Creative hub 'breathes new life' into former court

A six-year project has transformed an old magistrates' court into a creative centre.

The new business and community hub is set to open in the Old Court, a Grade II-listed building which began life as a carpet factory on Worcester Street, Kidderminster.

Featuring flexible office spaces designed for start-ups, a 120-seat venue and studios, it was funded by the previous government's Future High Streets Fund and Wyre District Council.

Mark Garnier, Conservative MP for Wyre Forest, described it as the next step of Kidderminster's long legacy of being innovative and creative.

The site was built as a carpet factory in 1878 but has had different lives, including as a market.

Anna Forgaard, who grew up in the area, said: "We used to get second hand bikes here as a present from grandpa.

"It's lovely seeing it have new life breathed back into it."

The new site is part of a £20.5m government investment to boost the local economy and attract creative industries.

It is one of three major projects hoping to reshape the town's centre.

Welcoming the move, Garnier said: "There is a young generation coming through with some very clever ideas and this will give them a hub where they can share ideas.

"I think the idea behind it is you get together these type of technologically innovative [people] and between them you can set up a hub.

"They can feed off each others' successes and support people when they're not doing very well."

The district council said it was set to open for business within the next few weeks and hoped "the high-quality facility in the middle of town" would be welcomed by local and regional firms and organisations.

"It's very exciting to see the building transformed to retain its heritage feel with all the modern amenities making it fit for the future," said councillor Dan Morehead, whose cabinet role includes economic regeneration.

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