Appeal to piece together history of landmark Coventry building
Release date: 09th September 2010 Appeal to piece together history of landmark Coventry building AN appeal for information and photos is being made to help piece together the history of one of Coventry's landmark buildings – the Koco building. Judith Brandon, chair and director of the Koco Community Resource Centre, located at ‘The Arches’, Spon End, said she wanted to hear from anyone who could help boost the building's sense of community. Her appeal has come just weeks after it was revealed that the The Arches is set for a new lease of life after being bought in a seven-figure deal. Plans include a major refurbishment and clean-up programme. The Koco building, once home to famous chain-making companies such as Coventry Chain Company and Renold Chain, survived the Blitz and over the years and has become a community building from where charitable organisations and small enterprises now operate. Judith said: "We've researched as far as we can but we are struggling to piece together a complete history of the building from when it was first occupied by the directors of the Coventry Chain Company since the 1914-1918 Great War. It is all that remains of a company that employed about 1500 people. "We are looking to piece together the building's history and would love anyone to come forward with photos that we can copy or information to help us. It would be lovely to have a picture of when it was first built. We have some of the original features, including the oak paneled wide stairway where the chairman and the directors of Coventry Chain would have swept up to their offices." A National Lottery bid has also been submitted by Judith and her team to also use the building as a base to work with 18 to 24-year-olds to help get them into employment. Judith added: "In addition to the work we want to do with young people, we want it to become a community building with low cost office space and seminar rooms for like minded small businesses." • Anyone who can help can contact Judith Brandon on 024 7671 4988. -ENDS- Photograph caption Photo shows (left to right) Judith Brandon, Craig Bean and Michael Fawcett. Editor’s note:- For further information contact Judith Brandon on 024 7671 4988 or Gary Lillistone, Bridge PR 024 76 520025, email: garyl@bridgepr.co.uk.
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