Ikea’s seven floor Coventry store closed in March 2020, but new proposals could see it become home to national and local artworks and collections.
The City Council have agreed to buy the store, to become a future National Collections Centre. It will house collections from Coventry’s museums, The Herbert Art Gallery and Coventry Transport Museum, as well as collections of 8500 objects held by the British Council, and 8000 objects in the Arts Council England collection.
Coventry University will tie courses into the new building, which will include facilities for conservation, preservation and research. As well as the stores, conservation facilities, and educational opportunities, the council’s visuals suggest there will be exhibitions and displays in the former furniture warehouse, too.
Here at Empty Shops Network HQ, we’re excited to see the biggest example of exactly what we’ve been championing for twelve years – a mixed use scheme, which will bring jobs into the city centre and provide an extra visitor attraction for Coventry.
Empty Shops Network 