COUNCIL chiefs say the decision has been taken to change the main contractor working on the development of Lichfield’s new cinema.
The former Debenhams site in the Three Spires Shopping Centre is being transformed to create a new Everyman cinema outlet as part of a joint venture involving Lichfield District Council and Evolve Estates.
But it has now emerged that the decision has been taken to change the main contractor.
The news has led to calls from opposition Labour group leader Cllr Sue Woodward for clarity on what any delays might mean for the wider city centre redevelopment project.
She said:
“The operational matters of the joint venture partnership, set up by Lichfield District Council, are up to them to sort out, but I’m calling on the leader and chief executive to come clean about the impacts of the decision and explain to the council and our taxpayers.
“There has been a flurry of concerns nationally around both Everyman and The Botanist and this latest issue can only add to the uncertainty about whether the project can and will be delivered on time, if at all.
“I do hope we can have assurances that this doesn’t turn into another Friarsgate fiasco.”
Cllr Doug Pullen, leader of Lichfield District Council, said that while the main contractor would be changing, the overall delivery of the project remained firmly on track.
He said:
“The cinema development is being managed through a joint venture partnership. An operational decision was taken this week by the joint venture board in relation to the main contractor.
“Subcontractors remain on site and work is continuing and there has been no change in the commitment from our development partners or future tenants.
“We look forward to welcoming Everyman to Lichfield as part of this important city centre regeneration project.”
I hope it gets finished, we’ve been waiting since my daughter was 5 for a cinema….she’s now 30.
Way back when MF was on the scene they wanted to reopen the old Kwik Save cinema but they were told Lichfield doesn’t need 2 cinemas!!! I cannot found more than zero at the moment.
A more open approach treating council taxpayers with respect on this matter would be welcome. Why has the main contractor been changed? Will the claim be that this is a commercially sensitive matter and we cannot be told the reason.
It’s Lichfield, of course this was never going to happen. Everything that happens here is either failed or if it does get built is half baked, like the so called leisure centre, which isn’t a leisure centre at all.
Yeah I can’t wait to spend 30 quid on a cinema in 2030, when this actually gets done.
I think we need to start looking at people’s background and reassess CVS of the people in charge because they don’t seem to have any business sense or any understanding of community.
What a joke. I’ll be glad when I can finally afford to leave this area
Oh no, this cannot happen again please just an ordinary cinema is whats needed and not some exclusive high priced venue .In these times of ordinary citizens cannot spend just for the privilege of a “classy”seat
Deja Vu
Failed “ Friarsgate “ Rears its Ugly Head., Failed Everyman/Botanist awaiting in the wings.
No Smoke without Fire…..
Absolutely No Positives or reassurances
Another Pile of Rubble for a Decade plus.???
Who is this woman? As a Labour councillor, is this a political issue and disruption when things seem to be finally on track!
Let’s get this done!!
Well we didn’t see that coming seems to me we black Doug Pullen for the failure to deliver projects on time, I see he was part of the new leisure centre was any thoughts put into the unisex changing Room at all he obviously supports any venture that supports him
No mention if there are any cost implications in this change. It is easy spending other peoples money, especially if it requires no verification or fear of justification. I thought Doug prided himself on his openness. What’s it costing us this time. You can’t just walk away from contracts, especially one this size.
As we are ultimately paying for this development, I would like to know why the main contractor has been replaced at this late stage. This is a significant event within the project and Doug Pullen can’t just dismiss it as an operational decision. Has money or time been wasted by the original contractor? How quickly will the new contractor get up to speed and are they being paid the same amount pro rata as the original contractor? So many questions, especially when The Botanist and Everyman are not very strong investments at the moment.
Both Botanist & Everyman are in serious financial difficulties. Botanists are closing all over the place & Everyman too with shares down 70% in last 3 years. Every way you look at these 2 companies there are problems so expect more bad news soon
Oh Jesus….here we go again. If this goes tits up again, we seriously need to see heads roll, and not scuttle off for re-election in Burntwood….
You know who you are….
Should never have demolished the multi-storey car park. Lichfield needed it more than it needed a cinema. Would have saved hundreds of thousands in demolition costs and continued to generate income and footfall. It’s not too late to SAVE THE BUS STATION.
Here we go again.
Do not have failing companies.
We need a cinema and maybe bowling alley for the kids, cheap and affordable not crazy £30 a seat cinemas. What the Botanist does is done everywhere now and there food and drinks are over priced (just look at the 3 Tuns and Inkwell as good examples). Heads need to roll. And please leave the bus station where it is…across from the railway station. Ideal for communters.
SAVE THE BUS STATION
Ye of little faith.
Changing a main contractor ( I see to work for one) is huuuge, and operationally difficult. But if they take the rubies and contracts over it can go okay.
But be nice to hear the reasons from the council as it is a big change.
That said, let’s back ldc and encourage them to complete instead of moaning and complaining. It seems all folk do in these comments is moan.
If you really think it’s so bad why not have a go at council work yourself?
Come on
This was doomed from the start and after the Frairsgate debacle, didn’t most of us know it. All we needed was a plain straigtforward cinema. We certainly don’t need another overpriced eatery attached to it. There are numerous places in Lichfield to eat. Although this is not about the Bus Station I have to agree with the comments others have made regarding relocating it across the road. Has any councillor or LDC employee ever sat for a whole day and counted the number of coaches and buses that use it including the number that can be there at any given time? If they have perhaps they could share the information.
I suggest Ian and Burntwood resident check their facts before spouting inflated prices for the Everyman cinema. £30.00 per ticket! Which website do you book tickets through? Tonight’s showing of the new 28 Years Later film….£17.65 at the Everyman in the Mailbox or £20.34 at the Tamworth Odeon. The Everyman is a far better cinema experience than the big multiplex cinemas and the new Lichfield branch will draw people in from not just from Lichfield but all of the surrounding areas and can only be good for the city. Why on earth would someone want to shout down something that will benefit the city and its population?