Three major restaurant chains have been confirmed for the new Friarsgate development in Lichfield.
Pizza Express, Zizzi and the Handmade Burger Company will all open units in the city.
The announcement follows confirmation that The Light Cinema will operate a seven screen facility as part of the regeneration project.
Cllr Mike Wilcox, Leader of Lichfield District Council, said: “The plans for Friarsgate are really starting to take shape and we’re thrilled the scheme is attracting the interest of such high quality brands.
“When developed, these popular restaurants will no doubt be a huge hit with visitors and locals and will help to further reinforce Lichfield’s reputation as a quality food and retail destination and will bring even more footfall to our new and existing businesses.”
Friarsgate will also feature a new bus station another seven food and drink outlets and a gym.
It is expected to increase the city’s shopping turnover from £55m to £107m by 2022 and is forecast to create 660 new full-time equivalent jobs for the area.
Richard Upton, Deputy CEO of developer U+I, added: “Pizza Express, Zizzi and the Handmade Burger Company will help boost activity, footfall and dwell time in the city centre, enhancing what Lichfield has to offer.
“Providing high quality leisure facilities is essential to the vision for Friarsgate and alongside The Light Cinema, today’s announcement demonstrates our commitment to the success of the project. We look forward to announcing more brand partners set to join the scheme in the near future.”
More food outlets ,they must be desperate ,I’ve lost count of restaurants ,second only to charity shops and luxury apartment peojects ,he’s abides why not fix the city’s infrastructure it wouldn’t bust a gut .
I think I’ll organise tours ,”come and watch heritage and history being destroyed “
Sj would it ‘bust a gut’ for you to learn that the space comes AFTER the comma, not before?
What, non Nandos?
Surely the sign of a successful town/city centre development these days is the presence of a Nandos.
We don’t even have a KFC.
Its like living in the 1930s, on a remore island, with no electricity (not really).
This is really excellent news.
There is nothing at all like this in the area.
Not in Birmingham, Star City, Tamworth, Five Ways, Walsall…
A totally unique experience when you visit Lichfield.
“and is forecast to create 660 new full-time equivalent jobs for the area.” minimum wage, zero hours contracts by any chance?
That artists impression made me do a double take! it looks like every 1960’s vintage shopping centre I have been to, equally uninspiring ones that spring to mind are Sunderland, Oldham and Huntingdon, but I am doing them all a disservice, they had an excuse, they were actually built in the 60’s.
What is LDC’s excuse for this, it’s like a set from back to the future, pop down the shops in the Allegro to book a Freddie Laker Skytrain holiday flight, and while I’m there get the kids that Raleigh Chopper they want for Christmas!
I reckon the BMX, Skateboard and Parkour running park in the centre of the picture will get dropped, which is a shame, as the present skate park is a bit of a total let down.
“Yo Sushi” hasn’t made it to Lichfield then, all that pretentious uncooked fish for the faux posh, I would of thought it right up our street (or retro 60’s shopping centre) even Derby has one!