New home for Coventry's "LGBTQ+ focal point"

Richard Easter (left) said he was "thrilled" to find a new home

A nightclub that has served as a base for Coventry Pride and been a "focal point for the LGBTQ+ community" has found a new home after a long search.

The Yard bar is set to move from the Bull Yard into the former Drapers' Bar and Metropolis Restaurant building on Earl Street in March.

The business said the new location would allow it to serve food and hire an extra 20 kitchen staff.

The old site was due to be demolished as part of the Centre South project.

Plans to knock down the arcade and other buildings to create shops, flats and restaurants were approved in 2022, but they left no room for The Yard, which opened in 2017.

Richard Easter, owner of The Yard's parent company LE Projects, said: "We had struggled to find a suitable venue in the city centre that met our requirements, and we were worried we may have had to close permanently."

The venue holds coffee mornings and other get-togethers.

• Listen on BBC Sounds to the manager's plans for the venue

Ian Harrabin, chairman of Historic Coventry Trust, said he contacted Mr Easter when he heard The Yard was looking for a new home, to suggest they use the former training restaurant site.

He said: "The Yard has been a focal point for the LGBTQ+ community in Coventry for many years now, and it would have been a big loss to the city if it was unable to find a new venue."