Central City #3

Issue 03 2009 www.centralcitymagazine.com

Coventry Central City

The regeneration of Coventry a moving story

Why Coventry is such a popular relocation destination

shaping change

The city’s universities’ regeneration plans

mastermind

An exciting new masterplan is guiding the city’s renaissance

culture

Coventry Central City

Issue 03 March 2009

contents

Editor: Kirsty MacAulay kirsty@3foxinternational.com Features editor: Alex Aspinall alex@3foxinternational.com

04 Relocation

Designer: Andy Ritchie Art director: Terry Hawes terry@3foxinternational.com

Listed fifth on the government’s relocation programme, Coventry is trying hard to attract people to the city.

Advertisement sales: Paul Gussar paul@3foxinternational.com

10 Leisure

Enticed back into the city centre, people are finding a lot on offer.

Office manager: Sue Mapara sue@3foxinternational.com

15 Universities

Managing director: Toby Fox toby@3foxinternational.com

The universities are shaping not just the city centre’s regeneration but also its economy.

Printed by Manson

20 Masterplan

Images: CV One, The Herbert Art Gallery and Museum, Coventry University, Alan Tyers, Coventry City Council

An in-depth look at the masterplan that will guide the vision for Coventry’s future.

25 Quartiles

Published by

How the council has organised the city centre into quartiles and a reminder of what’s being built, where, by whom and when.

189 Lavender Hill London SW11 5TB T: 020 7978 6840 For Coventry City Council City Development Directorate Regeneration Services West Orchard House Corporation Street Coventry CV1 1GF Principal inward investment officer: Rachel Baker rachel.baker@coventry.gov.uk Subscriptions and feedback www.centralcitymagazine.com Copyright 3Fox International Ltd 2009. All material is strictly copyright and all rights are reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without the written permission of 3Fox International Ltd is strictly forbidden. The greatest care has been taken to ensure the accuracy of information at time of going to press, but we accept no responsibility for omissions or errors. The views expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of 3Fox International Limited or Coventry City Council.

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37 Sub-region projects

The major projects that are happening, in the pipeline and proposed for outside the city centre. top: City College’s new building.

Above: The library plans, part of the masterplan.

43 Markets

An overview of the residential, office, commercial and industrial markets in Coventry.

46 Contacts

Who to contact at Coventry City Council.

COVER IMAGE and top: The Herbert.

coventry central city_issue 3 03

relocation

Being ‘sent to Coventry’ has traditionally been seen as a bad thing but with a £9.4 billion regeneration plan, great location and picturesque surrounding countryside Julie Mackintosh discovers Coventry is becoming quite the place to be

Prime movers 0 coventry central city_issue 3

Left: The new City College.

Bottom left: The Precinct.

“O

ne million people live within a 30minute drive of the city centre, our infrastructure is fantastic, the leisure and culture offer is great, we’re ideally located for accessing other parts of the UK, the population is young and well educated, and we are here to help companies looking to relocate and Coventry is a costeffective option,” says Councillor Gary Ridley, cabinet member, City Development.

But don’t just take his word for it, here’s what Severn Trent’s chairman Sir John Egan had to say about his company’s move to the city from Birmingham later this year (see panel p07). “The St John’s Street site not only ticked commercial consideration boxes but we were also impressed by the can-do attitude and the excellent support offered by the council and by Advantage West Midlands. Here we can attract and keep the right kind of new employees and, of course, keep the excellent staff we’ve already got. Our

aspiration is that the new centre will be at the heart of a vibrant city with strong transport links, plenty of shopping and culture galore.”

The decision by Severn Trent is something of a coup for Coventry, as well as a ringing endorsement of its £9 billion regeneration programme.

Inward investment has been one of the city’s main development strategies since its first business park opened 25 years ago. And arguably the Lyons review of 2004, which called for more civil service jobs to be moved outside London and identified Coventry as a primary location, gave the strategy renewed impetus.

After considering many other potential places, the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) decided to relocate to Coventry, bringing with it 550 jobs. “Relocation decisions are a complex equation of costs, support and the attractions an area can offer,” says Fiona Murchie, editorin-chief of Re:locate magazine. She singles out as most important the type of workforce and skills base within the region, infrastructure and connectivity plus the lifestyle it offers relocating employees, including the quality of housing, schools and leisure.

The council admits it worked hard to attract the QCA. Ken Taylor, the leader of the council, says the advantages are obvious. “The business case for relocating here is clear and the key names that have already chosen to come here are proof that business believes in us too,” he says. “We offer an unrivalled level of advice and support and I believe that it’s this that gives us the edge and makes us stand out from the crowd.”

Among the services offered to would-be Coventry companies is a dedicated officer who provides information and help on matters ranging from housing and schools to jobs for spouses. In providing this degree of attention, the council believes its approach is unique.

Taylor’s comments are backed by Stuart Ladds, the relocation programme manager for the Office of Government Commerce. He said: “The QCA has only good things to say about the positive approach of Coventry City Council and the expert support they received from them.

By 2010, I predict that Coventry will be in the top five for government relocations.”

Praise indeed, and director of strategic resource management for the QCA, Andrew Hall, went further: “Had it not been for the Lyons review, then we probably would have stayed in London. Having to relocate, Coventry was the ideal location for us. It’s probably the bestconnected city in the country in terms of transport and we forecast that we will make significant business cost savings.

“But relocation is as much about people as it is about these factors. We are finding that the pool of skills in ➜ coventry central city_issue 3 0

relocation

“The business case for relocating here is clear and the key names that have already chosen to come here are proof that business believes in us”

Coventry is excellent and that for each post we’ve advertised there have been around 30 applications.’’

Indeed the availability of skilled labour is a major consideration for any business looking to relocate, especially in niche sectors.

“That’s why different regions focus on clusters of particular expertise,” points out Murchie. Coventry’s specialities include research and development for the automotive industry and medical technologies focused around the universities and new hospital. Telecoms company Ericsson is consolidating its position in the city.

Location is a factor in attracting employees too, says Angela Baron at the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development.

“The ability to recruit and retain a workforce can be very dependent on where a company is based,” she says. “Choose the wrong location and what appear on the surface to be cost savings can quickly disappear.”

In his 2002 book The Rise of the Creative Class, American academic Richard Florida argues that creative industries choose their locations not just because of infrastructure or costs but because they are exciting enough to attract the type of workforce needed. Coventry’s ambitious regeneration plans are ensuring just that. ❑

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TOP: Building Schools for the Future.

Severn Trent comes to town In autumn 2010, Severn Trent Water is scheduled to move 1,700 staff into a new 15,794 sq m, seven-storey building on St John’s Street in Coventry.

