Garrick takes centre stage with awards win

Lichfield Garrick Theatre took home the large business of the year prize at the annual dinner and awards, held at the Drayton Manor Hotel.

The black-tie event – sponsored by Amazon, Birmingham City University and Shakur Investments – was attended by nearly 300 people and hosted by sports broadcaster Jack Woodward.

Judges were impressed by how the Garrick remodelled its business following the Covid-19 lockdowns by staging outdoor and online performances, as well as taking in-house productions on tour and arranging performance activities in empty shop units.

These initiatives led to a high proportion of ticket sales from new audiences – including online panto viewers from as far away as Australia, Hong Kong and the United States.

Since the lifting of Covid restrictions, 29 per cent of people booking to attend shows at the theatre have been new customers.

A citation from the judges added: “We were also impressed by the level of involvement in the community, working with local businesses and charities on projects including foodbanks, the provision of warm spaces and workshops for those going through challenging circumstances.”

Further awards were handed out at the dinner, including the young professional of the year which went to Madeleine Williams, paralegal and trainee solicitor at Lichfield legal practice Adcocks Solicitors.

Judges praised Madeleine, who is due to qualify as a solicitor in the spring, for “going above and beyond for often vulnerable and elderly clients”.

They added: “She has taken the initiative to reform and reshape outdated policies and procedures to give a more seamless client journey.”

Cannock Chase business of the year was Wordy Bird and Lichfield small business of the year was inLIFE.

The Cannock Chase Chamber president’s award went to Sheila Brown, founder of Cannock-based Newlife, the charity for disabled children.