If you’ve lived in Milton Keynes long enough, you probably still call it “the new bit.”
And yet—somehow—Midsummer Place has turned 25.
A quarter of a century since its grand opening in 2000, the sleek glass-and-steel heart of the city centre is marking its milestone with celebrations, nostalgia, and a good dose of fun. Because this isn’t just any shopping centre—it’s a place woven into MK’s story (and, let’s be honest, most of our wardrobes).
But before we get swept up in the future—new stores, big brands, and an entertainment complex to rival the big cities—let’s take a little stroll down memory lane. Or rather, The Boulevard.
The grand opening
It was 26 September 2000. The cost? A cool £170 million.
The space? A whopping 40,000 square metres—bigger than seven football pitches—and built with the help of 1,600 workers. The design, by GMW Architects with interiors by Greig & Stephenson, was bold for its time: a glass canopy rising 18 metres high, letting the sunlight flood through like a futuristic greenhouse.
And true to its name, Midsummer Place sits perfectly aligned with the sun’s path on the Summer Solstice—proof that even shopping can be celestial.
That famous frog clock
If you’ve ever stopped to watch a golden frog blow bubbles above your head, you’ve met one of MK’s most whimsical icons.
The Frog Clock, designed by artist Kit Williams, weighs in at a hefty four tonnes, making it one of the UK’s largest indoor animated clocks. It even has its own soundtrack, courtesy of composer Terry Oldfield. Fun fact: it was built on a pig farm in Cheltenham and delayed by 18 months due to the foot-and-mouth crisis. (You can’t make that up.)
A stage for stars
Over the years, the centre has seen a parade of celebrity guests that reads like a who’s who of pop culture.
Think Peter Andre signing albums, Katie Price greeting fans, and Bake Off’s Nadiya Hussain launching her first book.
Music legends Donny Osmond, Atomic Kitten, and Martine McCutcheon have graced the stage, while literary icons Terry Pratchett and Cressida Cowell drew queues of fans down the mall.
And who could forget Dame Barbara Windsor and Sir Terry Wogan, bringing pure British charm to the heart of MK?
When McDonald’s was inside
Yes, really.
Before the sleek Apple Store and polished BOSS windows, there was once a McDonald’s inside the centre—the ultimate 2000s teen hangout. And remember Virgin Megastore? It was the go-to spot for CD signings and Top 40 browsing. Other dearly missed names include Topshop, Oasis, and Karen Millen—all fond fixtures of a bygone high street era.
The independents rise
Midsummer Place has always balanced big names with local flair.
The Midsummer Markets give small traders a monthly showcase, while the revamped Boulevard is now home to food from around the world—each dish cooked with love by local entrepreneurs. It’s retail with a side of street food soul.
Eco creds (and quirky stats)
Behind the scenes, the centre is surprisingly green:
100% of its waste is diverted from landfill.
Living walls, installed in 2018, boost wellbeing and biodiversity—and if you look closely, there’s a tiny hidden fairy perched among the leaves on Level 2.
Each year, the cleaning team goes through 8,700 toilet rolls and 360 mop heads. (Some stats just deserve respect.)
And if you’re looking for something truly timeless, the flooring contains real fossils, a little slice of natural history beneath your shopping bags.
From Debenhams to bowling alleys
As retail has evolved, so has Midsummer Place.
Gone is Debenhams; in its place, the Lane7 leisure complex—complete with bowling, roller skating, and gaming—is transforming the centre into a day-out destination. Add new arrivals like Søstrene Grene, Flannels, and Popeyes, plus a supersized Hollister, and you’ve got a centre that’s still finding ways to surprise you.
Centre Manager Simon Martin says it best: “We’ve grown and adapted, but what’s stayed constant is the dedication of our people and the love from the community. This milestone is as much about them as it is about the centre itself.”
A living legacy
Today, over 1,000 people work in Midsummer Place. And dotted across MK are over 100 descendants of the Midsummer Oak, planted from acorns gathered at the original tree near the centre—a fitting symbol for growth and continuity.
Oh, and remember the Concrete Cows? They once grazed right here before heading off to MK Museum in 2016.
So, what’s next?
Midsummer Place might be turning 25, but it’s acting half its age. With new tenants, indie food vendors, and a revamped social vibe, it’s redefining what a shopping centre can be in 2025—part retail hub, part community hangout, part slice of MK history.
And whether you’re popping in for a coffee, a browse, or a bit of frog-spotting, one thing’s clear: this “new bit” still has plenty of stories left to tell.
