The Grade I-listed Buxton Crescent Hotel and Spa has been sold to wellness group Champneys after its previous operator, Ensana, defaulted on a £11.4 million loan from Derbyshire County Council. The transaction, completed in partnership with investment firm Cheyne Capital, included full repayment of the outstanding debt.
The property, owned by High Peak Borough Council and Derbyshire County Council, remains under public freehold ownership. Champneys will now operate the hotel business, securing the future of one of Derbyshire’s most prominent heritage tourism assets.
The Crescent, initially constructed in the 1780s as part of the Duke of Devonshire’s spa vision, underwent a £70 million restoration before reopening in 2020. The refurbishment was partly financed through a county council loan to Buxton Crescent Limited, a joint venture between CP Holdings and the Trevor Osborne Property Group.
Following financial difficulties and a default on the council’s loan, Ensana placed the hotel on the market in 2024. The sale to Champneys is expected to sustain local employment and maintain Buxton’s profile as a leading spa destination within the regional visitor economy.
