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COVENTRY PREPARES TO ‘TURN BACK TIME’ AGAIN AS THE ‘AUTUMN IS QUEER’ FESTIVAL RETURNS FOR 2026

Coventry is gearing up for a vibrant, city-wide celebration of self-acceptance and inclusivity as Autumn Is Queer returns for its second year, running from September 22nd to November 30th 2026.


Produced by Extraordinary Us CIC with support from Coventry City Council and Arts Council England, this year’s festival theme, Coventry: Feeling Proud, honours both the city’s civic pride and the LGBTQ+ ethos of radical inclusion: “Coventry loves you as you are.”

PHOTO credit – @photogempic


The festival’s highlight event, “Cher The News,” takes place on Sunday, October 25th – the day the clocks turn back time (by one hour) – as Coventry city centre transforms into “Cher-ventry,” the (un)official European home of Cher. This major community celebration will bring together participants, choirs, bands, and performers to dress up as Cher, featuring pop-up performances, interactive interventions, and plenty of iconic wigs. Creative partners include Highly Sprung, Fitness With Matt, and The Tin Music & Arts.

If Cher-ventrians want to don a wig and turn back time then organisers are calling on local residents, performers, and Cher enthusiasts of all backgrounds to join the fun for ‘Cher The News’ on Sunday, October 25th.

Whether you want to perform, sing, or simply dress up as your favourite Cher, you can sign up or find out more by visiting autumnisqueer.co.uk/cher-the-news or emailing hello@extraordinaryus.co.uk.


Extraordinary Us also offers at the CBS Arena under the header ‘Feeling Proud’, the “Museum of Me: City Till I Die” community pop-up structure celebrates Coventry City Football Club fans through thick and thin, featuring stories from the co-founder of the Proud Sky Blues fan group.

Outside of this – over 40 events across the CV postcode region bring together local venues, cultural spaces, and nightlife. Highlights include drag brunches at The Yard, tributes to iconic pop stars, and the British Art Show – A Chorus Of Strangers. You’ll also find Dogoween at FarGo Village, Tease at Albany Theatre, and Congregational by Fatt Butcher at Warwick Arts Centre.

In Autumn, Coventry is the place to LGB and T and Q and +.

Local businesses and allies can support the festival through corporate partnerships, found on the website.


A link to The Queer Calendar of events can be found here: https://www.autumnisqueer.co.uk/queer-calendar

Sign up to be a Cher here: https://www.autumnisqueer.co.uk/cher-the-news


www.autumnisqueer.co.uk @autumnisqueer
www.extraordinaryus.co.uk @exuscic

Mother’s Day Ideas in Coventry City Centre

A couple strolling down a sidewalk, enjoying each other's company.

Yes, we know your Mum is special every single day of the year, and you can treat her any time, but Mother’s Day is a day when you really can go the extra mile and show her how much you appreciate her.

Lucky for you, there’s plenty on offer for Mother’s Day in Coventry City Centre. From afternoon teas to Sunday lunches or just a special meal out, you can treat your mum on 15th March or get some inspiration on where to take her on the other 364 days of the year.

Of course, there are plenty of places to eat and drink for every single occasion throughout the year. Check out our full directory of dining venues for an exhaustive list.♥️

DAIU

Celebrate mum with a memorable dining experience at DAIU.

DAIU is one of Coventry’s newest offerings, an exciting all-you-can-eat hotpot and BBQ buffet, perfect for treating Mum to something a little different this year.

With a wide selection of fresh ingredients and flavours to suit every taste, it’s an ideal spot for a relaxed family meal where everyone can relax, share, and enjoy together.


Unit 4 Cathedral Lanes, Coventry CV1 1LL

Olive Tree

Treat Mum to the warm flavours of the Mediterranean this Mother’s Day at Olive Tree Coventry.

This popular Turkish restaurant serves freshly prepared mezes, charcoal-grilled favourites, and traditional dishes made with quality ingredients, all in a welcoming, family-friendly setting.

With its authentic cuisine and relaxed atmosphere, Olive Tree is the perfect place to enjoy a special meal together and make Mum feel truly appreciated.


