Ornate Interiors Limited is celebrating another major achievement for its work on Bradford Live, having won the Ceilings category at the National Gypsum Trophy 2026.
Presented at the awards ceremony at the Park Regis in Birmingham on Tuesday 20 October, the accolade recognises the exceptional craftsmanship, technical complexity and visual impact of Ornate Interiors’ work on the landmark regeneration project.
The award is further recognition of the company’s specialist expertise in heritage interiors, where traditional craftsmanship must be combined with modern construction requirements to bring historic buildings back to life.
The achievement also means Bradford Live will represent the UK at the international Saint-Gobain Gypsum Trophy awards in Madrid in April 2027.
Combining heritage craftsmanship with modern construction
Bradford Live occupies the historic former Odeon cinema; an important Bradford landmark whose transformation has required considerable care to preserve and reinstate its distinctive architectural character.
Ornate Interiors played a key role in the restoration of the building’s intricate plasterwork and decorative features, including work to the ballroom, bars, balcony fronts, staircases and turret ceilings.
Years of dereliction and water ingress had taken their toll on the original fibrous plasterwork, with deterioration affecting the historic finishes and their supporting materials. Restoring these features required specialist knowledge, detailed assessment and a commitment to reproducing the character and quality of the original craftsmanship.
The team manufactured replacement mouldings to match the original profiles and dimensions, helping to reinstate the building’s decorative detail while adapting the features to accommodate modern lighting and ventilation requirements.
This combination of traditional plastering skills, technical problem-solving and attention to detail was central to the successful restoration of the building’s interiors. It also demonstrates the wider expertise that underpins Ornate Interiors’ award-winning ceilings work.
Judges praise exceptional craftsmanship
The judges recognised the quality of the finished project and the complexity involved in delivering work of this standard within a historic building.
“Bradford Live stood out to the judges for the exceptional craftsmanship, complexity and visual impact of the finished project. The work showcases the specialist skills and attention to detail required to help restore and breathe new life into such an important historic landmark, while respecting the character of the original building. It was a fantastic achievement and made Ornate Interiors Ltd a very deserving winner of the 2026 National Gypsum Trophy.”
The judges’ assessment reflects the careful balance required to preserve the character of a historic building while delivering high-quality finishes that meet the demands of a modern venue.
A proud achievement for the whole team
For Jim Dodd, Contracts Manager at Ornate Interiors, who managed the Bradford Live project, the latest award marks another significant milestone in the project’s success.
Jim said:
“In 2025, we entered the Bradford Live project for the annual FIS Contractor Awards. I had a good feeling that we would do well with the project.
“It turned out to be a very good day for Ornate Interiors, as we were awarded the trophy for Best Heritage Project in the UK and also received the highest accolade of Project of the Year. It was a fantastic result for our whole team.
“Moving into May 2026, we had a visit from Laura Wilson, our Saint-Gobain Formula representative. Over a cup of coffee, we showed Laura some of our recently completed work and some projects that were still ongoing.
“Laura strongly advised us to submit Bradford Live for the 2026 Saint-Gobain Gypsum Trophy, which we duly did.
“Tuesday 20 October 2026 was another outstanding day for Ornate Interiors, as we scooped the top award in the Ceilings category for Bradford Live.
“It has only just sunk in that we are now going to represent the UK at the international awards in Madrid in April 2027 with this project.
“I cannot express enough how proud I am that Ornate Interiors has won this accolade. I am looking forward to the international awards next year, whatever the result. It is an immense achievement.”
From national award winner to international contender
The National Gypsum Trophy follows Ornate Interiors’ success at the 2025 FIS Contractor Awards, where Bradford Live received both the Best Heritage Project award and the overall Project of the Year accolade.
The latest win reinforces the strength of the team’s work and its ability to deliver complex interior restoration projects that combine heritage sensitivity with exceptional technical standards.
Representing the UK at the international awards in Madrid in April 2027 will provide a further opportunity to showcase the craftsmanship and specialist skills behind Bradford Live to an international audience.
For Ornate Interiors, the National Gypsum Trophy is a fitting recognition of the dedication of everyone involved in the project and their contribution to restoring one of Bradford’s most distinctive historic buildings.