The decision to establish the multi-million pound centre in Coventry marks the end of a long process to select a location by the world’s fourth largest privately owned water company, which serves eight million customers.

Sir John Egan, the company’s chairman, says: “Why did we choose Coventry? Why not Birmingham? – as I’m sure many have asked.

“As you would expect, a good deal of work went into examining the options. We started our search by spreading the net pretty wide – as far as Nottingham, in fact.

“But, at the same time, we had to bear in mind that the majority of our workforce lives within the M5/M42/M6 area. Moving too far from this ‘box’ would incur higher costs.

“We wanted a building that would encourage increased productivity, support change and build in flexibility. We needed somewhere with at least the potential for robust public transport links, somewhere that would help us achieve improved recruitment and staff retention, and a development with a low-carbon footprint.

“And, of course, we wanted somewhere that offered us cost-certainty into the future, all at a sensible price.

“It wasn’t easy, however. Applying the criteria did help us narrow down the field considerably. Perhaps unsurprisingly, we found ourselves looking at a shortlist of locations in Birmingham and Coventry.

“The council has clear objectives when it comes to the city’s regeneration and much has already been done to encourage people to see Coventry in a new light.

“Here, we can realise our goals of attracting and keeping the right kind of new employees – with the university on our doorstep, we have a perfect talent pool. We also want to keep the excellent staff we’ve already got.

“Our aspiration is that the new centre will be at the heart of a vibrant city, with strong transport links, plenty of shopping, cafes and culture galore. We know these benefits will be appreciated by our employees and we’re looking forward to playing an active role in the city’s regeneration plans.”

this image: Severn Trent’s new building on St John’s Street.

coventry central city_issue 3 0

relocation

“Coventry’s main strengths include its central location and its distance and travel links to London”

Relocation, relocation, relocation…

A

s more public sector organisations look to secure bases outside the M25, the battle for their attention is well under way. We spoke to Clive Shore, managing director of Inqira Consulting – the man responsible for facilitating QCA’s move to Coventry – to give us the lowdown on how to become first choice with companies on the move.

CC CS

What do organisations look for when deciding where to relocate?

“There are two main factors used to evaluate the suitability of a city for relocation. The first is the financial impact, which covers things like property rents, labour rents and the availability of property. If you are leaving London and you are paying £50 per sq ft, and you move into equivalent office accommodation in Coventry at £17 per sq ft, it represents a significant saving.

“Secondly, a lot of public sector organisations are being told that they have to move. So their big issue is moving and being able to maintain business continuity at the same time. When you look at business continuity you also have to evaluate how many existing staff members will move to that location.”

CC CS

What should cities do to maximise their chances of attracting inward investment?

“Cities have to make themselves relevant to the organisation that is relocating.

0 coventry central city_issue 3

They have to really understand the business case that is being put together, who the decision makers are and how they are going to make their decisions. They should also make sure they are providing the best information and support they possibly can.

“The best relocation and inward investment organisations also promote the benefits of their wider areas, rather than just the city itself.

If you are taking staff to a city, you do need to show them the office space but you also need to show them the wider catchments so they can see what the schools are like and what the countryside is like.”

CC CS

What are Coventry’s main assets in attracting organisations planning to relocate?

“Coventry’s main strengths include its central location and its distance and travel links to London. If you are thinking about an organised, manageable transition, Coventry, which is only an hour from London, is a much easier location to move to than somewhere like Liverpool, Newcastle, Leeds or Sheffield.

“Another big advantage is the catchments it has with other areas in the West Midlands. You do not just sell the city of Coventry, you can sell the fact that you can live in Leamington and Kenilworth and that South Warwickshire is a beautiful place. That is important when you try and get staff to move to different areas.” ❑

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LEISURE

A life of leisure

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Coventry’s ambitious plans for regeneration are continuing apace but regeneration is as much about people, and their quality of life, as it is about business and building projects. Alex Aspinall discovers what leisure opportunities Coventry has to offer

L

eisure time is still a relatively recent concept but one that is proving to be more and more significant in a society where work/life balance is growing in importance. A comprehensive range of leisure and cultural attractions in and around a city can not only generate money and create vibrancy but also make the city a more attractive option for organisations and individuals considering relocation to the area.

As more public sector organisations move away from London, the competition to attract them is becoming fierce. And although leisure opportunities are not the only barometer people looking to relocate use to evaluate a city’s credentials, it does play a part in the process.

Of primary importance for organisations on the move is to ensure operations continue as smoothly as possible. One way of achieving this is to maximise the number of staff likely to move with the organisation. And the bigger the choice of leisure and cultural attractions the destination has, the more likely it is that staff will

follow their job to its new mooring.

Clive Shore, managing director of Inqira Consulting, says: “Public sector organisations relocating from London are very concerned about their ability to move and maintain business continuity. This is very hard to do if 90% of your staff would prefer to leave their job rather than relocate. The loss of experience and knowledge, the organisational brain, is huge. Hence locations that are likely to be more attractive to staff, and make more relocate, will have the advantage.

“It is important that a city can attract staff who want to work there, both from its own catchment and those relocating from the South East. Different people like different things so it is the mix that is important.”

The benefits of Coventry’s geography speaks for itself. Being at the heart of the country, getting to Coventry from London or Birmingham is relatively easy. But what attractions does the city have closer to home that are likely to persuade potential suitors Coventry is the right choice for them?

More than you might think is the answer.

Much has been invested in recent years in improving the cultural and leisure portfolio, and they are not finished yet. Recognising the myriad benefits of boosting the city’s offer, the council, and their regeneration partners have emphasised a commitment to the further expansion of Coventry’s portfolio.

Peter Walters, head of economic development at city management company CV One, recognises both the advancements made and the distance still left to travel. He says: “Coventry’s cultural and leisure offer is improving.

Realistically it has been behind a number of other cities in the past but there has been a lot of improvement in recent years.

“Lifestyle has become almost the number one priority when looking at inward investment, and it is absolutely vital that, as a town or city, you have the kind of offer that makes people want to come and live there.

“We are improving, but there is a lot more to do. Government relocation is very much on our priority list. We are hoping to get more relocations, and it is all about trying to improve the offer. Things are moving in the right direction.”

And you don’t have to look very far to ➜

left: Culture at The Herbert Museum and Art Gallery.

Above: Shopping in Coventry.

BELOW: Warwick Racecourse.

coventry central city_issue 3 11

LEISURE

“It is easy to overlook those places outside the city boundaries, but they all add to the appeal of the place”

see evidence of this. Some of the city’s best-loved attractions have been given new leases of life as part of the first wave of Coventry’s resurgence.

