The UK’s first multiplex cinema is set to be demolished
Posted by OddStep5408@reddit | miltonkeynes | View on Reddit | 60 comments
Do we really need more high-rise apartments in the city centre, or is it time to let the red neon go?
cmsmk@reddit
This is a highlight of Milton Keynes, shame it is going. I personally think a bit of investment in the Point would help, but probably seen as futile due to centre:MK right nearby.
SquashyDisco@reddit
MK learning about building restoration 40 years later than the rest of us.
I moved here 13 years ago. My hometown (and many other people’s) have lost their treasured buildings because of neglect with private ownership. Have a wander through London and look at all the dying Tudor/Georgian buildings because they cost more to restore than to purchase - despite being listed.
The Point closed because people stopped visiting it. The majority chose to subscribe to Netflix/Prime/AppleTV. No-one with a decent business plan wanted the building after it closed. That’s why High Streets across the country are in a shit state.
MK might be different by origin, but you’re only living what the rest of us have witnessed.
Pitiful-Confection56@reddit
I think the point closed because the Xscape opened tbh. A new cinema only a stones throw away with a brand new better arcade. It killed it off. RIP Deep Pan Pizza Co. We still miss you.
Shoddy-Workmanship_1@reddit
first time i ever went to the cinema, pocahontas 1995
buford419@reddit
Same year for me but it was The Indian in the Cupboard.
GelatinousPinapple@reddit
Can't remember what I saw, but it was when it was a UCI and I got given a little pin badge of the film reel mascot!
OliM9696@reddit
good. More places for people to live the better. People living near businsess helps everyone. No 15min in traffic going to pick up some item, you can take a bike in 5 mins instead.
progburt777@reddit
There is 2 options they either throw loads of money at it or knock it down , ive lived in mk for over 40 years so it was the beacon of mk , but not anymore and developers dont want to include it in new plans so down it goes
TheBoyNabs@reddit
I’ll second this. I grew up in MK and been here over 40 years. The Point was a big part of my childhood and early adulthood, but not everything needs to or can be saved and preserved. People will moan about building too many flats, but MK is still a rapidly growing city and we need places for our children and grandchildren to live. I’ve said the same thing about the new development between MK and Newport Pagnell. If not here, then where?
OliM9696@reddit
its just nimby gits trying to maintain their house prices.
I say, build up and build more. Would love an opportunity to live closer to the centre. I dont mind biking into the centre but f-me does it not make me want to get an ebike.
progburt777@reddit
Its a building that hasn't had any really maintenance done for over 30 years , the last time I can remember it open in late 90s the main part was leaking when it rained and the upstairs had been closed off since early 90s
Ndl1800@reddit
Everything in MK needs to be flats apparently. Whether people can afford to buy/live in them is another story though.... What about the old food centre site that was demolished and never built on? (Removing a huge amount of free parking from the centre that now sits there un-used)
Will we just see The Point demolished and then sit as another site of waste ground in the city centre for years and years? I would be willing to put money on it!
It's a real shame for the centre and the history of MK to lose what is an iconic part of the city. I don't feel like any real effort has ever been made to try and make use of the building since the cinema shut it's doors.
shinniesta1@reddit
Well they would be even more expensive if we never build any more...
Ndl1800@reddit
Yeah I totally agree, we need to be building more affordable housing. I just question whether these will be built for people to buy and live in, or just for some large corporation to own and rent out at a premium. If there's such a need for flats in the centre, then why has nothing happened with a much larger brown field site that's been sat empty about 200m from where The Point is!
Iainfletcher@reddit
If they’re rented out people will be living in them. Those people then won’t be living in slightly worse flats and the people who then live in those flats won’t be living in worse flats and so on until a flat you deem affordable is freed up for people you like. This is how the housing market works.
Ndl1800@reddit
People like me? You don't know anything about me 😂
Sharkfacedsnake@reddit
In the centre of the city... yes it does really need to be flats. There is a housing crisis. We need to build more. The demolition of this building was announced in 2012. That is crazy that this stuff takes this long. This is right next to the bus stops and very close to the train station. Actual gold real estate there for flat construction.
