News story about the post sorting office site:

http://iccoventry.icnetwork.co.uk/0100news/0100localnews/tm_objectid=17834294%26method=full%26siteid=50003%26page=1%26headline=city%2dpost%2dhq%2dcould%2dbecome%2dcar%2dpark-name_page.html

Surely they could do something more interesting than a car park, they could do a really good link up to the canal basin with some of that land. It's needed I rekon, but I guess so are car parks. Hopefully with swanswell the burgess and bishops street could be really good. Oh and why would they make it strong enough to withstand IRA bomb blasts? Crazy!

Strangeness happened...

News story about the post sorting office site:

http://iccoventry.icnetwork.co.uk/0100news/0100localnews/tm_objectid=17834294%26method=full%26siteid=50003%26page=1%26headline=city%2dpost%2dhq%2dcould%2dbecome%2dcar%2dpark-name_page.html

Surely they could do something more interesting than a car park, they could do a really good link up to the canal basin with some of that land. It's needed I rekon, but I guess so are car parks. Hopefully with swanswell the burgess and bishops street could be really good. Oh and why would they make it strong enough to withstand IRA bomb blasts? Crazy!

Coventry was a target for the IRA. That's why. A bomb went off on Broadgate in 1939 and killed a few people. In the 1970s an attempt was made to bomb the main telephone exchange. The bombers blew themselves up.

Property developers have been trying to buy one of the ugly shacks by the ringroad for some years, but the people who own it (Some sort of ex serviceman's club) won't sell. The area's designated for High-rise, apparently.

a lot of things are changing in coventry for the better, i hope they come up with bigger and better projects for coventry in the near future

Belgrade Plaza first phase is coming to completion isn't it?

That's a nice scheme:)

The first phase of Belgrade Plaza is indeed now finished with the opening of the extended Leigh Mills car park. Ikea should be open on November next year.

Belgrade Plaza first phase is coming to completion isn't it?

That's a nice scheme:)

The car park has been finished, and it's a monster of car park.
The next phase is the main tower - they've got a planning application at planning.coventry.gov.uk for the main tower/office block. (They already have outline permission)

I'm very pleased that they increasing the amount of office space in these developments.

The first phase of Belgrade Plaza is indeed now finished with the opening of the extended Leigh Mills car park. Ikea should be open on November next year.

No sign of the following:

Friar's Road Apartments
Butts Apartments
Old Rover building Apartments (Opposite Ikea).

When is PP expected to be granted Martin?

When is PP expected to be granted Martin?

It looks like it was discussed at a council meeting last week, so hopefully it's got permission - as it's a detailed plan for something that already has outline permission, there should be no problems.

Thanks :)

From AFX

- A & J Mucklow Group has bought a development site in Coventry for £4.75m.
The property firm said the buy is a prime 9.25 acre site on the corner of Torrington Avenue and the A45.

Is this the one?

http://www.middlemarchcoventry.com/

That was just a quick google search for that firm

From AFX

It's the former Nastech site, I assume - one of the big warehouse shops wanted to open up there, but were refused permission (After a public enquiry).

Is this the one?

http://www.middlemarchcoventry.com/

That was just a quick google search for that firm

No. This is by Coventry Airport. Torrington Road is in Canley, not far from HSS, Sainsbury's and the Casino and car dealerships.

i reckon everyone is familiar with the swanswell learning quarter that is currently under construction. has anyone had a closer look at the artist's sketch of the masterplan for the area? if u look closer you will see that there is some sort of a high-rise just in on the side of the main blvrd, and there are some other buildings where pool meadow bus station is. i personally like the swanswell initiative as a whole.

PS
1st post :)

PS
1st post :):wave:

Hey Roskal BG :hi:

i reckon everyone is familiar with the swanswell learning quarter that is currently under construction. has anyone had a closer look at the artist's sketch of the masterplan for the area? if u look closer you will see that there is some sort of a high-rise just in on the side of the main blvrd, and there are some other buildings where pool meadow bus station is. i personally like the swanswell initiative as a whole.

PS
1st post :)

It looks great, but it isn't happening. So don't pin your hopes on anything decent down there. I believe they're chickening out and keeping the ringroad.

Yeah thats right - its not gonna happen. Its meant to be because the new road would have major capacity issues, aswell as land stability and gradient problems.

I've seen a model of it and it sure does lock the whole city up!

How about sending the ring road under there so the Swanswell can flow over into the centre? I also think the ring road should dive under where the bridge connects to the canal basin - you should be able to walk freely down Spon St into a nice wharf without seeing the ring road.

You couldn't do that for the same reasons;


The ground is unstable - thus tunneling would not be possible
Foleshill Road is too high up
Its a flood plain aparently???!?
Its would cost over £40M to tunnel it. The land around is not worth that much to sell = bad Cost Benefit Analyses

Nothing specific, but I was talking with someone today (quite important) who says that Cov is The Next Big Thing :yes:

Well consider its location, right in the middle of the country, on the M40, M42, end of the M6 - gateway to the 'Northern Heights', close to the M1, close to half an hour from Brum, Warwick, Tamworth, Leicester, Northampton, an hour from a huge number more large towns / cities. Its has huge potential - this just needs to be realised (and is starting to be).

Plus consider how cheap the houses are here, id buy one if i could cos they are gonna rocket!!

Exactly! :)

It is not rocket science so why has it taken CCC so long to realise the advantages of being Coventry?

I dunno, i think the issue has been focused on developing out-of-town sites all through the 90s, and pretty much total ignorance to the importance of the central area.

The chief-hunchoes (if i've spelt that right) seem to have suddenly realised that it would be a good idea to improve the city centre in the very late 90s, after they saw what Birmingham, Nottingham and other cities were achieving.

I guess this is proved by the fact IKEA was meant to be built by Morrisons in Binely / Brandon Road and now its gonna be in the city centre - cant wait!! :banana:

Nothing specific, but I was talking with someone today (quite important) who says that Cov is The Next Big Thing :yes:

Was he in the sewerage business?

How about sending the ring road under there so the Swanswell can flow over into the centre? I also think the ring road should dive under where the bridge connects to the canal basin - you should be able to walk freely down Spon St into a nice wharf without seeing the ring road.

IMHO Swanswell will be a waste of time. It'll be back to being like Hillfields was in a few years. A backwater behind a flyover. The ringroad caused so much destruction when it was built, and has been responsible for creating a band of useless, unusable land around the city centre. It's always going to be a stumbling block when trying to regenerate areas around it due to the way it blocks access.

Who is going want to pay 120K+ for an apartment in the shadow of a flyover? They must be mad. It'd depress the hell out of me.

Was he in the sewerage business?

:lol: Not as far as I am aware. :)

They also tipped Walsall when the Art Gallery opened and that is finally beginning to happen :yes:

:lol: Not as far as I am aware. :)

They also tipped Walsall when the Art Gallery opened and that is finally beginning to happen :yes:

Aye, but Coventry is - well, Coventry. It just doesn't work. :bash:

Spill some beans then, tell us who this person was who thought this? The van with square wheels is coming.:)

Cov could be a hit if the developmenst in the pipeline are successfull, if they fail then alot of people are going to loose alot of money!

i would describe Coventry as a sleeping Giant, then i would prey to God that all of the sane people dont stone me...

i would describe Coventry as a sleeping Giant, then i would prey to God that all of the sane people dont stone me...

actually thats not a bad description, except i wouldnt say its sleeping, its more of a coma than anything lol!!

i would describe Coventry as a sleeping Giant, then i would prey to God that all of the sane people dont stone me...

I'd say it's on a life support machine that needs to be switched off!

I'd say it's on a life support machine that needs to be switched off!

no i think it just needs a shot of adrenaline to wake it up i.e a new retail core that flows to other developments like belgrade and ikea.

no i think it just needs a shot of adrenaline to wake it up i.e a new retail core that flows to other developments like belgrade and ikea.

aaaaahhh! i like it! tell it to the coucil :lol: :)
damn i wish Coventry was good:banana: :bash:

no i think it just needs a shot of adrenaline to wake it up i.e a new retail core that flows to other developments like belgrade and ikea.

It needs better housing, better suburbs and an influx of new people.

I was in the city centre last night for the first time in months, and it was deserted - just huge gangs of chavs wandering around and driving up and down in their cheap old bangers...

Then to top it all, I struggled to get into the only bar I like in the city centre.

So that's it - I'm staying clear of the place from now on. It's just grim beyond belief. The High Street was horrid as well - gangs of beef-head lager louts... Ugh. Horrible.

I was in the city centre last night for the first time in months, and it was deserted - just huge gangs of chavs wandering around and driving up and down in their cheap old bangers...

Then to top it all, I struggled to get into the only bar I like in the city centre.

So that's it - I'm staying clear of the place from now on. It's just grim beyond belief. The High Street was horrid as well - gangs of beef-head lager louts... Ugh. Horrible.

lol sounds like you had a great time:) :ohno: :bash:

anyway back to the topic, i dont no if any of you coventrians out there read the newspaper last night?

If you did, you might have noticed that there is a huge redevelopment plan for the area of Canley... anyone have more on this?

here's a link to give you the general idea...

http://www.coventry.gov.uk/ccm/content/chief-executives-directorate/corporate-policy/communications-team/news-releases-2006/regeneration-of-canley.en;jsessionid=be0Ro_lzJ0Gg

lol sounds like you had a great time:) :ohno: :bash:

anyway back to the topic, i dont no if any of you coventrians out there read the newspaper last night?

If you did, you might have noticed that there is a huge redevelopment plan for the area of Canley... anyone have more on this?

here's a link to give you the general idea...

http://www.coventry.gov.uk/ccm/content/chief-executives-directorate/corporate-policy/communications-team/news-releases-2006/regeneration-of-canley.en;jsessionid=be0Ro_lzJ0Gg

Canley. Yet more money being thrown at crap areas that will no doubt return to being crap again in a few years time. The best thing they can do is sweep away these sink estates and replace with a much more mixed development of homes, businesses and leisure.

Canley. Yet more money being thrown at crap areas that will no doubt return to being crap again in a few years time. The best thing they can do is sweep away these sink estates and replace with a much more mixed development of homes, businesses and leisure.

they need to use this money to sort the centre out first, these areas should be developed once the city has a diverse economy and thriving CBD, when there is a demand for better housing, at the moment there isnt as much demand for quality housing in the main areas of the city because people dont earn enough money. the only way coventry will succeed is by sorting out its retail core, the leisure aspects are being created and once finished will be great though very spread out. Personally when it comes to the city i think development should really begin in the centre and pread out like a ripple effect, instead of just developing randon peices of land everywhere.

Why didnt they just get rid of the belgrade theatre and start again, is it listed?

yes i think it is

i dont think getting rid of it would help, its a part of the city's history, what would go up in it's place? another nationally used brown and glass style building. Coventry's got an incredibly unique history, unfortunatly some of it isnt the best, but some needs to be retained, thats what makes cities intresting, diversity. It's one of the only acceptable buildings that was built at that time. It's anoying the extention is a bit lame, it had potential but needs better integration with it's environment. I like it apart from the front which looks odd cos it's just flat, they should've carried on the block effect all round and used glass instead of perspex in the roof. Maybe with the plaza around it it will look better. I know someones going to say "yeah cos it might hide it"

Martin - you should know better than to go into the city centre at the weekend! Where in england wouldn't hav chavy beer swilling ppl around yates and lloyds at the weekend?? It's the state of the nation, not just Coventry

they need to use this money to sort the centre out first, these areas should be developed once the city has a diverse economy and thriving CBD, when there is a demand for better housing, at the moment there isnt as much demand for quality housing in the main areas of the city because people dont earn enough money. the only way coventry will succeed is by sorting out its retail core, the leisure aspects are being created and once finished will be great though very spread out. Personally when it comes to the city i think development should really begin in the centre and pread out like a ripple effect, instead of just developing randon peices of land everywhere.

Why didnt they just get rid of the belgrade theatre and start again, is it listed?



i think it is listed..

i cant believe that its listed, its just ugly. i hate it. im all up for keeping bits of the past when they actally look good, but this is horrible. the round cafe in the lower precinct is nice and its from the same era. they seriously need to X list these concrete monstrosities or at least redevelop them to make them look acceptable.

they need to use this money to sort the centre out first, these areas should be developed once the city has a diverse economy and thriving CBD, when there is a demand for better housing, at the moment there isnt as much demand for quality housing in the main areas of the city because people dont earn enough money. the only way coventry will succeed is by sorting out its retail core, the leisure aspects are being created and once finished will be great though very spread out. Personally when it comes to the city i think development should really begin in the centre and pread out like a ripple effect, instead of just developing randon peices of land everywhere.

Why didnt they just get rid of the belgrade theatre and start again, is it listed?

Belgrade Theatre's listed.

The trouble with Coventry is that there's no demand for housing in places like Canley, but there's a huge demand for houses in places like Earsldon and Stivichal, and the prices in these areas have been driven up.

i cant believe that its listed, its just ugly. i hate it. im all up for keeping bits of the past when they actally look good, but this is horrible. the round cafe in the lower precinct is nice and its from the same era. they seriously need to X list these concrete monstrosities or at least redevelop them to make them look acceptable.

I think the Belgrade Theatre is actually pretty good. The front is a nice glazed area, and it would look good as part of a proper square. Inside it's also very spacious.

The abomination they've stuck on the back is a disgrace.

Okay i concur now about the suburbs issue, we need to city to expand outwards. If you look at the houses in Coundon / Cheylesmore / Stivichall they must have been built mid/after the war??? and thats the edge of the city! The cities boundary has barely changed - i think we need to look at the GreenBelt more sacrifically and develop the city outwards. Congestion isn't that bad here (in comparison to nearly all similar sized towns / cities and even to very small towns) so theres enough capacity to accomodate it.

Okay i concur now about the suburbs issue, we need to city to expand outwards. If you look at the houses in Coundon / Cheylesmore / Stivichall they must have been built mid/after the war??? and thats the edge of the city! The cities boundary has barely changed - i think we need to look at the GreenBelt more sacrifically and develop the city outwards. Congestion isn't that bad here (in comparison to nearly all similar sized towns / cities and even to very small towns) so theres enough capacity to accomodate it.

well, with the council's plan to expand the city's population to 400,000 people, expanding outwards is definate...

well, with the council's plan to expand the city's population to 400,000 people, expanding outwards is definate...

Yes totally, and to be honest places like the coundon wedge could have parts developed - ASLONG as they keep large 'urban parks' and create new ones of these like the Memorial Park, and Cannon Hill Park in Birmingham. Urban parks i feel have a lot more value than blighted fields with a public footpath across them.

Oh and developing outwards is only good if its not just a load of flats /apartment - or we'll end up with another Willenhall / Wood End situation. British people only suit flats in central areas.

Yes totally, and to be honest places like the coundon wedge could have parts developed - ASLONG as they keep large 'urban parks' and create new ones of these like the Memorial Park, and Cannon Hill Park in Birmingham. Urban parks i feel have a lot more value than blighted fields with a public footpath across them.

