You can walk along Coventry Street from one end to another without even realising you’ve done so. It’s one of the shortest streets on the London Monopoly Board. You come to the western side of Leicester Square, and you’re near as anything already in Piccadilly Circus. Still, that short thoroughfare you’ve just walked down between the two is actually Coventry Street.
Like Leicester Square it does date back to he reign of Charles II. It’s named after Henry Coventry, one time secretary of state to the merry monarch.
For a long time Coventry Street had a seedy reputation, with gambling houses and prostitution. In the second half of the nineteenth century its reputation slightly improved as it became home to several music halls. In the last century it became particularly known for restaurants and nightclubs. Notable establishments have included the Swiss Centre, where Coventry Street becomes Leicester Square. This was a very modern building which lasted from 1966 until being demolished in 2007. Its most notable feature was a carillon clock which has been preserved on the site, which is now home to the M and M store. I wrote more about this building last week. Coventry Street is also home to the Trocadero, which has during its colourful life housed many attractions.
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