The operator of Lichfield’s new cinema has been unveiled.
Everyman has agreed a long term lease on the former Debenhams building.
The site will be repurposed to become a multi-screen facility with associated food and drink outlets as part of a partnership between Lichfield District Council and Evolve Estates, owner of the Three Spires shopping centre.
Cllr Doug Pullen, leader of the council, said:
“Today, we celebrate a major breakthrough for our beloved city.
“After 12 months of dedicated effort and negotiation, Evolve, as our commercial partner, has secured a partnership with Everyman that will bring a state-of-the-art cinema to Lichfield.
“This is just the beginning of an exciting journey, as we look forward to announcing additional food and beverage brands that will further enhance our city centre.
“The Birmingham Road Site is poised to become a vibrant hub of cultural and leisure activities, giving the residents of Lichfield District a destination for socialising and entertainment.”
Cllr Doug Pullen, Lichfield District Council
Everyman operates more than 40 cinemas across the UK, with the company describing itself as operating at the “premium end” of the industry.
Everyman Cinema
The company was founded in 2000 when Daniel Broch purchased the original Everyman Cinema, which had originally opened in 1933, in London. It now operates more than 40 “premium” cinemas across the country.
An Everyman spokesperson said:
“We are delighted to be coming to Lichfield within the Three Spires, opening as the only cinema within the city centre.
“We are confident that Everyman’s innovative lifestyle approach will be an asset to the city centre, enhancing the leisure offering.
“The boutique cinema experience that Everyman adopts has been a success in other places across the UK and we look forward to bringing the Everyman experience to Lichfield.”
Everyman spokesperson
The deal was signed off after councillors agreed a buyout deal for the former Debenhams building in Lichfield city centre.
Under the agreement, the council will pay between £3.5million and £3.9million to buy out the 50% holding in the partnership from Evolve Estates, which owns the Three Spires shopping centre.
Phil Murphy, of Evolve Estates, said:
“Since we acquired Three Spires, we have been determined to improve visitors’ overall experience and deliver the city’s first dedicated cinema in decades.
“We’re over the moon to get this deal over the line and we look forward to continuing working with the local authority and with Everyman.
“We are confident this will be a catalyst for this historic city and will help to attract more leisure brands to the centre and beyond.”
Phil Murphy, Evolve Estates
History of the big screen in Lichfield
The new cinema will give movie fans the chance to view their favourite films at a dedicated multi-screen facility, but it won’t be the first encounter the city has had with the big screen.
From art-deco buildings to plans that never came to fruition and bingo nights to fires, Lichfield’s cinematic history has all the plot twists of a Hollywood blockbuster:
I bet Evolve Estates are over the moon they get rid of a large unit they cannot rent and are paying business rates on. The risk falls on the council. Friarsgate is flogged to developers to build more flats we don’t want or need to pay for this. A garage providing a service and better paid jobs than a min wage cinema was destroyed. Remember Everyman is a loss making business at bottom line. £5.96m in 2021 and £3.84m in 2022. Perhaps with the economic climate things will be better when 2023 results are released.
To be clear it is not the idea of a cinema I object to it is the risk and the mess the council will get into. If it was all so good Evolve and Everyman would be getting on with it, without any council involvement. Just remember other consumer income sensitive businesses have swung from a good profit to administration in a matter 12 months recently.
Has to be good news (at last)!!
A nice upmarket cinema concept and some trendy new retail eatery’s….all sounds ok in principle. But this has all the hallmarks of a commercial disaster. Sadly if it does not work as viable business it will fall on us taxpayers to pick up the burden. Pullen and his lot will be long gone and absolved themselves of any responsibility or blame by the time the first film is shown and the balance sheet is red. Whatever he does next in his career the mess that is friarsgate should follow Pullen around like a bad smell.
No date for opening yet ?? – by Christmas??? Needs a lot of bottoms on seats to turn a profit. RFW is correct. The leisure £ is under great stress & likely will be for a few years yet
This announcement is great news for the city. People have been asking for a cinema for years and now we are getting one. And an Everyman as well! They run brilliant cinemas as anyone who has been to one will agree. It will appeal to people of all ages, give youngsters a place to go and enjoy themselves and attract families. Can’t wait for it to come. I’m keen to learn more about the restaurants involved though.
This is fantastic news.
Everyman is a great operator, and not having to go to the mailbox is a big win!
I wonder who the additional food and beverage brands are going to be? How long will we have to wait before this is announced?
Makes no difference far too late still no opening date etc.- we will continue to patronise The Red Carpet, a family owned local business, better location, good variety of food outlets close by, free parking, & gets all the new films at excellent prices especially daytime. Nice walking area too. What’s not to like?
Great news . I do however hope that this is not so ‘boutique’ that it becomes too expensive to access. I am hoping this will be fully accessible for young folks, families and low earners plus everyone else, therefore making this a fully community based provision.
