The Old Court and Weaving Sheds Kidderminster shortlisted in the 2026 Pineapple Awards
The shortlist for the 2026 Pineapple Awards has been announced and includes the restoration of The Old Court and Weaving Sheds Kidderminster in the Creative Retrofit category. The transformation of Kidderminster’s Grade II listed Former Magistrates’ Court has brought a once-derelict gateway site back to life as a thriving hub for enterprise, creativity and community activity. Led by Wyre Forest District Council with support from the Future High Streets Fund, the project reopens a cherished historic landmark while equipping it for modern use. The redevelopment blends heritage, innovation and flexible space to strengthen the town centre’s identity and future resilience.
The Pineapples are the only awards that celebrate the very best in placemaking and place-led initiatives. With an exciting programme and a commitment to recognising projects that make a positive social, environmental and economic impact - they celebrate places that contribute to urban life and encourage people to live, work, dwell or play.
The Creative Retrofit Pineapple award is for the reuse, refurbishment or retrofit of a single building or group of buildings, housing estate or street in the UK that is complete and extends the life of the built environment. Projects must be complete and include the reuse of an existing structure or building, or part of a structure, building or its materials. The judges will be considering the impact of the project on the wider place and how the initiative makes a positive environmental and social impact.
The restoration of the Grade II listed Former Magistrates’ Court has reactivated a long-neglected gateway into Kidderminster, re-establishing the site as a civic anchor at the heart of the town centre. The surrounding neighbourhood historically shaped by the carpet industry has experienced decades of decline, resulting in reduced footfall, vacant premises, and socio-economic challenges. Prior to redevelopment, the building stood derelict for over a decade, attracting antisocial behaviour and contributing to a sense of neglect in a highly visible location.
The redevelopment, championed by Wyre Forest District Council and supported by the Future High Streets Fund, has brought the site back into use as The Old Court and The Weaving Sheds; a vibrant hub for creative, digital and community activity. Today, the building accommodates local businesses, entrepreneurs, start-ups, innovation programmes, and community groups. The weaving sheds now host workshops, performances and public events, reconnecting residents with a significant part of the town’s industrial heritage.
Through sensitive conservation and purposeful reinvention, the project has transformed a declining asset into an inclusive, accessible and economically active destination. It now plays a vital role in strengthening community pride, supporting local enterprise and contributing to the broader regeneration of Kidderminster.