Hat Fair Director Honoured
Celebrating Success at the Winchester Business Excellence Awards
Play to the Crowd is proud to announce that Andrew Loretto, Director of Hat Fair and Playmakers, has been awarded the prestigious City Centre Champion Award at the 2025 Winchester Business Excellence Awards. Held on Thursday 19 June at Winchester Cathedral’s Pavilion, the event recognises the contributions of local businesses and individuals who help shape the city’s thriving community.
Recognising Dedication to Winchester’s Cultural Life
The City Centre Champion Award honours individuals or organisations that actively promote and enrich Winchester’s city centre. Andrew was shortlisted alongside two excellent finalists – Cabinet Rooms and The South Downs Social – and we extend our congratulations to both for their inspiring work.
"As a local resident for the past eight and a bit years, I have loved getting to know the city, its people, businesses and stakeholders through my role overseeing Hat Fair and associated year-round engagement."
Transforming Winchester Through Outdoor Arts
Since joining Play to the Crowd in 2017, Andrew has led Hat Fair – the UK’s longest running Outdoor Arts festival – curating a bold, joyful and diverse programme of performances each year in Winchester city centre. His work has brought international artists, local performers, and powerful street theatre to audiences of all ages, while often tackling important social themes.
Championing Community Engagement and Creative Learning
Andrew also directs Playmakers, Play to the Crowd’s community engagement and creative learning strand. Under his leadership, the team has developed outreach initiatives including two community hubs in Wickham and Colden Common, offering access to arts and family theatre in areas with limited cultural provision. He also played a key role in Play to the Crowd being recognised as a Theatre of Sanctuary, highlighting our ongoing support for people seeking sanctuary.
A Well-Deserved Recognition for Creative Impact
Andrew’s award is a meaningful recognition of his ongoing commitment to enriching lives through live performance. His work continues to strengthen Winchester’s position as a hub of creativity, inclusion and culture. All of us at Play to the Crowd are delighted to see his achievements honoured, and we look forward to what’s next as we continue to champion community arts in Winchester and beyond.
Andrew comments: "What a total honour to have been awarded City Centre Champion amongst esteemed nominated organisations working so hard to make Winchester a brilliant place to live, work and play. As a local resident for the past eight and a bit years, I have loved getting to know the city, its people, businesses and stakeholders through my role overseeing Hat Fair and associated year-round engagement. I look forward to staging my final Hat Fair on Saturday 5th July, which although a bit smaller than usual, will be full of local, national and international artists and voices, bringing joy to our city centre streets.
When I move to Belfast this summer to take up a new role as Artistic Director of Beat Carnival, I will leave Winchester with much fondness and will continue to advocate for the city and district in the world of Outdoor Arts. I look forward to seeing how Winchester grows and thrives in future years - including of course, Hat Fairs to come!"
