I'm back and this time I will be writing some new reviews as well as making some long-overdue update...
I'm back and this time I will be writing some new reviews as well as making some long-overdue updates on my older work.
Member since:11.07.2000
Reviews:82
Members who trust:43
Milton Keynes has been the butt of many jokes but as it grows and matures into its new city status it may be time for a reappraisal. Of particular interest here is the shopping centre, after all in this category it could hardly be otherwise.
Milton Keynes is unusual in that from the outset the town centre was designed to be entirely under cover. The result of this is that we basically have an out of town shopping centre in the centre of the town! The centre has recently been extended and the existing areas have been recently refurbished.
Layout ~~~~
The centre comprises two parallel malls on a single floor (although the shops are mainly 2 storey) with the new Midsummer Place extension at one end. At the opposite end, next to John Lewis, is Middleton Hall that is an open space that features different displays or exhibitions most weeks. Between the two
malls there is a courtyard with fountains and seating areas. This offers a very pleasant break in the warmer weather. The outdoor market is to the south of the centre close to the clock tower. The ‘Food Centre’ is on the opposite side of Midsummer Boulevard and offers Sainsburys, Iceland and Waitrose for your food shopping needs. Also within a short walking distance (100-200m) is the new theatre and gallery and the associated leisure facilities, bars, restaurants etc.
The older section of the centre is very light and airy with exotic trees planted along both of the malls. The glassed roof in about 15-20 high that certainly ensures that the malls never have that claustrophobic air that some can have in busy times. To walk a complete circuit of the centre will cover about 3km and you will pass some 200 shops.
The Shops ~~~~~~
The centre has just about every chain store under its roof and a good range of smaller stores. The emphasis (as is true in most shopping centres) is on fashion with about 50% of the stores catering to the clothes shopper. The main ‘anchor’ stores at either end of the centre are ‘Marks and Spencer’ and ‘John Lewis’.
The larger stores include House of Fraser, Woolworth, Boots, BHS, WH Smith and a newly opened Next. Other stores include footwear, opticians, books and music retailers as well as many more too numerous to list here.
There are few vacant spaces and the air overall is very prosperous. Absent from this centre are the numerous short lease discount stores that quickly move in to less successful areas.
Midsummer Place ~~~~~~~~~~
The new Midsummer Place is linked to the main centre at the western end next to Marks and Spencer. There are about fifty outlets in the new area and a covered square featuring a range of cafes and restaurants. This square is covered but not sealed from the elements, so I find it rather chilly in the winter and rather draughty even in the summer. It is interesting to note that it is now planned to install glass screens to protect the café terraces form the wind. Perhaps architects are not always perfect!
The largest store in this section is Debenhams which benefits from direct access from the multi-storey car park.
Services ~~~~~~
There are a number of ATMs (cash machines) available, mostly on the southern side of the centre. There is also a Post Office for those essential mailing needs!
There are two bars within the centre. There are also many cafes and restaurants either within the centre or a short walk away in the theatre district.
For those who want or need it there is a crèche available.
The centre is open until 8pm on weekdays, 7pm on Saturdays and 5pm on Sundays.
Car Parking ~~~~~~ There is adequate car parking around the centre, both surface and multi-storey but be warned that it is very busy on weekends and you need patience and persistence to find a space. The Midsummer Place multi-storey car park currently offers free parking (presumably to encourage more shoppers to start at this end) and it is normally possible to find a space there outside the peak Saturday shopping times. Be careful if parking in the multi-storey attached to the food centre – time is limited to 2 hours and it is patrolled.
Surface parking is free in all areas after 6pm, before that it is about £1 per hour. If all other car parking is full, there is a multi-storey car park to the rear of the theatre that normally has space. This charges at the same rate as surface pay and display areas (but isn’t free after 6pm, there is a fixed £2 fee).
If you are travelling from out of town there is a free park and ride service from near the motorway into the town centre.
Conclusion ~~~~~~~
This is a centre to which my wife and I return time and time again. It continues to improve and offers a good selection of shops in very pleasant surroundings. We highly recommend it.
If you want to check it out on the web, look at www.cmkshop.co.uk, which is the official website.
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
As a resident of Milton Keynes, I think you have done the shopping centre justice. I still haven't found the entrance to the multi story car park above Debenhams though! One correction though - the food centre has Sainsburys, Iceland and Waitrose, not Somerfields.
ScotGirl 28.09.2001 14:24
A smashing opinion. I particularly liked your title :)
Excelle 27.03.2001 16:52
I actually know someone who lives there, it's nice to hear some information about it - cheers, nice one!
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Mar 27th, 2001
(Oct 1st, 2001)
very helpful by (100%):
