Next step in £50m city centre retail scheme

PLANS to transform a former sorting office into a £50m supermarket and retail scheme should be submitted to city planners by the end of the month.

Worcestershire-based Barberry Developments completed the sale of the 200,000 sq ft Royal Mail sorting centre and adjoining properties, in Coventry, last month.

The planned development includes a 125,000 sq ft supermarket, 585 parking spaces, 20,000 sq ft gym and swimming pool centre and vehicle access work along with landscaping and pedestrian zones.

The existing Royal Mail building would be demolished and proposals to remove the ring road pedestrian bridge and replace it with a ground level crossing are also being examined.

A public consultation on the development, to be called ‘Bishop Gate’, opens tomorrow at Coventry City Council’s offices with work starting later this year, subject to planning consent.

Barberry Developments director Henry Bellfield said: “Following the closure of the Royal Mail sorting office, this part of the city centre is in desperate need of new investment and redevelopment.

“The plans we are currently working on are hugely exciting and will create hundreds of jobs for local people.

“We believe our development fits in perfectly with the regeneration masterplan for the city centre which sets out the council’s vision for the future.”