Pump Room restoration: first phase completed in 2016

Archive, September 2016: The restored Crescent reopened in 2020; the article below records an earlier stage of the project.

The first phase of repairs to Buxton’s Grade II listed Pump Room was completed in 2016, ahead of a programme of events.

External repairs and work to the decorative internal plasterwork and marble cladding had been undertaken by Manchester and Cheshire Construction Company. The contract also provided basic facilities to allow public access.

In 2016, a second stage of refurbishment and further uses for the Pump Room were planned.

The 2016 events programme included talks, music and projects with schools.

In 2016 the restoration was described as a £50 million project. Its funding included a £23.8 million Heritage Lottery Fund grant, alongside contributions from High Peak Borough Council, Derbyshire County Council, Historic England, D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership and the developer.

During a 2016 visit to Buxton, Sir Peter Luff, then Chair of the Heritage Lottery Fund, said: “National Lottery players will be thrilled to see how their money is being used in this imaginative re-use of a wonderful building.”

Councillor Tony Kemp, Executive Councillor for Regeneration and Tourism at the Borough Council, said: “This is another milestone in the Crescent regeneration project – and one which I know will be welcomed by local residents, visitors and all those with an interest in these nationally important buildings.

“It’s exciting that the first phase of work at the Pump Room is now complete and we can look forward to the programme of events planned to take place in this unique space starting with the talk about the life of one of Buxton’s most famous visitors – Mary Queen of Scots – in November.”

Councillor Caitlin Bisknell, Derbyshire County Council’s Deputy Cabinet Member for Children’s Services and Buxton Crescent Trustee, added: “I’m delighted that the Pump Room will once again play a significant role in Buxton’s future as a thriving spa town and will offer something new and innovative for both visitors and residents.

“We’re confident the Crescent development will act as a catalyst for the regeneration of Buxton and the High Peak, boosting the local economy and providing another fantastic reason to visit Derbyshire.”

One of the advertised events was a talk by historian David Templeman about Mary Queen of Scots’ captivity.

The talk was scheduled for 20 November 2016 during Buxton Festival Book Weekend.

See Buxton Crescent Experience for current visitor information.