Milton Keynes Business Centre takes gold at SME Milton Keynes Buckinghamshire awards
As SME owners and entrepreneurs will know, it is always a great feeling to have your business’s efforts rewarded, and last week did just that for us, as we took home the sustainability award at the SME MK and Buckinghamshire Business Awards 2026.
Our night at the SME Milton Keynes and Buckinghamshire awards 2026
For any small business, a night of recognition is a chance to reflect on the hard work that happens behind the scenes. The Milton Keynes Business Centre team headed to the Leonardo Hotel for an evening celebrating the very best of the region’s enterprise. We were delighted to be shortlisted in two categories, but the highlight of the night was being announced as the Gold winner in the Sustainability category.
It was a fantastic atmosphere, made even more special by the entertainment from Arts 1—a former customer of ours—and the host, Marina Berry. Our Milton Keynes Business Centre delegation included senior centre manager Matt Roberts and business support coordinators Roxanne Cuff and Hayley Rance, who were joined by Capital Space CEO, Lorraine Lee and marketing manager Tina Edwin.
We weren’t the only ones celebrating; we were thrilled to see one of our own customers, Elvis Idegbekwu of Peach Care Services, take home Gold for Business Person of the Year and Silver for MK Business of the Year. It truly was a night for responsible businesses to shine.
Why we walked home with the sustainability award
Winning gold wasn’t just about a single initiative; our Green Policy is recognised as a policy enshrined in our core values. At Capital Space, we believe that providing award-winning offices means constantly reviewing how we can improve our physical environment to support the planet and our customers’ productivity.
Our submission highlighted several key areas where we have made a tangible impact:
- Biodiversity & Outdoor Space: We have transformed our outdoor areas with wild seed planting and spring daffodils. By supporting ‘No Mow May’ and installing bird boxes and bee and bug hotels, we are actively supporting local insect and wildlife populations.
Green Technology at Woodside Café: Our award-winning café is a hub of eco-innovation, featuring an air source heat pump, adjustable LED lighting, acoustic sound-absorbing panels, infra-red heating, and triple-glazed windows.
- Digital Efficiency: By championing Docusign for the last three years, we have significantly reduced our environmental footprint. This move alone has helped us save:
- 10,442lb of carbon emissions.
- 13,099 gallons of water.
- 4,448lb of wood.
- 35,094 pages of A4 paper (the equivalent of 13 trees).
Crucially, our success is driven by our people. Roxanne Cuff, our Business Support Co-ordinator, serves as the Eco-Champion lead for the entire company, chairing meetings to ensure best practices are shared across all our centres.
How do our sustainability efforts benefit our customers?
We believe that sustainability today is no longer a ‘nice to have’, but a business essential. According to the British Business Bank, in 2021, small and medium enterprises accounted for around half of all UK business greenhouse gas emissions, meaning the choices SMEs make regarding their business accommodation can have a massive impact on the national drive for Net Zero.
Matt Roberts, senior centre manager at Milton Keynes, believes sustainability offers a competitive edge for our customers. Matt said: “Sustainability goes beyond moral obligation. Through our policies, we have proven the real, tangible benefits for our customers. Given today’s energy costs, being able to provide energy efficient solutions by investing in technology such as modern LED lighting can be vital to businesses”
Beyond the bills, there is the mental health aspect. Matt continued: “We know how beneficial greenery is for wellbeing. By creating an attractive, biodiverse environment, we provide an uplifting space for entrepreneurs to work in. Choosing a sustainable facility means our customers can market themselves as being based in an award-winning, eco-friendly centre, which directly supports their own ESG (environmental, social, and governance) policies.”
From battery and electronics recycling to toner disposal, we handle the logistics of being green so our customers can focus on business growth.
What can customers expect from Milton Keynes business centre in the future? 
We aren’t resting on our laurels. We have plans to build two new workshops (measuring 800 sq ft and 1250 sq ft) at the back of the Milton Keynes site. Both units will feature internal mezzanine floors, a first for Capital Space, allowing small businesses to use their space more flexibly.
These new buildings will be our greenest yet, incorporating:
- Solar panels and battery storage technology.
- Electric Vehicle (EV) chargers for customers and visitors.
- A 10% biodiversity net gain, including the planting of 26 new trees.
We are also investigating the installation of green roofs on porchways in our Office Village to nourish mini-ecosystems. For our wildlife-loving customers, look out for our new hedgehog habitats and additional bird boxes coming soon!
Finally, to help you clear out the clutter, we are hosting an IT recycling day. This allows you to dispose of unwanted devices safely, ensuring they are refurbished or recycled properly rather than ending up in a landfill.
Sustainability is a journey of continuous improvement, where high-quality workspace and environmental responsibility go hand in hand.
If you’re looking for office space from a provider that wants to support your business success, get in touch
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