Former Yates's wine bar could become Spar supermarket

[dutchman]

A late-night Spar shop could be opened in Coventry's former Yates's wine bar, a listed building close to the cathedral.



Bosses at the grocery chain have put forward plans to open a store in the cobbled streets of the city’s cathedral quarter in the former Yates’s wine bar on the corner of High Street and Hay Lane.

The plan has already sparked outrage among some people who say it is inappropriate in a conservation area – but others say it would be better than an empty building.

The historic building - which was once a Waring and Gillow furniture store -has been vacant for more than three years since Yates’s left.

Public notices have been put up near the site outlining Spar’s proposal to open the store from 6am until 11pm.

People are being invited to have a say as part of a public consultation.

Click here to read Red Button on plans for the former Yates's wine bar

Colin Walker, treasurer for the Coventry Society heritage group, said: “Several members of the society have been outraged by the plans.

“The world is run by big money and things like this will go ahead but I don’t think it’s a positive step.

“Hay Lane is a beautiful little street and to have a supermarket there would have a negative impact on the overall appearance of the area.

“We remember when it used to be a furnishing store – it was a great shame when we lost that shop.

“If the supermarket goes ahead there should be restrictions to make sure there are no garish signs all over the shop.

“We will be discussing the plans at a meeting in the next few weeks on how we tackle the matter.”

The conversion would involve the demolition of an internal wall and a chimney breast, along with a series of alterations to the Grade II listed building.

Spar’s proposal also outlines plans to replace windows with shutters and the existing timber doors in High Street, which would become the store’s main entrance.

The Hay Lane entrance would be used for deliveries and the back yard would become a bin storage area and refrigeration plant.

Some of the windows would also be blacked out and feature graphics.

A “conservation style” Spar shop sign would also be installed if it gets the go-ahead.

A design and access statement submitted to the council by ADM Surveyors, on behalf of Spar, lays out the details.

It says the convenience store would create jobs and benefit local people, especially students by providing a convenience store in a “thriving retail area of Coventry city centre”.

It said: “The proposed new Spar convenience store will provide a much needed convenience store in an established retail area of Coventry city centre.

“The proposed store will provide people working, studying, shopping and commuting in the city centre with a conveniently located Spar store to purchase everyday essential items.”

It is stressed in the document that the Spar would be in keeping with the conservation area because “the proposal does not require any major changes to the exterior of the building and the existing character of the buildings will not be adversely affected”.

The public consultation ends on Thursday, May 24.

[dutchman]

Coventry's old Yates's to become Spar - after no objections

CONTROVERSIAL plans to transform Coventry's old Yates's Wine Bar into a Spar shop have been approved.

Due to lack of formal objections, Coventry City Council planning officers have automatically granted a scheme to convert the front of the former Yates’s Wine Bar in the city centre for a late-night Spar.

Conditions of approval have been attached to the plan to ensure “the history of the street is a showcase for visitors and local residents”.

The Coventry Society heritage group was considering whether to lodge a formal objection when the council launched a consultation into the plan last month.

It will see the demolition of an internal wall and a chimney breast in the Grade II listed building on the corner of High Street and Hay Lane that has been empty since Yates’s closed three years ago.

Although the proposal sparked outrage from critics who feared it would ruin the appearance of the area, Society members opted to make recommendations to the council to ensure the result is sympathetic to the conservation quarter.

The group has been reassured by the council’s response, which details how images of historic Coventry will be displayed in the windows.

Coventry Society chairman Keith Draper said although some members felt strongly against it, he personally believed a Spar would be a positive move for the area.

“It will make that corner of the city centre more active as I would hope the shop will be well-patronised,” he said.

The council’s response to the Coventry Society said: “Along the Hay Lane elevation we are proposing to place historic images of Coventry in all windows.

“This is will be undertaken by Spar working in conjunction with our conservation officers in order that the history of the street is a showcase for visitors and local residents.

"A condition will be attached to the planning permission to ensure that this is maintained at all times.

“This also has the added benefit of screening unsightly shelving which was proposed to be placed against the windows.”

It goes on to say: “Applicants have been advised that Spar corporate colours i.e. red, green and white fascia board signage will be unacceptable as it is at odds with the historic fabric of the area.

"More demure fret cut letters in brushed steel to match the building’s existing pallet would be more appropriate.

“Entrance doors should be replaced in a like-for-like manner and a condition will be placed on any decision to ensure the applicant adheres to this.”