Author: Allison Pettifer

Milton Keynes Development Partnership (MKDP) has secured a landmark deal with leading coffee business, UCC, for its new UK headquarters at Linford Wood.

The Japanese total coffee solution brand, known for premium coffee, Ueshima, private label and portfolio of coffee machines, will move into a modern facility designed to support growth and innovation. The new headquarters spans 44,523 sq ft, split between office space and a high-spec warehouse, with scope for future expansion.

Currently based in Tilbrook, UCC employs 169 people in Milton Keynes and will relocate to Linford Wood under a long lease that includes potential for expansion on adjacent land. The transaction was facilitated by local agents Kirkby Diamond (now part of Eddisons), demonstrating strong collaboration with MKDP to retain a global business in Milton Keynes.

Matthew Green, Property Development Director at MKDP said: “Securing UCC’s headquarters in the city is a significant achievement for Milton Keynes. Retaining a global business and safeguarding local jobs is a vital component in the continued economic success of the city.  We are delighted to welcome UCC to Linford Wood and look forward to a long and successful relationship. This strategic move reinforces Milton Keynes’ position as a thriving hub for international businesses and innovation.”

Kenneth Porter, UCC said: “We look forward to operating from our new location in 2026 and beyond. Our new home in Milton Keynes gives us a fantastic, open, modern space for our team to work together in, our customers to visit and collaborate with us and for the long term development of our coffee business.”

Eamon Kennedy, Head of Industrial & Logistics at Kirkby Diamond said: “We took the enquiry, gained a clear understanding of UCC’s specific requirements, and linked this to an off-market opportunity we had been made aware of. This deal demonstrates the strength of our market knowledge and the value of our collaborative approach. Our team was supported by Sam Poynter in our property management division who manages MKDP’s portfolio, as well as our building consultancy team, who advised on the technical aspects. We wish UCC every success at their new headquarters.”

Milton Keynes Development Partnership (MKDP) has selected ATG Entertainment (ATG) as its preferred partner to operate a brand-new, multi-purpose events venue in the heart of Milton Keynes.

ATG, the global leader in live entertainment with over 30 years of experience, will bring its national and international expertise to the 4,000-capacity venue at the Old Bus Station, Elder Gate. The venue is expected to attract more than 300,000 visitors annually, hosting a diverse range of performers and acts. It will complement ATG’s highly successful operation of Milton Keynes Theatre since it opened in 1999 by enabling larger-scale music performances and live experiences that the existing theatre cannot accommodate.

This landmark project represents a £76 million investment from MKDP and is forecast to deliver £158 million in economic and community benefits, alongside creating approximately 70 new jobs. The development forms part of MKDP’s updated Business Plan for 2024–2027, which focuses on transformative placemaking projects to enhance the city centre and provide facilities befitting a growing city. The venue will be located adjacent to the recently revitalised Station Square and close to Unity Place, Santander UK’s new £150 million headquarters and community hub.

ATG has a proven track record of attracting major acts and strengthening cultural offerings. This new venue will expand Milton Keynes’ entertainment landscape, giving residents and visitors access to blockbuster concerts and large-scale live experiences, with over 100 headline events planned annually.

Later this year, MKDP will begin the planning process, including a public consultation to ensure local voices help shape the development. Construction is expected to start soon after, with the venue scheduled to open in 2029.

Nicola Sawford, Chair of MKDP, said:
“Identifying ATG as our preferred partner takes us one step closer to delivering a world-class events venue for Milton Keynes. This project reflects our shared vision with Milton Keynes City Council to create a vibrant, welcoming city centre that offers something for everyone. The venue will not only bring incredible live entertainment to the heart of the city but also boost the local economy, create jobs, and strengthen Milton Keynes’ reputation as a destination for music, culture, and events. We’re excited to work with ATG and the community to make this vision a reality.”

Nick Potter, Chief Operating Officer for ATG Entertainment, said:
“We are delighted to be named preferred partner for this landmark new venue in Milton Keynes. The city has ambitious plans for its future, a growing population, and a strong cultural appetite, making it an ideal location for a large-scale, multi-purpose events venue of this kind.

