The Forum Southend-on-Sea

The Forum Southend-on-Sea has been highly commended in the prestigious national Placemaking Awards.

This iconic new joint library and learning hub in Elmer Square, Southend, won the honour at a ceremony held at the British Museum in London.

It was highly commended in the category of Best Use of Arts, Culture or Sport in Placemaking in the awards scheme, run by Regeneration and Renewal Magazine.

The £27 million Forum Southend-on-Sea is the first development its kind in the country – thanks to the key partnership between the University of Essex, Southend-on-Sea Borough Council and South Essex College.

Being highly commended is another major achievement for The Forum, which also won a coveted New Build Award in Southend-on-Sea Borough Council’s design awards.
The independent judges who selected the winners said: “The panel was very impressed with the design of the building which they thought had provided a great new community facility and public space for the town. It said the elevations were classy and controlled and the whole building was well considered and detailed and see it as a positive step in realising a vision for an ‘academic quarter’ in the area, commenting the building had brought a vibrant city feel to Southend town centre and it should be a catalyst for future regeneration.”
The three Forum partners in a joint statement said: “We are extremely proud that our unique partnership project, The Forum Southend-on-Sea has been nationally recognised.

“It is a tribute to our extremely productive joint working and demonstrates the benefits we have gained from the pooled expertise of staff from each of the partners.

“This dynamic scheme which opened on Monday 30 September has already made a huge impact on residents, students and visitors who are benefiting from upgraded and expanded library and learning opportunities. Audience members flocked to the opening series of inspiring talks in the lecture theatre, featuring internationally recognised speakers, and further exciting events are now being planned.”

To find out more about The Forum Southend-on-Sea please visit: www.theforumsouthend.co.uk