Coventry Swanswell Initiative

[rottersclub]

Originally Posted by sleslie48

Surely with so much housing now around the canal basin, and some decent little bit's of offices, the canal basin could start to liven up. Too optimistic? Why don't the council really make an effort to try to attract businesses to the basin

There's nothing there. It's a nice spot, could be used more, but unless you actually force yourself to go there, there's no reason to go there. It's not got any pedestrian footfall and doesn't have any attractions to make people want to go there. It's very typical of the areas around the ringroad - dead with poor access.

There are already some offices there - design firms & Architects, I believe. To get people to go up there regularly IMHO it needs something more.

I guess it's typical of a lot of the places in Coventry around the ringroad - access is poor & the road creates a barrier. If the Burges/Bishop Street still lead straight to the canal basin, it might have more chance of attracting people or might have more pedestrian traffic.

I think that ringroad has been a disaster for Coventry - and according to someone on iccoventry, there's a small comment in a book about Coventry from a town planner/councillor from the 1950s - they were warned by their own planners that the ringroad would be a disaster as it would prevent the city centre from growing and also result in the destruction of a lot of buildings. However, the city had already been given grants from central government so they went ahead againt the advice of their own planners. This same person claims that Coventry began to experience problems as soon as the ringroad was finished. Interesting thought.

What we are seeing now are attempts to breach it and reconnect - expensive for developers, I imagine, who may be struggling at the moment, and also possibly a cause of traffic chaos...

[Dr Pepper]

Some of the most exciting photos ever posted. The City College MSCP under construction.

[Dr Pepper]

Thought I would post this photo for interest. In the distance you can just make out Electric Wharf, on the left is the Cov & Warwick hospital and behind is the new City College buildings. Gives some idea of the scale of the Swanswell Initiative, though it won't have the same impact given by the artists impresions on page 1.

[rottersclub]

That is an interesting picture - the old power station is an good landmark.

I've heard any updates on Swanswell for ages.

[Dr Pepper]

Forgot the mention, the tower crane for the College has gone.

[nexus9]

Well, it has been interesting watching this thread and the newest photos of what is going on in Coventry. I may pay it a visit in the late Summer. I used to live there - in one of those 'awful' flats that is still standing. It was all a bit of a mess by the time I left, but I actually really liked my flat and the quality of light within it, had good artist friends in other flats, so this is the saddest news for me really, since leaving the UK, in 1996, that I have heard from the UK. But whatever.

Maybe I will see Coventry in 5 years' time and agree that it was all to the good. I only found out 2 months ago about what was happening, so it is all still a surprise to me.

[Dr Pepper]

Originally Posted by nexus9

Well, it has been interesting watching this thread and the newest photos of what is going on in Coventry. I may pay it a visit in the late Summer. I used to live there - in one of those 'awful' flats that is still standing. It was all a bit of a mess by the time I left, but I actually really liked my flat and the quality of light within it, had good artist friends in other flats, so this is the saddest news for me really, since leaving the UK, in 1996, that I have heard from the UK. But whatever.

Maybe I will see Coventry in 5 years' time and agree that it was all to the good. I only found out 2 months ago about what was happening, so it is all still a surprise to me.

People I know who have been in those flats were always surprised at how light and spacious there are, especially compared to modern flat layouts. It was a pity that they turned into a sink estate.

Currently two of the remaining three blocks are undergoing renovation, one of which can be seen here.

[Dr Pepper]

Pretty much finished externally, most of the work being done is fitting out the inside.

[nexus9]

I lived in Douglas House for 6 years and after leaving the country especially in accommodation where I had very little privacy, had many dreams of moving back into my old flat. I do wonder how the estate's becoming a sink estate could have been avoided. They were trying with it when I first moved in, but there seemed to be a change of policy after about 1992 - the new staff in the neighbourhood office were horrible.

I now live in a light, spacious flat very similar to the one I had in Coventry, in Budapest. It needs refurbishment too really, but this is a different country, with a different approach to the question of how to maintain flats like these. There might be problems, but I doubt any city in this region would make the mistake, as they seem to do in the UK, of assuming that these things will run themselves without concierge systems or caretakers.

