A CINEMA operator says it is still committed to opening a new site in Lichfield.
Everyman’s pledge comes after the company’s boss stepped down and some national reports suggested it would not add to its current portfolio of locations.
But despite this, a spokesperson for the cinema chain said the current scheme being developed at the former Debenhams site in the city centre remained part of its plans.
They said:
“We remain committed to our cinema at Lichfield and are pleased that works are continuing on site.
“We are looking forward to bringing the Everyman experience to Lichfield city centre, creating a high-quality cinema for local residents and visitors.”
The pledge comes after Lichfield District Council confirmed earlier this month that it had changed the main contractor on the project.
Cllr Doug Pullen, leader of the local authority, said at the time that the move would not impact the eventual delivery of the cinema:
“The cinema development is being managed through a joint venture partnership. An operational decision was taken 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 have just renewed my subscription to Skeptics Anonymous!
This is very strange. Only a couple of days ago the CEO issued a statement that no new venues would be opened this year. Reason being that their 18 million pounds of debt had grown to 22 million and they needed to reduce this debt pile! Seems to be alot of misinformation flying around either by Everyman or LDC!
Yet another farce brewing, methinks. We had the plan for a covered shopping mall to replace the precinct, which stalled apparently due to funding issues with the outbreak of the Gulf War, resulting in a cheaper tarting up job on the precinct. Then there was the Friarsgate fiasco, and seven years on still nothing much has been done with the site. As part of the shopping mall project, we were going to get a new multistorey carpark, but of course nothing happened, and more recently the existing carpark was demolished, with no plans to replace it, severely reducing parking. Then there was the furore over pedestrianisation, and disabled people are still disadvantaged in parking in the city centre. As for housebuilding, it seems to be a free-for-all for developers, but with no provision for the additional health centres needed, and other facilities. Not forgetting the intransigence of the council in putting a new leisure centre in a public park despite considerable public protest. What next?
This article does not contradict the earlier statement that Everyman is not opening any new sites this year. They say they are still committed to opening a cinema in Lichfield but there is no indication of when, let alone a commitment that this is still happening this year.
I suspect that my experience and that of many others is the reason why scepticism continues about the wisdom of our Council Tax being ploughed into this venture – cinema attendance in past 40 years – twice !
The debt grew because they built new cinemas in London, the debt falls if their other cinemas do well. Simple economics. Careful what you wish for as there’s another cathedral city in Durham which currently has a ghost Everyman and a zombie Brewdog in their Milburngate development. No reason this can’t open in 2027, unless people have stopped going to the Cinema and then we probably need one anyway.
They said they’re “committed”, but didn’t say committed to 2026. Hopefully it’s done before 2036… Am I right in thinking, until it’s finished, the financial burden is on the council?
“We remain committed to our cinema at Lichfield and are pleased that works are continuing on site.
“We are looking forward to bringing the Everyman experience to Lichfield city centre, creating a high-quality cinema for local residents and visitors.”
They may well be committed but given the rumours, what they have not made clear is whether this means it will open as scheduled or if it will be delayed.
Would LDC care to enlighten us?
Unsure so question? Is LDC still offering a financial incentive to Everyman to come to Lichfield? If so how much as we paying from Council Tax? When is it paid? What are the T &C’s? Cinemas are having a dreadful time, so are most pubs/eating out places so not hopeful this long delayed plan is going to work.
Well I drive past the cinema site nearly every day & there hasn’t been any work done for months!! You turf businesses out of there shops & all for nothing 😡
Supposed Investment Amount
Quoting Cllr Paul Ray “We in the council have agreed to put into the cinema a total of £5.3million, plus £3.5million for the buyout clause, and now we’re being asked to throw in another £1.7million. That’s £10.5million into one project.” Quoted the Lichfield Live article on 17th April, 2024
Such a large amount of money that could of desperately been used else where which could of changed lifes for the better, yet is being thrown at someones dumb decision. This amount can be assumed to be much higher now, yet they will not give the figure without being forced to.
Claire Hughes – the cinema’s being built inside the building, so you wouldn’t see anything from the road. Plenty of activity on the other side.
May we request some clarification from Doug Pullen? Everyman’s statement still does not say that the Lichfield cinema will open in 2026.
Think everyman need to prove there commitment and work 24 / 7 on the project but that will never happen just look at friarsgate that never happened either shame on LDC for wasting money again
This isn’t going to be open until 2028
Why so slow? Lidl built a brand new store in Burntwood and opened it in a few months. And I would wager it didn’t cost council tax payers a penny.