Avanti West Coast signs up for Coventry 2021

• Avanti West Coast announced as Transport Partner for Coventry City of Culture
• Thousands expected to travel to the city by train for year-long event
• Station team at Coventry involved in the first major moment of the celebration

Avanti West Coast has been formally announced as an official Transport Partner of Coventry UK City of Culture 2021.

The 12-month showcase of the city promises a world-class programme of events and attractions, including staging the Turner Prize, delivering a world-premiere of a co-commission with the internationally-celebrated Royal Shakespeare Company, and the Assembly Festival Garden.

Kicking off proceedings last month was Coventry Moves, a day-long celebration which reached more than 200,000 people and culminated in a “moment” involving the entire city - including Avanti West Coast’s station team.

The occasion saw people invited to turn on every possible audio device to premiere a specially commissioned piece of music called Coventry Moves Together, as local radio stations played different parts of the track at 8.21pm (20:21) to create a giant surround sound system.

Watch the team at Coventry Station participate in Coventry Moves:

“We’re so proud to be partnering with Coventry UK City of Culture Trust,” enthused Nicola Ryder, Commercial Partnerships Manager at Avanti West Coast. “It’s a chance for the city to shine and we look forward to playing our small part in getting visitors to and from events in a sustainable way, and the undoubted boost this will bring to the West Midlands regional economy.”

Martin Sutherland, Chief Executive of Coventry City of Culture Trust, said: "We are thrilled to be partnering with Avanti West Coast.

"We've had an incredible start to our year as UK City of Culture, which has attracted national and international attention. As restrictions ease, we can’t wait to welcome people from across the country to Coventry to make the most of everything we have to offer, and we look forward to seeing visitors arriving by train thanks to Avanti West Coast."

The city is expected to welcome audiences from across the UK, with many taking advantage of its excellent transport links. With fast and frequent Avanti West Coast services from London, the North West and Scotland, Coventry 2021 will be the most accessible UK City of Culture to date, with 75% of the UK population within two hours travel time. 

One of the West Coast operator’s Pendolinos is named Lady Godiva, named back in 2019 to help fly the flag for the city.