Unit 1 Cathedral Lanes, Coventry CV1 1LL

Cosy Club

Show Mum just how much she means to you at Cosy Club! ⁠

This Mother’s Day, treat your superwoman to an incredible Bottomless Brunch, with delicious plates worth lingering over and glasses that never stay empty for long.

Make your booking today www.cosyclub.co.uk – limited tables available. ⁠

Cosy Club, Cathedral Lanes Shopping Centre, Broadgate, Coventry CV1 1LL

Smokin’ Hot Buffet & Grill

Indulge in Coventry’s finest all-you-can-eat experience at Smokin’ Hot Buffet & Grill.

Enjoy a diverse buffet of foods from around the world in a vibrant setting, perfect for foodies of all tastes. Find the restaurant on Coventry’s Corporation Street, a stone’s throw from Belgrade Theatre, Coventry Transport Museum, and the hustle and bustle of the city centre.

Smokin’ Hot Buffet, 36-42 Corporation Street, Coventry, West Midlands, CV1 1GF

St Mary’s Guildhall

Dine like royalty and enjoy tea and tasty treats with an afternoon tea experience in Coventry like no other.

Visit Tales of Tea in the Undercroft of St Mary’s Guildhall for an unforgettable afternoon tea experience and indulge in an array of delicious food and drinks.  Tales of Tea is open Wednesday to Sunday

Visit the website to view the special menu and book your reservation https://www.stmarysguildhall.co.uk/afternoon-tea/

St Mary’s Guildhall, Bayley Lane, Coventry CV1 5RN

The Telegraph Hotel

Show your Mum just how much she means to you with a delightful Afternoon Tea at the Telegraph Hotel – the perfect way to celebrate!

For just £25 per person, enjoy a selection of delicate finger sandwiches and indulgent mini desserts, including Madeira cake & Chocolate brownie – a sweet treat she deserves! Served Wednesday to Sunday 12:30pm – 3:30pm.

The Telegraph Hotel, Corporation Street, Coventry, CV1 1GU

Bella Italia

Make this Mother’s Day extra special and head to Bella Italia where every mum can enjoy a complimentary Aperol Spritz to toast to the occasion.

Treat Mum, or that special motherly figure in your life, to the comfort, warmth and joy of her favourite Italian dishes, all served with a big dose of love.

Simply sign up online and show your code when you visit.

Unit 1 4, Belgrade Plaza, Upper Well Street, Coventry CV1 4BF

No matter how you choose to celebrate Mother’s Day, treating Mum to a delicious meal is a wonderful way to show your appreciation. Whether she loves a classic Sunday roast, indulgent afternoon tea, or something a little more exotic, Coventry has plenty of fantastic spots to make the day special.

So, book a table, raise a glass, and enjoy quality time together over great food because she deserves it!

Mother’s Day Ideas in Coventry City Centre

A couple strolling down a sidewalk, enjoying each other's company.

Yes, we know your Mum is special every single day of the year, and you can treat her any time, but Mother’s Day is a day when you really can go the extra mile and show her how much you appreciate her.

Lucky for you, there’s plenty on offer for Mother’s Day in Coventry City Centre. From afternoon teas to Sunday lunches or just a special meal out, you can treat your mum on 15th March or get some inspiration on where to take her on the other 364 days of the year.

Of course, there are plenty of places to eat and drink for every single occasion throughout the year. Check out our full directory of dining venues for an exhaustive list.♥️

Slug & Lettuce

This Mother’s Day – Sunday 15th March – treat your mum to an unforgettable Afternoon Tea at Slug & Lettuce. To make it even more special, she’ll be welcomed with a complimentary Mumosa!

Delicious treats, sparkling sips, and quality time together – the perfect way to show your mum just how much she means to you!

Slug and Lettuce, The Old County Hall, Coventry CV1 5RN

DAIU

Celebrate mum with a memorable dining experience at DAIU.

DAIU is one of Coventry’s newest offerings, an exciting all-you-can-eat hotpot and BBQ buffet, perfect for treating Mum to something a little different this year.

