The charity Willen Hospice will be opening a brand new clearance outlet in Stacey Bushes later this week.

The new outlet is set to open on Thursday 15 January, which Willen Hospice announced as, “a vital step in helping to fund our care services for local people.”

Every item will be priced at just £1, £3 or £5 with a great selection of women’s and men’s clothing and homewares on offer. The shop will also feature a concession from Off The Record, the charity’s hugely popular independent music store based in central Milton Keynes.

Opening day is set to take place next Thursday from 9.30am, with the new store sitting at the front of Stacey Bushes Trading Centre on Erica Road, in a location with free parking.

Ian Palmer, Associate Director of Retail at Willen Hospice, said, “This isn’t just another shop – it’s a game-changing clearance concept that’s new to Milton Keynes and new to Willen Hospice. We’re giving unsold items one last chance to find a home before recycling, creating a bold, sustainable retail experience that combines affordability, innovation and impact. By shopping there, your cash will help to keep ourwill help to keep our life-changing care completely free of charge for patients. This new outlet is all about making a big impact through small prices.”

Providing expert care services for local people with a life-limiting illness costs the Hospice £11 million each year. Ongoing NHS funding covers only 12.7% of this, so the Hospice’s shops are one of its most important and reliable sources of income. Through shopping sustainably, customers are directly helping care for patients and their families across Milton Keynes.

The outlet will follow on from the hugely successful launch of the Hospice’s new, larger Stony Stratford shop in November. Two more new shops are opening soon – in Oxley Park later in January and Brooklands in February.

Ethan Wheatley has left Northampton Town after Manchester United opted to recall him from his loan spell at Sixfields.

The 19-year-old has returned to his parent club after the Red Devils opted to exercise their option to recall him to Old Trafford, ending what was originally a season long loan deal 4 months early.

Whatley made 25 appearances in his half-season on loan at Sixfields, scoring 3 times. He is currently injured, having not played since the Cobblers’ match away at Huddersfield in late December.

Cobblers boss Kevin Nolan told the club’s official website that he was disappointed to lose Wheatley, but praised the striker for his work in a Northampton shirt.

Nolan said, “We are disappointed Ethan has been recalled but we are proud of the work we have done with him and believe he leaves us a far better player than he arrived.

“Because of his injury picked up at Huddersfield in December, we were planning to be without him for a period anyway, but we thank Manchester United for loaning Ethan to us and wish him well for his future career.

“I know he enjoyed himself here, I know his family were appreciative of how we looked after him and I know Manchester United were pleased with how the loan went.”

Wheatley himself thanked Northampton Town for the opportunity.

He said, “I have loved my time at Northampton Town. I’m very grateful to the manager and the staff who put their trust in me and helped me every single day, both on and off the pitch.

“I’d also like to thank the supporters for their backing home and away who have been superb this season. It has also been a pleasure sharing the dressing room with a great group of lads and I wish the club and everyone connected with it all the very best for the future.”

Plans have been announced for a new multi-million pound live entertainment and arts venue in Central Milton Keynes.

Milton Keynes Development Partnership (MKDP) have announced plans in partnership with chosen partner ATG Entertainment (ATG) for the brand-new, multi-purpose events venue in the heart of Milton Keynes.

The plans are to build a 4,000-capacity venue at the Old Bus Station at Elder Gate near to Milton Keynes Central railway station. MKDP said that the venue is expected to attract more than 300,000 visitors annually, hosting a diverse range of performers and acts.

MKDP also said that the idea is that the new venue will complement the ATG-operated Milton Keynes Theatre, which first opened in 1999. The idea is that the new space would enable larger-scale music performances and live experiences that the existing theatre cannot accommodate.

This project represents a £76 million investment from MKDP, who said that the venue is forecast to deliver £158 million in economic and community benefits, alongside creating approximately 70 new jobs.

