Final funding secured for five star Buxton Crescent Hotel & Spa

International property and construction consultants, Gleeds, has helped Derbyshire County and High Peak Borough Councils secure the final funding package for the long-awaited Buxton Crescent Hotel & Spa redevelopment, giving it the green light.

The £2 million grant from D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership adds to a £23 million donation from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) – the second half of which was secured in November 2014 through Gleeds’ grant advisory team. The funding received by HLF is the largest grant ever awarded in the East Midlands.

In addition to funding advice, Gleeds has been appointed to project manage the £46 million scheme on behalf of Derbyshire County and High Peak Councils. Works involve converting the Grade I Listed building into a 79-bed luxury five star hotel. The adjoining Grade II Listed natural baths and pump rooms will be restored and opened to the public.

Integral to the success of the project will be establishing the right conservation quality and protecting the integrity of the original design. Three hundred sash windows require specialist repair and an ornate ceiling within The Great Assembly Rooms needs complete restoration.

The iconic project forms part of the region’s regeneration strategy to boost economic growth. The hotel will provide training and apprenticeship opportunities for the students of the University of Derby, which has a campus co-located on the Buxton site. This commitment will help the local council reach its goal of creating 55,000 private sector jobs by 2023.

Labour councillor, Caitlin Bisknell, the leader of High Peak Borough Council said: “It’s taken a lot of hard work and lobbying by many people to get to this stage – and I am delighted that it has at last paid off. Getting the extra funding agreed by the Heritage Lottery Fund in November was a major boost, this is now the icing on the cake.”

Anthony Cork, Gleeds Director for Nottingham office, commented: “Heritage construction projects are notoriously complex, so our priority will be ensuring that the interests of all stakeholders are represented without compromising design intent, Listed Building requirements or functionality.”

Developers Trevor Osborne and CP Holdings are to deliver the scheme for hotel operator Danubius, with Curious Architects appointed as lead designer.