COVENTRY’S LTB Showrooms’ volunteers are looking to prevent the popular space from closing next month while they secure a venue for its long-term future.
The Showrooms were launched in 2021 above the Litten Tree pub, offering local creatives a free space to exhibit their work.
Since then, 12,000 people have visited, 120 events have taken place and 600 local creatives have used the free display space.
The Litten Tree pub, which let the Showrooms organisers use the upstairs space free, has suffered rising electricity costs and reduced footfall and will be closing on February 5, returning the keys on February 19.
It, along with the Showrooms, will be bulldozed as part of the Coventry City South regeneration.
The LTB will continue to be operating until February 18 with public access via the fire exit doors but Alan Denyer, who runs the Showrooms, wants to secure an extension from Coventry Council until the regeneration work starts.
A petition has been launched, urging the council to recognise the need for and value of LTB as a city centre community asset.
Alan said: “We’re offering to provide a quick makeover of the ground floor to turn it into more gallery space and we’ve also suggested the Showrooms would be the perfect setting to showcase the benefits of the redevelopment.
“The petition has clocked up around 910 signatures since Saturday morning and this will help me to have the conversations we need to have with the council.”
Alan added he would be looking for a permanent venue and was open to any possibilities or interesting spaces, although for it to be valid it would need to be within the ring road.
“Cities like Coventry need venues like this, it’s more important than ever for places to make themselves interesting and different,” he added.
A council spokesperson said: “We will consider any and all business proposals made to us for this kind of space or any other. But it is worth noting that LTB is occupying the first floor of the Litten Tree as an informal licensee in an agreement made, not with us, but with the Litten Tree.
“There are vacant units in the city centre and in other parts of the city and as the work is completed there will be new options for businesses too.
“We have been and we remain willing to work with anyone who wants support with finding alternative premises.
“City Centre South is a £450million private sector investment in our city centre which will create new homes, retail space, leisure facilities and more.”
Click here to sign the e-petition.
