Bill’s leads trio of F&B openings at Centre:mk

Bill’s has opened at Centre:mk, leading a trio of new F&B brands arriving at the Milton Keynes shopping destination.

The operator has opened a 3,000 sq ft eatery on the corner of Queens Court and Silbury Arcade. The restaurant is Bill’s first new location in six years, with the Richard Caring-backed all-day dining concept set to expand into 2025 and beyond.

Also joining Centre:mk is Cornish Bakery, which has made its regional debut after opening a 2,650 sq ft café on Deer Walk. The 82-cover venue becomes the operator’s largest to open this year.

Finally, Starbucks has opened its upsized 2,800 sq ft space on Queens Court, as the coffee shop operator recommits to the destination.

The three openings are part of a wider wave of investments this year, with 20 brands opening or reinvesting in Centre:mk in 2024, for a total of almost 150,000 sq ft of space.

Kevin Duffy, Centre:mk’s centre director, said: “The opening of Bill’s, Cornish Bakery and Starbucks relocation draws 2024 to a brilliant close. Not only does it strengthen the dynamic lineup of dining options we have curated at Centre:mk, but the commitment demonstrated from these leading national and multinational operators further cements our reputation as a key regional destination.”

Tom James, managing director at Bill’s, added: “As our first new opening in six years, we are looking ahead to the new year and beyond with great excitement for the next stage of growth for the business. We have long been eyeing up Milton Keynes with its strong regional catchment and Centre:mk encapsulates everything we are looking for in a location.”

The openings follows the news that Centre:mk has recently celebrated a successful year of retail investment, highlighted by the opening of SpaceNK’s new 1,721 sq ft store. Other leading brands to have joined the scheme this year include Mint Velvet, Castore, Goldsmiths, and Office.

FMX and Time Retail Partners acted for Centre:mk. Teague and Capital represented Bill’s.