City is UK’s number one for ‘destination shopping stays’, new independent findings reveal.
Milton Keynes has one of the highest shares of money-spending visitors, among all UK cities, according to a new economic report.
The city also ranks number one for retail spend from overnight visitors, providing a significant contribution to the local economy, says the Centre for Cities economic think tank report ‘Spending Time: the role of the visitor economy in UK cities’.
The findings reveal that Milton Keynes attracts twice as many visitors as would normally be expected for a city of its size – putting it in line with famous leisure destinations such as Brighton and Edinburgh.
MK has a significant regional pull for retail, leisure and hospitality, the report shows. The average day tripper travels 31 miles to visit the city, while the average overnight visitor comes in from 42 miles away.
MK City Council and its partners have invested heavily in the area’s infrastructure and visitor experience, turning it into a desirable destination to travel to.
“This report recognises our city’s appeal as a world-class shopping destination, with centre:mk and Midsummer Place at its heart, which people want to return to, time and again,” said Cllr Shanika Mahendran, Cabinet Member for Economy, Sustainability and Innovation.
“We’re proud to be a destination of choice and always welcome visitors to see all the great things MK has to offer, including our great small and independent businesses.
“Visitors are critically important to the success of our local economy, and we have big ambitions to make our city even more attractive and welcoming for everyone."
“The role of the visitor economy to the UK, and to Milton Keynes in particular, is incredibly important,” added John Cove, Chair of Destination MK. “It sustains jobs, brings investment and gives the city a vibrant cultural and leisure atmosphere for the community to enjoy.
“This report shows the importance of the retail and hospitality sector in Milton Keynes, with overnight retail spend levels being the highest in the country. At Destination MK, we’re working hard with our membership, the city council and other stakeholders to promote Milton Keynes on a local, regional and national level to help cement this position into the future.”
