Consultation starts on £50m scheme for old sorting office

We can now have our say on plans to build a £50 million shopping and gym complex on the site of Coventry’s old Bishop Street sorting office.



Developers Barberry have plans for a supermarket, a health club and a big car park on the land, which would be renamed Bishop Gate.

They also want to replace the Canal Basin bridge over the ringroad with a pedestrian crossing link.

Henry Bellfield, director of Barberry Developments, said: “We are working closely with Coventry City Council and hope to finalise in the coming weeks a planning application for a scheme totalling 400,000 square foot to incorporate a supermarket superstore, non-food retail units, a fitness centre and associated on-site car parking.”

“Following the closure of the Royal Mail Sorting Office this part of the city centre is in desperate need of new investment and redevelopment.”

“The plans we are currently working on are hugely exciting and will create hundreds of jobs for local people.”

The consultation period ends on 31st March – the plans are available here.

It all looks very nice, but can the City support such a scheme? Isn't this rather too far out from the city centre?

I sincerely hope that it works out, but must admit to being very sceptical.