Ndl1800@reddit
Yeah I don't disagree that we need to build more housing, I just doubt that these will be affordable for ordinary people or the people that need to live close to the centre and the bus station. Also as I say in other comments if there's such a need for housing in this specific area why hasn't anything happened on the old Food Centre site just over the road?
Sharkfacedsnake@reddit
Another very common mistake is that housing that is not marked affordable or that "luxury" flats dont help. That fact is that these "luxury" flats do still put a downward pressure on prices. All supply is good. The rich Londoner commuter will now buy this flat instead of your flat. There is very good evidence for this and is the consensus from economists.
There is a ton of reasons why this stuff gets delayed. The demolition of this site was first announced in 2012. This stuff takes way to long and is a massive reason why we have this housing crisis now. We do not build anything. People try to stop all construction everywhere. People wanted The Point to be a listed building. People will say traffic will be bad, people will say it will create shadows, and will destroy greenspace. It goes on and on when all they really want is for nothing to change and for their house prices to stay high and get higher. Problem is they moved to a damn city and expect things to never change in the damn city centre.
Probably what is happening to the food centre is very similar to what is happening now. Lots of people wanting to enact theiw own version of changes onto the site. Demanding a % of flats be affordable, wanting so many parking spaces available, not wanting to have it shadow over an area, wanting a smaller footprint. Most of what i can find on the site is just from 2020 talking about its demolition.
Ndl1800@reddit
I'd be surprised if people want to buy "luxury" flats next to the bus station, opposite the bookies and McDonald's in an area that already has a fair bit of anti-social behaviour.
And I'm not talking about flats being marked "affordable" or available through various buying schemes, I'm talking about them just actually being affordable for regular people. I don't think it's unfair to expect developers to provide affordable housing for the local populace.
I've lived in MK for most of my life and I do want to see the city change and grow, I just don't think it needs to be at the cost of local landmarks. The food centre plans were approved in 2020 and the whole place was demolished, and then nothing has ever happened since. It's not down to local people objecting as it already has planning consent.
Sharkfacedsnake@reddit
Well if they are that undesirable the price will be lower and will become affordable again. The reason why being beside a bus station is good is because it is the centre of MK and then will require less people own a car.
It is just simple economics. If there is more supply price will fall. It is that simple. Housing is no different. We need to build more housing so that the price of housing will fall. This housing will not be affordable because the developer wants that, it will not be affordable because so many people want to live in this area of England. Because demand is so high, that is the only reason why the price is so high. You can buy big houses in the north easily for cheap because no one wants to live there. Small houses are expensive here because everyone wants to live here.
Also if no houses were build there would be no housing for the local populace. So it is either this or nothing. House prices will continue to rise and the local populace will be priced out of the area anyway.
Projiuk@reddit
And yet they only demolished the food part, the car park still stands. I don’t really understand why they demolished it or didn’t demolish the entire structure. It’s a huge plot of land that’s just staying there as waste
Notagelding@reddit
The car park has listed status, which is why it can't be demolished and will have to be included in future plans on the site.
Projiuk@reddit
I didn’t know that, though I have to wonder how a car park got listed and the building surrounding it wasn’t. No wonder nothing has happened with that site in a while, I imagine the car park has suffered some decay too
Notagelding@reddit
I don't understand how it can even be considered listed, but I guess there's something unique about the car park structure that qualified it for listed status. Pretty dumb if you ask me! Probably a handful of people in the country that care about listed car parks! Nothing unique about the surrounding building.
Projiuk@reddit
It’s not like it’s art deco or anything either. It looks pretty uninspiring, but then it was designed to be surrounded by the food place. No one will want to take it on especially if it’s decaying. They can’t change the appearance of the car park so will have to hide it in some structure.
