John Lewis at Milton Keynes

Milton Keynes, one of Europe's largest covered shopping centres, opened its doors in September. Started in 1976, the town of Milton Keynes is one of the most recent but also potentially the largest of the country's new town developments. Located in north Buckinghamshire, 50 miles from London and a little more than Birmingham, it embraces four existing towns — Bletchley, Stony Stratford, New Bradwell and Wolverton. It also comprises 13 villages, from one of the smallest of which it takes its name. The provision of adequate shopping facilities has been one of the major features of the new town since its planning began, and the retail tenants include John Lewis, Waitrose, W.H. Smith, Boots, Wool worth, British Home Stores, C&A, Halfords and Bishops Stores. In total there are 130 shop units. What follows is a description of the development of John Lewis Milton Keynes. It is based on an article by Mr H. Legg, the Partnership's Director of Research and Expansion, which originally appeared in the Partnership Gazette, and is published with their permission.