LGBT bar in Coventry seeks new premises amid redevelopment

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LGBT bar in Coventry seeks new premises amid redevelopment

Postby dutchman » Mon Jan 30, 2023 4:48 pm

The managers of a bar predominantly used by the LGBT community say customers will be left without "safe spaces" in the city when it closes

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The Yard Bar is within Coventry's Bull Yard, which is set for demolition and redevelopment under the City Centre South project.

Kieran Jones said despite promises of help and information from the city council, they were now at risk of being unable to find new premises.

The council has been asked to comment.

Plans to knock down parts of the city centre were approved in 2021 with compulsory purchase orders issued for affected tenants.

New shops, flats and restaurants are set to be built as part of the development.

Mr Jones said he had received only one letter from the council giving a "rough time" of the spring to vacate the premises.

"We've met with developers, we've met with councillors, they've given us certain assurances that they'd be reaching out, and yet they've not reached past the letterbox really," he said.

"We'd have liked help providing us with a new venue, there is still time. It's quite a big thing for our community, the uncertainty, and not knowing where we're going to be," he added.

Matthew Eason, the owner of Glamorous Bar and Nightclub, also in the city, said The Yard was an important part of the city's cultural offer.

The club's closure would "negatively impact" the community as it would limit the space where customers could go, he said.

"Having two venues in the city that support the LGBT+ community means we have enough spaces for people to visit at all times of the day," he explained.

"I also feel that the closure would make Coventry a less desirable city for people from LGBT communities outside of Coventry to visit, as you can't have a 'scene' with just one venue," he added.

He urged the city council to "do what they can" to ensure a new home was found for the business.

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Re: LGBT bar in Coventry seeks new premises amid redevelopment

Postby dutchman » Wed Mar 15, 2023 7:26 pm

Popular nightclub The Yard criticises council as it's forced to close for City Centre South redevelopment

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A Coventry LGBTQ+ bar and nightclub say they will be forced to shut in December after nearly six years of serving the community. The Yard will soon be closing for good as plans move forward for multi-million-pound redevelopment scheme City Centre South.

As work begins for City Centre South, the popular bar will shut for the final time later this year. A company spokesman said the exact closure date has not been confirmed due to 'a lack of clear communication' from Coventry City Council.

Manager Kieran Jones said they had hoped for 'more support' over the past year to secure the future of the popular venue based in the Bull Yard. He added that their work within the community has 'gone unrecognised.'

The closure comes just weeks after nearby pub The Litten Tree closed for the final time due to the redevelopment.

The Yard opened with ambitions of becoming a venue where everyone, including the LGBTQ+ community, can feel safe and relaxed, the company said. It is one of only two LGBTQ+ bars in Coventry, and one of only a few in the West Midlands.

Celebrations will be held at the LGBTQ+ venue to mark the end of its sixth and final year in the Bull Yard. A number of events have taken place over the years such as the 'Proud Freedom Fest' which brought the likes of Vengaboys, Boney M, Bimini and Atomic Kitten to Coventry, as well as free events alongside 'Coventry Pride.'

General Manager Kieran Jones said: “Me and The Yard team are proud of what we've accomplished here. Over the years, events that The Yard have held and the names we have brought into the city have put Coventry's LGBTQ+ scene on the map.

“We had hoped for more support from the council over the past year to secure our future in Coventry but unfortunately our work seems to have gone unrecognised. Sadly, there has been little communication or support from the developer with either ourselves or the many other local independent businesses affected by this scheme.

“We are in talks with a number of landlords and are hoping to confirm a new location for The Yard to move to soon. I would like to thank everyone who has helped The Yard reach the unbelievable heights it has over this six-year period. From artists and performers, our staff, and everyone who has supported our events, and of course our community who continue to support us in these uncertain times.”

Coventry City Council refused to comment when approached by CoventryLive.

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Re: LGBT bar in Coventry seeks new premises amid redevelopment

Postby dutchman » Sat Apr 01, 2023 8:39 pm

The Yard announces comical relocation plan in April Fool's wind up

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It's the mother of publicity stunts! Popular nightclub The Yard set tongues wagging today after announcing a shock move to Coventry City Council's headquarters.

The Bull Yard venue, set to close later this year to make way for construction of the City Centre South project, said it had 'secured' the council's historic hub as its new location. "The Yard has a new home!," the club said in a post on its Facebook page.

"Following a very positive meeting with Coventry Council who promised to assist us in our relocation, we are excited to announce that after some negotiation we have secured the council house building. We can’t wait to party with you across three floors when we move in on 31st November this year!

"We would like to thank the council for their ongoing support at this time." The comical communication was of course an April Fool's Day joke and a quite brilliant way of promoting the venue.

It might also be seen as something of a playful dig at the local authority over its handling of the City Centre South City Centre South scheme and the relocation of many businesses as a result of the project. Facebook users flooded the comments under the post, with many left in hysterics. But some were unsure if it was a joke or not!

The exact date of The Yard's closure is unclear, though the LGBTQ+ venue is said to be in talks with landlords with a view to confirming a new location in the near future. Manager Kieran Jones said he had hoped for 'more support' over the past year to secure the future of the popular venue.

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