Daily Pulse

ATG Entertainment Selected As Operator For New 4,000-Cap UK Venue

2123 MK Bus Exterior Darker
Rendering of the new 4,000-capacity venue scheduled to open in Milton Keynes in 2029. CMK:Live is just a placeholder name. Courtesy ATG Entertainment
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ATG Entertainment (ATG) will operate a new, 4,000-capacity, multi-purpose venue in the heart of Milton Keynes, UK, when it opens in 2029.

The global leader in theater entertainment thereby expands its UK venue portfolio, which comprised 38 buildings across the UK, including 10 in London’s West End. ATG also operates 23 venues across the U.S., including 7 on Broadway.

The new Milton Keynes venue will be located at the city’s Old Bus Station, Elder Gate. The planning process, including a public consultation to ensure local voices are heard, will begin later this year. Construction is expected to start soon after, with the venue scheduled to open in 2029.

The decision to select ATG with its 35-plus years of experience in global theater entertainment as its operator was made by the Milton Keynes Development Partnership (MKDP), an independent organization owned by Milton Keynes City Council.

ATG already operates the 1,400 Milton Keynes Theatre since it opened in 1999. The new building will enable larger-scale music performances and live experiences that the existing theatre cannot accommodate.

MKDP invested £76 million ($102 million) into the new Milton Keynes venue project, which is forecast to attract 300,000 visitors annually, and “deliver £158 million in economic and community benefits, alongside creating approximately 70 new jobs,” according to the announcement sent from the ATG press office today, Jan. 13.

See: Providence-backed ATG Entertainment Acquires Spanish Theater Business SOM Produce

Comments:

Nicola Sawford, Chair of MKDP, “Identifying ATG as our preferred partner takes us one step closer to delivering a world-class events venue for Milton Keynes. This project reflects our shared vision with Milton Keynes City Council to create a vibrant, welcoming city centre that offers something for everyone. The venue will not only bring incredible live entertainment to the heart of the city but also boost the local economy, create jobs, and strengthen Milton Keynes’ reputation as a destination for music, culture, and events. We’re excited to work with ATG and the community to make this vision a reality.”

Nick Potter, Chief Operating Officer for ATG Entertainment, “We are delighted to be named preferred partner for this landmark new venue in Milton Keynes. The city has ambitious plans for its future, a growing population, and a strong cultural appetite, making it an ideal location for a large-scale, multi-purpose events venue of this kind.

“This new venue will complement the success of Milton Keynes Theatre by enabling larger-scale live music, comedy, and entertainment experiences that cannot currently be accommodated, broadening the city’s cultural offer for residents and visitors alike.

“As the global leader in live entertainment, we work with the world’s leading artists, promoters, and producers to present concerts, comedy, and live events at scale, and we look forward to bringing that expertise to Milton Keynes. We’re excited to work in partnership with MKDP, the City Council, and the local community to create a world-class destination that delivers lasting cultural and economic benefits for the city.”

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