It's really easy to forget just how quickly retail changes, as old shops go and new ones come along.
With yesterday's news that Next Beauty is to arrive in Milton Keynes, we thought we would take a look back at some of the shops which we miss the most from Milton Keynes Shopping Centre.
1. Beatties Toy and Model Shop
What better place was there to spend your Saturday mornings than buying an exciting brand new model or toy from Beatties!
Located close to McDonalds in The Centre MK, Beatties used to stock all the toys which everyone was talking about.
We can't be the only ones who went mad for those toy Boglins?
2. Virgin Megastore
One of the best places to buy all the latest CDs, DVDs, video games - yeah we spent a fair amount of time looking round here!
Sadly, Virgin Megastore disappeared from our Shopping Centre in 2007, but was replaced shortly after by 'Zavvi' who stocked a similar range.
Zavvi itself closed down in Milton Keynes in 2009.
3. Woolworths
It's not possible to do a 'shops we miss the most' without mentioning the King of Pick N Mix right?
Woolworths had a prime location in The Centre MK, and it's hard to imagine a shop today stocking all the amazing things they used to sell.
Milton Keynes store featured a cafe as well as magazines, books, toys and loads more!
4. C&A
One of the original stores when The Centre MK opened for the first time, C&A was one of the first examples of 'fast fashion' which now dominates the High Street.
They had a number of stores across the UK, but closed their last stores in 2001 citing increased competition from the likes of Tesco and Asda as well as a new brands like Zara and Topshop.
C&A was all over The Centre MK's launch campaign and one of the biggest reasons to head there during the early days!
5. BHS
One of the stores which we've only recently seen the end of - BHS in Milton Keynes closed in 2016 after being one of the founding stores of the shopping centre.
With a huge range of clothing and also a food store in Milton Keynes during the later years, there is plenty to miss.
But on the positive side, Primark have now been able to arrive in the city using the former unit.
6. Indoor Market
Yes, Milton Keynes Shopping Centre used to be home to an Indoor Market!
And if you ask anyone who went there what their main memory of it was, they will probably tell you it was... the smell of fish!
It had everything you could need from a butchers to cheese stall to cards and gifts.
We're not sure exactly when this one closed but we reckon it was in the late 1990s.
We must have missed some amazing stores in Milton Keynes over the years - which were your favourites? Message us on Facebook or email news@mkfm.com.
