All hail the “Buxton Stump”

Here’s another view from our resident Buxtonian, Mr Grumpy of Buxton.

That new chappie Prime Minister David Cameron has called for more to be done to market Britain as a destination for foreign visitors as well as those at home.

Apparently, Mr Cameron has urged people to be “more proud” of the UK, its natural assets and its history.

He also said that more is to be done so that the UK can break into the top five most visited destinations in the world.

I applaud the urge. Most encouraging. And with the media harping on about the first 100 days of office, I wonder if our new elected MP will soon be sharing his thoughts by echoing his leaders calls of importance placed on the role of tourism – for Buxton and its surrounding areas?

Given the number of coaches parked everyday of the week near Spring Gardens (?) and outside the Buxton Opera House, there seems to be no let-up of tourist sightseers’, however I find it incredible that compared to other ‘tourist’ attraction destinations such as Bakewell or Matlock, Buxton must be the bottom of the pile when it comes to promoting itself as ‘a serious tourist attraction’.

Lets look at some facts.

Compared to these other examples, Buxton has equally marvellous appeal but isn’t pulling out all the stops to promote or encourage the ‘all year round tourist’ or ’seasonal tourist’. It relies too heavily on the Buxton Fringe Festival month, and up to 8 market stalls on Tuesdays and Saturdays, a fact which for the highest market town in England, is disgusting in my opinion, and of course the ‘Buxton Water’ fountain.

With no visible work being carried out on the Crescent Hotel, this weeks biggest attraction to Buxton was the felling of a tree. That actually attracted more audience than the recent Morris Dancer showcase, believe it or not, but I guess the ‘Buxton Stump’ will have an appeal as it is something new and different…cue digital cameras for another of Buxton’s memorable sights.

Actually, whilst I mention Buxton sights, could someone prod our new MP to take a moment to reflect on the following snaps (courtesy of Mr Grumpy’s Grandson!)

Here is the George Hotel. It’s pretty close to the Buxton Opera House and quite closed. What a shame. Not that Buxton really needs anymore hotels or guest houses, in my opinion, but isn’t it a shame that another business / premises in the heart of Buxton has succumbed to being a derelict graveyard, and now literally just waiting for some oiks to cause a nuisance, mischief and misery.

The fact that this establishment is so close to the Buxton Opera House and Pavilion Gardens reminds us that if businesses located in main tourism areas are not immune to downturns, recessions and changes in social trends, what chance does the established business have in the outta and non-tourism areas of Buxton?

Here’s the Liberal Club in Waterswallows Road. Quite closed. Not even subsidised beer or the community status tag of ‘the club’, supposedly “underpinning the local community” managed to keep the doors open. I wonder which club or Pub in Buxton will be next to fall victim to the change in social trends? Buxton Working Men’s Club perhaps? The ‘19th Hole’ perhaps?

There are some strange and peculiar mindsets in Buxton which seem to pour scorn on anything that is positive or bettering the community or Buxton tourism. I’d include common sense in that statement too, but having just visited a recently rejuvenated business in Spring Gardens which is apparently “a charity”, common sense here seems to be thrown out of the window.

It seems that the establishment desires a particular type of customer which someway goes to explain why this newly decorated tea room is as empty as the heads of its new management.

It never used to be like this and was always ‘busy’, especially when it rained, as customers (my self included) would dash in and naturally partake in the friendly service and wares.

Of course the establishment needed an overdue makeover and the previous management (from own experience) were as patronising and nutty as the owner of Fawlty Towers, but that was part of the charm and appeal of this local business! You knew what to expect and the staff were most accommodating.

With management change and the ‘new broom’ philosophy, one would still expect that all customers would be welcome. Apparently, not so.

I have nothing but admiration for those that manage and run a local charity (is this a local charity?), but if my face does not fit, my money is obviously not good enough, consequently it’s not rocket science to see how others will view this establishment.

Not in the same league as a restaurant to attract the business and culinary advice of Gordon Ramsey, nor a guest house or hotel to welcome the recommendations of Alex Polizzi, perhaps Andrew Bingham can work his MP magic and offer this Buxton business / charity needy pointers before it too becomes a derelict business.

The cost of living from January 2011 will be getting higher for everyone and businesses in Buxton need to focus ahead.

Like the ‘new ’stump’, Buxton has deep roots but I fear that without scrutiny and a little concentration in the right places now, especially during these difficult times and apparently ahead, Buxton will fall far behind it’s neighbouring tourism areas, will lose the appeal as the highest market town with attractions. It’ll be just another town on the landscape.

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All hail the “Buxton Stump”

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