ODS is celebrating a fantastic night at the 2026 Oxford Preservation Trust Awards, with three projects it helped deliver receiving recognition, including the prestigious Judges’ Choice Award.
The Oxford Preservation Trust Awards champion the best in conservation and new design, celebrating projects that make a significant contribution to Oxford’s character, streets, green spaces and communities. The winners were announced at a ceremony held at St John's College on Wednesday 4 November.
Courtside at Bury Knowle took home the Judges’ Choice Award, as well as being Highly Commended in the Community Impact category, with ODS acting as lead contractor on the project. The project has transformed a dilapidated and disused pavilion and deteriorating sports facilities in Headington into a thriving community café and multi-activity hub, creating a welcoming space for local people to come together, be active and connect.
ODS also contributed to two further projects that were Highly Commended in the Community Impact category. At East Oxford Community Centre, ODS acted as the main contractor on behalf of Oxford City Council on its redevelopment. At Donnington Community Food Garden, ODS contributed as a subcontractor on behalf of Oxford City Council to the creation of a community growing space.
All three projects were shortlisted by Oxford Preservation Trust in its Community Impact category, which recognises projects that deliver significant positive benefits for local people.
For ODS, creating a positive impact in the communities it serves goes beyond the services it delivers. It’s about using skills, expertise and local knowledge to create lasting value, whether that’s transforming spaces, supporting community-led projects or creating places that people can enjoy and be proud of. These projects reflect ODS’s values in action: working in partnership, putting communities at the heart of what they do and making a meaningful difference that lasts.
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"These awards are a fantastic recognition of the positive impact that can be achieved when the Council, ODS and local communities work together. From transforming a disused pavilion into a thriving community hub at Courtside, to supporting community spaces in East Oxford and Donnington, these projects demonstrate our commitment to creating places that improve people's quality of life and strengthen neighbourhoods.
"I want to congratulate everyone involved in delivering these projects. These achievements show how investment in local facilities can leave a lasting legacy for residents across Oxford."
Cllr Nigel Chapman, Cabinet Member for Citizen Focused Services and Council Companies“To see three projects that ODS has helped deliver recognised at the Oxford Preservation Trust Awards is something we’re incredibly proud of. These projects are very different, but they all demonstrate what can be achieved when organisations and communities work together to create places that make a genuine difference to people’s lives.
“A huge congratulations to everyone involved, particularly the Courtside team on receiving the Judges’ Choice Award. It was a brilliant evening celebrating the people and projects making a positive impact across Oxford.”
Simon Howick, Managing Director, ODS
For more information visit the Oxford Preservation Trust website.
