The Pavilion Gardens complex, situated alongside the Heritage Green Flag gardens, is a major regional attraction and iconic Buxton landmark.
The complex is managed by High Peak Borough Council and provides a focal point for visitors to the town and a key recreation area for residents. It is home to events, fairs and festivals, and provides space for visitors to eat, relax and shop.
With more than half a million visitors every year, we have a challenge to meet the modern demands of visitors by providing a high quality, customer focussed experience. Popular with High Peak residents and visitors to the area, the Pavilion Gardens has a unique role to play.
To date, the Borough Council has restored the 23 acre gardens and achieve the Heritage Green Flag status. In 2008, we restored and re-opened the Pavilion Gardens Conservatory, and are now working on a phased programme to restore and enhance the buildings, including:
The investment will improve the fabric of the building, improve our trading environment and form a planned approach to the restoration of the building, while safeguarding the building for future generations.
Besides the catering and retail plans, the Council is working closely with Buxton Opera House to further develop plans to refurbish the Paxton Suite as the Pavilion Arts Centre. We have recently secured more than £890,000 from the Derby and Derbyshire Economic Partnership(DDEP) to support the £2million refurbishment of the Paxton suite, to restore the quality of the auditorium and create a flexible space, which can be used as a hall for arts, conferences and lectures.
We aim to create a flexible multi-user space, with retractable seating on the ground floor, and refurbish the balcony. The arts centre can be sub-divided to create a studio theatre, or be used as a whole for lectures, fairs, conferences or larger performances.
As a first step, a full condition survey of the building has taken place to ensure that the refurbishment will stand the test of time. A professional architectural team has been appointed who have developed proposals and have consulted on a wide range of issues including facilities for disabled people. The refurbishment will also improve the current toilet facilities adjacent to St Johns Road entrance.
Work on site began in autumn 2009 and the venue should re-open for September 2010.
Once work has started on site, Phase Two proposals will be further developed, which will incorporate the restoration of the Octagon.
