Cllr Jim O’Boyle said the improvements will make Coventry Market ‘visually striking’
Councillor Jim O’Boyle Speaks About £1m Coventry Market Funding
More than £1m will be invested in the Grade II-listed Coventry Market. Work aims to turn it into a striking landmark that supports the future of the city and the £450m City Centre South project.
Coventry City Council announced it has secured £600,000 through the Pride in Place initiative along with £200,000 from the Hill Group and £400,000 from the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA). Funds will be used to revamp the exterior of Coventry Market and highlight its unique circular design, making it ‘more vibrant.’
Plans are being drawn up to tidy the outdoor areas and remove clutter along Queen Victoria Road. Windows will also be cleaned, with new entrances, signage, and lighting added.
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Work is designed to support the revitalised city centre and deliver City Centre South, a residential-led, mixed-use development that will provide new homes, commercial units, and green spaces.
Cllr Jim O’Boyle, Cabinet Member for Jobs, Regeneration and Climate Change, said: “Coventry Market has been at the heart of our city centre for generations, and we are working very hard to ensure it is a major part of the Coventry of the future.
“As City Centre South develops, Coventry Market will be more visible than ever before and part of a totally transformed area that is replacing tired and underused parts of our city with vibrant spaces and a bustling new community. We want Coventry Market to be a part of that, and this money will help us make it a visually striking attraction that invites people to visit the fantastic stalls inside.”
Hoardings around Coventry Market on Queen Victoria Road(Image: Reach)
Coventry Market will remain open throughout the demolition and rebuilding for the City Centre South redevelopment project. Traders have received support through reduced rates, meetings with developers, and improved signage.
Chris Charley, from the Market Committee, said: “On behalf of the traders, we are extremely excited and pleased with this news. It is so great that Coventry Indoor Market has been recognised as such a vital part of the city centre. We are extremely proud of its history, but this news secures its future, which brings certainty for our businesses going forward.
“We have worked and engaged with so many individuals and organisations who have come together to support and help Coventry Market. It is great news, and we hope everyone continues to support Coventry Market for the future.”
Cllr O’Boyle added: “We know Coventry people love Coventry Market, and Coventry City Council does too. It is a part of city life, and with this funding, and the initiatives already underway, we can make it the bright, attractive and thriving hub of city centre life it deserves to be.”
Plans for the improvements are expected to be submitted for approval later this year and completed in late 2027. Councillors are also considering long-term plans for internal improvements to the building.
Stuart Bale, Project Director for City Centre South at the Hill Group, said: “We are proud to be supporting Coventry Market with this makeover. It is such a central hub for the city, and we are keen to help where we can.
“Future residents of City Centre South will have Coventry Market right on their doorstep, providing easy access to independent traders, fresh produce and introducing them to the welcoming community that makes Coventry unique.”
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