Some recent news from the Coventry area for anyone who's been away for a while.
14th May 2008
Coventry, the ninth most populous town in England, no longer has a head post office.
The building in Herford Street, open since 1902, closed today.
Despite widespread public outrage, cutbacks mean the city centre will now be served
by a branch located inside the W H Smith store in the precinct.
26th March 2008
The Jaguar car company was finally sold today to the Indian automotive giant, Tata.
After months of negotiations, Ford, the previous owners, sold the company along with
Land Rover for over one billion pounds, hoping to offset it's loss making US business.
28th March 2007
The Browns Lane plant which was the headquarters of Jaguar Cars for over 50 years
was sold today. The 100 acre size has been bought by an Australian developer who aims to
turn it into a business park. The last vehicles were produced in 2005,
but the wood veneering operation will remain on the site for the time being.
12th December 2006
The last car to be produced at the Peugeot plant at Ryton rolled off the production
line today. The huge plant, covering over 140 acres, produced it's first car in 1946.
It has made vehicles under a variety of names, Humber, Sunbeam, Talbot, Hillman and
Chrysler as well as Peugeot. About 2000 jobs will be lost.
As recently as 1999, Peugeot introduced 7 day working to cope with demand for the 206
model, but the french owners, PSA Peugeot Citroen, say that it's not economical
to produce a new model at the site. Production has been moved to Slovakia.
So after a 110 year history of car production in the Coventry area, now only
LTI, makers of the famous London taxi, remain.
11th July 2006
The first patients were transfered from Coventry & Warwickshire Hospital into the
new hospital at Walsgrave today. The transfer of patients will continue for several
days and then patients will be transferred from the old Walsgrave hospital.
Both the old sites will then be redeveloped. The new building is built on ground
at the rear of the old Walsgrave hospital and is nearly half a
kilometre long and 5 stories high. It has been named the University Hospital and
has over 1200 beds, 27 operating theatres, 7,000 staff and a helicopter pad.
All services should be consolidated at the new hospital by the end of the month.
29th April 2006
H E Phillips, the hardware store in King William St, Hillfields closes after
over 90 years supplying specialist products to customers in Coventry and beyond.
The store opened in 1915 and numbered Winston Churchill amongst it's customers.
It blames the fall in trade on competition from DIY superstores.
20th August 2005
The first game to be played at the new Ricoh Arena, saw the Sky Blues beat QPR 3-0.
Despite having a capacity of 32,000, a crowd of 23,000 watched the game, numbers being
limited as safety checks have yet to be fully completed.
The first game at the stadium was originally arranged for August 6th but had to be
re-scheduled when it became apparent the building work would not be completed.
The stadium facilities include an events hall with a concert capacity of 8,000,
a banqueting hall capable of seating 1,000, a restaurant for 100 diners
and a hotel with 67 rooms, some of which overlook the pitch.
Hopes of a railway station to service the Arena are now abandoned, but plans to get
three quarters of fans to arrive by public transport seem to have worked well.
18th July 2005
The 110 year history of car production in Coventry came to an end today as
the final Jaguar came off the production line at Browns Lane.
Ford have transfered Jaguar production to the plant in Castle Bromwich and
although jobs have been moved both to there and to Aston Martin at Gaydon, over
1000 jobs have been lost.
The Browns Lane site has produced Jaguars since 1951 and at one time was the
city's largest employer. It will however continue as the company headquarters.
30th April 2005
A capacity crowd of 22,700 saw the Sky Blues play their last game at the
Highfield Road stadium and were treated to a goal bonanza when Derby were
beaten 6-2. The first game to be played at the ground was in September 1899,
and since then the statistics read:
| Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals for | Goals against |
| 2281 | 1172 | 541 | 568 | 4363 | 2664 |
26th August 2004
The first game at the new Rugby club stadium at the Butts took place today.
The match, a pre-season friendly, enabled fans to experience the new
facilities of the Butts Park Arena.
The old Coundon Road stadium was home to the club for over 80 years.
24th August 2004
It has been announced that the City College at the Butts, commonly known as
the Tech, is to close. A new college is to be built in the Swanswell area
and is expected to open in 2006. Within a few years both the college at the
Butts and at Tile Hill will then close. The current sites are to be sold
for redevelopment.
15th April 2004
Greyhound racing returned to Brandon today after a £2 million
reburbishment of the stadium facilities. Racing last took place there in 1986
and is scheduled to resume on four days each week.
Speedway racing at the stadium continues.