This new venue will complement the success of Milton Keynes Theatre by enabling larger-scale live music, comedy, and entertainment experiences that cannot currently be accommodated, broadening the city’s cultural offer for residents and visitors alike.

As the global leader in live entertainment, we work with the world’s leading artists, promoters, and producers to present concerts, comedy, and live events at scale, and we look forward to bringing that expertise to Milton Keynes. We’re excited to work in partnership with MKDP, the City Council, and the local community to create a world-class destination that delivers lasting cultural and economic benefits for the city.”

MKDP is an independent organisation owned by Milton Keynes City Council. Through strategic land development, MKDP generates funding to support placemaking projects across the city. By 2027, MKDP will have provided £7.8 million to the city council for placemaking projects, rising to £23 million by 2035/36.

ENDS

Please direct any questions regarding ATG Entertainment to: press@atgentertainment.com

Milton Keynes Development Partnership

MKDP is an independent organisation owned by Milton Keynes City Council and responsible for the strategic development of the city’s land assets. Its role is to help make Milton Keynes an even better place to live, work and do business by bringing forward well‑planned, high‑quality development that supports the city’s long‑term growth.

Alongside shaping the built environment, MKDP also generates essential financial returns that help fund important local services and community projects. It is expected to contribute £7.8 million to Milton Keynes City Council by 2027, rising to a forecast £23 million by 2035/36.

MKDP recently made a major upgrade to Station Square, investing in a dynamic new layout and planting which has offset growing maintenance costs from the ageing space. The Square – which is larger than Trafalgar Square – has been brought to life with a giant artwork from acclaimed British-Nigerian artist Yinka Ilori MBE and MKDP has received national praise from urban design experts.

ATG Entertainment: Passion Behind Performance

ATG Entertainment is proud to stand at the forefront of the live entertainment industry.

Our expertise and capabilities enable producers and other creatives to bring their visions to life and create unforgettable performances for audiences, presented in our landmark venues and delivered with exceptional hospitality.

It is the passion of our teams, that cover every discipline across the live entertainment industry, that underpins our continuing strategic growth and success.

ATG Entertainment owns, operates or programmes 72 venues across Britain, the US and Continental Europe In the UK, our portfolio includes historic West End theatres such as the Duke of York’s, Piccadilly, Savoy, Apollo Victoria, the Lyceum and the Phoenix Theatre recently refurbished to host Stranger Things: The First Shadow. We also operate venues across the UK in major cities such as Birmingham, Bristol, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Liverpool, Manchester and many more. We programme, present, and operate two music-focussed arenas: the historic Globe in Stockton, and the Swansea Building Society Arena on the waterside in Swansea.  In the US, we run seven Broadway houses including the Lyric, Hudson, Al Hirschfeld and the August Wilson Theatre. Over the years, we have grown our footprint to include venues in Brooklyn, Boston, Detroit, San Francisco, New Orleans, San Antonio, and Sugar Land, Texas. Recently, Celebrity Attractions, a touring Broadway presenter, joined the ATG Entertainment family, ensuring that high profile Broadway productions continue to thrill audiences across Tulsa and Little Rock, Arkansas.

In Continental Europe, we operate theatres in Berlin, Cologne, Düsseldorf, Hamburg and Bochum in Germany, and thanks to the exciting acquisition of Spanish production company SOM Produce, ATG Entertainment now also supports the operation of and programming of five venues in Madrid.  We are the world leader in theatre ticketing A great live entertainment experience starts with a great ticketing experience. Every year, 18 million people use ATGtickets to book their seats for plays, musicals, comedy shows, attractions or exhibitions across the UK, US and Continental Europe.

We run some of the world’s most popular theatre ticketing sites, with ATGtickets.com alone attracting over 55 million unique visitors a year. The site is a pioneer in revenue management, analysis and reporting technologies.

Our complementary brands include LOVEtheatre.com and Group Line which is the UK market leader for group sales and consistently voted “Best Ticketing Agency” by industry peers.