Oh and developing outwards is only good if its not just a load of flats /apartment - or we'll end up with another Willenhall / Wood End situation. British people only suit flats in central areas.

yes i agree, but tell that to the angry locals who will protect their precious greenbelt land from redevelopment with their lives lol...

yes i agree, but tell that to the angry locals who will protect their precious greenbelt land from redevelopment with their lives lol...

Yeah theres far too many of these types of people in Coventry. They seem to think its a village here. Get a grib!! Embrace change i tell them!! All they are concerned about is where they are gonna park and their property value.

Okay i concur now about the suburbs issue, we need to city to expand outwards. If you look at the houses in Coundon / Cheylesmore / Stivichall they must have been built mid/after the war??? and thats the edge of the city! The cities boundary has barely changed - i think we need to look at the GreenBelt more sacrifically and develop the city outwards. Congestion isn't that bad here (in comparison to nearly all similar sized towns / cities and even to very small towns) so theres enough capacity to accomodate it.

I think the Coventry->Nuneaton Corridor should be developed for housing/new population, and the Coventry->Rugby A45 corridor towards Draycote Water.

Warwick Uni are also expanding to be double the size, which means Coventry->Kenilworth may become built up?

What do you think about the Sprint proposal? It should link-up all this new development which is indeed planned for the Coventry - Nuneaton corridor?

i think areas of greenbelt should be developed into areas like westwood and gibbet hill where there is good quality housing, but only parts should be built on, i think that the greenbelt is an important area for boundry control and conservation. I think coventry has enough brownfield land within its current boundries to create enough good housing to accommodate the influx in its population. There are swathes of land that are just waiting to be developed in and around the city, you have the old council depot for one which i think will create at least 600/700 new homes, you then have paragon park which create a further 1500, thats potentially 2200 new homes in 2 developments, then you have the ols peugot site which will create anoth 1000 new homes and various other developments like westwood heath and there is also another development of about 80 homes at the end of Tamworth road with will be high end properties, then you have the flats that are being built all over the city, such as belgrade plaza, park court, friarsgate, the ones next to the tax offices, victoria and albert buildings, the new flats that are being built on bishop street as part of the office development, millenium view, swanswell, and the huge council project behing the mercia center off lythals lane, which is another huge development of at least 200 homes and this is just counting a few. Over all i think we will have around 3500/4000 new homes built in the next 3/4 years. But i do agree that bigger and better housing stock is needed in the city on the outskirts like westwood.

What do you think about the Sprint proposal? It should link-up all this new development which is indeed planned for the Coventry - Nuneaton corridor?

sprint is a waste of time, its just another council brainchild that will fail, its just a glorified bus service, they should just increase the number of trains that go there instead.

I readthe other day that a new service may be opened from coventry that goes to eith moore street station or snow hill because of the increase in commuters going to new street.

sprint is a waste of time, its just another council brainchild that will fail, its just a glorified bus service, they should just increase the number of trains that go there instead.

I readthe other day that a new service may be opened from coventry that goes to eith moore street station or snow hill because of the increase in commuters going to new street.

The council would pursue it but there is no economic case for an improved train service, plus you have major capacity issues at Cov station and the cov-nuneaton line is full of freight traffic! Even prologis have started using it now.

Central government wont support a rail option cos it requires increased subsidy, and to be honest i wouldn't wanna use that train service unless it was every 15 mins, and the stagecoach bus does that already.

Basically im saying theres no point going with the train-lobby on this one cos it'll NEVER happen.

There is also the huge Paragon Park development and probably other proposals that are on the drawing board but haven't been made public. There is a lot of potential development land that should be used BEFORE green belt land is turned in to red brick boxes.

There is also the huge Paragon Park development and probably other proposals that are on the drawing board but haven't been made public. There is a lot of potential development land that should be used BEFORE green belt land is turned in to red brick boxes.

Yeah theres been a lot of sites that have recently become available, a lot of it is already being redeveloped for employment.

You've got Paragon as you say and theres pockets of derelict / empty land along the stoney stanton and foleshill roads which could be improved hugely and improve the community in that area.

If they have to use the green belt then i think they need to do something creative and have a new large open space.

There is also the huge Paragon Park development and probably other proposals that are on the drawing board but haven't been made public. There is a lot of potential development land that should be used BEFORE green belt land is turned in to red brick boxes.

Is Paragon park actually happening? It's been planned for years now, but there's no sign of anything happening.

Yeah theres far too many of these types of people in Coventry. They seem to think its a village here. Get a grib!! Embrace change i tell them!! All they are concerned about is where they are gonna park and their property value.

Coventry does have a "village" mentality, which I've never understood. That, and the older folk who are obsessed with Coventry's old buildings and think the place is York.

Coventry is filled with far too many Edwardian terraced areas that were built for the factory workers. They're fairly badly built, and some of the larger ones are difficult to sell - families want something with a drive and a garden, not a 4 bed terrace stuck in the back streets of Stoke. I know this because we bought a house in Stoke and the estate agents pretty much said only investment buyers would be interested. They said families would buy the new houses out in the sticks or Rugby. These houses are not suitable for many people these days.

What do you think about the Sprint proposal? It should link-up all this new development which is indeed planned for the Coventry - Nuneaton corridor?

I think Sprint is a joke - mainly because it'll take 6 years to get it up and running. It's just a bus. Why does it take 6 years to get a bus running?

And they've already had a backlash about the Kenilworth road section - which will now be normal road. Pointless. It'll just get stuck in traffic.

Is Paragon park actually happening? It's been planned for years now, but there's no sign of anything happening.

Yeah as far as we are aware it is a def go-er at the moment. I think its more when than if now.

Coventry does have a "village" mentality, which I've never understood. That, and the older folk who are obsessed with Coventry's old buildings and think the place is York.

Coventry is filled with far too many Edwardian terraced areas that were built for the factory workers. They're fairly badly built, and some of the larger ones are difficult to sell - families want something with a drive and a garden, not a 4 bed terrace stuck in the back streets of Stoke. I know this because we bought a house in Stoke and the estate agents pretty much said only investment buyers would be interested. They said families would buy the new houses out in the sticks or Rugby. These houses are not suitable for many people these days.

Lol story of my life. I live in an edwardian terrace with 4 bedrooms in stoke, and i rent a room. Its very big for a terrace and its a very nice little house; but the problem is Stoke and Wyken tbh. Ever since i moved here i was sure my car was gonna get broken into (first time i've ever owned a car and its a city, all my uni mates used to get their cars trashed in Selly Oak!) and after 9 months someone tried to bust the lock in, then smashed the window and id like to think im not stupid and this dont ever leave anything in it so all they got was part of an insurance document which was easily sorted. Its the hassle and cost of the windscreen excess though!

Even though i've just complained about Stoke there is a lot of gentification on my street and its reasonably well off, but this doesn't seem to be spreading toward Ball Hill atall its just kinda the little bit around Stoke Park.

I know city life would be tough and it certainly is being at the moment; hence why my posts over the past few weeks have been 'argumentative' and i apologise.

We could do with some nice new suburbs in the city, diversify the housing stock a little and encourage fresh investment.

So Paragon Park is happening? interesting...have any renders been released and if so does anyone have any?

I think Sprint is a joke - mainly because it'll take 6 years to get it up and running. It's just a bus. Why does it take 6 years to get a bus running?

And they've already had a backlash about the Kenilworth road section - which will now be normal road. Pointless. It'll just get stuck in traffic.

Yes Warwickshire is a serious problem. The proposal has stalled since Mr Eastman went and its starting to pick up again now. A lot of the problem is getting all the CBA sorted and then applying for funding, and co-ordinating with Warwickshire. Basically Warwickshire want Coventry to sort out the whole scheme; and then reap their own benefits at no cost. This could result in nothing happening atall.

Sprint is def a good thing if we can achieve it. It'll help areas like Paragon and Bermuda develop for those who cannot or do not have access to a car (such as many under 17s and over 65s) and if the city builds this scheme (a lot of which is segregated 'track' such as the Dartford Fastrack, i think its called), it will encourage investment in the city centre from overseas and the rest of the country.

The CBA for Sprint is soooo good (where rail is more or less zero) that there has been interest from transport companies from all over the world to build a 'Sprint' style scheme themselves in the city. The UK political, regulation and highways system doesn't however allow for this and thats a huge shame.

Additionally I wouldn't like to disclose too much but i dont think a contentious part of the scheme will continue to be included, its not worth the effort for them tbh.

So Paragon Park is happening? interesting...have any renders been released and if so does anyone have any?

I think if you goto Civic Centre 4 theres a current planning application in - i think this is outline.

They are still developing things like renders and tweeking of the masterplan.

Lol story of my life. I live in an edwardian terrace with 4 bedrooms in stoke, and i rent a room. Its very big for a terrace and its a very nice little house; but the problem is Stoke and Wyken tbh. Ever since i moved here i was sure my car was gonna get broken into (first time i've ever owned a car and its a city, all my uni mates used to get their cars trashed in Selly Oak!) and after 9 months someone tried to bust the lock in, then smashed the window and id like to think im not stupid and this dont ever leave anything in it so all they got was part of an insurance document which was easily sorted. Its the hassle and cost of the windscreen excess though!

Even though i've just complained about Stoke there is a lot of gentification on my street and its reasonably well off, but this doesn't seem to be spreading toward Ball Hill atall its just kinda the little bit around Stoke Park.

I know city life would be tough and it certainly is being at the moment; hence why my posts over the past few weeks have been 'argumentative' and i apologise.

We could do with some nice new suburbs in the city, diversify the housing stock a little and encourage fresh investment.

We were in Stoke, just behind Stoke Park (Saint Michael's Road), and it was far from becoming gentrified - all the houses were selling and becoming student houses/multiple occupancy. We sold ours to an investment buyer, which meant the whole block was rented. We had terrible trouble with neighbours in the rented house, litter on the street, and just generally the dirtiness of the area. Lots of other things. You can only pick up so many discarded Pizzas/Burgers/Chip Wrappers before you start to get pissed off.

We moved over to Earlsdon after 4 years and couldn't believe it - like living in a different City. Neighbours talk to us, the people locally on the streets are friendly, the shopkeepers are friendly, and there's rarely any trouble and it's also clean. Also excellent local facilities, such as the Gallery Restaurant, DaVincis, etc. Much quieter, and people genuinely like the area. Probably moreso than Coventry itself. The sad thing is when we left Stoke, we didn't even say goodbye to any neighbours - as people round there just wouldn't talk to us. People moved into the houses for a year or two then left. It had no community. But it had litter. A lot of litter.

Traditionally, the area between Binley Road and Ball Hill has always been far nicer than the other side of Ball Hill/Clay Lane. I'm not sure about now, but a friend of mine who paid virtually nothing for a house in Stoke is now sitting on something worth over 100K - although as he pointed out, if he wanted to move over to Earlsdon he'd be looking at 160K for a similar terraced house, and he can't afford it. We were lucky. We bought over this side of the city before the prices shot up.

We drove round most of Coventry when we were looking to move, and found a lot of it depressing. The new estates were soulless, and slap bang next to rough areas or right out in the middle of nowhere. Most of North East of the City was just bleak and neverending. Coundon was OK right out on the outskirts, near Jaguar, and some bits of Eastern Green/Allesley nice. We pretty much decided that if we can't get anywhere in Earlsdon we'd move to Kenilworth or Leamington, but luckily something came up.

Even Allesley Village had a huge complex of council flats next to it and looked really rough (Despite the village itself being one of Coventry's Gems.)

It's an odd city.

I think if you goto Civic Centre 4 theres a current planning application in - i think this is outline.

They are still developing things like renders and tweeking of the masterplan.


This application was on the planning portal. I don't look at it anymore since they installed that rubbish "Trapeze" system that doesn't work. Clearly no-one at the council have even tested it. Or they don't want people to view plans.

Yes Warwickshire is a serious problem. The proposal has stalled since Mr Eastman went and its starting to pick up again now. A lot of the problem is getting all the CBA sorted and then applying for funding, and co-ordinating with Warwickshire. Basically Warwickshire want Coventry to sort out the whole scheme; and then reap their own benefits at no cost. This could result in nothing happening atall.

Sprint is def a good thing if we can achieve it. It'll help areas like Paragon and Bermuda develop for those who cannot or do not have access to a car (such as many under 17s and over 65s) and if the city builds this scheme (a lot of which is segregated 'track' such as the Dartford Fastrack, i think its called), it will encourage investment in the city centre from overseas and the rest of the country.

The CBA for Sprint is soooo good (where rail is more or less zero) that there has been interest from transport companies from all over the world to build a 'Sprint' style scheme themselves in the city. The UK political, regulation and highways system doesn't however allow for this and thats a huge shame.

Additionally I wouldn't like to disclose too much but i dont think a contentious part of the scheme will continue to be included, its not worth the effort for them tbh.

I think it'd be good to see it happen, but from what you say the whole system is just a mess and it's stalling for no reason.

The only contentious bits I was aware of were Kenilworth the town (Who didn't want it - well, the 50 pensioners who probably replied didn't want it) and the green belt around Warwick. Oh, and Nuneaton didn't want to build extra roadways.

It sounds typical - an initial plan that looks good, and then slowly chipped at until it's a shadow of its original self. No doubt when (If) it opens, everyone will complain about it not being that good. And it all goes back to the few people who complain and campaign. It's about time the silent majority were taken into account!

This application was on the planning portal. I don't look at it anymore since they installed that rubbish "Trapeze" system that doesn't work. Clearly no-one at the council have even tested it. Or they don't want people to view plans.

I have been following up this trapeze issue cos its affecting me aswell. I have though, as usual, not had a response!!!

I have been following up this trapeze issue cos its affecting me aswell. I have though, as usual, not had a response!!!

I e-mailled someone at the council who said it was a New Zealand company doing it or something. Whatever it is, it's rubbish, and doesn't work, and whoever OKed it being rolled out should be fired. If we released our products in that state we'd lose all our business!

I think it'd be good to see it happen, but from what you say the whole system is just a mess and it's stalling for no reason.

The only contentious bits I was aware of were Kenilworth the town (Who didn't want it - well, the 50 pensioners who probably replied didn't want it) and the green belt around Warwick. Oh, and Nuneaton didn't want to build extra roadways.

It sounds typical - an initial plan that looks good, and then slowly chipped at until it's a shadow of its original self. No doubt when (If) it opens, everyone will complain about it not being that good. And it all goes back to the few people who complain and campaign. It's about time the silent majority were taken into account!

Yeah i think its gonna be okay and go-ahead at the moment. Everything is looking good again, and the scheme is projected to be more than self-funding once its operational so warwickshire shouldn't have so many problems, there will be some infrastructure such as to bypass (go straight across the roundabout) at the M6 at Junction 3 and some changes in central Nuneaton, aswell as new slip roads at the Bedworth junction - i would imagine Warwickshire cant afford these themselves so they are still keen to get the bedworth and nuneaton junction improvements.

