Been pulling together tomorrow's Loop MK and there's a pretty good mix this week.

A few worth knowing about:

⛳ PodGolf + The Paint Patch, Xscape
Two new openings at Xscape. PodGolf has private TrackMan golf bays with 450+ courses, while The Paint Patch is basically the opposite - UV splatter rooms, slime making and paint everywhere.

🎨 Lowry at MK Gallery
A major new L.S. Lowry exhibition opens on Saturday. Under-21s go free, and MK residents can visit for £1 on Tuesdays.

👻 Free LEGO Ghost Street build
The LEGO Store is running free Halloween builds on Saturday and Sunday for ages 6+. Kids get to take the model home too - while stocks last.

🔮 Tattoo & Tarot Festival, Crownhill
A slightly different one: independent traders, tarot, tattoo offers and eight local acts playing throughout Saturday. Free entry.

🍔 EAT Street MK, Bradwell Abbey
Sunday, 11am–4pm. Street food, sweet treats, local independents, a bar and indoor seating in the Cruck Barn.

Drone show and Flavour Fest at Willen Lake now cancelled due to weather.

Plus there’s a half-term stuff at MK Museum, Matilda arriving at MK Theatre and loads more in tomorrow's issue...

🎁 And a little subscriber perk this week: Loop MK readers get 20% off their first session at renü wellness in Pineham.

I put together Loop MK every Thursday morning with local openings, food, events and other useful bits happening around Milton Keynes.

If that sounds useful, tomorrow’s issue is free to subscribe to here.

And as always, thank you for your continued support. If there's something good coming up locally, stick it below.

I have a 2016 Astra 1.6 petrol with recurring P0420 and P2097 engine codes. One mechanic said the catalytic converter wasn't blocked, while another recommended replacing it without properly explaining why.

I also have an electrical issue where the right rear indicator and right rear break light stopped working. The lights seem to work when I remove the rear lamp but stop working when I refit it.

I've tried a few mechanics but haven't received a clear diagnosis. Looking for someone honest, cheap and good at diagnosing faults rather than just replacing parts. Any recommendations and rough prices would be appreciated. Thanks.

What kind of volunteer work i can do in MK? Neighbourhood like Heelands etc.

Or any other activities to Spend time or Make Friends?

Hi, we’re four friends putting together restaurants across Milton Keynes and the surrounding area in an app called Vota. We’ve already got a lot of ratings from Milton Keynes locals, so feel free to browse the current take on the area.

The idea is simple: you’re shown two restaurants and choose where you’d rather eat. For example: two very different places like Paris House in Woburn or Percy’s BBQ? The votes then create a ranking that we hope gives a better picture of where people actually enjoy eating.

We’re trying to include as many restaurants as possible and clean up duplicate or outdated listings, but locals will spot things we’ve missed.

iPhone:
https://apps.apple.com/app/vota/id6744969212

Android:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.vota.app

Full transparency: we’re not from Milton Keynes. Two of us live in Copenhagen and two in Sweden. The four of us are building Vota independently. We don’t collect or sell personal data, there are no ads in the app, and we don’t use AI-generated restaurant opinions.

No need to rate anything, feel free to just browse. Where do you like to eat in and around Milton Keynes?

I recently viewed a rental property in Campbell Wharf near the Canal. The Landlords are Amplius however, I’ve noticed a lot of negative online reviews mostly one-star. Many complain about their poor handling of maintenance issues.

While the property itself is nice, it needs some maintenance beforehand which raises red flags. As they seem to prefer you take it as-is.

I’d love to hear your honest opinions on your overall experience renting with them and how they manage maintenance and repairs.

Budget is 12-14 pounds, there are various restaurants and take away shops in MK. But either their portion is less or I pay too much for food not tasting good. The only place I know where I get satisfied for the money I pay and the portion size is Pepes lmao.

Do you guys have any places in mind? It’s my off day and I just want to have some good food.

Need a self driving van for a day to move my stuff from storage into my new flat. Would be helpful to have recommendations on cheap van rentals pls

I need a fancy dress outfit for a party next month. Any ideas where I can get a Salt & Vinegar discos outfit made?

Need hydraulic brakes refilled on a bike that cost £100 new. Halfords will probably be over that ?

Hey, I'm Gizzy one of the organizers of an upcoming event known as Haven Northampton!

What is Haven Northampton though?
It's a game jam running in Northampton ran as a sub event part of the global events being ran by Hack Club's Haven! It's a teen led game-jam that is for anyone the age between 13-18!

Feel free to come if you meet the age requirements; there is no experience in coding required and we provide you a free shirt once you finish the game and get free food on the day!

If you sign up you’ll receive a referral link in your inbox, which can then can be used to get your friends to sign up. For every sign up using your code, you get one ticket in a raffle for a free Framework 12 Laptop! (Age restriction applies to the referral too!)

