The 1990s still doesn’t seem that long ago, does it? Except it is sort of is now – and in many ways Buxton has changed beyond recognition. We thought we’d unearth and relive 90s Buxton and remember some of our favourite spots. We’d love to hear from you – which do YOU remember? Are there other places you think we should have included?

1. MINI CINE ON CHARLES STREET

The Spa Cinema on Spring Gardens was demolished in 1987. The Mini Cine opened on Charles Street in 1992 with 78 seats. It later became the Moviehouse, reopening after a short closure in 1993 before closing again in 1995.

2. STRAWBERRY FIELDS CAFE

In the early 90s, this cafe in the precinct was a hive of activity but in particular on a Saturday afternoon. It was the meet up place for mates and mums. You felt like you were at the heart of what was going on; who was up to what, who was seeing who, etc.

3. X-TRA VISION VIDEO SHOP

The love for the video shop was in full swing by the early 90s and this place was loads cheaper than Blockbuster, not that Buxton ever had one that is. Who remembers the orange and yellow shop front of this place on Spring Gardens?

4. MI CASA WINES

A small off-licence that discreetly graced the peripheries of middle-class suburbia, Mi Casa is fondly remembered by a generation as being a place to stock up on booze and cigs on the way to a party. Its once inviting façade has long since assumed the non-commercial normality of its neighbours.

5. TRIANGLES SNOOKER CLUB

A classic haunt for lads in the 90s – sometimes their girlfriends might get dragooned along there too. There was a mini scene going down here for a while. Snooker’s golden age was the 80s and 90s with players like Stephen Hendry, Jimmy White and Alex ‘Hurricane’ Higgins, so young lads (and occasionally some girls to be fair) were keen to try and be the next big thing.

6. SAFEWAY CARPARKS THRIVING SKATE SCENE

We remember Safeway’s car park as a meeting place for skateboarders in the 1990s, with its large, smooth expanse of concrete.

7. WOOLWORTHS

A British Institution. The place you could buy the vinyl Top 40, buy a huge bag of Pick ‘n’ Mix sweets, a whole load of kitchen ware and your Christmas decorations – all under one roof (as well as much more). ‘Woolies’, was where many of of us bought our favourite records in the 80’s and then cd’s in the 90’s. Sadly it was no more when the business went into administration in 2008 and the Buxton store closed in December 2008.

8. CAPERS CAFE

Tea for 43p. And a solid traditional English menu too. The toasted teacakes were mmmmm. Best spot was always by the window, to watch the world of Buxton go by.

9. DK SOUND & VISION

Any computer gaming fans around in the 90s will remember the Commodore 64 and later the Sega Megadrive and Nintendo 64. Sourcing games, particularly if you lived around the Fairfield area, meant only one place to go – DK Sound and Vision, at the bottom of Fairfield Road. And, upon every visit, classic 90s TV show Quantum Leap almost always seemed to be on the TV in the store, without fail – who remembers this?!

10. BUXTON MICRARIUM

The Micrarium opened in the Pump Room in 1981, inviting people to explore the natural world through microscopes. Its founder, Dr Stephen Carter, died in 1987, and his wife Janet continued to run the exhibition. Researcher Viviane Quirke records that Janet retired in 1995; other records differ on the year the attraction closed. Read more about the Micrarium.

11. GOYT VALLEY RAVES

We remember the Goyt Valley rave scene and parties around the ruins of Errwood Hall, with its uneven ground and insects at sunrise.

12. BUXTON MINERAL WATER

Water has been bottled in Buxton since the 19th century. According to Nestlé’s history of the brand, commercial-scale bottling began in 1980. By the 1990s, many of us had done a stint in the factory or knew someone who worked in mineral water.

13. HIGH PEAK COLLEGE

Former RAF accommodation at Harpur Hill became part of High Peak College in the 1960s. Buildings on the former college site were later demolished, and the land has since been redeveloped for housing. Former students remember its exposed setting, varied courses and common room.

14. NEW CULT CLOTHING

Buxton was thin on the ground for decent ladies fashion in the 90s. There was a Next but it was tiny (before they extended it) and of course Dorothy Perkins – but New Cult offered a cheaper option and sometimes something a bit more alternative than the mainstream offerings. Sheer white hooded blouses adorning celestial symbols were rife.