Buxton Kickstart group hope to build town back better as lockdown eases

A group set up to help Buxton recover as Covid-19 restrictions are lifted say they hope to ‘build back better’ than before the virus struck.
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Buxton Kickstart is made up of community organisations including Vision Buxton, the Town Team, Civic Association, Rotary Club, High Peak Food Bank and Connex Community Support.

They have been meeting to find ways of getting the town back on its feet - by helping small businesses with advice on everything from social distancing guidance as lockdown eases to ways of promoting shopping locally.

However the group are also working to help the community recover from the effects - both economic and psychological - of lockdown.

Buxton town centre's streets are getting busier as restrictions easeBuxton town centre's streets are getting busier as restrictions ease
Buxton town centre's streets are getting busier as restrictions ease

As part of their motto to build back better Buxton Kickstart are working with organisations such as Connex Community Support and Buxton Street by Street to identify those left traumatised by the pandemic and find them some help.

Mike Hardman, Rotary Club of Buxton president and Buxton Kickstart spokesman, told how another arm of the project was to boost the town centre.

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He described how groups such as Transition Buxton were keen to make the centre greener by, for example, encouraging the use of public transport.

Mike Hardman, of Buxton KickstartMike Hardman, of Buxton Kickstart
Mike Hardman, of Buxton Kickstart

And other members are already pushing for the use of apps which encourage people to shop locally online - rather than buying from big e-commerce stores such as Amazon.

Mike said: “The Covid 19 pandemic has been a huge change for many people and they’re going to need help in ways they’ve never done before.

“We all want Buxton to emerge healthy and prosperous and not be weakened by the impact of the virus but to achieve this we need to start planning and take action now.

“Buxton punches well above its weight for a small town in terms of the number of community groups and volunteers we have.

Buxton town centre reopens for businessBuxton town centre reopens for business
Buxton town centre reopens for business

“A huge amount is already being done and we recognise that together we are stronger and can do more.”

Speaking about small businesses in the town father-of-four Mike described a ‘variable picture’.

He said: “Those who trade online have been able to carry on during lockdown so we’re looking at creating an online Buxton shopping app.

“There are apps which coordinate all the businesses in a town - we’re working towards getting people to buy locally using what we have here online.”

Former doctor and pharmaceutical physician Mike told how although Buxton Kickstart wanted to encourage people back into the town protecting public health was a top priority.

He said: “We want to encourage people to come to Buxton but we want the town to be safe - we don’t want a second wave so we have to make sure people are adhering to safety measures.”

However work on promoting the town has already begun - with Friends of Buxton Station producing a map promoting the town’s independent shops planned for railway stations in connected places.

Buxton Kickstart are asking other groups who could help the town thrive to join them.

To get in touch email [email protected].

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