I think Sprint will happen. Coventry has a very good record with delivery; the PrimeLines scheme is doing better than expected and it is envied and being copied by pretty much every-other city in the country right now. Central Government seem to like to give us money for transport; because they know the rest of the redevelopment and economic benefits will come with these schemes due to Coventrys location.

Theres also some major road improvements which im not sure if they are public yet but once they are i will update the forums!

What I want to know is - when are we going to see something nice and tall!

What I want to know is - when are we going to see something nice and tall!

Haha, same here. I doubt anything will go over 20 stories to be honest, theres not much demand for residential properties within the ring road, and as we've seen with Arena Central Tower :bash: (lol) these tallies are mostly economical because of the fact they are predominantly residential.

The Victoria buildings should hopefully be our mini jewel in the crown, at 14 stories. I think it'll look impressive from the ring road as IKEA does now; whenever i go round and down at the Butts i gawp at how big it seems in context to the crappy warehouses that still seem to be on the edges of the city core.

Haha, same here. I doubt anything will go over 20 stories to be honest, theres not much demand for residential properties within the ring road, and as we've seen with Arena Central Tower :bash: (lol) these tallies are mostly economical because of the fact they are predominantly residential.

The Victoria buildings should hopefully be our mini jewel in the crown, at 14 stories. I think it'll look impressive from the ring road as IKEA does now; whenever i go round and down at the Butts i gawp at how big it seems in context to the crappy warehouses that still seem to be on the edges of the city core.

Shame. That'll please the locals. You look at ANY planning applications, and you can guarantee someone complains that it's too high!

Is this lack of demand the reason for the change of plan for millennium view and also the change of owners of Victoria buildings?

Shame. That'll please the locals. You look at ANY planning applications, and you can guarantee someone complains that it's too high!

Is this lack of demand the reason for the change of plan for millennium view and also the change of owners of Victoria buildings?

Id say so; i think the City Council needs to get some new office space developed in the city centre to drive the demand.

The Victoria buildings should hopefully be our mini jewel in the crown, at 14 stories. I think it'll look impressive from the ring road

lol, now i definately know i am an old fool, i havent even seen or read anything on this project, please relieve me of my embarrasment and show me some designs!...lol

lol, now i definately know i am an old fool, i havent even seen or read anything on this project, please relieve me of my embarrasment and show me some designs!...lol

I posted a link to it in one of the other Coventry threads.

Id say so; i think the City Council needs to get some new office space developed in the city centre to drive the demand.

I noticed today that "Osbourne House", an apartment block near Starley Road's new development, also has office space in it!

I think more office space would be good if it can be filled.

I posted a link to it in one of the other Coventry threads.

thanks martin, i have to say i like the design and reckon the building will make the surroundings feel more secure and enclosed, which is a good thing, but reckon they could do more with it, maybe add 5 or more extra floors, but love the outside walls...

Good news...

Looks like the BW shop (they've closed the whole network) is under offer;
One of the empty units in the main part of West Orchards is also under offer;
and the old Coventry BS on Trinity Street that closed a while back is also under offer; no further details but lets hope they'll something new that moves into these vacant units.

Additionally Bodycare seem to be consolidating their unit, they want to half the size of the store and let the other half to another retailer; and Allied Carpets at the dead end near one of West Orchards entrances is moving out - no loss there lol.

Good news...

Looks like the BW shop (they've closed the whole network) is under offer;
One of the empty units in the main part of West Orchards is also under offer;
and the old Coventry BS on Trinity Street that closed a while back is also under offer; no further details but lets hope they'll something new that moves into these vacant units.

Additionally Bodycare seem to be consolidating their unit, they want to half the size of the store and let the other half to another retailer; and Allied Carpets at the dead end near one of West Orchards entrances is moving out - no loss there lol.

aye, this is good news:) hope we will be seeing some glorious plans for the offered spaces

Good news...

Looks like the BW shop (they've closed the whole network) is under offer;
One of the empty units in the main part of West Orchards is also under offer;
and the old Coventry BS on Trinity Street that closed a while back is also under offer; no further details but lets hope they'll something new that moves into these vacant units.

Additionally Bodycare seem to be consolidating their unit, they want to half the size of the store and let the other half to another retailer; and Allied Carpets at the dead end near one of West Orchards entrances is moving out - no loss there lol.

I'm not surprised by Allied Carpets. Someone told me that they were in trouble. Although as the other large store opposite has been empty for years, I imagine this one'll be empty for a while! Or hopefully demolished. It's an eyesore.

I'm not surprised by Allied Carpets. Someone told me that they were in trouble. Although as the other large store opposite has been empty for years, I imagine this one'll be empty for a while! Or hopefully demolished. It's an eyesore.

That would be good, and they could knock down that stupid cover outside the smithford way entrance to westorchards while their at it, its completely pointless! It cant be to shelter ppl from rain cos it just makes it all run down directly onto the path. Whats with stupid cover structures in this city! (cathedral lanes tent, this, that apparently really expensive spherical tent thing at the bottom of lower precinct!) AHHH

I'm not surprised by Allied Carpets. Someone told me that they were in trouble. Although as the other large store opposite has been empty for years, I imagine this one'll be empty for a while! Or hopefully demolished. It's an eyesore.

Hopefully Prudential are looking at that whole end area for extending West Orchards. They needs to get WO to a critical size whereby it has at least another 10SUs around 1,500-2000sf and maybe another MSU. I imagine this is why Debenhams has not yet been refurbished as something must be on the cards.

That would be good, and they could knock down that stupid cover outside the smithford way entrance to westorchards while their at it, its completely pointless! It cant be to shelter ppl from rain cos it just makes it all run down directly onto the path. Whats with stupid cover structures in this city! (cathedral lanes tent, this, that apparently really expensive spherical tent thing at the bottom of lower precinct!) AHHH

Well Waterstones wants to close at Cathedral Lanes; i would have thought HMV would be clever and move there HMV store to this site, but i think they get enough trade in Hertford Street anyway at a cheaper rent.

Someone will have to do something with Cathedral Lanes at some point, is def not achieving its potential; and they wont want to knock it down. Maybe if they resign the whole complexe and just have larger, deeper, units around the edge facing Broadgate / High Street etc.., completely doing away with the central foyer area. This would save on security and maintenence aswell! :cheers:

Well Waterstones wants to close at Cathedral Lanes; i would have thought HMV would be clever and move there HMV store to this site, but i think they get enough trade in Hertford Street anyway at a cheaper rent.

Someone will have to do something with Cathedral Lanes at some point, is def not achieving its potential; and they wont want to knock it down. Maybe if they resign the whole complexe and just have larger, deeper, units around the edge facing Broadgate / High Street etc.., completely doing away with the central foyer area. This would save on security and maintenence aswell! :cheers:

It's been this way for 16 years. It was quickly apparent as soon as it opened that it wasn't going to work. Unfortunately, that part of the town has turned very downmarket now, with PikeyMark and Wilkinsons... And then the dreadful Trinity Street and the Burges.

I actually think they should demolish that canopy and extend Cathedral Lanes towards the top of the precinct and turn it into a proper street - which is what it was before the war.

People get all nostalgic about the green space that was there, but it was ALWAYS planned to built on that land. The telegraph published a design drawn up in the 1950s for a shopping centre on Broadgate.

Hopefully Prudential are looking at that whole end area for extending West Orchards. They needs to get WO to a critical size whereby it has at least another 10SUs around 1,500-2000sf and maybe another MSU. I imagine this is why Debenhams has not yet been refurbished as something must be on the cards.

They were talking about his some years ago... As well as demolishing Barracks Car park and using that for a shopping development. That seems to me to be a good idea, a bit like what they did in Southampton... Although I doubt they can attract any major stores to Coventry anymore

The new victoria building has been approved and is set to be completed by Christmas 2008...yey

The new victoria building has been approved and is set to be completed by Christmas 2008...yey

Cool! Any chance you can get some images up?

I can try and ask at the planning desk tomorrow if not.

martin, just out of interest, what are these major stores that we are failing to attract, because i can only really think of something like house of fraser.

i agree shopping isnt up to scratch in coventry, but for me it is the lack of small independent retailers that is the problem, not the abscence of the big chains.

most of the big retails chains has a presence in coventry, and we´ve done pretty well to be the first major provincial city with a central ikea.

things need to improve i agree, but theyre not neally as bad as you make out.

Cool! Any chance you can get some images up?

I can try and ask at the planning desk tomorrow if not.

http://i19.tinypic.com/2w5lva1.jpg

that is the only one i could find lol...it is also in the evening telegraph...

martin, just out of interest, what are these major stores that we are failing to attract, because i can only really think of something like house of fraser.

i agree shopping isnt up to scratch in coventry, but for me it is the lack of small independent retailers that is the problem, not the abscence of the big chains.

most of the big retails chains has a presence in coventry, and we´ve done pretty well to be the first major provincial city with a central ikea.

things need to improve i agree, but theyre not neally as bad as you make out.

I prefer smaller indie shops, but the big chains draw in a lot of people.

Fopp
Habitat
{Insert name of any decent department store}
The wife says the clothes shops are rubbish, as are the shoe shops.
Zara
Dixons/Curry's whatever they're called this week.
Jade
etc, etc.
No fashion stores.
Lakeland
etc
etc

I think it is as bad as I make out - but it's not just shops. It's the sheer wretchedness of the precinct, the market, the whole thing - it's just depressing and dreary.

Even the stuff that is here has a terrible selection of goods. The wife can't even buy maternity clothes anywhere in the city, as no one stocks them.

It's rubbish.

Don't even get me started on the rubbishness of the place at night... If you like rubbish chain bars and getting blitzed, that's about all Cov's good for.

The new victoria building has been approved and is set to be completed by Christmas 2008...yey

The previous one was also approved... and never got built! So don't hold your breath.

Shame it's going to be Iceland underneath it. Ugh. Prime spot taken up by a dreadful nasty supermarket.

I prefer smaller indie shops, but the big chains draw in a lot of people.

Fopp
Habitat
{Insert name of any decent department store}
The wife says the clothes shops are rubbish, as are the shoe shops.
Zara
Dixons/Curry's whatever they're called this week.
Jade
etc, etc.
No fashion stores.
Lakeland
etc
etc


I thought Jade had gone bust? They seem to have vanished in Brum.
Currys wont move back in, they are closing there only Birmingham city centre store, and they've closed the one in Milton Keynes and other Top 10 / 20 centres; it doesn't interest them.

John Lewis will move into Birmingham with Martinuea Galleries so i doubt that any other department store will be interested here.

Lakeland goto places with certain demographics, such as Cambridge. Cov doesn't have these and wont. Brum doesn't even have one.

Zara are likely to only locate to the Top retail destinations, as Mexx have shown getting into the UK market is tough; and they appear to be pulling out everywhere.

Fopp might move in cos we have a lot of students, and that'll be attractive to them. They haven't really been around that long in any form of scale so it might just take a bit of time before they move in... they moved into Bedford fgs so Cov def has a chance!!

Coventry im affraid might join the Top 100 centres at some point but cos of all the other shopping areas in the surrounding towns - leamington, nuneaton, rugby, solihull - it'll never get that high and the number of shopping destinations currently being built in London are gonna bust a move to the Top 20 and shift other UK cities out.

I thought Jade had gone bust? They seem to have vanished in Brum.
Currys wont move back in, they are closing there only Birmingham city centre store, and they've closed the one in Milton Keynes and other Top 10 / 20 centres; it doesn't interest them.

John Lewis will move into Birmingham with Martinuea Galleries so i doubt that any other department store will be interested here.

Lakeland goto places with certain demographics, such as Cambridge. Cov doesn't have these and wont. Brum doesn't even have one.

Zara are likely to only locate to the Top retail destinations, as Mexx have shown getting into the UK market is tough; and they appear to be pulling out everywhere.

Fopp might move in cos we have a lot of students, and that'll be attractive to them. They haven't really been around that long in any form of scale so it might just take a bit of time before they move in... they moved into Bedford fgs so Cov def has a chance!!

Coventry im affraid might join the Top 100 centres at some point but cos of all the other shopping areas in the surrounding towns - leamington, nuneaton, rugby, solihull - it'll never get that high and the number of shopping destinations currently being built in London are gonna bust a move to the Top 20 and shift other UK cities out.


There's a Lakeland in Solihull. My point was more than none of these chains ever open in Cov.

Warwick Uni students tend to live on Campus or in Leamington/Warwick/Kenilworth, and there's a FOPP on Warwick Uni campus. When I was a student there, very few of my fellow students lived in Coventry and none of them even came into Coventry. It may as well be in Warwick, and Leamington has a far better nightlife than Cov as well (And more live music.)

There's no reason why a JOhn Lewis in Brum should exclude one (Or any other sort of department store) in Cov - really, the population around Cov is 1 million... There's JL in Solihull which is closer to Brum than Cov. Allders was doing OK in Coventry, but the whole chain went bust.

Cov's demographics must be depressing reading.

Even Richer sounds closed down in Cov. How pathetic is that? In actual fact, Coventry is pathetic place really.

Congtatulations! You've already caught the "Coventry Apathy" - deciding that places like Nuneaton are going to mean that Cov's always going to be retail backwater. Without good retail sector, Cov will never improve. People won't want to live here, businesses won't want to move in, and nothing will change.

People won't want to live here. The same old scuzzy people will fester and continue to own the place... Welcome to the ranks of the Cov Apathetic.

I'm rapidly getting to the conclusion that Cov's a pointless place. What is the point of living in a city when you spend all your time travelling OUT of it?

Oh my life, just lighten up a bit and stop being so pessimistic. I know it's not great, I know it's far from it, but there’s a hell of a lot going on, and Coventry has huge potential. It's just depressing to read Coventry getting slated every time I sign onto here, I can do that in my own head! I'm not trying to annoy you but why bother checking this forum and leaving posts if it's a lost cause? Sorry, not offence, but it's just annoying

Oh my life, just lighten up a bit and stop being so pessimistic. I know it's not great, I know it's far from it, but there’s a hell of a lot going on, and Coventry has huge potential. It's just depressing to read Coventry getting slated every time I sign onto here, I can do that in my own head! I'm not trying to annoy you but why bother checking this forum and leaving posts if it's a lost cause? Sorry, not offence, but it's just annoying

**thinks of something good to say about Cov**

Mmm, better stay silent.

:lol:

Compared to some of the Brum threads at times, this is postively constructive criticism! :yes:

I just read that the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority are looking for a new-build Headquarters in Coventry :)

I just read that the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority are looking for a new-build Headquarters in Coventry :)

Yes - this was reported last year. Reasons being property prices (Although the decent areas are very expensive) and proximity to London.

There are already a number of Education based places in the City - Learning and Skills Council and BECTA. So it seems to be becoming a bit of a base for that sort of thing.

