Bedfordshire-based property commentator Julie Ford said: “Those in property investment are going to find a lot of pros in this… the contractors coming in needing somewhere to live, so serviced accommodation will be needed.

“Then, once the visitors come in, they’re going to need somewhere to stay. The downside means this demand for serviced accommodation removes it from the private rented sector.”

But David Burns, who moved to Kempston during the pandemic and has embarked on a major renovation of his five-bedroom, Grade II listed home, is more positive about Universal.

“When we moved here, this was never the forever home we were going to stay for five, six, seven years,” he said.

“But now Universal is going ahead, that opens up an opportunity to rent out the property.”