Coventry, City of Culture 2021 (3 Viewers)

[Captain Dart]

I was on a trip with the school I work at this week to the Herbert and the Transport Museum. We also popped into the Cathedral ruins. The children, as always, really enjoyed the trip. The staff who came are all Birmingham based apart from me, not surprising as the school is in Chelmsley Wood. Most of them were really surprised by the Cathedral as they hadn’t been in that part of town. They know how proud I am to be from Coventry and so were keen to let me know what they thought of my City. They thought the two museums were great and that the Cathedral was fantastic. From the limited part of the centre that they saw, they felt there was far too much concrete in the city. They thought Sainsbury’s was even grimmer than the Britannia (I don’t agree, surely that eyesore needs to come down, plus the adjacent student flats). The fact that Sainsbury’s survived the Priory place development means I suppose that we are stuck with that eyesore.
Today in staff briefing the Head mentioned our trip to Coventry saying that we had obviously tipped the cultural balance in the City’s favour and that that enabled the successful bid. It was amazing how many Brummies I met today who knew Coventry had won.
My own point of view is that the city centre is improving but has a long way to go. The ring road is really ugly and something needs to be done about it. Making it tree lined would help. Getting rid of it somehow would be even better. I was also really disappointed that the Ikea building was given approval when it is right next door to the most scenic street in the city, Spon Street. A real beauty and the beast scenario. I like the idea of trying to include the Swanswell in any plans, plus the idea of revealing the Sherbourne. It seems that City centres need to be about much more than shopping if they are to be meaningful hearts of a City. It would be wonderful if a purpose built stadium for the football team could be incorporated into any plans as this would certainly bring more life to the city.( Not the Butts).

Sainsbury's is clearly a nice little profit centre, being a convenient place Cov Uni students can shop but surely they could be persuaded to take space in the new Hertford St or Upper precinct developments to allow that block to be redeveloped (for student accommodation).

Wish there was money for a stadium in the centre, was listening to Bobby Moncur on radio this morning, he thought that part of the reason Newcastle gets big crowds is the central location of St James Park, not really sure is that is out dated thinking but stadiums out of town have stunted the social aspects of matchday.

 

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[Otis]

There is a myth that Coventry City Centre was rebuilt as a consequence of the blitz.
The truth is that much of the mediaeval quarter was cleared by the council prior to WW2.

Hmm, not sure that is quite accurate. During the blitz more than half the homes in the city were destroyed or damaged and two thirds of the city's buildings. They destroyed the cathedral, the market hall, 620 shops were wiped off the face of the earth and a 16th century palace yard where James II once held court also gone. 15 acres of factory buildings were destroyed. 28 hotels and 120 offices were also destroyed as well.

The blitz DID cause a total rebuild.

 

[Otis]

He's got Cock in his name for a reason

I don't mind any comedian making fun, but considering he is from a city of a rival bid for the same competition and was involved in the bid of that rival city it does come across very much as sour grapes.

 

[Nick]

And he is mates with the fake lee hirst Not even the one from Bedworth.

 

[Otis]

Sainsbury's is clearly a nice little profit centre, being a convenient place Cov Uni students can shop but surely they could be persuaded to take space in the new Hertford St or Upper precinct developments to allow that block to be redeveloped (for student accommodation).

Wish there was money for a stadium in the centre, was listening to Bobby Moncur on radio this morning, he thought that part of the reason Newcastle gets big crowds is the central location of St James Park, not really sure is that is out dated thinking but stadiums out of town have stunted the social aspects of matchday.

What about at Bishop Street, where the old post sorting office was. As part of the development there is to be a retail unit at the base of the building and it is set aside for a supermarket.

 

[Otis]

And he is mates with the fake lee hirst Not even the one from Bedworth.

I used to like Lee Hurst. Saw him live (the comedian, not the footballer) and he was very funny.

Used to be he was never off our TV screens, nor Nick Hancock.

 

[Captain Dart]

What about at Bishop Street, where the old post sorting office was. As part of the development there is to be a retail unit at the base of the building and it is set aside for a supermarket.

That'll probably be a Sainbury's local type setup. Small and more expensive.

 

[Otis]

That'll probably be a Sainbury's local type setup. Small and more expensive.

Maybe. I think they were trying to entice a Waitrose higher end supermarket to be quite honest, but I don't think that is the right place for it.

 

[NortonSkyBlue]

Quelle suprise! Daily Mail out of kilter with the majority of newspaper reaction and focusing on the 'savage mockery' of Coventry on Twitter. Twitter, eh! You can surely find savage mockery of anything on Twitter if you look hard enough.

City of Culture: What the papers said about Cov's historic win

Bit disappointed in Nick Hancock. I know he's a comedian, but you would think he would be a little more conciliatory.

I bought a Rotherham and sons watch because it was made in Coventry and it has been a very reliable and attractive purchase.