The Herbert Museum and Art Gallery and the Belgrade Theatre have both reopened after undergoing redevelopment works worth a total of £34 million. The Herbert now boasts eight permanent galleries, temporary exhibition and events spaces, education spaces, a history centre and media studios, while the Belgrade Theatre boasts an impressive new auditorium, which is known as B2.

But the city’s offer is not limited to the rebirth of its cultural attractions. The versatile Ricoh Arena, in addition to providing the city’s football team with a 21st century home, has put Coventry back on the map, providing the city with a venue capable of hosting major events that Coventry may not have had the capacity to stage previously.

Developments such as this are allowing Coventry to compete directly with places such as Birmingham – both Oasis and Take That have chosen Coventry for their only tour dates in the Midlands this year.

But leisure time needn’t be limited to the city centre. It is easy to overlook those places outside the city boundaries, but they all add to the appeal of the place. And this rings especially true for those considering moving to the area.

12 coventry central city_issue 3

Shore agrees. “Locations only need to have these attractions close at hand – not necessarily within the city. For example, Coventry’s attractions should include proximity to London and Birmingham. Again, you can’t sell the attractions of Liverpool to staff in London without highlighting Manchester, Cheshire and the coast.”

Within 20 minutes drive time of Coventry city centre you can access some of the region’s most prized assets, including the castles at Warwick and Kenilworth and Coombe Country Park, as well as the beautiful countryside and idyllic villages of Warwickshire. Slightly further down the road is Stratford’s Royal Shakespeare Company and the glorious Cotswolds.

These kinds of assets really add to the quality of life available in the area and are as valuable as the more high profile developments taking shape in the city centre when it comes to convincing people that Coventry is the place for them. ❑

middle: It’s not all about cultural attractions, shopping is also an option.

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Universities

Universities are playing an increasingly vital role facilitating regeneration in cities across the UK. It would be easy to believe they only really have an impact on the students passing through their doors each year, and this may have been more the case in times past.

But today’s university is significantly changed, says Alex Aspinall.

UNIVERSITY CHALLENGE C

oventry’s two universities (the Universtiy of Warwick and Coventry University) are responsible for many of the building projects around the city, as well as being active members of regenerationfocused consultation and discussion groups, and providing valuable research into related fields. The city’s universities, like most around the country, also make a very significant contribution to the local economy, as an employer and by attracting people to the city.

But universities cannot regenerate a city on their own. Development and growth rely on a location’s constituent parts working as a whole to create a place that people want to invest in and is desirable and, ultimately, successful. ➜

coventry central city_issue 3 15

Universities

“Universities have become more involved in regeneration in recent times particularly in terms of the extent of physical development, which has mushroomed in the past 10 years”

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Partnership working is vital. The public and private sectors are often at their most effective when working in tandem. And this is clearly happening as part of Coventry’s continued renaissance, a fact that all parties are welcoming with open arms.

Nigel Berkeley, director of the Applied Research Centre for Sustainable Regeneration at Coventry University has seen the university’s involvement grow, as it forges new partnerships with other organisations in the city.

He says: “Universities have become more involved in regeneration in recent times particularly in terms of the extent of physical development, which has mushroomed in the past 10 years. Regeneration as a discipline has come about over the past five years, and the amount of research and funding that is available in the area has also increased steadily over time. There is definitely an increased focus on regeneration now.

“Partnership working has become the way in which people are looking to work when delivering projects and research. It is crucial, and not just within the public sector, but across public and private organisations. We work very closely with the city council, with a number of departments, helping to deliver and shape research for various projects. We are also developing more links with the private sector too.”

There is a great deal of positivity and progression present in Coventry at the moment.

The partnerships that have been forged over recent years are driving the city forward like never before, and perhaps go some way towards explaining why Coventry’s regeneration is more successful and far reaching than that in other comparable cities. And the council certainly seem happy to have some committed partners adding their expertise to the regeneration process.

“I think universities in general are playing more of an active role in regeneration than they used to,” says Barry Butterworth, special projects manager at Coventry City Council. “But Coventry University has been playing its part for quite some time now. It has been very pro-active at looking at what it wants to achieve, how it can achieve these things, and how it links in with what other people want to achieve.

“Coventry University is changing its business in terms of its market. If you look at what was once the Rolls-Royce factory, you see a hugely expanding techno-centre. Ten years ago, that was a redundant old factory, and it is now thriving in terms of job creation and the opportunities that come with it, such as retaining the post-graduates in the city.”

His final point is key, and highlights one of the most vital roles a university plays in facilitating the growth of the city it serves. In the first instance it is responsible for attracting several thousand new residents each year. The presence of these students represents a huge boost to a city’s economy, as they are active spenders and, in many cases, have part-time jobs.

But the universities’ roles are not complete after each batch of new freshers arrive for ➜

Getting down to business It’s not just within the realm of the public sector that partnership working is playing a key role in bringing about Coventry’s renaissance. The divide is being bridged, with the city’s public and private sector organisations all pulling in the same direction. And the result is a more comprehensive approach to regeneration.

As well as the more obvious partnership working involved in

projects such as the creation of new buildings and bringing new uses to older disused sites, the city’s universities are working with the private sector in slightly less headline-grabbing ways – with the University of Warwick’s WMG project offering the perfect example.

The WMG, formerly Warwick Manufacturing Group, is an academic department working

to reinvigorate UK manufacturing through the application of its research and knowledge sharing with the industry. The organisation, which has enjoyed huge growth since its inception in 1980, was delighted to see Gordon Brown open its £13million Digital Lab back in July 2008, an event that symbolised just how far the WMG has come.

The development now acts as a multi-disciplinary

research centre aimed both at local businesses and those from further afield. Organisations wishing to engage in hi-tech research and development work are encouraged to find out more about the potential for cost-effective research, making use of the Digital Lab’s impressive facilities.

The Lab will strengthen the University of Warwick’s relationships with private sector

organisations and facilitate the continued success of local businesses by enabling them to access the latest technology in digital manufacturing, digital healthcare, hi-tech training simulations, e-security and consumer perception research.

coventry central city_issue 3 17

Universities

“Graduate retention is in our plans now and that is the key. The city is addressing it, but we are looking at a 15-year plan”

BELOW: Coventry University’s Techno Centre on the site of the old Rolls-Royce factory.

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their inaugural week of partying. In many ways their work, and the city’s, has only just begun.

