Enthusiast-favourite Coventry Transport Museum could relocate to former IKEA premises under proposed plans
Coventry’s iconic Transport Museum has become the focus of major regeneration discussions that could see it relocated from its current Millenium Place site to the former IKEA building elsewhere in the city. The museum houses the largest collection of British-made road transport held in public ownership, including mass-produced cars that were built in the city, plus the Thrust SSC and Thrust 2 land speed record cars.
In documents presented at May’s UK Real Estate Investment and Infrastructure Forum (UKREiiF), officials floated the possibility of building around 300 homes on the museum’s current Millennium Place site on Hales Street, within the wider City Centre North regeneration scheme. A listing shared in the Coventry Investment Prospectus said: “Coventry City Council wishes to see the Transport Museum relocated into new purpose-built facilities and, therefore, freeing up this strategic site in the heart of the city centre.”
However, the council has since clarified to local news reporters that no decisions had been made, and no relocation deals agreed. Talking to CoventryLive, it said that the prospectus was a “visionary document” and “at no point has the detail of this been in front of any elected member.”
Work has already begun at the former IKEA building on Croft Road, which is being transformed into a National Collection Centre to house exhibitions from Arts Council England and the British Council. Councillor Jim O’Boyle confirmed that some of the Transport Museum’s collections, many of which are currently in storage, may be displayed there. Perhaps worryingly, items without “strong public benefit” are expected to be disposed of, with proceeds reinvested in preserving and acquiring exhibits.
Speaking of the museum potentially moving to the IKEA building, Cllr O’Boyle argued that the museum couldn’t realise its full capacity on its current site without serious investment, describing the former IKEA site as “absolutely humongous” and “a brilliant opportunity.” He also stressed the national significance of the museum, noting Coventry’s role as the birthplace of the UK automotive industry, and insisted that any changes would be designed to strengthen its cultural and visitor appeal.
However, the idea of relocation has not been universally welcomed. An ePetition has been launched by residents opposing the potential move, warning it would “destroy a repository of our cultural history” for the sake of unwanted apartments. The petition can be found here
