More than 100 UK residents are already being employed by Universal Studios United Kingdom Resort, with the £5bn theme park expected to create 20,000 jobs during construction and a further 8,000 when it opens in 2031.

More than 30,000 people have reportedly expressed an interest in employment at the park, with Comcast NBCUniversal committing to sourcing the majority of its workforce from Bedfordshire and neighbouring counties.

“For Bedford, this is not just about a theme park arriving nearby,” said a spokesperson. “It could mean new career paths for school leavers, college students, apprentices, tradespeople, hospitality workers, performers, engineers, project managers, security professionals and people already working in tourism or leisure.”

The 476-acre park is predicted to welcome 8.5 million visitors annually, and will also include a 500-room hotel, creating numerous positions within “hospitality, technology and creative.”

“Universal has committed to world-class training opportunities for the next generation of its workforce, including through a range of apprenticeships and internships,” said a government spokesperson.

“This aligns with the government’s work to unleash the potential of the Oxford-Cambridge Growth Corridor and lay the foundations for Bedford to become an innovation hub.”

Additional employment will also be generated through the Government’s investment of £1.3bn in improving local infrastructure and transport links.