For all the economic and social gains a healthy student population engenders, these benefits are outweighed by the benefits garnered from persuading graduates to remain in the city after their mortar boards have been thrown in the air.

Graduates often expect to secure skilled jobs, offering good wages. And if, after an enjoyable time spent at one of Coventry’s universities, they choose to pursue such a position in the city, that can only be a good thing. These people expect top jobs, good quality housing and an interesting range of options for evening and weekend entertainments. It is in the city’s interest if it can provide these things because they are, at once, signifiers of a successful city and the fuel likely to facilitate further improvement in the future.

Graduate retention is a key objective of the council’s regeneration strategy, a fact that pleases Geoff Hyde, community and skills manager at Coventry City Council.

“Graduate retention is in our plans now and that is the key,” he says. “In the past our graduate retention was all based around the motor car

but now it is about new types of employment, and looking at how we can attract and retain these people. The city is addressing it, but we are looking at a 15-year plan. It is not going to happen overnight. We are trying to work with both universities on graduate placements, and not just within the council but with private sector employers around the city too.”

Coventry benefits greatly from the fact that the various organisations responsible for delivering its continued regeneration are all singing from the same hymn sheet. Cooperation, and a mutual appreciation of what each group brings to the table, is the key to the city realising its lofty ambitions.

The central role being played by Coventry’s universities is also another reason for optimism.

They clearly have the city’s best interests at heart, as they push for their own growth and that of the city as a whole. It is very difficult to have a successful university without a successful city supporting it, and there are very few thriving cities unable to boast equally impressive universities. It is a combination that works. And it is working in Coventry. ❑

ADVERTISING FEATURE

new jobs

potential at leading development When the first shaft of the Coventry colliery was sunk in 1911, it was estimated that the Keresley coalfield would yield around 1.5 million tons of coal a year for at least a century. Although the colliery did not quite fulfil this early promise – it finally closed in 1996 - the site was bought by ProLogis and has since been transformed into an integrated development for the 21st century. Now recognised as one of the most significant regeneration schemes in the Midlands, ProLogis Park Coventry has created new homes, a 60 acre country park and thousands of new jobs.

As Oliver Bertram from ProLogis says

Providing offices, light industrial units and over 1.5 million sq ft of warehousing, the development has attracted both national and local companies, which together offer a range of different employment opportunities. Domestic & General Group, for example, runs a direct mail facility; Capita Business Services operates a call centre and the Co-operative Group runs a 310,000 sq ft food distribution depot.

The attractive working environment together with high quality buildings and the excellent transport connections provided by an onsite rail freight facility and the development’s proximity to Junction 3 of the M6, has led to such high demand that there is only one unit still available.

Final eco-friendly unit at leading development

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Many of our customers are embracing green measures because they make good economic sense. Companies are realising that by being eco-friendly they can save money as well as the planet.

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Known as Plot H Unit 2, the 105,000 sq ft warehouse, which could bring around 100 further new jobs, is generating a great deal of interest because of its excellent green credentials. Designed to minimise air leakage and to conserve both water and energy, the unit could not only help future occupiers meet their own sustainability targets, it could also help to reduce running costs. before

after

masterplan

Jerde’s masterplan will transform Coventry’s city centre. Adam Dent explains

Centre FORWARD C

oventry was heralded for the way it recovered and was rebuilt after the ravages of the Second World War and, in more recent times, the way it has developed into a lively city no longer dependent on a single industry. It seems the city’s capacity for reinvention knows no bounds.

The latest plans are set to transform what is widely regarded as a tired city centre. Coventry City Council and key private sector partners are now well down the line in starting an eyecatching and highly ambitious project that will lead to a new city centre over the next 20 years.

While aesthetics are a key driver in masterplanning, the foundation stone lies in the city’s ambitions and cold, hard economics.

Martin Yardley, deputy director of city development at the council, is overseeing the project. He says: “We simply cannot afford to stand still on any front. There are significant issues with the city centre that act as a major barrier to further economic development and the growth of Coventry.

“A survey carried out by King Sturge in 2007 highlighted the need for this development.

Coventry is the 11th largest city in the UK but ranks 43rd in terms of retail offer while Nottingham ranks seventh and Liverpool 12th, yet we have a very affluent catchment area.

“Even cities with the same demographic profiles are much higher in ranking and those cities that rank the same as Coventry already

20 coventry central city_issue 3

left: Jerde’s vision for Coventry’s new library. below: The proposed arena.

have new retail schemes in the pipeline or coming on stream.

“Coventry’s retail catchment population is double the size of Leicester’s but the city centre only attracts two-thirds of the number of shoppers, while Leicester’s shopper population is 68% larger than ours.

“More than 63% of businesses felt the city centre is too downmarket and only 35% of people interviewed shop in Coventry because of the choice and range of shops.”

Coventry City Council owns the freehold of more than 70% of the city centre and could have embarked on the masterplanning in isolation. However, the involvement of the private partners, all of which own or control significant developments, has allowed this to be undertaken on a far more co-ordinated level.

The first major step was the appointment of the Jerde Partnership as the masterplanning architects, announced at MIPIM 2008. The Californian-based practice has successfully completed major city centre exercises in Poland and Tokyo and is renowned for its original thinking.

The second major exercise was to embark on a massive consultation process with the citizens of Coventry. Yardley says: “We certainly did not want an identikit city centre and we were impressed with the way in which Jerde approached the whole project. We were clear that local people were in the driving seat

and thanks to their comments and extensive feedback, we drew up a list of 10 design principles for Jerde.

“They included factors such as building on the existing heritage and history, being more than just a retail centre, being radical but inclusive, to raise the quality of life through public parks and spaces, to build in longevity and to focus on the pedestrian.

“Jerde’s first real task – or test – was to take those 10 principles and reflect them in a scheme.”

And that is what they have done, producing a masterplan that allows for new homes and new retail space – immediately doubling the shopping offer in the city.

Elements of the plan include a rooftop park, a new open air performance space and new buildings, including apartments, stores, a library and a media centre. A walkway will loop through the redeveloped area and connections with the Sherbourne riverwalk will be strengthened.

Areas for future expansion are also designed into the scheme, as are links with other planned developments such as Swanswell and Friargate.

The first phase of the plan was revealed in mid 2008 and received a very positive reaction.

“All the partners were delighted with Jerde’s plan. We believe they have converted the principles that arose in the consultation and meshed them well with more ➜

➜

coventry central city_issue 3 21

masterplan

“While aesthetics are a key driver in masterplanning the foundation stone lies in the city’s ambitions and cold, hard economics”

22 coventry central city_issue 3

practical elements such as ease of access and maintenance,” Yardley says.

