I've been up both of the main spires. An amazing view awaits.

Im pleased as I thought it was closed for good. I tried to go up it at the end of my first year of uni but that was when it closed, I just missed it! Gutted!

Drove down Foleshill Road today and noticed that the apartment block just down from Electric Wharf appears to be complete - it used to be a derelict factory. Looks quite smart. I wonder if our resident photographer Dr Pepper could get a few snaps?:)

Ikea must be nearing completiton - one of the cranes has gone, and it doesn't look as if they have much left to do on the building.

And the college is coming along nicely.

Oh, and the large halls of residents on Far Gosford Street now looks complete.

i guess you probably haven't noticed but i've been missing from these boards for a while - the primary reason being that i am now an exiled coventrian living in spain. i do intend to return home at some point in the near future - maybe a year or two - and i very much hope that many of the proposed projects are complete when i do.

i have scanned through the posts on here, but it is very difficult to get a complete picture seeing as there are so many coventry related threads now. could anyone give me a overall summary of where we are? when i was last in cov i was very dissapointed at the lack of activity ie the number of cranes on the skyline. i know ikea is well underway, and belgrade plaza is kicking off, but what is happening with the axa development, swanswell, victoria builings, the butts development, friargate, millenium view and that eyesore at the top end of the foleshill road next to electric wharf?

i've also been on the council planning portal and note that there are very few noteworthy planning applications on the table; have there been any that have been approved recently that i have missed?

you may think i'm being lazy, but its very hard to keep up when you're so far away.

Theres a banner up for Sports Direct.Com which is opening at the Market side entrance to Woolworths!!! This is very good news, down with Central Six!!

i guess you probably haven't noticed but i've been missing from these boards for a while - the primary reason being that i am now an exiled coventrian living in spain. i do intend to return home at some point in the near future - maybe a year or two - and i very much hope that many of the proposed projects are complete when i do.

i have scanned through the posts on here, but it is very difficult to get a complete picture seeing as there are so many coventry related threads now. could anyone give me a overall summary of where we are? when i was last in cov i was very dissapointed at the lack of activity ie the number of cranes on the skyline. i know ikea is well underway, and belgrade plaza is kicking off, but what is happening with the axa development, swanswell, victoria builings, the butts development, friargate, millenium view and that eyesore at the top end of the foleshill road next to electric wharf?

i've also been on the council planning portal and note that there are very few noteworthy planning applications on the table; have there been any that have been approved recently that i have missed?

you may think i'm being lazy, but its very hard to keep up when you're so far away.

Lucky sod! Which part of Spain? My Mum has an apartment in Altea, near Alicante.

Yeah, stuff is moving slowly - the Friar's Lane site has been cleared, and the Butts College is starting soon, but there's no sign of anything else. As Scazmattaz says, these things take time and developers are cautious. Although the Butts College has a definite relocation from London, so that'll happen quickly!

Drove down Foleshill Road today and noticed that the apartment block just down from Electric Wharf appears to be complete - it used to be a derelict factory. Looks quite smart. I wonder if our resident photographer Dr Pepper could get a few snaps?:)


A friend of mine knows the people associated with that development. Evidently, the owner of that previous factory decided to have a go at developing those apartments himself and the cost spiralled. Think he's marketing and selling at a loss now - which is a shame as they do look a bit different from the norm.

A friend of mine knows the people associated with that development. Evidently, the owner of that previous factory decided to have a go at developing those apartments himself and the cost spiralled. Think he's marketing and selling at a loss now - which is a shame as they do look a bit different from the norm.

That's a shame - they do look different, but the location isn't great. It's a shame the arts and cultural quarter planned for the patch of land by the canal basin isn't taking off!

i guess you probably haven't noticed but i've been missing from these boards for a while - the primary reason being that i am now an exiled coventrian living in spain. i do intend to return home at some point in the near future - maybe a year or two - and i very much hope that many of the proposed projects are complete when i do.

i have scanned through the posts on here, but it is very difficult to get a complete picture seeing as there are so many coventry related threads now. could anyone give me a overall summary of where we are? when i was last in cov i was very dissapointed at the lack of activity ie the number of cranes on the skyline. i know ikea is well underway, and belgrade plaza is kicking off, but what is happening with the axa development, swanswell, victoria builings, the butts development, friargate, millenium view and that eyesore at the top end of the foleshill road next to electric wharf?

i've also been on the council planning portal and note that there are very few noteworthy planning applications on the table; have there been any that have been approved recently that i have missed?

you may think i'm being lazy, but its very hard to keep up when you're so far away.

I had wandered when the founder of the thread had gone, sounds nice, living it up in spain. You reminded me how many things were actually being planned and how quiet it's gone recently.

Anyone know how long are we looking at for the butt's to be completed? Is it definately going ahead? To the full extent? (it's actually going to be good right, not a cut down version of the orginal idea?)

Any latest news with the Axa development?

Where's this art's/ cultural quater meant to go? the site opposite electric wharf? Is that part of the swanswell initiative that isn't going ahead?

Down with Central Six
Down with Central Six
Down with Central Six
Down with Central Six
Down with Central Six

Sorry getting a bit carried away...

AXA, theres some activity with the company buying someone else out and then relocation stuff from what my flatmate says, so once thats all sorted (give them 12 months) it should start.

I had wandered when the founder of the thread had gone, sounds nice, living it up in spain. You reminded me how many things were actually being planned and how quiet it's gone recently.

Anyone know how long are we looking at for the butt's to be completed? Is it definately going ahead? To the full extent? (it's actually going to be good right, not a cut down version of the orginal idea?)

Any latest news with the Axa development?