31st March 2004
Budget flights to various European destinations started operating from the
airport at Baginton today. Thomsonfly, the airline of package tour company
TUI, plan to increase the number of destinations through the summer months.
The service comes amid controversy that the terminal building has
contravened planning procedures, and protestors are trying to have it closed.
25th July 2003
The Massey Ferguson works in Banner Lane, once amongst the largest
tractor factories in the world, closed it's gates for the final time today.
The plant, now owned by the American company Agco, has produced tractors
since 1946 and at it's height employed 8000 workers.
It produced the last of over three million tractors last December.
In recent years a fall in demand and the strong pound
have affected production and manufacturing will be moved to factories
in France and Brazil.
13th April 2003
The poorly regarded White Street coach station closed today. For 30 years
the area under the ring road has served passengers entering or leaving the
city, but it's lack of facilities has long been a criticism.
Coaches will in future use the Pool Meadow bus station.
9th June 2002
Progress towards the creation of a new public square, Millennium Place
at the foot of Trinity Street has necessitated the redesign of the road
junction with Hales/Fairfax Streets, thus affecting nearly all the city's
bus services. Many that formerly used Pool Meadow have now been moved
to other points around the city. Demolition of the Bingo Hall that was
formerly the Hippodrome Theatre is also now nearly complete.
In 1997 the Millennium Commission awarded 10 million pounds
towards the redevelopment from National Lottery funding.
Further contributions from the Council and the private sector will
transform the area between Holy Trinity church and the motor
museum, and should be completed later this year.
17th January 2002
The Royal Navy frigate HMS Coventry has today been decomissioned.
The ship was completed in 1987 but is now considered to be out of date.
It is the sixth ship bearing the name in a line that goes back to 1658.
The previous HMS Coventry was lost in the Falkland Islands conflict.
The warship is one of five type 22 frigates that will be
sold to a 'friendly' country.
10th September 2001
The Thrust SSC record breaking supersonic car was shown for the first time
today in it's new home, the city's Museum of British Road Transport.
The car set a new world land speed record of 763 mph (1225 kph or Mach 1.02)
in October 1997, and later that year thousands of people lined the streets
as it was paraded through the city on a giant trailer as a tribute to the
many local firms that helped in it's construction.
The acquisition by the museum has been aided by a grant of 500,000 pounds
from the heritage lottery fund.
The 17 metre long vehicle joins it's predecessor, Thrust 2, which has been
a star attraction at the museum.
August 2001
The first new double-decker buses for over 12 years have entered service
on the city's routes. All recent buses have been single-deckers and so
the new vehicles in their smart red, white and blue livery dispel fears
that double-deckers might soon disappear from the city. The vehicles are
manufactured by Dennis, part of the Mayflower Corporation which has a
plant in Coventry.
27th February 2001
The new Cathedral was damaged by a serious fire this morning. A cleaner
first spotted the blaze at 8am in the basement and the building was soon
evacuated. Over 70 firefighters tackled the blaze and kept it from
spreading beyond the undercroft. However there is concern that the smoke
that filled the main building may have damaged the Sutherland tapestry.
The building was not protected by fire alarms and a public appeal has
been made to rectify this situation.
27th January 2001
The C&A store in the lower precinct closed it's doors for the last time
today. The chain is closing all it's stores in the UK due to falling
profits. It is hoped that another retailer will fill the premises
before the completion of the lower precinct reburbishment in October.
13th July 2000
The first phase of the controversial Phoenix Initiative plan to transform
the area at the junction of Trinity Street and Hales Street has opened.
The Garden of International Friendship adjacent to the Lady Herbert's
Garden was unveiled by the Lord Mayor at a ceremony today.
22nd April 2000
The Coventry area now has 8 digit phone numbers. The city is one of
several regions including London to be given new area codes. The former
01203 code has become 024 and the old 6-figure numbers are prefixed
with 76.
18th April 2000
Coventry's ice skaters had the opportunity to show their skills at
the city's new ice rink which opened today. Skaters have waited
many years since the plan for an ice rink in the city was first
proposed.
The 4200 seater Arena which is part of the recently opened SkyDome
leisure complex is designed to be used as a part time rink. It opened
to the public on April 15th for a basketball event and the site has been
chosen for a series of matches by the English Basketball Association.
It is also hoped that pop bands will also be booked to appear at the
venue in future.
21st October 1999
The SkyDome leisure centre in Croft Road opened it's doors today.
The complex is built on the site of the old Spon Street GEC works
and includes an indoor arena, nightclub and restaurants. There is
also a nine-screen Odeon cinema.
