Local bands to help music venue's £10k revamp plan

Jess Harper said she wanted the front of the building to "reflect the amazing stuff that goes on inside"

A music and arts venue has begun fundraising to improve its "shabby" exterior which managers said was putting off customers.

The Tin, a former coal storage area in Coventry's canal basin, has been awarded funding by the Veolia Environmental Trust and needs to raise £10,000 to complete the project.

"A lot of people who come often will have noticed when they come to a gig the front is falling off," said marketing manager Jess Harper, adding: "the storms have not helped one bit".

Supporters have so far raised £2,000 and several local bands have volunteered to play at a fundraising gig on 21 December.

Ms Harper said they were "all amazing bands and we are so thankful to them for playing and so hopefully we will get a few people down to see that".

The venue was "looking a little bit shabby at the moment", she said, and the aim was to repair the damage and improve the exterior, for nearby residents and guests, with new signage and planters.

"You can see a lot of our cladding and our old windows through it now and it's just getting a bit dangerous and it's actually affecting all our bookings now," Ms Harper added.

She said some couples who had met at the venue wanted to get married there, but the condition of the building "puts a lot of people off".

Ms Harper said the "amazing" funding from the Veolia Trust would cover a lot of the work but the terms included the venue contributed £10,000 to complete the project.

She added it was very important to preserve The Tin, especially as many music venues were being closed nationally.

The Tin held many gigs, supported grassroots music and ran projects, including Live on Stage which helped senior school-aged children get into music and try out workshops, Ms Harper explained.

"We just need our front to reflect the amazing stuff that goes on inside."