Milton Keynes Development Partnership (MKDP) has appointed Greig & Stephenson Architects (GSA) to help develop ideas for the future of the open market next to the city’s indoor shopping centre, Centre:MK.
GSA specialises in market-led projects and was behind development of some of the UK’s most popular and successful schemes including Borough and Camden Lock markets in London and Leeds, Preston, Wolverhampton and Leicester markets as well as projects overseas.
MKDP Chief Executive Charles Macdonald says: “Successful cities are increasingly embracing independent traders operating from market stalls to bring new life and diversity to their centres. We want Milton Keynes’ market to be reinvigorated and are looking forward to working with GSA and to seeing what new ideas they can bring.”
Over the coming months potential plans will be shared and discussions will take place with stakeholders and the public so that feedback can be considered as part of the creation of plans for the market’s future.
Adam Parker, partner at Greig & Stephenson, says: “We are excited to be working with MKDP on the development of ideas for Milton Keynes’ open market. Our practice specialises in market-led projects, which offer a truly sustainable vehicle for the regeneration and development of our town and city centres, on a social, economic and environmental level.
“In a time when the public are more discerning about how they spend their money and leisure time, markets offer a flexible asset that should provide the opportunity for activity throughout the day and evenings, catering for the full cross section of the local community, becoming a destination in their own right,” adds Parker.
“We look forward to undertaking in-depth research and continued engagement with local stakeholders including the public and local traders, which will inform the potential plans and designs.”