My-MK Champions Changing Evening Habits with Launch of ‘5PM-K’ Campaign

MyMiltonKeynes BID has today launched 5PM-K, a bold new campaign that puts Milton Keynes City Centre’s evening offer firmly in the spotlight and positions the City as one that’s evolving confidently with the times.

A re-energised and localised take on the Alive After Five campaigns that gained momentum in the early 2010s, 5PM-K has been developed to encourage residents, workers, and visitors to rediscover Milton Keynes after 5pm. It celebrates everything the City Centre has to offer from dining and entertainment to late-night shopping and experiences.

At the heart of the campaign is a new hub on the BID’s consumer website: https://mymk.cc/pages/5-pm-k, where users can explore venue listings, find restaurant and entertainment offers, browse events, and access curated guides to help plan the perfect evening out.

Launched with a high-energy video capturing the breadth of the city’s after-dark offer, 5PM-K will continue to roll out over the summer with follow-up videos, reels and spotlight features celebrating local businesses and the City’s unique character.

The campaign is backed by findings from Night Time Economy Solutions (NTES) which reveal that people increasingly want more from their evenings than just drinks, they want great food, immersive experiences, and memorable events. Milton Keynes is responding in full force, with a strong mix of restaurants, gastro-bars, and competitive socialising venues such as Lane7 and Rumble Rooms, plus more traditional favourites including bowling, indoor golf, escape rooms and live entertainment.

Lane7 is MK's newest competitive socialising venue

Importantly, 5PM-K is mindful of current economic pressures. The campaign’s dedicated online hub features a section on offers and promotions to help people enjoy affordable nights out — showcasing that fun in MK doesn’t have to come with a high price tag.

Late-night shopping also remains in demand, and the campaign highlights extended hours across MK’s retail district. The City is also embracing the growing popularity of late-night markets, with the upcoming ‘Summer at Milton Keynes Market,’ taking place 8 – 10 August and extending into the evening’ an upcoming highlight.  

Jill Farnsworth, CEO of MyMiltonKeynes, said:

“We know how much there is to do in Milton Keynes after 5pm, and we want everyone else to know it too. 5PM-K is about proudly showcasing everything our City Centre has to offer after dark: food, fun, shopping, culture and more. This is about helping people rediscover MK in the evenings, supporting our hospitality sector, and raising the City’s profile as a destination that truly reflects what people want from a night out. We love MK, and through this campaign, we’re working with our brilliant businesses to help everyone else fall in love with it too.”

As Cities across the UK continue to adapt to post-pandemic habits and economic shifts, 5PM-K stands as an example of a place responding strategically, creatively, and confidently to the changing shape of the evening economy.

To discover what’s happening after 5pm in Milton Keynes City Centre, visit: https://mymk.cc/pages/5-pm-k