Where's this art's/ cultural quater meant to go? the site opposite electric wharf? Is that part of the swanswell initiative that isn't going ahead?

I think Butts is going to take 4 years - but they are supposedly starting this year. I assume that the office block will be the first to go up. I don't think the college has actually moved yet, though.

The original Swanswell plan was supposed to have a "Cultural Quarter" on the large piece of land at the bottom of Foleshill Road, but it's not happening - market forces. The people apparently prefer to be in Gosford Street.:nuts:

Down with Central Six
Down with Central Six
Down with Central Six
Down with Central Six
Down with Central Six

Sorry getting a bit carried away...

AXA, theres some activity with the company buying someone else out and then relocation stuff from what my flatmate says, so once thats all sorted (give them 12 months) it should start.

I agree about Central Six.

AXA aren't actually building the office, though, are they? It's being done through one of AXA's property funds, isn't it? Are AXA planning to relocate people to the Coventry office?

I agree about Central Six.

AXA aren't actually building the office, though, are they? It's being done through one of AXA's property funds, isn't it? Are AXA planning to relocate people to the Coventry office?

Dunno theres been no news as of yet. If they are planning to do it as part of their investment funds then its likely it'll start sometime after Christmas, fingers crossed.

This is the site of the Millennium View flats. Not much progress so far even though the site has been clear for a few years now. In the background you can see the rear of the buildings in the Burges. Just above the parked car you can just make out an arch where the river Sherbourne runs through the centre.

http://i6.tinypic.com/4r7y3ch.jpg




This was the original design for the flats. The new design is a lot taller and as I recall has less colour.

http://i3.tinypic.com/6g17alj.jpg

This is the site of the Millennium View flats. Not much progress so far even though the site has been clear for a few years now. In the background you can see the rear of the buildings in the Burges. Just above the parked car you can just make out an arch where the river Sherbourne runs through the centre.

http://i6.tinypic.com/4r7y3ch.jpg




This was the original design for the flats. The new design is a lot taller and as I recall has less colour.

http://i3.tinypic.com/6g17alj.jpg

I'm pretty sure no application has gone in for the replacement for this - so it's not going to start anytime soon. The new design is taller - about 9-10 storeys I think (I put it on another thread). There's a report on the council's website detailing the 3 alternative proposals - one was for mainly offices. They need to get something up soon - Priory Place/Millennium Place needs to be completed!

hey guys been away in sunny barcelona this week, so had a bit of a catch up last night when i got back. The forum seems really busy these days which is a good sign and the number of threads that are popping up is good aswell, really shows the amount of investment and development that is really happening in the city at the minute. After reading im guessing theres still no news on some of the key developments like millenium view (martin i think your rite there has been no app for this site yet), victoria buildings etc....

IMO i think that they are all waiting to see if belgrade plaza is a success and if they can sell all of their accomodation (though iv been told that they are already sold, probably to an investor). I think that BP is the key to the city, if it can work then we are in for a gold rush style development programme, it will kick start the leisure and retail aspect of the city and the city centre living economy which should also help with the office aspect of the city.

On the other hand in concerned that Friarsgate has gone all quite all of a sudden, it was an international hit at Cannes and now it has gone quite again, is this worrying?

Good to hear Butts is going to start soon, but also odd because the students will still be onsite while it is being built.

hey guys been away in sunny barcelona this week, so had a bit of a catch up last night when i got back. The forum seems really busy these days which is a good sign and the number of threads that are popping up is good aswell, really shows the amount of investment and development that is really happening in the city at the minute. After reading im guessing theres still no news on some of the key developments like millenium view (martin i think your rite there has been no app for this site yet), victoria buildings etc....

IMO i think that they are all waiting to see if belgrade plaza is a success and if they can sell all of their accomodation (though iv been told that they are already sold, probably to an investor). I think that BP is the key to the city, if it can work then we are in for a gold rush style development programme, it will kick start the leisure and retail aspect of the city and the city centre living economy which should also help with the office aspect of the city.

On the other hand in concerned that Friarsgate has gone all quite all of a sudden, it was an international hit at Cannes and now it has gone quite again, is this worrying?

Good to hear Butts is going to start soon, but also odd because the students will still be onsite while it is being built.

I think it's all tied in - these plans (The offices, apartments, etc) are aimed at new people & graduates. Coventry pretty much has high employment, so all this talk of jobs at Friargate, Butts, etc, is all new people. They'll want housing - not in Warwickshire, hopefully - and definitely want a better retail core than what's already there.

the new design for millennium view, hope this happens soonish.


http://i8.tinypic.com/67zo2g4.jpg

I have to say I prefer the original.

I have to say I prefer the original.

I see what you mean, but I have to say, I don't think the rendering does the "new version" justice - it makes it looks squashed.

What would be good is if the lower floor is retail/bars/etc type of thing that completes the circuite from the Burges and along Hales street to Trinity Street. That area has a fair bit of "old" Coventry still there, and the streets within that - the little lanes, etc, could form an interesting development similar to the "Lanes" in Leicester...

thank's for the updates gentlemen. must admit i get a little home sick when i read through these forums, and that was made all the worse last night when i watched the sky blues retake top spot!

the biggest frustration for me is the swanswell development, which appears to have ground to a complete halt. that whole area is a mess. i hate driving over the stretch of ring-road between the london road and foleshill road. look down to your right and you have that awful ultraseal building and those hideous new flats they've built just next to it. look left and you have the sports centre (just flatten the damn thing), priory halls, the britannia hotel and then a bit further on the vacant area of land where millenium view should be (vacant for nearly 4 years it should be noted). then there is that elevated section of the ring-road itself. it really is quite depressing. consider that most visitors to the city enter via the london road and sky blue way and it is no surprise that coventry still has its 'concrete jungle' image.