I'm more interested in the prospects of Ericsson setting up at Ansty, TATA (Ansty) and the medical research centre at Ansty (Feasibility study underway)... And the High Tech business park at Whitley.

Apparently people who are being priced out of Warwickshire are starting move into Coventry - local estate agents have reported growing interest from outside the city.

Yes - this was reported last year. Reasons being property prices (Although the decent areas are very expensive) and proximity to London.

There are already a number of Education based places in the City - Learning and Skills Council and BECTA. So it seems to be becoming a bit of a base for that sort of thing.

I'm more interested in the prospects of Ericsson setting up at Ansty, TATA (Ansty) and the medical research centre at Ansty (Feasibility study underway)... And the High Tech business park at Whitley.

Apparently people who are being priced out of Warwickshire are starting move into Coventry - local estate agents have reported growing interest from outside the city.

yey coventry...good news for once...you are talking about coventry right? lol

Are you expecting MartinN? Congrats if you are!

as a proud coventrian, i´m becoming a little tired of martin´s constant moaning. describing coventry as ´pathetic´ is well, pathetic really.

yes of course, there is much to improve. i too despair of the apparent lack of city centre redevelopment, and also despair of the standard of some of the recent developments that have gone ahead (belgrade theatre, the new flats just off the ring road etc), but there are good things happening, and there is a lot for the city to be proud of.

its worth pointing out that coventry has the lowest unemployment rate of just about any major urban area in britain (just 2 places with a lower rate last time i looked), which considering the recent decline of the motor industry is nothing short of incredible.

we do well in terms of sports facilities - new football stadium, decent size ice rink, new and soon to be expanded rugby stadium, just about the best speedway track in the country, dog track, excellent community facilities like the higgs centre, and also one of the UK´s few olympic size swimming pools (although this and the sports centre are getting a bit tired i admit).

some of the proposed redevelopments seem genuinely exciting, there are new upmarket hotels being built in the city centre, the proposal for new office developments around the station is a very good sign, coventry university is gradually upgrading it facilities and has come a long way in the past 20 years.

ikea opening up in coventry is a MASSIVE coup and should not be underestimated, and compared to 10 years ago, coventry is a far better place to shop. yes, there are still big weaknesses on this front, and the precinct is still a very dreary place, but hopefully something will be done about this in the not too distant future.

coventry´s night life IS getting better. 5 years ago i never went out in coventry, now i do. there are more independent bars than i can remember for a while (probably more than you think, but because they are so spread out we don´t seem to get the critical mass other cities get). there are some fine eateries around the city now (although there is still room for improvement there i admit).

i don´t accept your point about apathy, and the coventry you describe and your perception of coventrians is off the mark. i was born and grew up in coventry and naturally know a lot of people here. i do not detect this apathy, and regularly discuss new proposals and developments with friends who are all just as eager as myself to see the city improve. just look at the activity on this and ther other coventry thread, it seems to me there is a great appetite for change in coventry.

yes we have the chavs and pikeys you refer to, but then what major industrial city doesn´t. maybe you need to get out more! if you did you would realise that the problems we have here are mirrored all over the country.

i´m optimistic about the future. there are things that i wish would happen sooner rather than later, but hey, these things take time.

btw, when my wife was pregnant she had no trouble finding decent quality maternity clothes in coventry. you just need to know where to look. in fact, i wish what you say were true, it may have saved me a fortune.

as a proud coventrian, i´m becoming a little tired of martin´s constant moaning. describing coventry as ´pathetic´ is well, pathetic really.

yes of course, there is much to improve. i too despair of the apparent lack of city centre redevelopment, and also despair of the standard of some of the recent developments that have gone ahead (belgrade theatre, the new flats just off the ring road etc), but there are good things happening, and there is a lot for the city to be proud of.

its worth pointing out that coventry has the lowest unemployment rate of just about any major urban area in britain (just 2 places with a lower rate last time i looked), which considering the recent decline of the motor industry is nothing short of incredible.

we do well in terms of sports facilities - new football stadium, decent size ice rink, new and soon to be expanded rugby stadium, just about the best speedway track in the country, dog track, excellent community facilities like the higgs centre, and also one of the UK´s few olympic size swimming pools (although this and the sports centre are getting a bit tired i admit).

some of the proposed redevelopments seem genuinely exciting, there are new upmarket hotels being built in the city centre, the proposal for new office developments around the station is a very good sign, coventry university is gradually upgrading it facilities and has come a long way in the past 20 years.

ikea opening up in coventry is a MASSIVE coup and should not be underestimated, and compared to 10 years ago, coventry is a far better place to shop. yes, there are still big weaknesses on this front, and the precinct is still a very dreary place, but hopefully something will be done about this in the not too distant future.

coventry´s night life IS getting better. 5 years ago i never went out in coventry, now i do. there are more independent bars than i can remember for a while (probably more than you think, but because they are so spread out we don´t seem to get the critical mass other cities get). there are some fine eateries around the city now (although there is still room for improvement there i admit).

i don´t accept your point about apathy, and the coventry you describe and your perception of coventrians is off the mark. i was born and grew up in coventry and naturally know a lot of people here. i do not detect this apathy, and regularly discuss new proposals and developments with friends who are all just as eager as myself to see the city improve. just look at the activity on this and ther other coventry thread, it seems to me there is a great appetite for change in coventry.

yes we have the chavs and pikeys you refer to, but then what major industrial city doesn´t. maybe you need to get out more! if you did you would realise that the problems we have here are mirrored all over the country.

i´m optimistic about the future. there are things that i wish would happen sooner rather than later, but hey, these things take time.

btw, when my wife was pregnant she had no trouble finding decent quality maternity clothes in coventry. you just need to know where to look. in fact, i wish what you say were true, it may have saved me a fortune.

That's the problem - I DO get out more. I travel to Nottingham, Brum, Leicester, Northampton, Solihull, Leamington for shopping, leisure and live music. Unless you like sport (Which I don't) there's absolutely nothing to do in Coventry. I'd rather travel to Nuneaton to go to the cinema than go anywhere near Skydome.

Where are these independent bars? Coventry was slated last year in a report for having too many chains.

as a proud coventrian, i´m becoming a little tired of martin´s constant moaning. describing coventry as ´pathetic´ is well, pathetic really.

yes of course, there is much to improve. i too despair of the apparent lack of city centre redevelopment, and also despair of the standard of some of the recent developments that have gone ahead (belgrade theatre, the new flats just off the ring road etc), but there are good things happening, and there is a lot for the city to be proud of.

its worth pointing out that coventry has the lowest unemployment rate of just about any major urban area in britain (just 2 places with a lower rate last time i looked), which considering the recent decline of the motor industry is nothing short of incredible.

we do well in terms of sports facilities - new football stadium, decent size ice rink, new and soon to be expanded rugby stadium, just about the best speedway track in the country, dog track, excellent community facilities like the higgs centre, and also one of the UK´s few olympic size swimming pools (although this and the sports centre are getting a bit tired i admit).

some of the proposed redevelopments seem genuinely exciting, there are new upmarket hotels being built in the city centre, the proposal for new office developments around the station is a very good sign, coventry university is gradually upgrading it facilities and has come a long way in the past 20 years.

ikea opening up in coventry is a MASSIVE coup and should not be underestimated, and compared to 10 years ago, coventry is a far better place to shop. yes, there are still big weaknesses on this front, and the precinct is still a very dreary place, but hopefully something will be done about this in the not too distant future.

coventry´s night life IS getting better. 5 years ago i never went out in coventry, now i do. there are more independent bars than i can remember for a while (probably more than you think, but because they are so spread out we don´t seem to get the critical mass other cities get). there are some fine eateries around the city now (although there is still room for improvement there i admit).

i don´t accept your point about apathy, and the coventry you describe and your perception of coventrians is off the mark. i was born and grew up in coventry and naturally know a lot of people here. i do not detect this apathy, and regularly discuss new proposals and developments with friends who are all just as eager as myself to see the city improve. just look at the activity on this and ther other coventry thread, it seems to me there is a great appetite for change in coventry.

yes we have the chavs and pikeys you refer to, but then what major industrial city doesn´t. maybe you need to get out more! if you did you would realise that the problems we have here are mirrored all over the country.

i´m optimistic about the future. there are things that i wish would happen sooner rather than later, but hey, these things take time.

btw, when my wife was pregnant she had no trouble finding decent quality maternity clothes in coventry. you just need to know where to look. in fact, i wish what you say were true, it may have saved me a fortune.

Woohoo someone else who i can get over-excited 'with' about all these new developments! Seemed everyone had died off recently, even myself lol.

Did anyone see the proposals for the new suspension style footbridge across the ringroad? Its gonna be lit up and stuff; finally we get some modern, maybe generic, stuff that will look pretty good!

Woohoo someone else who i can get over-excited 'with' about all these new developments! Seemed everyone had died off recently, even myself lol.

Did anyone see the proposals for the new suspension style footbridge across the ringroad? Its gonna be lit up and stuff; finally we get some modern, maybe generic, stuff that will look pretty good!

I used to be enthusiastic, but it's pretty clear to me now that Cov's going downhill fast again, after a few years when it seemed to be getting better - and these new developments seem to hinge on other factors: like relocation of a government department. Even the development near AXA isn't a definite - they've said they're only going to go ahead with it if they can pre-let the offices. The Victoria buildings development has been sold on once, Park Court looks like it's been sold on. They're not terribly exciting developments either - fairly cheap looking blocks that don't make the place look any better.

I saw the bridge. I suppose it's better than a subway, but I have my doubts. No one uses the bridge by the canal basin, and as a result there is virtually no footfall in either the canal basin or on Bishop Street. As far as I know, businesses struggle in the canal basin (Have they filled that unit underneath the apartment block yet? Last time I went up there, half the shop units were empty) and it's generally deserted all the time. Some shop recently closed down on Bishop Street, citing the lack of passing trade as a factor in their poor sales.

A bridge is still going to be a barrier for some people, and some people will be just as uneasy about using it. As soon as you get muggings or attacks around the ends of it (Like you do sometimes at the canal basin) we're back to the same situation.

I think it's another typical Coventry "tweak" - shove a few bits of metal somewhere and see if it helps. They've been doing that all over the precinct for 20 years, and appear to have ended up removing most of its period character and made it looks a bit like a cheap bus station. A cheap solution to a big problem.

Sorry, I'm being negative again.

On the other hand I'm quite interested in the Butts Development - along with the apartment block around the back of the shops, and Butts Apartments/Sport Centre, this may be a lively area in a few years time.

I think the most interesting developments are the ones outside the city centre - Butts, Park Court/Friargate.

Someone on iccoventry said Pizza Express is closing... Is this true? Anyone verify this? (It'd be a shame if it does! We occasionally visit the city centre just to go to pizza express. If it shuts, it's another to stay away.)

I have to walk over that dam bishop street bridge every dam day, I absolutely hate it. I live 3 mins up the road and its so so annoying. It's ridiculously high though. I get so wound up that without the ring road id have a steady incline up the hill but no! Got 4 flights of stairs instead and a bridge that wobbles SEVERLEY if its vagualy windy (u can see the cracks expanding at either end when this happens). I wouldnt be surprised if it fell down.

There are practically no buisnesses left in bishops street, which frankly is a good thing as they can knock all the horrible buildings down now and do something decent. If theres one section of the ring road they need to get rid of, or ideally lower (hide underground) I'd say it's this. The canal basin could be a real pulling point but it's never going to be with that bridge there.

The space below the apartments hasn't been filled. The canal basin is actually being drained at the mo, so if you want to see some sludge, go check it out! Incedentally Ive never had a problem with crime there, it's fine, (touch wood).

That street without the ring road could be one of those long streets that coventry desperatly needs. Have shops, restaurants, small hotels, bars and theres lots of housing around it. It is close to millenium place, the belgrade plaza, the burgess (rubbish at the mo i know but has potential - some of the only independant shops in cov at the hales st junction), the new development that will be at the bottom of bishop street, and if the social club ever goes, that new development to. It could be awsome! But theres a wine factory or headquaters or something and machine-mart there instead. Knock down the post office sorting office too, it's terrible in ever way! That's that bit of coventry sorted, what next.

I like to rant

I have to walk over that dam bishop street bridge every dam day, I absolutely hate it. I live 3 mins up the road and its so so annoying. It's ridiculously high though. I get so wound up that without the ring road id have a steady incline up the hill but no! Got 4 flights of stairs instead and a bridge that wobbles SEVERLEY if its vagualy windy (u can see the cracks expanding at either end when this happens). I wouldnt be surprised if it fell down.

There are practically no buisnesses left in bishops street, which frankly is a good thing as they can knock all the horrible buildings down now and do something decent. If theres one section of the ring road they need to get rid of, or ideally lower (hide underground) I'd say it's this. The canal basin could be a real pulling point but it's never going to be with that bridge there.

The space below the apartments hasn't been filled. The canal basin is actually being drained at the mo, so if you want to see some sludge, go check it out! Incedentally Ive never had a problem with crime there, it's fine, (touch wood).

That street without the ring road could be one of those long streets that coventry desperatly needs. Have shops, restaurants, small hotels, bars and theres lots of housing around it. It is close to millenium place, the belgrade plaza, the burgess (rubbish at the mo i know but has potential - some of the only independant shops in cov at the hales st junction), the new development that will be at the bottom of bishop street, and if the social club ever goes, that new development to. It could be awsome! But theres a wine factory or headquaters or something and machine-mart there instead. Knock down the post office sorting office too, it's terrible in ever way! That's that bit of coventry sorted, what next.

I like to rant

That's what Bishop Street was like before the blitz - a long road going out into the industrial area around the canal - Coventry Climax were based around there.

First time I ever saw the canal basin was about ten years after I first came to Coventry - I was pretty amazed it was there.

They were planning to fill the canal in after the war, I believe, which is why it was never redeveloped.

I for one think Coventry has improved massively in recent years. Compared to when I first came here as a student in 1997 many things have improved.

The lower precinct has been redeveloped from the pound shop riddled eyesoar it was; the Phoenix Initiative has set a benchmark for quality for materials and design by which other developments will be judged and even the number of decent drinking holes in the centre has increased. Priory Place/Old Firestation/Browns/Inspire/Tin Angel etc.

Although some of the previous developments in the city have not been of a high quality such as the Cathedral Lanes and the Skydome, the ones that are under way or proposed are of an increasing ambition, scale and quality. Swanswell, the station proposals and Paragon Park would not have got off the ground 10 years ago. More is going on now or will happen in the next 5 years than has happened in the last 15-20 years I would say. Coventry may be several years behind other comparable cites but I would say it has come from a lower starting point.

Cov uni continues to grow with a new building next to the expanding Herbert Art Gallery. They also own the Cov + Warwick Hospital site and I remember reading as a student about how they planned to build a couple of large building on that land. This could give them enough working space to redevelop their main campus opposite the Cathedral. Even when I was there the main buildings were too small for the amount of students using them. I was told that the uni was short of land rather than money, those overseas students bring in a lot of revenue. I was always surprised the uni didn't buy the Access storage building as its huge and just on the edge of the campus.