There is a myth that Coventry City Centre was rebuilt as a consequence of the blitz.
The truth is that much of the mediaeval quarter was cleared by the council prior to WW2.

My mother lost family in that area of cathedral lanes and broadgate and I can remember a child being walked around the area and her pointing out where bombs fell and where her brother was killed.
Every time she went into Owen Owen I watched her tense up and she would grip me hard. I never understood why until I was an adult. It was on that site he was killed by the Luftwaffe.
Whatever happened before or during the war it is safe to say that the Luftwaffe didn't seek to improve Coventry city center.

 

[wingy]

He's got Cock in his name for a reason

He's from Stoke!

 

[Irish Sky Blue]

Hmm, not sure that is quite accurate. During the blitz more than half the homes in the city were destroyed or damaged and two thirds of the city's buildings. They destroyed the cathedral, the market hall, 620 shops were wiped off the face of the earth and a 16th century palace yard where James II once held court also gone. 15 acres of factory buildings were destroyed. 28 hotels and 120 offices were also destroyed as well.

The blitz DID cause a total rebuild.

I thought that the story was that the town planners did away with more of medieval Coventry than the Luftwaffe in the way they rebuilt Coventry after the war?

 

[Moff]

Hmm, not sure that is quite accurate. During the blitz more than half the homes in the city were destroyed or damaged and two thirds of the city's buildings. They destroyed the cathedral, the market hall, 620 shops were wiped off the face of the earth and a 16th century palace yard where James II once held court also gone. 15 acres of factory buildings were destroyed. 28 hotels and 120 offices were also destroyed as well.

The blitz DID cause a total rebuild.

I studied the rebuild of Cov as part of my Town Planning Degree. There was a little clearance of the medieval part of the city before the war, plenty of damage during it, but the main proportion of medieval building's were destroyed after the war in the total redevelopment of the city centre, so you are right Otis the blitz did lead to a total rebuild, but the majority of it was down to the planners.

The planners at the time thought the town centre and all the brutalist/modernist architecture was visionary, whilst clearing away a vast swathe of our historical buildings and architecture. How little they knew.

 

[Nick]

I studied the rebuild of Cov as part of my Town Planning Degree. There was a little clearance of the medieval part of the city before the war, plenty of damage during it, but the main proportion of medieval building's were destroyed after the war in the total redevelopment of the city centre, so you are right Otis the blitz did lead to a total rebuild, but the majority of it was down to the planners.

The planners at the time thought the town centre and all the brutalist/modernist architecture was visionary, whilst clearing away a vast swathe of our historical buildings and architecture. How little they knew.

Fucking council at it again.

 

[Otis]

I studied the rebuild of Cov as part of my Town Planning Degree. There was a little clearance of the medieval part of the city before the war, plenty of damage during it, but the main proportion of medieval building's were destroyed after the war in the total redevelopment of the city centre, so you are right Otis the blitz did lead to a total rebuild, but the majority of it was down to the planners.

The planners at the time thought the town centre and all the brutalist/modernist architecture was visionary, whilst clearing away a vast swathe of our historical buildings and architecture. How little they knew.

Yes, cheers for that. Both statements have some truth about them.

 

[dadgad]

I studied the rebuild of Cov as part of my Town Planning Degree. There was a little clearance of the medieval part of the city before the war, plenty of damage during it, but the main proportion of medieval building's were destroyed after the war in the total redevelopment of the city centre, so you are right Otis the blitz did lead to a total rebuild, but the majority of it was down to the planners.

The planners at the time thought the town centre and all the brutalist/modernist architecture was visionary, whilst clearing away a vast swathe of our historical buildings and architecture. How little they knew.

This begins to debunk the myth of ‘Moonlight Sonata’ in respect of what was destroyed by the Luftwaffe.
It is well known by architectural historians that Coventry Corporation started the rot. They were philistines and Nov 17th 1940 simply played into their hands.

How medieval Coventry was lost

 

[Otis]

This begins to debunk the myth of ‘Moonlight Sonata’ in respect of what was destroyed by the Luftwaffe.
It is well known by architectural historians that Coventry Corporation started the rot. They were philistines and Nov 17th 1940 simply played into their hands.

How medieval Coventry was lost

Not disagreeing with that. So much had to be rebuilt after all the destruction from the bombing however.

 

[dadgad]

Wouldn’t surprise me if the Corporation was secretly delighted that the destruction they had started, continued by Hitler could be concluded by brutalist architecture in the 60’s. The City centre is a fucking disgrace; a slash across the face of civilisation.

 

[Otis]

IS a disgrace? You been lately?

 

[dadgad]

You had an eye test lately?

 

[Otis]

You had an eye test lately?

Yep. Only a couple of months ago. The centre is transforming before our very eyes.

Do you go often? When was the last time may I ask?