23rd April 1999
At a protracted meeting of the Coventry Health Authority it
was decided that the new unified hospital for the city will be
built at Walsgrave. This was chosen because of possible
difficulties in developing a city centre site, which was the
preferred option of the City Council. The 200 million pound
project is not expected to be completed for at least five
years.
15th December 1998
The secondary school for girls, Lyng Hall, has been officially
reopened following a 3.5 million pound rebuild. The new school,
designed to accommodate 780 pupils, has been rebuilt on a site
next to the old school.
4th October 1998
City Centre stores have got together to launch seven day trading
from this Sunday. More than 80 shops have agreed to the plan in
an effort to compete with out-of-town shopping parks.
26th September 1998
Jimmy Hill returned to Coventry today to vist a bookshop in the
city centre. Crowds gathered at Waterstones (formerly Dillons)
to catch a glimpse of the former Sky Blues manager who was
signing copies of his autobiography "The Jimmy Hill Story".
Earlier this year, Jimmy left the BBC to take up a new job with
Sky TV at the age of 70.
7th September 1998
Councillors have relaxed their rules which insist that the City's
black cabs should be black. Any colour will be permitted and cabs
will also be able to carry advertisments. In many cities other
colours have been allowed for some years but the favourite
remains black.
7th July 1998
Parcelforce, part of the British Post Office, announces plans to
build a pair of giant distribution hubs at Coventry Airport. They
will cover about 400,000 square feet and be capable of handling
40,000 items an hour. The project, planned to be completed by the
end of 1999, is said to be the largest distribution depot in Europe.
24th June 1998
One of Coventry's largest employers, GPT, formerly GEC Plessey
Telecommunications, is to become part of Marconi Communications.
The company is a world leader in digital telecommunications and
employs over 3000 staff at it's plants in the city.
18th June 1998
The demolition of the landmark Gulson Hospital chimney completes the
preparation for the building of a new library for Coventry University
(formerly the Lanchester College). The new high-tech building is
expected to be dubbed 'Coventry Castle' with it's array of turrets
which form part of the ventilation system. The library is expected to
open in 2000. The main building of the Victorian Hospital remains.
16th April 1998
The famous bronze statue of Lady Godiva on horseback in Broadgate
has been given Grade II listed status by the Heritage Minister.
The ruling prevents any change to the monument which affects it's
character. Last December the central swimming baths which date
from 1966 were also surprisingly listed as Grade II status for
their "architectural merit", a move opposed by the City Council
who had planned to redevelop the sports centre.
| Gone but not forgotten: | ||
|---|---|---|
| May 2005 | Highfield Road stadium | Site re-developed for housing |
| Jul 2001 | Former Coventry Theatre | Demolished due to the Millennium Square development |
| May 2000 | Fishy Moore's restaurant | Closed due to the Millennium Square development |
| 1999 | Odeon cinema, Jordan Well | Formerly the Gaumont, closed; building bought by Coventry University |
| 1999 | Lynes rambling and camping store | Closed due to declining trade |
| 1999 | Alvis, military vehicle maker | Production moved to Telford |
| 1998 | Davies sports shop | Closed due to declining trade |
| 1998 | Akzo Nobel, Lockhurst Lane | Formerly Courtaulds Fibres, closed; work transfered to Derbyshire |
| 1997 | Matterson's department store | Closed; premises became part of the Motor Museum |
| 1996 | Owen Owen department store | Became Allders, closed in 2005, now Primark |
| 1993 | Wickman's, Banner Lane | Bankruptcy |
| 1992 | Coventry Gauge and Tool | Became Matrix Churchill then bankrupt |
| 1983 | Alfred Herbert, Edgewick | Bankruptcy |
| GEC works, Spon Street | Now SkyDome entertainment centre | |
| Standard Triumph works, Canley | Now Sainsburys store | |
| Morris Engines, Courthouse Green | Now Sainsburys store | |
| Alvis works, Holyhead Road | Now retail shopping park |
| My other Coventry interest pages: | ||
|---|---|---|
| Car makers | Corporation buses | Cinemas |
Some other City related links:
The Coventry and Warwickshire site
The Coventry Evening Telegraph
Mercia FM with local news via RealAudio
The Coventry FC site and the Sky Blue Army site
The Museum of British Road Transport
Live webcams: City skyline from Bablake school, Bull Yard, Coventry University and Cathedral and Warwick University
Belgrade Theatre now with online booking
John W McSparron, Coventry, UK.