With a wide selection of fresh ingredients and flavours to suit every taste, it’s an ideal spot for a relaxed family meal where everyone can relax, share, and enjoy together.


Unit 4 Cathedral Lanes, Coventry CV1 1LL

Olive Tree

Treat Mum to the warm flavours of the Mediterranean this Mother’s Day at Olive Tree Coventry.

This popular Turkish restaurant serves freshly prepared mezes, charcoal-grilled favourites, and traditional dishes made with quality ingredients, all in a welcoming, family-friendly setting.

With its authentic cuisine and relaxed atmosphere, Olive Tree is the perfect place to enjoy a special meal together and make Mum feel truly appreciated.


Unit 1 Cathedral Lanes, Coventry CV1 1LL

Cosy Club

Show Mum just how much she means to you at Cosy Club! ⁠

This Mother’s Day, treat your superwoman to an incredible Bottomless Brunch, with delicious plates worth lingering over and glasses that never stay empty for long.

Make your booking today www.cosyclub.co.uk – limited tables available. ⁠

Cosy Club, Cathedral Lanes Shopping Centre, Broadgate, Coventry CV1 1LL

Smokin’ Hot Buffet & Grill

Indulge in Coventry’s finest all-you-can-eat experience at Smokin’ Hot Buffet & Grill.

Enjoy a diverse buffet of foods from around the world in a vibrant setting, perfect for foodies of all tastes. Find the restaurant on Coventry’s Corporation Street, a stone’s throw from Belgrade Theatre, Coventry Transport Museum, and the hustle and bustle of the city centre.

Smokin’ Hot Buffet, 36-42 Corporation Street, Coventry, West Midlands, CV1 1GF

St Mary’s Guildhall

Dine like royalty and enjoy tea and tasty treats with an afternoon tea experience in Coventry like no other.

Visit Tales of Tea in the Undercroft of St Mary’s Guildhall for an unforgettable afternoon tea experience and indulge in an array of delicious food and drinks.  Tales of Tea is open Wednesday to Sunday

Visit the website to view the special menu and book your reservation https://www.stmarysguildhall.co.uk/afternoon-tea/

St Mary’s Guildhall, Bayley Lane, Coventry CV1 5RN

The Telegraph Hotel

Show your Mum just how much she means to you with a delightful Afternoon Tea at the Telegraph Hotel – the perfect way to celebrate!

For just £25 per person, enjoy a selection of delicate finger sandwiches and indulgent mini desserts, including Madeira cake & Chocolate brownie – a sweet treat she deserves! Served Wednesday to Sunday 12:30pm – 3:30pm.

The Telegraph Hotel, Corporation Street, Coventry, CV1 1GU

Bella Italia

Make this Mother’s Day extra special and head to Bella Italia where every mum can enjoy a complimentary Aperol Spritz to toast to the occasion.

Treat Mum, or that special motherly figure in your life, to the comfort, warmth and joy of her favourite Italian dishes, all served with a big dose of love.

Simply sign up online and show your code when you visit.

Unit 1 4, Belgrade Plaza, Upper Well Street, Coventry CV1 4BF

No matter how you choose to celebrate Mother’s Day, treating Mum to a delicious meal is a wonderful way to show your appreciation. Whether she loves a classic Sunday roast, indulgent afternoon tea, or something a little more exotic, Coventry has plenty of fantastic spots to make the day special.

So, book a table, raise a glass, and enjoy quality time together over great food because she deserves it!

New Venues in Coventry City Centre for 2026

Coventry City Centre is having a moment – and we’re here to tell you that it’s only getting better.

Whether you live, work or shop in Coventry, there’s plenty to get excited about – from experiencing fresh, new flavours to discovering your next cultural hangout.

New Places to Eat in Coventry City Centre

With a wave of new openings already transforming the food and entertainment scene, plus even more exciting venues arriving in 2026, the heart of the city is evolving fast.

To help you keep up, here’s your guided tour of what’s brand new and what’s on the horizon.

