Introduction
Since its transformation from the much-loved mainstay of the Coventry music scene, Taylor Johns, to a charitable organisation in August 2013, The Tin Music and Arts has gone from strength to strength. Named in homage to the now sadly closed Tin Angel, The Tin Music and Arts is committed to creating a thriving artistic hub here at the Canal Basin as well as in other venues around the city. Our events have a positive influence on the community of Coventry as a whole – whether that be through our regular live music events, which sees us frequently booking established and international acts as well as local homegrown talent, or through our artist’s studio, and Community Space, which is used every day of the week.
We are based in two neighbouring premises. The Tin at the Coal Vaults is a venue set in the former coal storage building in Coventry’s 18th century canal basin. It has two main rooms; one contains a stage and performance area, and the other has a bar and seating. Next door in Units 1-4 is our office, rehearsal space, artist studio and large community room, which is used to host a variety of community activities.
Our live music programme takes place in both our own venue (situated in the Coal Vaults) and other interesting venues around the city. Our events programme is innovative, diverse, challenging, and we have a reputation for supporting high quality and innovative arts and artists from Coventry, the UK, and from all over the world. As well as programming live music and events, we partner with several local organisations to deliver specific programmes and events.
The Tin Music and Arts is an inclusive venue that welcomes Deaf, disabled, neurodivergent and historically disadvantaged groups within our spaces.
Website access
Alternative text, captions for images and text links for tickets are provided on our pages. The Tin Music and Arts is committed to keeping our website up to the standards of the Equality Act (2010) and the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines. We aim to make sure our website is accessible on both desktop and mobile devices.
If you are having any issues with a particular page, or require information from our website in an alternative format such as large print, Word document or audio recording, please email robin@thetinmusicandarts.org.uk.
Audio listings are available by clicking here. These are updated on a monthly basis.
Ticketing
Most event tickets can be purchased online through our ticket partner TicketWeb UK. There may be some exceptions when events are run by or with external promoters. Tickets for all events can also be purchased over the phone by calling the office on 02476 230699.
Tickets for Personal Assistants
We provide disabled attendees one free ticket for a Personal Assistant. We offer our personal assistant tickets free of charge, and do not require evidence of your disability or condition to book an additional ticket for your personal assistant. To register for a free Personal Assistant ticket, you can either buy your own ticket online and forward your confirmation by email to sarah@thetinmusicandarts.org.uk, or call 02476 230699 to buy over the phone and have your Personal Assistants name added to the door list.
Concession/Low Wage
To make our events more financially accessible, we offer a concession rate to people on a low wage, in receipt of benefits or on low retirement income. We ask that people use this offer respectfully.
Planning your trip to our venues
Entry and access to events
The entrance to the Coal Vaults from the Canal Basin is on the flat and is accessible by manual or power wheelchair. The performance area is on the flat and the bar area is accessible by ramp. Some events will be seated, but most are standing. Doors open at 7.30pm for most shows; please check the details of your event carefully in case it has a different door time.
If you would like to reserve a space at an event for a wheelchair or a seat, please email sarah@thetinmusicandarts.org.uk or call 02476 230699.
The Community Space entrance is on the flat and is wheelchair accessible. There is a single accessible toilet in the Units. There is a small step into the recording studio. The main entrance is on Draper’s Fields, but doors may be opened to the Community Space onto the Canal Basin interior. There is a dropped kerb from the parking spots next to the entrance to Units 1-4.
At the Coal Vaults, the box office can be found on your left after you walk through the main doors. Our box office is situated at a lowered table. If you have ordered your tickets in advance, please have your ticket confirmation ready at the door. A member of staff will scan your ticket to confirm entry, or manually check it against a printed ticket list. An accessible toilet can be found ten metres from the bar and stage areas, which is equipped with handles, a lowered sink and a red emergency cord. You do not need a RADAR key to access this toilet.
Early event access
Early event access can be arranged by emailing Sarah or Robin. If you have requested early access to the event, a member of staff will be on site to let you into the venue.
Guide/Service Dogs
We allow guide/service dogs into the venue. Water can be provided for guide/service animals on request. We advise discretion if the content of the event could be unsuitable for the animal, such as concerts that are expected to be louder or more stimulating.
Other animals and pets are not allowed in the Coal Vaults.
Pre-event walkthroughs
We can provide advance walkthroughs of the main venue and community space to all visitors. These can happen in-person or via video call. Please contact Sarah to arrange your walkthrough.