We present the world’s best live entertainment in our venues  Working alongside leading producers and creative artists, our venues present an extraordinarily diverse range of top-quality entertainment. Our West End theatres host long-running hit shows such as Disney’s The Lion King and Wicked alongside acclaimed new musicals such as Operation Mincemeat and Benjamin Button. On Broadway we have Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, The Book of Mormon and Hadestown. Moulin Rouge! The Musical and Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club are playing in ATG venues in both London and New York. Other current and recent shows in our venues include Nicole Scherzinger in Sunset Boulevard, the critically acclaimed Stranger Things: The First Shadow, David Tennant in Macbeth, Daniel Radcliffe and Jonathan Groff in Merrily We Roll Along, Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick in Plaza Suite, James Norton in A Little Life, and Andrew Scott in Vanya. Our regional venues in the UK and US present top musicals and plays including Disney’s Aladdin, Hamilton, Wicked, Mary Poppins, Come From Away, Tina, & Juliet, Funny Girl, The Book of Mormon, Les Misérables, Mamma Mia, and in Germany shows such as Moulin Rouge, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child and the long-running production of Starlight Express in Bochum.

Music also features, with the world’s top music artists appearing regularly on our stages. Recent highlights include Bob Dylan, Patti Smith, Brandi Carlile, Nile Rodgers +CHIC, Enter Shikari, Alice Cooper, Manic Street Preachers, Diana Ross, Father John Misty and Pulp. Forthcoming artists to appear include Nile Rodgers & Chic, Kaiser Chiefs, The Libertines, Paul Weller and Jamie Cullum. The mix is completed with the very best comedy, spoken word, dance, opera, and much more to delight audiences in our venues across the globe.

We produce award-winning shows Our in-house production team, ATG Productions, is dedicated to producing critically acclaimed, commercially successful and creatively ambitious work for the West End, Broadway, Continental Europe and beyond. Current and recent projects include the critically acclaimed Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club (Playhouse Theatre, West End/ August Wilson Theatre, Broadway); Sunset Boulevard starring Nicole Scherzinger (Savoy Theatre, West End /St. James Theatre, Broadway); Barcelona starring Lily Collins and Álvaro Morte (Duke of York’s Theatre, West End); The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (Ambassadors Theatre, West End); The Last Five Years (Hudson Theatre, Broadway); Starlight Express (Starlight Express Theatre, Bochum); Abenteuerland Capitol Theatre, Düsseldorf); Waiting for Godot starring Keanu Reeves and Alex Winter (Broadway); Pretty Woman (Theater 11 Zürich); Dear Evan Hansen (UK Tour); The Wiz (Broadway/North America Tour); the Tony Awards winning production of Parade (Broadway/North America Tour); the Tony Awards winning production of Appropriate starring Sarah Paulson (Broadway); Plaza Suite starring Matthew Broderick and Sarah Jessica Parker (Emerson Colonial Theatre, Pre-Broadway/Hudson Theatre, Broadway/Savoy Theatre, West End); David Byrne’s American Utopia (Emerson Colonial Theatre, Pre-Broadway/Hudson Theatre, Broadway); Player Kings starring Ian McKellen (Noel Coward Theatre, West End/UK tour); A Streetcar Named Desire starring Paul Mescal (Phoenix Theatre, West End); Pretty Woman The Musical (Savoy Theatre, West End / UK tour); I Should Be So Lucky: The Official Stock Aitken Waterman Musical (UK Tour) and

Gutenberg starring Josh Gad and Andrew Rannells (Broadway). In addition to producing the world’s first non-English productions of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child as well as Moulin Rouge! The Musical, ATG is also co-producer of Harry Potter Tokyo. ATGE’s partner company Sonia Friedman Productions is an international production company responsible for some of the most successful theatre productions around the world. Since it was established in 2002, SFP has developed, initiated and produced over 220 new productions and has won 63 Olivier Awards, 48 Tonys and 3 BAFTAs. Current and forthcoming productions include: The Book of Mormon (West End, UK & international tour 2024); Harry Potter and the Cursed Child (West End, Broadway, Hamburg, Tokyo and North American tour); Stranger Things: The First Shadow, a co-production with Netflix (West End); Mean Girls (West End); Oedipus (West End); The Years (West End); Stereophonic (Broadway); The Hills of California (Broadway); and Funny Girl (US tour). Atgtickets.com ATGEntertainment.com

