COUNCIL chiefs have hailed the "exciting" transformation of a shop to create a new cinema in Lichfield city centre.
The former Debenhams site is in the process of being converted into a four-screen facility operated by Everyman.
Extensions to the building will also see a number of food and drink outlets added.
In a behind-the-scenes tour, Lichfield Live has seen how work is progressing at the site, with the interior being prepared for handover to the new tenants, including The Botanist.
Construction of the development is currently expected to be completed by the end of 2026, with the completed building then handed over to Everyman and the other commercial operators for their individual fit-outs.
Opening dates for each of the outlets will then be confirmed in due course.
Cllr Andy Smith, Lichfield District Council's cabinet member for leisure and major projects, said:
"I know many residents are keen to see what's been happening behind the hoardings, and having recently been on site myself, it's clear just how much progress has been made.
"Transforming a former department store into a modern four-screen cinema and leisure destination is a complex project. While much of the work isn't visible from the outside, there's been an enormous amount happening internally, from significant structural works to creating the new spaces that will eventually house the cinema, rooftop bar and restaurants.
"It's exciting to see the scale of the transformation taking shape. The photographs give a real insight into the amount of work that has gone into breathing new life into this landmark building, and I know many people will be interested to see how far the project has come."
Council chiefs have also revealed that interest in the food and drink outlets is strong, with a number of national outlets lined up alongside The Botanist and Everyman ahead. At present, just one of the units being created is still available.
As well as works taking place to redevelop the former retail unit as a cinema – described by one of the senior members of the team as "complex" – contractors are also preparing footings for an extension at one end and lifting a huge support beam into place to make way for one of the new screens.
Behind the scenes of new cinema development
Lichfield Live's sneak peek of work on the transformation of the one-time Debenhams and TJ Hughes store:
Although the Birmingham Road side of the former Debenhams building shows little in the way of structural change, after being given the opportunity to step inside the safety barriers, the scale of the transformation of this blot on the city's retail landscape soon became evident.
Workers were buzzing around carrying out a range of tasks as the giant jigsaw of redevelopment is being played out, with bosses telling us how they are having to balance the requirements of transforming the site with wider issues such as utilities criss-crossing the area outside and having to carry out some tasks by hand due to the risk of vibrations from heavy machinery.
On the day of our visit, there was even a new issue for them to deal with after bones were uncovered almost three metres down beneath where a new public plaza will take centre stage. Although most likely animals, builders were taking no chances as an archaeologist was called in to double check.
Such a find wasn't a chance to down tools on another warm day though – instead the focus of the development moved to another area as workers awaited the chance to get back on to the area of the site where a huge digger and been halted by small bones.
But it was a useful demonstration of the complexities of the cinema project that aren't always visible looking in from the outside.
The frontage of the old Debenhams has now gone completely, with just the huge steel beams in place as work continues behind them. Inside, the failed retail giant's footprint is largely gone with the exception of a few stray signs pointing to where the cafe area once was and a concrete 'shadow' showing escalators which previously ferried shoppers around the store.
It became clear from talking to some of those carrying out the work that this was far from a simple remodel with a few internal walls taken down. Instead, the building has been stripped back to its shell. Even the steel beams have been scraped by hand to allow for a multi-stage process of fire-proofing to take place.
During our visit, a hole in one of the floors looked somewhat problematic, but the team explained that they were preparing to lift a huge structural beam into place to create space for the fourth cinema screen before re-installing the floor. Only then could essential work on upper levels take place as the various phases continue to align.
Heading up through the building, one of its key features was already taking shape as a new partially-constructed terrace area offered a stunning view of St Mary's and the cathedral across Lichfield. It will eventually be a key selling point of The Botanist as drinkers and diners take in what is a unique and stunning perspective of the city.
The project to develop the cinema has not been without challenges. A change of contractor during the scheme and questions over the agreement between Lichfield District Council and the owner of the shopping centre to launch the project in the first place.
But while the questions over the long-term success of a cinema or any other venture on the site will have to wait to be fully answered, the foundations are being laid – quite literally – to ensure that the city can finally ditch the reminder of the demise of Debenhams and hopefully look forward to a brighter future.
