wouldn't be surprised to see it appear.

On the subject of Harry Potter, though; I think the impact of JK Rowling's online comments on the health of the franchise, and by extension whether Universal would include it in a British park, is vastly overstated. There is a multi-million dollar TV show being commissioned for HBO Max, Hogwarts Legacy didn't come out long ago at all and still had tons of players and sales, and the lands in Orlando remain hugely popular 10-15 years on from their launch (so much so that another is opening in Epic Universe in 2025). I think the Harry Potter franchise has grown a lot larger than JK Rowling, so much so that you can separate the art from the original artist to some extent. I also debate how far-reaching the controversy surrounding JK Rowling's comments has actually been; outside of certain circles on Twitter and the like, I don't feel that there has been as much controversy as is made out. I do feel that the number of folks getting animated about her online comments to enough of a degree that they want to shun Potter are a particularly vocal minority rather than a representation of the populace at large.

I think there are reasons why Potter might not come to the UK, but I feel that the issues of the Studio Tour in Watford and not cannibalising Orlando are more likely to be the prime reasons from Universal's standpoint.

If Universal didn't bring Potter, though, I think they would need one hell of a replacement. One thing Potter would be is a huge hook IP (can you imagine the popularity of "Europe's first Harry Potter land", particularly in Harry Potter's home country no less?); if Potter is not on the agenda, I think they'll need to bring something else with equivalent sales appeal as a key hook IP to bring people in.
 
Maelstrom said:
Simpsons area, lost continent in IOA or the old fear factor live show theatre
Click to expand...
I suppose it depends on the amount they are planning but fear factor to me seem like it would be too small of an area (only really just the one show building space) Simpsons I would also think they would struggle to fit much in there (although if the IP contract runs out, it could make since to retheme it to wicked) the lost continent could be a good place though as it is quite large, allowing for another well themed area and it's main ride has also closed.
edit, they could tear down simpsons, Men in black and fear factor I have seen that being floated upon
 
I doubt it as Warner Bros Movie World has the rights doesn’t it? The one in Australia is literally opening it new Wicked land with new rides in a few weeks?
 
Maelstrom said:
there is talk that universal executives have set universal creative on creating a wicked/oz land attractions(s) for the Florida parks. The 3 possible areas mentioned are replacing the Simpsons area, lost continent in IOA or the old fear factor live show theatre.

Certainly could see it being a property that they could add to a UK park of it goes ahead
Click to expand...
I’ve heard Pokémon and The Legend of Zelda are the rumoured replacements for Simpsons Land and Lost Continent. I could potentially see Wicked getting some sort of stage show to replace Fear Factor Live, with a full land at Universal Great Britain.

But I’d be more than happy for Wicked to go to Florida if we got Pokémon and/or Zelda come to the UK though!!! Pokémon especially has enough content for Universal to do a different themed land at every park that widely share core elements, such as same shops (Pokémon Centres) and D-Ticket rides. With different E-Tickets for Hollywood/Bedford/Beijing and then Florida/Singapore.


Matt N said:
On the subject of Harry Potter, though; I think the impact of JK Rowling's online comments on the health of the franchise, and by extension whether Universal would include it in a British park, is vastly overstated. There is a multi-million dollar TV show being commissioned for HBO Max, Hogwarts Legacy didn't come out long ago at all and still had tons of players and sales, and the lands in Orlando remain hugely popular 10-15 years on from their launch (so much so that another is opening in Epic Universe in 2025). I think the Harry Potter franchise has grown a lot larger than JK Rowling, so much so that you can separate the art from the original artist to some extent. I also debate how far-reaching the controversy surrounding JK Rowling's comments has actually been; outside of certain circles on Twitter and the like, I don't feel that there has been as much controversy as is made out. I do feel that the number of folks getting animated about her online comments to enough of a degree that they want to shun Potter are a particularly vocal minority rather than a representation of the populace at large.
Click to expand...
That’s still a large continued bet on the Potter Franchise, who’s to say that the TV Series (if it ever happens) will be negatively received, there’s an element of streaming fatigue setting in, as we’ve already seen that Disney are moving away from their core franchises being focused around Disney+ and back towards the cinematic experience.


TBoy535 said:
I doubt it as Warner Bros Movie World has the rights doesn’t it? The one in Australia is literally opening it new Wicked land with new rides in a few weeks?
Click to expand...
It’s based off of the Wizard of Oz franchise in general (not necessarily the movies, so not sure if they have the WoO film IP), this a regional theme park and the theming looks like something you’d come to expect from a regional operator, such as Merlin.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top