A vibrant new cultural and creative space in Wolverton has been given a welcome boost to aid its creation – a £20,000 investment from Milton Keynes City Council.
After previous private sector redevelopment plans failed to materialise, the city council stepped in to purchase the former Agora site and is now driving that multi-million pound scheme.
This flagship project will regenerate the town centre with more than 100 new homes, nine commercial units, a community space and a sustainable mobility hub, reinstating Wolverton’s historic Victorian street pattern and creating a greener, more dynamic environment.
As part of the wider Future Wolverton regeneration programme, the Old Market Hall in Glyn Square will be transformed into a lively creative and cultural hub.
Plans include exhibition areas, artist studios, flexible workspaces, rehearsal and performance spaces and a welcoming bar café open to the public.
Market Hall Wolverton will become a community owned arts and cultural centre for the whole of Milton Keynes, offering access to performance, cinema, exhibitions and creative studios.
“This is an exciting step forward for Wolverton, by investing in the Old Market Hall, we’re not only preserving a piece of our history but creating a space that will inspire creativity, bring people together and boost the local economy. It’s a fantastic example of how regeneration can benefit the whole community,” said Cllr Shanika Mahendran, Cabinet Member for Planning and Placemaking.
Around 20 studios will provide space for artists to work and share their skills through workshops, while a versatile performance space will host theatre and live events.
Exhibition areas will showcase diverse art forms and run regular workshops, creating a vibrant hub that connects local people with artists and creators. The venue will also provide employment pathways for young people needing extra support, offering real work experience and skills development in a supportive environment.
This investment comes from Section 106 contributions, funds provided by developers through planning agreements to support local infrastructure and community projects.
“We are thrilled that the City Council has agreed to support our project in bringing a much needed cultural facility to Wolverton,” added Marie Osborne, CEO of Future Wolverton, “The project has attracted many artists and volunteers from the community already, who are helping to convert this space from its current unused empty shell.
“There is a long way to go of course, but this is great news for us and the future of Wolverton.”
