Agenda item

Briefing note and presentation of the Strategic Lead (European City of Sport, UK City of Culture and Commonwealth Games)

Councillor Welsh, Cabinet Member for Housing and Communities has been invited to the meeting for the consideration of this item

 The Committee considered a briefing note and received a presentation from the Strategic Lead (European City of Sport, UK City of Culture and Commonwealth Games) on progress with the Cultural Capital Investment Programme. Councillor Welsh, Cabinet Member for Housing and Communities, attended the meeting for the consideration of this item.

The briefing note indicated that in June 2018 the City Council commissioned the Coventry Cultural Capital Prioritisation Strategy. The strategy was developed by the Council in partnership with Coventry City of Culture Trust to provide a framework for capital investment prioritisation in the period leading up to and into UK City of Culture 2021. The strategy was based on a review of current and planned capital schemes across the cultural sector in the City and consultation with the relevant organisations. The strategy identified key cultural assets that would be significant in contributing to the future resilience and sustainability of cultural organisations and the cultural sector in the City.

The strategy recommended key venues and production spaces that were considered relevant for the successful delivery and reputation of the city in hosting the UK City of Culture and in securing sustainable legacies. The strategy assessed the appropriateness and readiness of capital scheme proposals against six strategic priorities that were set out in the briefing note.

The Committee were informed that the initial investment from the Council of £5m, had successfully levered £24.5m of direct external grant funding into the programme, £15.8m partner match funding. Currently, the total level of programme investment was £45.3m, which was still growing with the inclusion of the legacy stage projects. This investment was additional to the £44.83m programme of investment into the City Centre public realm. This increased funding had allowed the programme to be more far-reaching, investing in a broader range of production spaces, performance venues and heritage projects. It had also enabled some projects to develop into phases beyond their initial scope.  This had resulted in more cultural organisations being supported and more capital assets receiving investment at such a critical time, as the local cultural and creative sectors had responded to the challenges of the global pandemic. 

The Cultural Capital Investment Programme now included 15 projects (excluding legacy stage projects).  The programme had been adapted to meet the challenges faced during the pandemic and the changes experienced across the construction industry following Brexit. Timelines had moved for several projects, but all project teams had responded positively to the challenges faced.  No projects had fallen away from the programme during this time.

Currently, 12 projects had been completed and were now operational, with the final projects due to be completed across the coming months, up to summer 2022.

The presentation provided details on the twelve completed projects as follows:

·  The Box at FarGo Village – multi-purpose arts venue and events space

·  FarGo Village Remodel – imaginative permanent street food offer

·  Daimler Powerhouse – purpose-built Creation Centre

·  Herbert Art Gallery – refurbishment of several galleries and enhanced visitor experience

·  HMV Empire – redevelopment of vacant shop unit to popular arts venue

·  Drapers Hall – restoration of the previously vacant building providing a new headquarters to Coventry Music and a popular music venue

·  Ancient and Exceptional Unique Visitor Stay Places – conversion of the Lychgate Cottages and two Gate Houses offering a unique overnight accommodation experience

·  Visitor Information Provision – providing two striking visitor information points at our primary transport gateways – Coventry Rail Station and Pool Meadow Bus Station

·  Anglican Chapel – London Road Cemetery – the Chapel has been restored as a sustainable venue

·  Coventry Cathedral – the pavilion now provides dedicated educational space and improved visitor experience

·  Belgrade Theatre – refurbishment of the auditorium, creation of ground floor café and first floor bar and conversion of former Jaguar pub into 5G digital space

·  The Tin Music & Arts – improved layout and enhanced visitor experience

Provided.

 The presentation also detailed the three remaining ‘live’ projects as follows:

·  St Marys Guildhall – anticipated completion March 2022

This transformational project would deliver an improved and interactive visitor experience at the Guildhall, including interpretation; incorporation of new digital technology; restoration of the original medieval kitchen; and the improved showcasing and interpretation of the Tapestry. The project had been extended, beyond the original scope, to include additional rooms and spaces within the St. Mary’s Guildhall estate. The transformation would create a new visitor experience and facilitate a new education offer in a key heritage venue for the City.

·  Reel Store Digital Gallery – anticipated completion May 2022

The Reel Store, an immersive digital art gallery would be the first permanent digital galley in the UK, based in the basement of the Telegraph Hotel. Works were being completed to create an exhibition space with an 800m2 fixed projection mapping canvas with 14 laser projectors accompanied by a spatially adaptive sound system.

·  Charterhouse Venue – anticipated completion Summer 2022

The Charterhouse, a nationally important heritage site, was being restored to provide a major tourist attraction set in a 70-acre Heritage Park, boosting the visitor economy, city image, investment and job creation. A new restaurant and conference venue at the site would become an exemplar place for business. The project would create a new destination at a unique Scheduled Monument site.

Members questioned the officers and Cabinet Member on a number of issues and responses were provided, matters raised included:

·  Much support for the very impressive projects included in the Cultural Capital Investment Programme and for all the works that had been undertaken and were still being carried out

·  The sustainablilty of the projects once the cultural funding ceased

·  Further details about the marketing of the projects and the promotion of the city including the potential to advertise at Birmingham airport

·  Did the Lychgate Cottages and two Gate Houses have disability access

·  When would St Marys Guildhall be open to visitors and the associated cost implications

·  Were there any plans for Whitefrairs monastery to form part of the programme

·  Would there be opportunities to do virtual tours of the visitor attractions

·  What was happening with Coventry University and the Priory

·  An assurance that prices for the attractions wouldn’t be too expensive for Coventry residents

·  Were there any small scale plans to support community halls and schools

·  Were there any plans for moving out into communities. 

RESOLVED that:

(1) The content of the briefing note and presentation be noted.

(2) A letter of thanks be sent to the Council’s City of Culture and Commonwealth Games team and the Coventry Historic Trust informing people how very impressed the Committee are with the 15 projects in the Cultural Capital Programme.