City's indoor market to get £1.25m upgrade

A city's indoor market is to get at least £1.25m of external improvements, a council has announced.

The works to the exterior of the Grade II-listed Coventry Market will include glazing in the lower section to let more light in, wider doorways and better links between businesses and public space.

Coventry City Council said planning permission was also being sought to add new lighting and illuminated signs, as well as public art.

Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands, said the market had been "at the heart of the city for generations", and he wanted to see it thriving for generations to come.

"This investment will give the market a new lease of life, supporting local traders and making it an even better place for families to shop, meet and spend time," he added.

Lynette Kelly, the council's deputy leader, said the market's traders had been asking for investment in the building for a number of years, and the authority was now able to deliver it.

She said it was ideal to plan the improvements so the scheme would be complete before the new residents of the wider City Centre South regeneration scheme moved in.

"We want to make sure that our traders can continue to provide their wide variety of services to the public, but in a more modern environment that is better suited to their needs, which still retains the unique design of the listed building," she explained.

The council previously said the improvements were funded with £600,000 from the government's Pride in Place scheme, £200,000 from City Centre South developer Hill and £400,000 from the West Midlands Combined Authority.

Works could begin in the new year, subject to planning approval, it added.

Chris Charley, from Coventry Indoor Market Committee, said some traders would be affected and they were working with the authority to minimise the impact.

"We look forward to the improvements starting and ushering in a much smarter, better-looking market for the people of Coventry," he added.

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