Buxton is a quaint little Victorian town in the Peak District (Image: Getty)
Buxton, the quaint Victorian town nestled in the , may not be the epitome of ‘cool’, but that’s set to change with a massive £100 million makeover.
The ambitious plan includes revamping the dated 1980s shopping complex, The Springs, and injecting new life with homes, workspaces, bars, and cafes. Manchester’s CapitalandCentric, the developers behind Kampus and Weir Mill in Greater Manchester, were lured by Buxton’s stunning architecture and rich heritage.
TV personalities from ‘s Manctopia, Tim Heatley and Adam Higgins, are also part of the team that recently revamped Farnworth town centre in Bolton. Their blueprint for Buxton aims to prioritise pedestrians, creating seamless access from Spring Gardens to the railway station.
John Moffat, joint managing director at CapitalandCentric, explained their vision: “There’s not many places that have that look and feel that Buxton has. Ultimately what we want to do is we want the pedestrian to be at the heart of the plan so that we make the site really permeable, really accessible for everybody.”
High Peak Borough Council has unveiled ambitious plans for a new shopping centre, thanks to a £6.6 million grant from the Government’s Future High Street Fund, which it received in 2022. The council has also invested an additional £4 million into the project, reports .
The Springs shopping centre in Buxton town (Image: MEN)
Their vision is to revitalise the River Wye area and create green public spaces for events. This comes amid ongoing discussions about whether High Peak should become part of .
When the Manchester Evening News visited Buxton to gauge local opinion on the development, one issue was repeatedly raised. Martin Olsson, 53, a tobacconist at Appleyard’s in Buxton, stressed the urgent need for public toilets in the town centre and urged developers to prioritise this.
He also suggested installing roofing or awnings along the side of the shops opposite the Cavendish Arcade to provide shelter during rainy weather. However, his main hope is that the project will reflect ‘the old classical English values of architecture’.
Buxton looks particularly stunning in winter (Image: MEN)
“When people come in here, they see the oldy-worldy thing, they’re full of nostalgia, and they love it.”
he said. Debbie Michaelis, 65, a resident of Buxton, expressed her desire for the town centre to become a more vibrant place, rather than being deserted at night.
One resident emphasised: “Public toilets are absolutely necessary, there should be a changing space for people and families with children who have disabilities.”
Former High Peak MP, Robert Largon, expressed his support for the Buxton investment plans, stating: “Much will depend on the detail and on competent delivery. I hope that the council will work closely with local residents and businesses to make sure they get the regeneration right.”
However, some locals have reservations about the plans, citing the high costs. Buxton resident Julie Rogers, 55, argued: “I don’t believe £100 million should be spent in Buxton town centre, Buxton has enough housing at the moment.”
Instead, she suggested prioritising a youth hub with extended hours and supporting small independent businesses.
Julie also highlighted concerns about The Springs centre, including unused units and parking prices, stressing the need for ‘robust public consultation as to where these people are putting this money’. She further emphasised the necessity of public toilets, a sentiment shared by several residents who spoke to the M. E. N.
Between July and September last year, around 750 people participated in High Peak Borough Council’s community engagement survey on the project, with an additional 140 responding in person. Councillor Damien Greenhalgh, Deputy Leader and Executive Councillor for Regeneration, Tourism and Leisure, has stated that further consultation is planned for the spring.
If a planning application is approved, they “aim to have it completed in 2029”.