Development plans forms part of MKDP’s updated Business Plan for 2024–2027, which focuses on transformative placemaking projects to enhance the city centre and provide facilities befitting a growing city. The venue will be located adjacent to the recently revitalised Station Square and close to Unity Place, Santander UK’s new £150 million headquarters and community hub.

MKDP said, “This new venue will expand Milton Keynes’ entertainment landscape, giving residents and visitors access to blockbuster concerts and large-scale live experiences, with over 100 headline events planned annually.”

Later this year, MKDP will begin the planning process, including a public consultation to ensure local voices help shape the development. Construction is expected to start soon after, with the venue provisionally scheduled to open in 2029.

Nicola Sawford, Chair of MKDP, said, “Identifying ATG as our preferred partner takes us one step closer to delivering a world-class events venue for Milton Keynes. This project reflects our shared vision with Milton Keynes City Council to create a vibrant, welcoming city centre that offers something for everyone. The venue will not only bring incredible live entertainment to the heart of the city but also boost the local economy, create jobs, and strengthen Milton Keynes’ reputation as a destination for music, culture, and events. We’re excited to work with ATG and the community to make this vision a reality.”

Nick Potter, Chief Operating Officer for ATG Entertainment, added, “We are delighted to be named preferred partner for this landmark new venue in Milton Keynes. The city has ambitious plans for its future, a growing population, and a strong cultural appetite, making it an ideal location for a large-scale, multi-purpose events venue of this kind.

“This new venue will complement the success of Milton Keynes Theatre by enabling larger-scale live music, comedy, and entertainment experiences that cannot currently be accommodated, broadening the city’s cultural offer for residents and visitors alike.

“As the global leader in live entertainment, we work with the world’s leading artists, promoters, and producers to present concerts, comedy, and live events at scale, and we look forward to bringing that expertise to Milton Keynes. We’re excited to work in partnership with MKDP, the City Council, and the local community to create a world-class destination that delivers lasting cultural and economic benefits for the city.”

MKDP is an independent organisation owned by Milton Keynes City Council. Through strategic land development, MKDP generates funding to support placemaking projects across the city. By 2027, MKDP will have provided £7.8 million to the city council for placemaking projects, rising to £23 million by 2035/36.

Milton Keynes City Council are highlighting the work by outreach workers who have been helping people who have been sleeping rough on city streets.

Over the past week, the city council has provided emergency overnight accommodation to more than 23 people who would otherwise have faced freezing temperatures outdoors.

With temperatures expected to drop further, MK City Council have said that they are reminding local people that StreetLink is the direct way to alert outreach workers to anyone seen sleeping rough. They visit individuals, offer safe accommodation and connect them with essential services.

Since opening a new and expanded facility in Fishermead last year, the city council has helped more than 60 people move from rough sleeping into secure, long‑term accommodation. Many have gone on to secure private rented homes, reconnect with family, or move into permanent council housing.

Kernow Place on Mullion Place provides individual rooms for both men and women, each with their own kitchen and shower. Up to 20 people can stay at any one time, with access to 24‑hour support, including mental health services, drug and alcohol recovery programmes and practical life‑skills training. Being able to stay throughout the day gives residents the space and stability they need to focus on recovery and building independence.

If the centre is ever full, individuals will be provided with alternative emergency accommodation. Typically, it operates close to capacity but with space available.

The city council works year‑round with partners to support vulnerable people who are sleeping rough, helping them move off the streets for good. No one needs money to access the shelter, and while not everyone is ready to accept help immediately, colleagues remain committed to offering support whenever individuals are ready to take the next step.

Cabinet Member for Adults, Health and Communities, Cllr Donna Fuller, said, “No one in Milton Keynes should be spending the night on the streets. There is support available, and we want anyone who needs help to reach out. Our teams have been working incredibly hard to make sure people have somewhere safe to stay during this severe winter weather.

“Support is available throughout the year, and we ask residents to contact us if they see someone sleeping rough so we can offer them the help they need as soon as possible.”