Of course its not just the centre where things are happening. Far Gosford St is finally having a proper restoration and there is the Ansty site, Peaugot Humber Rd, airport expansion, Canley + Wood End regeneration and even where I live in Hillfields is rapidly improving.

There are some things I'm glad didn't hapen though. There was a plan a few years ago to improve Broardgate and give it a "wow" factor. This involved placing a hedge around it, a black and white checked pavement and glitterballs. I kid you not, it looked like a roller disco!

Coventry isn't perfect but it is heading in the right direction.

I remember a few years ago there was a story in the ET about the Council appling for governmernt money that would pay for lowering the stretch of ring road by the canal basin. Shame it didn't happen as the basin is an under used asset. The gradient of the land there would make it quite easy to lower the ring road.

So glad that didn't happen, would have been a disaster!

Sorry I meant I was so glad it didnt get filled in! I walk down it everday, and I dont thikn it would be hard to lower it, the cost would obviously be great, but I think the good it would do in the long run would easily make up for it. If the swanswell plan for the ring road goes ahead, then they could tag that bit on the end as it is the next section along. Wishfull thinking, but it would be so good

I for one think Coventry has improved massively in recent years. Compared to when I first came here as a student in 1997 many things have improved.

The lower precinct has been redeveloped from the pound shop riddled eyesoar it was; the Phoenix Initiative has set a benchmark for quality for materials and design by which other developments will be judged and even the number of decent drinking holes in the centre has increased. Priory Place/Old Firestation/Browns/Inspire/Tin Angel etc.

Although some of the previous developments in the city have not been of a high quality such as the Cathedral Lanes and the Skydome, the ones that are under way or proposed are of an increasing ambition, scale and quality. Swanswell, the station proposals and Paragon Park would not have got off the ground 10 years ago. More is going on now or will happen in the next 5 years than has happened in the last 15-20 years I would say. Coventry may be several years behind other comparable cites but I would say it has come from a lower starting point.

Cov uni continues to grow with a new building next to the expanding Herbert Art Gallery. They also own the Cov + Warwick Hospital site and I remember reading as a student about how they planned to build a couple of large building on that land. This could give them enough working space to redevelop their main campus opposite the Cathedral. Even when I was there the main buildings were too small for the amount of students using them. I was told that the uni was short of land rather than money, those overseas students bring in a lot of revenue. I was always surprised the uni didn't buy the Access storage building as its huge and just on the edge of the campus.

Of course its not just the centre where things are happening. Far Gosford St is finally having a proper restoration and there is the Ansty site, Peaugot Humber Rd, airport expansion, Canley + Wood End regeneration and even where I live in Hillfields is rapidly improving.

There are some things I'm glad didn't hapen though. There was a plan a few years ago to improve Broardgate and give it a "wow" factor. This involved placing a hedge around it, a black and white checked pavement and glitterballs. I kid you not, it looked like a roller disco!

Coventry isn't perfect but it is heading in the right direction.

Those old proposals were crazy for broadgate.

Don't you think, though, since the lower precint reopened, Hertford Street, Markey Way and Sheldon square have become poundland riddled (Or empty?)

Cov was much better in the in the early 1990s - loads of pubs, live music almost weekly at the Poly and Tic-Toc, and shops like Spinadisc. Now there are no indie shops and almost zero live music.

The Uni tried to buy the Access storage building, apparently, but were outbid.

I refuse to go into Browns since they refused me entry last week - this was after using the place for ten years! The old fire station is OK, but it's just another buffet with stewing food on heaters. The best restaurants in Coventry are out in the suburbs: The Earlsdon Cottage, DaVinci's and The Gallery in Earlsdon, and Norton's in Coundon.

They renovated Far Gosford Street before, and it went downhill quickly afterwards. The reason? That part of the city is rough.

I'm just sceptical. There's something wrong with Coventry that regeneration and redevelopment doesn't seem to fix. Some clues: Life in a 20th Century City, the story of Coventry, published by Cryfield Press (Warwick Uni.) Some very telling stuff in there. This is reason the council are keen to increase the population.

Is the lack of live music in Cov anything to do with the more stringent licencing requirements venues now need? Many of the smaller places may not be legally or financially able to have a band in a back room.

Is the lack of live music in Cov anything to do with the more stringent licencing requirements venues now need? Many of the smaller places may not be legally or financially able to have a band in a back room.

Nothing to do with the licensing - the rot set in long before the stringent requirements. There isn't really a venue, for a start - places have started up, but seem to stop after a while - Hand & Heart, Jailhouse, etc.

I think the problem is more to do with lack of promoters, difficulty in getting people into the city centre [Don't Underestimate just how many people in Cov point blank refuse to go into the city centre], and lack of decent venues.

Coventry at one point used to thriving - general Wolfe, the old Stoker, Tic Toc, Poly... All the up and coming bands always played either the Wolfe or the Stoker. Now there's practically nothing.

Warwick Uni Arts Centre is good, but they cater for very specialised markets and only have jazz/folk/light pop - and only a few a year.

Will Alsop is doing a talk at the Herbert Next week, by the way. Any Cov folk interested in going?

wow yeah ill be there

I refuse to go into Browns since they refused me entry last week - this was after using the place for ten years! The old fire station is OK, but it's just another buffet with stewing food on heaters. The best restaurants in Coventry are out in the suburbs: The Earlsdon Cottage, DaVinci's and The Gallery in Earlsdon, and Norton's in Coundon.

Dont talk to me about Browns!! They are arrogant ignorant self-ritous little tw*ts and im fed up of wondering if ill be able to get my mates in there when they come and visit me. They basically just want people with rather long hair; alternative fashions; STUDENTS; or anyone that looks like they have serious issues. I hate them, and i agree i wont be trying to get in there anytime soon - the bouncer is a f*ggot (no offence to anyone i am one myself lol) before you even get inside!!!! The place is a joke.

Dont worry we've got something up our slieves that they aint gonna take nicely too... watch this space mwahahahahahaha :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

Will Alsop is doing a talk at the Herbert Next week, by the way. Any Cov folk interested in going?

Excuse my ignorance but who is Will Alsop? - Ill probs remember once you've told me!

I remember a few years ago there was a story in the ET about the Council appling for governmernt money that would pay for lowering the stretch of ring road by the canal basin. Shame it didn't happen as the basin is an under used asset. The gradient of the land there would make it quite easy to lower the ring road.

I think once Royal Mail have moved out of the site next to the Canal Basin !!excuse for a bridge!! then we'll see something a bit more radical happen here.

I think once Royal Mail have moved out of the site next to the Canal Basin !!excuse for a bridge!! then we'll see something a bit more radical happen here.

"A car park" according to the council.

Excuse my ignorance but who is Will Alsop? - Ill probs remember once you've told me!

He's an architect - designed Peckham library and the cancelled "Fourth Grace". He also planned a redevelopment of Barnsley and Bradford.

wow yeah ill be there

You need to e-mail the chap mentioned on the Herbert's website and tell him you're going. Olly Brock, I think.

Will Alsop's buildings are a bit Marmitish when it comes to people's view on them. He has designed some pretty knarly buildings, he likes object plonking, big on stilts. I'd love to here his take on Coventry.

He proposed remodeling Barnsley into a Tuscan hillside town with a huge new city wall made from new homes, people could walk the full circumfrence and it would cast an enormous halo up into the knight sky. Bonkers!

Talking of bonkers I've remembered a website I once found about building a pier in Coventry. The address is here;

http://www.vornster.co.uk/AIW/pages/tower/tower1.html

I thought the best place this could be built would be on the old Peugeot site as it has the gradient. Cool if bonkers.

Talking of bonkers I've remembered a website I once found about building a pier in Coventry. The address is here;

http://www.vornster.co.uk/AIW/pages/tower/tower1.html

I thought the best place this could be built would be on the old Peugeot site as it has the gradient. Cool if bonkers.

Yeah, I saw that "Blocked" website a few years ago. Interesting idea.

quite like will alspos designs, always intresting and usually well informed in their craziness. Really hope they dont just convert the post office into a car park, i hate it so much and as a car park it would be even worse.

As someone who worked in and out of Cov for a few months about a year ago I'm pretty excited for the future there - I loved the idea of turning the old BT building into the Ramada - fantastic views I'm sure from it; someone should stay in there and ask for a high room and take some photos.

quite like will alspos designs, always intresting and usually well informed in their craziness. Really hope they dont just convert the post office into a car park, i hate it so much and as a car park it would be even worse.

That's what someone in the council was quoted as saying... They reckoned they'd need a car park as part of "Swanswell", although apart from the college, I think Swanswell has stalled...

That's what someone in the council was quoted as saying... They reckoned they'd need a car park as part of "Swanswell", although apart from the college, I think Swanswell has stalled...

Yep, the City College development includes a multi-storey to the back of the building thats nearly finished.

The residential flats opposite here and the hospital site are likely to come up nearer the end of this year with major developments when City College phase 2 has started.

Swanswell was a masterplanning exercise and i would no longer use it as an example of what to expect because the area is going to be redeveloped in sections and seperate schemes and theres a lot of commercial interest.

It is too close to Hillfields to have anything amazing so i wouldn't expect anymore than a little bit of office space and a lot of apartments.

so whats the fate of the ring road going to be?

so whats the fate of the ring road going to be?

Its certainly not going to be the lowering of the ring road, however theres still speculation about particular aspects of it that need to be resolved. Fraid i cant reveal anymore at this moment.

http://img248.imageshack.us/img248/8200/victoriabuildingszf5.jpg (http://imageshack.us)


The Victoria Building proposal.

The retail unit will accomodate the relocated Iceland.

I have no idea whether the 3 stories of parking will be associated to the lower precinct carpark or for residents; but it seems a bit overkill for approx. 130 apartments!!! You could probs get about 160-200 in that space and i thought parking policies were moving toward 1 or less spaces per apartment.

That looks like it could be good - be interesting to see better renders :)

http://img178.imageshack.us/img178/3766/belgradesquarejt7.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

God damn it i have no cropping software on this comp!!!

Thats an image of the proposed Belgrade Square - part of the(entrance from the city centre to) Belgrade Plaza development.

AH! The ring road has to be lowered! Englands such a nightmare! Ive given up on that part of the city now I think. It's a university campus, thats all it'll ever be now

Theres an article in the evening telegraph today about the plans to pedestrianise the burgess and create a new sqaure at ironmonger row called Ironmonger square. Plans include moving the godica statue to the square and a huge video screen on the back of the primark building. Ironmonger row would close to traffic, trinity street would have two way traffic and cross cheaping would be pedestrianised.

I uncertain of the scheme. Something needs to be done with the burgess, and that area is really badly used at the moment. It also has views of the two spires and could link well with millenium place and the new development at the bottom of Bishop Street if it goes ahead. However, squares dont really seem to work in Coventry, theres loads, and you rarely see people in them, unless passing through (or kids and chavs at the weekend). Also i if they want to use that site, I'd say it would be essential to knock down the horrible ironmonger row block and the buildings around the entrance to west orchards, or at least do them up, if thats possible! Possibly extend west orchards entrance to the edge of the square and make it actually good (id preffer they just got rid of wo but doubt thats ever gonna happen). I think it's a better place for a sqaure than the traditional broadgate site now, as thats all just brick buildings, i think cathederal lanes is here to stay unfortunatly. A huge primark building isn't exactly great for a city centre square tho.

The whole area would need a lot of work, Im still unsure

Theres an article in the evening telegraph today about the plans to pedestrianise the burgess and create a new sqaure at ironmonger row called Ironmonger square. Plans include moving the godica statue to the square and a huge video screen on the back of the primark building. Ironmonger row would close to traffic, trinity street would have two way traffic and cross cheaping would be pedestrianised.

I uncertain of the scheme. Something needs to be done with the burgess, and that area is really badly used at the moment. It also has views of the two spires and could link well with millenium place and the new development at the bottom of Bishop Street if it goes ahead. However, squares dont really seem to work in Coventry, theres loads, and you rarely see people in them, unless passing through (or kids and chavs at the weekend). Also i if they want to use that site, I'd say it would be essential to knock down the horrible ironmonger row block and the buildings around the entrance to west orchards, or at least do them up, if thats possible! Possibly extend west orchards entrance to the edge of the square and make it actually good (id preffer they just got rid of wo but doubt thats ever gonna happen). I think it's a better place for a sqaure than the traditional broadgate site now, as thats all just brick buildings, i think cathederal lanes is here to stay unfortunatly. A huge primark building isn't exactly great for a city centre square tho.

The whole area would need a lot of work, Im still unsure

Only problem is the way they've designed it means you cant get an articulated-lorry around into the service areas - they have only done it with a 17.5 tonner; they really need to sort this! Since Argos has closed down there they should really try and encourage development and get this pedestrianised. Hopefully this will create a kinda like to Belgrade.

Theres an article in the evening telegraph today about the plans to pedestrianise the burgess and create a new sqaure at ironmonger row called Ironmonger square. Plans include moving the godica statue to the square and a huge video screen on the back of the primark building. Ironmonger row would close to traffic, trinity street would have two way traffic and cross cheaping would be pedestrianised.

I uncertain of the scheme. Something needs to be done with the burgess, and that area is really badly used at the moment. It also has views of the two spires and could link well with millenium place and the new development at the bottom of Bishop Street if it goes ahead. However, squares dont really seem to work in Coventry, theres loads, and you rarely see people in them, unless passing through (or kids and chavs at the weekend). Also i if they want to use that site, I'd say it would be essential to knock down the horrible ironmonger row block and the buildings around the entrance to west orchards, or at least do them up, if thats possible! Possibly extend west orchards entrance to the edge of the square and make it actually good (id preffer they just got rid of wo but doubt thats ever gonna happen). I think it's a better place for a sqaure than the traditional broadgate site now, as thats all just brick buildings, i think cathederal lanes is here to stay unfortunatly. A huge primark building isn't exactly great for a city centre square tho.

The whole area would need a lot of work, Im still unsure

This is another crap Coventry piecemeal development. A square bordered by ugly buildings with NOTHING to do. One side is a HUGE towering brick wall with nothing on it!!!! It'll be another depressing windswept area.

Why don't they have the guts to just f*****g demolish all that grim stuff at the top of the Burges. It'll just be a chavvy fast food filled area...

This is another crap Coventry piecemeal development. A square bordered by ugly buildings with NOTHING to do. One side is a HUGE towering brick wall with nothing on it!!!! It'll be another depressing windswept area.

Why don't they have the guts to just f*****g demolish all that grim stuff at the top of the Burges. It'll just be a chavvy fast food filled area...

i totally agree its a waste of money

I don't know whether you guys know this, but contractors are currently bidding for the multi-storey car park at Swanswell.

