The restored J.R. Clynes Building has won both the Cultural and Leisure Project Award and Retrofit and Reuse Project Award at the 2026 British Construction and Infrastructure Awards. The project, delivered for Oldham Council by Tilbury Douglas, transformed the Grade II-listed former Old Library on Greaves Street and returned it to public use.

The building reopened in August last year as a civic and cultural hub after being closed since 2017. It now houses Oldham Council offices, a Council Chamber and Mayor's Parlour, meeting rooms for civic and community use, an art gallery on the second floor, a studio for Oldham Theatre Workshop, and a community garden for public events.

Heritage and Local Impact

The Cultural and Leisure Project Award recognised the building's exemplary heritage regeneration. Judges were particularly impressed that 75 per cent of suppliers were based locally and that the project provided opportunities for young people through heritage trades and skills development.

The Retrofit and Reuse Project Award recognised the conservation-led approach, retention of significant heritage features, and introduction of new civic and cultural uses to support urban and economic regeneration.

Building History and Restoration

Dating back to 1883, the 34,800 square foot building served as a community cornerstone for over 130 years before being replaced by the Oldham Library and Lifelong Learning Centre in 2006. The restoration involved extensive conservation work, restoration of historic finishes and original parquet flooring, improved accessibility with a new glass lift, and sensitive integration of modern facilities.

Ellis Williams Architects, Curtins and the wider consultant and specialist supply chain team worked with Oldham Council and Tilbury Douglas on the project.

Award Recognition

The awards were presented on 14 October at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London, at the 39th British Construction and Infrastructure Awards. The ceremony brought together more than 1,000 of the UK's leading clients, consultants and contractors.

James Kington, Director of Growth at Oldham Council, said the double win was "a fantastic achievement and a proud moment for everyone involved in bringing this historic building back to life." He added that the project had "not only preserved an important part of our heritage, it has also created a modern civic and cultural space that will benefit residents, community groups and visitors for generations to come."

Kabir Salihi, Regional Director at Tilbury Douglas, said the project "demonstrates what can be achieved through a genuinely collaborative approach and a shared commitment to protecting heritage while creating meaningful, lasting value for the community."

The building also won Regeneration Project of the Year at the Construction News Awards 2026 earlier this summer.