KIDDERMINSTER’S Old Court and Weaving Sheds have been shortlisted in the prestigious national Pineapple Awards.
The accolades are the only national awards which celebrate the best in placemaking and place-led projects in the UK. Placemaking is a community-driven approach to planning, designing and managing public spaces which place people over infrastructure
With a commitment to recognising projects that make a positive social, environmental and economic impact, the Pineapple Awards celebrate places which contribute to urban life and encourage people to live, work, dwell or play.
The Old Court and Weaving Sheds have been shortlisted in the ‘Creative Retrofit’ category.
There are 129 shortlisted projects overall.
Led by Wyre Forest District Council, with support from the government’s Future High Streets Fund, the transformation of The Old Court and Weaving Sheds brought the once-derelict building back to life as a thriving hub for enterprise, creativity and community activity.
Coun Dan Morehead, Wyre Forest District Council’s Cabinet Member for Economic Regeneration, Planning and the Green Agenda, said: “We are pleased and proud to see this transformation has caught the eye of the Pineapple Awards judges.
“The redevelopment blends heritage, innovation and flexible space to strengthen the town centre’s identity and future resilience.
“The judges will be considering the impact of the project on the wider place and how the initiative makes a positive environmental and social impact.”
He added, through sensitive conservation and purposeful reinvention, the project had transformed a declining asset into an inclusive, accessible and economically active destination.
“It now plays a vital role in strengthening community pride, supporting local enterprise and contributing to the broader regeneration of Kidderminster.”
Faye Davies, managing director of Burrell Foley Fischer Architects, who led the design team for the project, said: “We’re absolutely delighted to see The Old Court and Weaving Sheds in Kidderminster shortlisted for a Creative Retrofit Pineapple Award.
“This recognition celebrates not only the careful restoration of a remarkable historic site, but also the vision to reimagine it as a vibrant, sustainable space for today’s community.
“It’s a powerful example of how thoughtful retrofit can honour local heritage while creating new opportunities for culture, enterprise and connection.”
The Pineapple Awards Festival has been taking place this week and is due to conclude today (Thursday) when all the shortlisted projects were presented to the judges.
Visit:wyreforestdc.gov.uk/theoldcourt for more on The Old Court regeneration project.
