Transformation for Coventry City's Shopping Centre

Transformation for Coventry City's Shopping Centre


Shop

The landscape of Coventry city shopping centre will never be the same again now that ambitious plans have been approved to renovate The Upper Precinct.

Escalator

Probably the biggest transformation to take place will be the removal of the green escalator in The Upper Precinct which leads to the West Orchards Shopping Centre. Although it has been a well-known landmark since its creation in the 1990s, the escalator is generally disliked by residents of Coventry and there was a public campaign last year to try and have it taken down. The proposal to remove it has been generally welcomed with Councillor Jim Boyle stating that it will enable a clearer view of the spire of Coventry Cathedral.

This is a return to the original Gibson Plan for Coventry when it was rebuilt after World War II. The architect Donald Gibson drew up plans for pedestrianised areas in the city shopping centre with a clear view maintained of the Cathedral. Opponents to the escalator have often cited the fact that it was contrary to the Gibson plan as a reason to remove it.

Renovation

It is not just the escalator that is being removed, there are plans for a complete transformation of The Upper Precinct. A ramp will be removed and a new entrance built for the West Orchard Shopping Centre plus the empty properties on the top floor will be converted into accommodation for students with a total of 75 student bedrooms planned. Shop fronts will also be remodelled and renovated including the unit which had housed the Coventry BHS store until it closed in 2016 and which still stands empty.

A statement from the developers Shearer Property group and JP Morgan Asset Management who are the owners of The Upper Precinct said that they viewed the creation of a more attractive environment for the city shopping centre would help retailers and enable Coventry to compete with other nearby retail areas such as Birmingham. Stewart Underwood, a director at Shearer Property Group stated that their proposals were an exciting opportunity and that the transformation of The Upper Precinct would be beneficial to both new and existing retailers in the area.

News written by the team of The-shops.co.uk The-Shops.co.uk

News in the same category

Chester: Back Alley Music is Closing for Parisian-Style Deli

Chester: Back Alley Music is Closing for Parisian-Style Deli

Back Alley Music, a popular music shop, would be closing soon to make way for a Parisian-style-deli or delicatessen. A deli is basically a retail outlet that sells an assortment of fine, foreign or unusually prepared foods.

  • Shop
Good News for Discount Enthusiasts Available at Telford Shopping Centre

Good News for Discount Enthusiasts Available at Telford Shopping Centre

Anyone who enjoys spending time at the Telford Shopping Centre will be happy to know about the new B&M store that is about to open.

  • Shop
Ralph Lauren opening a store in Leeds city centre

Ralph Lauren opening a store in Leeds city centre

Here’s a bit of good news for anyone in the Leeds area who happens to love shopping at high-end fashion stores: Ralph Lauren has recently announced plans to open their first shop in the city.

  • Shop
A Brand New M&S Store Opening in Sheldon

A Brand New M&S Store Opening in Sheldon

The recently opened Sheldon Retail Park is in its second phase of development now. Among the outlets which will open in the coming month is a brand new M&S food store.

  • Shop
Transformation for Coventry City's Shopping Centre