A GROUND-BREAKING 5G digital space will transform a city pub site into a ‘plug and play’ performance, education and rehearsal venue in plans to revamp the post-war Corporation Street in Coventry.
The proposed works will be made possible following a £5m award of programme funding from Coventry City Council’s Cultural Capital Investment Programme to the Belgrade Theatre Capital Project.
Councillor Jim O’Boyle, Coventry City Council’s cabinet member for jobs and regeneration, said: “This is a really exciting project to complement the work that has already been completed on Corporation street.
“This will be a great new space, particularly for young people as it is created for outreach and it will be theirs to use.
“It will mean that we will be able to enjoy some truly cutting-edge performances using the very latest tech available, once more putting the city at the forefront of emerging technologies and using them in really interesting ways.”
Transforming the Jaguar Pub site will complete the third phase of the Belgrade’s works, which has so far included a full refurbishment of the main auditorium and a much improved café .
Vera Ding, general manager at the Belgrade, said, “The whole team at the Belgrade are thrilled by this exciting development.
“‘The Jag’ will be a ground-breaking space for Coventry and a much-needed safe space for at-risk youth to benefit from emerging technologies.
“It will integrate digital and physical interaction, providing young people with opportunities to meet and learn whilst forming a pipeline into employment opportunities.”
The final phase is being delivered through a partnership between Complex Development Projects (CDP) and the Belgrade Theatre.
Work is due to complete later this month on the repurposing of the former Jaguar pub in Corporation Street as a new digital space for young people and enable the creation of shared working, and two apartments.