I might just pay Coventry a visit in August, so the update pictures will mean less of a culture shock if I do.

[rottersclub]

Originally Posted by nexus9

I lived in Douglas House for 6 years and after leaving the country especially in accommodation where I had very little privacy, had many dreams of moving back into my old flat. I do wonder how the estate's becoming a sink estate could have been avoided. They were trying with it when I first moved in, but there seemed to be a change of policy after about 1992 - the new staff in the neighbourhood office were horrible.

I now live in a light, spacious flat very similar to the one I had in Coventry, in Budapest. It needs refurbishment too really, but this is a different country, with a different approach to the question of how to maintain flats like these. There might be problems, but I doubt any city in this region would make the mistake, as they seem to do in the UK, of assuming that these things will run themselves without concierge systems or caretakers.

I might just pay Coventry a visit in August, so the update pictures will mean less of a culture shock if I do.

Interesting reading your posts.

I believe they installed concierges in Hillfields a few years ago. I don't think Hillfields is anywhere near as bad as it was 20 years ago - it still has some deprivation, though, and this stretches really down through the Hillfields/Foleshill/Bedworth corridor.

The reason there are sink estates in Coventry was down to the loss of industry. Many of the estates were built for workers in the large car planets/machine tool works/etc and when the jobs went, these areas became deprived. Coventry had huge reliance on these plants - Canley, Tile Hill, Willenhall - all built for the large car (And, in the 1960s, aircraft) factories.

Hillfields I don't think is as bad as it was 20 years ago. They installed concierges in those flats and managed to turn some of them round. I used to know someone who lived in one.

I know someone who lived in Hillfields in the 1950s and 1960s - and he said it was great then. The high street was bustling and filled with shops, and it was a friendly place. When they built the ringroad they cut it off from the centre and that killed some of it, followed by the recessions in the 1970s and 1980s.

[rottersclub]

Looking good Dr P. I like the feel of it down there now. Feels like proper streets.

[nexus9]

'I know someone who lived in Hillfields in the 1950s and 1960s - and he said it was great then. The high street was bustling and filled with shops, and it was a friendly place. When they built the ringroad they cut it off from the centre and that killed some of it, followed by the recessions in the 1970s and 1980s.'

The ringroad and the Medina. I have a novel half SF half Ghormenghast, about a city centre that is cut off from the 'decent' suburbs and the dystopian conditions that generates.

There was yet another recession in the early 90's too and a corresponding clampdown on people claiming benefits. All the doors that had started viz-a-viz opportunities to be freelance started to slam shut again for me. I tried Brighton in 1994, but soon realised that things were even more hopeless than they were in Coventry. I get told it is a better place the UK now, but I don't believe that.

Yup, structual unemployment I believe that is called, when there is over-dependence on one or two key industries.

But now there are new definitons afoot, which could impact home-owners and tenants everywhere (which I hope doesn't come here), and that is where you might be living somewhere that is structurally sound, but where some ambitious authority decides that whilst not a slum, your property can still be designateds as 'obselete.' So soon, we could all be living in places that are designed to have maybe a 5 or 10-year shelf-life.

How long will that new Coventry Ikea building look modern and impressive enough for example?

[rottersclub]

Originally Posted by nexus9

'I know someone who lived in Hillfields in the 1950s and 1960s - and he said it was great then. The high street was bustling and filled with shops, and it was a friendly place. When they built the ringroad they cut it off from the centre and that killed some of it, followed by the recessions in the 1970s and 1980s.'

The ringroad and the Medina. I have a novel half SF half Ghormenghast, about a city centre that is cut off from the 'decent' suburbs and the dystopian conditions that generates.

There was yet another recession in the early 90's too and a corresponding clampdown on people claiming benefits. All the doors that had started viz-a-viz opportunities to be freelance started to slam shut again for me. I tried Brighton in 1994, but soon realised that things were even more hopeless than they were in Coventry. I get told it is a better place the UK now, but I don't believe that.

Yup, structual unemployment I believe that is called, when there is over-dependence on one or two key industries.

