Oriental tea house set to open in city centre
PLANS to transform a former charity shop into a coffee and oriental tea house in Coventry have been given the green light.
Council planning bosses have given permission for the proposed change of use of 49 Hertford Street.
Currently empty, the city centre retail space was last occupied by the British Heart Foundation, who relocated elsewhere in the city centre some time ago.
In November 2020, an application was submitted to Coventry City Council to change the use of the store from A1 retail to class A3/5 for a cafe and takeaway.
It came as part of plans to open a coffee and oriental tea house in the space.
On Monday March 1, these plans were approved, allowing the necessary work to transform the unit to start.
It is not known who the applicant for the project is, with the application submitted by AMA UK Consultancy LTD on behalf of their client.
According to planning documents, “The menu will mainly be of heating/ baking using a microwave and small tabletop electric oven and coffee machine.
“As the menu offered will comprise mainly of a selection of oriental snacks and cakes, biscuit, sandwiches, Pennines baguettes and salads with minimum level of cooking involved.”
The ground floor of the building is set to be used for the cafe/takeaway space, with the basement used for storage and preparation.
A separate planning application is to be made for external signage and branding.
It is the latest development to come to Hertford Street. The main change to the area is the major music venue project which will see The Empire moving from Far Gosford Street to Hertford Street. It is also set to receive a major facelift as part of Coventry’s City of Culture plans.
News Reporter
A MAN has been charged with killing an 11-year-old who died after being hit by a car in Coventry.
Isabelle Boshell died in hospital four days after a collision in Tamworth Road, Keresley, in October last year.
An arrest was made at the time and West Midlands Police has stated that a charge has been made.
A spokesman for the force said: “A man has been charged over the collision which killed 11-year-old Isabelle Boshell in Coventry.
“Ola Onubogu is accused of causing death by careless driving in Tamworth Road last October.
“The 53-year-old, of Wappenbury Road, Wood End, has been bailed to appear before Coventry Magistrates’ Court on March 31.
“Schoolgirl Isabelle was struck by a Toyota Verso on October 22 but sadly died from her injuries four days later in hospital.”
The news comes about a week after Isabelle’s family revealed that thieves had broken in to her father’s car and stolen a Nintendo Switch that belonged to Isabelle.
Her dad, Matthew Boshell, kept it in his car because it helps him to feel closer to his daughter while he is working away from home.
The attack on the car happened at the family’s home in Bridgeman Road, Radford, the early hours of Sunday, February 28, and was caught on the family’s CCTV system.
Speaking at the time, Matthew said: “I got up in the morning and was going to warm the car up, and I have an app which said the boot and the door were open, so I knew someone had been in it.
“The glovebox was open and stuff had also gone out of the boot. The thing I really remember being gone is her Nintendo Switch. That was her’s and that’s what is really upsetting.”
After Isabelle’s tragic death, the family released a touching tribute in which they said: “Isabelle was a loving daughter, granddaughter, great granddaughter and sister.
“She was loved by her friends, family and adored by her dog and cat whom she loved.
“She meant a lot to everyone and lived life to the full; she loved art, dancing, singing and learning.
“She was learning to play the guitar and was a unique individual who loved to set her own trends.
“The best daughter anyone could ever have.”