Could unloved Milton Keynes multi-storey car park be transformed into community venue?

At a meeting on Monday a cabinet member of Milton Keynes Council formally agreed to close the Theatre Multi-Storey car park, off Marlborough Gate, but did not say what might happen to the site.

Rebecca Kurth, of Central MK town council, said they support the decision to close the car 330 space park but wanted to make sure that it does not become a white elephant.

“We have been in discussions for some time to identify a site in CMK or Campbell Park which is suitable for a community art and cultural facility” said Cllr Kurth.

“We want to actively move ahead with initial feasibility of the car park as a community art and cultural facility.

“There is some urgency to this work as we expect to start discussions early next year with the north side Campbell Park developers regarding contributions which could theoretically support a transformation of the car park.”

She called for a group to be set up to explore “creative solutions for the site”.

The delegated decisions meeting on Tuesday heard that even before the pandemic the car park was only 10 per cent full.

It has been hit by the more popular John Lewis car park nearby and needs a big investment to bring it up to scratch, a report read.

Tim Skelton, who chairs MK Forum, said: “The use of the car park or its site for arts provision would be a welcome addition to the cultural life of the city.”

He called for the community to be involved in proposals and added that the MK Forum “don’t want a proposal worked up by the council and then presented to the public as a fait accompli.”

Councillor Jenny Wilson-Marklew (Lab, Stony Stratford) the cabinet member for climate and responsibility, said the site was a part of a wider review of property so she didn’t think it was appropriate for the council to set up a working group

“But what I will commit to is ensuring that anything we do is given best considerations from a council point of view,” she said.

Cllr Wilson-Marklew admitted that decisions like this “often would be financial” but she committed to talking to her colleagues to ensure that “social value” is included in future plans.

She suggested that the town council set up a working group and invite the council to take part.

Any proposals could be made “once a decision has been made about what to do with the asset.”

She confirmed the decision to close the car park, which will be subject to possible call in.