A £76 million events venue in Milton Keynes is being positioned as a major driver of city centre growth, with significant implications for jobs, footfall, and the wider visitor economy.
Milton Keynes Development Partnership (MKDP) has confirmed ATG Entertainment as its preferred partner to operate the new 4,000-capacity Milton Keynes events venue at the Old Bus Station on Elder Gate. The project is expected to attract more than 300,000 visitors a year, reinforcing the city’s ability to compete for large-scale live entertainment and commercial events.
The development represents one of the most substantial cultural investments in the city in recent years. Importantly for local businesses, MKDP forecasts £158 million in economic and community benefits, alongside the creation of around 70 new jobs once the venue is operational.
ATG already operates Milton Keynes Theatre, and the new venue is designed to complement that offer rather than compete with it. While the existing theatre focuses on touring productions, the new building will allow larger-scale concerts, comedy, and live experiences that currently bypass the city.
Nicola Sawford, chair of MKDP, said the appointment marked a critical step for the project and for the city centre’s long-term economic strategy. “Identifying ATG as our preferred partner takes us one step closer to delivering a world-class events venue for Milton Keynes,” she said. “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.”
From a business perspective, the location is strategic. The venue will sit alongside the recently redeveloped Station Square and close to Unity Place, Santander UK’s £150 million headquarters and community hub. As a result, MKDP sees the scheme as part of a broader placemaking push designed to increase dwell time, evening economy spend, and inward investment confidence.
ATG’s chief operating officer Nick Potter said the company views Milton Keynes as a growth market. “The city has ambitious plans for its future, a growing population, and a strong cultural appetite,” he said. “That makes it an ideal location for a large-scale, multi-purpose events venue of this kind.”
He added that the venue would enable events “that cannot currently be accommodated”, expanding the commercial potential of live entertainment in the city. ATG plans to programme more than 100 headline events a year, drawing regional and national audiences.
MKDP, which is wholly owned by Milton Keynes City Council, funds placemaking projects through strategic land development. By 2027, it expects to have contributed £7.8 million to the council for placemaking, rising to £23 million by 2035/36.
The planning process, including public consultation, is due to begin later this year. Construction is expected to follow shortly after, with the venue scheduled to open in 2029.
Image: An artists impression of CMK Live. Credit: Invest Milton Keynes.
