PLANS for a a national operator to open a food and drink outlet as part of the new cinema development in Lichfield are still on track, bosses have said.
Councillors have already approved a £1.7million deal to bring The Botanist to the city centre as part of a joint-venture with Evolve Estates, owner of the Three Spires Shopping Centre, to create a new cinema.
But New World Trading Company (NWTC), which owns the food and drink brand, have this month confirmed the closure of sites in Coventry, Sheffield and Chester as part of a Company Voluntary Arrangement (CVA).
It followed the decision to shut other venues in its portfolio last year.
The company said:
“As part of the successful CVA process, the business has announced a further three non-profitable sites will close during January.
“The business has undergone changes to its estate across the last 18 months.
“NWTC has opened new locations under the Botanist brand in Edinburgh, Sunderland and Barnsley and will continue to expand in 2025.”
Phil Murphy, director of Evolve Estates, said the closures elsewhere in the country would not halt plans for a new outlet in Lichfield.
He said:
“The Botanist is a national operator with 28 branches across the UK. As part of the restructuring in 2024 there were unfortunately six site closures, however, this has removed non-performing premises from the portfolio and provided the company with additional investment from its backer to refresh the remainder of its estate.
“The Botanist continues to open new branches and further openings are scheduled across the UK including a Botanist bar and restaurant in Lichfield city centre as part of the redevelopment of the Birmingham Road Site.
“We are looking forward to welcoming this premium brand to the city.”
The Botanist’s arrival will form part redevelopment of the former Debenhams store in the city.
The joint-venture between the council and Evolve Estates will see an Everyman cinema open once work is completed.
An agreement is also in place which will see the council to eventually buy out its partner’s 50% share for a figure expected to be between £3.5million and £3.9million.