How can that car park get listed but the point that has actual significance can’t? 🤷♂️
Notagelding@reddit
That's a great point 😂
Worried-Departure386@reddit
Mk extremely overpriced 2 bed I can get in Northampton for 200k mk you looking at 280k… not worth it
wobblythings@reddit
Agora in Wolverton a similar story, pile of rubble for a few years now.
MrTibee@reddit
I personally think mk doesn’t have enough high rises, its a city now yet doesn’t feel that way at all. And while its is spreading outwards it can also go upwards.
FiveUperdan@reddit
I'm always a bit confused when I read this viewpoint because why do we want Milton Keynes to be just like every other city full of high rise buildings and feeling claustrophobic?
We have some interesting architecture with the theatre, the point and Christ the cornerstone. All of that is going to get dwarfed by the cheapest blockiest high-rise developers think they can get away with building.
Sharkfacedsnake@reddit
If we just keep building out we will fill up our roads with cars. Journey times will increase a ton. Traffic will suck.
This place was decided to be a city well back in the 70s. People need to start accepting that this is a city. If a city makes you feel claustrophobic move!
If this building gets heritige status that will hamper development of the city. It will see the never ending rise of rent and house prices. It will mean traffic gets worse. This spot is perfect for flats. It is near shops, the busses, and the train station.
FiveUperdan@reddit
To answer paragraph for paragraph:
Traffic will be worse if population density is higher, not if the city is larger.
Milton keynes has existed as it is for 50 years, and all cities are not the same. The idea that a city will have high rise is a misconception, Milton Keynes was planned to be different. The city of Ely for example has very few high rise buildings, and the original plan for Milton Keynes was that no buildings should be taller than the tallest tree. (So if you disagree with the original planning principles of MK, maybe it's you who should move?)
Yes we need more houses, I'm happy for some reasonable sized buildings to be put up, I don't have a problem with Ashland for example. We need to keep building outwards too though to protect the green space within MK (also all part of the original plan). Again, I think you maybe misunderstand how traffic works. I haven't actually argued against putting flats in this location, just expressed confusion at the sentiment of building loads of high rise in MK. If the point has to go then it would be a fine location for homes.
Sharkfacedsnake@reddit
Density built by bus stations and train stations will not make traffic worse. It would be a lot worse if we were to build the same number of low density housing units.
The only thing unique about Milton Keynes is that it is designed uniquely poorly. It is way too car focused. There are so many car parks. The low density means that other modes of transport like bike, scooter, and walking are not as viable. The distances are too large. The redways are nice but the distance is just too far. This place was designed in the 60s and 70s. We can do stuff better now.
Mate that tallest tree stuff has gonr out the window ages ago. It obviously stangles development and causes urban sprawl. We are just taking up more land for the sake of it. That height control is just nonsense. It isn't used anymore. Because it is such a bad policy.
If we keep building outwards we will be destroying even more green space. Every city has this problem. You either build density or push out further into green space or the green belt.
FiveUperdan@reddit
So that's the fundamental disagreement we have. I like the way Milton Keynes has been planned and executed. I've never found the distance to be prohibitive and spent a couple of years without a car without any problem. I don't want Milton Keynes to become the same as most other cities. I've lived in them, I chose to live in Milton Keynes because it's different
Sharkfacedsnake@reddit
What makes MK different is what makes it worse. We do not have to stick to the outdated and strangling ideas of the 60s and 70s where everyone dreamed to own a car. These flats are right next to transport links (train station, bus station) you do not need a car to live here.
The city centre is one of the lowest density areas of any city. It is crazy. Right next to the train station there are large single family homes. That is crazy and a massive waste of space. In any other city that is prime space for flats. Perfect for commuters into London to live in.
Milton Keynes was always meant to be a city. And it is properly becoming one with devolvement's like these and the pedestrianisation of some areas. Hopefully soon we will have a proper mass transit solution, like an actual city.
We have blown through the "no taller than a tree" rules. Housing in this city has become so expensive. If we do not build housing will become even more unaffordable. If you want to live in large single family homes live don't live in the damn city centre.
