New £76million venue announced for Milton Keynes

A new £76million venue is soon to be built in Milton Keynes.

• READ MORE: UK grassroots venues suffering from “the complete collapse of touring” – here’s how you can help

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 see a £76 million investment from independent organisation MKDP (owned by Milton Keynes City Council), and will seat up to 4,000 visitors. Promising a “diverse range of performers and acts”, the venue could attract approximately more than 300,000 visitors annually.

Additionally, the venue is also estimated to bring in £158million in economic and community benefits, creating around 70 new jobs. Over 100 headline events will be planned annually at the venue.

MKDP is expected to commence the planning process this year and start construction shortly afterwards, with a view to open in 2029. A public consultation will also be held this year as part of the planning process.

Speaking about the venue, 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 centre that offers something for everyone.

“The venue will not only bring incredible 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.”

Meanwhile, Nick Potter (COO of ATG Entertainment) said: “We are delighted to be named preferred partner for this landmark new venue in Milton Keynes. The city has ambitious 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 of this kind.
“This new venue will complement the success of Milton Keynes Theatre by enabling larger-scale live music, comedy, and entertainment experiences that cannot currently be accommodated, broadening 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, and we look forward to bringing that expertise to Milton Keynes. We’re excited to work in partnership 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 announcement 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 licence to allow their opening hours to stretch 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.