Snow Patrol frontman Gary Lightbody visited his hometown of Bangor today (Thursday, 14 December) to crown The Court House as the 2023 National Lottery Project of the Year.
The non-profit music and arts venue on Bangor seafront was declared winner of the prestigious annual award following a public vote, and it became the first-ever project from Northern Ireland to lift the trophy. Almost 4,000 projects from across the UK were nominated for this year’s award, and the Court House was one of 17 finalists to face the public vote.
Built-in 1866 as a branch of the then Belfast Banking Company, the building served as a magistrates court from 1952 until 2013, when it was decommissioned and fell into disrepair. In 2015, Open House became involved in a campaign to save and redevelop the building. Following seven years of fundraising, lobbying, planning and refurbishment, made possible with a major grant of almost £1 million from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, who nominated it for this award, the new music and arts venue finally opened its doors just over a year ago. Now, as well as providing a much-needed home for the local arts community, the venue is helping to drive economic regeneration in the city.
In its first year of business, the Court House welcomed 38,000 people across its threshold and hosted over 400 events showcasing more than 1,000 artist performances. Almost half of those events were free to attend, and artists and creatives led 55% from the Bangor and North Down area. The strength of the public vote in the National Lottery Project of the Year final is a reflection both of its success and the affection with which it is already held. Since the start, the restoration project has had huge community support, including from Gary Lightbody, one of Bangor’s most famous sons, who presented the team with their National Lottery Award.
He said: “It gives me great pleasure to be able to present the team at Bangor Court House with a National Lottery Award as the 2023 National Lottery Project of the Year.
“The transformation of the old court house into an exciting, electrifying and energetic live music venue has meant so much to the city of Bangor and beyond.
“The fact that people voted in their thousands for this project to win this award is a testament to the dedication and vision of all those involved in bringing this building to life.”
Kieran Gilmore, Open House Director, said: “We are absolutely delighted to be the 2023 winners of the National Lottery Project of the Year Award, especially as this is the first time a project from Northern Ireland has lifted the trophy, and we’re beyond grateful to every single person who gave us their vote and helped make it happen.
“Back in the summer of 2013, when we held our first annual Open House Festival in Bangor, we had no idea that the Court House would become both our home and the only dedicated music and arts venue in the town, now city. But when we launched a crowdfunding campaign to save the old, empty building in 2017, the public support we received from our festival audience assured us we were doing the right thing. Those same people supported us through years of fundraising and renovation and have now become our Court House audience too. They voted for us in their thousands to receive this award, and it belongs to them just as much as it does to us. We’d also like to thank The National Lottery Heritage Fund for nominating us for the award, and for all the support and encouragement we receive from them.”
Dr Paul Mullan, Northern Ireland Director at The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said: “Congratulations to the Open House team on the magnificent achievement of being voted The National Lottery Project of the Year in the 2023 National Lottery Awards. Their passion and commitment has ensured the revival and rebirth of their building into a dynamic and modern cultural venue.
“It is our mission at The National Lottery Heritage Fund to not only invest in heritage but to invest in communities. The regeneration of Bangor Court House is a living, breathing example of this in action. National Lottery players can be proud of the role they have played in supporting such a fantastic project.”
As well as the iconic National Lottery trophy, the Court House received a cash prize of £5,000, which will go towards the further redevelopment of the rear yard.
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