“Over a six-week spell, we took the plan out to interested groups and professional bodies around the city. Coventry is very attached to its indoor market and we view it as a real asset so we had a handful of the traders sit down with the architects and go through the design for the new market. There were some very useful observations and recommendations which we have put into the second draft.

“Overall we received good feedback. In fact, one problem was getting across the message that this was a masterplan that would change in several ways – possibly some major – before it became a reality.

“Because it hit so many of the right buttons, a great number of people expect us to deliver this scheme down to its finest details, but that, of course, will not happen. These are more than guiding principles but are not a detailed plan.”

Again, consultation was at the heart of the process. The council took over a shop in the Greyfriars Walk area of the city and invited the public to inspect the plan document.

Yardley also travelled to London to visit a masterplanning architect who hailed from Coventry. “He had been quite critical of the plan and I wanted to discover why. He is a man of considerable expertise and he had put three of his team on the case, looking at the masterplan,” says Yardley.

The architect in question, John Prevc of Make, spoke to Yardley about methodology – an approach to do with history and identity in Coventry referencing the uniqueness of the people and the culture. He also commented: “I think the masterplan has a way to go. We explained to Martin the avenues that can be gone down so that the masterplan is a part of the city rather than a world shopping experience.

Without getting involved with the detail or the politics, I think it extremely positive that the local authority is addressing and promoting regeneration of the city.”

Yardley concludes: “I am not saying that we agreed with each other on every element, but at least at the end of our session we fully understood the other’s point of view and that was a great help.

The council’s cabinet is set to give the

above: The masterplan features plenty of green space.

AN ASTONISHING RESPONSE

guiding principles of the plan the go-ahead in March 2009 and it is hoped the first phase developer will be in place before the summer with a detailed planning application submitted by the end of the year.

The property market has changed dramatically since Jerde’s appointment, but Yardley is confident that the cycle will have swung upwards again by the time lift-off is ready.

“While the partners own the vast majority of the freehold which is in the area, the compulsory purchase process will possibly take around three years because leases will have to be tidied up,” says Yardley.

“We also have to go through the European procedures to ensure a total clarity of tender and all of that takes time, but at the moment that is no bad thing.

“If we were ready to go into the ground today

with the first phase, it simply would not happen – but it could just be that the timing is perfect for when the financial situation is resolved.

“The scheme will be carried out in phased sections and we believe that each stage of the development will be so impressive and will lift the city centre that it will ensure the next phases follow on. This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity for the city. This scheme has been very well received both in the city and in the industry – now we just have to make it happen.” ❑

What makes the project stand out is the level of consultation, according to David Sheldon, regional manager at Jerde Partnership’s European office in Amsterdam. He writes: “It has been a tremendous project and the response from the stakeholders, and especially the people of Coventry, has been astonishing and, in our experience, unique.

“The people of the city really want to see the council take Coventry forward with a big scheme which is very updating – and that, coupled with a high sense of civic pride, means there is real passion.

“We have learnt that Coventry has a very proud history and that this is an opportunity to shape the city for a long time.

“Joint ventures always present challenges but this collaboration between the public sector, private sector and the people of the city has been superb.

“There is always scepticism in the architectural and property professions but I think people understand the level of work already ongoing in Coventry and also the size of the opportunity that we have.

“The whole world has changed dramatically in the last six months and some people have already written off 2009, but there is a lot of work that needs to be done before we can pull the trigger and the timing could be very good.”

coventry central city_issue 3 23

Making a difference

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QUARTILES

City Centre An enterprising new initiative from Coventry City Council has reorganised the city centre projects among new zones – quartiles – to focus the council’s energy and ensure it delivers on the vast regeneration plans proposed for the city centre to bring retail, homes, offices and public space to the heart of Coventry.

Adam Dent explains ➜

coventry central city_issue 3 25

QUARTILES

An overview of the projects... the quartiles in which they are located and who is responsible

1. Butts

5. Greyfriars

8. Swanswell

Earlsdon Park – Mixeduse development by MCD Developments which includes 6,000sq m of office space, rated BREEAM excellent, for the relocating QCA. Completion due 2009 (see p34).

Friargate – Cannon Kirk’s 278,000sq m mixed-use development will create 15,000 jobs. Planning application expected spring 2009.

Manor Road footbridge – Coventry City Council project to improve connections between the city and railway station (see p32).

Swanswell – A 10-15 year plan creating a range of development opportunities. Includes a Learning Quarter with new £50 million City College already open and new academy school to follow.

(Paul Beesley)

Butts Arena – Development opportunity for mixed-use.

2. Cathedral (Tony Auty)

Millennium View – Development site owned by Coventry City Council.

3. Civic

(Tony Auty)

(Barry Butterworth)

6. Nauls Mill & Spon End (Tony Auty)

Belgrade Plaza - phases 1 to 3 – The first and second phases of this mixed-use development by Oakmoor Deeley are now complete offering bars, restaurants, hotel and casino plus car park. Work is due to start on the third phase (residential) this summer.

St John’s – Stoford Developments creating over 15,000sq m of office space for Severn Trent Centre.

Hill Street footbridge – New build to replace underpass.

4. Gosford

7. Precinct

Creative business quarter – Far Gosford Street Development is a mixed-use scheme by Complex Development Projects aimed at encouraging creative spin-off businesses from Coventry University. Includes plans to improve and restore 41 properties (see p33).

Jerde masterplan – Masterplan for the city centre by award-winning designers (see p20).

(Andy Duncan)

(Tony Auty)

➜ 26 coventry central city_issue 3

(Duncan Elliott)

9&10. Parkside and Whitefriars

(Barry Butterworth) Coventry University masterplan – The £450 million plans for Coventry University include £160 million of planned development in 2009. This will provide a state-of-the-art engineering facility and a student enterprise centre which will be developed over the next two years (see p30).

“We have now divided the city into 10 sections, known as quartiles, and a senior council representative is responsible for each one”

8 6

4 7

2 10

1

3

5

9

Map produced from the Ordnance Survey material with permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of the Controller of Her Majesty’s Stationery Office Crown Copyright. Unauthorised reproduction infringes Crown Copyright and may lead to prosecution or civil proceedings. Coventry City Council Licence no.

100026294 (2006)

➜ coventry central city_issue 3 27

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QUARTILES

“In the current climate we have to ensure that we do two things – firstly attract the most development we can and secondly maximise the benefits of it”

ONE C VISion

oventry has instigated a new joined-up vision and action plan for development in the city centre. Martin Yardley, deputy director of city development at Coventry City Council, has overseen the new initiative, which has been designed to bring greater clarity on the projects transforming the city centre and encouraging closer working with the private sector.

