Storyhouse has been awarded the Most Welcoming Theatre in the UK.

At the annual UK Theatre Awards, which took place at London’s Guildhall yesterday, the theatre, cinema and library located in Chester city centre was awarded the coveted title.

Following an application which led to Storyhouse being shortlisted alongside the West End’s Young Vic and Stoke’s New Vic, a panel of judges visited all three venues to decide the overall winner. Judge Andrew Miller, the Government’s disability champion for arts and culture said: “Congratulations to Storyhouse for redefining what a welcoming theatre is. The industry would do well to explore your approach.”

Alex Clifton artistic director at Storyhouse said: “We are delighted! A host of volunteers, young people, community partners and individuals from across the organisation contributed to showing the judges what we’re made of when they came to visit – but they only saw what we are to our city every day of the week. Thank you to everyone who has helped Storyhouse become recognised nationally and internationally as the most welcoming public space imaginable, and exactly what Chester deserves.”

Storyhouse has a year-round programme of theatre, dance, comedy, film and music events and a raft of creative festivals including Chester Literature Festival, Kaleidoscope Festival and Storyhouse Women. Over 121 community groups use the building as their home.