Don’t allow the historic phrase ‘being sent to Coventry’ to fool you. Coventry is a large and important city in the Midlands and has a population of more than 300,000. It is the most inland city in the United Kingdom which means it is further away from the coast than any other location known as a city. It is less than 100 miles from London and less than 20 miles from Birmingham. Its proximity to the two largest cities in England and its own vast size means that Coventry is an important economic centre.

Coventry’s GVA is approaching £6 billion with approximately 70% of this coming from the services industry with virtually all the rest emanating from industry with agriculture making up about 0.5% of the city’s GVA. The emphasis on services above industry is something of a departure for the city. At the start of the 20th century, Coventry was a major manufacturing and industrial centre. It was especially important in the bicycle, motorbike and automobile industries. Motor companies in the city of Coventry were once a significant contributor to the British Motor Industry but this is no longer the case. The city was even a large machine tools manufacturer but the Iraqi Project Babylon scandal ensured that Matrix Churchill, the city’s last major machine tools manufacturer, was forced to shut down.

Sectors

What sets Coventry apart from a host of other cities is the variety of job opportunities on offer. The city looked set to fade once the manufacturing industry started to fall away. It is the case with many other cities worldwide that once an industry which they are dependent on starts to wane, the city itself undergoes a period of unemployment and recession. Despite the economic climate which is less than sunny, Coventry offers a wide range of employment opportunities. Manufacturing and the auto industry still account for 30% of the city’s jobs but financial services and banking are also responsible for almost 30% of jobs. IT services offer another 10% of Coventry’s jobs while the education sector has 12% of the city’s employment opportunities.

Transport

As a major Midlands city, one would expect Coventry to have an array of transport options and you are not to be disappointed. The city is near no less than four motorways and also has the A45 and A46 dual carriageways. The main ring road was built in the 1960s and the Phoenix Way, a dual carriageway that runs north to south, was opened in 1998 and has had a significant positive effect on traffic in the city.

The West Coast Main Line is the major rail line in the city and has a number of rail services to Birmingham and London. Canley and Tile Hill are the city’s Suburban Rail Stations. The major bus station in Coventry is the Pool Meadow station. There are three major bus operators in the city: Travel de Courcey, Stagecoach and National Express Coventry. Courthouse Green and War Memorial Park are the city’s Park & Ride Scheme centres.

For a city of Coventry’s size, it is quite a feat to have two major airports in close proximity. Coventry Airport is just 5 miles from the city while Birmingham International Airport is just 11 miles away.

Accommodation

Property prices in Coventry are among the best value for money in any UK city. This is especially the case when you consider the city’s size and relative importance. Priory Place is known as one of the Coventry’s trendiest city centre locations thanks to its proximity to a number of upscale bars and restaurants. Stivichall is a popular residential area which is located a few miles south of the city centre. There are a host of beautiful two or three bedroom bungalows. Syvechale Grange is another suburban area that was first developed more than 40 years ago as a means of coping with the city’s exploding population which has since dropped. Earlsdon is just a mile from the city centre but it still maintains the feel of Old Coventry yet it has all modern conveniences like a railway station and theatre.

Coventry is one of the best cities in the Midlands and has an historic element that goes perfectly with its more modern advancements.