The Crescent was built as the centrepiece of the Fifth Duke of Devonshire’s plans to establish a fashionable Georgian spa town in Buxton. To this day, it probably provides the single most lasting image of any visit to the town and, as a grade 1 listed building, is one of the most architecturally significant buildings in the country.
Designed as high quality lodgings, it also houses the Assembly Rooms, which were at the social heart of 18th century Buxton. Sadly, in recent years, the building has fallen into disuse despite repairs being carried out to its exterior a few years ago. The project also involves the adjoining Natural Baths and the Pump Room – both listed grade 2 and both also underused.
As the owners of these listed buildings, High Peak Borough Council and Derbyshire County Council have a legal duty to keep them repaired and preserved. In addition to that, the two councils recognise that the iconic status of these buildings, together with their central location, create a strategic opportunity to make a huge contribution to the heritage-led regeneration of Buxton.
The Councils are working in partnership with the Trevor Osborne Property Group and CP Holdings Limited (owners of Danubius Hotels) to deliver the Buxton Crescent Hotel and Thermal Spa. The private sector partners have set up a new jointly owned company – the Buxton Crescent Hotel and Thermal Spa Company Ltd (BCHTS Co).
BCHTS Co proposes to refurbish the buildings and immediate surroundings to provide:
At the time of grant funding bids in 2006, the gross cost of the development was estimated at £32.4 million. This cost was to be met by a combination of funds from the BCHTS Co and the public sector including the Heritage Lottery Fund. Due to the Government Spending Review in 2010, some of the public sector funding is no longer available. Both Councils are currently working with the developer to secure a revised funding package.
All parties are working to a programme that sees works starting later in 2011 for completion in 2013
No. The Councils will retain a freehold interest in the buildings and will grant a long lease to a Building Preservation Trust, a charitable body whose sole interest will be the future repair and conservation of the buildings. The Trust will then grant a long lease to the Buxton Crescent Hotel and Thermal Spa Co Ltd which, in turn, grants under-leases to the operators.
The scheme was put together after the Councils invited tenders for a developer and an experienced operator to prepare proposals for a quality hotel linked to a thermal mineral water spa, a relocated Tourist Information Centre and a Visitor Interpretation Centre.
The culture of true (mineral water based) spas has remained strong in continental Europe and there has been a resurgence in interest across the world in spas and the holistic benefits of water treatments to promote relaxation, health and beauty. Although there are a large number of spas in the UK, these tend to be based upon dry treatments and bathing in ‘mains’ water and do not benefit from the health giving qualities of thermal mineral water. The only other genuine thermal mineral water spa in the UK is at Bath. Buxton, therefore, has a natural asset which it should use to full advantage for the town and the surrounding area.
In assessing the market for the proposals, the Council sought independent specialist advice which said that a hotel which appealed to a new niche spa market would bring a number of new staying visitors to the town which other businesses could benefit from. Aside from its attractions to visitors, the spa will be open to the local public (at reduced prices) and so will provide a major new facility for High Peak and Derbyshire.
In terms of specific benefits, the project will:
The project anticipates working closely with the University of Derby (Buxton Campus). The University will educate up to 350 tourism and hospitality students and 90 spa management students per annum. These students will benefit through close association with the hotel and spa and the project will provide opportunities for students to experience the first hand operation of a luxury spa hotel as part of their curriculum.