A local 7-year-old has won a competition to design a special logo for the XScape leisure facility in Milton Keynes, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary since opening this year.
Young artist Hossein Sarkandi from Middleton Primary School in Milton Keynes won a competition from the Xscape centre, who invited local children in the region to design an emblem which will be used online, across social media, and throughout the centre during the milestone celebrations taking place during the May half-term holidays.
The winning design showcases the iconic Xscape building – standing 44 meters high – with colourful fireworks and balloons.
As a reward for his creativity, Hossein will enjoy a fun-filled day out at Xscape worth up to £500.
Overjoyed by the win, Hossein Sarkandi said, “I am amazed and really excited to have won the competition. I couldn’t wait to get to school and tell my teachers and friends all about it. I love drawing and designing, and I worked really hard on the logo – I still can’t believe I won!”
Dan Murphy, Centre Director at Xscape Milton Keynes, added, “We are delighted to be celebrating 25 fantastic years since the launch of the Xscape Milton Keynes – and what better way to mark the occasion than by unveiling Hossein’s incredible artwork.
“We have some amazing young artistic talent in the region, making for a very tough judging process, but Hossein’s design truly stood out and we’re proud to feature it as our official anniversary emblem.
“We’re encouraging all our visitors to look out for the winning logo in the centre, on our website, and across social media during the May half-term celebrations. It’s a special moment we’re proud to share with our guests, and we’d like to thank every young artist who entered the competition – well done Hossein!”
To mark its silver anniversary, Xscape is inviting guests to join in the celebrations this week, and during the May half-term holidays, with exclusive discounts – including up to 25% off at selected brands* – giveaways and prizes up for grabs. The centre will also feature interactive photo opportunities, including a refreshed ‘Wall of Tall’, where visitors can measure their height against famous celebrities, characters and items also turning 25 this year. A birthday-themed backdrop will also be available, perfect for families and friends to capture their special celebratory moments and create lasting memories.
The centre:mk shopping centre in Milton Keynes will be hosting a robotics competition in September 2025.
University teams from across Europe will be testing their tech to tackle real-world tasks at the Smart City Robotics Competition.
Following 2019 and 2023 competitions previously held at the venue, the contest will take place at the centre:mk shopping centre from 23-25 September. Milton Keynes City Council and centre:mk are principal partners, with the Smart City Consultancy running the competition alongside founders euRobotics.
The competition will also be part of the city’s upcoming Milton Keynes Tech Week 2025, with MK City Council saying they expect to announce more details on other events down the line.
Teams will compete in five categories, including:
- Coffee shop orders – robots take table orders, collect and deliver them safely in a busy café setting
- Through the door – navigating doors by operating handles and demonstrating motion, planning and control
- Helping out at home – assisting people with limited mobility by fetching household items
- Picking and packing – finding items on shelves and getting them to checkout
- Drone delivery – flying across controlled areas to drop off medicine and blood samples
Cabinet Member for Planning and Placemaking, Cllr Shanika Mahendran, said, “This is exactly the kind of event and talent that we want in Milton Keynes. We’re really looking forward to seeing how smart tech can make everyday life easier, especially for our more vulnerable residents by helping them out at home and delivering medicine. We’re proud to have been chosen again and this gives us yet another opportunity to welcome new ideas, test technologies and help bring them to life.”
Kevin Duffy, Centre Director centre:mk, added, “Since inception Milton Keynes has been at the forefront of innovation and to be able to welcome and test the best and brightest students from Universities across Europe while inspiring the robotics engineers of the future is a unique and exciting prospect. To have such a strong strategic partnership between the public and private sector is testament to the success of the previous competitions hosted at centre:mk and we are confident that this year’s competition will be even bigger and better.”
CEO Smart City Consultancy, Ian Pulford, added, “The Smart City Robotics Competition is back again in Milton Keynes to showcase the emerging talent in the area of robotics, in real world challenges by some of the top universities in the UK and across Europe. We have a community of leading tech industry with government and council supporting this exciting public event that shows the societal benefits of service robots, autonomous vehicles and drones.”
Milton Keynes City Council have announced plans to expand help provided for vulnerable people who have been rough sleeping.
The City Council have said the centrepiece of these plans is to open a new and more modern base for emergency accommodation and support, as part of its work to ensure no one needs to sleep rough in Milton Keynes.
