Community ownership bid for city centre canal site

An area of Coventry city centre could be taken under community ownership if a group's bid to take it over is successful.

The sale of the city's Canal Basin has been paused, after an application was made to its owners, the Canal and River Trust, to designate it as an asset of community value (ACV).

The site, including a car park, buildings and the Coal Vaults music venue, run by charity The Tin Music and Arts, was due to be sold at auction on 19 March.

The pause in the sale represented a "pivotal moment" for the area, said the charity, adding it was "committed to ensuring its future reflects the creativity and community that already thrives here".

An ACV is a building or a piece of land that is used to further the social wellbeing or interests of a local community, such as a shop, community centre, pub or library.

The application reflected on the "deep cultural and social importance" of the area, it said.

It called on audiences, artists and supporters to continue attending gigs and events, "demonstrating the strength of our community".

Jess Harper, marketing manager at The Tin added: "This is a really positive step for the Canal Basin and for the community that surrounds it. The space already has a strong creative identity, and pursuing asset of community value status recognises just how important it is to so many people.

"We're hopeful this creates the opportunity to secure a future that protects and builds on what's already here - supporting grassroots arts, independent culture, and inclusive community activity."

The Canal and River Trust said that the charity took the decision to remove the lot from auction after an application was made to designate the basin as asset of community value.

"This process could take up to six months, so any sale is on pause whilst that process takes it course," they added.

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