Coventry Begins Demolition for £450 Million City Centre South Project

Work has commenced on demolishing sections of Hertford Street as part of the ambitious £450 million regeneration project, City Centre South, in Coventry. This initiative aims to transform the city centre into a vibrant hub featuring approximately 1,500 residential units, retail spaces, and community areas. The project is spearheaded by the Hill Group, Shearer Property Group, and Coventry City Council.

As part of the ongoing work, contractors have begun bulldozing the Hertford Street staircase to make way for a new accessibility ramp adjacent to CeX. The demolition of the Barracks Car Park has already been completed, with the City Arcade also now levelled to facilitate the redevelopment.

Demolition Timeline and Accessibility Improvements

The current phase of demolition is expected to continue for around four weeks, with completion anticipated by early November 2023. During this time, pedestrians will still be able to access the area during daylight hours; however, the location will be closed for five evenings starting on October 7, 2023. The next steps will involve the demolition of Market Way and Hertford House.

Councillor Jim O’Boyle, who serves as the Cabinet Member for Jobs, Regeneration and Climate Change, emphasized the importance of this project for the local community. He stated, “Barracks Car Park is now fully demolished, with full demolition set to be complete over the summer next year. Work on the first residential apartments is set to begin in February or March 2026. Local people deserve a vibrant, modern city that reflects the way people want to live, work, and shop. City Centre South will deliver that vision for Coventry by providing new spaces to live, visit, and socialise.”

Project Progress and Future Plans

Stuart Bale, Project Director at the Hill Group, provided an update on the progress made thus far. “Work is progressing well at City Centre South, where we have made significant progress over the last few weeks. Barracks Car Park and City Arcade have now been demolished, and in the coming weeks, our focus will shift to the demolition of Market Way and Hertford House. We are also preparing to begin construction on a new accessible ramp on Hertford Street. To facilitate this, a section of the area will be hoarded off for approximately four weeks while the work takes place. Residents may notice some disruption during this period, but the result will be an important improvement in accessibility.”

This major redevelopment initiative reflects a concerted effort to enhance Coventry’s urban landscape, making it more appealing for residents and visitors alike. As the City Centre South project progresses, it promises to reshape the heart of Coventry into a modern, integrated environment that meets the needs of its community.