The Marlowe Up for UK's Most Welcoming Theatre Award

The Marlowe is in the running to win the UK's Most Welcoming Theatre Award.

The Canterbury venue is encouraging everyone to vote for it in the awards, which are run by UK Theatre and are the only awards to honour outstanding achievement in theatre throughout the UK. This year there are more than 175 venues across the country competing to take home the coveted title. The Marlowe won the Most Welcoming Theatre in the South East award in 2015.

Marlowe Director Mark Everett said: "We receive regular feedback from our many customers and touring companies about the efficiency and friendliness of our staff. It would be good if, as well as telling us, people vote for us!"

UK Theatre Chief Executive Julian Bird added: "Most Welcoming Theatre is a chance for audiences to celebrate their local theatre and for venues to shout about the incredible work they are doing day in day out. Theatres are the backbone of communities across the country and this campaign highlights the vital work they do."

The 12 regional and national winners of the public vote will be announced on Friday 29 September, and the overall winner of the award will be announced at the UK Theatre Awards at the Guildhall in London on Sunday 15 October.

To vote for The Marlowe, go to uktheatre.org/vote. Voting closes at noon on Tuesday 19 September.

The UK Theatre Awards are supported by Smooth Radio, White Light, Theatre Tokens, John Good and Harbottle & Lewis.

UK Theatre is the UK's leading theatre and performing arts membership organisation, promoting excellence, professional development, and campaigning to improve resilience and increase audiences across the sector.