Coventry City Centre’s Cultural Transformation Resumes

Plans to convert Coventry’s former Ikea store into a City Centre Cultural Gateway are back on track after a major contractor went into administration.

The £60.1 million regeneration project, funded by Coventry City Council, will transform the seven-floor building into a storage hub for nationally significant artworks, supporting institutions like Arts Council England, the British Council, and Coventry University.

New Contractor Appointed After Construction Halt

Originally, construction firm ISG was tasked with delivering the project but went into administration in September, just two months after being appointed. The setback led to concerns over cost overruns and delays.

However, Graham, a UK and Ireland-based construction firm, has now been selected to take over. The council insists the project remains within budget and will not require additional taxpayer funding.

Political Debate Over Costs and Project Viability

Despite assurances, opposition councillors remain skeptical.

Councillor Gary Ridley, Conservative opposition leader, has demanded transparency on the selection process for Graham and questioned whether the decision was rushed.

“The council says this won’t cost extra, but we’ve heard big promises before, only for costs to spiral. We need cast-iron guarantees that this project won’t become an expensive flatpack fantasy.”

Cultural and Economic Impact of the Transformation

Originally opened in 2007 and closing in 2020, the massive Ikea building—spanning 7.5 football pitches of floor space—will now become a long-term cultural asset for Coventry.

Alongside art storage, CVLife (operator of The Herbert Art Gallery and Transport Museum) will also store collections at the site. Coventry University will occupy two floors, cementing the project’s educational and cultural value.

This initiative is set to become a lasting legacy of Coventry’s 2021 UK City of Culture status, following setbacks caused by the Covid-19 pandemic and the collapse of the charity overseeing legacy projects in 2023.

Next Steps: When Will Construction Resume?

Work is expected to restart before summer 2024, with the council maintaining that the project will eventually pay for itself.

As Coventry continues to position itself as a cultural and artistic hub, the redevelopment of the old Ikea store is a major step in shaping the city’s future.