Coventry is no worse or better than any city in this country. Admittedly there is nicer shopping areas. Even Leamington and Solihull offers better shops.
Coventry is changing, but at a slow pace. The two shopping developments are incredibly important, especially the one close to the station as around there is shabby. Considering the station is where most people arrive from, it's not a good start.
Birmingham is worse. Although the shopping areas are superb, they are too busy.
Stoke-on-trent is worse than Coventry too.
I did like Norwich and York on previous visits. The centres are excellent for shopping and leisure.
I love Norwich,brilliant shopping and has so much character.It has the lanes an area of cobbled alleyways full of small independent shops plus two indoor new precincts. I have lived here for 18 months and go to Norwich a lot and always enjoy the outings and the people are friendly,we'll the ones I have met.
One last point why is this thread not in the off topic thread,as I feel a little gay talking about shopping in a supposed manly thread
Sorry mate but disagree with that i'm afraid. Part of the area I cover for work is Warwickshire and a lot of the people I come across are stuck up their own arseholes who think that people from Cov are shit on their shoe, wouldn't want to be associated with them at all. I'm quite happy with Cov to be honest, it's got bags of history and if people don't like the concrete jungle then there are other nicer things to look at. When people ask me where i'm from I say Coventry and don't feel the need to add Warwickshire on the end. Milton Keynes, now that place is middle of the road. Besides, there is not many other places who can boast they have a cathedral to spare! The only downside to Coventry for me is that it couldn't be any further from the fooking sea, which is a pain in the arse when I want to go surfing (yes Longboy, I'll even mention it on here!)
Despite all this Nottingham is listed as one of the poorest Cities in England along with Leicester whilst Coventry doesn't make the list !
Most people associate cities with its centre. I've lived in Nottingham and it has significant areas of deprivation but has a large and thriving centre which hosts numerous retail outlets and a thriving nightlife.
Leicester and Birmingham councils have worked tirelessly to improve its centres and they are streets ahead of Coventry's. By contrast Coventry has see little attempt by its council at serious redevelopment. It took years to even attract a coffee chain here. There are no exclusive outlets or superior large stores. I had the misfortune to go the other week and meandered down to the arcade area and up to the canopy area where hmv once sat. Jesus, its a hell hole of pound shops, pawn brokers and general tat.
Solihull was a drab 60's precinct before touchwood.
You need inspiration, bravery and vision from your council. When iron lung Mucas croaked that Coventry is sleeping giant you wouldn't know wether to laugh or cry.
The city centre is an embarrassment and a disgrace.
Agree with a lot of this. Solihull (Touchwood) is light years ahead of anything in Coventry. Somehow Leamington has mamnaged to maintain a charm and individuality that attracts shoppers.
How has Coventry fallen so far behind?
On topic, the only reason I ever visit the city centre is for Ikea. The rest of it is shite and nothing that you can't find in surrounding towns.
Losing half the traditional architecture can't help,which suggests they messed up the re-build with Corbussiere Style replacements ,they may look great in a spacious sunny Climate ,but in the grey of an urban City such as ours or Sheffields,just leave the Impression you're In Prison.
On topic on a thread that's not football related on a football forum
There are plans to take the roof off Cathedral Lanes and turn it in to an Arcadian (Birmingham) style food. drink units...and opening the view again to the cathedral - with the front units having outside areas onto Broadgate.
Sell the Ricoh and plough the proceeds into the city centre?
On topic, the only reason I ever visit the city centre is for Ikea. The rest of it is shite and nothing that you can't find in surrounding towns.
The only downside to Coventry for me is that it couldn't be any further from the fooking sea, which is a pain in the arse when I want to go surfing (yes Longboy, I'll even mention it on here!)
Agree about losing half the architecture. My late father aways said that the council did more damage to Coventry than the German Air Force ever managed to do.
Apologies to anyone who lost relatives during the Coventry air raids.
does that upset you mate? happens to be a place where there are a lot of coventrians...doesn't all have to be about SISU and the council which is where every single thread ends up anyway
Amen to that. I love my home city, even though I sadly live down the road near Rugby which has a shocking town centre, but just wish we were nearer to the sea.
There are plans to take the roof off Cathedral Lanes and turn it in to an Arcadian (Birmingham) style food. drink units...and opening the view again to the cathedral - with the front units having outside areas onto Broadgate.
Cathedral Lanes is an appalling eyesore, OK its better than the temporary shops that were there many years ago, but obscures the cathedral.
The original architects vision for a clear view from the bottom of the precinct to the old cathedral spire got fucked up many moons ago by allowing shops and stupid elevators to be built in the way..
How can it be that Cathedral Lanes was built without public support? (Probably an obvious answer that would invite libel).
As for that elevator, there are no words.
However, good to see that successive Labour councils have kept with the original vision by ensuring that no buildings are obscured by trees.
Btw, is that an artist's impression of a young Jimmy Saville in the foreground on the right?
Which successive Labour Councils?
Party in control Years
Labour 1973 - 1978
Conservative 1978 - 1979
Labour 1979 - 2003
No overall control 2003 - 2006
Conservative 2006 - 2008
No overall control 2008 - 2010
Labour 2010–present
I stand corrected: successive labour councils over the 30 years up to the turn of the century, excepting the year when fascism was in vogue.
Presumably you are happy with every Council decision taken in the years 2003 to 2010?
Cathedral Lanes is an appalling eyesore, OK its better than the temporary shops that were there many years ago, but obscures the cathedral.
The original architects vision for a clear view from the bottom of the precinct to the old cathedral spire got fucked up many moons ago by allowing shops and stupid elevators to be built in the way..
Who on earth ever thought it would be a good idea to obscure the view of the Cathedral by sticking a tacky bulding like Cathedral Lanes in the way?
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