Hat factory development?

[chubbawubba]

Hello, this is my first post here.

I was wondering if anyone knew what is happening about the supposed development of the hat factory (Vero's?) on Coleshill road. Various rumours stated that they were soon to be developed into some flats or even better, loft spaces like those fancy New York lofts you see in American sitcoms.

Yet every time I walk by, it seems like the place falls down a little more each day. Even my most reliable source of gossip doesn't seem to know what is happening.


Maybe they should just bulldoze the whole lot and turn it into a posh waterfront housing estate instead?

Regards, Chubb.

[Madhatter]

Hello, welcome chubb.

I'm not sure to be honest, to do anything with that building the canal side would have to be completely rebuilt, it's so dilapidated and the window openings are really unsuitable for any use. The front of the building is actually quite pleasing to the eye, the brickwork arch, windows, architecture. The central section is well worth saving.
I was told by a reliable source that it had been sold to a developer intending to turn it in to flats but that was a long time ago.
To be honest I can't see a lot of use for it other than flats.The ground floor could be turned in to a craft centre and shops, perhaps a decent canal shop, a town museum, but its a fair way out of the town centre, I'm not sure thats the best place for a museum although the building is right being an ex hat factory.
The top could be business offices and or decent flats, 2 bedroom, with balcony over the canal. The side could be rebuilt to represent an old warehouse rather than tack on a glass balcony like all the other new canal side developments seem to be, they no longer look classy but look tacky. Arched windows, balconies with chain railings, loading cranes on the wall.