A new £76million venue is soon to be built in Milton Keynes.
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ATG Entertainment are partnering with Milton Keynes Development Partnership to replace the Old Bus station at Elder Gate with a multi-purpose event space.
The venue will receive a £76 million investment from MKDP (owned by Milton Keynes City Council) and will seat up to 4,000 visitors. It promises a “diverse range of performers and acts” and could attract over 300,000 visitors annually.
The venue is also estimated to generate £158million in economic and community benefits, creating around 70 new jobs. Over 100 headline events are planned each year.
MKDP expects to start the planning process this year and construction shortly after, aiming for a 2029 opening.A public consultation will occur this year as part of the planning process.
MKDP chair Nicola Sawford 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 center that offers something for everyone.
“The venue will not onyl bring amazing 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 (COO of ATG Entertainment) added: “We are delighted to be named preferred partner for this landmark new venue in Milton Keynes. The city has aspiring 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.
“This new venue will complement the success of milton Keynes Theater by enabling larger-scale live music, comedy, and entertainment experiences. It will broaden 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. We look forward to bringing that expertise to Milton Keynes and partnering 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.”
The proclamation of Milton Keynes’ new venue follows the planned London opening of the legendary Blue Note Jazz Club, set for 2026. A two-room, 350-person capacity club will be built within the basement of St Martin’s Lane hotel in Covent Garden. The venue has been granted a license to allow opening hours until 1am on Monday – Saturday and midnight on Sunday.
more details on its opening are soon to come.
Elsewhere, the Music Venue Trust have blasted the UK Treasury’s defence of devastating business rates as a blow to UK live music.
