Demolition for city revamp set for new year

Council Leader George Duggins said a completion date of 2034 was realistic despite the delays

Demolition work to clear the way for a delayed overhaul of Coventry city centre will start early next year, the leader of the local authority has said.

George Duggins said the £450m City Centre South development would be delivered and was "on course to start in the new year".

There are plans to knock down a number of old buildings to make way for new shops, restaurants, open public space and almost 1,000 homes.

The work was expected to start this year, but Duggins insisted the regeneration scheme had not been delayed.

"You’ll see demolition taking place, because before you actually build a development you’ve got to clear the ground,” the leader of the Labour-run council told BBC CWR.

The makeover covers areas including the City Arcade, Bull Yard and Market Way, with Hertford House and Barracks multi-storey car park among the buildings set to go.

It has been four years since initial planning permission for the regeneration scheme was approved

Only a handful of businesses remain open in those parts of the city centre, with many shops along the high street lying empty.

A halal shop in the Bull Yard is one of the last remaining businesses in the area.

One of the staff there said the council had given the business until January to leave.

"It’s very sad for us," he said. "We're going to lose many customers."

The first phase of the development will create 991 apartments

It has been four years since initial planning permission for the regeneration scheme was approved in 2020.

The plan has since been redesigned in response to changing shopping habits and a commitment to deliver 20% affordable homes.

When asked if the completion date of 2034 was realistic given the delays, the council leader said: "Yes I would think so."

Duggins added: "We’re now in a position where we believe City Centre South is viable."

Almost £150m has been invested in the project so far, with £32m coming from the city council, and £113m from West Midlands Combined Authority.

Many units on the high street are currently empty