there is much that is positive, but very little of it is seen by visitors. all they tend to see are the buildings that skirt the ring-road, and if they do venture in to the town itself they visit the shopping areas, and they think to themselves "ooh, this is a bit crap really".

i live in mallorca now, and the amount of development here is incredible, i just wish the same could be said back home. i think we kid ourselves a little when we say how positive things are - because the reality is very little is happening - and when it does it seems to take so long. it has been 8 years since we were first told about the pheonix initiative, and it's still 2 years from completion! we saw the first images of the belgrade plaza in 2003 - we're now looking at completion in 2009/10! it's even going to take them 4 years to build a damn bridge across the ring-road!

i despair really. i know developers are cautious, of course they are, but there just seems a lack of urgency from all concerned. maybe i'm being pessimistic, but coventry has a lot of catching up to do, but at the moment we seem to be falling further behind.

You lot here in the Hull forum are so up your own arses, bloated with undeserved self-importance by requesing your own forum, that you couldn't resist leaping on with some pathetic put down - so I hauled you in, hook line and sinker and you didn't even notice you were being wound up on purpose.

A reply for MartinN from the Hull Forum = See Here - Hull - The Movie (http://youtube.com/watch?v=wPlT1I7X_lo) :banana: :banana: :banana:

A reply for MartinN from the Hull Forum = See Here - Hull - The Movie (http://youtube.com/watch?v=wPlT1I7X_lo) :banana: :banana: :banana:

Cor, still angry over there. Never mind. Here's something to keep your minds occupied (And no, I can't be arsed to look at the youtube link):

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/4319239.stm#ferriby

Found this on Tinypic.com. It shows Millennium View from the back. Looks much taller here. Looks like it has some sort of frontage to Palmer Lane.

http://i17.tinypic.com/54jr1p5.jpg

A reply for MartinN from the Hull Forum = See Here - Hull - The Movie (http://youtube.com/watch?v=wPlT1I7X_lo) :banana: :banana: :banana:

Not quite sure what you're trying to say. I'm not sure he ever said hull had nothing, and didn't really say anything derogratory about the place.

anyhow, with all due respect, any city in britain could put together a promotional video like that showing all its nice bits and lots of images of buildings that haven't been built yet. it doesn't really fool anyone.

that said, nothing against hull or its people. seems like a city that is moving forward. one thing i don't understand though, is whenever there is one of those "worst place to live in britain" type reports, hull is normally top, or very near it. serious question, why is that? there must be a reason.

Not quite sure what you're trying to say. I'm not sure he ever said hull had nothing, and didn't really say anything derogratory about the place.

anyhow, with all due respect, any city in britain could put together a promotional video like that showing all its nice bits and lots of images of buildings that haven't been built yet. it doesn't really fool anyone.

that said, nothing against hull or its people. seems like a city that is moving forward. one thing i don't understand though, is whenever there is one of those "worst place to live in britain" type reports, hull is normally top, or very near it. serious question, why is that? there must be a reason.

Just ignore them - I was browsing the Hull thread and noticed an interesting article on there which highlighted some problems in Hull that Coventry has (Or used to have.) and responded - some twat there responded with a knee-jerk reaction about "Hull is handsome, Coventry is horrible." which wasn't the point. Anyway I responded with a complete wind up (With smiley) and the jerks didn't get they were being wound up. They're just so up themselves it's almost funny.

You can make Coventry look like York if you take shots from certain angles and of certain buildings. No one is going to make a promotional video showing their city to be a dump.

Yes, I've seen those lists and surveys. I've never been to Hull (Have no intention to go there) but a friend of mine from that neck of the woods calls it "hell". Beverley is supposed to be very nice.

Found this on Tinypic.com. It shows Millennium View from the back. Looks much taller here. Looks like it has some sort of frontage to Palmer Lane.

http://i17.tinypic.com/54jr1p5.jpg

Yes, I put it up there a few days back - it's on another thread somewhere. I really hope this gets built. It'd be cool to have a tallish building down there.

While on the subject of wages:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/4613012.stm

Thats good, more proof that this is a good prosperous city, the money is here, people just need a reason to spend it here.

I really hope millenium view does front palmer lane, I saw on one proposal document that the car park access road was going to be palmer lane.

A small lanes area linking cross cheaping, the burgess and trinity street/millenium place would be ideal. It's more than feasable. If you think about the horrible buildings at the top of cross cheaping, the development opportunities are good. The council said about increasing frontages in this area with the ironmonger square proposal so at least they recognise it, but thank god that proposal hasn't come to anything.

Thats good, more proof that this is a good prosperous city, the money is here, people just need a reason to spend it here.

I really hope millenium view does front palmer lane, I saw on one proposal document that the car park access road was going to be palmer lane.

A small lanes area linking cross cheaping, the burgess and trinity street/millenium place would be ideal. It's more than feasable. If you think about the horrible buildings at the top of cross cheaping, the development opportunities are good. The council said about increasing frontages in this area with the ironmonger square proposal so at least they recognise it, but thank god that proposal hasn't come to anything.

Palmer lane is that link lane...
I guess they need interest from commercial backers to do anything. The council's plan to tart up the area might entice people back in, but at the moment it's too downmarket - with a massive Ladbrokes where Pizza Hut used to be. Stuff like that doesn't make it attractive.

