New Plans For The Point
6 June 2013, 14:38 | Updated: 6 June 2013, 15:09
New plans to demolish Central Milton Keynes' Point complex and replace it with another pyramid-shaped building have been unveiled.
These are the latest proposals by developers who want to revitalise the cinema and leisure complex.
When it opened in 1985, The Point was the home of restaurants, a nightclub, a bingo hall and the UK's first multiplex cinema. Having multiple cinema screens in one building is something that is now commonplace in towns and cities across the country, but at the time was completely new to Britain.
Developers Hammerson say The Point no longer meets the needs of today's leisure and retail businesses, because it has poorly configured floor space and reflective glass, which stops you being able to see in from outside.
They say "leisure and retail operators now require more flexible formats and The Point has been superseded by more recent developments (for example Xscape) which can meet the demands of leisure operators. Accommodation in The Point building can no longer compete effectively."
In its place, they want to build "a high quality, attractive and open building".
The latest plans, to replace The Point with another pyramid-shaped building containing retail and leisure space, come after plans announced in spring 2012 were criticised for being bland, and not ground-breaking in the way the original Point was in 1985.
Hammerson say the new pyramid-shaped design pays homage to the old Point. The detail of what would be inside the building has not been finalised. The plans would mean the demolition of the existing Odeon cinema, but the multi-storey car park behind would remain.
Rather than just containing shops, as the 2012 plans envisaged, Hammerson say their new proposals for the site could see it being used for leisure too. That could mean a cinema, a bingo hall, or other uses.
These latest proposals have gone on display inside The Point and the company want the views of people in Milton Keynes on them. You can see more details about the proposals and have your say at www.thepointmiltonkeynes.co.uk
Pictures below show (a) The new Point by day, (b) by night, and (c) The Point as it is today
25 May 2012 - Plans To Demolish The Point
What do you think about the latest proposals? Leave a comment.