People baffled as wall built around historic stone in city centre

The council has enclosed the Levelling Stone on three sides to help protect it



A piece of local history has been protected by Coventry City Council.

As part of the regeneration of the Upper Precinct in Coventry , the Grade II listed Levelling Stone has been repaired and restored by Skillingtons who is one of the leading building conservation, repair, and restoration companies in the UK.

First unveiled in 1946, the Levelling Stone is symbolic of the regeneration of the city following the considerable damage to the city centre following bombardment during the Second World War.

But people were left scratching their heads when a picture was posted on social media showing the stone being enclosed on three sides. There was a lot of speculation as to why the walls had been built.

CoventryLive asked the city council what was behind the move.

Councillor Jim O'Boyle visited the area when the Levelling Stone was being moved as part of the regeneration of the Upper Precinct.

Mr O'Boyle explained that the Levelling Stone was originally placed in front of jewellery store Ernest Jones but has since moved and undergone repairs and restoration work.

Stone conservator at Skillingtons, Emma Teale, said: "Initially, we took up the inscription panel surrounding the Levelling Stone. We took it back to our workshop and repaired the stones that had cracked.

"We have then come back to the site and repaired the actual Levelling Stone itself."

It has since been protected and enclosed on three sides to prevent pedestrians from walking on the historical stone as well as to stop vehicles from driving over it.

A spokesperson for Coventry City Council said, “Our work in the Upper Precinct and the removal of the ramp and jewellery shop really opened up the setting of the original levelling stone – part of the post-war redevelopment.

“It’s a special bit of our history and in order to protect, we have used the same materials as the nearby planters to enclose it on three sides. This will mean it is walked over less and can’t be driven over by the occasional vehicles that need access to the area.”

I suspect a lot of people will be tripping over it?