Olive Tree in Coventry City Centre

Recently opened in Coventry City Centre

Olive Tree

Front and centre of the city, Olive Tree brings a vibrant taste of the Turkish Mediterranean to Coventry.

Think rustic, colourful plates piled high with charcoal grilled meats, freshly prepared mezes, stuffed vegetables, and homely comfort dishes that feel like they’ve come straight from someone’s family kitchen.

The atmosphere is warm, welcoming, and authentically mediterranean – perfect for relaxed lunches, family dinners, or long, chatty evenings over a bottle of wine. Early visitors are already praising the generous portions, friendly service, and the sense of calm the space brings to the busy centre.

Olive Tree is fast becoming a favourite for anyone who enjoys big flavours and a sociable vibe.

Find it: Unit 1, Cathedral Lanes, Coventry

Daiu

Get ready for a major new dining experience in Coventry, because Daiu has opened in Cathedral Lanes.

This exciting venue brings something fresh to the city centre: an interactive BBQ and hotpot buffet where you can select premium grilled meats and simmering hotpots, before complementing your feast with sushi, dim sum, appetisers, sides and more.

At Daiu, the focus is on choice and flavours. Whether you’re a BBQ enthusiast, hotpot fan, or simply love exploring hearty, flavour-rich food with friends, Daiu promises a social, fun and full-of-flavour experience for 2026.

Find it: Unit 4, Cathedral Lanes, Coventry

Ssamm

Coventry’s food scene has welcomed a bold injection of Korean flavour with Ssamm, and it’s exactly the kind of modern, exciting spot the city has been craving.

Expect Korean BBQ-inspired dishes, sizzling bowls, and sides built around spice, texture, and freshness.

The décor is cool and contemporary, giving it that ‘Instagram-able but also cosy’ balance. It’s ideal for groups, after-work dinners, or trying something fun on a night out. Ssamm hasn’t been open long, yet it’s already making waves as one of the most distinctive new eateries in the centre.

Find it: 58 Hertford St, Coventry

Venues coming soon in 2026

With these recent openings bringing new vibrance to the city centre, 2026 is lining up to be even bigger.

Here’s what to look forward to as the new year unfolds.

Wingstop

Expected around January 2026, Wingstop is already attracting attention.

Known and revered for its wide range of wing flavours, stacked sides and fun, casual dining style, it’s spot in the city centre is ideal for quick lunches, after-work eats, or a cheeky weekend treat.

Expect it to be busy in the first few weeks – Coventry has a soft spot for good chicken, and this brand is ready to deliver.

Find it: 47 Upper Precinct, Coventry

New Dessert Shops on Corporation Street

Corporation Street is shaping up to be one of Coventry’s sweetest hotspots.

In 2026, a handful of new dessert shops are set to open their doors, bringing everything from indulgent pastries to late-night treats and grab-and-go goodies.

These new arrivals will add even more variety to the city centre’s food landscape, tempting shoppers to explore further to satisfy their sweet tooth.

Find it: Corporation Street, Coventry

Street Kitchen Cov

West Orchards is stepping up its food game with the arrival of Street Kitchen Cov – a brand-new cluster of four street-food style units that promise global flavours, quick eats, and a modern approach to city centre dining.

Launching around Easter 2026, it’s set to become a popular stop for families, students, workers and weekend visitors looking for something fast, tasty and different.

This new concept is guaranteed to keep things fresh and give small but mighty food businesses a platform in one of the city’s busiest locations. It’s a win-win for everyone!

Find it: West Orchards Shopping Centre, Coventry

Coventry City Centre keeps evolving

With so many new eateries and fresh concepts popping up across the map, Coventry City Centre is constantly evolving.

Expect 2026 to bring even more excitement and variety – making the city a must-visit destination for locals and tourists alike.

Whether you’re grabbing lunch, planning an evening out, or simply exploring what’s new, 2026 is already shaping up to be a standout year.

Stay tuned – the city is only getting better and better. Sign up to the Coventry City Centre newsletter to keep up to date.

It’s party time! The festive season is already well underway and everyone’s in the Christmas spirit. Whether you’re planning a work get together or a catch-up with friends, Coventry is a great place for a festive party.

