Coventry city centre (22 Viewers)

[Grendel]

As I said before, I travel all over and usually spend whole days in city centres and I see a trend all over and hardly anywhere at all escaping.

Coventry bashing though has become like a national sport in these parts and we are a very, very lazy, easy target for people.

Case in point was when it was announced Creams were opening an ice cream Parlour by the Swanswell. Laughed at one here, derided, admonished, dismissed, made out to be foolhardy and ridiculous.

Been there now at least two years and very, very popular, often full.

No-one for a minute is suggesting that Coventry doesn't have many problems, but let's not try and make out it is so much worse than anywhere else.

You are missing the point. The point is it doesn't attract high end consumers as it has a desperate selection of stores

Keep denying all you like. But in that respect yes it's far worse than practically any other city you can name.

An ice cream parlour in swans well re-enforces my point not the opposite I'm afraid.

 

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[Otis]

You are missing the point. The point is it doesn't attract high end consumers as it has a desperate selection of stores

Keep denying all you like. But in that respect yes it's far worse than practically any other city you can name.

An ice cream parlour in swans well re-enforces my point not the opposite I'm afraid.

I disagree. I don't think it is worse than anywhere else. And why focus just on cities? Plenty of big towns out there too and I have been to loads of them.

Have to say I haven't been to Leicester or Nottingham lately, but been to loads of other places and the only one that has really impressed me has been Liverpool and as I said before, Manchester was awful, truly awful.

 

[fernandopartridge]

Watched Click on the Beeb this morning.
Going to get worse by the looks of things.
I used to shop there till around 4yrs ago and they were brilliant.
Popped in for the first time around 3months back and it's undergone reorganisation about twice in that time so I was lost. Was in there for over an hour and didn't see one Colleague anywhere in the aisles where you could make a query, and they've got rid of a few ranges distinctive over others Stores that made them unique on choice and price.
Half of its change for the sake of it and almost a total disregard of a certain demographic.
Their choice and the figures back up the evidence and now employees face the consequence.
Of course price Is the driver in most of our choice, they seemed to decide back then not to compete with Aldi and go a bit more premium as Tesco and Sainsbury do.
Oh well.

The big supermarkets are stuck in the past, blinded by brands and marketing gimmicks and obsessed with maintaining a % margin. They just don't understand why Aldi and Lidl are popular and it'll be their death hopefully.

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[Otis]

You are missing the point. The point is it doesn't attract high end consumers as it has a desperate selection of stores

Keep denying all you like. But in that respect yes it's far worse than practically any other city you can name.

An ice cream parlour in swans well re-enforces my point not the opposite I'm afraid.

Oh and can I just add, I quite often criticise Coventry for many things, so don't feel a blinkered bias coming through on my behalf.

Spon St annoys me because it could be so much more. Same too with Whitefriars and the Swanswell and I hate both the Britannia hotel (shudder) and the swimming baths building.

Been critical of many aspects, but as I say I have been to loads of places and I see plenty of towns and cities that are just as bad.

Must say I loved Bedford by the river, that was truly lovely, but the city centre was full of chavvy looking types and homeless and drunks. Like Manchester, it was very oppressive.

 

[skybluetony176]

You are missing the point. The point is it doesn't attract high end consumers as it has a desperate selection of stores

Keep denying all you like. But in that respect yes it's far worse than practically any other city you can name.

An ice cream parlour in swans well re-enforces my point not the opposite I'm afraid.

Not sure what you're expecting from Coventry. It has the same generic shops that most cities and towns of a similar demographic has. Sounds like you're expecting a Harrods or something. Not going to happen.

 

[skybluetony176]

I disagree. I don't think it is worse than anywhere else. And why focus just on cities? Plenty of big towns out there too and I have been to loads of them.

Have to say I haven't been to Leicester or Nottingham lately, but been to loads of other places and the only one that has really impressed me has been Liverpool and as I said before, Manchester was awful, truly awful.

For big towns check out Northampton. It's truly awful. Doesn't even have a decent out of town development to offset the awful town centre that I know of. You'd be better of shopping in Rugby

 

[skybluetony176]

Oh and can I just add, I quite often criticise Coventry for many things, so don't feel a blinkered bias coming through on my behalf.

Spon St annoys me because it could be so much more. Same too with Whitefriars and the Swanswell and I hate both the Britannia hotel (shudder) and the swimming baths building.

Been critical of many aspects, but as I say I have been to loads of places and I see plenty of towns and cities that are just as bad.

Must say I loved Bedford by the river, that was truly lovely, but the city centre was full of chavvy looking types and homeless and drunks. Like Manchester, it was very oppressive.

The Britannia is a blot on the landscape. Awful looking building.

 

[Otis]

For big towns check out Northampton. It's truly awful. Doesn't even have a decent out of town development to offset the awful town centre that I know of. You'd be better of shopping in Rugby

Was in Northampton last weekend. Was not at all impressed.

