Locals hope the nostalgic feel of the town isn’t lost (Image: Getty)
Buxton, the picturesque town in the famed for its lovely Victorian buildings, is not generally associated with trendiness.
However, this could all be about to change.
The dynamic firm, CapitalandCentric, have recently been appointed as the catalyst for a £100 million transformation of Buxton’s town centre.
Their ambitious plan involves revamping the dated 1980s shopping centre known as The Springs and injecting fresh life with new residential properties, workspaces, , and cafes.
CapitalandCentric, celebrated for shaping hip developments like Kampus and Weir Mill in Greater , were captivated by Buxton’s stunning architectural beauty and rich heritage.
Buxton will be revamped if plans are given the go ahead (Image: MEN)
The company’s cofounders, Tim Heatley and Adam Higgins, familiar faces from the ‘s television series ‘Manctopia’, are no strangers to significant regeneration projects, having re-energised the town centre of Farnworth in Bolton.
Their blueprint for Buxton includes creating a pedestrian-friendly corridor from Spring Gardens straight to the Railway Station. John Moffat, CapitalandCentric’s joint managing director, said: “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.”
The project has been made possible thanks to the £6.6 million from the Future High Street Fund that High Peak Borough Council received from the Government in 2022, which was used to purchase the shopping centre, reports .
An additional £4 million of its own funds have also been contributed by the Council towards the initiative.
Don’t miss… [UPDATE]
Their ambition is to revitalise the River Wye and establish green public spaces for events, they claim.
These proposals emerge amidst an ongoing discussion about whether High Peak should become part of Greater Manchester.
Reporters from the Manchester Evening News visited Buxton to gather local opinions on what they hope the new development will bring to their community.
One particular concern was repeatedly raised.
Martin Olsson, a 53 year old tobacconist from local business Appleyard’s in Buxton, stressed the ‘desperate need’ for public toilets in the town centre, urging developers to prioritise this.
He also highlighted the requirement for roofing or awnings along the side of the shops opposite the Cavendish Arcade to provide shelter during rainfall.
However, his main hope for the project is that it will embody ‘the old classical English values of architecture’.
Martin is a fan of the town’s nostalgic atmosphere (Image: MEN)
Martin said: “When people come in here, they see the oldy-worldy thing, they’re full of nostalgia, and they love it.”
Debbie Michaelis, a 65 year old resident of Buxton, also shared her vision for the development.
“I would like the town centre to be more of a vibrant place, not a dead place at night”, she said.
One resident stressed the importance of public facilities, saying: “Public toilets are absolutely necessary, there should be a changing space for people and families with children who have disabilities.”
Robert Largon, former MP for High Peak, expressed support for the investment plans in Buxton, 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, not all residents share the same enthusiasm, with some expressing concerns about the high costs.
Julie Rogers, a 55 year old Buxton resident, said: “I don’t believe £100 million should be spent in Buxton town centre, Buxton has enough housing at the moment.”
She suggested alternative uses for the funds, such as a youth hub with extended hours and support for small independent businesses.
Buxton could soon undergo a makeover worth £110m (Image: MEN)
Julie also highlighted issues with The Springs centre, including unused units and parking costs, and emphasised the need for public consultation on the allocation of funds.
The need for public toilets was a common concern among residents, with many echoing Julie’s sentiments.
High Peak Borough Council conducted a community engagement on the project from July to September last year, gathering feedback from around 750 survey respondents and an additional 140 in-person participants. According to Councillor Damien Greenhalgh, Deputy Leader and Executive Councillor for Regeneration, Tourism and Leisure, further consultations are scheduled for the spring.
If the planning application is approved, they ‘aim to have it completed in 2029’.