I look forward to using this space.
People now: yay we’re getting a cinema
People later when the council is bankrupt and the cinema buyout is part of the issue which means they’ll have to sell it off: why did they spend all that money on it?
@Mrs Brown, don’t let the door smack you on the ass on your way out bab
Enjoy it while it’s there folks!
So much negativity people! We have something finally happening on the city centre eyesore. It has taken forever but at least there is some progress. Everyman wouldn’t be investing if they didn’t think it was worth their while. We as a family are really looking forward to being able to go into the city to watch a film and have a bite to eat. There isnt much to do for families in the evenings. Seems like all parties are supportive of it and we are too. What else would people rather happen with the space?
@Brooksy – I could not agree with you more. So much negativity on here, I think its great the council is assisting in setting up something for all ages to enjoy. I don’t see whats not to like, it sorts out an empty building. I for one (as well as the normal stuff like emptying our bins) expect my local council to be helping in making Lichfield a better place. Unlike some grumpy beggars on here I don’t see how this can have a detrimental affect, so it must be a good think right?
Yeah, certainly seems to have taken a while, but I should imagine there is one amount of admin to skip through with three different parties and a lot of money and property involved…
@Janette, help me with why you think would be cheaper than any other cinema around the country?
AnnS it will be chain eatery outlets selling expensive poor quality.
@Aka Pullen’s Folly – A few points:
– This isn’t “my career”, I have a full-time job in the private sector and serve as a councillor because I believe in civic service.
– I won’t be “long-gone” – I’ll still be here, with my family; raising my kids, eating out in Lichfield and walking my dog in the park.
– The council is merely acting as landlord in this arrangement and the private sector seems to have a very high degree of confidence in its success, judging by the many millions they plan on investing.
– Friarsgate is *finally* beginning to take off – in small sections, with a mix of a cinema, housing, restaurants, a plaza, and public open space, having lain dormant for almost 20 years. I’m certainly not perfect, but I won’t be losing sleep over my role in bringing this to life.
People can say it is negative but the Lichfield Live timeline demonstrates that not one commercial enterprise has decided to build or operate a new cinema here in 50 years. Why is that?
Now we are to believe a loss making cinema chain will make it fly against internet streaming. Sorry if people don’t like my view but I would not invest my own money in this project. How many others would when it comes to it?
I hope it does succeed because it will be the local taxpayers who pick up the bill it if does not.
Lets hope its not more decades to actually open the doors. I’m glad this is something more upmarket. There is cheap and naff retail aplenty in Lichfield at the moment.
£16.40 for a adult ticket at the mailbox . red carpet give you a meal too for around the same. lichfield pricing out all but those who earn a big wage.
The timeline at the end of the story shows why there is some negativity, but hopefully the refurbishment will now happen quickly and the cinema will be open asap. It will be great to add the city as a new cinema destination, especially with the choice usually offered by Everyman.
But it needs to start getting customers in quickly considering the millions the council has invested in this in order to get Evolve and Everyman to commit to the plan in the first place – another reason for the negativity as it is now costing the council more than they originally suggested.
Can you explain how friarsgate is finally beginning to take off? Do your mean your free parking or deciding to sell off land after destroying a profitable business.
Doug you might be eating out and possibly attend said cinema but at today’s price £11 per ticket is silly money glad you can afford it
This is a great move for Lichfield – Everyman cinema is a really positive addition to the city. Ignore all the whining harbingers of doom and embrace it.
Ian James- I did not say I thought prices to ‘should be cheaper than any where else in the country’ . I did think the word ‘boutique ‘ plus the glossy photograph of what the cinema might look like , suggested an expensive/exclusive experience. I simply want it to be fairly accessible to most people.
Anyway , it certainly sounds exciting so I am looking forward to it
Great to see Everyman sign up, their cinemas make going to watch a film special again. Hopefully people embrace this and the surrounding businesses benefit too. Let’s stay positive, it’s good to finally see some progress in Lichfield city centre!
I see the worst kept secret is out. At least I can now change my username..
@Doug Pullen….i’m not sure that’s the ringing endorsement you think it is. You like civic service…..I bet you do. In your position it’s fairly lucrative. Living in Lichfield isn’t the same as being responsible for the success of its strategic development. Don’t conflate the two. Being a resident doesn’t make you a good leader. Private sector investment is no guarantee to success. Not unless they know something about Lichfield that no other cinema chain has over the last half a century. Ten years to get to this point is not good enough. You know it and we the electorate know it. You saw the results in May? Nice new car park for your colleagues though.
We will all watch fantasy politley
Council tax rises next month to pay
And parking ❤️🤣
@Janette. Understood! I think Everyman will be towards the higher end. But at the end of the day a private business.