He says: “In the current climate we have to ensure that we do two things – firstly attract the most development we can and secondly maximise the benefits of it.

“We have had lots of good things going on for several years but we have now divided the city into 10 sections, known as quartiles, and a senior council representative is responsible for each one. This gives us a full understanding of the existing and potential schemes in each area, how they interact with each other and impact on the bigger picture.

“This system has enabled us to put an outline bid into Advantage West Midlands, explaining where the city is now, where we want it to be and we need their help in various areas to allow that to happen.

“We have never really been able to do that before but this system has allowed us to have a far more holistic and joined up view of the city centre. It is very simple but it makes things much more manageable. It brings both accountability and clarity for everyone.” ➜

ABOVE: Plans for Far Gosford Street.

coventry central city_issue 3 29

QUARTILES

Coventry University Coventry University has a significant presence in the city centre. The £160 million regeneration plans for its 13-hectare campus provide an important element of the city’s regeneration. The university’s masterplan reflects its commitment to the council’s plans for Coventry’s regeneration in the coming years – a fact welcomed by the council.

Barry Butterworth, special projects manager at the council, says: “We are very happy that, while all cities will suffer in the recession, Coventry is pretty robust. In addition to the Severn Trent Centre being built and Belgrade Plaza, among others, this year we will have £160 million worth of development from the university in the city centre.

“Just at the time when the private sector is

30 coventry central city_issue 3

suffering, Coventry’s public sector is getting started in terms of city centre regeneration. It is very useful.”

The projects aim to capitalise on the campus’ location, while also addressing the problems it faces such as fragmentation due to traffic and road systems and the fact that the campus lacks social and informal learning spaces. It is anticipated that the redevelopment of the campus will offer innovative, enterprising and creative spaces for its 18,000 students.

BELOW: The university’s £160 million regeneration plans are under way.

Engineering and Computing

Among the most headline-grabbing of the university’s programme of developments is the new Engineering and Computing building. The 14,000sq m building, designed by Arup Associates, is to be located on the site of the former Gulson Road hospital, next to the university’s library. The planning application was approved in January and Balfour Beatty was announced as the university’s preferred contractor. Work is expected to begin on-site in August 2009.

Student Enterprise Centre

This Hawkins Brown-designed development will establish a recognisable central hub on the campus, something lacking until now. The new 8,500sq m building, to be situated on the site of the old Frank Whittle building, will house a performance venue, retail space, a health and well-being centre, student counselling services, a faith centre, informal learning space and the student union. January 2009 saw the announcement of Laing O’Rourke as preferred contactor for the project, which is also due to begin on-site in August 2009.

“The university’s masterplan reflects its commitment to the council’s plans for regeneration”

Multi-storey car park

The creation of a new multi-storey car park is the first step in addressing the problems the campus currently has dealing with visiting traffic. Car parking currently dominates some areas of the campus, and by moving many of the cars to the multi-storey car park the university will feel less fragmented and boast an improved public realm. ➜

coventry central city_issue 3 31

QUARTILES

Friargate Coventry’s regeneration plans are wholesale and the cornerstone of the dramatic revitalisation of the city centre is the Friargate scheme. The essence of the development by Cannon Kirk, which is over 278,000sq m, is to create a new commercial quarter for Coventry, enhance the public transport hub and reconnect the station to the city centre. Visitors stepping off the train at the new transport interchange will be in no doubt that Coventry is enjoying a major revival.

Friargate will deliver a mixed-use development which will be developed over a period of 10–15 years and bring up to 15,000 new jobs to the city. Cannon Kirk is currently refining the masterplan prepared by Terry Farrell and Partners which envisages approximately 185,000sq m of Grade A office space with floorplates between 900sq m and 1,800sq m. A mixture of apartments, retail and leisure will make up the rest of the development. The scheme also includes the creation of a new public square outside the station and a pedestrian boulevard to link the area to the city centre.

Cannon Kirk will submit a planning application for the scheme in summer 2009.

The Friargate scheme will deliver a mixed-use development offering over 185,000 sq m of Grade A office space 32 coventry central city_issue 3

Far Gosford Street

LEFT: Friargate is set for major development.

BELOW: Plans for Far Gosford Street.

ABove: Far Gosford Street.

Far Gosford Street, to the east of Coventry city centre, dates back to medieval times when it was situated outside the city walls. Today, despite its conservation area status, many of the buildings have become dilapidated and run-down, one positive aspect to come from this situation is a surge in small independent businesses making their home in the area. The mix of specialist shops and restaurants that have moved into Far Gosford Street’s historic buildings has generated a new district in the city, something which developer Ian Harrabin of Complex Development Projects (CDP) is keen to encourage and retain.

He hopes to build on the area’s character by establishing a bohemian quarter.

CDP is working together with the townscape heritage initiative, which has been set up to save and restore Far Gosford Street’s significant historic buildings. CDP will then create modern buildings, designed to complement their medieval neighbours, in areas where gaps have occurred. It is hoped the mix of new and old buildings will give the area great character and attract more small local enterprises. ➜

coventry central city_issue 3 33

QUARTILES

The old college building on the site will incorporate a 100-bed Premier Inn on the second and third floors, office space on the first floor and cafes and restaurants on the ground floor

Earlsdon Park Work is well under way on the Earlsdon Park site, which is soon to be the new home of the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA).

Construction of the building, which will offer 6,000sq m of Grade A office space, will be complete

by June and it is expected the QCA will be in place

by September.

The second phase of the project will provide 41 apartments, pre-sold to Mercian Housing Association, also for completion in June this year.

The former college building on the site will be refurbished as part of the development’s third phase and will incorporate a 100-bed Premier Inn on the second and third floors, office space on the first floor and cafes and restaurants on the ground floor.

The existing art-deco theatre will be restored. It is hoped that work will start on-site by May. The £110 million development by MCD Property is multi-phased with the final four phases including more Grade A office space and residential units (affordable and private sale) to create a mixed-use development. ❑

34 coventry central city_issue 3

Top and above: QCA will be complete by summer.

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sub-region PROJECTS

City limits Although the regeneration of Coventry’s city centre is well documented there are also large projects going on throughout the sub-region. Key development sites across Coventry have been earmarked for transformation creating a series of new business parks offering office and industrial space which will help boost employment and the economy.

➜

coventry central city_issue 3 37

sub-region PROJECTS

WHITLEY BUSINESS PARK Work is well under way on this £130 million development, which is considered a key scheme for the city’s economy.

