Leisure and culture development to be named after entertainer Larry Grayson
A leisure and culture development in the home town of Larry Grayson will be named after the late entertainer.
The scheme on Abbey Street in Nuneaton town centre will be named Grayson Place, in honour of Grayson, the prominent comedian, entertainer and national TV personality from the 1970s and 1980s.
Grayson Place is the first landmark project in the Transforming Nuneaton programme undertaken by Warwickshire County Council and Nuneaton & Bedworth Borough Council, with Abbey Street’s strategic development partner Queensberry.
The 2.3-hectare development will include new leisure facilities, retail space, a food hall and cinema will be created alongside 30 homes, new office space, education facilities, a hotel and carpark.
Mike Malyon, Grayson’s great nephew, said: “I am so pleased that Larry is being recognised by his hometown. He loved living here and is still warmly remembered by so many people.
“Larry was a familiar face on British TVs for many years and hosted the BBC’s flagship TV show, The Generation Game, routinely watched by around 20 million people every week when it was at its peak. How fitting that such a great entertainer should be linked in this way to a new entertainment destination in the town that had such a special place in his heart.”
Grayson Place is currently under construction with partners BAM Construct UK. Phase one of the scheme will open early 2024 with the launch of a new Hampton by Hilton branch.
Located on the corner with the Jubilee Way, the new opening will offer 145 rooms as well as free parking for guests.
The next phase of the project, bringing new leisure and culture facilities, a public square and a new town centre campus for North Warwickshire and South Leicestershire College will complete in early 2025.
The scheme is also expected to create 400 jobs during construction and 1,500 jobs upon completion.
Grayson Place has received funding from the West Midlands Combined Authority to bring forward the first phase of the project.
Funding for the development also comes from the Government’s Future High Street Fund and Towns Fund and the Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership.
Nuneaton & Bedworth Borough Council with strategic development partner Queensbury have worked with Glenn Howells Architects and BAM Construct UK to bring the vision for Grayson Place to life.