 

[Otis]

The Britannia is a blot on the landscape. Awful looking building.

It truly is. Either needs a big lick of paint, or tearing down.

Horrible monstrosity.

 

[skybluetony176]

It truly is. Either needs a big lick of paint, or tearing down.

Horrible monstrosity.

Tear it down. There's some good developments, historic buildings and nicer corners of the city centre behind it that it blocks the view of while looking a shitty mess in it's own right. Not sure what it's like inside but if it's anything like the outside it must be a horrible place to stay.

 

[Otis]

Tear it down. There's some good developments, historic buildings and nicer corners of the city centre behind it that it blocks the view of while looking a shitty mess in it's own right. Not sure what it's like inside but if it's anything like the outside it must be a horrible place to stay.

The foyer always used to look quite grand, but not been in now for a few years.

 

[Gazolba]

In my humble opinion the best thing in Coventry is the motor museum.
It's the only thing I can think of that could draw visitors from all over the world.
With the dwindling interest in religion and architecture, I'd put it above the cathedral.

 

[Otis]

In my humble opinion the best thing in Coventry is the motor museum.
It's the only thing I can think of that could draw visitors from all over the world.
With the dwindling interest in religion and architecture, I'd put it above the cathedral.

It is a great museum.

 

[letsallsingtogether]

You are missing the point. The point is it doesn't attract high end consumers as it has a desperate selection of stores

Keep denying all you like. But in that respect yes it's far worse than practically any other city you can name.

An ice cream parlour in swans well re-enforces my point not the opposite I'm afraid.

So a pub closed down in a very ethnic area so it is not used.
Fuck me that must be a first.
What is good is that it is reopened and doing a good trade in am area that requires that sort of business as those same ethnic majority love to socialise there.

As for high end shops just keep those ears peeled You maybe shocked.
For most of us the shops are adequate we can't all afford to shop in those shops amyway.
When I go to Brum or London do don't tend to spend any more then in Cov what with there inflated prices and ingnogrant people you are welcome to it.

 

[skybluetony176]

It is a great museum.

It certainly is. Been a few times with the kids now. The thrust simulator is pretty good, there's a regular changing side exhibition so there's always something different to see, there's the parade bus (check my avatar) and as a bonus I get to feel all smug by boring my kids to death with the endless useless knowledge I have of classic British cars from the 50's, 60's, 70's into 80's. Plus I'm always learning something new.

 

[Otis]

It certainly is. Been a few times with the kids now. The thrust simulator is pretty good, there's a regular changing side exhibition so there's always something different to see, there's the parade bus (check my avatar) and as a bonus I get to feel all smug by boring my kids to death with the endless useless knowledge I have of classic British cars from the 50's, 60's, 70's into 80's. Plus I'm always learning something new.

I have absolutely zero interest in cars at all, but I still love it there. I am so much more interested in the history than how many pistons an engine has got.

 

[ajsccfc]

Thirded on tearing down the Britannia. Some Brutalist architecture stands up today, but the majority just dominate with an intense ugliness. I'd happily see that and the sports centre flattened, 'iconic' elephant or no.

 

[Deleted member 5849]

Thirded on tearing down the Britannia. Some Brutalist architecture stands up today, but the majority just dominate with an intense ugliness. I'd happily see that and the sports centre flattened, 'iconic' elephant or no.

I'd keep the elephant!

One of the few buildings that's distinctive. And whether you like it or not, it's obviously of our city.

 

[skybluetony176]

I'd keep the elephant!

One of the few buildings that's distinctive. And whether you like it or not, it's obviously of our city.

Same here. Don't mind the elephant. The rest of it can go though.

 

[ajsccfc]

I've always hated the thing, shrouding part of the road in complete darkness and being a giant obstruction. The elevated ring road is similar, but I'd keep that if only because I don't see much of a viable alternative.

 

[Otis]

I've always hated the thing, shrouding part of the road in complete darkness and being a giant obstruction. The elevated ring road is similar, but I'd keep that if only because I don't see much of a viable alternative.

Yup, I hate the elephant too and I bet 85% plus of the citizens of Coventry don't even know it's supposed to be an elephant.

I didn't even know myself until someone mentioned it on GMK.

 

[shmmeee]

But isn't their job to attract the type of clientele? Other cities have a better balance in the city centres albeit I think they have addressed this to a certain extent with the development at cathedral lanes.

Chicken and egg innit. No executive housing means richer people live in Warwick/Stratford/Leamington so that’s where your posh shops open. No draw for Coventry means it’s not worth building more executive housing.

Give it a couple of decades and we will eat Warwick and problem solved

I pay less tax this year and very grateful for it. Far from rich and every penny helps

Apart from whenever you buy something and pay 20% VAT of course....