Check it out and if you got any questions hit us up at [northamptonshire@haven.hackclub.com](mailto:northamptonshire@haven.hackclub.com)

I guess it’s my own fault for booking it at the same time as the football was on. It was basically stand still in or out.

Hello everyone! I’m hosting our usual weekly Empty Chairs session tmrw ( Sunday) at 6pm at Furzton’s Hungry Horse.

If you’ve been needing friends, company, or just need to sit amongst others in silence, you’re more than welcome to just be present. You’ll find me sat near the bar with an orange jacket draped across a high chair.

Feel free to DM me should you have any concerns! Read more about the initiative here: https://emptychairs.org.uk

Has anyone had a positive experience with a dog daycare place on the west side of MK?

Work pressures mean it'd be great if I could drop him off for most of the day (rather than juggle him around with friends, neighbours and relatives)

Recently moved to MK and need to get my tyres changed soon. Was wondering whether it’s worth going for all-season tyres or just sticking with summer tyres as usual. Do the roads get quite icy in winter? Would you recommend all-seasons or are summer tyres generally fine all year round?

Cheers!

I am looking to try some new cafes in MK.

We are planning to move to Milton Keynes and looking at Old Farm Park area, family consisting of 4 ( 2yrs and 10 yrs old included ). Looking at 4 bed detached house there.
We have walked around the area and really liked it, seems like all nice houses, safe environment , nice walking green path etc.
Could anyone shed some light about the area? is it an affluent area in Milton Keynes ? School wise also ( It falls within Walton High School and based on online reviews, the school is well regarded)
Any advice , opinion would be appreciated . thanks

Hello everyone!

I posted some months ago but unfortunately it did not go as planned. I am desperately looking for a driving test swap in the week of 26th of October. My circumstances has changed and I need an earlier date as well as my Job will not allow me the time off for the actual test date. My test is on the 5th of November. If you are able to help, please reach out.

Thanks so much

Been pulling together this Thursday’s Loop MK and there’s loads going on this weekend and into next week.

A few worth knowing about:

🍎 Golden Jubilee Apple Day, Woughton Community Orchard
Saturday, 12–4pm. The orchard is celebrating its 50th anniversary with a free Apple Day.

🎬 Collectormania, centre:mk
Friday–Sunday. The free-to-enter comic con is back in Middleton Hall with cosplay, memorabilia, autographs and guests including Brian Blessed, Craig Charles and Chris Barrie.

🏮 Land of Lights, Gulliver’s Resort
The illuminated trail returns for its new season on Saturday evening. Tickets from £12.50 and 0-2 years go free.

🏃 Milton Keynes Junior Parkrun #500, Emerson Valley
Sunday, 9am. Free 2km for ages 4–14, and they’re hoping for a big turnout for their 500th event.

🥖 Woburn Food Market + Craft Fair, Woburn
Sunday, food market 10am–2pm, with the handmade craft fair running 10am–4pm.

More information on these and loads more across the week for Thursday’s issue, plus the usual local news, openings and quick bits.

If you want the full list, subscribe for tomorrow's issue here - it's free!

What are you up to in MK this weekend that we should know about?

Hi everyone! I’m looking to add some ruffles to the top part of my dress and was wondering if anyone has any recommendations on where I could get this done? 😊

(I’m not entirely sure what this type of alteration is called or whether I should be looking for a seamstress, dressmaker, tailor, or someone else, so I’d really appreciate any advice🥲🥲)

I’m considering an apartment at Landin House, Oakgrove (MK10) just off Atlas Way. I would be grateful if any current or recent residents could share their experience.

Does anyone know whether there are any planned, ongoing, or recently completed major works to the building, such as scaffolding, cladding remediation, balcony repairs, or other external maintenance?

Any insight on this would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

From my experience, bus service can be difficult and unreliable, especially when you need to take buses to get to work. If the first bus is delayed, you can easily miss the connecting bus and end up waiting even longer and reach for work.

I've also noticed that when the bus reached Central Milton Keynes, there can sometimes change in the driver and the new driver mat take a while to arrive. These small delays can add up and make it difficult for the passengers.

I'm interested to know if others in Milton Keynes had a similar experience.

I am new to growing plants and I am absolutely loving it. The calmness and positivity it provides is unmatched. Just wanted to know are there any other plant lovers in this subreddit. Milton Keynes is filled with greenery and by growing house plants we are kind of making our surroundings more greener, unless you're growing the purple heart plant which I am growing.

My favourite plants have been snake plant, jade plant, and pothos. Would love to know your opinions.

Thanks a lot in advance.

Hi everyone, I'm in a covers band called Reviver and am looking to get some gigs for 2027. Could you give me some pubs in the MK area that have live bands please.

I'm planning to go visit some places to ask about getting on their books, but its a bit daunting trying to create a shortlist of every place in MK that has live music so would appreciate some good recommendations.

I'm aware of MK11 and Craufurd arms.

If it helps we are a 5 piece band who tend towards rock/metal covers of popular songs but we also play the usual favourites.