We are proud to announce that 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.
We have long been committed to fostering a sense of connection and belonging for our patrons. Among our most cherished initiatives is a weekly Movie Monday film club, which sees audiences enjoy a morning screening and hot drink, followed by an optional light lunch. It’s a wonderful opportunity for patrons to come together, celebrate film, and make new friends.
During the winter months, we also open our doors as part of the Warm Welcome Campaign, a nationwide effort to provide free, welcoming spaces that combat social isolation and foster community connections. In 2024, we ran series of warm space activities, including a creative movement class, a knitting group, and a puzzle club.
The Warm Welcome initiative continues this winter with a special £2 lunch offer and a cosy space to find comfort during the colder months, as well as free tea and coffee.
Of course, our achievements would not be possible without our team of dedicated volunteers, who contribute across every aspect of the organisation, including Front of House, the bar and café, technical, maintenance, and marketing. Their unwavering commitment plays a vital role in creating a vibrant and inclusive community for Taunton and the surrounding areas.
Our Front of House Manager, Katherine Edwardes, said: “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.”
If you would like to find out more about our volunteering opportunities, please click here or email volunteer@tauntonbrewhouse.co.uk.
