TAUNTON Brewhouse has been named the Age Friendly Tourism Business of the Year at this year's Bristol, Bath and Somerset Tourism Awards.

Sponsored by Age UK Somerset, the award celebrates tourism businesses that go above and beyond to create welcoming and inclusive experiences for older visitors.

Founded in 1977, Taunton Brewhouse is a theatre and arts centre committed to fostering a sense of connection and belonging for patrons. Among its most cherished initiatives is a weekly Movie Monday film club, which sees audiences enjoy a morning screening and hot drink.

During the winter months, the theatre also opens its doors as part of the Warm Welcome Campaign, a nationwide effort to provide free, welcoming spaces that combat social isolation. In 2024, a series of warm space activities were on offer, including a creative movement class, a knitting group, and a puzzle club.

Front of house manager, Katherine Edwardes, said: “I was delighted to attend the Tourism Awards last week to accept the Age Friendly Tourism Business Award on behalf of Taunton Brewhouse.”

“While it is incredibly lovely to be recognised for the work we do to help prevent social isolation in older adults by providing safe, warm spaces and events that encourage interaction and conversation, I was particularly thrilled that we were presented this award largely because of our passionate and friendly team of volunteers, who always give every customer a warm welcome at every performance.”

She added: “We really couldn’t run our venue without them, so to have their hard work recognised in this way is a true testament to their dedication, relentless helpfulness and enduring support for our business. They are a real backbone of our organisation, and I offer my thanks to every single volunteer, past and present, for their tireless enthusiasm to help us continue to provide access to the arts for our local communities.”