Historic market hall to be transformed into 'vibrant' new cultural hub in Milton Keynes town
A disused market hall that drew the crowds more than a century ago is once again to be brought back into community use.
Milton Keynes City Council has agreed to invest cash to transform the Old Market Hall in Wolverton into a vibrant new cultural and creative space.
The Glynn Square building, built in the late 1880s, once drew shoppers from all over the area. But traders moved to the nearby Agora when it was built in 1980 and the hall was redundant.
Most recently it was occupied by Atlas Gym, but they relocated in 2023.
The Future Wolverton group set up a campaign for the building to become a community-owned asset and now the city council has pledged £20,000 to help with the necessary works.
Already the council has stepped in to purchase the town’s former Agora Site and is now driving a multi-million pound scheme to build more than 100 new homes on the land.
The Old Market Hall will serve these residents as well as the existing population.Plans include exhibition areas, artist studios, flexible workspaces, rehearsal and performance spaces and a welcoming bar café open to the public.
Around 20 light filled studios will provide space for artists to work and share their skills through workshops, while a versatile performance space will host theatre and live events, say council officials.
Exhibition areas will showcase diverse art forms and run regular workshops, creating a vibrant hub that connects local people with artists and creators. The venue will also provide employment pathways for young people needing extra support, offering real work experience and skills development in a supportive environment.
This investment comes from Section 106 contributions, funds provided by developers through planning agreements to support local infrastructure and community projects.
Cabinet Member for Planning and Placemaking, Cllr Shanika Mahendran, said: This is an exciting step forward for Wolverton, by investing in the Old Market Hall, we’re not only preserving a piece of our history but creating a space that will inspire creativity, bring people together and boost the local economy. It’s a fantastic example of how regeneration can benefit the whole community.”
Marie Osborne, CEO of Future Wolverton, added: “We are thrilled that the City Council has agreed to support our project in bringing a much needed cultural facility to Wolverton. The project has attracted many artists and volunteers from the community already, who are helping to convert this space from its current unused empty shell. There is a long way to go of course, but this is great news for us and the future of Wolverton.”
Work inside the Old Market Hall is already underway and residents will be invited to enjoy creative events and activities ahead of the completion of the ground floor fit out, scheduled for the end of March 2026.
The venue will be operated by staff working alongside young people who need extra support on their journey to paid employment. It will provide a place where they can experience a variety of work tasks and gain skills and qualifications.