Coventry city centre's landmark Co-op store to close in October

[rebbonk]

The huge Corporation Street shop has been bought by EDG Property, best known for major developments including The Cube in Birmingham.

Bosses said the store - one of the city’s biggest and longest established - will shut on October 24, explaining the retail environment had become “increasingly challenging”.

It has served generations of city shoppers for more than half a century and is loved by many for its legendary Santa’s sleigh ride which has been running at Corporation St since 1954.

Local rag

I remember many a ride on that sleigh as a kiddie. In fact, I think my mum still has a picture of me about 3 years old with Santa.

A sad loss to the city in my opinion, but an even greater loss to society in general the way the Co-operative movement is declining.

[Lex]

I've never been to the Coventry co-op (never had a reason to), but it'll be another reason for the locals not to travel into the city centre.

[Lex]

Something about this seems suspect to me. Why would the developer take the building on if it can't make a profit on it paying rent at market rates? Why is the city council only charging £1 for a 250 year lease?

http://www.coventrytelegraph.net/new...co-op-13332392