Following a successful campaign on social media and two petitions, the City Council has at last responded to concerns about the future of Coventry Market.
Coventry Market is a hugely important asset which has been serving Coventry’s communities since the 1950s. The Market sells a huge variety of goods and services and is a key footfall generator for the city centre.
The Market has more than 150 stalls located on its ground floor. These stalls sell a huge variety of different products. This includes fresh food, hot food and drinks, food from around the world, beauty and hospitality services, bric-a-brac, household goods, ironmongery and many other goods and services.
The retail market has been severely affected by all the barriers that have gone up around the City Centre redevelopment scheme. This has led to a severe downturn in trade.
The retail market was already suffering from the decline that has affected small retailers and markets up and down the country.
A report on the issue was considered by Cllr Jim O’Boyle the Cabinet Member for Jobs, Regeneration and Climate Change on 18th December 2025.
The council has agreed to provide both rent and Business Rate relief to the market traders.
In addition, the council will start work on longer term options to improve the market and secure its viability. This will include seeking funding for the restoration of the Grade II listed building.
This has become possible because the council took back ownership of the market in November 2024.
Before that it was owned by Royal London and managed by the council on their behalf. During this period there was a lack of maintenance and the market deteriorated.
In the longer term, the market will benefit from being on the doorstep of the £450 million City Centre South scheme, which will provide 1500 new homes.