The St Modwen Properties development centres around the retained Jaguar engineering centre and includes over 100,000sq m of office units and industrial space – with a small area set aside for a crèche and retail units.

The first phase consists of over 3,800sq m of Grade A office space in eight buildings with units ranging from 263sq m to 2,275sq m. Work on this phase was successfully completed towards the end of 2008.

St Modwen is paying particular attention to sustainability throughout the scheme and buildings will secure a very good environmental BREEAM rating. St Modwen hopes it will attract a national or international firm to base its headquarters on the site.

Whitley Business Park is expected to create up to 2,000 new jobs when it is complete. It is set in 37 hectares of an existing mature landscaped environment with excellent transport links.

38 coventry central city_issue 3

Ansty park

LEFT: Whitley Business Park.

BELOW: The proposed technology business park at Ansty.

Described as one of the best strategic development sites in the Midlands, Ansty Park is set to play a key role in the region’s economy.

With over 80% of the UK’s population within 150 miles of the 40-hectare site, its central location, accessibility to markets and great road, rail and air connections will ensure the pace of development continues to accelerate throughout 2009.

Significant site infrastructure is already in place. Advantage West Midlands (AWM), the development agency responsible for the project, has committed over £44 million in on-site and off-site works, including power provision, landscaping, site preparation and highway improvements to junction two of the M6.

Planning consent is in place for the 100,000sq m high technology business park, while a further planning application is currently being prepared to increase the development to 140,000sq m to accommodate demand for the scheme.

London-based Highbridge Properties is working with AWM to secure tenant interest. The parties have secured Ericsson, which already has a base in the city, as the first tenant committed to lease 15,000sq m in two new buildings at Ansty Park to accommodate around 850 staff.

Construction started in January 2008 and will be completed this year.

AWM’s investment has been the catalyst for securing the £120 million National Manufacturing Technology Centre. The world class manufacturing pre-production centre specialising in technology transfer for UK manufacturing will bring together multinational high technology companies, their supply chains, and key Midlands universities and research institutes.

Talks are also continuing with the Tata Group – owners of Jaguar and Land Rover – over a possible presence on the site.

Highbridge is also finalising proposals for a campus of five buildings totalling over 33,000sq m available for lease or sale. ➜

Advantage West Midlands has already committed over £44 million in on-site and off-site works

coventry central city_issue 3 39

sub-region PROJECTS

There will be seven new zones created at Stoneleigh across 49hectares creating around 1,000 new jobs

40 coventry central city_issue 3

STONELEIGH

Ryton

Stoneleigh Park is the home of the Royal Agricultural Society of England and hosts the Royal Show – and many other visitor attractions – on an annual basis.

It is also host to companies, farming and rural bodies, the National Farmers Union and a hotel and conference centre.

Stoneleigh has outline planning consent for plans to transform the park, which currently employs 600 staff and attracts around 750,000 visitors a year, into a major visitor attraction and research centre for the rural economy.

There will be seven new zones created at the site across 49 hectares, creating around 1,000 new jobs. Areas of speciality will include a farm and rural businesses centre, a bio-futures centre and technology park, a food technology centre, a food and countryside centre, a national equine centre, conference and exhibition space and a technology and transfer hub. A new 200-bed hotel will also be created.

Advantage West Midlands (AWM) has purchased 10 hectares of the site and in return will pay for new accesses to be installed from the A46. The contract for the access improvements is likely to be granted this year.

AWM, Coventry City Council, Warwickshire County Council, Warwick District Council, Government Office for the West Midlands and Coventry, Solihull and Warwickshire Partnership are all actively involved in the project.

The former home of Peugeot is another significant site for the future of Coventry and Warwickshire.

Perfectly located just off the A45 with excellent links to the M45, M1, M69 and M6 motorways, it is seen as a key employment site on the border of the city and the county – meaning its development will have a significant bearing on both Coventry and Warwickshire.

The site was acquired by Trenport Investments and Ryton Properties and planning applications have been submitted to Rugby Borough Council for the 48 hectares of brownfield land for either manufacturing or distribution purposes.

Internationally renowned developer Prologis also has a stake in the site and has submitted a planning application for a number of units.

It is anticipated that around 3,000 new jobs could be created on the site once it is complete.

BELOW: Stoneleigh Park plans include exhibition space.

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MARKETS

David Gray gives us the lowdown on Coventry’s residential, office, leisure and retail sectors

vital statistics BUILDING ON A STRONG POSITION Coventry has considerable economic strengths to withstand the current downturn and continue the growing revival it has enjoyed since the mid-1990s.

The city occupies a prime location, its population is well qualified and there is a wide range of private and public-sector employment in the area.

Earnings in the city in 2008 were £484 per week, above the national average of £479 and considerably above the West Midlands figure of £449. Its population of 306,700 (2007) includes 156,900 (2008) who are economically active. The unemployment rate in October 2008 was 3.6%, slightly above the regional tally of 3.4%, but with proportionally fewer young people out of work.

Coventry has a higher level of employment in public services, education and health (32%) than either the national average (27%) or the rest of the West Midlands (26%). Almost one in five people work in finance, IT and business services, compared to 18% elsewhere in the region.

Almost 6% of the city’s workforce were self-employed in 2008. There is a healthy rate of business start-ups. New businesses in Coventry are more likely to register for VAT than start-ups regionally or nationally – in 2007, 800 start-ups registered for VAT, out of a total 6,745 businesses in the city. ➜

coventry central city_issue 3 43

MARKETS

£2,445 million A major increase in the number of homes is needed – 24,000 new households are projected for the city by 2015

Residential market Coventry’s residential market has been underpinned by a high and growing level of owner-occupation – rising from 69% of households in 2001 to almost 73% by the end of 2006. Social rented housing, by contrast, is lower than that in many other English cities – 16% in 2006.

While the city saw some fall in property prices in the past year, Coventry has managed to avoid the problems of oversupply faced in Leeds, Birmingham and many other cities where there has been a drop in the price of new flats.

Although prices are relatively stable, the city remains more affordable for homebuyers than Leeds, Birmingham or Nottingham. The average property price in October 2008 was £120,111 according to Land Registry figures.

According to Harvey Williams, the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors spokesman for Coventry and Warwickshire: “The local residential market has been less severely affected in the downturn than probably three-quarters of the other regions in the UK”.

Recovery depends, in his view, less on demand than on mortgage availability. “There’s a huge pent-up demand just underneath the surface, but what’s not available is mortgage funding,” he says.

