A petition has been launched online after the developer developed a lawsuit to destroy the UK’s first dedicated multiplex film, “The Point of Milton Keynes,” to build a flat on the site.
The petition to halt the demolition is housed on Change.org and was launched last week by local resident Andy Legg. As of today (July 21st), there are only 3,000 signatures.
The film opened in 1985 and closed in 2015, and was run by Odeon at that time. Odeon is currently operating at Milton Keynes Stadium.
The redevelopment plan for the Point Site has been in work for over 10 years. Milton Keynes Council voted against plans to build 487 apartments in several blocks of UK property developer Galliard Holdings. The tallest of these was the 21-storey building in July 2024. However, the proposal will include a bar, sports facility and new cinemas on the roof after the appeal was filed earlier this month.
The plan was initially rejected as the building does not offer adequate affordable housing. Galliard Holdings has agreed to pay £690,009 to provide affordable housing elsewhere in Milton Keynes.
Millard Ox, former president of Warner Bros. International Cinemas, leads the opening of points under the AMC Theatre, throwing weight behind the petition.
“This location was the first multiplex in the UK, but also outside the US. The points were successful and it was a catalyst for film development in the UK and around the world,” OCHS said in a LinkedIn post. “It helped create jobs in both the film industry, but the same is true in the film industry. Children who went to cinemas 40 years ago could become film actors, directors or producers. The UK film industry should petition relevant government officials to place heritage plaques and register the building.”
Legg is campaigning for local planning authorities to issue building protection notices. This could mean that for six months the building would become officially listed by historic England in order to protect private buildings of historical or architectural interest from demolition.
He stated in his petition: “I’m leading a passionate plan to activate the points to five retro 35mm screens for retro classic/cult/pop culture films and five other screens for new releases.
“We create up to 100 jobs, attract 500k-1m visitors each year, bringing money to the city. We also propose a national heritage list to protect this landmark forever.”
(TagStoTranslate) Exhibition (T) UK/Ireland
