Milton Keynes City Council have announced a £20,000 investment to support the creation of a new cultural and creative space in Wolverton’s Old Market Hall.

After previous private sector redevelopment plans failed to materialise, the city council previously stepped in to purchase the former Agora site and is now driving the multi-million pound scheme.

This redevelopment project is looking to bring more than 100 new homes, nine commercial units, a community space and a sustainable mobility hub to the centre of the town, 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.

MK City Council’s plans would see Market Hall Wolverton become a community owned arts and cultural centre for the whole of Milton Keynes, offering access to performance, cinema, exhibitions and creative studios.

Around 20 light filled 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.

Cabinet Member for Planning and Placemaking, Cllr Shanika Mahendran, said, “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.”

Marie Osborne, CEO of Future Wolverton, added, “We are thrilled that the City Council has agreed to support our project in bringing a much needed cultural facility to 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.”

Work is already underway and residents will be invited to enjoy creative events and activities ahead of the completion of the ground floor fit out, scheduled for the end of March 2026.