As part of the process, the City Council will be relocating their shelter from the Old Bus Station to Mullion Place in Fishermead.
In a statement, the City Council said the move is intended to provide additional access to support for anyone experiencing rough sleeping.
The new facility, close to the city centre, will be operated in partnership with Connection Support, a city charity who work with people to help them overcome life’s challenges and live independently. It will provide 24-hour help for up to 20 people at any time, providing drug and alcohol recovery programmes alongside life skills training such as cooking lessons.
Although the former facility offered onsite support, it was set up for men only in a dormitory style, whereas the new accommodation has individual rooms alongside showers and kitchens and can accommodate all sexes in a more dignified environment.
It also means individuals can now stay for 24-hours, giving people more time and space to focus on recovery and rebuilding their lives, and to more comprehensively use the personalised help on offer to build their skills and confidence in living independently. The Fishermead facility was previously used by the Salvation Army for a similar purpose, providing accommodation for former rough sleepers.
Since opening in June 2022, the Old Bus Station facility has provided a safe overnight space for 528 people facing rough sleeping, accommodating up to 19 individuals at a time, which was enough space to ensure no one had to sleep rough in the city. Then and now, the city council’s outreach team offer support and stay in regular contact with any individuals who are sleeping rough. Some people may not engage immediately but the caring team never give up on anyone.
The new base in Fishermead allows the city council to build on its work. Over recent years, it has introduced a range of initiatives to reduce rough sleeping, with the number of people on the streets falling significantly. Alongside providing support with mental health diagnosis and treatment, many people have been reconnected with their loved ones, and used financial assistance to secure a rented home – helping them to stay off the streets for good.
Cabinet Member for Adult Services, Health and Communities, Cllr Donna Fuller, said, “This is a really positive move and means we can offer an even higher standard of care for people who need it most. Our new facility in Fishermead allows us to offer people a space where they can stay longer, stabilise and access the help they need to move forward. Our aim is always to help people build a life away from the streets and we’ll be able to do this even more effectively going forward.”
Milton Keynes City Council have announced they are planning new long-term contracts for multiple leisure facilities in the city.
Bletchley Leisure Centre, Woughton Leisure Centre and Windmill Hill Golf Centre will be subject to the arrangement, with the proposals aimed at securing their future and encouraging major investment.
Under the proposals, the new contract would last for ten years, with the option to extend for another five, offering a potential fifteen-year agreement.
MK City Council stated that the longer-term model is intended to give operators greater confidence to invest in the sites, improve facilities, and deliver high-quality services for residents and the communities they serve.
Currently, Bletchley Leisure Centre is under a short 16-month lease, while Woughton Leisure Centre and Windmill Hill Golf Centre are managed under a service agreement. The new contract would bring all three sites under one updated agreement.
A decision to approve the process is set for next week, with procurement beginning at a later date.
Cabinet Member responsible for sport and leisure, Cllr Mick Legg, said, “We want to make sure local people have access to well-run, modern leisure facilities now and in the future. Sports and leisure have faced significant challenges due to COVID – by bringing the three facilities together, we can provide greater stability for both communities and operators.
“The new contract model is about securing investment and ensuring these cherished sites are around for a very long time. It will also strengthen engagement with local people, boost usage, and place the centres at the heart of these communities – promoting health and wellbeing across all age groups. Whether it’s for swimming, sport or socialising, these centres are a vital part of our communities and I’m glad we’re taking this step which will bring major investment to enhance and protect them.”
Police are appealing for witnesses following an incident of indecent exposure in Milton Keynes.
The incident happened at around 1.15pm on Saturday 10 May on the redway adjacent to H4 Dansteed Way.
During the incident, the victim, a woman aged in her seventies, was cycling in the direction of Downhead Park when she noticed a man to the left of her. The man was indecently exposing himself.
He is described as a white man with a pale complexion and dark brown hair with a fringe.
He was wearing dark clothing, possibly a hooded top and jeans.
Investigating officer PC Victoria Bowles, based at Milton Keynes police station, lead Thames Valley Police’s appeals.
PC Bowles said, “I am appealing to anybody who witnessed this individual or who may have any information that could assist my investigation to get in touch with Thames Valley Police.
“You can make a report online or call 101, quoting reference 43250230120.
“Alternatively, for anonymity, you can call the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”
