Popular Coventry bar InSpire shuts down

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Popular Coventry bar InSpire shuts down

Postby dutchman » Sun Nov 24, 2019 7:22 pm

It shut its doors earlier this month to the dismay of regulars

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A popular bar in Coventry city centre has shocked locals by closing their doors.

It is not currently known why, but InSpire, located inside an old Christchurch spire on New Union Street, has shut down.

The bar itself has occupied the spire since 1999, and developed a reputation for selling bottles of foreign beer.

The bar announced its closure in a post on their Facebook page.

It read: "With a heavy heart we are closing the doors on Inspire as of today. Thanks for all the amazing nights, memories and friendships this bar created. Mick."

News of the bar's sudden closure prompted a strong reaction from former customers on Inspire's Facebook page.

InSpire was located within the remains of the spire of Christchurch on New Union Street.

The church was believed to have dated from the early 1200s but main church building was destroyed during Coventry Blitz on April 8, 1940.

A decade later, the remains of the walls were destroyed, and the spire stood alone.

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Re: Popular Coventry bar InSpire shuts down

Postby dutchman » Sun Nov 24, 2019 7:27 pm

The church could easily have been rebuilt but the council decided to drive a new road through its site instead. :roll:
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Re: Popular Coventry bar InSpire shuts down

Postby rebbonk » Sun Nov 24, 2019 7:48 pm

I've never been in the place.
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Re: Popular Coventry bar InSpire shuts down

Postby dutchman » Tue Apr 14, 2020 4:05 pm

Famous Coventry spire is on the market for a new owner

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One of the spires that dominates Coventry city centre’s skyline is looking to attract a new business after being made available to let.

The medieval Christchurch Spire is on the market with commercial property specialists Holt Commercial and the firm is already attracting interest from pub and bar operators.

The famous spire is situated on the corner of New Union Street and Warwick Row and is just metres from The Wave, the new leisure attraction that recently opened in Coventry.

The property, which includes basic kitchen facilities as well as bar and seating areas, would require a fresh fit-out from any new occupier and is seen as a prime spot ahead of Coventry’s year as UK City of Culture in 2021.

The spire had until recently been home to popular bar Inspire.

It closed in November last year after occupying the historic space since 1999.

The church was believed to have dated from the early 1200s but main church building was destroyed during Coventry Blitz on April 8, 1940.

A decade later, the remains of the walls were destroyed, and the spire stood alone.

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Re: Popular Coventry bar InSpire shuts down

Postby dutchman » Tue Apr 14, 2020 4:07 pm

Chris Hobday, Associate at Holt Commercial, said: “With the history of the building, the location and Coventry’s year as UK City of Culture fast- approaching, this is a great opportunity to open a unique and quirky new venue for the city centre.”


Yeah right, with the city in lockdown and the economy totally destroyed! :clown:
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Re: Popular Coventry bar InSpire shuts down

Postby rebbonk » Tue Apr 14, 2020 4:25 pm

Estate agents: last of the eternal optimists. Who in their right mind would even consider this place until the fallout of recent events is known?
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Re: Popular Coventry bar InSpire shuts down

Postby dutchman » Wed Dec 16, 2020 3:53 pm

Dhillon's Brewery to open new bar at Christchurch Spire in city centre

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Popular Coventry beer makers Dhillon’s Brewery is to open a new bar at the historic Christchurch Spire in the city centre - formerly home to popular nightspot Inspire.

It is hoped Dhillon’s Spire Bar will be ready to welcome punters at the beginning of February and revellers are promised a ‘“nice experience” in a “continental cafebar” by owner Dal Dhillon.

“It was always on the cards to move into the city,” Dal said, “it was just a case of finding a suitable location which has been difficult as we wanted somewhere quite quirky.”

When the building became available, Dal knew it was just what he’d been looking for.

“We needed a site that was inner city as our brewery by the Ricoh Arena, which is staying there, is quite difficult for customers and patrons to travel to,” he said.

“So when this became available we applied, and it took several months due to the nature of the building but finally we got it over the line.

“It’s been a long process, over 70 people applied for this location and we had to go through a lot of rigmarole to get it over the line - it's taken over six months. There was a lot of due diligence as to who would be the most suitable applicants for the location.”

So how will Dhillon’s Spire Bar differ from its predecessor?

“Where Inspire did bottles and cans, we’ll be doing draught beers as a more continental bar/cafe type establishment rather than what it was before," Dal said.

“I want to make it more family friendly with soft drinks and a coffee machine, but we have a lot of outdoor seating where we’ll have lighting and heaters so people can stay out until late in the evening enjoying a beer, or a cocktail or a coffee. We’ll also be serving food.”

With Dhillon’s Spire Bar hopefully set to open in what could be a post-COVID social landscape, what sets it aside from other ventures?

Dal said: “We already have an established brand that has been going for five and a half years and the business has really been going from strength to strength.

“Dhillon’s Spire Bar won’t just be a pub opening up with Stella and Carling, we want to be somewhere people can come and have a fresh pint of beer, where they can sit inside or outside in the surroundings of this lovely building.

“I think what we’ll be offering will be a really nice experience for customers and I really think Dhillon’s Spire Bar will make a really nice addition to the city.

“I’m really encouraged with what the city is doing so I'm chuffed to be a part of it. It will be a really nice place for people to come and have a drink.”

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Re: Popular Coventry bar InSpire shuts down

Postby dutchman » Wed Dec 16, 2020 3:57 pm

rebbonk wrote:Who in their right mind would even consider this place until the fallout of recent events is known?


Who in their right mind pays £4 for a small can of Dhillon's beer? :roll:
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Re: Popular Coventry bar InSpire shuts down

Postby rebbonk » Wed Dec 16, 2020 4:53 pm

Not me!

I wish them all the luck in the world, they're going to need it.
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