I don't know the area, but in development circles, the MSCP is one of the first things to happen, liberating land for further development, so this should be a good sign! :)

I think it's the car park behind City College. They have also started knocking down the disabled housing for the second college building.

I think it's the car park behind City College. They have also started knocking down the disabled housing for the second college building.

isnt it the one the college are building? as part of their new development?

isnt it the one the college are building? as part of their new development?

Will it be a completely private secure carpark? If so then this is great news for the area. MSCPs are the building blocks (be it a few years in advance of) new redevelopments and can be a catalyst to investments.

/\/\ i certainly hope it will, coventry needs outside investment in order to expand...

btw does anyone have any renders of the butts appartments? i havent had a look at them yet...

btw does anyone have any renders of the butts appartments? i havent had a look at them yet...

They used to be on the planning portal. They look quite good, and create a "Square" outside the Ramada. I think that part of the City is going to be very good in a few years time.

Can any of you fine Coventrians update this with the latest goings on please?

Can any of you fine Coventrians update this with the latest goings on please?

Biggest news is the Coventry Station development - see other thread.

Best looking on the other thread in "projects and construction" - that's kept more up to date than this one.

None of the projects given permission have started (Butts Aparments, Bishop Street, etc) and Butts College has apparently been referred to CABE.

I think Belgrade Square could be good - if they can sort out the Telegraph Building and demolish the ugly shops. A proper square with things going on... Even with Belgrade Plaza, it'll still be a fairly inert area.

Yeah think that area will be good, possibly draw the centre out into that direction a bit more, until it hits the ring road. Is the bishops st proposal been given permission? Didnt realise

Yeah think that area will be good, possibly draw the centre out into that direction a bit more, until it hits the ring road. Is the bishops st proposal been given permission? Didnt realise

Yes, it was given permission a few weeks ago...

Awsome thats really good, just hope it doesnt get reduced from the original plans as often seems to happen. I had a look at the plans the other day and it looks good, they've considered it's environment well and want to make well street used more by pedestrians. I thought they could have planned more with the sq area it will create. Shame a cafe or bar isn't proposed to face onto it, could get some outdoor seating. Just worried it will be another sq with no-one in. Hopefully with the office and apartments there, that wont happen. It's going to look very tall on that corner I have to say.

Awsome thats really good, just hope it doesnt get reduced from the original plans as often seems to happen. I had a look at the plans the other day and it looks good, they've considered it's environment well and want to make well street used more by pedestrians. I thought they could have planned more with the sq area it will create. Shame a cafe or bar isn't proposed to face onto it, could get some outdoor seating. Just worried it will be another sq with no-one in. Hopefully with the office and apartments there, that wont happen. It's going to look very tall on that corner I have to say.

This development will only happen if the developer can pre-let it... So don't hold your breath.

Biggest news is the Coventry Station development - see other thread.

Best looking on the other thread in "projects and construction" - that's kept more up to date than this one.

None of the projects given permission have started (Butts Aparments, Bishop Street, etc) and Butts College has apparently been referred to CABE.

Whats the big news? I cant find it!!!!! :ohno: :ohno: :ohno:

Are there images of the Friarsgate Building One?

I'd just like to say it is nice having you Cov lot back in this forum. You felt too far away in the main forum, and I like to keep an eye on things :)

Whats the big news? I cant find it!!!!! :ohno: :ohno: :ohno:

Are there images of the Friarsgate Building One?

The big news in Coventry is Friarsgate..
Not seen any pictures yet.....!

Keep us updated on Friarsgate guys - it sounds as if it is going to be a biggie!

I am excited! :)

Guys check the station and Official Coventry Thread (the latter is located in the general projects and construction and not Birmingham) for the station proposals.

As posted on the Coventry thread;

It has been announced today that Bella Italia will join Metro Bar and Grill at Belgrade Plaza. This is considerably significant news for the scheme and will encourage other operators like ASK (who own ASK, Zizzis and a few others) and maybe even a Wagamamas to consider the scheme. Seriously good news guys!!!

The Binley Retail Park has been in the paper today; as i mentioned Boots and Halfords are interested, and the developers are targetting Costa Coffee. Sounds like another dreary Arena Shopping Park to me and i doubt it'll do the city centre any good!!!

As posted on the Coventry thread;

It has been announced today that Bella Italia will join Metro Bar and Grill at Belgrade Plaza. This is considerably significant news for the scheme and will encourage other operators like ASK (who own ASK, Zizzis and a few others) and maybe even a Wagamamas to consider the scheme. Seriously good news guys!!!

The Binley Retail Park has been in the paper today; as i mentioned Boots and Halfords are interested, and the developers are targetting Costa Coffee. Sounds like another dreary Arena Shopping Park to me and i doubt it'll do the city centre any good!!!

This is sounding very good. They really are managing to attract big names with these developments. Hopefully we'll see more developments like this in other dead parts of the city centre. At last the Belgrade Theatre won't be stuck in a dreary square of nothing!

This is sounding very good. They really are managing to attract big names with these developments. Hopefully we'll see more developments like this in other dead parts of the city centre. At last the Belgrade Theatre won't be stuck in a dreary square of nothing!

Yeh we need a Hippodrome Arcadian style area and this is exactly what Belgrade Plaza will create for the Blegrade Theatre. This will inevitably be good for the theatre aswell. I hope they fill the other 3-4 units with restaurants and maybe a smart bar or 2 before long and that there isn't a Tesco Express in one of them :bash: . Im quite surprised Tesco's havent swamped Coventry with smaller stores yet.

Yeh we need a Hippodrome Arcadian style area and this is exactly what Belgrade Plaza will create for the Blegrade Theatre. This will inevitably be good for the theatre aswell. I hope they fill the other 3-4 units with restaurants and maybe a smart bar or 2 before long and that there isn't a Tesco Express in one of them :bash: . Im quite surprised Tesco's havent swamped Coventry with smaller stores yet.

Now Cov needs a decent music venue! This must surely be a priority - entertainment in the city centre is very lacking.

I used to go to the Belgrade a lot for plays, and the complaint from people was always that there was nowhere else to go - and from the figures i saw, the theatre is major draw into Coventry.

As posted on the Coventry thread;

It has been announced today that Bella Italia will join Metro Bar and Grill at Belgrade Plaza. This is considerably significant news for the scheme and will encourage other operators like ASK (who own ASK, Zizzis and a few others) and maybe even a Wagamamas to consider the scheme. Seriously good news guys!!!

The Binley Retail Park has been in the paper today; as i mentioned Boots and Halfords are interested, and the developers are targetting Costa Coffee. Sounds like another dreary Arena Shopping Park to me and i doubt it'll do the city centre any good!!!

I think I'd prefer an Arena style one that at least makes a vague attempt to be more like a high street than something absolutely vile like Gallagher retail park.

It makes me sick - Gallagher was once the site of the world's largest machine tool manufacturer (Alfred Herbert's). Now it's the site of the ugliest, pikiest, rubbishest retail park in the world.

I think they are extending Gallagher retail park at the back, they have cleared the site that used to be a storage area, and a sign has gone up marketing retail units and a car show room.

I think they are extending Gallagher retail park at the back, they have cleared the site that used to be a storage area, and a sign has gone up marketing retail units and a car show room.

The plans for this used to be on the planning portal - it's car showroom, offices and a single retail unit aimed at DIY type of businesses.

so more crap then.

so more crap then.

Yep, your typical suburban stuff - but it looks mixed, and the car showroom is going to be on the corner, so it'll look better than the load of old junk that was there before - I think the car showroom may be a "feature" type building. And there's offices, as well, I think.

This lady is not for moving
Mar 21 2007


By Barbara Goulden


LADY Godiva is to stay put in the centre of Coventry where she has stood for more than half a century.

This decision was taken after an over-whelming number of Coventry people returned postcards or voted on-line to tell city councillors their views.

Instead of moving the iconic Godiva bronze - one of very few public statues outside London which is listed as being of national importance - the public has voted to buy a new piece of art.

Some 1,477 people said they would like the council to commission a new work for the £4 million Ironmonger Square which is to be created between the Burges and Trinity Street.

A further 1,459 said they would like money to be spent on moving the Coventry Cross from beside the Cathedral Ruins. But only 290 voters said they would like to see Godiva moved.

And last night Councillor Kevin Foster, cabinet member for city services, said: "I'm delighted so many people have shown how much they care about Coventry by taking part in this vote. I'd like to thank them all."

The issue of moving Godiva arose after the council announced its intention to build the new Ironmonger Square, with work due to start during the summer or late autumn.

Over the years many city folk had complained about the "tent" which covers the naked lady and her horse, who stand in front of the Cathedral Lanes shopping centre. Several expressed outrage when she was turned around in Cathedral Lanes shopping centre.

It was one reason for the statue being included in the vote when talk of commissioning a new piece of art was first expressed.

Cllr Foster said: "We said all along we wanted the people to decide on this important aspect of Ironmonger Square rather than just leave it to politicians. This will be their square and I hope they will take great pride in the part they have played in it."

Coventry's own modern Lady Godiva, city tour guide Pru Porretta, is delighted that the bronze, unveiled by sculptor William Reid Dick in 1949, will not be moved.

She said: "I believe the statue needs to stay in Broadgate although I do think the sun needs to reflect on it."

Cafes and restaurants will be encouraged to open around the square and the rear of the Primark building could be used as an outdoor cinema.

Over the next few weeks, detailed planning will take place - including trial use during the evenings of the new bendi-buses to find new routes around the area once streets have been pedestrianised.




Ok they know about the tent issue, why not spend that 4 million getting rid of it. The peoples square! The lack of planning and thought that has gone into this is proven by the fact that they want an out door cinema there! Thats the biggest waste of time ever.

I agree Sleslie, and my worst fears have arisen - Cllr Foster is now determined to remove the busgate on Corporation Street. As i've said before this will cause chaos at busy times, impede all the bus services include Park & Ride, and destroy the effects being taken to redesign the whole area to make pedestrian movements between IKEA and the city core shopping area easier.

Who would support me if i set up a petition against its removal?

im glad that a new peice of art is being commissioned, i think the city needs to have great street art, but they still need to knock down those units that back onto west orchards, the only way the area will look any better is if they just gut the inside and outside of the buildings or just knock them down and start again. The brick wall on the back of primark needs to be turned into exhibition space for art students in the city, there isnt enough of this in the city, the council really need to do more, rather than waste money on an outdoor cinema that will never show anything.

im glad that a new peice of art is being commissioned, i think the city needs to have great street art, but they still need to knock down those units that back onto west orchards, the only way the area will look any better is if they just gut the inside and outside of the buildings or just knock them down and start again. The brick wall on the back of primark needs to be turned into exhibition space for art students in the city, there isnt enough of this in the city, the council really need to do more, rather than waste money on an outdoor cinema that will never show anything.


I think it's another rubbish piece of art to add to the collection of misshapen bits of metal, concrete cones and assorted junk littering the other squares. Sorry, but I think this whole Square is a complete laugh.

I think it's another rubbish piece of art to add to the collection of misshapen bits of metal, concrete cones and assorted junk littering the other squares. Sorry, but I think this whole Square is a complete laugh.

i think its just stupid personally, but im really for new public art, this means that we will have two new peices of public art, theres going to be a new statue of sir frank whittle, and what ever goes here. public art really enhances an area(usually-unlike millenium place) but i love public art features generally, but they do need to give a better flow to the area, which may happen if the square at the other end happens.

i think its just stupid personally, but im really for new public art, this means that we will have two new peices of public art, theres going to be a new statue of sir frank whittle, and what ever goes here. public art really enhances an area(usually-unlike millenium place) but i love public art features generally, but they do need to give a better flow to the area, which may happen if the square at the other end happens.

I like public art. But it has to mean something to the people who use the square. Folk are passionate about Godiva... But are they passionate about some modern art erection? Fnar...

Yeah, I would be -where's Coventy's Cesar Manrique?

i think its just stupid personally, but im really for new public art, this means that we will have two new peices of public art, theres going to be a new statue of sir frank whittle, and what ever goes here. public art really enhances an area(usually-unlike millenium place) but i love public art features generally, but they do need to give a better flow to the area, which may happen if the square at the other end happens.

But if they remove the bus gates it wont be nicer atall cos the city centre streets will have cars travelling at 30mph everywhere! Surely that isn't a good thing?!?!?!?!!!!! - i dont get how anyone can concieve it as an improvement over what we have by allowing cars through - access when they already have routed access like most over cities in the U.K. :bash: :bash: :bash: :bash: :bash: :bash:

The Coventry Council Report 11a (March 7th, 2007) details 'Phase I' of the transport and access works proposed for the immediate vicinity of the new IKEA store - to be completed by November 2007.
A few excerpts are:

” Junction 7 of the Ringroad (Butts) will be the “destination” access and egress junction for the IKEA development. “

“Destination signage on the arterial roads to the city centre and the variable message signage on the approaches to the Ring Road need to be put in place”

“All traffic emerging from IKEA/Skydome and Starley Road will have to turn right to Junction 7 via a new signalised junction, incorporating pedestrian facilities.”

” IKEA will arrange with the police and local highway network managers to monitor the situation and have a strategy for extra officers to deal with issues as they arise if needed”

“It must be acknowledged that the timescale for the completion of the proposed 'Phase I' works is extremely challenging”

The full report is available as a word document (3.1 Mb) on my IKEA Coventry blog at http://ikeacoventry.wordpress.com/

Note: I have expanded the scope of this blog to include an 'Other views of the city centre' page to build up a picturre of what is going on elsewhere in the city centre.

Cheers,
Graeme

I think the traffic arrangements look good... I just hope they improve the environment a bit, rather than clutter it up with ghastly road signs. Might look pretty good round there. Well, as good as they can make it look...

Cheers for the update Graeme. There are detailed drawings of the design which show the use of a bus gate to segregate Junction 7 from the Lower Precinct and Corporation Street. This means those wishing to access Lower Precinct use Junction 6. This is part of the parking strategy which was originally pencilled in the 1950s and has taken half a century to come to fruitition.

MartinN were you drunk last night????!

The Friars Road Residential Tower has had a Bat survey done and submitted last month. Maybe this means this is progressing

Cheers for the update Graeme. There are detailed drawings of the design which show the use of a bus gate to segregate Junction 7 from the Lower Precinct and Corporation Street. This means those wishing to access Lower Precinct use Junction 6. This is part of the parking strategy which was originally pencilled in the 1950s and has taken half a century to come to fruitition.

MartinN were you drunk last night????!

Erm, yes, a bit... Now I'm paying for it. Writing technical documents with a hangover isn't much fun!

Why?

The Friars Road Residential Tower has had a Bat survey done and submitted last month. Maybe this means this is progressing

They've got permission for this, haven't they?

EDIT: I know they have...!!

Halifax (HBOS) have submitted planning for change of use and signage for the old Burger King store. They've moved quickly with this!!!

where is friars road?

incedentally, i dont know much about this kind of thing, but shouldn't they have got the ikea road layout thing sorted before this really, surely they shud be starting work on it now?