We’ve put together a few ideas of places you can try for your Christmas party. Most have set menus and all are great for a bit of festive fun and food. Here are our 7 places for your festive shindig in Coventry City Centre.

Playwrights

An independently-owned bar and bistro in the Cathedral quarter, Playwrights prides itself on its unique atmosphere and great, locally-sourced food. Housed in a listed building on Hay Lane, Playwrights is offering festive lunches and dinners priced at £15.95 for a two-course lunch and £18.95 for three course. A two-course dinner is £18.95 while three courses are £22.95. The menu includes starters like soup, pate, prawn skewers and brie wedges, while mains include hearty dishes like beef shin, turkey and mushroom risotto for vegetarians.
4-6 Hay Lane, Coventry, CV1 5RF 

The Artisan

The Artisan is a much-loved restaurant set in a Grade II listed building right on Belgrade Plaza. Popular all year round, there’s a great festive menu on offer with two courses priced at £22 and three at £25.
Stand-out starters include Thai butternut squash soup and duck croquettes with spicy plum sauce, while mains include braised blade of beef and a stuffed turkey parcel. For dessert you can tuck into a classic Tiramisu, Baileys Creme Brulee and, of course, traditional Christmas pudding.
Ryley St, Coventry CV1 4AJ

Queens Road

If you weren’t looking for it, you might miss Queens Road at the Ramada Hotel & Suites, but it’s a great place for some festive fun. Throughout the year, Queens Road offers a broad menu from classics to more innovative dishes. During the festive season you can enjoy a festive lunch or go one step further and book for one of their party nights.
The menu includes Spiced Bloody Mary soup to start, classic roast turkey for a main, and traditional Christmas pud to finish – along with plenty of other options too, including vegetarian-friendly choices. They also do drinks packages if you really want to get the party started. Festive lunch is priced at £19.95.
Ramada Hotel & Suites, Coventry, CV1 3GG

Lazy Monkey

One of Coventry’s newest additions, The Lazy Monkey Bar & Kitchen on Warwick Row, is just a stone’s throw from the train station so nice and handy if you need to get home after some festive fun. They offer a bar complete with cocktails while the food is a selection of Indian street food as well as burgers, wraps and Indo-Chinese dishes. Perfect when washed down with cocktails and Christmas spirit.
26 Warwick Row, Coventry CV1 1EY

The Botanist

The Botanist is a firm favourite in Cov and has just celebrated its first birthday. With its central location and beautiful interior, it’s a great place for a Christmas party. They’re open all day, every day and offering two-course Christmas meal for £23.50, with three courses at £29.95.
You can tuck into sweet potato and celeriac soup with grated chestnuts and chives, or a festive twist on one of The Botanist’s popular dishes – a Turkey Hanging Kebab.
For the sweet-toothed among you, there are plenty of desserts but if you want something a bit more savoury opt for a festive cheese board of Wensleydale with cranberries, Long Clawson Stilton and Shorrocks Lancashire served with artisan crackers and smoky apple ketchup.
Unit 4, Cathedral Lanes Shopping Centre, Broadgate, Coventry, CV1 1LL

The Christmas Market, Broadgate

For something a bit more casual, why not just meet up at the Christmas Market in Broadgate. Running all through the festive season, there’s plenty on offer when it comes to food and drink from burgers to hot dogs and pulled pork, traditional German bratwurst, fried chicken, vegan options, and sweet treats. And if it’s cold, you can duck into the ‘Yule Rest Bar’ for a mulled wine, Baileys hot chocolate, beer, cider, festive cocktails and real ale.
Broadgate, Coventry, CV1 1LL

Cosy Club

Another popular place in Cov, Cosy Club has got all sorts going on for the festive season. Their festive menu, priced £28.95 for three courses, runs until Christmas Eve with everything from festive sharing platters to start to mains including Turkey pie and confit duck leg as well as desserts to round off your meal. There are vegan options too, and they’re evening offering a festive brunch option, running from 10am-11.30am until New Year’s Eve.
Cathedral Lanes Shopping Centre, Broadgate, Coventry, CV1 1LL

Article courtesy of Ellen Manning

Six Reasons Why ‘YULE LOVE COV’ This Christmas

With only 68 days remaining before ‘The Big Day’, Coventry Business Improvement District (BID) is leading the way in announcing its festive season and the host of special Christmas activities set to hit the city.

