News Mote Park Café wins building excellence award

Within just days of the official opening, Mote Park Café has been announced as the regional winner in a prestigious awards event open to local authorities across England and Wales.

The Local Authority Building Control (LABC) Excellence Awards 2023 has named Maidstone Borough Council’s (MBC) project as the regional winner of the ‘Best Public or Community Building’, as well as a shortlisted finalist at the Grand Final on 19 January 2024.

The café is set in the stunning 450-acre Mote Park and was officially opened on 14 September by Mayor of Maidstone Cllr Gordon Newton. Featuring indoor and outdoor seating, a new larger modern public toilet building including a ‘Changing Places’ facility, as well as a flexible space for learning, meetings and for community groups to hire, the fantastic new facilities will enable more residents and visitors to enjoy the beautiful green surroundings.

The LABC awards celebrate excellence in building projects and are open to local authorities across England and Wales. Judged by a panel of industry experts, they recognise projects, professionals and teams that demonstrate technical innovation, as well as solutions to complex technical or construction issues and constraints.

Cllr Claudine Russell, Cabinet Member for Communities, Leisure and Arts at MBC said:

“At the heart of this project are Maidstone residents and the thousands of visitors who enjoy this park every year, but it’s wonderful to be officially recognised by LABC. We are thrilled to also be grand finalists and look forward to the Grand Final next year!”

Commenting on the awards, Cllr Paul Cooper, Cabinet Member for Planning, Infrastructure and Economic Development, and Deputy Leader of MBC said:

“To receive this accolade is a fantastic testament to the team behind this amazing building. Everyone involved has worked incredibly hard to not only create a facility that is accessible and flexible, but is also a hugely attractive addition to this beautiful park."

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