As the new striking Severn Trent Operations Centre nears completion on the site between Much Park Street, St John's Street and the Ring Road the Coventry Society asks, what is to become of Much Park Street and the former Greyhound Pub?

When Severn Trent's plans were unveiled it was proposed that the development consist of two phases: Phase I being the 7 storey modern building that is now rapidly taking shape; and Phase II being a development of 2-3 storey buildings fronting Much Park Street. This latter phase was designed to complement the historic buildings which front Much Park Street including the statutorily listed Gatehouse to Whitefriars Monastery/Toy Museum (Grade II*), the neighbouring medieval ruin (Grade II) and the locally listed Greyhound Pub. 

Severn Trent acquired the Greyhound Pub in August 2008 and since that time it has been used as a site office for the construction of the Operations Centre. But no clear expression of intent has been unveiled by Severn Trent or its development partner, Stoford Developments Limited, as to what will become of the Greyhound after construction work on the Operations Centre has been completed. One possible future is that the building will be demolished.

In the last 6 months Coventry has lost two important historic pubs in its city centre, namely the Hope & Anchor on Whitefriars Street and the former Peacock on Gosford Street. It would be a great shame to lose another. The Greyhound is an early Victorian building, possibly late Georgian, and it is exceptional that it survived the destruction reaped on Much Park Street during the Blitz. The Coventry Society argues that it should be restored and reused. The Severn Trent Operations Centre is set to bring 1,700 jobs to the city centre and these employees, together with the existing staff in the neighbouring Civic Centre and Combined Court buildings, will surely generate a demand for cafes, bars, restaurants and retail. The Greyhound, together with a small development of mixed use buildings adjoining the site, could help meet this demand.

The Coventry Society is not alone in its views on the need to retain the Greyhound Pub. We have approached SAVE Britain's Heritage, the Victorian Society and other agencies who support our campaign to preserve and re-use the Greyhound. The Chairman of the Coventry Society recently appeared on BBC Coventry & Warwickshire radio to discuss the issue.

The Coventry Society believes that the Much Park Street area has good potential for small scale development in Coventry which could help breathe some life into this neglected part of the city centre. What could be more impressive than a tall modern building forming the backdrop to beautifully restored and re-used historic architectural gems? 

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