Cumbrian winners of Civic Trust Awards

Two Cumbrian schemes have been successful in this year's Civic Trust Awards, one of the UK's most prestigious award schemes for architecture and environmental designs. 

Cumbria Institute of the Arts, in Carlisle, and EH Booth foodstore in Kirkby Lonsdale both received a mention in the awards. Mentions are given to projects that bring a notable social, cultural or economic benefit to their communities. 

Cumbria Institute of the Arts won its award for the refurbishment and extension of the main campus. The scheme included a new internet library facility, computer suites, dance studio, refectory, art studios, music recording and video/radio suites and TV studios. EH Booth won its award for the brand new store. The new store has a large, open entrance and is ideally situated just 200 metres from the town centre. The project also received a Regional Royal Town Planning Institute Aware in 2001. 

Cumbria County Council manages the Civic Trust Awards scheme in Cumbria and the winning designers will be invited to receive their awards on 30th April immediately after the Development Control and Regulation Committee meeting. 

Councillor John Robinson, Chairman of the Committee, will be presenting the awards. He said:   

"I am delighted Cumbria has won two of these highly prestigious awards. The Civic Trust Awards aim to stimulate interest in the appearance of our cities, towns, villages and countryside. They also create greater awareness of how the landscape and civic design can improve the quality of the environment. 

There was exceptionally high number of entries this year, 600 nationwide. This meant that competition was exceptionally tough and this year's winners have had to demonstrate particularly high standards. I look forward to meeting the winners later in the month." 

The Civic Trust Awards, which run every two years, have been established for 43 years and are given to outstanding examples of new architecture, restorations, town planning, landscape and public art. The scheme is unique in that its judges look not only for design excellence but also projects that benefit their local communities or environments. The awards are split into Special Awards, Awards, Commendations and Mentions.