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New theatre could spark £1.5m trade
COUNCIL planners on Monday approved the conversion of the rundown Paxton Suite in Buxton's Pavilion Gardens into a new arts and events venue.
And the development looks set to generate an extra 1.5 million a year in income for local businesses.
The Paxton Suite was originally built as the Playhouse Theatre in 1889 as part of the Pavilion Gardens complex.
The refurbishment will see the creation of a 372-seat auditorium which will be used to stage theatre productions, lectures and conferences.
Retractable seating will allow the area to accommodate exhibitions, fairs and meetings, while a smaller 95-seat studio theatre can be created on the stage.
High Peak Borough Council's Development Control Committee heard Helen Pakpahan, from the council's Economic Development Section, say the creation of the Pavilion Arts Centre could generate around 1.5 million a year in income for local businesses.
She said: "It will enable us to promote the Pavilion Gardens as a conference venue, which will in turn support the hotels and other businesses in the area."
Around 350,000 would be spent on addressing structural defects. As well as bringing the room back into active use, the work will restore many of the building's original features.
Cllr Roger Wilkinson said: "I welcome this proposal of bringing a building that is under used back into use, and welcome the concept behind it. I look forward to seeing it completed."
And Cllr Chris Pearson said: "I am glad we are going to see the balcony again and will be able to look at the architecture there."
But plans to reintroduce canopies over the entrances on St John's Road were criticised by Cllr Chris Webster: "We have an 18th century building and we want to put glass canopies up outside it. Every week we hear of (vandalised) bus shelters being replaced.
"Glass canopies are not practicable and do not look right.."
And Cllr Michael Harrison called for the decision to be deferred, criticising the lack of detail in the written report to councillors and the speed with which the application had been brought before the committee: "I just wondered what all the rush was for."
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Weather for Buxton
Wednesday 08 February 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: -3 C to 0 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: South east
Tomorrow
Light sleet
Temperature: 1 C to 2 C
Wind Speed: 8 mph
Wind direction: South west