1. Christmas Lights Switch On: 20th November
Always a highlight of the festive season and a sign that Santa is well and truly on his way! Wrap up warm, gather your family and friends, and head into Coventry to enjoy the annual switch on. This year the BID are working with Coventry City Council, who will produce and organise the evening, and this also starts off the late night opening in Coventry city centre. There will be free parking after 3pm in all Council car parks, West Orchards and Lower Precinct

2. ‘Yule Love Food’: 21st-24th November
 As the title suggests, this weekend will centre around food and drink, incorporating stalls selling all kinds of festive fare, tempting treats and gorgeous gifts.

There will also be a tasty food and drink offering running from 23rd November until the 22nd December in Broadgate, which will feature a cosy cabin for shoppers to rest their weary feet and enjoy some festive food in comfort! Regular businesses will also be showcasing their wares in the cabin so you can pop in and enjoy the atmosphere.

3. ‘Yule Love Shopping’: 30th November-1st December
Those looking to get all their Christmas gifts purchased early can head into Coventry to pick up some bargains on Black Friday and also be in with a chance of winning a gift for yourself with a special giveaway that’s running across the weekend.

4 & 5. ‘Yule Love Music’: 6th-8th & 20th-22nd December
With live performances and DJ sets organised by Sandra Godley from BBC Radio Coventry & Warwickshire, it’ll be the perfect opportunity to come into the city and soak up the festive atmosphere.

6. ‘Yule Love Family Fun’: 14th & 15th December
At Christmas, spending time with your loved ones is always at the top of the list, so this is a perfect opportunity to gather everyone together and head into the city to celebrate. The highlight of this weekend involves a lantern competition in which 10 local primary schools will take part. Finalists will be narrowed down on the Saturday, with the winners being announced on the Sunday and all the lantern designs are to be displayed in West Orchards Shopping Centre right through the festive period. It’s also a perfect excuse to enjoy spotting the 24 Christmas trees delivered by Coventry BID throughout the city centre.

 Trish Willetts, Coventry BID Director, said: “There’s so much going on in our fantastic city across the festive season and we’re very much looking forward to welcoming visitors to celebrate with us. We start in spectacular fashion when the Christmas Lights event adds some extra sparkle to Coventry city centre and continue with our #YuleLoveCov events.

“There’s something for everyone, from family activities to great music and delicious food and drink, which is sure to keep all the Christmas shoppers fuelled throughout the weeks leading up to the big day!”

Councillor Abdul Salam Khan, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Events, added: “We are working with a number of partners and organisations, including the BID and the City of Culture Trust, to deliver an enjoyable programme of festive events and activities, including the big Christmas Lights Switch On event on 20 November.

“We want people to come into the city to shop and enjoy the food and drink offer to make the most of their time here. By coming together in such a way, it also demonstrates our One Coventry approach to deliver a better city for everyone to enjoy.”

Imagineer’s Bridge – A new outdoor experience

Bridge is an ambitious new outdoor experience produced by Coventry-based Imagineer Productions and created by artistic director Orit Azaz in collaboration with a creative team that includes choreographer Corey Baker, designer Dan Potra, writer Nick Walker, composer Peter Reynolds and circus director Paul Evans.

A beautiful bridge appears in the centre of Coventry, Grantham and Worcester, with a gap where the keystone would be. For three days, it is host to pop-up events and happenings that bring people together in new and playful ways including a free immersive headphones experience which offers people an insight into the meaning of the divided bridge.

On the Saturday evening, the bridge becomes the setting for an extraordinary and memorable outdoor performance. Gravity-defying circus acrobatics, dance, comedy, theatre and live music, inspired by local people’s stories, create a thrilling and moving montage of the courage, compassion, imagination and humour needed to bridge a divide.

