Milton Keynes' Cultural Icon Hangs in the Balance as Council Battles Developers Over Demolition of Beloved Cinema
In a battle that has left the city reeling, plans to demolish The Point, the 1980s multiplex that once revolutionized British cinema-going, have sparked fierce resistance from local campaigners and heritage groups. This iconic landmark, which was hailed as "a temple of pleasure" upon its opening in 1983, is now under threat due to a proposed new housing development.
Critics argue that The Point's demise would be a catastrophic loss for the city's cultural heritage, while supporters point out that it has long been a commercial failure. Built by US-based cinema chain AMC as part of a bold experiment to revitalize British cinema-going, The Point opened its doors at a time when attendance was dwindling. However, its extravagant design and 10 screens soon made it a sensation, welcoming over a million visitors in its first year.
Despite its initial success, The Point's fortunes began to decline with the arrival of rival entertainment complexes like Xscape in Milton Keynes. Changes in consumer expectations and the rise of digital streaming further took its toll on the venue. Its cinemas closed for the last time in 2015, but grassroots campaigners have since launched a series of efforts to save it.
The latest development came when Galliard Homes won permission to demolish The Point and build a new 21-storey apartment block containing 487 flats. Local Labour leader Peter Marland has described the plan as "terrible in almost every single way," citing concerns over lack of affordable housing, poor design, and "identikit flats."
As the council seeks legal advice on challenging the planning appeal, Historic England is currently assessing whether The Point should be listed, which would provide it with a measure of protection. If successful, its listing status could prevent its destruction.
The Point holds a special place in Milton Keynes' history, serving as a symbol of the city's ambitions and creativity. Its preservation has become an increasingly important issue, with local politicians and heritage groups urging caution over the proposed demolition. As one Labour MP for Milton Keynes Central recently said, "Though the site has fallen derelict in recent years, the complete demolition of The Point would be a considerable loss to our local heritage assets."
In a battle that has left the city reeling, plans to demolish The Point, the 1980s multiplex that once revolutionized British cinema-going, have sparked fierce resistance from local campaigners and heritage groups. This iconic landmark, which was hailed as "a temple of pleasure" upon its opening in 1983, is now under threat due to a proposed new housing development.
Critics argue that The Point's demise would be a catastrophic loss for the city's cultural heritage, while supporters point out that it has long been a commercial failure. Built by US-based cinema chain AMC as part of a bold experiment to revitalize British cinema-going, The Point opened its doors at a time when attendance was dwindling. However, its extravagant design and 10 screens soon made it a sensation, welcoming over a million visitors in its first year.
Despite its initial success, The Point's fortunes began to decline with the arrival of rival entertainment complexes like Xscape in Milton Keynes. Changes in consumer expectations and the rise of digital streaming further took its toll on the venue. Its cinemas closed for the last time in 2015, but grassroots campaigners have since launched a series of efforts to save it.
The latest development came when Galliard Homes won permission to demolish The Point and build a new 21-storey apartment block containing 487 flats. Local Labour leader Peter Marland has described the plan as "terrible in almost every single way," citing concerns over lack of affordable housing, poor design, and "identikit flats."
As the council seeks legal advice on challenging the planning appeal, Historic England is currently assessing whether The Point should be listed, which would provide it with a measure of protection. If successful, its listing status could prevent its destruction.
The Point holds a special place in Milton Keynes' history, serving as a symbol of the city's ambitions and creativity. Its preservation has become an increasingly important issue, with local politicians and heritage groups urging caution over the proposed demolition. As one Labour MP for Milton Keynes Central recently said, "Though the site has fallen derelict in recent years, the complete demolition of The Point would be a considerable loss to our local heritage assets."
the point is literally a piece of history & ppl r going crazy 2 try & save it lol i mean its not like its some perfect preserved building from old times its got its flaws but c'mon its still iconic 
like why cant we just have both? preserve the cinema & make it into some kinda museum or community space? that way ppl can still enjoy the nostalgia but also have a place 2 call home 
maybe they can give The Point the listing status & save it from the wrecking ball 
. I mean, it's already a shell of its former self, but demolishing it? No way, that's just wrong. It was a cultural icon and part of the city's history, for sure. And now they wanna turn it into some generic apartment block with 487 flats? Not cool at all 
. I get that it hasn't been doing well financially, but you can't just erase history like that. Historic England needs to step in and do something about this, maybe list it as a heritage site or something. The council's all over the place on this one, though... 
i remember watching movies there as a kid and it was always such a special treat to go to the multiplex. now it's being torn down to make way for apartments?
that's just cruel. i think it's so great that grassroots campaigners are fighting to save it - every little bit counts, right? 
let's hope historic england can get it listed and protect it from destruction 
OMG, can you believe this?! 
They wanna knock down The Point, a cinema legend that's been around since 1983 
It's like they're erasing a part of our past. And to think they're replacing it with "identikit flats" 
... no thanks! The council needs to think twice before making this decision. Can we get Historic England on board and save this beauty? 
. i can imagine how sad it'll be for the community if it gets demolished. ppl say its commercial failure but thats not the point, its cultural significance is still worth preserving 
... I mean, The Point is like a piece of history right here in Milton Keynes. It's crazy that it could just get torn down like that 
. I mean, it's an iconic landmark that's still got a special place in people's hearts. All these arguments about it being a symbol of the city's creativity and ambitions are kinda valid, you know? It's not just some old cinema, it's a piece of history that could be lost forever if we let them knock it down 
. Plus, Historic England is looking at listing it, which would be huge for preserving our cultural heritage 
.
! Like, it's not just a cinema anymore, it's part of Milton Keynes' history and vibes 
. Can't we find a way 2 preserve the old place instead of tearing it down? 
Galliard Homes sounds like they're just in it 4 da cash 
, no consideration 4 what it means 2 the community 
. If we let this happen, wut's next? Demolishin' other iconic landmarks 2 make way 4 more apartments? 
No way, José!
totally heartbreaking! 
I mean, can you even imagine 
The Point has been a part of Milton Keynes' identity for so long, and it's just... 
And those flats 
are just, like, 
so boring. Where's the creativity? The flair? 
All the families who've had movie nights there, the couples who've gone on dates under the stars... 
It's not just a building; it's a piece of our collective history! 
that Historic England is looking into listing it, because if anyone can save The Point, it's them. 
. Galliard Homes could learn from the 80s – you know, when neon was cool and mullets were a thing 
. Seriously though, it'd be a shame to lose that piece of history. Maybe they can just convert it into an Airbnb for film buffs or something? 
it reminded me of when my grandparents used to take me to see movies when i was little. anyway, i dont really get why they wanna knock down this one place in milton keynes... isnt it like a landmark or something? 
i mean, historic england is supposed to be helping out and all that jazz... 
it's not just about some big multiplex but also about the memories ppl made there 
like anyone gonna remember all those movies they watched on 10 screens back in the day?