Gainsborough's Café Walton project earns regional Building Excellence Award

The project was named winner of the LABC Building Excellence Award for Best Non-Residential Conversion or Alteration in the East Midlands region, securing its place in the National Grand Finals in January, where it will be showcased alongside some of the country's most outstanding building projects.

Part of the wider Levelling Up Fund regeneration programme for Gainsborough town centre, the project transformed the disused public toilet block, which had stood vacant since 2012, into a thriving community asset on the riverside.

The site has been completely revitalised, turning an underused and unattractive area into a vibrant destination for residents and visitors alike.

Judges particularly recognised the project's community impact, including the striking King Canute mosaic created with the involvement of more than 700 local residents. The artwork celebrates the rich heritage of the riverside location while creating a lasting sense of community ownership.

The award highlights the collaborative approach taken throughout the project, bringing together teams from across the council, including the Levelling Up Fund project team, Planning and Building Control, alongside external partners Ross Davy Associates, Belton Construction and Project Place, as well as the team at Café Walton.

Coun Trevor Young, ward member for Gainsborough South West, said: "This award is thoroughly deserved and demonstrates what can be achieved when partners work together with a shared vision for the future of Gainsborough.

"The transformation of a vacant building into a thriving riverside café has created something the community can be proud of. The involvement of hundreds of local residents in the King Canute mosaic makes this project particularly special and reflects the strong sense of pride people have in our town."

Coun Jeanette McGhee, ward member for Gainsborough South West, added: "Café Walton has quickly become a welcoming destination for both residents and visitors, helping to bring more people to this part of the town and making the most of our riverside setting.

"It is fantastic to see national recognition for a project that combines heritage, community involvement and regeneration. Reaching the national finals is a tremendous achievement for everyone involved."

Alongside its community benefits, the project also presented several construction and design challenges. Situated within Flood Zones 2 and 3, the development required a robust response to its riverside location while ensuring the building remained resilient and fit for purpose.

The project team worked closely with planning and conservation officers to refine the design, retaining the building's distinctive roof profile as a nod to the industrial heritage of the nearby Maltings while bringing the structure up to modern standards. Building Control officers played a key role throughout the project, ensuring the development met all relevant safety and compliance requirements.

Phillip Westmorland, head of Building Control at West Lindsey District Council, said: "This is a brilliant example of giving an empty building a new lease of life. It has been transformed from an old, unloved building into a genuinely appreciated asset on the Gainsborough riverside walk.

"The project demonstrates what can be achieved through strong collaboration and careful design, creating a destination that reflects the area's heritage while providing lasting benefits for the community."