Winners Announced For UK's Most Welcoming Theatre 2017

UK Theatre has announced the 12 regional and national winners of the UK's Most Welcoming Theatre 2017 in association with Smooth Radio.

This award, which is voted for by the public, is an opportunity for audiences to celebrate their local theatre.

This year, over 172 theatres competed for the coveted title and more than 40,000 votes were cast - more than in any other year.

All the regional and national winners will be invited to the UK Theatre Awards on Sunday 15 October where the overall winner will be announced.

In 2016, the overall winner was The Mill at Sonning.

Julian Bird, Chief Executive of UK Theatre, said: "The response to this year's vote has been incredible, showing how valuable theatres are to communities across the UK. It takes a skilled and dedicated team to run a venue. This award gives the public a chance to recognise that, and say thank you."

The annual UK Theatre Awards take place at London's Guildhall, where the ceremony will be hosted by Sharon D Clarke.

The nominations for the 2017 Awards were announced recently. For the first time in the Awards' history, all three nominated Best New Plays were written by women. The full list of nominees can be viewed at bit.ly/2hnO3qt.

Follow UK Theatre Awards on Twitter at @UK_Theatre.

UK's Most Welcoming Theatre 2017 in association with Smooth Radio winners:

East

Queen's Theatre Hornchurch

East Midlands

Nottingham Playhouse

London

Orange Tree Theatre

North East

Newcastle Theatre Royal

Northern Ireland

Grand Opera House, Belfast

North West

Theatre by the Lake, Keswick

Scotland

Pitlochry Festival Theatre

South East

The Mill at Sonning

South West

Wyvern Theatre, Swindon

Wales

New Theatre, Cardiff

West Midlands

Lichfield Garrick

Yorkshire and The Humber

Alhambra Theatre