We are delighted that the Depot, Lewes, was awarded a Commendation in this year’s Selwyn Goldsmith Award for Universal Design. The cinema was selected as just one of three projects to be recognised in this category, from the 234 projects entered into the 2018 Civic Trust Awards. The Commendation states that 'the design, layout and location of the Cinema maximises inclusive access in all respects', and that it 'provides welcoming and accessible, cultural and social facilities for visitors across the age and social spectrum regardless of abilities'.
The Depot is a new three-screen community cinema on the site of the modest but much loved existing warehouse of the old Harveys brewery depot in Lewes. The three screens have been discreetly inserted within the saved brick shell, with the major design move being to attach a new glazed extension with the depot structure fully visible as the historic backdrop to the new box office, café bar, restaurant.
The Selwyn Goldsmith Award for Universal Design is given to projects which have demonstrated excellence in providing a scheme which is accessible for all users, from people with decreased mobility, to parents with small children, to people with sensory impairments and everything in-between.
This award recognises BFF's long-standing commitment to inclusive design. Previous BFF cinemas that have won accessibility awards include Broadway, Nottingham’s Media Centre, which was given an Adapt award in 1998 and Norwich Cinema City which won the East of England LABC Award in 2008 for Best Project for Access and Compliance with Disability Regulations and went on to win the National award for that year. Most recently Newlyn Filmhouse was awarded Best Inclusive Building at the South West LABC (Local Authority Building Control) Awards 2017.