thecentre:mk becomes listed building amid controversy
Published: 19 July, 2010
thecentre:mk, Milton Keynes, was made a Grade II listed building on Friday after a controversial decision by the DCMS.
The announcement was not welcomed by the centre’s owners, Hermes Real Estate Investment Management and PRUPIM, who are worried about the future implications on the centre.
Jon Weymouth, development director and spokesman for the owners said: "We are disappointed with the decision to list the property. Our concerns that this decision will impact upon the future evolution and growth of thecentre:mk and Central Milton Keynes remain."
Campaigners like the Twentieth Century Society called for the listing and described the shopping centre, which was opened by Margaret Thatcher in 1979, as “one of the most exciting buildings of the 1970s.”
The decision puts the shopping centre in the same category as the top five per cent of buildings in the country along with stately homes and London’s Tate Britain art gallery.
Elizabeth Hinde, head of property at the British Retail Consortium said: “thecentre:mk had a system in place which ensured that the building was always protected and maintained to a very high standard – almost to the standards of a Grade II listed building anyway which is why we are disappointed with the decision.
“We understand that the government is trying to protect architecture of the time but any future expansion of the centre will be a bigger job and more expensive and the cost for retailers will probably go up because any changes to the shop fronts or signage will have to go through the planning system.”
thecentre:mk which was the biggest shopping centre in the UK when it was built now contains more than 240 shops, cafes and restaurants and attracts about 30 million customers a year.
