Storyhouse is the Historic Buildings winner and overall winner at the Civic Voice awards

20.07.2018

We are delighted to report that Storyhouse has been given the accolade of overall winner at this year’s Civic Voice awards, in addition to winning the Historic Buildings category.

The awards citation for Storyhouse reads: "At a time when libraries are closing across the country, this one bucks the trend. Opened in May 2017, after a decade-long absence of a theatre or cinema in historic Chester, Storyhouse is an imaginative re-use of a once neglected classic 1930s cinema. The quality of the design and the standard of materials used in the restoration, designed by architects, Bennetts Associates, is first class. The development has protected and enhanced the architectural and cultural heritage of Chester and is enticing visitors from outside the city."

The project was nominated by Chester Civic Trust. The Trust's chair, Christine Russell, said Storyhouse is the “greatest thing that has happened” in the 44 years she has lived in the city.

The Civic Voice Design Awards are the people’s choice for architecture and the built environment. Unique in England, the awards are a national celebration of well-designed new build, heritage and public realm projects nominated by local community organisations. What makes the awards different from other industry awards is that they recognise those buildings, places and spaces that are loved by local people, for both their high quality design and positive impact on the local community.