I note that many have now come out of the Woodwork in support of this decision I note too their Political Leaning, with their thumbs up. Let’s face it, it is the first positive decision from LDC in years. But to what cost. Yes it will draw in those that are able to afford to go.
Everyman… Mailbox recently for two Cost £78 .we were in the Theatre just over 2 hours. Only food, drinks, Sweets Purchased in Everyman are allowed. Strict Policy !
I see it as a Meeting Place for the Younger Generation to Hang Out around the area, moving them from McDonalds.
@AKA Pullens Folly, if I understand the history correctly, Doug Pullen became leader AFTER the Friarsgate scheme failed. Since then I am happy as a resident that we have seen progress, agreed not as quickly as any of us would have liked, but COVID did sort of get in the way a little. I think to quote 10 years with Doug Pullen has been at it for 4.5 (including 2 years of almost downtime with COVID) is very disingenuous to say the least.
Personally, as a resident I am pleased that we finally have progress and things are happening.
Maybe, as a resident, if you could do a better job, then roll up your sleeves and have a go? That must be the whole point of having local councillors right?
@Ian Jones. Ok, five years or ten years. Either way this is poor. Covid is a comfort blanket excuse that those of us in private sector aren’t able to keep banging on about. We just get on with it. In the interests of fairness how about we just say Pullen is responsible for the blue bags farce, the disastrous planning decisions of the last 5 years, the on off then on off again city centre access / parking debacle, no clear consistent town plan, supporting our spiteful and incompetent local MP, poor local results in the May election, (which will only get worse by the way). Oh….and while I’m here….what’s happening with the leisure centre? That’s not exactly filling us with confidence either. I’ll give him dues though, I do enjoy the fireworks at the festival.
What amazing news for Lichfield, to me Everyman has to be the perfect fit for our city. To be in walking distance of such a great cinema that offers and evening out along with a film will be brilliant and any extra places to choose to eat out will be an added bonus!
Wagamana would be a great addition!
@Follies – you obviously feel very strongly, I suggest you stand at the next election and go for it!
Adam what about a quality restaurant not a fast food chain
@rose I want to know why those who aren’t negative about projects in Lichfield are seen as negative and “you note our political leaning” as if it is an affliction that shouldn’t be shared in public. In a democracy we should all be allowed our opinions without being vilified for having a different perspective to you!
There are many positive people around about the cinema and new developments. Those that moan about the time stuff takes should try making city centre major developments happen! I did it for four years and it was flipping hard work for another authority! There are a million moving pieces and a thousand people who want / need to be involved. At least it seems we have some movement AND IT HAD CROSS PARTY SUPPORT! That means politicians of all parties thought this was a good thing to do and supported it; like many people who live in the area. Don’t attack us for having a different viewpoint to yours. Every view is valid.
Mike, we already have a plethora of independent restaurants, some of which do serve quality food. Upstairs has a long waiting list, The Larder is always busy, as are McKenzies, the Greek Chef, Pizza by Goli and many others. Personally, I feel Wagamana would offer something different and is inclusive to younger people who may prefer the relaxed style over a note formal dining experience.
Great to see the vast majority get behind and celebrate this welcome good news. Well done LDC on getting this over the line.
I’m all for holding politicians to account but cannot help laughing wryly when the same few (and it is a few from what I can see) negative voices roll out the same old arguments, living in the past and trying to control the narrative on here – thinking they represent the views of the many.
Clearly, from the reaction to this story alone, they do not. Let’s hope some of the vast majority who are positive about our city will join me in making themselves heard too. Time to put the naysayers behind us and get behind this amazing city we live in and the progress that is trying to be made.
Well said. This IS positive news, and something for us to celebrate. Heaven knows, there is plenty in the world to be justifiably negative about.
And Wagamama? I’m for it. Great instrumental by The Alan Parsons Project if I remember correctly.
@Stormwatch and others – It IS positive news, and something for us to celebrate, there is no argument from me. But we also are right to share concerns, not least the financial agreements that the council have entered and tied itself into and the delay in getting this scheme over the line. Better to raise such concerns now rather than in hindsight? Better for us to do it as opposition councillors stay quiet?
It is wonderful news that Lichfield is likely to have a decent cinema; the problem is that the project to develop the Birmingham Road site misses the key point that most of the visitors that will go to the cinema and the other recreational facilities that have been wanted for many years, require visitors from outside the city that will come to the city in the evening. As a high proportion will come from the surrounding towns and villages, they will have to travel by car as public transport either does not exist or stops early in the evening. The present plans for the development of this strategic site show no plans to accommodate the extra car parking needed, in fact it appears that the old multistory car park will be demolished and the spaces largely not replaced. The Friarsgate development did at least envisage an underground car park of around 750 places, the present plans seem to have forgotten that people will always need to be able to travel in their own private vehicle.