The Sidcup Storyteller - library, cinema, housing & café has won a highly coveted RIBA National Award for 2025.
The award recognises architects DRDH whose eye-catching and innovative design has been the cornerstone of Sidcup High Street since it opened in 2023.
The award is not the first for the building. The Sidcup Storyteller has received:
- Architect’s Journal Civic Building of the Year, 2024
- LABC Best Public or Community Building Category 2024
- Pineapple Award, 2024 (Community Building Category)
- Civic Trust Awards, 2025
- RIBA (London) regional winner, 2025
As a RIBA National Award Winner the Storyteller will also be a contender for the Stirling Prize 2025. Shortlisted projects for the Stirling Prize will be announced in September. The Stirling Award is RIBA’s most prestigious award that recognizes the building that has made the greatest contribution to British architecture in the past year.
Cabinet Member for Place Shaping, Cllr Cafer Munur said:
This is amazing news for the borough. To be recognised by this much revered organisation among so many other strong contenders is a testament to the design and attractiveness of this brilliant building.
It represents regeneration in one of our key town centres. We took an old Blockbusters shop and turned it into something award winning.
As well as looking brilliant, the building is home to a great library, an impressive café and modern housing. Our ambitions and vision for this space are an example of the good growth that we want to see across the borough.”
Visit Libraries in Bexley to find out more about the Storyteller Library, including events, membership information and opening times.
Following management changes earlier this year the Council has been working with potential new operators for the cinema and hopes to have news on this to share later this month.
Keep an eye on our website and social media for updates.
Find out more about the RIBA award winners on the RIBA website.