Our photos come from the city’s Living Archive collection. Some of these were donated by members of the public while many others came from old newspapers at the time, including the MK Citizen and our former sister paper the Milton Keynes Gazette.
In the 1980s the new shopping centre was still the place to be, with people saying they were going ‘up city’ to vist the shops, The Point or the plethora of pubs and clubs.
Milton Keynes Hospital was very much a talking point after it officially opened in 1984, as was the famous ‘red balloon’ advert of that year, urging people to come and live in the new city.
The local landscape, formerly fields and farmland, continued to change almost daily as new estates sprang up and new schools and local centres opened.
Take a flick through our gallery of photos and see what you can remember.
9. 1980s in Milton Keynes
The Point was the hub of the city centre in the 80s. Here's Edwin Starr performing there to a packed audience. Photo: Living Archive
10. 1980s in Milton Keynes
In 1986 a local band called the Blues Collective was formed. Boy, were they cool! Here they are posing 'up city' for a photo. Photo: Living Archive
11. 1980s in Milton Keynes
The Christmas displays in Middleton Hall were magnificent during the 80s - and free. Here's one being painstakingly created ready for people to enjoy. Photo: Living Archive
12. 1980s in Milton Keynes
This was Bletchley's Studio cinema in December 1982. ET was showing and people were queuing to see it. Four years later, the cinma closed due to competition from The Point multiplex. Photo: Living Archive