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TOWN CENTRE REDEVELOPMENT - THE BAKEWELL PROJECT
By the 1990s, the town of Bakewell was seriously in need of some changes. The livestock market in the centre of town brought traffic congestion every Monday, as vehicles carrying sheep and cows clashed with through traffic on the A6 between Buxton and Matlock and with visitors to the town.
Parking in the town was badly organised and there were derelict sites in the town centre. The town provided few facilities for local residents. It was feared that Bakewell would become merely a ‘dormitory’ for people working in the cities around the National Park.
The Bakewell Project was set up in 1996 to provide a sustainable plan of action to secure the future of Bakewell and its surrounding rural area and to tackle the economic and social needs of the community. The partnership responsible for the Project includes representatives from the local authorities, community, training and enterprise council (TEC) and private sectors. Funding comes from the Government Single Regeneration Budget, Rural District Councils, Rural Challenge and the European Union plus some voluntary groups and local schools. To date £18m has been spent and the Bakewell Project has created 700 jobs plus 85 businesses in the catchment area.
Agricultural Business Centre
A new home for the Livestock Market is provided in the Centre (the Bakewell catchment area contains around 2,500 farms) with space for 1,000 cattle, 2,000 sheep and 450 calves and also three livestock sales rings. The centre is more than a livestock market however, with a Small Business advice centre, cafe and market-related retail units, meeting rooms and exhibition space.
Biodiversity Project
A partnership, including many voluntary organisations, has been involved in restoring and improving wildlife habitats, for species such as otters, along the River Wye.
Community Facilities
Housed in a portacabin for around 30 years, the library finally has a permanent home, 25 per cent larger than before and better equipped for the new millenium. Underneath is the new swimming pool (a first for Bakewell) - part funded by a lottery grant.
The Medway Community Centre, with a multi-purpose hall and meeting rooms, was a self-build project relying on teams of volunteers.
Improved Shopping
The removal of the livestock market from the town centre has enabled other development to take place. At last Bakewell has a full size supermarket with car parking and all the facilities that shoppers take for granted. The site also includes other shops, such as a large Boots, plus an improved stall market, offices and both private and social housing. The development is to a high standard of design, materials and landscaping, with natural stone walls and blue slate roofs, in keeping with the local traditional style. Other shops and flats have been built on the once-derelict sites in the town centre.
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| New supermarket | New shops |
POPULATION OF BAKEWELL
| 19th CENTURY | 20th CENTURY | ||
| Year | Population | Year | Population |
| 1811 | 1484 | 1901 | 3063 |
| 1821 | 1872 | 1911 | 3078 |
| 1831 | 1898 | 1921 | 3064 |
| 1841 | 1976 | 1931 | 3028 |
| 1851 | 2217 | 1941 | # |
| 1861 | 2704* | 1951 | 3356 |
| 1871 | 2283 | 1961 | 3506 |
| 1881 | 2502 | 1971 | 3790 |
| 1891 | 2748 | 1981 | 3839 |
| 1991 | 3818 | ||
* Population increased by railway labourers
The population, which has been gradually increasing over the last two centuries, has now stabilised. Because of its popularity with retired people, 32 per cent of the population are now of pensionable age. This brings an increasing demand for medical services.
Local people have to travel to Sheffield or Chesterfield for casualty services, appointments with consultants or for operations. An older population relies more on public transport and this increases demand for reliable bus services - there has been no rail service since 1968. Suitable housing for older people is also a priority
MODERN HOUSING NEEDS
At the time of the 1991 Population Census there were around 1700 dwellings in Bakewell. Between 1977 and 1994, permission was given for 240 dwellings to be built in Bakewell and 219 dwellings were completed. Many new homes are bought by commuters travelling to work in Sheffield of Manchester, and by retired people. There is also a demand for houses to buy as second homes or holiday lets. The popularity of Bakewell pushes house prices up and there is little low cost housing for local people.
To ease this situation, 41 low cost starter and family homes have been built. It is the policy of the National Park Authority to restrict most new housing to that which meets local needs.
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| Skidmores grocery shop |
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Station Yard
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A good mix of trade and commerce, industry and agriculture has maintained the bustling character of Bakewell and so far prevented it from becoming merely a tourist town.
There are over 70 shops in the town selling every type of goods from sausages to screwdrivers, coats to carpets. Many shops sell gifts and rely on the tourist trade for much of their business.
A number of restaurants, cafes, hotels and pubs cater for both local shoppers and visitors alike. Professional services are offered by accountants, solicitors, dentists and others.
A range of goods is manufactured in Bakewell, from industrial knives to photo frames and the services provided span builders to photographers, engineers to hairdressers. All these businesses provide employment for local people.
Three further business are related to the mineral extraction industry and there are 8 farms within Bakewell parish. Around 2,000 jobs are provided in Bakewell and about 1,500 Bakewell residents are in employment.
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