Coventry Live

Here are three stories from the Coventry Telegraph today:

• Council building forced to close for deep clean, external
• Artist's social distancing work to be displayed, external
• Man arrested after police discover plans for illegal rave, external

Coventry's cycling champion is hoping to lead a pedalling revolution in the city.

The cost of cremations in the UK has continued to rise despite reduced services on offer during the pandemic.

A 27-year-old man has been treated for a serious head injury after been hit with a glass bottle in a road rage attack in Warwick.

Warwickshire Police said it happened on Saturday evening, on the slip road of the M40.

Image source, Google

The force said two cars pulled over and one couple got out of their car to attack another couple.

Local Democracy Reporting Service

A new operator is wanted for the Priory Visitor Centre in Coventry in time for it becoming UK City of Culture next year.

The centre, which features history exhibits, closed in 2019. It's built in the ruins of the city's first cathedral, which was uncovered in 1999 after an archaeological investigation by the city council and Channel Four's Time Team programme.

Image source, Google

Carole Donnelly, a founding director of the last group to run the centre, Coventry Priory CIC, said it was "the heart of the city centre", but warned it needed money to pay for things like security and lighting.

Coventry Live

Some of the Coventry Live headlines today include:

• Business 'caught' running in back garden without planning permission gets go ahead, external
• Buzz Bingo in Coventry announces re-opening date, external
• Hospital trying to prevent another Covid-19 outbreak, external

Peter Plisner
BBC Midlands Today

A new fleet of pure electric buses has taken to the roads of Birmingham and Coventry for the first time.

It's part of a major investment by bus company National Express, which has pledged to switch totally to zero-emission vehicles over the next decade.

A change in the law has also cleared the way for electric scooters to be legally ridden on the roads.

The West Midlands is one of several areas taking part in a year-long trial, which it's hoped will initially take the pressure off public transport while social distancing is still in place.

Three people have been arrested after a car containing suspected stolen goods was intercepted and stopped by officers on the M40 in Warwickshire at the weekend.

Image source, Warwickshire Police

The vehicle was linked to high value Shop lifting offences in Rugby, said Warwickshire Police.

The car and property shown was recovered, the force added.

A stuck kitten has been rescued after climbing into the engine of a car in Warwickshire this morning.

Image source, Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service

Image source, Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service

Crews removed the wheel of the car and were able to rescue the cat unharmed, said Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service.

The incident happened on Common Lane, in Kenilworth just after 07:20.

Heidi Crowter married partner James Carter in Coventry on Saturday but guests were limited to 30.

Local Democracy Reporting Service
Tom Davis

A Coventry hotel is to receive a £1m rescue package from the city council to offset coronavirus lockdown pressures.

Image source, Google

Council Leader George Duggins said the loan to Coombe Abbey Hotel would “ensure the future” of the council-owned hotel while the hospitality sector struggles with losses from the pandemic.

The move was approved by council chief executive Martin Reeves through emergency powers meaning the decision was not publicly debated by councillors.

It has sparked criticism that the decision was pushed through without scrutiny and has been branded a "taxpayer bailout" by the Conservative opposition group.

The council purchased the hotel for a reported £11m in 2017 and handed it previous help such as a £1.95m loan last year to facilitate a GoApe assault course.