milton Keynes Council Battles to Save Pioneering Cinema, The Point
Milton keynes Council is actively pursuing options to protect The Point, a landmark cinema complex, from demolition despite a recent planning appeal victory for developer Galliard homes. The council views the building as a crucial piece of the city’s heritage, comparable in importance to iconic structures like liverpool’s Liver Building and London’s St Paul’s Cathedral.
Built in the mid-1980s, The Point represented a bold attempt to revitalize British cinema-going, which had plummeted to a low of 660 cinemas nationwide by 1984 – a dramatic decrease from the approximately 4,800 at the start of World War II. Commissioned by US cinema chain AMC, and designed by architects BDP and Neil Tibbalds, the complex was intentionally conceived as a striking entertainment destination, moving away from the traditionally “seedy and rotting” high street cinemas.
The Point proved instantly prosperous, attracting over a million visitors in its first year and sparking a wave of multiplex construction across the UK. By 1991, 41 multiplexes containing a quarter of the UK’s cinema screens had been built, largely inspired by The Point’s innovative model.
However, the building’s fortunes declined after 2000 with the opening of the Xscape leisure complex in Milton Keynes, which included a 16-screen cinema alongside other attractions. The Point’s cinemas ultimately closed in February 2015.
In the years following, the building housed local youth charities and became the focus of community-led preservation efforts, including petitions and crowdfunding campaigns. A temporary reprieve came with a bingo hall, but the Covid pandemic forced its closure in 2020.
Galliard Homes later acquired the site and initially proposed a £150m growth of new housing, which was unanimously rejected by milton Keynes city councillors in July 2024. Following an appeal, Galliard was granted approval to build a 21-storey apartment block containing 487 flats.
Labor leader of the council, Peter Marland, expressed strong opposition to the approved development, criticizing its design, lack of affordable housing, and what he described as a “complete disregard for the unique heritage of the city.”
currently, The Point is protected by a Certificate of Immunity, preventing it from being listed as a building of special architectural or historic interest. However, this certificate expires next year, and Historic England is now assessing whether to pursue listing, which would offer the building greater protection. Emily Darlington, MP for Milton Keynes Central, has also voiced her concern, stating the demolition would represent a “considerable loss to our local heritage assets.”
Milton Keynes council is currently seeking legal advice regarding a potential challenge to the planning appeal decision.
