Cultural scheme could provide £185m boost to Coventry – Coventry City Council

Exciting strategies for the establishment of a fresh cultural centre in the city centre of Coventry, which may help improve the economy of the area, are planned to take multiple noteworthy actions in the upcoming months.

The development of the old IKEA structure into a significant cultural icon, containing amenities for locals and tourists alike, is scheduled to commence during the summer.

At present, the City Centre Cultural Gateway project is in motion and involves multiple entities, including Coventry City Council, Arts Council England, the British Council, Arts Council Collection, and CV Life. Additionally, Coventry University will contribute to the initiative and will utilize two levels of the facility.

The future plans will be deliberated at a gathering of Coventry City Council's Cabinet on March 12, where they will provide additional information.

A document that will be reviewed by council members indicates that a preliminary, overarching analysis suggests that the implementation of the plan may create short-term work opportunities for those involved in construction, as well as permanent positions in fields such as arts, culture, tourism, and hospitality.

According to their forecast, implementing this scheme could result in a Gross Value Added (GVA) of £185 million for the area of Coventry and the West Midlands over the course of ten years.

Assuming that the Council and our partners give their approval, we plan to commence construction work in the Summer of 2024 and wrap it up by the end of the following Summer in 2025.

The new building will provide an opportunity for collaborators to establish an area that can be utilized in many different manners. The renovated structure will accommodate a diverse range of activities such as storage areas for collections, working spaces for artists, and post-production places for filming. It will also feature exhibition spaces and a café for the general public.

Next week, Cabinet members will review a report that provides details on the project's progress. They will also consider allowing external organizations to utilize the former car park situated on the first and second floors of the building provided that there is ample interest.

Councillor David Welsh, who is in charge of housing and community matters, expressed his joy at the prospect of beginning construction on this magnificent project, which will bring together national partners such as Arts Council England, Arts Council Collection, and the British Council, to Coventry. The City Centre Cultural Gateway is set to be an outstanding addition to our city, available for use by both residents and visitors alike, along with industry professionals.

The plan to revive the city will bring a fresh perspective to the area. Despite the financial struggles that this council, and others, may be going through, this effort proves our determination and eagerness to enhance the city.

We must keep moving forward, and this plan is just the beginning of what we can accomplish. It has the power to bring great benefits to the city and open up doors for countless individuals.

The transformation of the building is going to have a good impact on our city because it has endless possibilities and we are excited to show this together with our partners.

The various levels of the building serve unique and thrilling purposes. We anticipate that it will transform into a lively setting, where individuals can engage in work, education, and leisure activities, all while continuing to oversee collections of great importance to the country.

"I'm excited to keep everyone updated on the advancements made during the building process in the coming year and a half."

The first level of the building will have a place for reception and a cafe that anyone can go to. CV Life is moving the vintage vehicles that belong to the Council and are kept in storage to the first level. At the same time, they are shifting the social history, human history, and archaeological artefacts to other areas in the building that will manage collections more broadly. This is going to help people to have more access to these collections and they can visit them as part of organised trips.

The collection storage area will be shifted to the third floor, where the ceilings will be twice as high. Meanwhile, the fourth floor will primarily serve as office space for the staff.

Floors five and six are going to be taken up by Coventry University. They plan to establish a Cultural Hub, which would include a range of amenities for pupils, tourists, and the neighboring residents.

More details regarding the collaborators and the undertaking.