UK's first Shop Front Festival in Coventry saw array of acts take to the streets

The UK’s first Shop Front Festival saw Coventry’s city centre transformed by an array of artistic acts



A total of 36 artists and companies from Coventry, the region and beyond joined forces to deliver a show fit for the City of Culture.

Shoppers, festival goers and passers-by experienced over 70 performances from theatre to dance, circus to visual arts which included over 100 young people involved in performances.

Orit Azaz and Chris O’Connell, co-artistic directors said: “What an amazing two days in Coventry! It has been wonderful to see the artists – from Coventry and beyond – engage with the city, taking over the places and spaces with performances, events and activities that have made people stop in their tracks, join in and experience some amazing moments.

“As a team we feel proud that the city – the people, businesses and artists – have responded to our ethos of collaboration and participation, the feedback from members of the public has been great from how much they’ve enjoyed what they’ve experienced to their excitement for the city as we think about City of Culture and all that could mean.”

Julia Negus, co-producer added: “I think this pilot Shop Festival has shown what we can all do together, one of many highlights was when a young girl who took part in a cartoon workshop by local artist Nick Shingler turned to her mum and said ‘Wow … this is my Coventry.’”

Laura McMillan, City of Culture 2021 said: “I lost count of the number of times people said if this is a taste of City of Culture I cannot wait for 2021. Over two days during the Shop Front Festival there was a real sense of something special in the air and the start of something amazing. The Festival created experiences across the city and people came along to every event, performance and activity demonstrating that we are ready for what the next few years will bring.”

Trish Willetts, Coventry BID said: “The Shop Front Festival clearly demonstrated that our city, our businesses, are ready for City of Culture and are open to working collaboratively with artists and cultural organisations to support events and performances and encourage people to experience something new.

Theatre Absolute and the Shop Front Festival team extend a huge thank you to all the artists, creatives and businesses, council and funders, who collaborated and supported the project.