News
Green light for Paxton suite renovation
September 17, 2008
High Peak Borough Council - working in partnership with Buxton Opera House - has secured £890,000 from Derby and Derbyshire Economic Partnership (DDEP) to support the £1.78million restoration and modernisation of the Paxton Suite at the Pavilion Gardens in Buxton.
The exciting and innovative project will expose the original ceiling and balcony of the former Buxton Playhouse and create a flexible space, which will be used as a hall for arts, conferences and lectures.
The renovated auditorium and new studio theatre will both house events independently and provide venues for the regular events and festival programmes that take place at the Pavilion Gardens and the Opera House.
Tony Kemp, Executive Councillor for Regeneration, said: "We are extremely grateful to DDEP for this significant contribution to the imaginative restoration and modernisation of an important part of the Pavilion Gardens and Buxton's Victorian heritage.
"The project responds to local aspirations for a flexible venue that can be used for fairs, concerts, arts and other events. It will also support the development of the Borough's economy by attracting and retaining businesses and tourists to Buxton and surrounding areas. It is particularly important for the festival programme, which contributes so much to the High Peak. It is another excellent illustration of what can be achieved by working in partnership."
Andrew Aughton, Chief Executive of Buxton Opera House, said: "I am delighted to hear of DDEP's decision - it is tremendous news. I am really looking forward to Buxton being a two-theatre town and to presenting bigger and better children's, families', festivals, fringe and community programmes, over the next few years."
Work on site will start in autumn 2009 and the venue should be open for spring 2010.
DDEP Chief Executive Kevin Edwards said: "The renovation of the Paxton Suite is a unique opportunity for Buxton, one of Derbyshire's key tourist destinations. Our investment will help make the Pavilion Gardens more economically sustainable, as the facility will in the future be used for so many different types of function. This will benefit both local residents and local businesses."
Local residents and visitors can see projections of how the Paxton Suite may look like and how the project is progressing on High Peak Borough Council's dedicated Pavilion Gardens Regeneration site, www.highpeak.gov.uk/neighbourhood/PavilionGardens (High Peak Borough Council website**). Visitors to our website can also submit their comments to the Council using an online questionnaire here.