Getting Building Fund

It will be the foundation for a new industry - creating high-value jobs and skills, leveraging the strengths of West Midlands’ automotive technologies and skills, generating skilled jobs across the region, creating economic growth through exports and supporting West Midlands/ Midlands Engine Industrial Strategies.

It is a package of four connected projects (Capital Equipment, Coventry Shuttle Halt, Test Track 2 supporting package, VLR Workshop), which are intrinsically linked to the Very Light Rail Innovation Centre in Dudley.

The two remaining Medieval city gates and the timber-framed cottages at Priory Row will be fully restored and converted to provide unique accommodation for visitors to the city. These photogenic historic buildings dating from the 14th and 15th centuries are remarkable survivors and will generate income for Historic Coventry Trust allowing ongoing educational and community projects.  The project is the catalyst for wider area regeneration working with the Council and Business Improvement District company.

At the heart of the park, the nationally important heritage site of the Carthusian Monastery of St Anne founded by Richard II in 1385, will be restored and extended to provide a major tourist attraction, significantly enhancing the visitor economy and city image, boosting investment and job creation.  A new restaurant of Michelin starred quality and small conference venue will become an exemplar place for business.

A sustainable visitor experience will be created promoting the heritage asset in the context of City of Culture 2021 and legacy. Strengthening the growth of the tourism sector, through the creation of new jobs, innovation utilising digital technology including Augmented Reality to help interpret heritage boosting the local economy.

Building on exemplars in Paris and Tokyo, this project will showcase the city's strengths in 5G and creative technology, reaching 250,000 visitors and boosting the visitor economy by £5m+ annually. Launching in mid-2021, this signals that the UK’s innovation and tourism sectors are bouncing back.

Home to forty independent, creative SMEs, remodelling and refurbishing larger warehouse spaces will satisfy demand for grow on space for existing businesses and in turn free up space for more creative entrepreneurs and digital start-ups. New units will house studio and small gallery spaces, some of the latest technologies in 3D printing with Coventry University’s FabLab, fashion design and manufacturing, woodwork facilities and screen printing, lino cutting and dark room facilities.

Working with key partners including the Coventry City of Culture Trust, District and Borough Councils, competitive submissions from artists will be sought to drive regeneration of the High Street.

This project focuses on revitalising town centres in northern Warwickshire, creating long term improvements.  The affected towns will be former mining towns, market towns and one of Warwickshire's largest town centres in Nuneaton.  The project will utilise local creatives, supporting the freelancer community, who have been particularly impacted by the pandemic.