Campershamer84@reddit
Would also like to add that regardless the housing costs will rise and tremendously as years go on no matter what decisions are made, it's a corporate world afterall
shinniesta1@reddit
Sure, but are you willing to pay to keep it?
Sharkfacedsnake@reddit
This is great news. We need to build more in this city. That building was doing nothing but collect Gen X memories and dust. We desperately need more density in this city. If new flats are built on this site that would be amazing. It is right next to the busses, the train station and the shopping centre.
Yes we really do need more high rise flats in this city. House prices are crazy high in this end of England.
Chemical-Lettuce2497@reddit
What? I grew up in MK but haven't lived there in about 15 years.. the point is iconic.
What a terrible decision, bet these cunts are going for the concrete cows next
Sharkfacedsnake@reddit
Mate the place has been basically desolate for 15 years.
CaughtAlone@reddit
Good. We are desperately in need of more housing. It's very expensive in MK as people want to love here. It's a good thing but we need to build more.
bloqed@reddit
is this going to be one of those threads where people already on the ladder complain about property being built while people not on it want property to be built
Pitiful-Confection56@reddit
You won't be able to afford them anyway. (Not being a dick, just stating a fact) There for Londoners to commute in.
Sharkfacedsnake@reddit
This is not true. All housing construction puts a downward pressure on prices. That Londoner will now be buying that new construction there instead of the house you were gonna buy.
It is well evidenced that "luxury" flat construction still lowers house prices or rents
CaughtAlone@reddit
If we build enough that would not be the case. It's only so high because so many are fighting over so few homes.
We have a lack of supply and people here are mad at building more homes for people. It's mad.
bloqed@reddit
fair
darybrain@reddit
I look forward to the new rent only building Pointy McPoint House opening in 25-30 years with its edges covered in neon in homage to the original Point full of nanounits and microunits for those that are rich enough with shared bathrooms per floor, a basement laundry setup of three washer/dryers for all although one will constantly be broken, no parking for tenants, and no internet access for the first year. The noise from the shopping centre, buses right outside, skateboarders, and fights outside McDonald's and the betting shop will be worth the £5000+ rent.
Ndl1800@reddit
I'm not sure where the sarcasm ends and the truth begins, probably somewhere after the name...
nmlsk@reddit
It was a big part of growing up but so much of the centre is a dump that I'm fine with new stuff being built.
Yolandi2802@reddit
It’s so sad. It was a beacon when approaching MK (home) from the motorway. My kids would compete to see who spotted it first. We saw some cracking films there - Crocodile Dundee, Stand by Me, The Lost Boys.. I for one will be very sad when it’s gone. 😔
bozza8@reddit
But we can only keep it if someone wants to sump up the millions and millions of quid to maintain it, which no-one wants to.
So down it goes
Public-Guidance-9560@reddit
Dang, its a cool looking building. But if no one wants it and it can't be easily converted into something else....
OK_Cake05@reddit
Fine with it being demolished as long it’s it doesn’t take decades to build something new like the garden centre and now the food centre
FinchMandala@reddit
The Agora in Wolvo.
niallw1997@reddit
The rise and fall of ‘The Point’ is a mystery to me, what happened?
tttkkk@reddit
Egyptians demand that we return it
mattcosmith@reddit
It will be a sad day for MK if/when it is demolished.
Projiuk@reddit
I saw an urban exploration video of the point and the upper floors still have the screens and projection equipment intact. Personally I’d love to have a look around before it gets demolished. Would be cool if they’d open it up. If nothing else the projection equipment should be donated to the projected picture trust
KYIdols@reddit
The point is, there’s no viable use for the building as it sits now. It’s been a charity shop for the past decade, but that’s not sustainable in the long term, given the costs of maintaining such an unusual building.
It’s all very well people complaining about interesting buildings going, but the council doesn’t have the resources to preserve everything in aspic.
With old buildings you use them or lose them. It’s time for this one to go.