Romance comes to Milton Keynes
Published - Sunday, 30 May, 2010
Milton Keynes rebrands as the romantic capital of the UK.
  • Poll finds that 93% percent of local residents “love” living in Milton Keynes compared to national average of 20% percent
  • Romantic short story competition seeks entries that evoke “Love amongst the concrete cows”
  • England World Cup bid underdog Milton Keynes plans new visitor marketing campaign

    Milton Keynes, one of Britain’s most famous boroughs, is embarking on a brand relaunch based on research carried out amongst local residents and visitors.  The marketing reboot will have at its heart Milton Keynes’ claim to the title of the romantic capital of Britain.
     
    Created in 1967, Milton Keynes boasts more bridges than Venice, 250 million daffodils, 150 restaurants, 62 hotels and 44 florists, as well as continental-styled avenues with resonant names such as Midsummer Boulevard and 120 miles of dedicated pedestrian and cycling paths ideal for romantic strolls.
     
    Milton Keynes also contains 4,000 acres of green spaces, 40 million trees and 400 acres of lakes.
     
    Forty-five percent of Milton Keynes residents are married and the population is expected to grow by 100,000 by 2031.
     
    Fresh from Milton Keynes’ success in being included in the England 2018 FIFA World Cup™ bid, despite being the underdog from all competing cities, tourism body Destination Milton Keynes is keen to emphasise the life-affirming aspects of living in ‘MK’, as locals know Milton Keynes, with the new marketing launch.
     
    A new logo that features a blue and green M and K, underlining MK as ‘the city in the country’ and a communications programme designed to attract visitors to Milton Keynes will launch today.
     
    The borough is so confident of its romantic prowess that it is launching a national romantic short story competition to be judged by members of the Romantic Novelists’ Association, including RNA chair and best-selling novelist Katie Fforde, author of Wedding Season, A Perfect Proposal and Love Letters.  Stories of 1,000 words will need to be set in Milton Keynes and the winner will receive a cash prize and a romantic weekend for two in Milton Keynes.  The competition will be promoted by an army of romantic novelists on Twitter.
     
    “We were struck by the deep affection that many local residents have for Milton Keynes,” said Carys Underwood of Destination Milton Keynes.  “It’s true that home is where the heart is and nowhere is that truer than in Milton Keynes.  What inspires that love is the city’s ambiance, its culture, restaurants and green spaces.”
     
    Carys Underwood added: “In some senses, this is a fight back.  A global hotel booking service, Mr & Mrs Smith, recently suggested that Milton Keynes is the least likely location for a romantic break.  We beg to differ, as do the vast majority of residents of our wonderful city.”
     
    Mayor of Milton Keynes, Debbie Brock added:  “Even if you’re not convinced Milton Keynes is the most romantic place around, we’re certainly well known for our adventure sports, for drawing millions of shoppers every year to our brilliant shopping facilities, and of course we’re home to the most successful theatre in the UK outside London. There are lots of reasons to consider Milton Keynes for a day out or longer.”
     
    Bestselling novelist Katie Fforde, who will lead the judging panel, said:  “All of us look for romance in our lives and love can arise in the unlikeliest of places.  I have many happy memories of my visits to Milton Keynes and I think it’s great that they’re tackling misconceptions and showing a softer side.”
     
    Entries for the short story competition will need to be submitted by August 1st and the judging panel will include an illustrious panel of writers, agents and local dignitaries.  The winner will be announced in mid-August, when British atmospheric conditions are at their steamiest.  Full details of the competition, the prize and an email address for submissions can be found at www.amazing-mk.co.uk/home/romance

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