A major transformation scheme which saw a 18th century Bolton barn turned into a new wedding venue has landed a major prize.

Bolton Abbey's The Great Barn was named Yorkshire and Humber's 'Project of the Year' at the RICS Awards 2019.

The RICS awards celebrate the region's top, community-led built projects and the talent behind them.

The Great Barn won two of the eight category awards on the night – Building Conservation and Commercial property – before being named the overall Project of the Year.


Chair of the judging panel for the RICS Awards, Yorkshire & Humber, Rob Hindle of White Hindle & Partners (WHP) Ltd said: "The Bolton Abbey Estate and Cripps have successfully succeeded their mission to create the finest wedding barn venue in the UK. This is reflected in the high level of bookings they have already taken, which has also generated extra footfall and trade for the Estate and proved a catalyst for further tourism and leisure development at Bolton Abbey.

"Restoring a 500-year-old barn and transforming it into such a spectacular venue is no easy job. The team behind it – which included Bolton Abbey Estate, Cripps & Co, Pearce Bottomley Architects and Universal Projects (UK) - should be incredibly proud; their vision, talent and thorough approach to this project is admirable and fully deserves to be recognised with the Project of the Year title."

The RICS Awards 2019 were held on Friday 17 May at the Centenary Pavilion, Leeds United Football Club.

(CM/MH)