In Brief: Retail development attracts record numbers; Telford homes plans approved; and more

A £20m-plus development in Coventry city centre has helped transform the city’s leisure economy – with new figures revealing record footfalls.

Cathedral Lanes has been transformed by Shearer Property Group, which bought the former shopping centre in 2014, and has brought eight brands to the city for the first time.

Now the latest bar-restaurant – The Botanist – has revealed it has attracted around 40,000 customers in less than three months after opening.

The Botanist was the latest occupier of the two-storey building.

The first phase of the development opened in 2015 and brought Cosy Club, Las Iguanas and Wagamama to Coventry.

The Botanist is joined by Zizzi and Bistrot Pierre in the second phase, while MOD Pizza will open in March and Turtle Bay later this year.

Shearer Property Group is the City Council’s partner in the City Centre South and Precinct developments, and will be showcasing its work in the city at MIPIM – the world’s largest property development and investment show.

The company is a member of the Coventry & Warwickshire MIPIM Partnership which is made up of around 20 private sector companies and organisations who promote the area’s presence at the four-day event as part of the UK Midlands.

Guy Shearer said: “Cathedral Lanes is playing a pivotal role in helping the development of the city centre, as is the transformation of The Precinct area, which is now on site for delivery before 2021 City of Culture and that is certainly a message which we and Coventry will be taking to investors at MIPIM.”

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Telford & Wrekin Council’s planning committee has approved a proposal to build more than 40 properties on Princess Avenue in Arleston.

The project will involve the demolition of 34 properties that are currently on the site and replace them with 45 modern homes, comprising 32 two-bedroom houses, seven three-bedroom houses and six two-bedroom bungalows. All properties we be available for affordable rent.

Their construction is linked to the Marches Construction Ready Partnership, which was launched at the end of last year.

The partnership, which involves The Trust, training provider Landau, Telford College, and Beattie Passive, received a £650,000 government grant to set up a training hub aimed at providing opportunities for people to get in to the construction industry while addressing Shropshire’s housing shortage, and boosting the county’s construction industry.

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A multi-million-pound car dealership development in Hampshire has been completed by West Midlands-based construction contractor MCS Group.

The company was appointed by Hendy Group to deliver its £9m Honda, Kia and Mazda dealerships in Eastleigh.

MCS Group led the £6.3m construction contract for the new dealerships on the one-hectare site of the town’s former magistrates court. Hendy Group’s current site in Leigh Road will be refurbished to improve its support for Ford cars and commercial vehicles in the area.

Alan Shadbolt, group commercial director at Warwickshire-based MCS Group, said: “We have completed more than 300 car dealerships across the UK but this was the first time we had worked alongside Hendy Group.

“It was a pleasure dealing with John Hendy and his team and we are delighted that we have delivered three very high quality car dealerships which not only look amazing, but will also provide a great experience for customers. We wish the Hendy Group great success in Eastleigh.”