A new piece of art will be alright but its just to appease the public, a lazy way to show ur doing something and thinking of public intrest. That areas bad, if it's going to look good they need to knock down the buildings. I just don't understand to be honest. Why not improve broadgate with the money, so there is one decent sq instead of two rubbishy ones, divided only by coventry's flagship store?!

Scazmattaz, I'll sign ur petition if u sign one about this silly square

When is this development actually going to start? They have got enough occupiers to get the development started, surely.

They are quite clever because they do a clever bit of PR every month or two to keep everyone thinking yep its about to start, but over a year on and not even a digger is on site yet. Im concerned that they arent going to go through with it, as i posted earlier, they may actually be in the process of selling the development on and merely need the time to get the deal finished.

Im very concerned.

Ikea on the other hand is moving very quickly, i was walking past it the other day and the beast is still growing, they have also stated to put the concrete bits and peices inside aswell now.

When are Cannon kirk going to submit the first application for friarsgate?

on the belgrade plaza website they have stated that phase 2 of the development will start spring 07

I don't know whether you guys know this:

The tender has gone out for the £12m development at The Butts. Developer is AMO Developments and architect is EPR I think. 97 Apartments.

Im gonna send them another email and ask when they will start and if they have a rough program that they can let us know about... gimme a few hours though!!

I have heard that a StarBucks will be opening up in the City Centre, where the old NEXT used to be on that corner before they moved, also a Subway is meant to be opening up on the A45 (Kenpas Highway) where the Fresher off licence used to be; before it got shut down.

I have hear that a StarBucks will be opening up in the City Centre, where the old NEXT used to be on that corner before they moved, also a Subway is meant to be opening up on the A45 (Kenpas Highway) where the Fresher off licence used to be; before it got shut down.

Rois Ali (Local chef, winner of curry of the year a few times) wanted to open up a restaurant on that parade of shops, but was refused, despite local support!

A new subway opened up in Cheylesmore as well.

I hope we don't get one in Earlsdon.

Rois Ali (Local chef, winner of curry of the year a few times) wanted to open up a restaurant on that parade of shops, but was refused, despite local support!

A new subway opened up in Cheylesmore as well.

I hope we don't get one in Earlsdon.

One reason he was refused was due to lack of parking spaces; although the burn post did offer parking spaces for him.

The chip shop on that parade of shops got his friend to park there cars there when they came to inspect the area when they were considering the licence.

The city centre is soon going to be 90% subway! Theres way too many considering the size of the centre

This has been on the council website for a while but theres a picture and thought you guys might want a look if you havent seen it. Personally I think it looks terrible, they made it sound like something special, it's grey! It's just a bridge and doesn't even look like it will have very easy access. It's going to be just like the canal basin one, have they not learn't anything?!

--------------------------------------

New footbridge planned for Ring Road
Release date: 20-Feb-2007


Coventry City Council's Cabinet looks set to give the go ahead to a combined cycle and footbridge over the Ring Road, when it meets today.

The footbridge will replace the subway connecting the two halves of Hill Street which was cut in two when the Ring Road was built.

Local people living in Coundon and the city centre were invited to a public consultation a little over a year ago, and overwhelmingly (72%) opted for a new feature footbridge to replace the subway, ahead of improvements to the subway.

Outline plans for a feature 'tied arch' footbridge have been drawn up. It will make a unique architectural statement once complete. Two steel arches will span the eight lanes of the Ring Road and the slip roads and carry a 4m wide deck suspended by steel wires.

Councillor Dave Arrowsmith, Cabinet Member for Urban Regeneration and Regional Planning said, "We looked at all of the Ring Road crossing points and this one at Hill Street was highlighted as the worst. Although well used, the subway is narrow, and the ramps are steep with right angle bends making, for some people, a less than comfortable walk ."

This impressive new foot and cycle bridge set at a slight angle to Hill Street will make a dramatic visual impact for drivers on the Ring Road and people using Hill Street. It will also improve safety and by joining into the emerging Belgrade Plaza development help to extend the regeneration of the area.

Work is expected to start later this year and will be completed over three years. The existing subway being closed.The £1.5 million cost will be met by money from the Transportation Capital Programme funded by the Government.

In the next few weeks local people will have the chance to see the preliminary designs and to have their say."

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/168/440126706_243a75ab42.jpg

This has been on the council website for a while but theres a picture and thought you guys might want a look if you havent seen it. Personally I think it looks terrible, they made it sound like something special, it's grey! It's just a bridge and doesn't even look like it will have very easy access. It's going to be just like the canal basin one, have they not learn't anything?!

--------------------------------------

New footbridge planned for Ring Road
Release date: 20-Feb-2007


Coventry City Council's Cabinet looks set to give the go ahead to a combined cycle and footbridge over the Ring Road, when it meets today.

The footbridge will replace the subway connecting the two halves of Hill Street which was cut in two when the Ring Road was built.

Local people living in Coundon and the city centre were invited to a public consultation a little over a year ago, and overwhelmingly (72%) opted for a new feature footbridge to replace the subway, ahead of improvements to the subway.

Outline plans for a feature 'tied arch' footbridge have been drawn up. It will make a unique architectural statement once complete. Two steel arches will span the eight lanes of the Ring Road and the slip roads and carry a 4m wide deck suspended by steel wires.

Councillor Dave Arrowsmith, Cabinet Member for Urban Regeneration and Regional Planning said, "We looked at all of the Ring Road crossing points and this one at Hill Street was highlighted as the worst. Although well used, the subway is narrow, and the ramps are steep with right angle bends making, for some people, a less than comfortable walk ."

This impressive new foot and cycle bridge set at a slight angle to Hill Street will make a dramatic visual impact for drivers on the Ring Road and people using Hill Street. It will also improve safety and by joining into the emerging Belgrade Plaza development help to extend the regeneration of the area.

Work is expected to start later this year and will be completed over three years. The existing subway being closed.The £1.5 million cost will be met by money from the Transportation Capital Programme funded by the Government.

In the next few weeks local people will have the chance to see the preliminary designs and to have their say."

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/168/440126706_243a75ab42.jpg

Waste of money. Bridge. Subway. Doesn't matter. Ringroad's shit. A shit road, a shit load of shit. Coventry's shit. I've got visitors this weekend. We're heading out to Leamington for: shopping, eating, drinking, nightlife. Coventry? Does it exist?

You on the sauce again?

You on the sauce again?

Ouch. My head...

i agree, i dont think there is much point in ******** a footbridge because the whole ring-road needs to be **********! if coventry ever wants to increase its **** size it will have to release the **** centre from the cage-like ring-road...

i agree, i dont think there is much point in ******** a footbridge because the whole ring-road needs to be **********! if coventry ever wants to increase its **** size it will have to release the **** centre from the cage-like ring-road...

Why all the "****"s??!?

Cos its ***** ****s. Sloof lirpA

Cos its ***** ****s. Sloof lirpA

Ah, I see.

i still dont understand why i am typing ***'s and seeing the on these forums lol

if you go to the first page of this thread you will see that pics were posted of all of the current and future developments in coventry, i was wondering if anyone could post them all again and maybe add pics of the *** developments aswell lol, seeing as the original pics have all expired...

i agree, i dont think there is much point in ******** a footbridge because the whole ring-road needs to be **********! if coventry ever wants to increase its **** size it will have to release the **** centre from the cage-like ring-road...

Yes Coventry need to knock the ring road down if it ever wants to increase in size. It is a restriction on it ever expanding.

Yes Coventry need to knock the ring road down if it ever wants to increase in size. It is a restriction on it ever expanding.

It'll never happen. Don't get your hopes up! We're stuck with it.

It'll never happen. Don't get your hopes up! We're stuck with it.

nothing lasts forever...

Sooner or later the cingroad will have to come down, the city centre is already just about bursting at the seams!(sp) lol, i reckon in 15 years we shall see a bigger, ring-roadless Coventry City Centre...

if you go to the first page of this thread you will see that pics were posted of all of the current and future developments in coventry, i was wondering if anyone could post them all again and maybe add pics of the *** developments aswell lol, seeing as the original pics have all expired...

just thought i would bring it up again as i am dieing to see more renders! lol

nothing lasts forever...

Sooner or later the cingroad will have to come down, the city centre is already just about bursting at the seams!(sp) lol, i reckon in 15 years we shall see a bigger, ring-roadless Coventry City Centre...

I think it'll be the same, except a lot more built up around the ringroad with low rise, cheap looking apartment blocks.

the ring road is going nowhere anytime soon! Fact. The chance was there to get rid of some and it's not happened. Thats proof enough. People are blind

the ring road is going nowhere anytime soon! Fact. The chance was there to get rid of some and it's not happened. Thats proof enough. People are blind

They're obsessed with cars. Britain's a car country.

In a city of Coventry's size, 70% or more of journeys within the city's area should be done by public transport. It's crazy when you think about it - huge internal road infrastructures to support people doing journeys of 3, 4, 5 miles, etc.

On iccoventry some berk even reckons the ringroad is great because he can get to the bank at lunchtime and back again.

well the bank IS important....

It's ridiculous. I went to prague recently, and I know it's a completely different city and size, but the transport system there is incredible. It's all so well integrated, you can get anywhere, fairly quickly, with not much waiting or being squashed. That systems been in place since the communist days there. If it's possible for such a big city on a system thats (i have no idea when it was set up so shoot me down) 20/30+ years old(??) Then surely a small city could do it. (different kettle of fish I know but still)

It's the mentality of the people tho and I think england is always going to be like that. We like our own things and space and everything at hand straight away. We're getting more and more like america. London works differently but most of london now isn't "British"(so to speak) and has become better probably because of it.

I realised I never replied to you question about being a student in coventry. It's alright, had an awsome first year, really enjoyed it and getting to know the city.

There needs to be more places to go because you can only go to the collissium and ikon so many times. Dogma is really good, but is expensive and a bit on it's own, although the fire station is good/similar. What's here isn't bad but there just need to be more, in terms of bars and restraunts. Fill in the gaps.

Shopping is good or was good when I first arrived, but only on a town scale, not city. Needs more indepentant retailers to give people a reason to come.

There should be more live music, and it's annoying to hear that it's only declined recently. The tin angel and Taylor Johns house are good for that, and dogma for good music, at the right times. Collissium does good bands normally too, it's a bit of a trek for me now tho, and bit costly on a saturday just to see some music, and not allways my taste.

I prefer quieter drinking places now, inspire, whitefriars, eden (which I've never seen more than 35 other people in), 1450, windmill, browns, town wall (not on a weekend!) There all good but so spaced out, and never really that busy, with a few exceptions.

I always think it's a shame "The Vault" is so pikey. It's not a bad little place with a nice courtyard. Went in it a few times before it changed it's name, it was still chavy but bearable on a wednesday. I guess it's cos it's located with all the other chav bars.

Coventry's a strange city! Intresting one tho!

I realised I never replied to you question about being a student in coventry. It's alright, had an awsome first year, really enjoyed it and getting to know the city.

There needs to be more places to go because you can only go to the collissium and ikon so many times. Dogma is really good, but is expensive and a bit on it's own, although the fire station is good/similar. What's here isn't bad but there just need to be more, in terms of bars and restraunts. Fill in the gaps.

Shopping is good or was good when I first arrived, but only on a town scale, not city. Needs more indepentant retailers to give people a reason to come.

There should be more live music, and it's annoying to hear that it's only declined recently. The tin angel and Taylor Johns house are good for that, and dogma for good music, at the right times. Collissium does good bands normally too, it's a bit of a trek for me now tho, and bit costly on a saturday just to see some music, and not allways my taste.

I prefer quieter drinking places now, inspire, whitefriars, eden (which I've never seen more than 35 other people in), 1450, windmill, browns, town wall (not on a weekend!) There all good but so spaced out, and never really that busy, with a few exceptions.

I always think it's a shame "The Vault" is so pikey. It's not a bad little place with a nice courtyard. Went in it a few times before it changed it's name, it was still chavy but bearable on a wednesday. I guess it's cos it's located with all the other chav bars.

Coventry's a strange city! Intresting one tho!

When I was a student in 1989, the place was very different - the pubs along Far Gosford Street were mainly proper Irish pubs, and the Beer Engine (The Cup?), The Campbell, The Dive, The Courtyard (The Vault) were all Rockers pubs - the OAK was a tiny place. Windmill was good.

No trendy bars at all. A more live music - the Colosseum (Tic Toc) had loads of stuff on (Marillion played there, as did Fish and loads of Manchester bands - and people like River City People, Men they Couldn't hang, Big Country, etc, etc) as did the Student Union. Whitefriars wasn't there... The peacocks was still open, though.

Places like the Campbel & the Vault (Courtyard as it was called) had two rooms - ones with locals/rockers in, and other rooms with students in. No Skydome! No restaurants apart from Etna and the Pagoda, although there was briefly a nice little place called Bourbon's that also had live music on...

Shops were better in the early 1990s in certain areas - spinadisc, soundhouse for music, and loads of odd shops in Shambles Arcade... A new Dillons came along (The old one was rubbish.) and a big HMV closed down... Far Gosford Street had some decent shops as well, good 2nd hand stores with heaps of records and books in them.

There were more clubs back then than there are now but most of them were dreadful. Lots of rough pubs around the precinct, most of them gone now...

I don't think it's that Covntry's "strange", I think it's just not like anywhere else - with a bizarre mix of medieval and an awkwardly designed ringroad around it... There's nowhere really like it... Thank God!:)

When I was a student in Coventry, unemployment was 15%... And it was a very rought place indeed. Not student friendly at all.

I think it is becoming too student friendly now! The uni is taking over that part of town and putting up cheap buildings left right and centre. I went into a building in the technopark the other day and the walls were actually cardboard I think, it was horrible. The campbell (pheonix) is a typical student bar, dirty, and the same as the oak really which I hate - It's horrible. I finaly vowed never to go in the oak again when I saw someone pissing up a wall in the toilet! Dive. Far Gosford Street is a mess, and theres nothing I ever want to go down there for which is a real shame. It's all cheap kebab/pizza places. I hope the road "improvements"(??!) start to regenerate it and the buildings that they are restoring help it along too. It is, as you rightly know, the area that it's in thats the problem and I fear it's never going to get better.

Sounds like there was more to do back then than there is now, even if it was a rougher and grimmer city. I think the council is relying on all these private developments to sort out the city for them and they're just sitting back. It's not going to work.

I herd a while back that the council was going to sell off a lot of their land. I havent herd anything about that since. I think it would be good, then they could put money into areas such as broadgate, bishops street, hertford street and estate agents row oh and the precinct, wait a minute isn't that the whole city centre in that list! Maybe shift some of their offices to these places to diversify use.

