Help shape the future of Buxton's iconic Opera House

A project to help shape the future development of Buxton Opera House is currently underway - and the Council and High Peak Theatre Trust are inviting people to find out more and share their views at a free event next month.

The iconic Frank Matcham theatre opened in June 1903 and hosts hundreds of events each year aimed at audiences of all interests and ages.

The Council and Trust have secured funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund to explore the possibility of restoring the building.

A free public event where people can find out more about the project, ask questions, and share their thoughts is taking place on Thursday 12 March at the Pavilion Arts Centre from 6pm to 8pm.

Council Leader, Councillor Anthony Mckeown, said: "The Opera House is one of the High Peak's most well-known and loved buildings and has been at the heart of local, regional and national cultural life for over a hundred years.

"The work we're doing now is aimed at both safeguarding the building and ensuring it remains fit-for-purpose along with enhancing it for the future. So it's really important that we hear from a wide range of people and listen to their thoughts, experiences and ideas to help shape future investment and development plans.

"We're inviting people to join us in March to find out more about what we're doing and to share their views. It's free to attend - just register online via the Opera House website - and we look forward to seeing you next month."

Notes to Editors

About The National Lottery Heritage Fund

Our vision is for heritage to be valued, cared for and sustained for everyone, now and in the future. That's why as the largest funder for the UK's heritage we are dedicated to supporting projects that connect people and communities to heritage, as set out in our strategic plan, Heritage 2033. Heritage can be anything from the past that people value and want to pass on to future generations. We believe in the power of heritage to ignite the imagination, offer joy and inspiration, and to build pride in place and connection to the past.

Over the next 10 years, we aim to invest £3.6billion raised for good causes by National Lottery players to make a decisive difference for people, places and communities.

heritagefund.org.uk

Follow @HeritageFundUK on Twitter/X, Facebook and Instagram and use #NationalLottery #HeritageFund

Published on 20 February 2026