Lichfield MP gives cautious welcome to new hotel plan

Lichfield MP Michael Fabricant has given a cautious backing to plans to transform the former Kwik Save site in the city into a hotel.

Developers Tribecka are behind a plan to create a 60-bed hotel on the Tamworth Street site.

The premises had previously been The Regal Cinema and despite previous efforts to have the site reinstated as a cinema, it now looks unlikely that such a plan will come to fruition.

But Tribecka’s initial plans for the site show that the traditional cinema frontage would be retained as part of the redevelopment – something which Mr Fabricant supports.

However, the Lichfield MP is keen to ensure that any new hotel would not interfere with the city’s skyline. He told The Lichfield Blog:

“I am pleased that the plans for the Kwik Save site includes a commitment by them to keep and restore the old cinema facade. My only concern is that they will be raising the height of the structure and I hope that does not spoil the skyline of Lichfield which is already being eroded by the new Tesco.”

Mr Fabricant added that although he had been a supporter of bringing a cinema back to the site, it was always going to be an unlikely scenario:

“It’s a shame the site could not have been restored to being a cinema again, but that was always a long shot.”

Tribecka’s plans have not yet been formally submitted and it is not yet known what impact they would have on the proposed Friarsgate development – a project which is also set to include a hotel.