Coventry city centre (44 Viewers)

[Otis]

Well if you haven't been back in so long but are quick to jump on the shithole band waggon.
I have read many reports about the City from so called experts who like yourself have probebly not visited the City in many years.
You obviously haven't seen any of the new developments that have happened in this beautiful City of ours.
People brought up the beggers this is seen in every city town in the country at the moment go into Leamington, Warwick Brum, so that is just a lazy way to put your point across.
Just take a walk from the train station into the City centre an you can see what a cracking job they have done so far in that area.
Look at the new restaurants that will be opening soon in Cathedral Lanes, that will be even better when Wilkinson move to there new store.
The opening up of the old entrance into Hertford street will help with the flow of the Town once Nationwide move to there new premises and they knock it through.
There are many changes going on can't mention them all but to just say things like they have given up is just utter shite.

Please tell me more on Wilko's moving to a new store.

My wife works there. No word at all of moving, only of giving up the first floor for restaurants and having just the ground floor for the store.

Be very interested to know if you've heard different.

 

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[Otis]

The water park sounds promising and will use that when it opens and see what it's like.

Haven't tried that museum, only the natural history one but were in there for hours.

Yep. 100 times better. Out of the 3 altogether (Natural History, V&A and the Science) the Science one is by far the worst I would say.

 

[Nick]

Well if you haven't been back in so long but are quick to jump on the shithole band waggon.
I have read many reports about the City from so called experts who like yourself have probebly not visited the City in many years.
You obviously haven't seen any of the new developments that have happened in this beautiful City of ours.
People brought up the beggers this is seen in every city town in the country at the moment go into Leamington, Warwick Brum, so that is just a lazy way to put your point across.
Just take a walk from the train station into the City centre an you can see what a cracking job they have done so far in that area.
Look at the new restaurants that will be opening soon in Cathedral Lanes, that will be even better when Wilkinson move to there new store.
The opening up of the old entrance into Hertford street will help with the flow of the Town once Nationwide move to there new premises and they knock it through.
There are many changes going on can't mention them all but to just say things like they have given up is just utter shite.

Again though, it does look a lot better by the train station but it's not the type of place you decide to go and have a picnic and visit. If you visit Coventry from the train station then yes it looks a lot nicer so again it's something people from out of town see.

Edit: I say people don't have a picnic, there was a decent pissup there for Wembley!

 

[Otis]

A lot of the places seem to be the trendy, upmarket bars / restaurants. I hate going in Millsys for example as it's too pretentious whereas find the City Arms OK. Although I am going to try the town wall tavern since you mentioned it as never been in there.

Bloody hell, not been in that place for over 20 years. Blast from the past.

 

[Grendel]

A lot of the places seem to be the trendy, upmarket bars / restaurants. I hate going in Millsys for example as it's too pretentious whereas find the City Arms OK. Although I am going to try the town wall tavern since you mentioned it as never been in there.

I like Millsys

 

[Nick]

I like Millsys

No comment

 

[olderskyblue]

I was in the city centre Tuesday and go at least twice a week. Usually 3 or 4 times.

Where are all these beggars?

Try going to Manchester.

Think on Tuesday I saw 3 or 4 beggars in Coventry. In Manchester and this is probably a vast understatement, there were at least 200. It was every 10-12 steps. Many many more than I have even estimated.

I go all over the country and see beggars everywhere. Loads in Birmingham, Northampton, London, everywhere.

even the beggars prefer to go elsewhere....

 

[Nick]

Bloody hell, not been in that place for over 20 years. Blast from the past.

I never had, always just walked past it but Hill reckons it's better than the Jag so it must be good!

 

[olderskyblue]

Has anyone been on one of the historic tours around Coventry Centre? You might be surprised how much history we still have around the town.

 

[Otis]

I never had, always just walked past it but Hill reckons it's better than the Jag so it must be good!

Didn't know the Jag was still going. Didn't it close down for a fair while?

 

[Nick]

Didn't know the Jag was still going. Didn't it close down for a fair while?

