Plans for a new cinema should be scaled back to prevent it becoming a white elephant, Lichfield Civic Society has said.
Councillors will discuss the proposals at a planning committee meeting tomorrow (24th January).
If approved, the development will see the creation of a four screen cinema in the former Debenhams building in the Three Spires shopping centre.
But the civic society said it had concerns about the scheme due to the forthcoming demolition of the multi-storey car park.
A spokesperson said:
“While there is no objection to bringing back a cinema offer to Lichfield, the society objects to the current proposal.
“We have researched cinemas within a reasonable driving distance of Lichfield. Many of these have free, on-site, parking. In contrast, Lichfield is proposing to destroy its nearby multi-storey car park and does not intend to replace it, so customers will have to walk from further away and will have to pay for parking.
“And for those without cars, we have a hopelessly unappealing bus service. If you wish to go out for an evening, it stops too early and isn’t dependable anyway.
“These factors will not encourage patrons and to be financially successful this four-screen cinema complex will need good footfall. We are therefore concerned that, if the proposed scheme goes ahead in its current form, in a few years time we will see the cinema operator withdrawing from the site because it is financially unviable to continue.
“In that event we could end up with a white elephant site and the council would lose rental income.
“We therefore suggest a reduced scheme should be considered – possibly with two small auditoria – with an offer varying through the week.”
Lichfield Civic Society spokesperson
The application also covers the demolition of neighbouring retail units as part of plans to create a connection through to the Birmingham Road site as part of wider redevelopment plans.
But the civic society said it also objected to such plans.
“The demolition is unnecessary. It will displace viable existing businesses and the demolition work will disrupt trade for remaining adjacent businesses.”
Lichfield Civic Society spokesperson
The civic society’s comments come after a report to the planning committee recommended the scheme be given the green light.
Cllr Doug Pullen, leader of Lichfield District Council, said he was confident that the cinema development would help to revitalise the city centre.
“It’s great news that a cinema operator will be investing millions of pounds into the derelict former Debenhams building and committing to a 25 year lease.
“The physical breakthrough at the top of Three Spires, which has been planned for many years, will now become a plaza surrounding the ground floor of the cinema and is a key component of connecting the Birmingham Road site with the city centre.
“While the multi-storey carpark will be demolished, we are actively looking at ways of improving car parking provision across the city centre.
“With a revitalised evening economy in Lichfield, early indications from bus and train operators are that they would put on more services later into the evening to cater for demand. This is great news for everybody who uses public transport, whether they are patrons of the cinema or not.
“We are delighted that the business sector has such confidence in the Lichfield economy right now – and hope that the Lichfield Civic Society are able to share some of that ambition for the future our city.
Cllr Doug Pullen, Lichfield District Council
The story of cinema in Lichfield
While the new development may have put the idea of a city cinema back in focus, the history of cinema in Lichfield is nothing new.
Click below to see how the story of Lichfield’s latest big screen plans has evolved from the early days of movies in the city.
I agree with the Civic Society. Only yesterday I drove past the car park/Debenhams buildings with a friend. We both agreed it was crazy getting rid of that car park & not replacing it in the same place with a modern one. Why do that? Lichfield has parking problems anyway, without getting rid of a well used one, right next door to a proposed new Cinema/nearby shopping area and theatre.
Lichfield, like many other places has problems with drunken youths in some the late evenings, especially at weekends & unless single women or elderly could get to their car easily and quickly, I doubt they will go.
LDC councillors, need to think of women/elderly being on their own at this proposed venue. They often go in groups if a decent film is on…but, without easy parking, they will be less likely to attend.
At last some useful comments from the Civic Society. Where have you been in protecting this city from these deluded Councillors? Oh and maybe if the leader of LDC really cared about the city he would research the history; Before the precinct redevelopment there was an opening straight at the top, left and right. So you are simply undoing what had been done before and wasting tax payers money in the process. No surprise there, just usual incompetence!
Couldn’t agree more with these well thoughtout comments by Lichfield Civic Society. Local tax payers will pick up the bill for this folly. Hopefully, their common sense observations will act as a wake-up call to our councillors before it is too late.
At least some people are talking sense at last.
Do we know who the operator is yet, or is it still top secret.
Extra buses but the bus station is being moved away, used to have a cafe and proper toilets, all we have now are an apology for toilets.
Would be nice to have a cinema but not at any cost.
Revitalised evening economy when parking charges have increased?
This has been discussed for nearly 20 years now I don’t think anyone has any interest in any of it anymore.