Just ignore them - I was browsing the Hull thread and noticed an interesting article on there which highlighted some problems in Hull that Coventry has (Or used to have.) and responded - some twat there responded with a knee-jerk reaction about "Hull is handsome, Coventry is horrible." which wasn't the point. Anyway I responded with a complete wind up (With smiley) and the jerks didn't get they were being wound up. They're just so up themselves it's almost funny.

You can make Coventry look like York if you take shots from certain angles and of certain buildings. No one is going to make a promotional video showing their city to be a dump.

Yes, I've seen those lists and surveys. I've never been to Hull (Have no intention to go there) but a friend of mine from that neck of the woods calls it "hell". Beverley is supposed to be very nice.


Its a shithole, in fact, i cant belive how good that video made the city look:lol:

its terrible and the crime rates are soaring, worse place ive ever been too-EVER

Its a shithole, in fact, i cant belive how good that video made the city look:lol:

its terrible and the crime rates are soaring, worse place ive ever been too-EVER

Hey, watch it, or we'll get someone from Hull coming here telling how great it is...:lol: It'll be knuckledusters at dawn!

Hey, watch it, or we'll get someone from Hull coming here telling how great it is...:lol: It'll be knuckledusters at dawn!

lol if that link that you gave is anything to go by, knuckledusters would be a bit out of their price range:lol:

Plans are afoot for an Irish Heritage centre in Coventry:

http://iccoventry.icnetwork.co.uk/0100news/0100localnews/tm_headline=city-irish-heritage-centre-planned%26method=full%26objectid=19726369%26siteid=50003-name_page.html

the new design for millennium view, hope this happens soonish.


http://i8.tinypic.com/67zo2g4.jpg

Thats an old design isn't it?

as far as i'm aware that's the most recent design, although no planning application has been submitted yet, so its difficult to say.

does anyone know what is happening with park court? checked out the cassidy group website earlier and it still looks like an on-going project.

Thats an old design isn't it?

Its a shithole, in fact, i cant belive how good that video made the city look:lol:

its terrible and the crime rates are soaring, worse place ive ever been too-EVER

I just looked at their forums, lol @ MartinN's comments!!! The bar and restaurants by one of the canals / locks looks nice and most of the pictures on their thread look aesthetically quite good... I still believe Coventry will prevail.

as far as i'm aware that's the most recent design, although no planning application has been submitted yet, so its difficult to say.

does anyone know what is happening with park court? checked out the cassidy group website earlier and it still looks like an on-going project.

Well i noticed just last week an application to turn the site into a surface carpark has just been withdrawn. Dont ask me what this means but make you're own assumptions i guess?

Thats an old design isn't it?

This is one that's on the developer's website... Cordwell or something.

as far as i'm aware that's the most recent design, although no planning application has been submitted yet, so its difficult to say.

does anyone know what is happening with park court? checked out the cassidy group website earlier and it still looks like an on-going project.

Park court has been canned - Friargate building one is going up on the site, although with the QCA going elsewhere... Who knows?

I just looked at their forums, lol @ MartinN's comments!!! The bar and restaurants by one of the canals / locks looks nice and most of the pictures on their thread look aesthetically quite good... I still believe Coventry will prevail.

I personally think Cov will probably prevail simply due to its proximity to London. ( I think our capital is a fab place.)

I personally think Cov will probably prevail simply due to its proximity to London. ( I think our capital is a fab place.)

And its the only town / city in the area that can support things like the Primark superstore, IKEA and other low-value goods sellers which the middle classes so love and probably spend more money in than the lower classes!

Until house prices start to settle and maybe fall a bit more then we are going to see serious effects on the retail side of things, with the youngsters living at home pretty much the only people who are out shopping and buying clothes every week... my parents spend most of their disposable income on posh food and dont often buy much else.

And its the only town / city in the area that can support things like the Primark superstore, IKEA and other low-value goods sellers which the middle classes so love and probably spend more money in than the lower classes!

Until house prices start to settle and maybe fall a bit more then we are going to see serious effects on the retail side of things, with the youngsters living at home pretty much the only people who are out shopping and buying clothes every week... my parents spend most of their disposable income on posh food and dont often buy much else.

I get everything online these days - the wife gets a lot of the baby stuff from shops in Leamington and Solihull and also supermarkets. I bet she'll be in Primark before long as well. I'll wait outside.

I get everything online these days - the wife gets a lot of the baby stuff from shops in Leamington and Solihull and also supermarkets. I bet she'll be in Primark before long as well. I'll wait outside.

LMAO my sister and her mates (who i guess come into the middle classes) were planning a roadtrip to Primark in Bedford which is only 10 miles away and were getting all excited about it. Women and clothes shops!!! :nuts:

LMAO my sister and her mates (who i guess come into the middle classes) were planning a roadtrip to Primark in Bedford which is only 10 miles away and were getting all excited about it. Women and clothes shops!!! :nuts:

It's sad when people get excited a cheapo store like Primark - especially when you read about the alleged conditions the people who make their products are living in!!!

It's all gone quiet on the shopping area redevelopment front recently.

I did see a planning app for more units at Arena - Arena phase 2...

It's sad when people get excited a cheapo store like Primark - especially when you read about the alleged conditions the people who make their products are living in!!!

It's all gone quiet on the shopping area redevelopment front recently.

I did see a planning app for more units at Arena - Arena phase 2...

Yep, i objected to it few weeks back. It already has outline permission so will probs go through, but i hope it doesn't!!!

Yep, i objected to it few weeks back. It already has outline permission so will probs go through, but i hope it doesn't!!!

How many units are they planning? There's a huge chunk of land out there.

