Sports hall, a historic hotel and a new shop
Central Co-op – The Bluebell Inn, Desford, is a finalist in the Small Non-residential Scheme of the Year category (Image: ProCon Leicestershire Awards)
A trio of small but impactful projects are in the running for the Small Non-residential Scheme of the Year category in the 2026 ProCon Leicestershire property and construction awards.
A sports hall, a historic hotel and a new shop are the finalists in this award, which is sponsored by Merali Beedle and is one of seven in this year’s 23rd ProCon Leicestershire Awards.
The Small Non-residential Scheme of the Year finalists are:
Central Co-op – The Bluebell Inn, Desford
Submitted by Corporate Architecture
A new food shop was created for Central Co-op whilst safeguarding the long-term future of the adjoining Bluebell Inn in Desford.
The heritage-led project combined conservation, commercial viability and sustainable design by transforming a café and residential accommodation into a modern 4,000 square feet convenience store with new extensions.
Located in the Desford Conservation Area and adjacent to a Grade II* listed building, the project required a balanced approach that respected the historic environment and met the operational requirements of a contemporary retailer.
LGS Stoneygate New Sports Hall, Leicester
LGS Stoneygate New Sports Hall, Leicester(Image: ProCon Leicestershire Awards)
Submitted by Watson Batty Architects, LGS Stoneygate (Leicester Grammar School Trust), Addison Hunt, CPW, Curtins, Bailey Construction and YMD Boon
The new Sports Hall at Leicester Grammar School is a modern four-court facility that supports curriculum PE, sport, training, competition and wider community use.
The project links directly to the senior school building via a new entrance lobby, allowing existing changing, toilet and classroom facilities to be shared rather than duplicated.
The hall delivers a Sport England compliant, low-carbon facility with enhanced thermal performance, air source heat pump heating, acoustic control and durable sports finishes.
The Grand Hotel – Phase 1, Leicester
The Grand Hotel – Phase 1, Leicester, is a finalist in the Small Non-residential Scheme of the Year category(Image: Matthew Shaw Photography)
Submitted by Hickman & Smith Architects, The Grand Hotel and Leicester City Council
The restoration of Leicester’s Grand Hotel transformed the appearance of one of Leicester’s most prominent listed buildings. Over time, piecemeal alterations had eroded the architectural quality of the ground floor.
Oversized fascias, shallow aluminium shopfronts, roller shutters and fragmented frontages have been replaced by a Victorian composition of traditionally detailed timber shopfronts, polished granite, Portland stone, decorative ironwork, deep recessed entrances and coordinated signage.
The reinstated principal hotel entrance and canopy once again establish the building as a focal point, restoring its civic presence on Leicester’s principal route between the railway station and the city centre.
Amanda Rogowska, Partner at award sponsor Merali Beedle, said: “Merali Beedle is delighted to support the Small Non-Residential Award. The impressive breadth of submissions highlights the extraordinary creativity and passion shaping today’s built environment.”
The 2026 ProCon Awards are backed by two corporate sponsors: Salus and Unique Window Systems. The Leicester Mercury’s Business Live is the media partner.
The 2026 ProCon Awards logo and the award sponsors Salus and Unique Window Systems(Image: ProCon Awards)
The other six awards are:
- Rising Star of the Year, sponsored by Galliford Try
- Small Residential Scheme of the Year, sponsored by Fusion 360 Group
- Medium Residential Scheme of the Year, sponsored by Fusion 360 Group
- Medium Non-residential Scheme of the Year, sponsored by Knights
- Large Non-residential Scheme of the Year, sponsored by Procure Partnerships Framework
- Regeneration Project of the Year, sponsored by NJC Surveys and AR Demolition
All the contenders will be in the spotlight at a Finalist Showcase at the 2025 winner Jewry Wall in Leicester from 6pm on Wednesday October 7.
Finalists and winners will be celebrated at a ceremony on November 12 at Leicester City’s King Power Stadium. Details of all the awards finalists are at: procon-leicestershire.co.uk/procon-awards/2026
Companies keen to attend the Finalist Showcase, the ceremony or to enquire about sponsorship opportunities can contact Allyson Jeffrey on 0116 278 1443 or via email: info@procon-leicestershire.co.uk
You must be logged in to post a comment Login