Bridge is rooted in each community in which it is based. Hundreds of local people will make their own bridges and share experiences of bridge-building, in all senses. Using a specially made kit, inspired by Leonardo da Vinci’s design for a self-supporting bridge, people who wouldn’t normally meet will come together to build a bridge in public spaces in their neighbourhood.

Jane Hytch, Chief Executive Imagineer said: “Bridge takes its inspiration from many different sources, from engineers and artists to people who are bridging social, spiritual and political divides. It is hugely exciting to see the project taking shape with such accomplished engineers, artists, performers and communities.

“At Imagineer we are interested in producing new and extraordinary outdoor work through creative collaborations in order to transform spaces and most importantly for us to build human connections where you might least expect them. Bridge will certainly deliver this as well as creating some unforgettable experiences along the way both for those involved and those who experience Bridge in Grantham, Coventry and Worcester.”

At the centre of the project is a surprising, beautiful and (in engineering terms) almost impossible, broken bridge structure. Sydney based designer Dan Potra (Gold Coast Commonwealth Games 2018 Opening Ceremony, City of Unexpected 2017) worked alongside structural engineer Neal Fletcher, circus specialist Tarn Aitken, engineers from ARUP and a skilled team of theatrical technicians and fabricators to create a workable design for the bridge.

The size, scale and specialist requirements of the bridge has resulted in Imagineer creating a pop-up Creation Space – the likes of which did not previously exist in the Midlands – to enable the development of the Bridge performance, which includes high skill aerial and acrobatic circus performed at a height of up to 12 metres. Imagineer’s pop up creation space, with training facilities in a range of unusual circus disciplines including Chinese pole and Cradle, allows the international cast of 9 circus, dance and physical theatre performers and 3 musicians to rehearse and train whatever the weather.

Orit Azaz, Artistic Director for Bridge said: “Bridge has been imagined by artists; created by designers and engineers and inspired by people’s stories, it really is a project for our time and is already bringing people together in unexpected and joyful ways. Bridge is about the gap between two sides – the bit that is broken or unfinished – and the effort, good humour, courage and imagination of people needed to connect across the gap.

“In order to realise the project, Imagineer have created an unprecedented environment for the creation of the final bridge performance. Bringing together a world-class team, Imagineer’s pop-up creation space is a fantastic achievement. This is hugely exciting, not just for the development of our project but Coventry as a City of Culture and the UK outdoor arts sector as a whole.”

Councillor Matthew Lee, the Leader of South Kesteven District Council, said: “Working in partnership with Imagineer has provided a unique opportunity for local creative artists to develop their skills and for community groups across Grantham, and the wider district, to be part of a wonderful Outdoor Arts experience.

“Imagineer’s Bridge will add further lustre to South Kesteven’s already celebrated outdoor arts offer and is not to be missed.”

Chenine Bhathena, Creative Director at Coventry City of Culture Trust said: “Coventry is a city known for building connections across communities and bridging global divides. This project from Imagineer will be an opportunity for people across the city to come together, share their stories and experience a brilliant new work by this nationally renowned company. We are delighted to be supporting this project. Bridge will bring people together, demonstrate the innovation that exists in the city and throw a spotlight onto the great creativity of artists based in Coventry.”

Bridge comes to the Market Place in Grantham on Thursday 12 until Saturday 14 September 2019; Broadgate, Coventry from Thursday 26 September until Saturday 28 September 2019; and Cathedral Plaza, Worcester in July 2020.

Further information on Imagineer’s Bridge can be found at www.imaginebridge.co.uk

Follow us on twitter, facebook and Instagram tagging #ImagineBridge

Bridge is funded by: Arts Council England, Heritage Lotter Fund, Coventry 2021 – UK City of Culture, Coventry City Council, Garfield Weston Foundation, Foyle Foundation, InvestSK, South Kesteven District Council and William A Cadbury Charitable Trust.

Bridge is supported by: University of Worcester, Canal & River Trust, Premier Group, Coventry Cathedral and Medwell Hyde.

Bridge is created in partnership with Arup.