The Point, forced the closure of the Cinema in Tickford Arcade, Newport Pagnell in the late 1980's

Cllr Andy Maric expresses his views on one of the Cities most iconic landmarks and asks has the ‘Point’ in time passed for The Point in Central Milton Keynes? After all, it forced the closure of our Cinema in Newport Pagnell back in the late 80′s!

“Its big, its red and its been many things over the years whilst I have been growing up in Newport Pagnell, Milton Keynes. From Restaurants, to Cinema’s, to briefly closing large aspects of it and then re-inventing itself once more, but how long can The Point in Central Milton Keynes stay ahead of the times and be an asset to the City rather than a hindrance as it slowly moves into disrepair and becomes an eye sore?

My most vivid memory about the Point, was the Cinema, going regularly with my Nan and taking in some sweets from the Market as we couldn’t afford their own pick and mix, travelling too and from on the buses from Newport Pagnell where I grew up and still live today! But memories amongst others, it has largely sat in the background to other iconic landmarks and I feel its very much underused and poorly maintained. From the iconic red lights not being replaced, to the interior in dyer need of pushing back into the futuristic and icon style it was once created as to draw back in the public for more than a visit to the Odeon Cinema.

I remember using the Council’s Connections Service for young people when I was in college and looking for part time work, it was a great service and really easily accessible, which is why I ask has The Point peaked? The landmark which once was ‘the icon’ of the centre of Milton Keynes and opened in 1985, has severely faded behind other assets such as the Church in CMK, Xscape, the expanded shopping centre and our obsessive compulsive disorder with Round-a-bouts which has really caught on around the world even more so in the last decade, the latest with a City in the U.S.A replacing intersections and traffic lights with big round ‘things’!

The Point needs to either be refurbished and properly utilised, or potentially have a re-think of its strategy, unfortunately its not owned by the Council, its privately owned, but as the City continues to grow and the need to expand Public Amenities and services grows with it, the space its presides over it easily accessible and highly desirable. One idea is for it to Front a University Campus in the future, preserving the landmark and building, potentially using it all as classrooms and a Student Union (considering there used to be a NightClub there). That way our Cities heritage would be preserved but ensuring we future proof for our City for younger generations and our local economy. It would be much better than just knocking it all down.

If only the Private owners would invest more in it, perhaps these kind of views wouldn’t generate and I would never have asked the question!”

Protected Buildings

The local Liberal Democrats instigated the extension of the Conservation area in Newport Pagnell which now includes three historic buildings on the former Aston Martin site. This now means that they cannot be demolished without planning authorisation and permission!

This was one of the main issues people had with the site being brought by supermarket chain Tesco who proposed to build a large store on the site. Residents worried that Tesco would demolish the buildings without a second thought at their heritage to the town, we are happy to report this has been a success and should Tesco wish to demolish the buildings they can only do so with the appropriate consent from Milton Keynes Council.