Universal has filed a trademark application that suggests the name of the United Kingdom’s first Universal Studios theme park as ground work begins on the site near Bedford.
On Sept. 8, the company submitted an application to the UK Intellectual Property Office for the phrase "Universal United Kingdom Resort," listing a range of goods and services including "entertainment and amusement park services," hotels, clothing, toys and beverageware. The project, announced in April 2025, is planned for Broadmead Farm in Kempston Hardwick and is scheduled to open in 2031.
The proposed resort is expected to cover about 476 acres and include a 500-room hotel and a retail and entertainment complex in addition to the theme park. Universal International has used similar naming conventions for other properties, such as Universal Orlando Resort and Universal Beijing Resort.
Construction activity on the farmland was reported in August 2025, when drones captured images showing harvested fields, vehicles and workers accessing the site to prepare for building. Concept artwork released earlier by the project shows a large roller coaster and a central lake. A YouTube channel called "Universally Bedford" posted that the farm area appears to be the location of what it described as a core zone for attractions tied to Illuminations and Minions; those comments were presented as the channel's interpretation of published artwork.
Local officials and residents have raised concerns about the scale of the development. In comments on the planning application, the Kempston Hardwick town council noted that peak daily attendance could reach as high as 55,000, a figure the council said would place substantial demand on regional transport, local services and public safety. The council also warned that a projected 200% increase in short-term rental listings in nearby Ampthill could displace long-term residents and alter the town’s character.
The government and Universal have highlighted the project's economic benefits. Prime Minister Keir Starmer has said the park will create roughly 28,000 jobs—about 20,000 during construction and 8,000 for operations once open—and has suggested the resort could generate close to £50 billion for the economy by 2055.
A trademark filing is a step in a wider process and does not necessarily signify the final name that will be used publicly, nor does it alter ongoing planning and regulatory considerations. The project still requires a range of consents and will proceed amid scrutiny over transport, housing and environmental impacts as work continues toward the planned 2031 opening.