Friargate development

Dabbs Collins were at No.8 Claude M Payne was at No.12 Payne Skillington are at No.12 . . . . . . . . . . is the only information I can add

Thank you, what sort of time period was this? In more recent years they had all merged into a single partnership.

I think the first two came from the 1972 Telephone Directory I don't recall a merger - had a long period without recourse to Skillington & Brown/Payne Skillington

I seem to recall it being Payne, Skillington & Dabbs in the mid to late 80's

Quite correct, Tony - it seemed to ring a bell when you set out the three names together, and a quick Google search confirms that they did indeed exist under that title

I'm sure this image has been posted before but courtesy of the Warwickshire Railways website - this shows the newly developed station just prior to its opening in 1962 but more interestingly also shows the lovely entrance towards the City that Eaton Road gave the newly arrived visitor. A pity this was not to last much longer as the Ring Road took effect - they really did ruin it didn't they.

Hi Neils Yard & Hi all I agree with you. We have destroyed so much, with the ring-road grandiose scheme, very little of which that has been permanent. The traffic issues could have been solved just as well with an outer-ring system, without the need to destroy so much of the heart of our city. If it was so good at the time, why is it necessary to redevelop this same area again. The answer is in the fact of it needing redevelopment now. Thank you for your post & picture. A timely reminder of short sightedness.

That's an incredible picture, Neils Yard, I've never seen that before. What a shame. That was a fine avenue to act as an entrance to the city, and now they are effectively recreating it again after destroying it 40+ years ago. I also think it highlights the station's design, a large glazed area letting in light. Now it overlooks a desolate square hemmed in by empty office buildings. The sad thing is that Coventry could have managed just as well with a less destructive road scheme. The worst thing is that Coventry needs extensive redevelopment thanks in part to the last round of redevelopment (Although from what I've seen it wasn't so much redevelopment as destruction.)

You mean like these? Eaton Road Station Square There are worse "station approaches" though

OK - I've been in touch with The Friargate Project Office and this is the response I received regarding the demolition of 'The Rocket'. "Our own records show that the Rocket pub was formerly the Railway Hotel which was first built in the late 1850's. Although it was associated with the original station (1838), it was substantially altered in the late 19th century or early 20th century so what we see today has little or no evidence of the original Hotel role. The building is 'locally listed' as being of local but not national interest. We included its possible demolition as part of the description of the Friargate master plan for outline planning purposes for which approval was given in July 2011. As developer, we have no current plans for the property as it falls outside of our commercial proposals. This part of Warwick Road is likely to house a new station entrance building as a part of a proposal to generally improve transport connections in the area and it is therefore possible that the Rocket might be included within the proposals. These ideas are being worked up by a team managed by Coventry Council and Network Rail and could reinstate an entrance in the historic location of the original station. Please keep in touch with the project and do not hesitate to make contact again if you would like more information." Regards Stephen Reynolds He manages to avoid confirming whether or not the old building will go but there is a glimmer of hope regarding a new entrance.

They still have the old name on the plate next to the front door

Good spot Cliff!, is that a recent photo? Something makes me think they were at number 12!

Yesterday!

For Neilsyard Railway Hotel Warwick Road LINK

It would be good for the station to have a proper entrance on Warwick Road.