I'm like Bob and living in 2007.

 

[Otis]

Has anyone been on one of the historic tours around Coventry Centre? You might be surprised how much history we still have around the town.

Does it include a tour of the old Woolworth's store?

 

[hill83]

I never had, always just walked past it but Hill reckons it's better than the Jag so it must be good!

A dusty old can from the back of the cupboard and a bin to sit on is better than the jag.

 

[Otis]

I like Millsys

I like Millsy's bar too.

 

[Broken Hearted Sky Blue]

To suggest there aren't any is a bit silly. The area by the swimming pool has targeted beggars by all pay stations.
There are others around that dire bit by the old arcade and some in the walk up bit where you appear by the library.

How would you know you don't go into the city centre

 

[Nick]

A dusty old can from the back of the cupboard and a bin to sit on is better than the jag.

I once saw a grown man having an actual fight with a punch machine in there. Your nasty words won't change that.

 

[Esoterica]

Well if you haven't been back in so long but are quick to jump on the shithole band waggon.
I have read many reports about the City from so called experts who like yourself have probebly not visited the City in many years.
You obviously haven't seen any of the new developments that have happened in this beautiful City of ours.
People brought up the beggers this is seen in every city town in the country at the moment go into Leamington, Warwick Brum, so that is just a lazy way to put your point across.
Just take a walk from the train station into the City centre an you can see what a cracking job they have done so far in that area.
Look at the new restaurants that will be opening soon in Cathedral Lanes, that will be even better when Wilkinson move to there new store.
The opening up of the old entrance into Hertford street will help with the flow of the Town once Nationwide move to there new premises and they knock it through.
There are many changes going on can't mention them all but to just say things like they have given up is just utter shite.

You're a fucking idiot. What bandwagon am I jumping on? Why are you calling me a 'so called expert?' I've told you I've not been for 12 years and because of that I haven't offered a single opinion on or supported anyone elses stance on the city centre. All I have done is asked someone who clearly has a positive opinion on the city centre to share it (at a point in the thread when no-one had said anything positive) instead of only sniping at the negatives. Otis has referenced plenty of nice things planned, many of which i knew nothing about, and now finally you've offered up some positives too. It was all I asked.

 

[Otis]

You're a fucking idiot. What bandwagon am I jumping on? Why are you calling me a 'so called expert?' I've told you I've not been for 12 years and because of that I haven't offered a single opinion on or supported anyone elses stance on the city centre. All I have done is asked someone who clearly has a positive opinion on the city centre to share it (at a point in the thread when no-one had said anything positive) instead of only sniping at the negatives. Otis has referenced plenty of nice things planned, many of which i knew nothing about, and now finally you've offered up some positives too. It was all I asked.

Well don't ask again, you've caused enough trouble!!

 

[skybluetony176]

I was talking to a Rugby councillor privately a while ago who I know a little through a friend. We were talking about the redevelopment of Elliotts Fields in Rugby and I was asking him why we couldn't attract any of the big names there into the quickly emptying town centre and his reply was basically they're not interested, the only way that they would come is if a development like Elliot's Field happened. Reducing business rates wouldn't have changed a thing. The big names want good transport links and/or loads of parking at the front door. Rugby just like Coventry doesn't have a train station right in it's town centre so I assume the issue is similar. Birmingham has two, a tram network and fairly decent road links straight into the city centre with the A38M. It's pretty easy to see why the Bullring works in attracting all the big names before you even consider the population of being the second largest city in England.

Coventry is lucky to have the university if you ask me. It's the only chance that the city centre has really and naturally that will also bring other redevelopment with it.

 

[Broken Hearted Sky Blue]

Please tell me more on Wilko's moving to a new store.

My wife works there. No word at all of moving, only of giving up the first floor for restaurants and having just the ground floor for the store.

Be very interested to know if you've heard different.

