Coventry 'should embrace past' for better future

Coventry needs to make the most of its history.

That's according to political leaders, who claim the city needs to focus on its past as well as ambitious projects for its future which are in the pipeline.

Council bosses are aiming for lottery funding to bring medieval buildings back into use and connect them in a possible heritage trail featuring the likes of St Mary's Guildhall - currently closed for half the year - Charterhouse, Draper's Hall and the Whitefriars Monastery - which is being used for storage.

Coun Ed Ruane, cabinet member for housing and heritage, told the Observer: "Whitefriars especially is a classic example of Coventry under-selling and not appreciating what it has on its doorstep.

"The running joke is what the bombers didn't bomb, the planners destroyed the rest.

"But part of Coventry's unique history is that it has those little gems and we need to tell people we're a medieval city.

"We're looking at bringing them back into use and making sure they're connected - like a heritage trail - because at the moment that isn't the case.

"The council should be leading the way and that's what we're trying to do."

Plans to develop the former Grammar School, in Hales Street, are already underway thanks to bosses at the Transport Museum.

The site played host to a debate on the topic last month, with deputy leader of the Labour Party, Harriet Harman, among those attending.

She claimed arts spending was not being fairly targeted around the UK after it was revealed the Arts Council allocated funding amounting to £8.22 per person in the West Midlands compared to £21.33 in London.

Separate figures show for every £1 spent on the arts, £4 went back into economy.