AN AWARD-WINNING LGBTQ+ bar, nightclub and community venue says it fears for its future and has been ‘left in the dark’ about the City Centre South redevelopment scheme which could see it demolished five months time.
The Yard opened its doors five years ago and strove to be a venue where everyone – especially Coventry’s LGBTQ+ community – could feel safe and relaxed as well as a place with a vibrant and lively atmosphere.
It also prided itself on being a community venue for people to come together and is only one of two LGBTQ+ bars in Coventry, and one of only a few in the wider West Midlands outside Birmingham.
The bar has hosted numerous Pride and charity events to serve Coventry’s diverse community.
It is due to hold the annual Coventry Pride and Freedom Festival on August 27 and 28 but general manager Kieran Jones said he feared it could be The Yard’s last.
“Until last year, we would only hear about developments as they were announced in the press, with no direct or open communication from anyone, whether that be
council or developers.
“We were none the wiser about the development for so long that it was impossible to plan for the future of The Yard.
“It was only last year that we were given any certain news, which was that outline planning permission had been granted by Coventry City Council and that we had
been given just over a year’s notice to find a new venue before eviction to make way for demolition from January 2023.”
Unlike other many other LGBTQ+ venues, The Yard is open during the day, offering a relaxed, low-key environment.
Since its creation it also has a great history of supporting city charities, including Coventry Pride, Myton Hospice, LGBTQ+ youth charity Prism, along with the national LGBTQ+ names Mermaids and Terrence Higgins Trust.
Events manager Aran Nugent said: “The central location of The Yard is intrinsic to the business in terms of footfall in a commercial sense, but our current location is also essential in us feeling very visible and seen as a community.
“Historically, venues like The Yard and the communities we represent aren’t so central and visible and integrated in city centres.
“I think our current location works so well at bringing people from different walks of life together and losing our venue would be such a huge loss for so many people, let alone all of the other independent businesses Coventry will lose from the development.
“The Yard is so important to so many people as a place to feel safe and free to be yourself, and our communities are in danger with the number of places like us shrinking every year.”
The team at The Yard – voted the Best Midlands Nightclub and Bar outside Birmingham – are gearing up for The Proud Freedom Fest this August Bank Holiday after last year’s was so well-received.
A number of famous artists are set to perform, including Boney M, Liberty X and A1, along with many Midlands acts to showcase the region’s wide variety of talent.
There will also be a host of community stalls and bars.
Kieran added: “With the future of The Yard uncertain due to a lack of council support, we are preparing this to be our last weekend festival so we will go out with a bang.”
A Coventry City Council spokesperson said: “City Centre South will see significant private sector investment in our city centre.
“We have worked hard to make sure all traders know about the changes and all affected tenants including The Yard have been contacted by the council.
“Indeed they have appeared on radio with Councillor O’Boyle in the past to discuss these proposals.
“The developer hopes to be on site next year – but no dates for demolition are set.
“Our aim is to create a thriving city centre where people want to spend time and money and that will be good for everyone.
“In the meantime, we are sign-posting all affected tenants to a register of available units in the city centre so they can look at all options available to them.”