Belgrade Plaza
http://www.belgradeplaza.co.uk/images/aboutbel2006.jpg
http://www.belgradeplaza.co.uk/images/aboutbel2.jpg

Belgrade Theatre extension
http://www.belgrade.co.uk/general_images/Belgrade-External-CGI.jpg

Belgrade Square
http://images.icnetwork.co.uk/upl/iccoventry/feb2007/9/3/EEF19537-FEDA-920D-12A1E08FE0135773.jpg

IKEA
http://www.ikea.com/ms/en_GB/img/local_img/coventry/maincoventry_anim577x250.gif

Victoria Buildings (opposite ikea)
http://www.hawkinsbrown.co.uk/images/portfolio/hou_cov_1.jpg
http://images.icnetwork.co.uk/upl/iccoventry/feb2007/0/9/DA6D720A-C590-79A2-9078CFBBA9DDB4D3.jpg

Friargate

website: http://www.friargatecoventry.co.uk/masterplan.php

http://images.icnetwork.co.uk/upl/iccoventry/mar2007/6/1/50413C96-9249-06E9-D52E0523BB81003F.jpg
http://images.icnetwork.co.uk/upl/iccoventry/mar2007/6/1/5041DCB6-07D2-E821-8238AD3F9C2AAEEC.jpg

more aerial plans are on the website

I think it is becoming too student friendly now! The uni is taking over that part of town and putting up cheap buildings left right and centre. I went into a building in the technopark the other day and the walls were actually cardboard I think, it was horrible. The campbell (pheonix) is a typical student bar, dirty, and the same as the oak really which I hate - It's horrible. I finaly vowed never to go in the oak again when I saw someone pissing up a wall in the toilet! Dive. Far Gosford Street is a mess, and theres nothing I ever want to go down there for which is a real shame. It's all cheap kebab/pizza places. I hope the road "improvements"(??!) start to regenerate it and the buildings that they are restoring help it along too. It is, as you rightly know, the area that it's in thats the problem and I fear it's never going to get better.

Sounds like there was more to do back then than there is now, even if it was a rougher and grimmer city. I think the council is relying on all these private developments to sort out the city for them and they're just sitting back. It's not going to work.

I herd a while back that the council was going to sell off a lot of their land. I havent herd anything about that since. I think it would be good, then they could put money into areas such as broadgate, bishops street, hertford street and estate agents row oh and the precinct, wait a minute isn't that the whole city centre in that list! Maybe shift some of their offices to these places to diversify use.

The Oak is an awful pub, absolutely horrible. It was OK a few years back (About 7-8).

They renovated Far Gosford Street about 15 years ago. It took about a year to become a dump again. They just don't understand that the people who live round there just aren't interested.

There was a great record shop called "Hits and Misses" on Far Gosford street. Closed down and turned into a taxi office.

Personally, some of those areas of old factory workers houses ought to be demolished. Far Gosford Street is full of listed old buildings, a lot of the medieval, but it's gradually being destroyed.

The Herbert Art Gallery extension

http://www.bbc.co.uk/coventry/culture/stories/2003/10/images/herbert-impression.gif
http://www.theherbert.org/whatson/images/Herbert-architects-impressi.jpg

Millennium View apartments

http://www.cordwell-property.co.uk/images/Millenium%20Place%20Day%202.jpg
http://www.cordwell-property.co.uk/images/Millenium%20Place%20Night%20.jpg

yeah they need to look at the whole area, not just far gosford street. The uni is based manily on that side of town and a lot of the houses are student. Personally I think any new developments that the uni wants to do should be in that area. That would stretch the city centre a bit and encourage more diversity around the cathedral, jordan well and gosford street. The uni has the money and power to do it, they've knocked down enough old buildings in the past and put up shiny new tacky ones. Lets face it though, it would be better than whats there.

Well done with all the image posting Jonny, good to have them all to see at once again

The Swanswell Learning Quarter (City College)

http://www.covcollege.ac.uk/images/newsimages/500/NewCollege.jpg

Public square, shops and apartments on the corner of Bishop St/Chapel St

http://www.coventry.gov.uk/ccm/cms-service/stream/image/?image_id=14922108

thanks for the pics Jonny :)

Modus to rebuild Coventry

Modus is set to buy a large chunk of Coventry’s main shopping area for redevelopment. Modus is understood to be in advanced talks with Prupim to buy its West Orchards shopping centre.


30.03.2007

It is thought to be paying around £65m and has beaten Howard Holdings, among other bidders.

The shopping centre in Smithford Way makes up one arm of the city centre’s retail area that creates an intersection in the city centre.

Coventry’s top retail rents are around £170 zone A. An in-town multi-level Ikea store is due to open in the summer, comprising 230,000 sq ft (21,368 sq m) over six levels.

modus is well known for regenerating and redeveloping urban shopping areas such as Wakefield, Newport and Wigan, which opened last week.

West Orchards’ owner, Prupim, is selling the centre in addition to other retail properties, including the Mander Centre in Wolverhampton, which will be sold for around £150m.

Strutt & Parker is advising Modus; CB Richard Ellis is advising Prupim. None of the parties would comment on the purchase or on future plans.

sounds sweat...

It is good to see some pics, and that Victoria Building looks better now we have better renders :)

Lets just hope they do the shopping centre properly. If it's a half-arsed job it could seal coventry's fate. If done well could be the start of the centre overall regeneration. Destiny....!

thats true, but can it really get any worse than it already is? hopefully that aweful escalator will go and the carpetrite building.

thats true, but can it really get any worse than it already is? hopefully that aweful escalator will go and the carpetrite building.

Allied Carpets? And the old "What everyone wants" store...

Here is a development portfolio of the city:

http://www.tribalresourcing.com/coventry/dd/development.php

Intresting portfolio, always amuses me how companies and organisations portray themselves.

I found this picture in the latest herbert catalogue, a rendering of the inside of the redevelopment. It looks good, hopefully there will be something in it tho! Looks like the design kinda reflects parts of the new cathedral in the style of the windows and possibly browns with the roof supports, maybe Im looking into it too much!


Redeveloped Herbert Inside Rendering

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/239/446186810_2183231eba.jpg

Intresting portfolio, always amuses me how companies and organisations portray themselves.

I found this picture in the latest herbert catalogue, a rendering of the inside of the redevelopment. It looks good, hopefully there will be something in it tho! Looks like the design kinda reflects parts of the new cathedral in the style of the windows and possibly browns with the roof supports, maybe Im looking into it too much!


Redeveloped Herbert Inside Rendering

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/239/446186810_2183231eba.jpg

That does look interesting.

Are they building this now?

Allied Carpets? And the old "What everyone wants" store...

oh yea sorri thats the one.

Intresting portfolio, always amuses me how companies and organisations portray themselves.

I found this picture in the latest herbert catalogue, a rendering of the inside of the redevelopment. It looks good, hopefully there will be something in it tho! Looks like the design kinda reflects parts of the new cathedral in the style of the windows and possibly browns with the roof supports, maybe Im looking into it too much!


Redeveloped Herbert Inside Rendering

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/239/446186810_2183231eba.jpg

that looks great, but i thought the enterance was all glass?

I'm glad they went for a wooden frame. I was worried they would go for the cheaper option and use metal like the supports in the lower precinct.

I'm glad they went for a wooden frame. I was worried they would go for the cheaper option and use metal like the supports in the lower precinct.

The roof is very much in the style of the New Cathedral.

I just hope it has something interesting inside it - too many museums have nothing in them! I'm sure Coventry's got enough artefacts/artwork to make a permanent display - and then there're the touring displays, as well.

This is the text that accompanied it, I didnt have time to do it yesterday.

--------------------------
THE HERBERT IS CURRENTLY IN THE FINAL PHASE OF A TWO STAGE REDEVLOPMENT.

This will include new sculpture and performance galleries, 7 exhibition spaces, a new History Centre and a spectacular two-level covered court.

The wide programme of exhibitions and events within our existing galleries include contemporary art and photography exhibitions, art master classes and talks by artists and professionals. A full programme of courses and workshops are also available within our new media suit.

From 2008, jaw dropping natural history galleries, stunning visual art collections, performing arts, and local and social history exhibitions will also be available within our spectacular redevelopment.

-------------


Think that answers most of your questions, looks like they've got a lot to fill it. The city archives are being relocated back there too. Its a big place as there is the hall at the end near the uni car park which is empty now. It will hopefully be a comprehensive collection when finished.

They are building this now, it's the site next to cathedral sqaure, looks like its going along at a good pace, maybe not ikea pace but still! This is looking up from the cathedral sqaure end towards the existing gallery (i think) so I'm assuming the entrace behind that we can't see will be glass. Don't hold me to that tho. Looks nice and light, the one thing th new cathedral isn't in my oppinion.

Im really hopefull about this development. I went to sheffield last summer and their art gallery was really good and I think this is possibly bigger so could be a really good asset. When it's all done they might be able to attract some bigger names to exhibit as the New Art Gallery Walsall has archieved.

It's in the perfect location for this kinda thing too.

The only downside is that the uni are building a new building next to it which will probably be horrible and undermine the herbert and block any flowing of people into other areas. Shame they dont put a mixed use office building there or something.

that sounds very interesting actually, hopefully this with the redevelopment of the two theaters will really push the cultural offering in the city up some what.

according to stoford livings website, the mixed use development at the bottom of the burges is due to commence on site this summer.

http://www.stofordliving.com/

I think we need more green/grassy areas inside the city centre. I would like to see Cathedral Lanes shopping centre demolished to be replaced by a green square around the godiva statue, like how it used to be. Maybe even stretch it down through the Upper Precinct and down towards the fountain, the UP escalators would have to be demolished as well....

http://www.historiccoventry.co.uk/postwar/broadgate1955.jpg

http://www.historiccoventry.co.uk/nowandthen/freelibrary2005.jpg

:ohno:

I think we need more green/grassy areas inside the city centre. I would like to see Cathedral Lanes shopping centre demolished to be replaced by a green square around the godiva statue, like how it used to be. Maybe even stretch it down through the Upper Precinct and down towards the fountain, the UP escalators would have to be demolished as well....

http://www.historiccoventry.co.uk/postwar/broadgate1955.jpg

It looked something like that when I was a kid. Can't really remember but there were gardens around the Godiva statue back then.

I think they concentrate on demolishing Cov Uni first!

Swanswell should be kicking off shortly - there will be new roads - changes to one-way systems and accessibility so that Junction 2 can be removed. The scheme plans to move the swimming baths to the middle school site in Hillfields - The old swimming baths would then be redeveloped. Guestimated time-scale for the entire scheme is 2007-2017.

Swanswell should be kicking off shortly - there will be new roads - changes to one-way systems and accessibility so that Junction 2 can be removed. The scheme plans to move the swimming baths to the middle school site in Hillfields - The old swimming baths would then be redeveloped. Guestimated time-scale for the entire scheme is 2007-2017.

I quite like the Swimming Pool building, although it's far nicer from the back than the bit facing the street.

The "Elephant" is an absolute eyesore. Please, please tell me they're getting rid of that!!!!!

Has swanswell been scaled down? Thought I read on here somewhere that somethings will not be happening (lowering of the ringroad). Does anyone know if the creation of a new basin will go ahead as shown in this picture:
http://www.covcollege.ac.uk/swanswell/images/artistsimpression.gif

i love that pic and hope they do create a new basin, as there is no life in that area anymore lol. One thing i want to know though...

1. what are they planning on building in place of the swimming baths?

2. whay arent they connecting the canal basin to the swanswell marina? i thought that was part of the original plans?

3. WHERES THE RING ROAD?!?!? ITS GONE! ITS FANTASTIC!!

and finally...

what is this building i have circled? it look quite tall...40-55m? ( if you look closely you can see that the spire is quite high off the ground...

http://i16.tinypic.com/4cjrn2g.jpg

Has swanswell been scaled down? Thought I read on here somewhere that somethings will not be happening (lowering of the ringroad). Does anyone know if the creation of a new basin will go ahead as shown in this picture:
http://www.covcollege.ac.uk/swanswell/images/artistsimpression.gif

Ignore this picture. It's not happening. The ringroad is staying, which means not a lot of land for development, and presumably not a lot of interest from private investors.

It's just going to be lots of cheap looking apartments like those already being thrown up... cheap and nasty looking. There's no much you can do with land when it's got a huge flyover cutting across it!

By keeping that flyover, they've condemned that part of Coventry to being a shithole for the forseeable future. It's been a shithole since the ringroad was built, and they are well aware of the problems with using the land around there, and the general problems the ringroad has created that has made so much of the city centre into a wasteland.

A missed oppurtunity - almost beggars belief.

i love that pic and hope they do create a new basin, as there is no life in that area anymore lol. One thing i want to know though...

1. what are they planning on building in place of the swimming baths?

2. whay arent they connecting the canal basin to the swanswell marina? i thought that was part of the original plans?

3. WHERES THE RING ROAD?!?!? ITS GONE! ITS FANTASTIC!!

and finally...

what is this building i have circled? it look quite tall...40-55m? ( if you look closely you can see that the spire is quite high off the ground...

http://i16.tinypic.com/4cjrn2g.jpg

The ring road is staying. The conservatives want a 'feature bridge' over a re-aligned white-street - i.e. something with maybe an arched structure. Remember once Junction 2 is removed it'll only be 4 lanes wide there, as opposed to the current 8.

Part of the land created through the removal of the slips will become a new coach park, while the other side will probably be development land for apartments. The current ambulance access road off of foleshill road / junction 1 will be opened to general traffic into hillfields only. Swanswell Street will be turned into a 2-way operation road with bus priority for PrimeLines and Sprint. Lloyds pharmacy may go - with a new road from there through to Foleshill Road at Halfords. This road will then further link through to the Canal Basin.

The middle school is applying to move to the remaining part of the City College site. The old school will then be redeveloped and the swimming baths sold off to developers. Ultraseal and the carparks under the ringroad between Junc 2 and 3 will most likely also be redevEloped - however the ring road is staying elevated here. Part of Whitefriars carpark (the part not under the ringroad) which is next to Whitefriars pub and the big red uni building is also being sold off for development. This will fund a new multistorey behind the courts and police station which is currently a surface carpark.

The old hospital site will be redeveloped with a grid of STREETS! funded through developers who are interested in developing that area.

The areas between AXA and Junction 2 is planned for a major office development, some of which will front Junction 1. This includes the doomed sorting office and surface carpark and warehouses. There will most likely be an additional MSCP close to the ring road side of this area.

The council want any redevelopment of West Orchards to include the relocation of the existing car park which currently lies above the centre - as this carpark is renowned for causing queues and delays to other traffic on Corporation Street and even as far as the Radford Road. They will be looking to have the MSCP rebuilt on the other side of Corporation Street where it can be served off of Upper Well Street.

I hope this answers all of your questions.

P.S. No new pool is planned; however Swanswell Park will be expanded towards the City Centre.

On a more trivial note the City Council are trying to acquire the Telegraph building - i say bomb it!!!

If anyone wants to take a 3-d look around the city centre you can use microsoft aerial, no need to download any software

http://maps.live.com/


Thanks scazmattaz.