Milton Keynes Council Fights to Save Beloved Cinema The Point from Demolition
The Point, a pioneering multiplex cinema in Milton Keynes that opened its doors forty years ago, is now under threat of demolition. This iconic building, which was the UK's first US-style multiplex, has been caught in a bitter row between local campaigners, politicians and heritage groups who want to preserve it, and developers seeking to demolish it for a new housing scheme.
Built in the 1980s, The Point was designed by architects BDP and Neil Tibbalds as an exuberant mashup of funfair and temple. Its mirrored glass ziggurat and red pyramidal frame were meant to be an eye-catching spectacle, and its 10 screens hosted some of the biggest films of the time, including Back to the Future, The Goonies, and My Beautiful Laundrette. When it opened in 1984, The Point was a game-changer for British cinema-going, reviving the industry and inspiring the proliferation of multiplexes across the country.
However, as the years went by, The Point struggled to compete with newer, trendier developments such as Xscape leisure complex, which boasted a state-of-the-art 16-screen cinema. Despite efforts by grassroots campaigners to save it, The Point's cinemas closed for the final time in 2015. Since then, the building has been used as a home for local youth charities and community groups, but its future remains uncertain.
Galliard Homes, the developer behind the new housing scheme, had proposed demolishing The Point and building a 21-storey apartment block containing 487 flats on the site. However, after a fierce backlash from campaigners and politicians, including Labour councillor Peter Marland, who accused the proposal of being "terrible in almost every single way", the plan was unanimously rejected by Milton Keynes city councillors in July this year.
Despite this, Galliard Homes has since won approval to develop the scheme, citing the need for affordable housing. However, Historic England is now assessing whether The Point should be listed, which would provide it a measure of protection and prevent its demolition. If successful, this could prove to be the last bastion of hope for this beloved cinema, which holds a special place in the history of Milton Keynes.
As one councillor noted, "The Point is just as important for the people of Milton Keynes as the Liver Building is to the people of Liverpool or St Paul's is to Londoners. Just because it's newer doesn't mean it's any less important." The fate of this iconic cinema now hangs in the balance, and only time will tell if its beauty and historical significance can be preserved for future generations.
The Point, a pioneering multiplex cinema in Milton Keynes that opened its doors forty years ago, is now under threat of demolition. This iconic building, which was the UK's first US-style multiplex, has been caught in a bitter row between local campaigners, politicians and heritage groups who want to preserve it, and developers seeking to demolish it for a new housing scheme.
Built in the 1980s, The Point was designed by architects BDP and Neil Tibbalds as an exuberant mashup of funfair and temple. Its mirrored glass ziggurat and red pyramidal frame were meant to be an eye-catching spectacle, and its 10 screens hosted some of the biggest films of the time, including Back to the Future, The Goonies, and My Beautiful Laundrette. When it opened in 1984, The Point was a game-changer for British cinema-going, reviving the industry and inspiring the proliferation of multiplexes across the country.
However, as the years went by, The Point struggled to compete with newer, trendier developments such as Xscape leisure complex, which boasted a state-of-the-art 16-screen cinema. Despite efforts by grassroots campaigners to save it, The Point's cinemas closed for the final time in 2015. Since then, the building has been used as a home for local youth charities and community groups, but its future remains uncertain.
Galliard Homes, the developer behind the new housing scheme, had proposed demolishing The Point and building a 21-storey apartment block containing 487 flats on the site. However, after a fierce backlash from campaigners and politicians, including Labour councillor Peter Marland, who accused the proposal of being "terrible in almost every single way", the plan was unanimously rejected by Milton Keynes city councillors in July this year.
Despite this, Galliard Homes has since won approval to develop the scheme, citing the need for affordable housing. However, Historic England is now assessing whether The Point should be listed, which would provide it a measure of protection and prevent its demolition. If successful, this could prove to be the last bastion of hope for this beloved cinema, which holds a special place in the history of Milton Keynes.
As one councillor noted, "The Point is just as important for the people of Milton Keynes as the Liver Building is to the people of Liverpool or St Paul's is to Londoners. Just because it's newer doesn't mean it's any less important." The fate of this iconic cinema now hangs in the balance, and only time will tell if its beauty and historical significance can be preserved for future generations.
they wanna demolish it 4 a new housing scheme but campaigners are fighting back & historic england is gonna assess whether its listed which would save it lol the building is like 40 yrs old & was 1st us-style multiplex in uk, can u imagine? 
its been closed since 2015 but now its a hub 4 local youth charities 
so lets keep our fingers crossed that historic england succeeds & The Point gets the recognition it deserves 
. It's like they're trying to erase the past, which is just wrong. I mean, what's next? Demolishing some old pub in Camden or something? 
The fact that Galliard Homes is even pushing for it, despite all the backlash, tells me there's a bigger agenda at play here... maybe they're trying to gentrify the area and push out the local community? 
It's just not right. We need to stand up for what matters – our history, our culture, and our community 
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... like, I know how much people love this place & it's not just about some old building, it's part of the history of Milton Keynes, you feel? 
So if Historic England can list it, that would be amazing & help save it from being demolished 
. Galliard Homes could've done more to find a way to make it work, like preserving the cinema part or something... I don't know, but hopefully they didn't just think about money 
It's crazy to think about how it went from being the coolest multiplex in town to struggling to stay alive. But I'm all for saving it 
The mirrored glass ziggurat is literally iconic 
and I can see why people would want to preserve it. If Historic England gets it listed, that's like a major win 
! Can you imagine if they demolish it? It'll be like losing a piece of our cultural heritage 
Let's hope The Point stays alive for another 40 years 
It's like a part of our history is just gonna disappear without us even realizing it 
I mean think about it, this iconic building has been around since 1984 and has seen so many amazing movies over the years - it's more than just a cinema, it's a piece of nostalgia 
And to think that Galliard Homes just didn't care enough to preserve it? 
They're planning to knock it down for some boring old apartments?! Are they kidding me?! 
It would mean so much to the people of Milton Keynes and to film lovers everywhere 
I'm literally counting down the days until Historic England assesses its listing - fingers crossed it gets saved! 