Broadgate

The canopy was an innovation a few years ago which fortunately did not last too long. Here Scroll down to the bottom

Many thanks for the link. Although the canopy looks like it came from Billy Smart's Circus, at least there was a bit of greenery underneath. As a relative newcomer here, I am slowly getting to grips with this fascinating forum and the wealth of information and history it contains, so apologies for that.

Heres another on the True Coventarian FB page showing Broadgate House in early stages of construction:

Well done Neil Right on cue - Plan to reopen link between Broadgate and Hertford Street

It seems there's a plan afoot to re-open the link to Hertford Street from Broadgate by demolishing the ugly 1970's infill building, which is a wonderful idea.

This is a part of a plan from 2012 being revived.

Great start, shame they can't remove all the crap between Broadgate House and the bank building, and I don't know why rubbish buildings are grade II listed after all the beautiful stuff the council destroyed?

Wonderfully put Osmiroid! I haven't been in Coventry City centre for years and didn't know they'd filled in the gap. Is the Bridge Restaurant still there?

It's listed as an example of Festival of Britain Architecture, and it's not really 'rubbish'. The fact the council destroyed a lot of the old city is irrelevant to the listing of this post-war building. The restaurant hasn't been there for at least 26 years, as it wasn't there in 1989 when I first came to Coventry!

You missed a treat then!

Doesn't Broadgate House join the Bank Building? I don't quite get what the "crap" is.

Annewiggy - I couldn't agree more! I remember going to Broadgate on the bus right from being a child to young adulthood. Then I couldn't care less about the building layout or the history, it didn't occur to me and I was just excited to be there. It was great to wander through Owen Owens then out down the steps under the tunnel to get a glimpse through one of the entrances into the very posh Leofric Hotel opposite and wonder who could afford to stay there. Then a short detour underneath the huge Black Eagle plaque and crossing Trinity Street, along past Timothy Whites down New Buildings to look in the Exchange and Mart's window on the right. Next was back up Broadgate to the Precinct and a wander round the shops, and so many! It should be remembered that then large shopping centres were not common, and also that the sixties was all about new styles of clothes, shoes and music, which the Precinct purveyed very well! I remember Woolworths selling budget Embassy records as well as the latest Hit Parade offerings, and a bit further on Jill Hanson's on Market Way where you could listen to the latest releases and feel as if you were part of the music scene! Then there were the clothing shops selling Levi jeans that you bought oversize put on and sat in the bath so they would shrink to fit. I also remember walking down the City Arcade lined with small clothes and shoe shops, looking at the latest fashions along with the other young people that crowded the area. I also spent many a convivial evening in Coventry in a number of the fantastic venues or pubs as they were called then, such as the Sir Colin Campbell often with live bands or discos. Later I frequented the Lanch concerts and saw many great bands. What was good was that it was always only a short walk back to Broadgate and the number 20 bus stop just by the entrance to the Precinct overlooking the Godiva statue and the shops opposite. I always clattered up onto the top deck ready for the journey home as they say tired, but happy!

This is how the entrance to Hertford Street was designed to be - amazing!

Amazing is the word Osmiroid, most cities would have retained that view for its history. Where, when did they go wrong. If only those pillars could talk. Great photo.

Osmiroid, So what date is that photo, for I seem to remember walking through Broadgate and down Hertford Street as in the photo. My family once had a great photo of Broadgate in the twenties, cobbled, and tramtracks, taken from the side of the old Owen Owen, there were hundreds of workers on bicycles coming out of work and in to Broadgate from Hertford st, High st, etc, filled the whole of Broadgate. Nearly everyone wore the traditonal cloth cap of those days. sadly it got lost.