Campaigners launch petition over precinct escalator which looks like 'derailed train'

[dutchman]

Campaigners want to get rid of the green escalator which connects two of the city’s busiest shopping areas.



A petition was started on Monday calling on Coventry City Council to remove the green escalator between the Upper Precinct and West Orchards.

According to the petition, which already has 113 signatures, campaigners want the area restored to its “symmetrical layout of the 1950s”.

The escalator has previously been described by its detractors as “stunningly inept” and looking like a “derailed train”.

Alan Denyer, who started the petition, said the escalator had become a bit of an eyesore and that restoring the area to its ‘Gibson’ layout would bring something unique to the city.

He said: “I’ve always hated the way it completely ruins the look of the Upper Precinct.

“I also have a bit of a thing about possibilities for restoration of what I call the ‘core 1950s precincts’, as 50s style is very much back in now.

“Under all the that we have a potentially brilliant asset. Something unique to Coventry which it would be great to do something with, - particularly in the run up to the city of culture bid.

“West Orchards originally felt they needed to maximise footfall by ‘hoovering up’ people from the relatively busy precinct, but we’re 25 years further on now, and times have changed.

“They’d benefit along with all the other city centre retailers if the core precinct could get a chic makeover and become the cultural icon I have in my mind.”

He added: “The escalator is the elephant in the room for all this. I think people just look at it and think why did they bother, hence the petition.”

When asked what he hopes to achieve with his petition, Alan explained that he wanted to convince the council and local business owners that it was in the city’s best interest to get rid of the escalator.

He said: “It helps the council if they can demonstrate a groundswell of public opinion for an idea that needs stakeholders to buy in - like West Orchards and the brand new owners of Upper Precinct - and resources to make it happen.

“Primarily the issue will be to do with the leasehold and legal obligations in place in terms of what can and can’t be done, but it’ll mainly be down to convincing West Orchards that it’s in their best interests. I’m trying to prompt that dialogue.”

When contacted by the Telegraph, West Orchards said they had no comment on the petition.

The council also said they have no responsibility for the escalator, but “we will comment in due course once the petition is presented to the council.”

You can view the petition here.

[rebbonk]

From memory, this escalator was demanded by Virgin.

[dutchman]

Eyesore escalator in Coventry's post-war Precinct could finally be demolished


Campaigner Alan Denyer and councillor Roger Bailey at the Precinct escalator which could now be demolished

THE unpopular Upper Precinct escalator in Coventry city centre could be removed following a petition by residents.

For decades, the glass canopied escalator leading to West Orchards shopping centre – constructed in the 1990s – has been considered an eyesore which blocks off the vista of Coventry Cathedral from the post-War precinct.

A petition has been signed 312 people and is being led by local architecture enthusiast Alan Denyer.

It was discussed today at a formal cabinet member meeting for Jim O’Boyle, the Labour councillor in charge of jobs and regeneration.

He was recommended by council officers who oversee the city centre to continue negotiations with city centre landowners with a view to having it removed.

The petition, also being supported by Conservative opposition councillor and city tourist guide Roger Bailey, requests the city council investigates removing the Upper Precinct escalator.

The petitioners argue the removal of the escalator would restore a “strong element of the appeal of the original symmetrical 1950s Gibson layout”.

City architect Sir Donald Gibson masterminded the post-War city centre reconstruction, and the pedestrianised Precinct was visited by dignitaries from across Europe due to its innovative design, as a kind of prototype for later shopping malls.

Coun Bailey, who is also a tourist guide, said: “It’s good to see that Coventry City Council are taking the moving of the escalator seriously, especially as the precinct is so historical and unique and paved the way for shopping across the country and possibly the World.”

Mr Denyer said: “The fifties are right back in fashion – and I see a celebratory restoration of the best bits of our post-war architecture as Coventry’s genuine dream ticket – putting us right up there as an exciting touristic and cultural destination.

“The Donald Gibson designed central precincts set the bar for how the ‘city of the future’ should look, – and while time has taken its toll – there’s still huge scope for getting that (bang on trend) chic 50s boutique feel back into the city centre.”

“The upper precinct escalator stops any thought of this ‘transformation – through restoration of heritage’ dead in its tracks – blocking majestic original sightlines, and sidelining bold symmetry of the original design.

