Official Coventry Thread 4

[Fernando Partridge]

Originally Posted by NewTroll

I'm sure if Terry Hall, Roddy Radiation, Lynval Golding or any of the other chaps went in they certainly wouldn't be refused!

They're more likely to be at the niteklub

I really should have met that response with a blank expression

[Fernando Partridge]

Originally Posted by NewTroll

Cafe Rouge are very average, but as you say, cheap. The best chain in Leamington is Strada, IMHO. Prezzo is pretty good as well.

Agree on the Strada front, far superior to any other similar chain.

[skybluecity]

Originally Posted by NewTroll

So, they're going to try to fill Spon Street with shops:

http://iccoventry.icnetwork.co.uk/01...story_continue

This is good, but shops don't seem to do very well down there due to its somewhat dead location.

I'd prefer it to be restaurants (Not takeaways) myself. There are enough shops in the city centre.

I'm not sure they're planning to 'fill it' with shops; they're just trying to make it more mixed from what I can tell. And anyway, shops most likely to open on Spon Street are small independent retailers, often specialist or craft based - and Spon Street suits those sort of places just fine IMO.

As for restaurants, I would much prefer that they focused on the area from BP up to Millenium/Priory Place. There are already a number of decent restaurants already in operation, and one would hope this would increase further if/when Axa and Millenium View come online (which I am sure they will eventually). Also, I hear it's almost a given that the Coventry Civic Hall/Convention Centre will be built on the site of Pool Meadow; in which case it would make even more sense to actively encourage restaurants and more upmarket bars to open up in that area. Critical mass is something Coventry lacks in every department.

[NewTroll]

Originally Posted by skybluecity

Also, I hear it's almost a given that the Coventry Civic Hall/Convention Centre will be built on the site of Pool Meadow; in which case it would make even more sense to actively encourage restaurants and more upmarket bars to open up in that area. Critical mass is something Coventry lacks in every department.

Where did you heard that about a Civic Hall? The last I heard was that the council had no interest in building anything like that.

The retailers on Spon Street seem to be struggling, and there are far fewer now than a few years ago... This is probably the reason that it has moved towards restaurants/bars/takeaways!

[CovAD]

Originally Posted by skybluecity

I'm not sure they're planning to 'fill it' with shops; they're just trying to make it more mixed from what I can tell. And anyway, shops most likely to open on Spon Street are small independent retailers, often specialist or craft based - and Spon Street suits those sort of places just fine IMO.

As for restaurants, I would much prefer that they focused on the area from BP up to Millenium/Priory Place. There are already a number of decent restaurants already in operation, and one would hope this would increase further if/when Axa and Millenium View come online (which I am sure they will eventually). Also, I hear it's almost a given that the Coventry Civic Hall/Convention Centre will be built on the site of Pool Meadow; in which case it would make even more sense to actively encourage restaurants and more upmarket bars to open up in that area. Critical mass is something Coventry lacks in every department.

I agree with the restaurants mainly on Corp St between the Belgrade and Millennium Place.

I also think that the buildings along Spon St suit independent retail, but in that location it just won't work - it's totally isolated and leads nowhere, plus the street is usally an absolute mess after the clubbers from the night before. If only those buildings had been situated around High St/Pepper Lane they'd be excellent..

Fantastic news if that's true about the Civic Hall, and in one of the places I wanted it too (although I still think between Burges/Trinity St and Hales St would have the most impact). I guess that must mean the bus station is going too

[skybluecity]

Originally Posted by NewTroll

Where did you heard that about a Civic Hall? The last I heard was that the council had no interest in building anything like that.

The retailers on Spon Street seem to be struggling, and there are far fewer now than a few years ago... This is probably the reason that it has moved towards restaurants/bars/takeaways!

it was second hand information so i cannot be sure; but from what i was told it appears as though a multi-purpose civic venue with exhibition/convention capabilities is pretty high on the agenda. this is consistent with the statement made in the 'key features' of the revised jerde masterplan which said '...new buildings for the community, including a new building for events, concerts and public use...'

it would be a public/private partnership with a high emphasis on commercial viability to avoid the potential for a white elephant. the pool meadow site has been earmarked for this to tie in with the removal of the ring-road junction. timescales - i don't know, i was just told it was something that will happen when the timing is right. if it doesn't, please don't shoot the messenger!

[LifeOnMarsBar]

Originally Posted by NewTroll

Cafe Rouge are very average, but as you say, cheap. The best chain in Leamington is Strada, IMHO. Prezzo is pretty good as well.

i'll give Strada a try next time i'm in leamington. They're also listed in the Gourmet Society so should get a good discount. Last meal at Cafe Rouge (last weekend) i got a quality Beef Bourguignon + 250ml glass of Cotes du Rhones wine for just £8. 50% discount with the card.

