Coventry's regeneration chief has cast further doubt on an anchor store being found for the city's £300m City Centre South project.
While not ruling out an anchor for the scheme, Cllr Jim O'Boyle said it appeared they were now 'probably a thing of the past'.
The city centre transformation is said to include retail and leisure including “new modern cutting-edge restaurants”, supported by more than 1,200 new homes for sale and rent.
Cabinet member in charge of regeneration, Cllr O'Boyle has hailed the “exciting” project as “the start of a new city”.
And while plans have stalled in recent years as developer Shearer Property Group has struggled to find a tenant for the anchor store, Cllr O'Boyle said other amenities and homes could take its place at the heart of the scheme.
An outline planning application is due at the end of the year, but Cllr O’Boyle admitted plans may now include more residential units than initially thought while an anchor tenant is still up in the air.
“Retail is changing and the pandemic has brought that to a head so we are in a fantastic position to see how Coventry can lead the way,” the cabinet member for jobs and regeneration said.
“The days of a big anchor store are probably a thing of the past and there will probably be far more residential in the outline planning.
“There will still be opportunities for retail but not on the same scale as five or 10 years ago, but we’ll still have places to spend money such as restaurants and bars.
“People will still come to trade and spend their money and want to visit and Coventry will be in prime position for that.”
Asked if an anchor tenant was ruled out, he added: “Nothing is off the cards.
“It is down to the developer to secure potential tenants going forward.
“What is clear is the days of huge anchor stores in the city centre is maybe coming to an end but that is not something I am predicting, it is already here.
“You can see what has happened to Debenhams, House of Fraser and John Lewis as they are all downsizing.
“It might well be we have a range of outlets we have to see how it goes forward.”
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At a council meeting last year, Cllr O’Boyle said investors were “cautious” due to the changing face of city centres nationally.
More focus is being given to residential properties as well as “leisure” activities.
Andy Hunt, senior development executive, told the meeting the scheme could include a permanent food offer similar to Digbeth Dining Club.
He said at the time: “We are also making sure we get the offer right.
“It means a focus on leisure, work space and plan to create an economy beyond 9-5.
“It means the city centre will change from pure retail to a variety of uses.
“City centre needs to be a mixed-used scheme fit for the city centre of the 21st century.”
Further updates on the 560,000 square foot City Centre South scheme are expected in the coming month.
Cllr O’Boyle added: “Shearer Property Group are leading on that and that is exciting.
“We will have a consultation on that next month so people can see for themselves.”
