Medieval flat empty over antisocial behaviour

Jennifer Rutte from the Historic Coventry Trust said it had lost revenue for 18 months because of the issues.

A medieval gatehouse which has been converted into luxury accommodation has been lying empty because of antisocial behaviour.

Jennifer Rutte is the manager of the Historic Coventry Trust, which looks after Cook Street Gate, and says it has lost revenue for more than 18 months because of drug users.

It was converted by the Trust in 2020 for visitors to stay in and is one of the ways it generates income for its other projects.

West Midlands Police said they were aware of antisocial behaviour and drug dealing in and around Lady Herbert's Garden.

Visitors who have been staying in the luxury accommodation are being harassed by drug users

The Historic Coventry Trust converted a number of medieval properties for visitors to use as part of Coventry's year as City of Culture in 2021, including a terrace of 15th-century timber-framed cottages on Priory Row.

But Ms Rutte said the ongoing antisocial behaviour around the Cook Street Gate property meant they had had to stop letting it out.

"Cook Street is one of the two remaining gates of the medieval city wall of Coventry. So it was built in 1385 thereabouts and it was restored and renovated by Historic Coventry Trust," she said.

"But probably for the last year to 18 months we've had issues with people getting over the gate and going up to the front door, knocking on the door, and there's evidence of drug use on the stairs."

Cook Street Gate is one of two medieval gates from the original city wall which still exists

'Mini Castle'

Although the property was intended to be used as short-term luxury visitor accommodation, the ongoing issues with antisocial behaviour mean the trust is now looking at leasing it out over a longer term.

Ms Rutte said: "The trust is depending on these visitor properties to bring in revenue to maintain the properties themselves, but also to add income to the trust to help us preserve other properties that are not bringing in income in the same way.

"People love the property. It's just amazing to be in a 14th-Century gatehouse but you've got this sort of luxury space around you.

'We had a stone mason working for us earlier in the year and he couldn't believe that he was being put up in a mini castle. It's lovely."

West Midlands Police said a Public Space Protection Order was issued in June this year which specifically mentioned drug dealing.

"We are continuing our work with Coventry City Council and other partners to listen to the concerns of residents and businesses. Anyone with concerns around anti-social behaviour and crime can report them directly to us," the force said.

"Earlier this month, weapon sweeps in Lady Herbert's Garden recovered three weapons, with a number of key arrests made for drug and weapon offences."