Once again Mr D Pullen is flip flopping over Car Parking, not that long ago the multi-storey car park was under used so could be pulled down. Then the Council building required extra parking ( to be used by the rate payers at weekends at a fee). Now the Council are looking for more parking places in Lichfield.
The bus companies will only increase buses if it is viable or subsidised and I cannot see people using the trains.
Please think again Mr P and friends.
Fascinating to follow the time line from 1912 of cinema – and plans for a cinema – in Lichfield. Well done LL.
Some good points raised by the Civic Society and good to read/know that there’s some challenge around this questionable project.
However the fact that, again, valid concerns are dismissed by Doug Pullen in his typical ‘yeah, yeah, yeah, thanks for your concerns but we’re gonna ignore them and press on regardless’ response is cause for worry.
I agree with your comments about the Lichfield Live cinema timeline, very interesting Sir Michael, but what are your views on the here and now current cinema planning proposals and the Civic Society’s appraisal of them?
We did have two cinema’s, one was demolished and rebuilt as Wilko’s, the other stood empty, turned into a supermarket,then stood empty, now turned into apartments, at that time did have it’s own parking
Know the set up as changed, but weren’t required then
Please can someone get a grip of this. It’s embarrassing and pitiful that a growing city the size of Lichfield doesn’t have a cinema, when Barton under Needwood manages to sustain one. There’s virtually nothing for children and young people to do in Lichfield and they can’t easily travel to those surrounding towns and villages that have cinemas.
If they are worried about the council loosing rental income, would it not be obvious to give free parking to cinema attendees.
This would actually attract more people into the city bringing more income instead of driving itcaway.
Who are all these people…. Who can’t get up and walk!!! OMG have to catch the bus…!
We need to expand the city centre it’s concrete and structural and the shops you talk about do not fit in with the historic look and worthy of the Lichfield historic city gateway character.
This proposal is far better than the billboarding and concrete car parking right in the middle of a city centre what has been around for last 20 years! The large concrete car park that currently exists in a small town is not right at all.. we need to change the landscape. We should think about the residents in Lichfield city first who to look at it … I am not interested in blue moon visitors… and car parking for them whilst us Lichfield folk pay the taxes! It’s got to get better ! I am all for disability and inclusion myself believe me. But this should not halt progress on the city development it’s the best I’ve seen in years … the modern world needs us fitter healthier and a lot more greener go for it Lichfield
I walk to city venues but lack of safe reasonably priced parking , will kill the town and all the lovely businesses and activities in it. Folks will simply go to out of town venues and avoid Lichfield.
– Create a plaza- keep the Cinema but offer more reasonable parking particularly post 3.30. /6.30
– Encourage a wider variety of independent shops rather than allowing numerous barbers, beauty salons and eateries. Variety/more creative planning permissions I’m sure would also draw people in and have them stay longer but they need to park cheaply around the town . People will then be more willing to spend here and stay longer.
– Socially, half hour stays are not useful and transfer traffic chaos onto Tesco/Aldi car parks. These recently have become a nightmare.
– I again suggest a Park /Ride with transfer at low cost to the centre as in other cities. This would be useful on Festival days.
Jazzy B some Lichfield residents live 4 or 5 miles from the centre too far to walk at night
At last some common sense. The proximity of the multi storey car park to the theatre (and any future cinema, if it actually comes to fruition) is a major plus for visitors. With the local population growing so much recently, and yet more housing planned, where are people to park? If it is too much hassle, people will just go elsewhere.
And extra later buses? Really? So if, say, 30 people decide to use the bus of an evening rather than try to find somewhere close to park, how many routes would be necessary to put on in order to serve those living in Boley Park, Darwin Park, Streethay, the Birmingham Road estate, the planned Watery Lane estate etc, never mind the rest of the population? You’d end up with many empty buses, or a handful of passengers per bus at most, so uneconomical for the operators to run.
And do we really need 4 screens? Sutton’s new cinema is going to have 4 and that serves a much bigger population. Two, like the cinema at Barton, would be plenty.
Ken H; the irony is that the old Regal (former Kwiksave) could have been turned into a superb art deco cinema as it used to be. The council had this opportunity but the entrepreneurial leader DP advised the council didn’t opt for commercial ventures. Councillors really have no idea what they are doing and never have.
I do need parking when I visit Lichfield. Please note Lichfield is surrounded by rural areas. Many people travel miles to get to Lichfield so car parking is crucial.
