The Coventry Society has an exciting programme of visits over the summer. Starting on Monday 14th May we are travelling to Berkeswell to look at the village, the Church and the village museum courtesy of the Berkswell Civic Society. On Monday 18th June we are visiting Kenilworth, courtesy of the Kenilworth HIstory and Archeology Society and on Saturday 23rd June we are travelling to Wolston. Meeting details are shown on the meetings page. Visits are open to non members for a small charge.   more

Plans have been revealed to convert the former Waring and Gillow furniture shop / Yates Winebar on the corner of Hay Lane and High Street into a "Spar" supermarket. This has raised a lot of questions in the city and has been covered by the Coventry Telegraph. Is it an appropriate use of this building in such a sensitive area? Does it add to the value of the Cathedral Area Conservation Area? Is it a suitable location so close to the listed buildidngs in High Street, Hay Lane and the Council House? Will it havea proper window display or just be pasted with dayglow stickers? What do you think?   more

For many years Coventry Society has been pushing for more small independent traders in the city, to provide variety, choice and a personal service that the big companies often fail to achieve. While small traders are being squeezed out of the town centre not so far away are two new 'villages' that have been created. The first is "Fargo Village" in Far Gosford Street, where over the past few years timber framed buildings and redundant buildings have been given a new life. The former 'Hand and Heart' pub is now a Vintage Clothing Shop with flats above and is waiting to have a restaurant or food outlet move into the other half of the downstairs area. A group of shops have started trading from some of the wonderful Tudor timber framed buildings. One of them is 'Wicced' an alternative gift and fashion shop that was opened by Pauline Black a singer from the famous 'Selector' hit group.   more

Civic Voice has asked us to join a sector wide campaign requesting the Government to reverse its proposed decision to remove 'VAT relief on alterations to listed buildings'. Up to now approved alterations to listed buildings have been exempt from VAT. That has meant 'altered listed buildings have not had to pay VAT on their work at 20%. A building is altered when its fabric, such as walls, roof, internal surfaces, floors, stairs, windows, doors, plumbing and wiring is changed in a meaningful way. Think Charterhouse or Drapers' Hall.   more

As Coventry University's new Engineering and Computing building nears an opening date, it completes an impressive line of buildings that stretch from Gosford Street to Gulson Road. The new building with its zig-zag leaning elevations on the Gulson Road Hospital site, contrasts with the familiar towers of the University Library and the William Morris Building. Over the years the university has outgrown the old college building of the 1960s and recent developments have seen the building of a new student block and now this new Engineering and Computing Building . To make this happen, first the University had to build a multiple level car park in Gosford Street leaving the old car park opposite the Ellen Terry Building (the old Odeon Cinema) to be built on it. As part of the plan the 1960's engineering building was taken down to make extra space. Then it was possible to build the 'Hub', a building that caters for the student's social and leisure needs. This opened for the start of this students year.   more

A watchful eye is being kept on one of Coventry's most historic public houses, the Black Horse at Spon End, after its owners Punch Taverns, had it de-listed.   more

On a cold and windy day at the end of April a group of 50 members of the Civic Society from St. Ives near Cambridge spent the day with us in Coventry. Four Society members took them on a tour of the Black Swan Terrace and then via Spon Street to look at the city centre, with talks about the planning history of the city.   more

In response to plans unveiled for the redevelopment of the southern section of the city centre and following consultation with its members, the Society has submitted its comments to the City Council. This is an extract from the full response submitted by our Secretary: We are largely in support of current proposals for City Centre South and welcome the reconfiguration and 'opening up' of areas including Market Way, Shelton Square and the Bull Yard that are tired and in urgent need of regeneration.   more