National Lottery boost for Buxton Opera House

Buxton's historic Frank Matcham-designed, 1903 opera house. Both pics: David J King

Buxton's Frank Matcham-designed Opera House - currently home to much of the Buxton International Festival - has been given over £174,000 by the National Lottery Heritage Fund to investigate the state of the building before undertaking a major modernisation project.

The local High Peak Borough Council - which owns the building, which is in turn operated by the High Peak Theatre Trust - has added £15,000 of its own to assist the investigation, which comes 24 years after millions were spent restoring the opera house to its 1903 original state.

L-R: Councillor Anthony McKeown, Dr David Wilmore, and Trust CEO Paul Kerryson

The money is an important first step in preparing the ground for a capital project that will bring the Grade II* listed theatre fully-fit for purpose in the 21^st Century. The grant will support conservation statements, structural and building surveys and an analysis of their findings for greater long-term sustainability opportunities, helping to streamline the design work to prepare the final project.

The money - mostly secured by the work of Matcham theatres expert David Wilmore of historic theatre consultancy TheatreSearch, will also pay for the appointment of a project officer to oversee the investigations.

Councillor Anthony McKeown - leader of High Peak Council - said: “Buxton Opera House is one of the jewels of the High Peak. As a Council we are delighted this famous building has attracted this national funding support, so we make sure the building is fit for generations to come."

Paul Kerryson, the CEO of the theatre trust, added “This award will be the first step in a major restoration, which will include improvements to access, audience and technical facilities that will secure the success of the Opera House for future generations."

More info here