Dear neighbours Let’s Think about what I have said.. large concrete car park placed right in the SMALL crowded town city… did I indicate no car park… tut same ole jump impulsively with negativity..
does being five miles out, class you as being a lichfieldian I would check..
those who are classed as having a significant disability, mobility is affected, should have access to car park integral to a city.. whilst then the vast majority abled walkers can have access to a car park location that’s reasonably located outskirts of town, well lit for security with cctv, well designed built not a concrete monstrosity doesn’t distort the outer image of a lovely historic city to match the surrounding rural areas.. some which also been blighted by hs2 and we’re to see improvements to that in the near future! Point is If you’re five miles away doesn’t mean you need a car park that’ right in the middle of a little town!
We know the town has been declining and it’s not due to parking!
Jazzy B I am about 4.5 miles from the city centre, my bins are emptied by LDC, I pay rates to LDC ,my doctor is in town so I am Lichfield
@Jazzy B: “Who are all these people…. Who can’t get up and walk!!!” – You should try walking from Burntwood to Lichfield, let alone from some of the smaller villages in Lichfield District. The former Debenhams multi-storey is the best place to park for the theatre and the planned cinemas, as well as being ideal for shops, buses and the train station. It’s insane to knock it down and not replace it with the same amount of parking in the same place. And buses in the evening are a joke. I am constantly giving my family lifts to and from Lichfield in the evening because there are no buses. How much demand do the bus companies need, and what will convince them that it’s there? They are run for profit only and clearly have no interest in providing a decent service. Meanwhile, it’s mad to move the bus station to the other side of the road, where there is barely space for a single bus. I’ve seen a dozen buses and coaches at once using the current bus station. Where are they all expected to go?
@Jazzy B: I have indeed thought about what you’ve said. “I am not interested in blue moon visitors… and car parking for them whilst us Lichfield folk pay the taxes!” I think you’ll find that plenty of the businesses in Lichfield ARE interested in visitors. You will also find that those of us who live in the surrounding area pay our taxes as well.
When I was younger the pub, chip shop and pictures were all cheap nights out. We would often go to the cinema once a week (at the change of programme). Society is significantly wealthier now but such activities are no longer a small consideration. All have become very expensive.
This will, of course, determine the frequency of use. There is also much competition from on-line availability. Anything that hampers easy access to these facilities will likely influence their turnover.
I hope it goes well. Lichfield does not need another major failure.
The timeline at the bottom of the article is great. I can only assume people are downvoting the earlier comment praising it due to the name on the comment.
“Free parking” at local cinemas…. Walsall Light cinema and Odeon Tamworth both have chargeable car parks. The cinema at Barton marina is free but has limited scope for films and Burton’s cinema offering has been impacted by Cineworld closure but the parking was chargeable.
I agree with you Jazzy B. I know far too many people who live in walking distance who could quite easily walk. It’s a shame that those who have made a lifestyle choice that involves being so reliant on motor cars (and sorry – for most people it is a choice) should impose their demands on those who choose to live more sustainably.
I’ve got an idea. Let’s leave everything the way it’s always been and change absolutely nothing, ever.
We could always turn Debenhams into flats for old people instead.
By my understanding then there is still NO decision on Proposed New Cinema along with NO decision on failed Friarsgate Project and NO decision of Moving Bus Station and NO decision of when Multi Storey Car Park is to be demolished. One decision made very quickly was the Car Parking facility for LDC.
What is this weird obsession with rubbish, poorly led local councils wanting to knock down well used multi storey carparks? Cannock Council are planning to do the same with the one behind the Prince of Wales theatre. My family and I use the multi storey whenever we visit the Garrick due to having to drive there as the awful bus service in our area stops running after 8pm.
Removing the car park is madness, without replacing it, the council are turning the Old Ford garage into a carpark ( why didn’t they do that 5 years old ) when the Friary gate project was shelved,? My understanding is Three spires shopping centre is not owned by Lichfield council, so where is the risk? to the council?
No commentators to this proposal to demolish and not replace the central multi-storey car park are in favour of this plan, and as one points out, the lack of nearby parky will eventually kill the cinema for lack of customers who just go elsewhere. The over-ambitious Friarsgate plan did at least recognised the need for additional car parking in the city centre close the the railway station, but it was placed below ground so that the surface space could be used for a public open space. One of the justifications given by the District Council to not replace the lost parking places of the multi-storey car park was a survey that ended every day at 4:00 pm, not taking into account the evening use.
It is time the District Council opens its eyes to the reality that the Lichfield economy depends on visitors and the night time economy, that cannot be served by a superficial local transport system that does not work late at night or at all in the many villages that surround our city.