There's an article in the Financial times about how medium sized cities - the likes of Nottingham, Stoke, Bradford, etc are more attractive for business HQs these days due to their size, cost of land and fewer traffic issues. I guess Coventry comes into this band, being a medium sized city with virtually no congestion problems.

Maybe we'll some HQs relocating here!

Here is the Butts Apartments - approved a year ago. No sign of any work.:ohno:

I think it's about 17 storeys high, with a sport's centre/swimming pool/bars on the first couple of floors. It's just over the road from the massive "Butts College" development. It's by "EPR Architects" for "AMO Developments Ltd."

http://i13.tinypic.com/4qyik1s.jpg

Here's another view, this one showing how it relates to the area.

http://i11.tinypic.com/6b8xh6u.jpg

Presumably this and the flats at the Butts will be competing for the same people. Is the delay some sort of Mexican stand off?

Presumably this and the flats at the Butts will be competing for the same people. Is the delay some sort of Mexican stand off?

Well I don't think the Butts College apartments will be done for years. Maybe this lot are waiting for the QCA to move in? Instant demand for some local housing, I should think.

The Butts is something like 500 apartments - I think this is just 90. What's interesting is that this features a swimming pool & health club, plus a bar/restaurant - I think the pool is linked to the hotel in some way. I'm sure the original plan was always to put a pool/health club/gymn on the site fpr use by the Ramada hotel.

If the Butts (With the QCA relocation plus other offices) goes ahead full, and so does this, that area is going to be very built up.

I suppose the Earlsdon/Butts area is also reasonably popular with Warwick Uni students as well - they have a hall of residence just opposite the Ramada.

Full app is here:

http://planning.coventry.gov.uk/portal/servlets/ApplicationSearchServlet?PKID=656714

How many units are they planning? There's a huge chunk of land out there.

5 i think, they were proposing 6 by constructing an additional unit in the existing parking area but that has been pulled out of the new application.

You have to consider that these 5 units are pretty huge!!!

I think we need The Butts - York Street development to add to our aging skyline! Everything apart from the spires and Friars House is 60/70s and new high-rises are key to the cities image!

5 i think, they were proposing 6 by constructing an additional unit in the existing parking area but that has been pulled out of the new application.

You have to consider that these 5 units are pretty huge!!!


Bloody hell! FIVE! That's a heck of a lot.

I went to the Arena last week, and the traffic chaos caused by the terrible junction was inbelievable - traffic queuing on a dual carriageway...! Why didn't they build an underpass?

I think we need The Butts - York Street development to add to our aging skyline! Everything apart from the spires and Friars House is 60/70s and new high-rises are key to the cities image!

Yes, I agree.

York Street
Belgrade Plaza
Friars Road
Victoria Buildings

are all modern high-rises... Yet only one has started!

Unit 1 of the West Orchard Link (i.e. the one thats opposite Virgin and looks terrible at the moment) is under offer. Not sure who'd be interested in this as its not really a prime location.

Unit 1 of the West Orchard Link (i.e. the one thats opposite Virgin and looks terrible at the moment) is under offer. Not sure who'd be interested in this as its not really a prime location.

It's weird, but that link used to be really busy a few years ago - it always seems really deserted now.

Where are the prime locations in Coventry?

Upper Precinct and the area around the fountain.

Some medieval buildings on Far Gosford street have partially collapsed:

http://iccoventry.icnetwork.co.uk/0100news/0100localnews/tm_headline=safety-fears-as-listed-buildings-crumble%26method=full%26objectid=19732374%26siteid=50003-name_page.html

Hilton Hampton hotel planning application for the Ricoh Arena has been turned down:

http://iccoventry.icnetwork.co.uk/0100news/0100localnews/tm_headline=plan-for-lego-hotel-slammed%26method=full%26objectid=19732369%26siteid=50003-name_page.html

(It would have been 12 storeys high)

Here is the offending hotel.

Mmmm. A very poor picture!

http://i14.tinypic.com/6gwk6zp.jpg

[Turned down because they don't like the design - recommendation was for it to be approved - so I imagine an appeal will more than likey succeed!]

Bloody hell! FIVE! That's a heck of a lot.

I went to the Arena last week, and the traffic chaos caused by the terrible junction was inbelievable - traffic queuing on a dual carriageway...! Why didn't they build an underpass?

The junction is built over the railway line!! They are proposing a new signalised roundabout to replace it. I still think its wrong.

The Hilton Hotel looks cool! Hope it wins the appeal!

The junction is built over the railway line!! They are proposing a new signalised roundabout to replace it. I still think its wrong.

The Hilton Hotel looks cool! Hope it wins the appeal!

Yeah, the image in the paper doesn't look that bad. Since when did local buffoon councillors become experts on architecture? It's just a cheap hotel so what are they expecting?

Are you sure about the railway? The line runs behind the Tesco... You've already gone over it by the time you get to the junction, haven't you?

Hilton Hampton hotel planning application for the Ricoh Arena has been turned down:

http://iccoventry.icnetwork.co.uk/0100news/0100localnews/tm_headline=plan-for-lego-hotel-slammed%26method=full%26objectid=19732369%26siteid=50003-name_page.html

(It would have been 12 storeys high)

im glad they turned it down, it looks horrible, i know the picture is bad but then i agree that the building could look great. But then again what Martin said is true it is a budget hotel. I just hope they still want to go ahead with the application.

Design Council chairman Sir George Cox has declared Coventry University's state-of-the-art Design Hub officially open.

Sir George, who produced the Government-commissioned Cox Review urging more university support for the creative industries, cut the ribbon at a special ceremony.