Image credits ‘Dematerial Ltd’

Coming soon after Milton Keynes was named as one of 12 potential locations by the government’s New Towns Taskforce, Milton Keynes Development Partnership (MKDP) has unveiled an ambitious Business Plan and investment in transformative projects for the city, such as the creation of a new multi-purpose events venue in the city centre.

MKDP is an independent organisation owned by Milton Keynes City Council whose role is to strategically develop land assets to make Milton Keynes an even better place to live, work, and do business.

A key focus in its new Business Plan is to enhance the appeal of Central Milton Keynes, with dynamic facilities that the growing city deserves. Within this, MKDP plans to invest up to £76 million in a city centre events venue with a capacity for up to 4,000 people, bringing a wider range of performers to the city. This flagship project is expected to deliver £158 million in economic and community benefits and will create around 70 jobs.

Through the development of land assets, MKDP also generates funding to help deliver vital services and projects that benefit residents across the city. MKDP should provide £7.8 million to Milton Keynes City Council by 2027 and forecasts it will provide £23 million by 2035/36.

MKDP recently made a major upgrade to Station Square, investing in a dynamic new layout and planting which has offset growing maintenance costs from the ageing space. The Square – which is larger than Trafalgar Square – has been brought to life with a giant artwork from acclaimed British-Nigerian artist Yinka Ilori MBE and MKDP has received national praise from urban design experts.

Nicola Sawford, Chair of MKDP said: “We have a bold vision for Milton Keynes alongside the city council and are ready to invest in transformative projects to create spaces that people can enjoy and take pride in, and that will bring new dynamism to the growing city, such as the fantastic events venue. At the same time, we’re ensuring strong financial returns that will support vital services for our community. MKDP is committed to helping Milton Keynes grow as a vibrant, forward-thinking city.”

The Business Plan was received by City Council Cabinet in November and can be found on the MKDP website.

 

SUMMER at Milton Keynes Market returns from 8 to 10 August for a vibrant three-day celebration of the city’s marketplace, highlighting its popularity at the heart of the modern, thriving city centre.

Organised by Milton Keynes Development Partnership (MKDP) and developed by local creative agency Pooleyville, the free outdoor activities are suitable for all ages and will celebrate the vital role the market plays in bringing people together. With a packed programme of creative workshops, live music from DJs and community radio broadcasters, street food from local favourites, games and storytelling, it’s an open invitation to everyone in the city to rediscover the market.

A new Milton Keynes Market Publication produced in collaboration with Studio Chehade and photographer Chris Henley will also launch during the event, capturing stories and recipes from the traders who shape the market’s unique character.

Further information and the full schedule can be found on the Milton Keynes Market website.

Adam Sciberras of MKDP said: “This year’s event promises to be even bigger and better with a fantastic range of activities for everyone to enjoy. Milton Keynes Market is much more than just a place to shop, it brings people together and strengthens community bonds. Events like this show that we’re committed to supporting the long-term future of Milton Keynes Market which is such a special place for traders and local people.”

Milton Keynes Development Partnership and Milton Keynes City Council have commissioned British-Nigerian artist and designer Yinka Ilori to create a large-scale installation in the newly renovated Station Square.

 

Yinka Ilori MBE – known for dynamic and playful work – will fill Station Square with colour that captures the dynamism of one of the fastest-growing cities in the UK.

 

‘Walk With Your Dreams’ will set the scene for anyone stepping into the city from the railway station and will be integrated into Station Square’s flooring. Inspired by Nigerian textile patterns, it aims to make the expansive space more welcoming, sociable and inspiring, while reflecting the character of the city. The installation will also help to direct pedestrians arriving at the station towards the two underpasses that lead from Station Square to the city centre, and this was an important part of MKDP’s brief.

