A new multi-million pound community centre in Shipley has won the prestigious LABC Regional Building Excellence Award, and is now nominated for a national award in January 2026.

The Shipley Sustainable Community Hub, at the Old School building on Kirkgate, underwent a year-long refurbishment in 2024. Two charities, Hive and the Kirkgate Community Centre, are now based at the centre.

Bradford Council’s Portfolio Holder for Regeneration, Transport and Planning, Councillor Alex Ross-Shaw, said: “The users of the building were always at the heart of the project – some of whom remembered the building from having been to school there.

“The team worked closely with the community to understand what was needed. It was important to maintain the heritage of the building but future-proof it for generations to come.”

Architects Rance Booth Smith uncovered features of the old school building which had previously been lost, such as stained glass windows and fireplaces.

Solar panels, heat pumps, insulation and double glazing windows are all part of the new eco-friendly measures designed to cut the building’s carbon footprint.

A combination of funding was used to secure the £3 million needed to complete the works, with £2.51 million coming from the Government-funded Shipley Towns Fund.

Chair of the Shipley Towns Fund Gill Thornton added: “The transformation of this building is incredible and it very much deserves to win this award. What has been achieved here for the people of Shipley, on time and to budget is something to be very proud of.”