Researched and written 17 October 2026. Sources are listed at the end.
A listed market at the heart of the plan
Coventry's indoor retail market was designated Grade II listed in 2009. It keeps much of its original character: an exposed concrete frame, a wide market hall and an external canopy. The city council recently took ownership of the building. Its deputy leader describes the market as the heart of the City Centre South regeneration around it.
That wider masterplan was designed by Allies and Morrison and is being delivered by Shearer Property Regeneration, formed of Shearer Property Group and the Hill Group.
What the money buys
On 29 September 2026 the council announced a commitment to invest at least £1.25 million in the outside of the building. New glazing in the lower section will let in more light, doorways will be widened and the market's businesses will be better linked to the new public spaces around them. Planning permission is also being sought for new lighting, illuminated signs and public art.
The first stage is funded by the West Midlands Combined Authority, the government's Pride in Place money and the Hill Group, with the council hoping later phases can follow when more funding is found.
The planning application
Intervention Architecture submitted the planning application, which BE News reported on 9 October 2026. It covers about 155 square metres of facade, from Rover Road round to Market Way. It adds colour, lighting and signs inspired by the local Festival of Place, along with better thermal performance.
Its founder, Anna Parker, said the traders and the independent businesses that give the market its character had been central to the design.
When the work happens
The council says work can start in the new year, subject to planning approval. Chris Charley of the Coventry Indoor Market Committee said some traders would be affected and that the committee was working with the council to keep the impact down.
City Centre South is also improving how the market is serviced. From 2028 traders will have a purpose-built covered service yard for loading their stalls, with separate waste facilities.
The new neighbours
Around the market, the Hill Group has finished demolition and groundworks and the first tower of City Centre South is rising. That first building holds 200 affordable homes for Legal & General, 145 for social rent and 55 for shared ownership. The whole scheme is planned to deliver up to 1,575 homes, with a first phase of 991 homes, 8,000 square metres of commercial space and 17,000 square metres of public open space.
Visiting from Stoke
The city centre is about 5 minutes by car from the nearest of our homes, with the cathedral quarter about 2 miles away and Coventry station about 2 miles. A morning at the market fits easily around a day of work or sightseeing.
Sources: coventry.gov.uk/news/article/5566/coventry-market-set-for-1-25-million-upgrade; bbc.com/news/articles/cxvgy2ngn7v1o; benews.co.uk/coventry-listed-market-restoration-plans; retailtimes.co.uk/first-tower-rises-from-the-ground-at-coventrys-transformational-city-centre-south-regeneration-project. Distances by road from each house, worked out on OpenStreetMap.
