Centre:mk
Shopping Center | Milton Keynes | England | United Kingdom
Shopping center in Milton Keynes
Centre:mk in Milton Keynes, England, is one of the largest and most renowned shopping centers in the UK and a central part of the city center of this modern planned town. It opened on September 25, 1979, and was originally known as the "Shopping Building" before being renamed Centre:mk. The center was planned and built by the Milton Keynes Development Corporation with the goal of creating a central shopping and meeting place for the growing population of the "New Town," founded in 1967. With a retail space of over 133,000 square meters, it ranks among the top 12 shopping centers in the country and attracts millions of visitors each year, with over 44 million recorded in 2015, alongside neighboring shopping and leisure facilities such as Midsummer Place and Xscape.
Restaurants at Centre:mk
Centre:mk stretches over 720 meters in length and is completely enclosed, making it one of the largest covered "High Street" shopping centers in Europe. It was designed by architects Derek Walker, Stuart Mosscrop, and Christopher Woodward, who were employed by MKDC, and was technically executed by engineers Felix Samuely and Partners. The design is modernist and utilizes natural light through large glass surfaces, creating a bright and open atmosphere in the center. It is a listed building, emphasizing its architectural significance. The structure was expanded in 1993 at the western end, enlarging the original space beyond the former City Square. This expansion was part of efforts to adapt the center to growing demand.
Accessible shopping experience
The shopping offering includes over 190 stores, featuring major anchor tenants like John Lewis, Marks & Spencer, and Next, which establish the center as a regional shopping destination. In addition to these department stores, there is a variety of high street chains such as Primark, H&M, Zara, and TK Maxx, as well as specialized boutiques and specialty shops like Space NK for cosmetics and Castle Fine Art for artwork. Centre:mk thus covers a wide range—from fashion to electronics to household goods—appealing to both bargain hunters and high-end shoppers. A central outdoor market, located under the Secklow Gate bridge, complements the offering with fresh produce, antiques, and second-hand goods on certain days of the week, contributing to the vibrant atmosphere.
Events at Centre:mk
Dining is another important component of Centre:mk. Visitors can find a variety of restaurants and cafés, including well-known names such as Nando’s, Wagamama, Pizza Express, ASK Italian, and YO! Sushi. These offer a wide range of cuisines, from Italian to Asian to classic British, and are spread throughout the center, ensuring there is something for every taste. Additionally, there are smaller "grab-and-go" options like Starbucks or Cornish Bakery for a quick bite. This variety makes Centre:mk not just a shopping destination, but also a social meeting place.
Top stores in Centre:mk
The center is fully accessible and designed on one level, making navigation easier. All main entrances are equipped with automatic doors that are operable at wheelchair height, and there are two Shopmobility stations—one within Centre:mk itself and one in the neighboring Midsummer Place—providing wheelchairs and scooters for visitors with limited mobility. Several parking facilities, including a multi-story car park, offer over 3,000 spaces, with costs varying depending on proximity to the entrance. Public transport connections are excellent: Milton Keynes Central station is just a few minutes’ walk away and provides quick links to London as well as to other cities like Birmingham and Manchester. Buses and the local Redway system for cyclists and pedestrians further enhance accessibility.
Centre:mk is more than just a shopping center—it is an experience destination. It hosts hundreds of free events each year, including fashion shows, food festivals, cultural celebrations, and seasonal attractions like Christmas decorations, which are particularly popular with families. Middleton Hall, an 1,800 square meter covered area, serves as an exhibition space and was temporarily used as the home venue for the Milton Keynes Lions basketball team in 2010, featuring a 1,200-seat arena. Queen’s Court, an open garden square between the Silbury and Midsummer arcades, has been altered from its original concept as a relaxation zone but remains a prominent point in the center.