The Design Hub is geared to support design-led companies and entrepreneurs in the West Midlands. Businesses can benefit from design assistance, product development and intellectual property advice, while the Hub space can also be tailored for client presentations, meetings, training and hotdesking. Thirty-four businesses have already signed up to work with the Design Hub team.

Speaking ahead of his visit, Sir George said that the new Coventry University initiative was a landmark step in helping UK design companies prosper.

"Since my report was completed there has been a strong shift in understanding of the importance of design and how we prepare our designers, technologists and future managers to blend each others' skills more effectively," Sir George said. "The opening of the Design Hub should put Coventry in the forefront of this movement."

Sir George's review was triggered by concerns that UK business was not realising the full potential of its creative talent. There was particular anxiety that design-led small and medium-sized enterprises were not getting the support they needed to produce innovative products and take them to market.


Design Hub programmes manager Kathryn Stewartsaid she was delighted that Sir George had accepted their invitation to open the building. "Everything we have done here is on the back of the Cox Review so it is fitting that such an influential figure should see our work at first hand," she added.


Funded by the University's commercial arm, Coventry University Enterprises, and regional development agency Advantage West Midlands, the Design Hub is based at the university's Technology Parkon Puma Way.


During his visit, Sir George also met vice-chancellor Prof Madeleine Atkins and staff from the university's Health Design and Technology Institute, Institute of Creative Enterprise and School of Art and Design.


This will surely put coventry even further at the forefront of the design and creative industries. This is a great addition to the city.

Design Council chairman Sir George Cox has declared Coventry University's state-of-the-art Design Hub officially open.

Sir George, who produced the Government-commissioned Cox Review urging more university support for the creative industries, cut the ribbon at a special ceremony.

The Design Hub is geared to support design-led companies and entrepreneurs in the West Midlands. Businesses can benefit from design assistance, product development and intellectual property advice, while the Hub space can also be tailored for client presentations, meetings, training and hotdesking. Thirty-four businesses have already signed up to work with the Design Hub team.

Speaking ahead of his visit, Sir George said that the new Coventry University initiative was a landmark step in helping UK design companies prosper.

"Since my report was completed there has been a strong shift in understanding of the importance of design and how we prepare our designers, technologists and future managers to blend each others' skills more effectively," Sir George said. "The opening of the Design Hub should put Coventry in the forefront of this movement."

Sir George's review was triggered by concerns that UK business was not realising the full potential of its creative talent. There was particular anxiety that design-led small and medium-sized enterprises were not getting the support they needed to produce innovative products and take them to market.


Design Hub programmes manager Kathryn Stewartsaid she was delighted that Sir George had accepted their invitation to open the building. "Everything we have done here is on the back of the Cox Review so it is fitting that such an influential figure should see our work at first hand," she added.


Funded by the University's commercial arm, Coventry University Enterprises, and regional development agency Advantage West Midlands, the Design Hub is based at the university's Technology Parkon Puma Way.


During his visit, Sir George also met vice-chancellor Prof Madeleine Atkins and staff from the university's Health Design and Technology Institute, Institute of Creative Enterprise and School of Art and Design.


This will surely put coventry even further at the forefront of the design and creative industries. This is a great addition to the city.

Stuff like this is really good - no one would disagree if I said that Coventry isn't known for being a "creative" centre... In fact, I think until recently it's had virtually no creative industries at all - a few have moved into Electric Wharf recently. This is something IMHO Coventry needs to bring it up with its peers. Unfortunately, it's a bit difficult with Brum being so close.

im glad they turned it down, it looks horrible, i know the picture is bad but then i agree that the building could look great. But then again what Martin said is true it is a budget hotel. I just hope they still want to go ahead with the application.

There's a proper rendering in tonight's telegraph - it doesn't look as bad as the image. It's just a typical low budget hotel building. I'm surprised at the height, though. 12 Storeys is quite high for a suburb.

Yeah, the image in the paper doesn't look that bad. Since when did local buffoon councillors become experts on architecture? It's just a cheap hotel so what are they expecting?

Are you sure about the railway? The line runs behind the Tesco... You've already gone over it by the time you get to the junction, haven't you?

No the railway line goes right between RICOH Arena and The Arena Shopping Park, underneath the current Arena junction!!!! Honest!

No the railway line goes right between RICOH Arena and The Arena Shopping Park, underneath the current Arena junction!!!! Honest!

Yeah, I think you're right... In that case, it's a shit place for the junction...!!!

I just looked on Google Earth, and yes... I never realised that was where the railway was... Then again, there are virtually no trains on it!!!

Bloody hell, have you seen the size of Prologis Park?!?! It's enormous!!!

Shed city! If the planners weren't stopping all these B8 developments the city would be covered in them!

...some nice piccies of cov here...

http://www.bbc.co.uk/coventry/content/image_galleries/andy_mcgeechan_gallery.shtml?1

...some nice piccies of cov here...

http://www.bbc.co.uk/coventry/content/image_galleries/andy_mcgeechan_gallery.shtml?1

Interesting yes... nice - im not too sure LOL. Makes Cov look a bit dreary and misses out any of the new or old stuff (apart from the snow picture). I guess its a good representation of 60s architecture and how interesting it infact is.

Interesting yes... nice - im not too sure LOL. Makes Cov look a bit dreary and misses out any of the new or old stuff (apart from the snow picture). I guess its a good representation of 60s architecture and how interesting it infact is.

yeah sorry..'interesting' not 'nice' :hilarious

wish we had an iconic structure though - something like the liver building/humber bridge/gurkin etc :cry: something that makes you feel glad that you're back at home in Cov when you've been away...know what i mean?

yeah sorry..'interesting' not 'nice' :hilarious

wish we had an iconic structure though - something like the liver building/humber bridge/gurkin etc :cry: something that makes you feel glad that you're back home in Cov...know what i mean?

