Missed opportunity for new city theatre

CHRIS Norman is spot on with his comments about a “world class theatre” to complement the excellent over-used Belgrade Theatre in Coventry (Dec 19).

I have nothing against students, but there is no doubt that this council is hell bent on seemingly approving every piece of available land for student accommodation, and turning the city into a campus. I agree that the conversion of the old Evening Telegraph offices to a hotel instead of a theatre/music venue is another missed opportunity for the imminent UK City of Culture.

I would go further and say that another missed opportunity was at the site of the monstrous student tower blocks on the site of what was a car park opposite the old swimming baths, now doomed for closure. We desperately need at least another theatre for major gigs with top stars once again coming to the ‘centre’ of Coventry, and I don’t mean the War Memorial Park.

The Ricoh Arena is too far out on the edge of Coventry. A new state-of-the-art theatre/music venue would complement the new restaurant quarter in Broadgate. I have said this in a previous letter in this column.

The council have talked about plans for another cinema as part of the development of the new Central South Shopping Project which is supposed to be bigger than Touchwood in Solihull.

We already have the Odeon with nine screens. Why not a major new theatre/music venue/concert hall as part of the Central South Scheme?

I find it incredible that the council are not considering this in their UK City of Culture year.

Maybe I’m a bit cynical, but I am also frustrated that in the forthcoming year of Coventry as UK City of Sport – regardless of the politics – we have no speedway stadium, and as things stand nowhere for Coventry City to play football next season, with the club’s very existence under threat.

Barry Seal

Binley