UK's first digital art gallery to open in Coventry

Published by

Sam Pither

Wright Hassall associate Nathan Hinks and Chief Executive of Coventry City of Culture Trust Martin Sutherland.

Leamington-based law firm Wright Hassall has helped negotiate the lease for The Reel Store in Coventry, the UK’s first permanent immersive digital art gallery.

The 800m2 exhibition space is based in the old reel store at the former Coventry Evening Telegraph headquarters – now home to the boutique Telegraph Hotel. It will feature innovate and experimental art exhibitions.

The deal was completed for Coventry City of Culture Trust and has seen more than 20 new jobs created.

Nathan Hinks, associate in Wright Hassall’s commercial real estate team, said: “I am really pleased to have helped secure this for Coventry City of Culture Trust.

“This an original use of what was a disused, vacant space, and will create a unique new visitor attraction for the region as well as jobs.”

The Reel Store has been backed by funding from partners including the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport; Coventry City Council via the Council’s Cultural Capital Investment Fund; the Government’s Getting Building Fund through the Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership (CWLEP); The Patrick Trust; The Linbury Trust; Edward Cadbury Charitable Trust and Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce.

Martin Sutherland, Chief Executive of Coventry City of Culture Trust, added: “The Reel Store is a hugely exciting venture, with Coventry becoming home to the UK’s only permanent, truly immersive digital art gallery, a major draw for Coventrians and visitors.

“We are delighted that our partners have backed the vision for this new visitor attraction, transforming old media into new media, as part of the legacy of our year as UK City of Culture.”

Sam Pither

Sam is the Regional Editor of Biz News, responsible for both Hampshire and Dorset. A new recruit to journalism, Sam started writing for the Business Magazine as a freelancer in May of 2022 after completing his degree in English at University College London. His passion for local businesses and ability to tell a story soon caught the attention of the publication’s management team and have led to his meteoric rise. Sam, who lives in central Reading, takes a particular interest in technology, gaming and food and drink, having been a chef before starting his degree.