(...not including the 3 spires - cos you don't get to see that from most places in Cov)

Due to my recent and multiple ignorance can I ask that if someone sets up a new Coventry related thread can they please post on this thread that they have and what it's called etc. I'm sure I'm not the only one who only checks my subscribed threads regularly and not the main skyscrapercity pages. :)
Ta

Looks like the future of the toy museum on Much Park St will be up in the air now that the owner has died. I wonder how that will have an effect on the proposed development of the carpark around the back of there?

http://iccoventry.icnetwork.co.uk/0100news/0100localnews/tm_headline=farewell-to-toy-museum-legend%26method=full%26objectid=19743867%26siteid=50003-name_page.html

Its a shithole, in fact, i cant belive how good that video made the city look:lol:

its terrible and the crime rates are soaring, worse place ive ever been too-EVER


You've never been to Grimsby then mate. :)

Looks like a station is going to get the go ahead at the Ricoh.

And Lee longlands in Leamington is closing down - perhaps to relocate elsewhere. (I wonder if Cov City Council are wooing them!)

...and Lee longlands in Leamington is closing down - perhaps to relocate elsewhere. (I wonder if Cov City Council are wooing them!)

Doh! i should have put money on that at the bookies! it was sooooo obvious.

I wonder where they're gonna go then so soon - i was hoping it would be a while yet to give Cov a running chance. Are there any empty suitable places in Leamington available for them to move into right now?

Doh! i should have put money on that at the bookies! it was sooooo obvious.

I wonder where they're gonna go then so soon - i was hoping it would be a while yet to give Cov a running chance. Are there any empty suitable places in Leamington available for them to move into right now?

I don't think there are any particularly big units in Leamington... Unlike Coventry, with has loads, both in the centre and on the outskirts!

Could skybluecity please update the 1st post?

Alternatively, could somebody please start a new thread with a full summary of projects.

Looks like a station is going to get the go ahead at the Ricoh.

And Lee longlands in Leamington is closing down - perhaps to relocate elsewhere. (I wonder if Cov City Council are wooing them!)

Thats what the politicians would like you to think, without £3M they cant do shit. Its flawed.

Lee Longlands closing? How large is their current store? I cant think of an appropriate site in Cov for them.

Market Way - Opening soon...

Sports Direct.com
Halifax
Reveal

Dont ask me why this is going on, i dont get it myself thought Market Way was dead!

Thats what the politicians would like you to think, without £3M they cant do shit. Its flawed.

Lee Longlands closing? How large is their current store? I cant think of an appropriate site in Cov for them.

Market Way - Opening soon...

Sports Direct.com
Halifax
Reveal

Dont ask me why this is going on, i dont get it myself thought Market Way was dead!

What's "Reveal"?

Halifax and Sports Direct.com are hardly exciting new retailers.

Hello chaps.

Since certain members of your thread have shown a bit of interest in Hull (aka 'Little Piddle in the Gash') recently, just thought I would drop by to let you know that the first page of the development summary thread is updated.

I've probably forgotten about loads of stuff, so it's currently a work in progress. Anyway, best regards :) http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?p=10404009#post10404009

Hello chaps.

Since certain members of your thread have shown a bit of interest in Hull (aka 'Little Piddle in the Gash') recently, just thought I would drop by to let you know that the first page of the development summary thread is updated.

I've probably forgotten about loads of stuff, so it's currently a work in progress. Anyway, best regards :) http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?p=10404009#post10404009

?

I'm not interested.

*smirk*

its terrible and the crime rates are soaring, worse place ive ever been too-EVER

HA

Coventry is just heaven

Interesting article in the guardian about a new publication from the Social and Spatial inequaties group:

http://www.sasi.group.shef.ac.uk/publications/identity.html

The article prints an map of the UK where each constituency is shown as a set of hexagons representing parliamentary wards. These are then split into two and shaded based on deprivation.

Results for Cov are interesting - all three are only partially lightly shaded, mainly the lightest value possible, indicating low rates - very little deprivation in the south, and a slight increase in the north. Not surprising. Certainly out of the the major cities (Pop 250K+), Cov appears to have the least deprivation - while we're on the subject of Hell, sorry, Hull, 2 of Hull's "hexagons" are darkly shaded, indicating the highest levels of deprivation.

Oh, that's nice then. Well done Coventry!

HA

Coventry is just heaven

Your point is? Everyone on this thread knows that Cov has issues with its townscape being generally quite poor thanks to the post-war reconstruction - which was far more experimental than others, and nowhere near as dramatic as originally planned... which would have seen virtually everything pre-war demolished.

An interesting article in the Coventry Telegraph highlighted some research that showed a growing number of graduates from the city's TWO [One hasn't seen fit to move to another town, even though it's named after one:lol: ] Universities are staying in the city to work. Although the number of Warwick Graduates is far lower than Covenry Uni graduates.

Must be something in the water.:nuts:

Your point is? Everyone on this thread knows that Cov has issues with its townscape being generally quite poor thanks to the post-war reconstruction - which was far more experimental than others, and nowhere near as dramatic as originally planned... which would have seen virtually everything pre-war demolished.




plus, if he is refering to our crime rates and is making an impossible effort to compare ours to hulls, Coventry has one of the lowest crime rates in the UK, and guess who has one of the highest...

created a new thread as requested above.

I don't think there are any particularly big units in Leamington... Unlike Coventry, with has loads, both in the centre and on the outskirts!

