Long-awaited Riley Square development takes step forward

PLANS are now in progress to begin the much awaited regeneration of a dilapidated shopping precinct in Coventry.

Built in the 1960s, Bell Green’s Riley Square shopping precinct has deteriorated over the years to the extent where it requires large scale refurbishment.

Now, five years after it was announced that the leasehold for Riley Square would be sold by Coventry City Council to developers, work has started on the project which developers say will “restore it to its former popularity.”

They have also said that “negotiations are ongoing with a leading brand name” who will take over the old indoor market unit, which currently sits empty.

We first revealed in 2015 that Coventry City Council was looking to sell off its leasehold for Riley Square to cash in on unwanted assets against a background of budget cuts.

We reported in 2016 that a mystery developer was in talks with Coventry City Council over buying the leasehold of Riley Square, as they looked to invest millions.

Described as “problematic” at the time by council bosses, talks between Coventry City Council and potential developers continued for two years, until 2017 when it was announced that Innovative Retail Development (IRD) would take over the site and be handed a 150-year lease .

As such, the leasehold has now been purchased by Innovative Retail Development, but Coventry City Council retains the freehold.

An injection of cash and long term investment has long been promised to the community in Bell Green, and in that time, parts of Riley Square have fallen into disrepair, and footfall has reduced.

So what is happening with the regeneration project, and when will building work begin? We went to Riley Square to meet the developers to find out the latest.

When will the Riley Square regeneration begin? At the moment, architectural plans have been drawn up and will go to the Coventry City Council planning committee in December, where they are expected to get the green light.

There has been a slight delay with the project due to Covid-19, so the building work that was meant to start this November will now begin in late February 2021 pending planning approval.

We met Jason Everard and Joe Brania who are overseeing the project for Innovative Retail Development (IRD), and they confirmed that Joseph Latham House, the block of flats at the front of Riley Square will be demolished, with the rehousing of tenants already taking place.

They also confirmed that Dewis House and Alice Arnold House, the other residential blocks in the heart of Riley Square will not be demolished.

Once the plans get the

green light, phase 1 of the regeneration project will get underway.

The regeneration of Riley Square will incorporate the following once planning is approved:

Open out the inward looking shopping precinct to attract new businesses. This will see the removal of canopies around the shops, new shop frontages and an asbestos survey. Produce wided access points from both Henley Road and both car parking areas.

Demolition of Joseph Latham House, the block of flats facing Henley Road. Once these are demolished, there is potential to expand the two front facing retail units (currently a hairdressers and convenience shop), with the chance to add eight residdentiall units on top. A lighting lh scheme to give a “whiter light” to tackle poorly lit “no go” areas which pose a security risk.

Consideration of a “feature point” for the square which could be a coffee hub.

Utilisation of upper floors which are often left redundant.

Speaking in Riley Square, Joe Brania, a member of the ddevelopmentl team said:d “It’s’ a bit like building a football ground where there is already a football ground, we’re taking it a stand at a time.”

He added: “[Riley Square] has been in decline for 25 years.

“We want to retain this as a focal point for the community, which it once was.”

And how do the residents, who have long been promised investment ffeel?l Mr Brania said: “There is a sense of relief, Riley Square was once the heart of the community. We’re not here to build a glossy supermarket and move on, we’re here to stay.”

He added: “Residents are very enthusiastic and a little bit skeptical because they’ve been told for so long that something will happen.”

Innovative Retail Development hhas saidid thath overall,ll the h work could easily span a five year period, and they plan to remain rooted in the community going forward so they can understand what the local need is. If you are a Bell Green resident and want to contribute your views you can contact Innovative Retail Development through their Riley Square website: www.rileysquare.co.uk