Former Ikea in Coventry wins green light for arts hub
Planning permission for multimillion pound development of a former IKEA store in Coventry has been granted by councillors.
The project, known as the Coventry City Cultural Gateway, will be developed over three phases, with the first seeing part of the building become host to the collections of CV Life, Arts Council England, Arts Council Collection, and the British Council.
Phase two will see Coventry University create a cultural hub on the fifth and sixth floors, with a gallery, café, library and exhibition space, dance studio, conference area, artists’ studios, post-production filming facilities, and a shop for students to sell their artwork. The facilities will be available to hire and open to the public.
The third phase of development will see the Council enclose and future-proof the internal car parks.
Councillor David Welsh, cabinet member for housing and communities at Coventry City Council, said: “We are delighted that planning permission has been granted for the City Centre Cultural Gateway. It is a significant milestone. This visionary project will provide a dynamic and inclusive cultural hub for our city”.
Matthew Burl, director at Buttress, which led a public consultation in February, said: “We have worked extensively with all stakeholders to re-design the building to be more inviting and accessible, creating a new identity, easily recognisable as a cultural asset, whilst enhancing its walk-up appeal with active features and frontages.”
The works are set to begin at the end of 2023, with the outlook to open in 2025.