Coventry’s ambitious City Centre Cultural Gateway project is back on course following the appointment of a new contractor, GRAHAM Group, announced on 13 March by Coventry City Council. The project at the former Ikea site had faced delays after the initial contractors entered administration.
Work on transforming the site into a cultural hub involving various local, regional, and national creative and cultural sector partners is now set to begin in Spring 2025, with completion targeted for Summer 2026. Stakeholders including Arts Council England, the British Council, CV Life and Coventry University—who plan to occupy two floors— have welcomed the news, reports Coventry Live.
Councillor Naeem Akhtar, cabinet member for housing and communities at Coventry City Council, said: “We’re delighted that GRAHAM is on board to complete the construction of this significant project.
“Despite unforeseen and challenging circumstances, Coventry City Council has moved swiftly to secure a new contractor to get the project back on track and within the approved budget, meaning no additional money is needed for the construction.
“Not only are we bringing high-profile national partners to the city, there’s also the potential to bring so much more to Coventry. We’ll have the ability to create opportunities for people in this sector and for residents here in our city with what will be an impressive cultural destination.”
Ronan Hughes, GRAHAM regional director, said: “We are proud to be appointed as the contractor to deliver this landmark cultural project for Coventry.
“The City Centre Cultural Gateway is an exciting scheme that will transform a former retail space into a world-class hub for arts and culture while providing long-term benefits for the local community, economy, and creative industries. “We understand the importance of getting this project back on track and our priority is to deliver a new cultural destination that meets the needs of all partners and stakeholders.”
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