 

[torchomatic]

Funnily enough we're here today just to walk around. First time I've been in the centre for months. Does look a bit rough and there are some nightmares walking around, but you get that everywhere. Only saw one beggar outside Poundland.

 

[clint van damme]

The big supermarkets are stuck in the past, blinded by brands and marketing gimmicks and obsessed with maintaining a % margin. They just don't understand why Aldi and Lidl are popular and it'll be their death hopefully.

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Think you'll get your wish. I heard some retail expert on 5live who said that there are only a few countries left where the big supermarkets chains make mega profits, UK and Australia were among them.
He said the budget supermarkets had taken a massive share of the market and it was now happening in the UK with the proliferation of Aldis and LIDLs opening.
Hobo might be able to confirm this, I think he mentioned he worked in retail overseeing store openings.

 

[Ashdown]

Oh and can I just add, I quite often criticise Coventry for many things, so don't feel a blinkered bias coming through on my behalf.

Spon St annoys me because it could be so much more. Same too with Whitefriars and the Swanswell and I hate both the Britannia hotel (shudder) and the swimming baths building.

Been critical of many aspects, but as I say I have been to loads of places and I see plenty of towns and cities that are just as bad.

Must say I loved Bedford by the river, that was truly lovely, but the city centre was full of chavvy looking types and homeless and drunks. Like Manchester, it was very oppressive.

Fair play to you for sticking up for the City as always Otis. I still enjoy a day/night out in Cov City centre but have to admit I'm always on my way home by 10.30 pm so rarely see any bother. There is plenty to do/ see/ eat/ drink etc for me for sure. Problems of late do include the beggars around Broadgate and the lack of decent shops and choice but the main thing Cov has suffered from for years is the fact that those living on the West and South side of the City { Where much of the money is } choose to spend their money in Kenilworth/Warwick/Leamington and Birmingham of course. I don't have any issues with the students at all, who add some vibrancy and intellect to CV1 at least, as well as a lot of spending power !

 

[torchomatic]

Think you'll get your wish. I heard some retail expert on 5live who said that there are only a few countries left where the big supermarkets chains make mega profits, UK and Australia were among them.
He said the budget supermarkets had taken a massive share of the market and it was now happening in the UK with the proliferation of Aldis and LIDLs opening.
Hobo might be able to confirm this, I think he mentioned he worked in retail overseeing store openings.

Well, for the last few months we've done our shopping at Lidl. We pass one in Brum on the way back from my consultant appointments on a Friday. We can do a full weekly shop for under £50. Hardly ever go to the big supermarkets anymore unless we have to.

 

[letsallsingtogether]

Well, for the last few months we've done our shopping at Lidl. We pass one in Brum on the way back from my consultant appointments on a Friday. We can do a full weekly shop for under £50. Hardly ever go to the big supermarkets anymore unless we have to.

Same as us we go to the New aldi in cannon park. Car park is always rammed get all we need bar our coffee.

 

[Nick]

Only thing I don't like is that you can't get certain bits so still need to go other places AND that when you try to pack stuff they are literally throwing it at you as quick as they can and there isn't much space at the end.

 

[Otis]

Same as us we go to the New aldi in cannon park. Car park is always rammed get all we need bar our coffee.

You should go to Aldi at the airport retail park. Brand new store, ridiculously wide isles, really smart looking and absolutely loads of car parking spaces.
It's a really posh looking Aldi store.

 

[torchomatic]

Same as us we go to the New aldi in cannon park. Car park is always rammed get all we need bar our coffee.

We get the ground coffee too. The Columbian blend is lovely.

The one I go to in Brum is new and always quiet even on a Friday. I can be in and out in 20 mins.

 

[letsallsingtogether]

Only thing I don't like is that you can't get certain bits so still need to go other places AND that when you try to pack stuff they are literally throwing it at you as quick as they can and there isn't much space at the end.

Maybe you could take Burge with you next time see how many items he can catch.

 

[letsallsingtogether]

You should go to Aldi at the airport retail park. Brand new store, ridiculously wide isles, really smart looking and absolutely loads of car parking spaces.
It's a really posh looking Aldi store.

Yes we have tried it a bit to posh for us lol.
Thing is I live about half way between cannon park and the airport so do have a choice.

 

[Otis]

Yes we have tried it a bit to posh for us lol.
Thing is I live about half way between cannon park and the airport so do have a choice.

We live in Keresley and have Aldi, Radford Road just 6 mins walk away, but still drive over to the airport retail park one.

Bigger range of products too.

 

[torchomatic]

I always get confused between the two. It's Lidl we use. Their fresh bread is lovely. Do Aldi have fresh bakeries in their stores?

 

[Nick]

I don't think I have tried Lidl.

We went in Aldi the other day as we were there at Gallagher and managed to spend about £45 but didn't really get much! I need somebody to come and plan my shopping