Local MP Robert Largan has welcomed the news that the Government have awarded £6.6million to regenerate Buxton town centre as part of the Future High Streets Fund.
The government launched the £675 million Future High Streets Fund in 2018. The aim of the fund is to renew and reshape town centres and high streets in a way that drives growth, improves experience and ensures future sustainability. It will do this by providing co-funding to successful applicants to support transformative and structural changes to overcome challenges in their area.
Buxton was one of the first towns shortlisted by the Government in July 2019.
Buxton’s proposals include the possibility of a town centre gym and a cinema, new cafes and restaurants, office workspace and a new home for Buxton & Leek College, as well as new housing.
A new pedestrian route would link the town centre to the station and the proposed new health hub on the old water bottling plant site. There would be improvements to the public realm and historic shop fronts on Spring Gardens (delivered by a supplementary £1m Heritage Action Zone scheme which the Government has already funded).
Today, the first round of successful towns have been announced and Buxton has been included, being awarded £6.6million.
High Peak MP Robert Largan, has actively lobbied Ministers, repeatedly making the case for Buxton’s bid in Parliament. He has also held meetings with both the Council and Ministers to discuss the bid and fight for funding to be provide to the town.”
Robert Largan MP said:
“This is fantastic news for Buxton and I am really pleased to have helped secured this vital funding to regenerate our town centre. It’s great that we have a Government that is finally prepared to invest in the High Peak.
“I have previously expressed some concerns about the proposals, as have groups such as Buxton Civic Association. But we’ve all agreed that the priority was on securing the funding for the town and that’s what I’ve focused on. Now that we’ve been awarded the funding, I hope the Council will listen carefully to local residents and fine tune the proposals. This is an important opportunity to revitalise Buxton town centre and make the High Peak an even better place to live.”
