£7m facelift set for Coventry
Coventry City Council has been awarded £3.5m of European Regional Development Agency (ERDF) funding. The leader of the authority John Mutton said the "tired" city would undergo a refurbishment programme before it hosts the Olympics next year.
The ERDF cash, which will be matched by the authority, will go towards the completion of the Coventry city centre 'public realm programme'.
Attracting new investment and bringing back to life vacant business offices are Mutton's main aims through the refurbishment.
Mutton said: "We have the opportunity to put Coventry on the map as an Olympic host city and of course that’s very important. But it's just as important that we use the opportunity to create something special for the wonderful people of our city.
"There is no getting away from the fact that our city centre is tired and in need of some love and investment. And that's exactly what we are set to give it. The ERDF cash will help us to create a fantastic new square at the very heart of the city. Local people have been vital in telling us how they want it to look and now we are set to start work with completion set for next year."
He said more trees and grass would be planted, as well as ongoing regeneration work across the city.
Mark Foley, director of European programmes at Advantage West Midlands, said: "To improve the overall perception and performance of an area you have to get the foundations right.
"By focusing on the needs of existing and future businesses, we can create the conditions for growth which will attract the investment, create job opportunities for local people and help improve the overall economy."
