Call for 're-think' on £300million City Centre South schemeThe huge City Centre South retail scheme has come under fire from the chairman of the Coventry Society.
In the Society’s latest newsletter Keith Draper has called for a “rethink” of the £300million scheme which the city council says would make Coventry the second largest retail centre in the Midlands after Birmingham.
In his column for the Coventry Society’s July newsletter Mr Draper said that a changing retail landscape meant any new scheme should not focus on multi-national businesses.
He said: “It’s understandable out city fathers should want to see our retail offer move up the rankings, but half a minute, shouldn’t we really be taking a fresh look at this grandiose City Centre South scheme granted outline planning consent all those years ago in 2012.
"Six years ago! Hasn’t the retail trade moved on since those days?”
He adds: “From what I read it’s a challenging market for retailers. Spending is squeezed and costs are rising.
“We are already seeing an acceleration of store closures among the multi-nationals.
“Online continues to outperform the rest of the market.
“Clearly the multi-national store still has a part to play but it looks as though there will be fewer of them.
“No doubt you will recall that the whole purpose of City Centre South was to provide a considerable number of units with deeper trading floors for the big chains.
“Does this make sense in the prevailing climate?”
Championing independent traders Mr Draper goes on to highlight businesses that have survived in the city centre like Agers, Walter Smith and Butterfly Bras but he raises concerns about the effects demolition in Market Way, City Arcade, Bull Yard and Hertford Street might have.
Concerns raised include how it might affect city centre trading and the impact on Coventry’s reputation as it heads towards becoming UK City of Culture.
Mr Draper goes on to call for premises suited to small traders in Shelton Square, Bull Yard and City Arcade to be restored, modernised or re-faced.
He believes doing so would create “a sustainable city centre shining out with the sort of shop displays we once enjoyed”.
Concluding his column he says: “Isn’t it time to give our young entrepreneurs a real opportunity to become part of a new small trader community.
“This approach may not appeal to developers like Shearer.
“Perhaps not entirely true if only our city council gave a lead.
“Surely there has to be an alternative plan at this crucial time.
“I urge the council to think again.”