Heard they are moving to old BHS store don't know how true that is

 

[Nick]

I was talking to a Rugby councillor privately a while ago who I know a little through a friend. We were talking about the redevelopment of Elliotts Fields in Rugby and I was asking him why we couldn't attract any of the big names there into the quickly emptying town centre and his reply was basically they're not interested, the only way that they would come is if a development like Elliot's Field happened. Reducing business rates wouldn't have changed a thing. The big names want good transport links and/or loads of parking at the front door. Rugby just like Coventry doesn't have a train station right in it's town centre so I assume the issue is similar. Birmingham has two, a tram network and fairly decent road links straight into the city centre with the A38M. It's pretty easy to see why the Bullring works in attracting all the big names before you even consider the population of being the second largest city in England.

Coventry is lucky to have the university if you ask me. It's the only chance that the city centre has really and naturally that will also bring other redevelopment with it.

Is that the one by the M6? Went there randomly a few weeks ago, was actually pretty good.

 

[Broken Hearted Sky Blue]

Tell us what you think is good about the city centre then instead of your sarcastic sniping at anyone who has a different opinion than you. At least then there can be a debate.

I was replying to someone talking about beggars as if Coventry were the only city to have them. Unless that person is right and Coventry is indeed the only place to have beggars.

 

[Brylowes]

It has to be said, Coventry City center isn't the best and lags behind comparable Cities And much smaller
places with what it has to offer.
It's easy to blame successive councils, but I'm not sure it's as simple as that, obviously The bombing during
The 2nd world war didn't help, but I don't think that was the main problem either.
The main problem was the plan put in place to rebuild it, I've heard the ring road described as a concrete
Collar 'and it is ' it locks the center in a stranglehold, acts more like a boundary than a means of entry.

The new layout of streets and buildings were heralded and celebrated as futuristic, they would be what
Town planners everywhere would look to "the benchmark "
In reality within 20 years it all looked dated, dishevelled and depressing, a lot of the streets make no sense
And don't really take you anywhere, it would be a huge job to really improve it, starting with replacing the
Ring Road .

 

[Otis]

Heard they are moving to old BHS store don't know how true that is

Hmm, interesting.

I have always said it would be perfect for them. The Coventry Wilkinson is sometimes the top selling store in the country.

Can thank the students for that. They wipe the stationary department clear of stock every day.

 

[Si80]

The restaurants are standard chains used predominantly by students in the evenings.

Get the fuck outta here with your bullshit. No chance a student is eating in Wagamamas on a frequent basis of an evening, it's way too spendy.

 

[skybluetony176]

Is that the one by the M6? Went there randomly a few weeks ago, was actually pretty good.

Opposite Tesco's on the Leicester Road. Trust me, it's a godsend for Rugby. As much as I've hated seeing the decline of Rugby town centre the fact is if I wanted to go clothes shopping, buy the wife an Xmas present etc. I had to either do it online or go somewhere other than Rugby to do it before Elliott's field was redeveloped. My only complaint about it is the parking is a nightmare although phase two is going up now so maybe this is about to be addressed.

 

[jimmyhillsfanclub]

Coventry has a major image problem.......always has done since I can remember....

So maybe the "UK city of culture" thing that is currently help re-brand Hull would be good for a city like Coventry....

...after all, who the fuck wanted to go to Hull before 2017?

I've lived in my adopted home city of Liverpool for well over 20 years now.......a city that certainly had an image problem......and after it won the (far more prestigious and original) European Capital of Culture...its never looked back as far as city centre re-development, innovation & creativity are concerned.....

The city has still got a bucket load of problems.......but the city centre is top banana & the city as a tourist destination is 3rd in the UK, only behind London & Edinburgh.......

 

[Otis]

Get the fuck outta here with your bullshit. No chance a student is eating in Wagamamas on a frequent basis of an evening, it's way too spendy.

Especially not Los Iguanas. You are looking at around £11-£13 plus for many of their main course meals.

I find it a bit expensive for what it is. Niw put yourself in a student mindset.

Have seen student looking types (mainly Chinese and/ or Far East) in Wagamama, but don't think I have ever seen students in Los Iguanas.

