On 20 August 2026, Tourism Minister Stephanie Peacock chaired the first meeting of regional leaders following June's announcement of a planned Universal United Kingdom Resort in Bedford, according to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport. The roundtable at The Swan Hotel brought together government, Universal Destinations and Experiences and council leaders and chief executives from eight local authorities, along with the MPs for Bedford and Mid Bedfordshire.

Participants discussed local regeneration, tourism, opportunities for local businesses to supply the park and resort, and skills, qualifications and employment paths for young people. The release says themed working groups on creative industries, culture and heritage, and the visitor economy were being formed, alongside a socio-economic taskforce intended to help prepare the local workforce through apprenticeships and internships. The project was expected to create 28,000 jobs across construction and employment and generate nearly £50 billion for the UK economy, with an opening planned for 2031.

The release described the meeting as the first of its kind, with continued engagement with local authorities planned. It followed the signing of an agreement between the government and Comcast NBCUniversal announced in June.