A long-forgotten view of Coventry city centre has finally reopened a year after work started.

The Nationwide building had been blocking a view from Hertford Street through to Broadgate for more than 50 years - but it is now there for all to see once again.

And the moment was celebrated in true Coventry fashion with a Rover Coupe and a Jaguar E-Type driving through the large open space where the bank had stood since the 1970s.

Looking from Hertford Street into Broadgate in 1954

Work to demolish the former Nationwide bank began in June 2018 but the £2.3million project has been hit by delays.

It was originally hoped work would finish in February, but was put back and the view was finally unveiled on Friday, May 31.

As well as huge space now at the side of Broadgate, shoppers will be able to see some much-loved sculptures in their full glory for the first time.

The People of Coventry statues, which feature four groups of figures depicting Coventry past, present and future, were created by Trevor Tennant – who also designed the Lady Godiva and Peeping Tom Clock – and have now been illuminated.

The second phase of the £2.3million project, which includes funding of £642,000 from the Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership (CWLEP), will now get underway to replace the temporary tarmac surface on Hertford Street with new surfacing and lighting before the end of this year.

Sarah Windrum, from Coventry and Warwickshire LEP, and Coun Jim O'Boyle at the newly-opened entry between Broadgate and Hertford Street.

City of Culture

It is the first time for 50 years the link from Broadgate to Hertford Street has been opened to the public to make it more accessible as Coventry starts the countdown to being UK City of Culture in 2021.

Cllr Jim O’Boyle, Cabinet Member for Jobs and Regeneration at Coventry City Council and CWLEP board director, said: “It’s a long-forgotten view of Coventry City Centre, and many local people and visitors will love it.

“We have lots of plans to revamp and improve parts of the city centre and this project is important because it helps to link Hertford Street with Broadgate.

“The next phase will be to lay new paving on Hertford Street so we’re hoping it will improve the look and feel of the pedestrianised street too, and be a boost to businesses.”

The Telegraph first revealed the plans in 2015, but the process has been a complex one with Coventry City Council needing to seek permission to remove the 1970s building and return the Grade II Listed Broadgate House building to its original design.

Broadgate House was one of the first buildings to be completed after the war and was part of the masterplan created by then city architect Donald Gibson.

It is described as the best surviving building in the city of Gibson’s original plan and one of the few Festival of Britain-style buildings remaining nationally.

The view opening up from Broadgate onto Hertford Street as part of a city centre regeneration

New lease of life

Sarah Windrum, a board director at the Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership, said giving a new lease of life to this area of the city centre will encourage footfall.

“The completion of this project will mean a whole new audience will be able to see The People of Coventry lit up in their full glory which is fantastic,” she said.

“Opening up this area in Broadgate and Hertford Street will make it more accessible to more people which will be good news for traders and shoppers alike.

“The CWLEP is committed to boosting economic growth and increasing culture and tourism throughout Coventry and Warwickshire and this scheme will help to rejuvenate this area in the present and the future.”

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