70 years of Broadgate

TELEGRAPH readers have been sharing their memories of Broadgate, as well as their opinions on its past, present and future as it celebrated its 70th birthday.

Broadgate, in its modern form, turned 70 on Tuesday and to celebrate the big occasion Coventry Live had a dedicated live blog running all day and hosted a special Facebook Live broadcast.

Thousands of people followed the blog and watched via Facebook and it was clear Broadgate is somewhere that holds a special place in the hearts of many Coventrians.

Many of those who posted on Facebook on our live coverage, which spanned Broadgate’s past, present and future, are Coventrians in exile and clearly have fond memories of their home city.

Peter Teed said: “I left Coventry for Australia over 50 years ago but come back each year to see my dad he’s 97 now. I see so many changes. I’m still a Sky Blue supporter after all these years so Coventry is still in my blood.”

Minder Singh Gill wrote: “I left Coventry 42 years ago and I’ve loved coming back, I’ve never missed the place as much.”

Mandy Hall Tuck posted: “My hometown...my mom worked at Owen Owen. I am born in Coventry but live in South Africa since 1969.... love the history...Lady Godiva...my mom and dad still talk about Coventry during the events of Second World War..... such memories... thank you...”

Markus England said: “Miss Cov so much.”

Cherie Davis wrote: “Changed so much since I was last there in 2015. Looks great!!

Lisa Mua Bennett said: “I left Coventry three years ago and I really miss the city centre and the shopping.”

Paul Ruane posted: “I had my suits made at Hepworth menswear and drank in the Black Eagle.

“Then walked down the Burges to the City Centre Club. Followed by a one all in at the Parson’s Nose. Great memories.”

The Facebook live event took a walk around Broadgate, reminiscing on