 

[dadgad]

It was about three years ago. I brought some friends up from Laaandon to show them the cathedral. I was shocked how dreadful the Centre was. So few lines of sight, green spaces, any space. It was pitiful. If it has improved recently I will be delighted and am thrilled to think the award of ‘city of culture’ could galvanize some at the council to take their obligations in respect of design and purpose seriously particularly in respect of an architectural legacy. Beyond basil spence, Piper and a few of the old mediaeval structures there was fuck all to recommend it. The precinct is possibly the worst piece of post war brutalism I have ever seen anywhere.

 

[Otis]

It was about three years ago. I brought some friends up from Laaandon to show them the cathedral. I was shocked how dreadful the Centre was. So few lines of sight, green spaces, any space. It was pitiful. If it has improved recently I will be delighted and am thrilled to think the award of ‘city of culture’ could galvanize some at the council to take their obligations in respect of design and purpose seriously particularly in respect of an architectural legacy. Beyond basil spence, Piper and a few of the old mediaeval structures there was fuck all to recommend it. The precinct is possibly the worst piece of post war brutalism I have ever seen anywhere.

Well there you go. It has changed in the past three years for sure.

 

[dadgad]

Well there you go. It has changed in the past three years for sure.

Good, in what way, exactly?

 

[Otis]

Fargo Village opened. A lot more student accommodation in place in the city centre to give it more vibrancy. A number of new restaurants open. Escape room now in place and a climbing wall now in place in the centre to help draw people in.

Do admit that there is still lots to come. 7 new restaurants in Cathedral Lanes, a boutique hotel, a second cinema and major changes to the south side of the city centre. Market Way tower to be demolished. Escalator in the precinct to go and so to the ramp from Broadgate to the upper precinct. The Sherbourne river to be opened up and the Burge's redeveloped. Water park to come in just over a year.

 

[dadgad]

Sounds better......hope there’s some ‘cultural’ consideration amid that? Opening up the Sherbourne sounds the best thing there.

 

[Otis]

Sounds better......hope there’s some ‘cultural’ consideration amid that? Opening up the Sherbourne sounds the best thing there.

It does. It's just a small stretch though. Obviously needs to be a longer stretch.

 

[pusbccfc]

Plenty of references to the city of culture win in the terraces today.

 

[Sky Blue Pete]

Yeah your right about the Kenilworth road .
I did the paper round on the Kenilworth road when I was a lad , had to do it I my pushbike otherwise I would never have go to school on time .

And me 1982-5 or so

 

[SonofErnie]

It does. It's just a small stretch though. Obviously needs to be a longer stretch.

Historic Coventry have plans for a riverside walk all the way from the city centre to the Charterhouse. It’s part of an overall £30m spend they are planning across a number of Coventry’s historic sites.

 

[Otis]

Historic Coventry have plans for a riverside walk all the way from the city centre to the Charterhouse. It’s part of an overall £30m spend they are planning across a number of Coventry’s historic sites.

Yep. Was going to include that in my list, but as the first phase is just Charterhouse itself and that isn't in the town centre I didn't list it.

First phase I believe is to do up Charterhouse, have a visitor centre and cafe and small lake. Second phase is to then create a pathway through to town.

I can't wait.

 

[SonofErnie]

Yep. Was going to include that in my list, but as the first phase is just Charterhouse itself and that isn't in the town centre I didn't list it.

First phase I believe is to do up Charterhouse, have a visitor centre and cafe and small lake. Second phase is to then create a pathway through to town.

I can't wait.

Don’t know if you ever look at the site SkyscraperCity? There’s a thread dedicated to Coventry, annoyingly under the Birmingham construction heading. It gives a brilliant flavour of everything going on in Coventry. They even mention SBT from time to time.

There’s so much going on, I just hope that the city of culture title accelerates things further.

 

[clint van damme]

Don’t know if you ever look at the site SkyscraperCity? There’s a thread dedicated to Coventry, annoyingly under the Birmingham construction heading. It gives a brilliant flavour of everything going on in Coventry. They even mention SBT from time to time.

There’s so much going on, I just hope that the city of culture title accelerates things further.

thanks for bringing that website to my attention, very informative site.

 

[tommydazzle]

just two hours from the coast,

Must admit this made me chuckle a bit Otis, as pretty much anywhere in England is no more than 75 miles from the sea and Cov must be not too far from this distance. You don't work in advertising by any chance?

I haven't really seen the city centre for many years but am planning a nostalgia trip next year and hope to have a good poke around all my old teenage haunts and look to see what's changed - improved or worsened. Really looking forward to that.

 

[Otis]

Don’t know if you ever look at the site SkyscraperCity? There’s a thread dedicated to Coventry, annoyingly under the Birmingham construction heading. It gives a brilliant flavour of everything going on in Coventry. They even mention SBT from time to time.

There’s so much going on, I just hope that the city of culture title accelerates things further.

No, never heard of it. Cheers for the heads up. Will have a look.

 

[pusbccfc]

Two stunning photos of Coventry in the snow I spotted on twitter today.