But now there are new definitons afoot, which could impact home-owners and tenants everywhere (which I hope doesn't come here), and that is where you might be living somewhere that is structurally sound, but where some ambitious authority decides that whilst not a slum, your property can still be designateds as 'obselete.' So soon, we could all be living in places that are designed to have maybe a 5 or 10-year shelf-life.

How long will that new Coventry Ikea building look modern and impressive enough for example?

I've been to a Medina in Malta.

Not a lot of people think IKEA looks modern and impressive. Most people I speak to think it's awful looking.

They've actually just been demolishing the Wood End area of the city. Coventry City council don't actually own any housing anymore - they sold it off a few years ago. It's all owned by a housing association now. They have been demolishing and rebuilding Wood End.

I was a student the 1990s recession. Coventry has changed a lot since then. Unemployment is low, and the city's no longer dependent on one industry. You find the largest sector is services, and much of the motor industry is high tech. GEC/Marconi/GPT was the last of the big local firms, and that bit the dust 6 years ago now. If you drive around the city's business parks, you see a wide range of employers - distribution, business, software, financial, etc, etc.

Are you a writer? This novel sounds interesting!

[nexus9]

No, I'm an artist. I have a site and blog dedicated to my favourite wastes of time. I do write short stories though, but the one I mentioned was written by a John Mc Kensie, called City Whitelight. I don't think it's in print now.

Coventry must certainly have changed a lot, otherwise they could not have found the money for all this regeneration, I imagine. It will be interesting to look at what has been happening if I visit, the Milennium building looks extraordinary. I am still very sad that they knocked down the number of flats they did, though.

[rottersclub]

Originally Posted by nexus9

No, I'm an artist. I have a site and blog dedicated to my favourite wastes of time. I do write short stories though, but the one I mentioned was written by a John Mc Kensie, called City Whitelight. I don't think it's in print now.

Coventry must certainly have changed a lot, otherwise they could not have found the money for all this regeneration, I imagine. It will be interesting to look at what has been happening if I visit, the Milennium building looks extraordinary. I am still very sad that they knocked down the number of flats they did, though.

Available for a penny:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/City-Whiteli...5940585&sr=1-3

As an artist you'd be interested in "Electric Wharf" - the old power station along the canal was converted into flats/offices mainly aimed at artists/artistic small firms. I believe it has been quite a success, as well, and created a community of cultural type businesses.

The Millennium building was cancelled (Do you mean the one with the wavy blue?). The Millennium View consists of an archway and a bridge over the old city walls.

A lot of apartment plans have recently gone under, but some office developments are underway - a government department is relocating to Earlsdon Park (Butts) and Severn Trent are relocating to a site next to the police station... The new Herbert Art Gallery is magnificent and very well done, and the Belgrade Theatre has a 2nd auditorium and has been showing some unusual stuff.

On the downside, a lot of pubs have closed or turned into student bars, and the night life is very downmarket, as are the restaurants. Retail is very poor as well, with a lot of empty shops. Belgrade Plaza might kick this into shape.

[nexus9]

No reviews on that novel, I see. Maybe I should write one.

I remember having a space in an old building briefly, shared with other artists, but I cannot remember where it was now.

[rottersclub]

Originally Posted by nexus9

No reviews on that novel, I see. Maybe I should write one.

I remember having a space in an old building briefly, shared with other artists, but I cannot remember where it was now.

I believe the old fire station was used for artists, as was one of the city gates, and perhaps the ruins of Whitefriar's Abbey near the ringroad on London Road. Artists used to have exhibitions in the glass building almost opposite the Herbert - a small thing beneath the council house.

[nexus9]

Artists used to have exhibitions in the glass building almost opposite the Herbert - a small thing beneath the council house.
__________________


Funny you should mention that....

I exhibited there. With the other Hillfields artists...or Dream Illustrators. And in the Cathedral, on one or two occasions. I also had two solo exhibitions, at an art shop in Spon St. I don't know if that is still there.

[Dr Pepper]

The scaffolding is starting to come down from around the refurbished flats and the difference in appearance is striking. Feel sorry for the bloke who had to move and realign all those satellite dishes.

[nexus9]

Well, well.

If all goes well, I shall be in Cov tomorrow literally on a flying visit.

Like the white anyway.