Rover Showroom / Food Office / Intershop / Litten Tree

I looked out my lounge window a couple of days ago, and there was a pool of water all over the pathway - a workman came out and placed two planks of wood so people could negotiate without getting wet and . . . The new Precinct was a quagmire of mud and water, as I guided Mrs Chaplin along the roped planked pathway from the Lower Precinct to Broadgate, plank bridges on scaffolding poles in places, one huge building site in mud and water. Mrs Chaplin told me her fears and anxieties as we walked. Billy her son thought he may be recalled into the forces (reservist) and be sent to Korea. China had stepped in as well, like most people she feared atomic bombs would be used. National Service had been increased to two years. The state of affairs in Egypt, people spoke of the fear of the future, the chaos of the re-building.The purpose that got things done, which they knew in the war years, had gone. A few months ago Coventry had laid a statue of Lady Godiva in Broadgate, a symbol of a new city and new hopes, but rationing was still troublesome, petrol, soap, sugar, tea, clothes, and much more were still with us, and meat rations were to be reduced. War and the rationing were robbing people of vitality and humour. Coventry had good employment and wages, but people still had to scrimp and save for holidays. On average, a couple of 'bob' a week was spent on the football coupons. I think most people's budget around that time was near £5 a week.

I was fortunate enough last night to be invited to the private launch party for what's being labelled the LTB - Litten Tree Building Project. Too few would know it as the Rover Meteor Works building under the facade so that's the working title. A friend of mine Alan Denyer (the chap who was behind the CET / Telegraph building work pre-hotel) is behind it and has been given permission to utilise the space on the floors above the pub - most of which are the original works' showroom building to create a temporary art space / music venue until November next year. It's a great thing, especially in City of Culture year, despite the future in the proposed redevelopment of Bull Yard etc. following on meaning it may be demolished. A couple of pics - gratuitously pinched the lift shaft image from Alan's LTB FB page as it quickly demonstrated how rubbish my camera phone is, but you get the idea. It'll be open to the public soon so I recommend a visit. Who knew there are a couple of flats being used up there currently?! BTW, additional gratitude to our very own CliffB (great to meet you last night, mate!) who did a lot of the lighting!

Re that final pic - the upper floor includes the original (now stuck-down!) parquet flooring, as seen here in this Herbert image of the same room of none other than King George V on a visit!

Fantastic picture, Neil, obviously taken during WW1 with the future King George VI in attendance as well. The company must have been manufacturing munitions casings for the war effort. Rare photograph, I would have thought.

The visit took place on 22 July 1915

During WW2 this was the Food Office where ration books were obtained.

Not sure it was, Prof The 1950 GPO Telephone Directory lists the "Food Control Office" in Warwick Row 1953 Telephone Directory details the following: The Three Tuns no 1 Food Control Office no 1a Reform Club no 5 I know that Lee Beesley was no 6 and Hansons no 7

So MR, could I be mistaken and it was instead the building to the left of the Reform Club? My great-aunt from Grantham had to register with the Food Office for her stay with my grandma and have a strong memory of going in with her to obtain a temporary ration card!

The only clue I can find in the CET is an opticians at 4 The Quadrant, who advertise as being opposite the food hall.

1a is the plot on the right of the photo next to the gateway of the club. I'm not sure what sort of building it was as it seems to fill a very large area. BFA 1951 Map same time

Hope this helps, personally . . I think MR nailed it from the get-go.

Heathite, Now this stretches the memory, so just as a tentative suggestion - I think the food office and ration books were received in Hertford Street, just below the Queens Hotel. There was some story that a load was sold on the black market by one of the staff. In 1940 the place was demolished by the blitz, and the food office had to change address. This is only my suggestion on my long time memory. I am not trying to persuade or criticize anyone, as has been suggested of late.

There is an advertisement in the Midland Daily Telegraph of 6 November 1940 referring to the Food Office, Warwick Row - ie over a week before the night of the blitz

In September 1938, the MDT reports on plans being put in place in the event of control of food supplies in case of an emergency. Amongst the points made is confirmation that the headquarters will be at the Meteor Works showroom, Warwick Row.

Thank you Midland Red, just a thought from the past.