Award-winning developers are tapping into the expertise and skills of local companies to create Coventry’s first four-star hotel.
Complex Development Projects (CDP) has appointed a range of contractors to carry out the work to redevelop the former Coventry Telegraph newspaper office into a boutique hotel ahead of Coventry being UK City of Culture in 2021 – with the vast majority coming from the local area.
From the CV post districts, over 40 construction staff are currently involved in the project on Corporation Street in the city centre and this will ramp up towards the end of the scheme.
Steane Ltd in Warwick has carried out the mechanical and electrical works, RMC Water in Coventry has acted as drainage consultant and Star Civil Engineering in Coventry has completed the groundworks.
Coventry Demolition from Ryton-on-Dunsmore has removed the asbestos and completed the major strip out, taking care to retain the 1950s features that will be a core part of the hotel’s design.
Coventry’s Summers Joinery is creating the fitted bedroom furniture and Illingworth Signs has completed the graphics while Harrabin Construction is project managing the scheme.
Print Manufactory from FarGo Village in Coventry is videoing and photographing each stage of the extensive scheme as well as supplying original silk screen prints for the 88-bedroom hotel which will be operated by Bespoke Hotels.
There will also be a roof-top bar, a restaurant and conference rooms as well as a range of two-storey ‘loft style’ bedrooms in the former print room of the Coventry Telegraph.
Brian Harrabin, a director at CDP, said there had been a real push to ensure that local businesses were used for the scheme which is a key regeneration project in the city.
“This is a labour-intensive scheme with so much attention to detail to create a new boutique hotel which will be different to any other venue in the area,” he said.
“There is such a wealth of talented people on our doorstep that it made sense to employ their services in all the different facets of the new hotel and, in turn, put something back into the local economy.
“This is a complex project since we are demolishing some parts of the hotel and retaining many of its original features and artefacts to fit in with the theme of Coventry’s globally-renowned Mid-Century architecture.
“It is another sign of the positive regeneration taking place in the city as we countdown to Coventry being UK City of Culture in 2021 but this hotel will provide a legacy since we hope to attract national and international visitors far beyond 2021.
“Work is progressing well and I am sure all those involved in creating the hotel can’t wait to see the final results.”
Cllr Jim O’Boyle, Coventry City Council Cabinet Member for Jobs and Regeneration, said: “I’m really pleased to see so many local people working at the former Telegraph offices. It is very important that all our citizens have a share in the changes going on in the city and jobs for local people as part of that change is absolutely key to everyone enjoying the benefits that change brings.
“It’s looking fantastic and the team is doing a fine job of ensuring they combine the best of the old with the best of the new.
“Things are certainly changing in our city centre and developments like this are helping to set the standard of design high. It’s what local people deserve and we will ensure it’s a quality we maintain.”