“Its been there 25 years now – but times are very different today compared to 1991. Successful cities have to be beautiful and inspiring – not just functional – so that’s why I created the petition to have the escalator removed as I feel there’s real momentum now with the booming universities and city of culture bid.”

A council officers’ report to Coun O’Boyle states: “The desire to de-clutter the Precinct is not new and has been a long held ambition of the council.

“Prior to the petition the council has been in discussions with the previous owners of the Upper Precinct. At that time the former owners were not prepared to commit to the removal of the escalator.

“Immediately following the sale of the Upper Precinct last year the council commenced exploratory discussions with the new owners to remove the escalator and improve the shops.”

Coun O’Boyle told us those discussions were continuing, and were part of wider city centre redevelopment plans.

The report adds the cost of removing the escalator are “likely to be high” and would have to be included by the new owner in a business case for its investors.

[Davey]

If the cost is going to be high they could sell it on Ebay, "Buyer to remove".

[dutchman]

If the cost is going to be high they could sell it on Ebay, "Buyer to remove".

[dutchman]

Hated green escalator to go in "total transformation" of the city centre



This is what Coventry city centre would look like without THAT escalator.

The images have been released as part of ambitious plans for the “total transformation” of the Upper Precinct.

Other changes would include a new entrance into West Orchards, shop front improvements, 75 new student flats and the refurbishment of the empty BHS building.

The brick ramp from Broadgate to the upper levels would also be removed.

The ambitious scheme is the idea of Shearer Property Group (SPG), the developers behind the transformation of Cathedral Lanes Shopping Centre, and JP Morgan (JPM) Asset Management, who bought the Upper Precinct last year.

A joint statement said: “Shearer Property Group and the owners of The Upper Precinct are consulting on proposals to provide a total transformation of the city’s prime shopping environment.

“The proposals follow the city council’s pedestrianisation of Broadgate and will include alterations to the shopfronts, the walkways and the removal of the escalator to open up the Precinct.

“A new entrance will be provided into West Orchards Shopping Centre and empty upper floors will be brought back into active use with the provision of new student accommodation.”



Stewart Underwood, director of Shearer Property Group, said: “With the recent closure of BHS it is really important that we invest now to create a shopping environment that will help existing and new shops to thrive.

“Our proposals are an exciting opportunity to rejuvenate the Upper Precinct and the city centre as a whole.”

Cllr Jim O’Boyle cabinet member for jobs and regeneration said: “I’m pleased that there is a plan to remove the escalators in Upper Precinct.

“There is no love for them or the ramp which blocks the views of the cathedral spire. And people have been telling us for years that they would like them removed.

“This proposal will mean we get the best of the original Gibson plan back, alongside some modern additions.

“Hopefully these changes, if approved by planning, will help to attract new shops and restaurants to the area and this work will complement the bigger regeneration plan for City Centre South.”

People can learn more about the plans at an exhibition at Cathedral Lanes Shopping Centre on Friday, October 20, and Saturday, October 21, between 11am and 3.30pm.

[rebbonk]

How are the stores on the upper levels going to be reached? This CGI only shows half the story.

[Melisandre]

Most likely by putting the stairs back in Rebbonk as it says .
"This proposal will mean we get the best of the original Gibson plan back, alongside some modern additions.

[dutchman]

How are the stores on the upper levels going to be reached?

They're hardly used these days, there's talk of closing them altogether. The two-storey shops can still be reached from ground level.

[dutchman]

Time for re-think on Coventry city centre's future?

Councillors are to commit nearly £1million more of council taxpayers’ money to redeveloping the Upper Precinct after national watchdog Heritage England’s controversial listings for some of its buildings.

They say it’s due to a £1million reduction in what developers are prepared to invest in the project.

Whether listings – usually considered onerous by developers – were a factor, it’s said the developers were allegedly reacting to the fall in interest for town centres among retailers.

The extra public investment is not without risk.

The heritage-minded community group The Coventry Society’s Keith Draper argues it’s time to re-think the wider city centre redevelopment ambitions towards organic growth of local stores and other activities, away from disproportionately seeking to attract multi-national retailers.

It’s certainly worth debate.