All Souls Bolton wins at Civic Voice Design Awards

The Churches Conservation Trust's £4.9 million regeneration of All Souls Bolton has been awarded the Restoration Award at the Civic Voice Design Awards.

Civic Voice is the national charity for the civic movement, and their annual Design Awards seek to celebrate good design and conservation projects which make a significant contribution to the quality of life in our villages, towns and cities. Twelve projects were shortlisted and All Souls Bolton won the Restoration category, with the award collected from Civic Voice President Griff Rhys Jones by Matthew McKeague and Rachel Barrett from The Churches Conservation Trust Regeneration Taskforce on Friday 17th July at a ceremony in Westminster.

The Churches Conservation Trust worked with Salford-based OMI Architects on the designs, in a project supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund with a grant of £4.3m. The project has previously been recognised with a number of awards including the English Heritage Angel Awards and the RICS Awards North West, and is already shortlisted for the RICS Awards grand final in October.

Crispin Truman, Chief Executive of The Churches Conservation Trust, said:

""I'm delighted that All Souls Bolton has received the Restoration award at the Civic Voice Design Awards, and proud that our project has not only saved this important historic building, and brought it back into the heart of the community, but also done so in a way that is being so consistently recognised for the high quality of its design.""

Speaking more generally about the Awards, Griff Rhys Jones, Civic Voice President said:

“What I really like about the Civic Voice Design Awards is that they are national awards which have been nominated by local community organisations like civic societies, residents groups, town and parish councils and other community based voluntary organisations, rather than the industry professionals. They show that people are willing to welcome the new developments we need when they have been properly consulted and involved and where the quality of design has been of the highest standard. I look forward to meeting the award winners”

Alongside providing office and event space for local organisations and businesses, Grade II* listed All Souls Bolton also boasts a popular coffee shop and engaging history wall whilch tells the stories of the local area. Its community projects have proved a particular hit locally, with events like the ‘Grow Your Own’ Community Garden project, in partnership with Lancashire Wildlife Trust, themed film showings and Lego Brick Building Club, and a sponsored abesil on Sunday 2nd August from the top of All Souls 118ft tower.