 

Ilori has taken inspiration from the symmetry and geometry of Milton Keynes’ US-style grid system, which famously makes it one of the most navigable cities in the UK and interprets this through the lens of textile patterns created by the traditional Yoruban dyeing technique, Àdìrẹ.

 

“With a thriving Nigerian community and growing arts scene, Milton Keynes is a location that aligns with my values of bringing art to wider audiences and to fostering connection and community. Despite the fast-paced environment of the station, I hope the artwork will inspire people to stop for a moment of contemplation and inner focus before moving on with their busy days. That’s what art can do for us – take us out of the everyday, allow us to think about things that are bigger than the self, where we come from and where we’re going, and bring us together on that journey.”

– Yinka Ilori MBE

 

As well as the installation, MKDP has arranged a bold and colourful new planting scheme for Station Square with species chosen for their aesthetic appeal, biodiversity benefit, and low-maintenance requirements.

 

The title of the work references the vision that underpinned the New Town movement that created Milton Keynes in 1967 and the ambition to achieve city status, which was granted as part of Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations in 2022.

 

 

‘Yinka has an exemplary record of developing and delivering exceptional public realm works which respond to place, community and context. This project is about setting out what people can expect from Milton Keynes – Yinka’s work will be a great introduction to our thriving, young, innovative, diverse and sustainable city and the vibrancy, enthusiasm and biodiversity that people experience here.’
– Adam Sciberras, Special Projects Director, Milton Keynes Development Partnership

 

 

‘To ‘Walk With Your Dreams’ is an attitude that’s uniquely fitting to Milton Keynes, whether you’re talking about the ingenuity that imagined the New Town’s development in the first place or the energy and bold ideas that fuel our thriving city today. Yinka’s artwork will be a playful way of expressing that energy and optimism and will be a fitting welcome for everyone arriving in Station Square, the gateway to our city centre.’

Cllr Shanika Mahendran, Cabinet Member for Planning and Placemaking, Milton Keynes City Council

 

 

‘Walk With Your Dreams’ will open on Thursday 2 October with music and other performances between 4pm and 7.30pm. It will be in place for several years, maintained by funding from MKDP and Section 106 public art contributions. An additional celebratory event will be delivered in collaboration with four local schools, the African Diaspora Foundation and Milton Keynes Arts Centre prior to the opening as part of Black History Month.

 

We would like to extend a warm welcome to Misan Nwokorie who joins the MKDP board this month as a Non-Executive Director.

Misan is a highly experienced Non-Executive Director, Board Vice Chair, Committee Chair and Trustee, with a wealth of executive experience in the UK real estate sector spanning design, construction, and property development.

In roles with UK organisations in the public and private sectors she has led major real estate and infrastructure projects in the built environment, including high-profile projects such as the Athletes Village for the London 2012 Olympic Games and Stratford City Glasshouse Gardens.

Other board positions that Misan holds include Vice Chair of Arts University of Bournemouth (AUB), Board Trustee and Chair of the Estates committee at the Girls Day School Trust (GDST), and she is a Committee Advisor for the African Science Academy (ASA).

Misan has been appointed to the MKDP board following the departure of Roger Bell, whose service, dedication, and expertise was invaluable over a six-year period.

We’re looking forward to working closely with Misan in the years ahead as her expert guidance and advice supports MKDP’s ongoing success.

Milton Keynes Development Partnership (MKDP) is pleased to announce a new partnership with housing association bpha and developer Taylor Wimpey which will provide 78 new homes for rent at Bronze Park, Kents Hill.

The affordable homes, 34 at social rent and 44 at intermediate rent, will be built to meet the specifications of the anticipated Future Homes Standard (FHS) requirements. Under the FHS requirements, new homes will be net zero ready and will produce 75-80% less carbon emissions when compared to homes built under 2013 building regulations.

The homes will range from two-bedroom apartments to five-bedroom houses and will be built by Taylor Wimpey. The scheme is due to be complete by March 2026 and will be prioritised for local people.

This development has been made possible by grant funding from Homes England, ensuring the provision of much-needed affordable and social rented homes.

Matthew Green, Property Development Director at MKDP, said: “Kents Hill offers plenty of green space, excellent amenities and nearby transport connections. We’re pleased to be working in partnership with bpha and Taylor Wimpey to bring forward more high-quality affordable housing in the local area and for local people. This is an important part of our work to help Milton Keynes seize the opportunity to be one of the most desirable and accessible places to live in the UK.”

Jeff Astle, Development Director at bpha, said: “This is a great opportunity to join trusted partners in MKDP and Taylor Wimpey South Midlands and be supported by Homes England to provide and manage a range of quality, sustainable homes in Milton Keynes as part of a new community. We are proud to already work with customers and partners across nearly 1,500 homes in Bucks and Milton Keynes and look forward to providing these new high standard homes for local people.

Victor Idowu, Land Director at Taylor Wimpey South Midlands, said: “We are pleased to be working in partnership with bpha and MKDP to increase the provision of high-quality affordable homes in Milton Keynes. We are committed to delivering a thriving new community at Bronze Park and look forward to seeing many new residents move in over the years ahead.”

MKDP has launched a new development opportunity at Emerson Valley.

Located 2.75 miles to the south-east of Central Milton Keynes, the 0.6-acre site benefits from local amenities including green spaces at Tattenhoe Valley Linear Park and Howe Park Wood, as well as a local convenience store, post office, and MK RUFC.

A density of around 35 dwellings per hectare is considered appropriate for the site.

A minimum of 36% of homes need to be affordable in line with MKDP requirements.

Damien Lippett, development manager at MKDP said: “MKDP works with developers, investors and businesses to help Milton Keynes to be one of the most desirable places to live and do business in the UK.

“Following the recent launch of our development opportunity at Kents Hill, we’re pleased to announce another opportunity for a development partner to deliver high quality homes at Emerson Valley.”

The deadline for conditional offers has now closed.  The development partner will be announced in 2025.

MKDP has launched a new development opportunity at Kents Hill and is now seeking conditional offers from potential partners.

Planning permission has been granted for a private hospital or care home and it is also part of an allocated housing site.

Approximately 2.5 miles south-east of Milton Keynes city centre, the site occupies 2.79 acres of predominantly grassland. Nearby amenities include a four-star hotel, the East Campus of the Open University, a convenience store, and Kents Hill Park. Two schools are also within walking distance.

If submissions comprise plans for residential units, MKDP requires a minimum of 36% of dwellings to be affordable.

Damien Lippett, development manager at MKDP, said: “We’re looking for a collaborative partner to work with us to deliver a high-quality hospital, care home, or residential development at Kents Hill. With plenty of green space, excellent amenities, and transport connections nearby, the site offers an opportunity for a development partner to help unlock the city’s potential.”

MKDP works with developers, investors and businesses to help Milton Keynes seize the opportunity to be one of the most desirable places to live and do business in the UK.

The deadline for conditional offers has now closed.  The development partner will be announced in 2025.

Since 2019 we’ve been working with Taylor Wimpey to deliver 73 new homes at Shenley Church End.

We are pleased to share that sales have now been completed on all private market dwellings at the development.

Located on the south-western outskirts of Milton Keynes, the development has been named Shenley Park and comprises three, four and five-bedroom homes. These high-quality homes are set in green open space with convenient access to the city centre and they have proven popular with buyers.

Of the 73 units, there is a mix of tenures with 46 private market homes and 27 affordable properties (36 per cent).

Damien Lippett, Development Manager at MKDP, said:

“This development is another fantastic example of MKDP’s work to deliver much-needed housing without compromising on quality, location, or affordable allocation. We want to deliver the best outcomes for Milton Keynes, and we continue to act on our commitments to set better standards for new schemes while achieving more affordable housing for the city.

“We’ve been pleased to see how Taylor Wimpey has optimised the use of space on this site while delivering the scheme efficiently. With all private market sales now complete, we’re looking forward to seeing the community flourish in this area in the years ahead.”