Local Theatre Touring Alliance

Supporting Theatre in Towns and Smaller Cities

We are proud to share that Theatre Royal Winchester is now part of the newly launched Local Theatre Touring Alliance (LTTA) - a collaborative initiative aimed at strengthening the future of theatres in towns and smaller cities like ours across the UK.

Tackling Challenges Together

The LTTA brings together theatres, producers, policymakers, and funders to address growing pressures faced by local venues, including rising costs, skills shortages, ageing buildings, and fewer touring productions. By working together, the Alliance aims to protect and enhance the role theatres play in supporting local economies, enriching cultural life, and bringing communities together.

Deryck Newland, Chief Executive of Play to the Crowd, which runs Theatre Royal Winchester, said: "I have actively supported this initiative after conducting my own informal research last autumn by visiting eight similar venues to Theatre Royal Winchester, across the country.

It is clear to me that it has never been more challenging to sustain local professional venues at our scale. Decisive action is required, both nationally and locally, to ensure such valuable local assets are not put at risk." 

A National Survey to Shape the Future

As its first step, LTTA has launched a national survey of venue managers to gather vital data about the sector’s needs and challenges. The findings will help shape practical solutions that can be shared across the UK to keep local theatres thriving.

Adam Knight, Chief Executive of Blackpool Grand Theatre, said: "Theatres like ours are vital parts of their communities, yet too often they are overlooked in national conversations. The Local Theatre Touring Alliance is about bringing people together to protect and strengthen local theatre for future generations. Listening to venue managers, who know these challenges first-hand, is a crucial starting point."

Katie Town, Executive Director of Theatre Royal Wakefield, added: "Mid-scale venues are facing unprecedented challenges, but there is also huge potential if we work collaboratively. The survey is a critical first step in gathering the honest insights we need to develop new touring models and advocacy strategies that genuinely work for our towns and smaller cities."

A Shared Effort with No Cost to Join

The LTTA is not a membership body but a collaborative movement built on trust, transparency, and respect. There’s no cost to sign up, and all venues, producers, funders, and organisations that share the Alliance’s values are welcome to register their support.

Venue managers from towns and smaller cities are especially encouraged to take part in the survey.

Find out more and get involved at: localtheatretouringalliance.com