[Dr Pepper]

Originally Posted by skybluecity

it was second hand information so i cannot be sure; but from what i was told it appears as though a multi-purpose civic venue with exhibition/convention capabilities is pretty high on the agenda. this is consistent with the statement made in the 'key features' of the revised jerde masterplan which said '...new buildings for the community, including a new building for events, concerts and public use...'

it would be a public/private partnership with a high emphasis on commercial viability to avoid the potential for a white elephant. the pool meadow site has been earmarked for this to tie in with the removal of the ring-road junction. timescales - i don't know, i was just told it was something that will happen when the timing is right. if it doesn't, please don't shoot the messenger!

Hmm.. interesting. The ring road junction is actually behind the bus station and the Pool Meadow car park opposite the swimming pool is triangular shaped because of the sweep of the ring road fly over. Inbetween is the bingo hall.

[NewTroll]

Borders has gone into administration.

Doesn't someone on this forum work for Borders?

[Dr Pepper]

Originally Posted by NewTroll

Borders has gone into administration.

Doesn't someone on this forum work for Borders?

sleslie48

[NewTroll]

Went into the city today (50p parking at Skydome!) - noticed that West Orchards is looking healthy and full... Some new shoe shops & no empty units.

Herford Street is looking awful, but there's a cafe called "Amber Caffe" being fitted on Smithford Way and next to "Merlin Inc" & Blue Banana (A sort of gadget shop) there's a Chinese Store but it looks closed... at least it had shutters up. I've never seen this store before.

A clearance shop in the former MK ONE unit... Poundland fitting out the old Woollies store. Another cheap clothes shop in the upper precinct...

Shelton Square & The Bullyard & City Arcade are also looking pretty desperate. They smell of the same state the lower precinct was in before it was demolished. I think HMV moving away from Hertford Street will pretty much kill it.

[NewTroll]

Borders is closing - they have a sale on. It was heaving today. Sadly, it's the only time I've seen it busy!

I wonder what'll happen to the Starbucks? That place is always busy, even when Borders is empty.

EDIT: It's a "closing down" sale but they're still looking for buyers for some or all of the chain.

However, a lot of publishers have seen sales from Borders stores fall quite dramatically in the last year... so much so that there's very little effect from the chain going bust.

[NewTroll]

There is a plan to demolish the dismal Philips building in Hillfields and replace it with a new store that also has apartments and underground parking.

http://planning.coventry.gov.uk/port...ageName=806339

[skybluecity]

Originally Posted by NewTroll

There is a plan to demolish the dismal Philips building in Hillfields and replace it with a new store that also has apartments and underground parking.

http://planning.coventry.gov.uk/port...ageName=806339

all seems perfectly acceptable on the face of it. certainly a big improvement on what is there at present.

[NewTroll]

Originally Posted by skybluecity

all seems perfectly acceptable on the face of it. certainly a big improvement on what is there at present.

Aye, indeed - I thought it looked pretty good. THe photographs of the current building highlight how bad it is now!

[stig1982]

Originally Posted by NewTroll

There is a plan to demolish the dismal Philips building in Hillfields and replace it with a new store that also has apartments and underground parking.

http://planning.coventry.gov.uk/port...ageName=806339

Wow, just goes to show how drawn out the planning process can be. After doing a search of the planning portal it seems that permission was first sought in June 2008 - and the decision is still pending!

That area really is awful. It looks so dreary and run down. I've not been round that area before and I certainly don't have any desire to visit now! Probably not a fair comment - there are buildings of interest such as St Peters Church which was converted into residential. I've always wondered how good a job they did there.

[NewTroll]

Originally Posted by stig1982

Wow, just goes to show how drawn out the planning process can be. After doing a search of the planning portal it seems that permission was first sought in June 2008 - and the decision is still pending!

That area really is awful. It looks so dreary and run down. I've not been round that area before and I certainly don't have any desire to visit now! Probably not a fair comment - there are buildings of interest such as St Peters Church which was converted into residential. I've always wondered how good a job they did there.

About 10 years ago they demolished loads of old cottages on the main road through Hillfields & some weaver's houses as well. It's a shame, really - they were in poor condition but still had a lot of the period features in them & the street probably looked close to how it was in the Victorian era (Apart from the towers behind it). They replaced it with a horrible space that opened up the bottom of the tower blocks and new houses.

[Typhoon2000]

Any developments going on down Foleshill Road and Lockhurst Lane? I haven't been down there for years....

[NewTroll]

Originally Posted by Typhoon2000

Any developments going on down Foleshill Road and Lockhurst Lane? I haven't been down there for years....

A lot of derelict buildings at the city centre end of Foleshill road have been demolished, and the old Courtaulds HQ was refurbished some years ago - and of course, behind that you've got Paragon Park which has a planning application in.

There's an old cycle factory (O'Briens) standing empty at the bottom end of Foleshill road, but overall, it's a bit depressing.

[We-Are-Borg-1987]

I can't wait for them to demolish the Philips building! My gf lives near there in a student house and I absolutley hate going into the centre of Hillfields as it looks so awful! Its amazing the restaurant opposite the scheme has been allowed to get into such a state!This new scheme will really improve things and should act as a catalyst for the surrounding buildings. The large open space they have diagonally opposite the Philips building needs something doing with it, even if they just simply grassed over it, it needs something to break up all that god damn concrete!