 

[Otis]

Coventry has a major image problem.......always has done since I can remember....

So maybe the "UK city of culture" thing that is currently help re-brand Hull would be good for a city like Coventry....

...after all, who the fuck wanted to go to Hull before 2017?

I've lived in my adopted home city of Liverpool for well over 20 years now.......a city that certainly had an image problem......and after it won the (far more prestigious and original) European Capital of Culture...its never looked back as far as city centre re-development, innovation & creativity are concerned.....

The city has still got a bucket load of problems.......but the city centre is top banana & the city as a tourist destination is 3rd in the UK, only behind London & Edinburgh.......

As I've said before, I love Liverpool. Took my daughter once and within about 2 or 3 hours she declared she wanted to live there.

 

[Nick]

Get the fuck outta here with your bullshit. No chance a student is eating in Wagamamas on a frequent basis of an evening, it's way too spendy.

Not even the rich Asian students?

 

[Esoterica]

Well don't ask again, you've cause enough trouble!!

I meet a lot of people out here who ask where I'm from and get many a blank look when I say 'Coventry'. Post PL relegation no-one knows the footy team anymore and most are too young to have heard about the bombing. It's always nice to have a few things to tell people about other than a great transport museum and an old cathedral - individually they're both pretty niche interests. They clearly have had difficulty in competing with the Bullring and I guess even Touchwood (?) for shopping so I'd love them to knock down a few of the post war concrete buildings and within the ring road really go for as green and open a city centre as possible where the old buildings are the focus rather than hidden gems. They are what make the city unique and attracting people into the centre for a beautiful walk around the old buildings finishing with a dinner/drink out in a tasteful restaurant/bar would be an awesome move away from Greggs>poundland>Mcdonalds based other cities.

 

[Nick]

Opposite Tesco's on the Leicester Road. Trust me, it's a godsend for Rugby. As much as I've hated seeing the decline of Rugby town centre the fact is if I wanted to go clothes shopping, buy the wife an Xmas present etc. I had to either do it online or go somewhere other than Rugby to do it before Elliott's field was redeveloped. My only complaint about it is the parking is a nightmare although phase two is going up now so maybe this is about to be addressed.

Yeah I think that's the one. We didn't know it was there but parked up and went in, some pretty decent shops there as well.

Is there a tunnel or a way to walk over the road to the other retail park? You can't go to a retail park without spending money you don't need to in B&M on shit you don't need.

 

[sylus]

Some interesting and valid points,but still doesn't make any sense, with new developments and restaurants/bars opening it does seem to be geared towards students( it is only my opinion of course) as with the amount of accommodation there is for them and more to follow i believe.

 

[Nick]

I meet a lot of people out here who ask where I'm from and get many a blank look when I say 'Coventry'. Post PL relegation no-one knows the footy team anymore and most are too young to have heard about the bombing. It's always nice to have a few things to tell people about other than a great transport museum and an old cathedral - individually they're both pretty niche interests. They clearly have had difficulty in competing with the Bullring and I guess even Touchwood (?) for shopping so I'd love them to knock down a few of the post war concrete buildings and within the ring road really go for as green and open a city centre as possible where the old buildings are the focus rather than hidden gems. They are what make the city unique and attracting people into the centre for a beautiful walk around the old buildings finishing with a dinner/drink out in a tasteful restaurant/bar would be an awesome move away from Greggs>poundland>Mcdonalds based other cities.

Everywhere I go, people always ask me who I am and where I come from.

I end up repeating myself getting louder and louder as they can't hear me.

It's annoying because when I say it I expect people to repeat it but they just look at me

 

[I_Saw_Shaw_Score]

I don't usually venture down by the swimming baths.

I would suggest though that people go to Manchester. You will be absolutely stunned.

Was in Manchester last week for a few days arrive Sunday night nipped 300 yards from hotel to a Tesco I must have been approached by 15-20 different blokes all out of their faces, was like a zombie film!
Is it the drug 'spice' they're on on there?

Very worrying.