Coventry’s regeneration is giving a big boost to housing provision, especially in the city centre. Several major developments are scheduled for completion by the end of 2010, by which time the credit situation should have eased and new jobs created will support new housing demand.

The Belgrade Plaza and Earlsdon Park developments, despite delays, are on track to be finished within three years. Looking further ahead, work at Paragon Park and New Stoke Village, as well as the comprehensive redevelopment of the Swanswell area, are scheduled to start from 2010.

A major increase in the number of homes is needed – 24,000 new households are projected for the city by 2015, at least 6,000 in the city centre. While the downturn may delay delivery, a significant start has been made. Over 2,100 homes were completed between April 2006 and March 2008 and, despite a worsening economic climate, almost 600 homes were under construction in mid-2008.

INDUSTRIAL AND DISTRIBUTION Coventry’s location has long made it very attractive for distribution.

The city’s industrial and warehouse sector is well developed, with a good network of business parks and industrial estates. Despite the downturn, demand remains strong for small and medium-sized units on parks and estates.

Out of town developments include ProLogis Park near junction three of the M6. This has 1.5 million sq ft of completed space and is also now offering design-and-build plots.

Warehouse space is widely available at a cost of £5.50-£6.50 per sq ft.

OFFICES

Average home prices Building type

Detached

Semi-detached

Terrace

Flats/maisonettes

All types

£276,219

£149,756

£105,158

£93,627

£120,111

Source: Land Registry – October 2008

44 coventry central city_issue 3

Coventry’s office market has traditionally lacked Grade A space.

The shortage of high-quality space in the city centre means that rents have been holding firm during 2008, with Grade A offices achieving £16-£18 per sq ft, which is still considerably less than in Birmingham.

According to Myles Mackie, corporate research co-ordinator for Coventry City Council, the national downturn is having an impact, but “several significant deals are still going through – the market is obviously slower but there are developers keen to develop”. Mackie cites the opportunity at the former Marconi works, which have been demolished and are ready for redevelopment. Jerde’s masterplan for the city centre identifies locations for new office space, all Grade A. In Mackie’s view, the demand is there and all that is now required is an unlocking of the present funding log jam. Negotiations are currently being held with several potential occupiers for a prelet at the Friargate scheme

33% that is set to create a new business quarter delivering 2 million sq ft of Grade A office space near the central railway station.

One area where Coventry is showing considerable strength is relocation, attracting incomers from both public and private sectors.

Severn Trent Water is consolidating its regional operations in new offices at St John’s and the building was bottomed out in January 2009. Ericsson is moving several of its research and development offices to the Ansty Business Park in 2009, while Home Delivery Network has recently chosen Ryton to bring together much of its UK operations.

Large public-sector relocations are expected to boost the city’s office market, there are 32 public sector bodies currently located in the city employing 32,000-33,000 people, and a number of key companies are currently considering Coventry as a possible relocation destination. Not surprising given that Coventry is listed as fifth key destination in the government’s relocation programme.

RETAIL Coventry has underperformed as a retail and leisure centre for many years, despite being a major urban centre with a relatively affluent catchment area. But this means the city has huge opportunities to close the gap through retail-led regeneration – the target is 680,000sq ft of additional retail floorspace in the city by 2015.

Analysis by Mosaic suggests the city’s shopping offer currently has a low 33% retention rate among the catchment population and Experian ranks it 41st in 2008 among UK shopping centres although it is the 11th largest city in Britain.

However, this is a rise from 43rd

position in 2007, and the improvement is a sign of how Coventry is making strides to improve its retail attractions.

Experian has estimated the total retail spending in the city in 2008 to be £2,445 million, comprising over £1.5 million on comparison shopping and £881 million on food and convenience shopping.

Retail rents in Coventry remain below those in most other centres in the Midlands, but they moved upward in 2008. City centre rents in 2008 were £180 per sq ft, up from £175 in 2007, according to Colliers CRE, while Birmingham and Nottingham rents have remained static at £325 and £245 per sq ft respectively. Coventry had 506 shops in mid-2008, occupying a total of 1,369,800sq ft, according to Experian. The centre of the city had 57 empty shops, a vacancy rate of 11.3%, which is just slightly higher than the UK average.

The city centre made a major improvement to its comparison shopping offer in December 2007 with the opening of IKEA’s first UK in-town outlet. There are already large Debenhams and Marks & Spencer stores in the centre, but the proposed 300,000sq ft extension to West Orchards shopping centre by Morley Fund Management and Modus will help lift Coventry’s retail offer.

LEISURE The city’s leisure facilities, like its retailing, have long been in need of expansion and improvement.

A major step forward came in October 2008 with the topping-out of phase II of the £150 million Belgrade Plaza project in the city centre. The Belgrade Theatre has been upgraded and extended to include a second auditorium and Oakmoor Deeley’s adjacent mixed-use scheme includes hotels, restaurants, bars and a casino.

Coventry: facts and figures Average weekly earnings:.

Coventry £484; West Midlands £449; national £479 POPULATION:.

306,700*, with 156,900 economically active [see note below] UNEMPLOYMENT:.

Coventry 3.6%; West Midlands 3.4% Employment in public sector, education or health:.

Coventry 32%; rest of West Midlands 26%; national 27% Employment in finance, IT and business services:.

Coventry nearly 20%; rest of West Midlands 18% All figures October 2008, except *2007

333,000 The first hotel, Premier Inn, opens this spring and the Radisson Edwardian follows in 2010, while restaurants including Pizza Express and Bella Italia open next summer.

On the cultural side, Coventry’s Transport Museum continues its expansion and opens a new gallery next year. The museum attracted a record 333,000 visitors in 2007-08. The Herbert Art Gallery and Museum’s expansion is also now complete. ❑

coventry central city_issue 3 45

CONTACTS

For more on Coventry’s regeneration, contact Deirdre Fitzhugh, head of inward investment, Coventry City Council on 024 7683 1228 email: deirdre.fitzhugh@coventry.gov.uk 46 coventry central city_issue 3

investing in Coventry

opening doors PROLOGIS PARK COVENTRY

This prestigious Park has created thousands of jobs and has significantly contributed to the regeneration of north Coventry.

Developed on the site of a former colliery, ProLogis Park Coventry has become one of the country’s most successful business parks.

ProLogis has invested £18 million in the road network and on-site rail freight facility to create easy access for everyone based at the Park; logistics operators, manufacturers, office workers and residents alike.

These excellent transport connections combined with ProLogis Park Coventry’s central location and adaptable local workforce has already attracted a variety of high profile occupiers including Tesco, Gefco and Exel.

for latest information please visit

www.prologiscoventry.co.uk