Rebooting Buxton .
You spoke, we listened.
Back in May, we started a conversation about our plans for the future of The Springs Shopping Centre. We asked you what you thought – and you didn’t hold back!
Read on to see how your feedback is shaping the £100 million glow up of The Springs and how you can get involved in the next conversation.
We knew this would be a big deal for Buxton, but we were blown away by the response to our first round of consultation and our jam-packed event in May – where over 400 people came to chat! Thank you for taking the time to get involved and sharing your passion for the town.
Our vision.
We want to give The Springs a reboot by creating a vibrant new gateway into the town and a neighbourhood with a proper community feel.
Our vision has always been to turn The Springs into a destination where people can live, work, and hang out. Our big ambitions are to create:
Awesome new spaces for a mix of independent stores, bars, and eateries.
New homes and apartments to suit all ages.
A proper welcome to the town with a new gateway from the railway station.
Lush, plant-packed public squares and a newly uncovered River Wye for everyone to enjoy.
You said, we did.
YOU SAID: DESIGN THAT DOES BUXTON PROUD.
We heard loud and clear that new designs must celebrate the town’s unique character and respect its heritage. You had a strong desire to see local stone and materials used, for new buildings to blend sensitively with the old, and for a focus on traditional craftsmanship.
WE DID: INSPIRED BY BUXTON’S BEST BITS.
Our new buildings will be contemporary but respectful, taking inspiration from Buxton’s unique architecture like its mansard roofs, bay windows, and colonnades. We’ll be using a palette of robust, high-quality materials that reflect the town’s heritage, and we’re also bringing existing buildings like Winster Place, the former Royal Hotel, back to life by sensitively redeveloping it into new apartments.
YOU SAID: MORE TO DO, DAY AND NIGHT.
You asked for a better selection of bars and restaurants and more support for independent businesses to boost the local economy. You also wanted more entertainment and leisure options for families and young people and a town centre that feels safe, well-lit, and alive in the evening.
WE DID: BUZZING DAYS AND VIBRANT NIGHTS.
A dedicated part of the revised plan is about bringing more leisure to Buxton, not just more retail and we’re already talking to local operators about new ventures. We’re looking at ways in which we can support and grow independent businesses, and to improve the evening atmosphere. Many of the new apartments will overlook public spaces, creating natural surveillance and helping everyone feel safer.
WE DID: A NEIGHBOURHOOD FOR EVERYONE
We’ve reviewed the plans so they will deliver a varied mix of new homes, including townhouses, duplexes, and apartments. We’ve also worked out that we can bring even more homes to the town to increase the vibrancy and meet the needs of all ages and lifestyles.
YOU SAID: THE RIGHT MIX OF NEW HOMES.
You told us you wanted a wide variety of new homes in the town centre and for homes suitable for young professionals.
YOU SAID: BETTER PUBLIC SPACES FOR EVERYONE.
This was a big one. You said you wanted more green and relaxing spaces to hang out in, but also practical things to make the town better, including more public toilets. You also wanted more covered walkways to shelter from the weather and for the whole area to be more accessible and inclusive.
WE DID: LUSH SPACES AND LOOS.
We heard you loud and clear, so we’ll be including two new public toilets. We’re planning an ambitious landscape design, opening up the River Wye and creating a riverside setting with plenty of seating. Many of the new buildings will feature covered arcades or colonnades – a classic Buxton feature that also creates weather-protected spaces.
YOU SAID: A PROPER WELCOME
There was strong support for creating an improved entrance to the town from the railway station. You liked the idea of better connectivity for walking and cycling and a warmer, more welcoming first impression for visitors. You also told us that making the town centre more accessible and easier to navigate for everyone was a priority
WE DID: MAKING A GRAND ENTRANCE.
To create that positive first impression, we’re designing a dramatic cascading staircase and boulevard to welcome people from the station. Getting around town will be easier for everyone. The plans include a feature lift to navigate the 9.5m height difference, a new multi-storey car park concealed from view, and seamless integration with the proposed White Peak Loop cycle route.
Have your say.
Thanks to everyone who fed back on our plans. We’re now reviewing all your feedback on the masterplan before a planning application is submitted in the autumn.