Buxton Town Hall’s future

High Peak Borough Council is marketing Buxton Town Hall and inviting expressions of interest. In its June 2026 statement, the council said no decision had been taken to sell and it was open to community and private-sector proposals. The agent’s property listing invites offers for the freehold.

A Building Born from Fire

The former Market Hall, designed by Henry Currey, was destroyed by fire in 1885. The Town Hall was built on the same site.

Historic photograph of the former Market Hall and neighbouring buildings
The former Market Hall (left), before the 1885 fire. ©Frank Hambleton / Buxton Spa Town & District Photographs

In 1886 the local board selected a design by Manchester architect William Pollard from submitted plans. Contemporary newspaper accounts identify James Salt as the contractor.

Distinctive Architecture in a Conservation Setting

Designed by Pollard, Buxton Town Hall was officially opened in 1889. Its features include a château-style roof, Venetian windows and a clock tower topped with a cupola.

The Town Hall lies within the Buxton Conservation Area and is a Grade II listed building.

Buxton Town Hall viewed from Market Place

A Cultural Hub Through the Years

Beyond its civic role, the Town Hall has played a part in Buxton’s cultural life. By 1893 it housed a free library and museum; the museum moved to Peak Buildings on Terrace Road in 1928, according to the museum’s history. After the museum closed there in 2023, it opened a temporary home next to Buxton Library on Kents Bank Road in October 2026.

The marketing process

The agent’s listing describes the freehold as available via informal tender and gives the price on application. The council says its agent is handling interest from community groups and other potential buyers.