Local community entrepreneur Alan Denyer has expanded his restoration company, AWD Restorations, by setting up a community support operation to help local grassroots cultural projects in the city.
Named AWD-CP (CP is short for ‘creative projects’), the company will be giving spare time and expertise (restoration, makeover/set-dressing, branding, venue management, curation, promotions & marketing) to help local community groups transform buildings and spaces into places where the public can enjoy culture.
Alan is well known in the city for his support for local cultural projects. He was the driving force behind the CET Popup back in 2017, co-ordinating a 12 month ‘culture takeover’ of the disused Coventry Telegraph office that attracted 25,000 people and provided opportunity for over 500 local arts and heritage practitioners – young and old.
More recently he has helped Holyhead Studios in Lower Holyhead Road to transform large derelict basements into a venue space. He has also provided support for the West Indian Community Centre in Spon Street and assisted with the re-launch of the Priory Visitor Centre.
Alan’s 2020 project has been the restoration and re-imagination of Earlsdon Carnegie Community Library. AWD donated 8 weeks labour and materials to the library, which has been taken over by community volunteers. The outcome has included an extensive makeover with new Internet café style workstations, ICT equipment, a new reception area and the creation of an Edwardian styled ‘reading room’ and events space including a William Morris wallpaper frieze, chesterfield sofas, dado detailing and several signature period antiques.
Alan Denyer is a force for good in our city and the Coventry Society wishes him well with this latest enterprise.