Proposals for the short-term future of the Pavilion Gardens complex were unveiled at the recent Area Forum in Buxton, and are going forward to the Corporate Select Committee on Tuesday 23 October, and then to the Executive on Wednesday 31 October.
The proposals are based on feedback from local groups and residents, and reflect your aspirations for the Pavilion Gardens and surrounding area – combining suggestions for community use and tourism.
There will be an investigation into a partnership with Buxton Opera House and the University of Derby, Buxton, to refurbish and operate the Paxton Suite as part of a long-term arrangement.
The Council would like to refurbish the restaurant and open it for seven days a week, with extended opening hours.
The main foyer will include the introduction of an ice-cream parlour and we will bring the local artists' exhibition and shop here, from their previous location, in the Pump Room opposite the Crescent building.
Should the plans be accepted by the Executive, they will provide a more flexible venue for events and major festivals, such as the Buxton Festival and Gilbert and Sullivan Festival. This is likely to increase attendance, improve financial performance and may remove the need for a Council subsidy.
Councillor Tony Kemp, Executive Member for Regeneration, said: “Lessons learned from the Food Hall project have been put to good use, and over the last few months, we have been consulting closely with local people and organisations to find out their own aspirations for this beautiful and much-loved building. Finding out how they would like to see it developed has been extremely important to us – even at this stage, we are still taking account of comments, particularly those that were made at the Area Forum in Buxton on 4 October.
“We know that the majority of people want the Pavilion Gardens to remain a venue that can be used and enjoyed by the local community and, in particular, a family orientated place that offers plenty of activities and attractions. This is what has been reflected in the proposals, as well as looking at ways to make the Pavilion Gardens more profitable and less of a burden to the local council tax payer.
“We are still looking at proposals and possibilities for the long-term future of the building and would welcome views from people in Buxton and the High Peak. We would urge people to send them to the Council as soon as possible so that we can consider these as part of our future plans.”
Send your comments to us before Wednesday 31 October.
The Council has reviewed the use of the Pavilion Gardens for 18 months, up to July 2006. A number of possibilities were investigated, and sustainable economic use for this important heritage asset was sought – one that would add to the quality of life in Buxton and the High Peak area all year long.
This public consultation finished on Friday 28 July 2006, and you may view the findings here:
