Cafe and community plans for Earlsdon park pavilion

[dutchman]

The pavilion in Spencer Park, Coventry, was built in 1915 as changing rooms



A rotten and rusting Edwardian sports pavilion could be turned into a cafe and community space under new plans from a group of residents.

The building in Spencer Park, Earlsdon, Coventry, is expected to be revamped by next summer if proposals are approved.

The Friends of Spencer Park drew plans up after more than 2,500 people signed a petition earlier this year, calling for the building to be saved.

"We cherish it, we love it," Peter Elias, from the group, said.

"It's an unusual shaped building, it's very Edwardian in style.

"We will be retaining all the heritage aspects of the building on the outside, but on the inside we'll use the refurbished renovated space.

The pavilion recently featured on TV in episode six of Sir Lenny Henry's new TV programme Three Little Birds, which was partly filmed in Coventry, Mr Elias said.

The group was set up in 2012 to help look after the park and organised volunteers to maintain the gardens and help put in a children's play area.

Members' attention then moved to the pavilion - originally built as changing rooms - which Mr Elias said was in a "bit of a sorry state".

The community space would be subsidised with profits from the cafe, he added.

The project has secured thousands of pounds in funding from the government and the group has worked with a local architect.

An application was submitted this month to the city council for approval to convert it to a new use.

The building was in a poor condition with rotten and rusting posts, cracks in concrete steps, damaged gutters and roof tiles in need of replacing, a statement accompanying the plans said.

If the local authority gives approval, the new cafe and space is expected to open in summer 2024 for six days a week.