Went to Lee Longlands over the weekend to buy a new wardrobe in the sale - £700 knocked off :banana:

I asked the sales guy what was going on and he didn't know much except that the current store is closing it's doors in November. They're actually downsizing and looking for smaller premises and it will probably be local to Leamington :ohno:

Interesting article in the guardian about a new publication from the Social and Spatial inequities group:

http://www.sasi.group.shef.ac.uk/publications/identity.html




MartinN,

Thanks for that link - very interesting.

If you look here Sample Pages (http://www.sasi.group.shef.ac.uk/publications/identity/example_pages_spreads.pdf)

The North South (or should I say London and the rest of the country) divide is so marked it is quite astonishing. I am not saying we are all poor, illiterate underachieving people out here but the differential is quite astonishing in some of the maps. We seem to be all about average - getting by OK but when you look at London and particularly the South East and London they appear to be doing very very well "thank you".

I would ask though - is this at our expense ?!?

In view of these glaring inequality and that fact that they are so well painted in this publication I am sure that it will never see the light of day in any rooms were central govt decision are made on such matters! ... the information it provided would be far to useful and would result in decisions having to be made to spend money outside the south east. Now we can't have that can we :ohno:

MartinN,

Thanks for that link - very interesting.

If you look here Sample Pages (http://www.sasi.group.shef.ac.uk/publications/identity/example_pages_spreads.pdf)

The North South (or should I say London and the rest of the country) divide is so marked it is quite astonishing. I am not saying we are all poor, illiterate underachieving people out here but the differential is quite astonishing in some of the maps. We seem to be all about average - getting by OK but when you look at London and particularly the South East and London they appear to be doing very very well "thank you".

I would ask though - is this at our expense ?!?

In view of these glaring inequality and that fact that they are so well painted in this publication I am sure that it will never see the light of day in any rooms were central govt decision are made on such matters! ... the information it provided would be far to useful and would result in decisions having to be made to spend money outside the south east. Now we can't have that can we :ohno:

Yes, it's very interesting.

What struck me (Aside from the huge wage earners that seem to predominate in the home counties) is how bad some of the cities are in terms of wealth & deprivation - especially some that have seen huge regeneration. It strikes me that this regeneration sometimes concentrates too much on buildings and very little on substance.

It may well be that London is the cause of a huge drain of skills/wage earners/companies from the provinces. Certainly the centre of population is moving south in the UK and in many areas such as finance and IT, moving further south improves the job prospects hugely.

Yes, it's very interesting.
It strikes me that this regeneration sometimes concentrates too much on buildings and very little on substance.

It has always been the same - but deprivation is a tough nut to crack and you have to have the buy in from the people concerned and looking at some of the stats for young people 16-25 who are not in education or in a proper job in some of these areas we seem to be batting on a loosing wicket. They have very low self esteem and also have very limited horizons/aspiration as to what they can achieve. They also, because they often have poor role models, do not have a grasp of how much work is required to succeed sometimes !!:gunz:

When I was involved in this sort of thing in the 80's we thought all these problems would be solved by now. I just can not believe, 20 to 25 years later we still have the same problems it is depressing. :cry:

It may well be that London is the cause of a huge drain of skills/wage earners/companies from the provinces. Certainly the centre of population is moving south in the UK and in many areas such as finance and IT, moving further south improves the job prospects hugely.

Yes I know - lived in London for 13 years so I can vouch for that with personal experience.

It has always been the same - but deprivation is a tough nut to crack and you have to have the buy in from the people concerned and looking at some of the stats for young people 16-25 who are not in education or in a proper job in some of these areas we seem to be batting on a loosing wicket. They have very low self esteem and also have very limited horizons/aspiration as to what they can achieve. They also, because they often have poor role models, do not have a grasp of how much work is required to succeed sometimes !!:gunz:

When I was involved in this sort of thing in the 80's we thought all these problems would be solved by now. I just can not believe, 20 to 25 years later we still have the same problems it is depressing. :cry:



Yes I know - lived in London for 13 years so I can vouch for that with personal experience.

The problem of NEETs worries me - are we going to have a whole generation of people who can't or don't want to do anything? We're going to be supporting them from cradle to grave, and nothing is being done to stop the cycle.

Why are we importing staff from Eastern Europe when we've got 1 million 16-24 year olds who are out of work?

The problem of NEETs worries me - are we going to have a whole generation of people who can't or don't want to do anything? We're going to be supporting them from cradle to grave, and nothing is being done to stop the cycle.

Why are we importing staff from Eastern Europe when we've got 1 million 16-24 year olds who are out of work?


They are here and we are now on the SECOND generation.

It is surprising that even cities which had supposedly high unemployment still have enclaves of these people (Eastern Europeans) who are in employment. The jobs are there and while I am sure some of these are getting paid below the minimum wage the vast majority are not. In E Yorks they are working in many of the food processing plants. They are also older then many of the unemployed so the employers (large national companies) are having to pay them more than an U21 year old. So it actually costing them money to employ them. It all boils down to productivity and a work ethic.

The skills mismatch is also not an issue, they are often only working in manual type jobs. Just look at London Hotels, you can not find an indigenous English born person (in its most widest sense) working in any of them doing the lower paid jobs; all the counter staff, cleaning staff, night porters and so are from Poland, Lithuania, Ukraine, Belarus, Roumania etc etc

Sorry I will calm down now :soapbox:

Is there another main coventry thread now or something, I havent been on here for a while but it doesn't look like I've missed much, what's happening?


Sorry guys, I found the new thread now, it was hiding, I hadn't realised there was one.

NOTICE to all viewers -

Most members are now using the 'Official Coventry Thread' within the Birmingham Metro Area sub-forum...