Social impact developers Capital&Centric have kickstarted a community conversation on the £100m+ reboot of The Springs Shopping Centre in Buxton.

Capital&Centric are collaborating with High Peak Borough Council to transform the site between the train station and the high street. Today they have revealed their early plans and new sketches, as they ask local people, businesses and visitors to have their say.

At £100m, this is one of the biggest town centre developments that will take place in the next few years and has already gained national attention. The full funding strategy will be determined by the design of the scheme, but it’s likely to include a mix of private and public sector funding. There will be an initial investment of £6.6m of Central Government funding and £4m of High Peak Borough Council’s investment.

The developers plan to repurpose the 1980s indoor shopping centre by introducing a vibrant, residential-led, mixed use neighbourhood. It will feature revitalised new work and retail spaces for independent shops, bars and cafes that will spill out onto new plant-packed public squares, complementing all the best bits the town centre has to offer.

The vision is to give pedestrians easy access through the site from Spring Gardens up to the train station, while also seeking to open up the River Wye, creating green public spaces perfect for riverside dining and events.

John Moffat, Joint Managing Director at Capital&Centric said:

“This is a £100m opportunity to build on what already makes Buxton a great place to live and hang out. We’re planning a new neighbourhood with a mix of homes for everyone, from young professionals to families and downsizers, alongside lush green open spaces to chill out alongside the river.

“We’re also giving The Springs and surrounding area a complete reboot with loads of new space for indie businesses and shops, bars, eateries and coffee shops. Another big part of the plans is to create a new gateway to the town centre from the train station with new walking routes linking through to the re-imagined public open spaces. This is the next chapter for Buxton, and we can’t wait to hear what people think of our plans.”

Damien Greenhalgh, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Tourism and Leisure at High Peak Borough Council said:

“We are delighted to now be embarking on a key stage in Buxton town centre’s future development – working with Capital&Centric – to unveil initial ideas and visuals that will give a glimpse of what to expect in this once in a generation opportunity to transform our much-loved town.

“We urge everyone to have their say over the coming weeks and help shape a better Buxton we can all enjoy, once this major scheme concludes in 2029.”

Newsletters and questionnaires are landing through letterboxes in homes throughout Buxton and the surrounding area, so local people can share their feedback on the plans. Once filled in, questionnaires can be and dropped off in a box at one of the following locations: Buxton Swimming and Leisure Centre, Pavilion Gardens or Buxton Town Hall (Mon–Fri up to 1pm).

They can also have their say at  www.capitalandcentric.com/buxton.

The team will be in town at The Community Space (the former Track & Trail) on Thursday 15^th May (3pm – 8pm) where you can come and meet the team and share your thoughts on the plans – there’s no need to book, just turn up, grab a coffee and have a natter.

This is the first of two conversations Capital&Centric will be having with people about their plans for Buxton town centre. This first chat will help inform more detailed plans which will then be shared in the summer, when the team will be back in town to seek people’s views before a planning application is submitted to the Local Planning Authority at High Peak Borough Council in the autumn.

Having already delivered a slew of regeneration projects across the North of England – including in Manchester, Stockport and Sheffield – this will mark Capital&Centric’s first foray into Derbyshire. The developers have gained a reputation for delivering imaginative town centre neighbourhoods, with a focus on standout architecture.

Capital&Centric continue to invest £3million a week in regeneration and are currently live on eight construction sites as they continue their expansion into new towns and cities across the UK, like Wolverhampton, Gateshead, Sheffield and Cambridge.