The restoration of the Grade II Listed Former Magistrates' Court in Kidderminster town centre, designed by Burrell Foley Fischer, has restored and maximised the potential of the whole site as Kidderminster’s business and creative hub. The renovation of the new facility, named ‘The Old Court’ and ‘The Weaving Sheds’ was commissioned and managed by Wyre Forest District Council.

The Old Court is a Grade II listed building designed in the Queen Anne Revival style by the architect J G Bland of Birmingham and built between 1878-1879 for R J Willis, a company known for making Brussels carpets. In 1883 the premises were sold to Woodward, Grosvenor and Company and used as their main offices and showroom. The adjacent weaving sheds appear to have been extended at this time. (Historic England)

The site is unique as to the rear of the office building is an almost intact, north lit, saw tooth roofed weaving shed. This roof is supported on cast-iron columns and fish belly tie beams by F Bradley of Kidderminster, that widen in profile towards the centre for greater strength. There are not many surviving examples of this type of building, and it is hidden from the street front.

Plans for the site transform the space into a new community, cultural and creative hub. The project will provide a range of flexible work, performance and production spaces and co- working areas in the main buildings and historic former weaving sheds. It will provide creative and ‘maker space’ equipped with technology to accelerate research & innovation, application, and adoption in key sectors, including advanced manufacturing, healthcare, and the creative industries. The venue will support artistic and creative performance and develop a base of local young talent equipped with the skills needed in a 21st century digitised economy.

The historic Grade II Listed buildings are being retained, refurbished, and revealed, giving them a sustainable future, as an integral part of the vision, supported by carefully designed new interventions which reference the Town’s Heritage. The project is designed to create a focal point for town centre revival and a regional investment destination focused on the creative, digital and tech sectors. The BFF scheme helped the town secure £20m from the government backed Future High Streets Fund (FHSF).

The Former Magistrates’ Court site forms a highly visual gateway to the town. Its easterly façade is the first sight of the town centre as you approach Kidderminster from the railway station and by road from Bromsgrove and South Birmingham. There is a small public landscape area opposite the south west frontage of the main building - Coronation Gardens - which was created in 1952.

The transformation of the Old Court is intended to play a key role in renewing and reshaping Kidderminster town centre, developing a highly visible gateway building whilst re-purposing a significant historic asset. Thanks to the restoration project, the outside public space has also been enhanced, providing a pedestrian route through town as well as offering a small children’s play area.

As part of the regeneration of the Former Magistrates Court, the construction contractor BAM worked in the wider community – particularly local schools and colleges - to promote and provide work opportunities to work in the industry.