While Disney and Universal have spread their theme park around the world, Britain has never been able to nab one, but now a British developers has signed a licensing deal with Paramount Pictures to develop a £2 billion theme park just outside outside of London, on the Swanscombe penisula in Kent. It plans to have it open in 2018.
Plans are at an early stage, but the deal means London Resort Co. Holdings will be able to develop attractions based on franchises such as Mission: Impossible, Star Trek and Paranormal Activity (although not Transformers, as Hasbro has the rights for that). The park also hopes to sign deals with iconic British brands to based rides on them too.
Paramount has signed a spate of entertainment licensing deals recently, including for a theme park in Spain, a hotel in Abu Dhabi and a Star Trek park in Jordan. The studio won’t be investing money on the park, but it will consult on designs for the attractions.
Of course, before the park can open, there are a lot of hurdles to jump, not least getting planning permission and shoring up funding, but if it all comes together it could well be a great destination to visit. The image above is an early rendering of what the park may look like. (Source: LA Times)