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The end of LTB?  - One door closes, another opens Coventry's unique arts and performance space closes it's doors for good in the New Year, but there is new hope on the horizon.

The end of LTB? - One door closes, another opens

Coventry's unique arts and performance space closes it's doors for good in the New Year, but there is new hope on the horizon.

by Alan Rider, Contributing Editor
first published: December, 2024

approximate reading time: minutes

"What’s perhaps most important to me though is the difference we’ve made to people & communities. One of the performers said she feels that Cov is suddenly really alive and full of possibilities"

LTB Closing Party
Saturday 28th December 7pm-late
£5.00 admission

Saturday 28th December witnesses the closing party for Coventry’s unique and not-for-profit arts venue, the LTB Showrooms. Housed in a building that started life as a Rover showroom (Coventry was Car City back then), then became an indoor market/mini department store in the late 70’s called Intershop, transforming again into the Litten Tree pub (think low budget Weatherspoons clone), before playing host to the LTB Showrooms for the past few years, LTB stands for Litten Tree Building, just in case you were wondering!  From that point on, it played a pivotal role in the cultural regeneration of Coventry from a city whose glories were all in the past, to a vibrant cultural hub with a bright future and a City of Culture award under its belt.  Thanks to the vision and drive of its founder, Alan Denyer, the LTB has played host to a huge variety of very special events and evenings, from craft workshops to noisy electronics and gigs, art and sculpture exhibitions to poetry, book and record launches, and all points inbetween.  Now, having staved off a number of eviction attempts, the seemingly perpetual redevelopment of Coventry’s messy city centre architecture has finally given it notice to close in the New Year. Alan promises this is not the end though.  Coventry’s city crest features a phoenix after all.

LTB gig

LTB will be sorely missed by everyone who has visited, exhibited, or performed there, including two of the performers on the 28th:

"LTB reminds me of the venues we played in the 80's - e.g. 'Centro Sociale' in Italy - mostly squatted, highly organised and always totally inclusive. Places like this are rare and should be cherished! I was going to put on a regular post Xmas show but when I found out the place would shut in January I simply had to step up and try to make something special happen. I’ll do my best to support it in the future if the chance arises to move to new premises - this is where you find the exciting stuff that’s under the radar" -  Tim Ellis (Jackdaw with Crowbar) 

"The LTB Showrooms have always meant a lot to me. From 1979, when it was the Intershop market, I sold my Coventry music fanzine there (Alternative Sounds). In recent years as a space for art, music, film, crafts and more, the LTB has provided the city with a unique and vibrant hub, and as we end an era with the buildings imminent demolition for the new City Centre project, Attrition are playing the closing party on December 28th, a fitting end to a wonderful cultural space. We need more of these." - Martin Bowes (Attrition)

LTB Upcycling event poster

I will leave the last word to LTB head honcho Alan Denyer:

"I'll no doubt shed a tear when we close the doors here for the last time as they’ve been so many fabulous conversations, exhibitions to see and performances to watch during the 3 and a half years we’ve been here. What’s perhaps most important to me tho' is the difference we’ve made to people & communities. I went to a gig (not LTB, somewhere else!) in the city last week and one of the performers said she moved away several years ago but then came back and feels that Cov is suddenly really alive and full of possibilities - with a positive grassroots vibe - and that that’s down to the venues (LTB/Common Ground/Just Dropped In/ The Tin/The Old Windmill) providing new opportunities. 

What’s next? We’ve a possibility for a new home that I’ll hopefully be able to announce soon - it’ll still be city centre within the ringroad (as I still think that’s important - we want folks to see Cov town centre as an exciting place to visit). It won’t be as big as where we are now, but in many ways that’s a bonus as it’s, like, mega hard work keeping so much floor space fresh / interesting (and clean!)"

LTB closing party gig poster


Essential Information: The LTB Showrooms Closing Party is on Saturday 28th December 7pm till late. Lots of bands and performers, including local heroes Jackdaw with Crowbar and Attrition (fresh back from their Australian tour), as well as our own dear Ancient Champion, DJ's, noisy electronics, and snacks. £5 entrance.  Yes, seriously, just £5 the lot, I kid you not!  This is why we need places like the LTB.

Alan Rider
Contributing Editor

Alan Rider is a Norfolk based writer and electronic musician from Coventry, who splits his time between excavating his own musical past and feeding his growing band of hedgehogs, usually ending up combining the two. Alan also performs in Dark Electronic act Senestra and manages the indie label Adventures in Reality.


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