Work already underway to get Milton Keynes ready for Universal
The resort, planned to open in neighbouring Bedfordshire in 2031, is expected to attract around 8.5 million visitors a year and support thousands of jobs during its construction and operation.
For Milton Keynes residents, it could mean new jobs, apprenticeships and training opportunities, better transport connections and a major boost to the city’s local economy. Shops, hotels, restaurants, leisure venues and other local businesses could also benefit from increased visitor numbers.
Earlier this year, the City Council already made Universal readiness a priority within the Council Plan 2026-2027, focused on maximising the economic benefits to the city by making Milton Keynes ‘Universal ready.’
It is also working with neighbouring councils, Government, Invest Milton Keynes, Destination Milton Keynes, businesses, education and skills providers, and transport partners to ensure the city is prepared well before the resort opens.
The work will continue to focus on:
- Helping local businesses compete for contracts
- Ensuring residents can access future jobs, apprenticeships and training
- Planning the transport connections the city will need
- Encouraging visitors to stay, spend and return
- Promoting Milton Keynes to potential investors; and
- Assessing the city’s future hotel and visitor accommodation needs
Cross-party sessions will bring together councillors from every political group to consider three key areas:
- Tourism in December 2026
- Transport in January 2027
- Jobs and Skills in March 2027
These sessions will support business roundtables led by Council Leader, Jane Carr, bringing together local employers and other partners to help shape the city’s preparations.
Councillor Jane Carr, Leader of Milton Keynes City Council, said:
“Universal has the potential to bring huge benefits to Milton Keynes, but those benefits won’t happen automatically. There’s a lot to do and that work is already well underway.
“Preparing for Universal is so important that it sits within my portfolio as Council Leader. It’s also a priority in the Council Plan which was presented to Cabinet in June.
“For residents, this means creating good jobs and training opportunities, securing the transport connections our city needs and attracting further investment to Milton Keynes.
“For businesses, it means being ready to compete for contracts and benefit from the millions of visitors expected to come to our region.
“We want people to do more than travel through Milton Keynes on their way to Universal. We want them to stay in our hotels, visit our attractions, eat in our restaurants, shop locally and return in the future.
“By starting early and keeping this work moving through to the resort opening in 2031, we can make sure Milton Keynes residents and businesses are ready to benefit.”