Facts and Figures

A DOMINANT REGIONAL SHOPPING CENTRE

With the expansion of the retail mix and introduction of new leisure attractions, Milton Keynes is now one of Britain's biggest shopping experiences. thecentre:mk is a stimulating, bustling regional shopping district situated in the heart of Milton Keynes, providing an exciting, dynamic and vibrant mix of retail, dining and civic spaces that link shopping to the rest of the city centre.

For shopping, you have the choice of over 240 stores, restaurants and cafés. Anchor stores include John Lewis, Marks & Spencer, House of Fraser, flagship health and beauty store Boots, Next, Bhs and the premier HMV store.

With thecentre:mk boasting around 27 million visits per annum and a number new lettings over last year - shopping just gets better

Milton Keynes has a catchment population of over 2.8 million people, over 18 million people live within a 1 hour 30 minute drive time of Central Milton Keynes.

Milton Keynes is the centre point between Oxford, Cambridge, Birmingham and London. It is expected that by 2031 Milton Keynes will be the 16th largest city in England - bigger than Newcastle or Brighton (source Homes and Communities Agency). The Theatre District, Xscape and the range of shops, bars and other leisure activities are all helping to capitalise on the rapidly growing band of ABC1's with disposable income.

With the local population younger than the national average, there is incredible scope within Milton Keynes to cater to an affluent market.

Customer Attitudes

The shopping experience for the majority of shoppers at thecentre:mk readily agree that it is a very safe place to come family shopping. Equally, the variety of fashionable clothing and footwear outlets is still held in very high regard.

Latest Facts & Figures

Following the results of the December 2010 Exit Survey

  • Visitors continue to be largely family based, married, and the profile is becoming more affluent.
  • The socio-economic class group profile has become more upmarket, with ABs accounting for almost a third (32%) of all visitors in Dec 2010; an increase of 6% from May 2010.
  • 67% of visitors are ABC1.
  • There is a higher proportion of male visitors (43%). 
  • 29% of visitors have children; 83% shop without children.
  • The recent trend towards older visitors continues, with 39% being over 54 years old. 28% are under the age of 35. Over half of visitors (53%) are in the 35-65 age groups. 
  • Over 77% travel by car, endorsing the area's regional attraction and pull.
  • HIgher incomes than the national average.
  • Visits from the primary catchment (drivetime of up to 10 minutes) increased to 33% (+11%)
  • Average dwell time is 1.7 hours during the year, increasing to 2.1 hours in December.
  • Dwell time of between 15 minutes to 2 hours was up by 18%.
  • The average shopping basket spend in CMK in May 2010 was £67, rising to £111 in December 2010.
  • 41% of shoppers visited mall traders (+5%)
  • 81% cite thecentre:mk as the most important reason to visit Central Milton Keynes.
  • 91% (+4%) of people said it was easy to find their way around thecentre:mk
  • Advertising recall for the Christmas TV ad was 81%  and 46% of general advertising was recalled.