Plans for a proposed Universal Studios theme park close to the UK are “ongoing,” ministers have said.
The proposed site in Kempston, Bedfordshire, could see Europe’s largest theme park created, as well as a 500-room hotel.
Responding to a question about the proposed site in the Commons on Wednesday, Treasury Minister Darren Jones said negotiations were ongoing to advance the plans.
Labour MP for Bedfordshire and Kempston, Mohammad Yasin, also asked about the site, which has not yet been confirmed by Universal.
Mr Jones said: “The government is in negotiations with partners for this development and unfortunately I can't update the House at this stage but I look forward to doing so in due course”.
The proposed site could bring up to 8,000 jobs to the region, which would rise to up to 10,000 after two decades.
Universal Destinations and Experiences has previously said it plans to open an all-year-round park after it bought a 476-acre site, but have yet to confirm whether it plans to go ahead.
Universal has five entertainment and resort complexes around the world – Universal Orlando Resort and Universal Studios Hollywood in the USA, Universal Studios Japan (Osaka), Universal Beijing Resort in China and Universal Studios Singapore.
Its proposed UK venue would lie along the East West Rail route, a proposed Oxford to Cambridge railway which Chancellor Rachel Reeves backed in a major speech last week.
Ministers have previously said they hope the site could attract millions of overseas visitors to the UK.
Universal’s own assessment states the “net economic contribution of the potential project for the UK is forecast to be £35.1 billion over the construction period and first 20 years of operation”.
A spokesperson for Universal Destinations and Experiences said: “We are having productive conversations with the UK government and will have more to share at the appropriate time.”
