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Universal 'aware of ticket cost pressures'

Andrew Sinclair,at Downing Streetand
Danny Fullbrook
News imageGetty Images A view of the Universal globe outside the entrance to the Florida park. A roller-coaster and other rides can be seen in the background.Getty Images

Universal is "aware" of cost of living pressures and how they could affect ticket prices for its new UK park, the government said.

It came after Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced that Universal United Kingdom Resort will be supported by £1.3bn in government funding towards local infrastructure.

Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said: "We have had that conversation with [Universal] because obviously they're very acutely aware of the cost of living pressures on families at the moment.

"We're taking action on a number of fronts in order to make sure that this is accessible."

News imageReuters British Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves and Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport Lisa Nandy pose with Comcast NBCUniversal's Universal Destinations & Experiences Chairman and CEO Mark WoodburyReuters
Lisa Nandy and Rachel Reeves met with Universal Destinations & Experiences Chairman and CEO Mark Woodbury at Downing Street this week

Ticket prices to visit other Universal destinations across the world vary.

The company has predicted that, without parking, the theme park at Universal United Kingdom Resort will cover at least 32.37 hectares (79.9 acres).

By comparison, entry to Universal Studios Japan, which is slightly larger, spanning 54 hectares (133 acres), costs about ¥8,900 (£41.39).

Universal Studios Singapore, which is smaller than the proposed UK resort, charges about $83 Singapore dollars (£48.10).

Universal Orlando Resort, which is made up of four different parks, often promotes a 14-day ticket for UK visitors, which costs £456 for a single adult. It is possible to get day tickets for one or more parks, but the prices vary depending on the combination selected.

Nandy pointed to proposed new rules aimed at cracking down on inflated ticket resales as evidence of the government's commitment to ensuring people pay fair prices.

She said major UK events and attractions, such as Universal, needed to be "accessible to people and people have got to be able to share in the benefits".

Nandy continued: "This isn't the only benefit that people will feel, being able to go to a great theme park and have a great day out.

"It's also the long-term impact of the jobs and the trade that it brings."

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