Coventry Then & Now: Reimagining the Icons We Miss - Locarno
Located in the building that now houses Coventry’s main library, Locarno was once a landmark destination for live entertainment. Renowned for its revolving stage, the venue allowed one band to prepare while another performed, ensuring the music never stopped and giving the space a constant sense of momentum. Among the many acts to appear there were The Beatles, who played Locarno in January 1963, cementing the venue’s place in British music history. Over the years, it went on to host countless live performances, dance events and social nights that brought people together through sound, movement and shared experience.
Coventry Then & Now: Reimagining the Icons We Miss - Poster Place
Coventry has always been a city shaped by creativity, culture and community. Over the years, shops, venues and local institutions have come and gone, yet many of them still live on through shared memories and stories. Some places become part of daily life. Others become landmarks of identity. Even after their doors close, their influence remains.
At Create Onsight, we wanted to explore that emotional connection. So we launched Coventry Then & Now, a creative series where we revisit iconic Coventry businesses that no longer exist and reimagine how they might look, feel and function if they reopened today.
Coventry Then & Now: Reimagining the Icons We Miss - Browns
Coventry has always been a city built from character, community and shared experience. Over time, venues have opened, flourished, and eventually closed - but for many people the memories linger. Places that once filled our streets, nights and weekends may be gone, yet their spirit remains alive through stories, photos and nostalgia.
At Create Onsight, we wanted to tap into that connection. So we created Coventry Then & Now, a blog series dedicated to revisiting beloved Coventry venues from the past and reimagining how they might feel if they reopened today.
The aim is not simply to remember, but to celebrate. To honour the past and wonder what these places could be if they returned in 2025.
Coventry Then & Now: Reimagining the Icons We Miss - The Eclipse
Coventry has always been a city built on identity, culture and collective experience. Over the decades, venues have come and gone, yet the stories attached to them have stayed very much alive. These places became more than buildings. They became part of Coventry’s shared memory. With that in mind, we launched Coventry Then and Now, a creative series where we reimagine notable Coventry venues that no longer exist and explore how they might look if they reopened today.
The purpose of this series is not only to remember, but to celebrate Coventry’s past through a contemporary design lens. Each feature looks back with nostalgia and forward with imagination, asking one simple question.
What if The Eclipse reopened now?
Coventry Then & Now: Reimagining the Icons We Miss - Fishy Moores
Coventry has always been a city rich in personality, a place stitched together through community, shared memories, and ordinary moments that somehow became extraordinary. From shops and restaurants to nightclubs and market stalls, our city has seen many beloved venues open, thrive, and eventually disappear. But while the buildings may be gone, the feelings never left.
At Create Onsight, we wanted to explore that emotional connection. So we’ve launched a new blog series: Coventry Then & Now - a creative journey where we reimagine iconic Coventry venues that no longer exist and redesign them as if they were opening their doors today.