Three is the Magic Number!

Our state-of-the-art centre, which opened in August last year, took top honours in both the Tourism and Leisure sector and the Community Benefit category of the awards organised by the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors.

Then in quick succession, it was also named as Best Small Commercial Project at the Local Authority Building Control East Midlands awards.

The centre had been among more than 25 of the region’s most impressive and community beneficial property schemes vying for top honours at the annual RICS contest – sponsored by Sika Building Trust – which celebrates the region’s most inspirational initiatives in the land, property and construction sectors that are having a significant positive impact on the communities they serve.

RICS judges saw Sherwood Forest Visitors Centre as a significant gateway building, leading visitors into the ancient forest, and commended builders Woodhead Group, JDDK Architects, who designed it, and quantity surveyors Kartar Consulting for delivering the curved, twisted form building, saying: “through its design an accessible gateway and community engaging spaces to the forest are created. The creation of a ‘village square’ has encouraged greater affinity with the local businesses, and closer ties to Edwinstowe village.”

“Sustainability and environment measures have been considered at every stage to deliver a building which embodies creative thinking and long-term strategy.”

Sherwood’s senior site manager, Gemma Howarth, said she was delighted that the judges in both awards commended so many different people involved in the project, as its success has truly been a team effort.

“We’re thrilled to win three such significant awards, which recognise the importance of the new centre in its immediate surroundings as well as the region’s tourism industry,” she said.

“They are testament to the huge amount of work which has gone into the planning, design, build and now operation of the new centre, and we’re all extremely proud to be involved here.”

Councillor John Cottee, Chairman of the Communities and Place Committee for Nottinghamshire County Council, said: “It is a great testament to the work over many years of the council, and all of our partners that the new Sherwood Forest Visitor Centre has won three awards.

“This is a fantastic achievement and it serves to demonstrate why local residents and people from much further afield should visit this county and experience for themselves the magic of Sherwood Forest and the legend of Robin Hood.”

The centre will now be shortlisted alongside some of the country’s best new building projects competing at the national final of the RICS awards in London in October, and in November for the LABC finals.