The renovation of the roof at the former Woolworths premises in Nuneaton has been finished. Reports indicate that £183,000 was required for the repairs at 22 Queens Road. The property is owned by Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council, which allocated part of the £4,028,173 UK Shared Prosperity Fund received from the previous administration to fund the complete roof replacement. The council has confirmed that the new roof has been installed and that the scaffolding currently visible will be taken down shortly.
The property, which members of the public have observed being used to house market equipment, will now be prepared to accommodate a new occupant. King Edward VI College is the leading candidate, as the borough council had previously disclosed that negotiations were underway with the college regarding the use of 22 Queens Road. The institution, commonly referred to as KEGS, already occupies the first floor of the premises following the establishment of a centre of excellence for Creative Arts and Technical Education, along with a Higher Education facility for the town. However, there is potential for the college to assume control of the ground floor as well. If this occurs, it would mark the conclusion of the council’s extensive efforts to secure a tenant.
The building has remained vacant since 2020 when Poundland shifted operations to the former Marks and Spencer premises. Wilko had been scheduled to relocate from its Church Street unit to the old Woolworths location, with a lease agreement having been signed, though the plan failed when Wilko went into administration.