Plans have been submitted to put up signs for a new Starbucks in Lichfield city centre.
The coffee outlet is being earmarked for a vacant unit in the Three Spires Shopping Centre.
Planning permission is being sought for new signage in line with the “current Starbucks specification”.
The unit had previously been occupied by retailer Flying Tiger.
Full details of the scheme can be seen on Lichfield District Council’s planning website.
I hope all the ‘pensioner bashers’ will give us a rest for a while and vent their spleen on their next favourite subject- yet another coffee shop!
A tax avoiding business and just what Lichfield needs, another coffee shop. NOT!
Flying Tiger was an excellent shop and just the sort you would think would flourish in a tourist environment. Just why did it fail? High rents? Covid? Lack of footfall? Many retailers seem to suffer in Lichfield even when population is increasing. Competition from other places that offer better parking and greater choice is probably one factor.
When Waterstones opened in Market Street I was pleased. I, sadly, rate its survival rate as low.
Another expensive coffee shop? No thanks.
@Philip, how often did you spend money in Flying Tiger? If you don’t use it, you lose it. Lichfield does not attract enough tourists to keep shops going on there own, locals need to shop and spend money there too. Lichfield doesn’t even have a proper museum about the city, yet it claims to be steeped in hundreds of years of history. Have you seen how under-resourced Dr Johnson’s house is? I went in there a couple of months ago and it’s a sorry state, there isn’t even a good interactive exhibition for children. There’s so much more the Council could do to draw people in, but the local leaders are unambitious and unimaginative. Frankly, it’s all a little pathetic.
@David… Indeed much of what you say is valid. The councils avowed policy is to expand the city (local plan 2040) but are tight lipped on infrastructure and facilities.
I have visited many towns and cities within an hours drive of Lichfield. They all offer much more for tourists. I rate Lichfield a half day attraction, mainly because of the reasons you state.
As for Flying Tiger, my grandchildren loved the shop so yes I did purchase from them regularly. Realistically though, most items were not expensive so this would have had little impact.
Your summing up that the situation for Lichfield is ‘a little pathetic’ is undoubtedly true.
Starbucks!!!! Yes about time a descent coffee shop. I know people will complain about “ not another coffee shop” but I must admit Starbucks is much better than Costa or the other coffee shops in Lichfield. As other people have said we can’t see Starbucks lasting long because of as people have said “ high rents” so if M&S struggled what chance has everyone else got.
I say good luck Starbucks we are with you.
Enough said.
Well, not all of us are #AvatarSean
Would you prefer an empty shop or a Starbucks?
It has to be Starbucks….. surely?
Personally, I think Cafe Nero (and to a lesser extent Costa) does much better coffee than Starbucks, but then I’m not one of the Skinny-caramel-protein-vanilla-hazelnut-mocha-frapaccino type coffee drinkers. I’m not judging, mind. :)
My favourite coffee is Costa so will not be going to Starbucks
I’ve lived in Lichfield all my life and I’m getting old ish l don’t go to coffee shops .Why pay £3.00 more money then sense. There’s nothing in Lichfield to spend your money on.Like the good olden day it was just the same…But we did have a CINEMA…..
I live just out of Lichfield and I rarely go into the town unless for something specific that I can’t find elsewhere. The reason being that I can’t walk very far due to disability. However. I do drive so as long as there is parking close enough to where I want to go, I can manage a very short visit if I go straight there and back. This is how I discovered that Argos was closed down yesterday although read here that it closed back in April!! Anyway, I digress. I love Lichfield and enjoy shopping there when I can. It would be a very sad state of affairs if retailers were priced out of the town due to high rents. With the energy crisis upon us and the current cost of living affecting all but the very wealthy, I can’t see an improvement happening any time soon and I fear things will get worse before they get better. I can’t see how another coffee shop could thrive when people can’t come and shop in Lichfield for other things – they wouldn’t travel in just for a coffee.
I disagree. I think there are plenty of decent shops in Lichfield if people bothered actually looking. There are lots of good independents. I only shop in Lichfield and I manage fine. I’m 37. I use Fatface, Young Ideas, White Stuff, Ministry, Sports Direct, Mankind, Mountain Warehouse, Trespass to name but a few. There are others my partner likes including Roman, Bijou, Fortescues and New Look. Lots of choice if you spend time going in these shops rather than complaining. We have a great Waterstones and some lovely gift shops. Not sure what people want. Let me guess, Primark? Spend your money in Lichfield, support our lovely city, and more retailers will come!