RICS award for Kidderminster Town Hall refurbishment

At a ceremony held at the Hyatt Regency in Birmingham on Friday, June 26, the Town Hall won the refurbishment/revitalisation project category and was highly commended for project of the year.

Judges said the scheme struck a careful balance between conserving a complex historic asset and updating it for modern community use.

As a listed building, the refurbishment had to deal with heritage constraints, ageing fabric, outdated services, hazardous materials and poor thermal performance.

Limited space and access also made it harder to meet today’s standards on accessibility, fire safety and day‑to‑day operations, while keeping the Town Hall’s civic role.

Strong governance focused on long‑term value, energy efficiency and future‑proofing, with a coordinated approach used to secure the building’s sustainable future.

Judges highlighted the new café/bar, which has helped draw more people onto the high street and boost local businesses.

They praised the 'subtle' blend of old and new and noted that re‑use of existing elements was prioritised where possible.

The music hall has been refurbished to international standards, opening the venue up to a wider range of acts.

The RICS UK Awards showcase projects across land, real estate, construction and infrastructure, and aim to celebrate how surveying and building projects benefit communities.

Regional winners now go through to the UK grand final on October 22.

Other West Midlands winners included Three Chamberlain Square in Birmingham (project of the year and commercial development), the A38(M) Tame Valley Viaduct (public sector), Bloxwich Launchpad (community benefit), Coughton Court – Through the Roof (heritage), and Midland Heart’s Homes for Modern Living Programme (residential development).

Kidderminster Town Hall’s double recognition places it firmly among the region’s leading recent developments.

RICS is the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors.