The Point, Milton Keynes
| The Point | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| General information | |
| Type | Mixed used leisure and (former) cinema |
| Address | Midsummer Boulevard |
| Town or city | Milton Keynes |
| Country | England, UK |
| Current tenants | Odeon (Closed 26/02/15), Gala Bingo |
| Opened | 23 November 1985 |
| Demolished | TBC - Agreed 06/03/2014 |
| Owner | Hammerson |
| Design and construction | |
| Architecture firm | Building Design Partnership |
The Point is an entertainment complex in Central Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, England. When it opened in 1985, it included the UK's first multiplex cinema. The front part of the building has a distinctive mirrored crystal ziggurat shape, framed by external steel beams at each corner, joined at the apex. Originally it had red neon lights connecting the apexes at each side, so that it looked like a pyramid at night.
In May 2012, the building's owners Hammerson announced proposals to demolish the building and replace it with a retail-based development. On 6 March 2014 it was announced that Milton Keynes Council had voted to approve the application. On 26 February 2015, the Odeon cinema to the rear of the building closed, in preparation for the demolition. Historic England commented that it was "in essence, a large industrial shed unit" and refused to recommend the building for listed status.
As of 2012, The Point houses:
In the 1980s, cinema audiences were in decline nationally, due among other reasons to high ticket prices, TV channels and video recorders. Smaller cinemas were closing down as they were no longer economic to operate.
The Point opened in 1985 and included a 10-screen multiplex cinema, the UK's first multiplex. The first company to run the cinema was AMC Theatres in conjunction with Milton Keynes Entertainment Corporation (MKEC). After opening similar multiplexes across the country, in 1989, AMC sold up to United Cinemas International (better known as UCI) but was still run in part by MKEC who took the profits from the ticket sales while UCI had the profits from the concession stands. The venue was an instant success and its opening caused, at least partially, the closure of the traditional cinemas in Bletchley and Newport Pagnell. In 1991, it hosted a royal première of Harrison Ford's Presumed Innocent and was attended by Sarah, Duchess of York.
...
Wikipedia