The former Old Library on Greaves Street has won two awards at the 2026 British Construction and Infrastructure Awards. The restored Grade II-listed building, now known as the J.R. Clynes Building, took both the Cultural and Leisure Project Award and the Retrofit and Reuse Project Award.

Grade II listing means the building is protected for its historic and architectural interest. The restoration was delivered for Oldham Council by Tilbury Douglas and has returned the building to public use. It reopened last August, the first time it had been open to the public since 2017.

The building now holds a Council Chamber and Mayor's Parlour, meeting rooms for civic and community use, an art gallery on the second floor and a studio for Oldham Theatre Workshop. A community garden will host public events through the year. The site provides facilities for the council, Oldham Theatre Workshop and Oldham's art gallery.

Judges gave the Cultural and Leisure Project Award for heritage regeneration. They said they were particularly impressed that 75 per cent of suppliers were based locally, and that the project created opportunities for young people through heritage trades, skills development and career progression.

The Retrofit and Reuse Project Award recognised the ambition and determination needed to revive the building. The panel praised the conservation-led approach, the retention and enhancement of significant heritage features, and the new civic and cultural uses brought into the building.

The 34,800 sq ft library dates back to 1883 and served as a centre of community life for over 130 years before being replaced by the Oldham Library and Lifelong Learning Centre in 2006. Working with Oldham Council, Ellis Williams Architects, Curtins and the wider consultant and specialist supply chain team, Tilbury Douglas carried out extensive conservation work, restored historic finishes and original parquet flooring, and added a new glass lift to improve accessibility.

The awards are run jointly by New Civil Engineer, the monthly magazine for members of the Institution of Civil Engineers in the UK, and the Institution of Civil Engineers. Winners were announced on Wednesday 14 October at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London. It was the 39th year of the awards, which brought together more than 1,000 of the UK's leading clients, consultants and contractors.

James Kington, Director of Growth at Oldham Council, said: "Winning these two awards is a fantastic achievement and a proud moment for everyone involved in bringing this historic building back to life."

He said the work had preserved an important part of the borough's heritage, created a modern civic and cultural space for residents, community groups and visitors, and that the awards recognised "the vision, collaboration and expertise that made such a complex restoration possible".

Kabir Salihi, Regional Director at Tilbury Douglas, said: "Oldham Old Library is a much-loved civic landmark, and it has been a privilege to work with Oldham Council and our project partners to give the building a new future."

Gavin Pearson, editor of New Civil Engineer, said the awards recognised the impact projects have on "the health, wellbeing and prosperity of communities and the country as a whole". Judges debated and interrogated over 300 projects and initiatives, he added.

The building was also named Regeneration Project of the Year at the Construction News Awards 2026 this summer.