Public transport
Travelling by bus
The nearest bus stops are Merrick Lodge Hotel on St. Nicholas Street (National Express Coventry 15) and Leicester Row (National Express Coventry 20; Stagecoach Warwickshire buses 56 and 148). Both stops are 5 minutes’ walk from The Tin. From Merrick Lodge Hotel, the pavement is uneven and narrow, but is step-free from the stop to the venue via the entrance to the Canal Basin on St. Nicholas Street. From Leicester Row, access is step-free via Draper’s Field Bridge and past the shopfronts on the Canal Basin.
Pool Meadow bus and coach station is located within the city centre, half a mile (0.8km) from The Tin. It is served by National Express coaches, and buses run by National Express Coventry and Stagecoach.
Travelling by train
Coventry railway station is 0.8 miles (1.4km) from The Tin. The station is served by trains operated by Avanti West Coast, London Northwestern, Cross Country, and West Midlands Railway. From Coventry, there are direct trains daily to Birmingham, Rugby, Leamington Spa and London Euston. The last train to leave Coventry on a weekday is the 01:11 to Birmingham New Street.
Coventry station has step-free access to all platforms via lifts.
Click here for further information on Coventry station via the National Rail website.
Travelling by car
Access to The Tin by road is possible via St Nicholas Street. This can be accessed via Radford Road (B4098) or Foleshill Road (B4113).
If you are travelling by car and are a Blue Badge holder, or have a need for an accessible parking spot, you can reserve one by emailing sarah@thetinmusicandarts.org.uk or calling the office on 02476 230699 – please make sure to request this at least three days in advance of the event you are attending. A member of staff will make sure that a space is reserved for you on the night.
For all other parking enquiries, please see our Find Us page.
Travelling by taxi
Taxis can drop off and pick up by driving to the service area of the Canal Basin. Ask the taxi driver to take the first right hand turn on Drapers Fields after the Canal Basin car park and follow the service road all the way to the end nearest Units 1-4. There is a dropped kerb on the right-hand side approaching the space.
Health, Safety and Wellbeing
Fire exits
All fire exits in the main venue and community space are step-free to the evacuation point, located next to the bin in front of the Coal Vaults. There are two fire exits in the Coal Vaults – one is through the main doors from the Canal Basin, and the other is at the back of the performance space.
There is one fire exit in the Units, through the door leading to the loading dock on Drapers Fields. In the event of a fire within the Coal Vaults, an audible alarm and a series of lights will act as an alert, and a fire warden will help guide you to the evacuation point. The Community space has an audible alarm only.
Safety and security
The Tin Music and Arts is a charity operating in a city with a history built from diverse backgrounds. Discrimination and abuse are not tolerated in our spaces. If you have any concerns or want to report an incident, please speak to a member of staff immediately. This will be recorded in an incident book for further investigation.
First aid and medicines
The Tin Music and Arts welcome attendees who need to bring medicines, food or drink to manage a medical condition, or medical equipment. Unfortunately, due to the risk of potential cross-contamination, medications cannot be stored on site.
The Tin has two first aid kits, with one in the Coal Vaults and the other in the Community Space. At least one member of staff at any given event will be a designated first-aider.
Quiet space/Sensory room
Whilst The Tin Music and Arts does not have a specific quiet space or sensory room, we will be able to find a space that is suitable for respite during an event in either the Coal Vaults or Community Space. The ability to provide quiet or sensory spaces at other venues we might use can vary, but our staff are willing to find somewhere that is suitable. For advance queries, please contact Robin at robin@thetinmusicandarts.org.uk.
Access to performance
At present, we unfortunately do not have any permanent services such as Audio Enhancement loops, infra-red mobile connect systems, British Sign Language, closed captions, Audio Description or Relaxed Performances.
Strobe lighting
Strobe lighting may be used at some of the events in the Coal Vaults. Advance notice will be given as to what events will use strobe lights, as well as warnings in the venue that the event is taking place in. If you are unsure about whether strobe lights are to be used at an event you’re due to attend, please contact Robin at robin@thetinmusicandarts.org.uk.
Contact information
The phone number for the office is 02476 230699. Most of our staff are part-time and may not be able to respond immediately; we aim to get back to messages within 3-5 working days.
Sarah Morgan – Venue Director
sarah@thetinmusicandarts.org.uk
Sam Poole – Venue Manager
sam.poole@thetinmusicandarts.org.uk
Robin Jax – Accessibility and Equity Coordinator
robin@thetinmusicandarts.org.uk
We are also contactable via direct message on our Facebook and Instagram pages:
facebook.com/thetinmusicandarts
instagram.com/thetinmusicandarts