Buxton Civic Association Appoints Blueberry as Café Concession Partner at Poole’s Cavern & Buxton Country Park

Friday 12th June 2026

Buxton Civic Association (BCA) has appointed Blueberry as its new café concession partner at Poole’s Cavern & Buxton Country Park, following a competitive expression of interest process and formal interviews.

Blueberry, established in 2009, operates a number of successful and highly popular hospitality venues across the region, including:

  • Blue Pig Deli, Matlock
  • Blueberry Café at the Arc, Matlock
  • The Refreshment Room, Millers Dale (Monsal Trail)
  • Blueberry Kiosk at Parsley Hay
  • Blueberry Café at Stafford Leisure
  • Blueberry Café at Queen’s Park
  • The Market Café, Indoor Market Chesterfield
  • Bluebell Café, Shipley Country Park

Blueberry began operating the café at Poole’s Cavern on the 16th of March 2026 under a three-year concession agreement.

The Café at the Cavern sits at the heart of one of the Peak District’s leading visitor attractions, welcoming approximately 50,000 visitors annually to Poole’s Cavern and Buxton Country Park. With indoor seating for 43 guests and extensive outdoor seating for up to 86 more, the café plays a key role in enhancing the overall visitor experience.

All staff previously employed by BCA within the café operation have now transferred to employment with Blueberry.

Andrea Bowler, Head of Operations at Poole’s Cavern, said: “We are delighted to welcome Blueberry to Poole’s Cavern & Buxton Country Park. Their strong regional reputation, commitment to quality, and experience operating in high-profile visitor destinations made them a standout choice. We look forward to working together to further enhance the experience for our visitors.”

Carly Shawe, Director of Blueberry said: “We are incredibly excited to become part of the experience at Poole’s Cavern with Buxton Civic Association. This site is a true cornerstone of Buxton’s tourism, and we’re looking forward to developing the café and its services to provide the best customer experience for all visitors. Blueberry is a family run, local business and we pride ourselves on supplying high-quality, local Derbyshire produce throughout our cafés.”

The concession opportunity was launched in December 2025, inviting operators to join BCA in shaping a destination café that celebrates local produce, excellent hospitality, and a shared commitment to sustainability. Blueberry’s appointment marks the start of a new chapter for the café as part of BCA’s continued investment in visitor experience across the site.

Established in 1967, BCA is Buxton’s leading environmental and heritage charity. BCA owns and cares for Poole’s Cavern, Grin Low Woods (Buxton Country Park) and nine additional woodlands across the town, working to conserve and enhance these special places for public benefit.