Burntwood residents cannot accept more “empty promises”, according to a local councillor.
The leader of Lichfield District Council, Cllr Mike Wilcox, has said the town’s need for improved retail facilities won’t be forgotten.
But with hopes the Friarsgate redevelopment of Lichfield city centre will soon get the green light, a Burntwood Labour councillor has called for action sooner rather than later.
Cllr Eric Drinkwater, deputy leader of the Labour opposition group at Lichfield District Council, said: “As much as I would not wish to do anything to harm the Friarsgate proposals, I am heartily sick of empty promises as are the Burntwood public.
“When are we going to see real efforts to encourage leading High Street retailers into Burntwood?
“The need is even more urgent than ever now with another 351 houses on the horizon.”
His comments come on the back of suggestions from Labour colleague Cllr Di Evans that Burntwood had always been treated as “the poor relation”.
“Because things are going on elsewhere in Cannock and Lichfield we’re in danger of missing out again,” she added.
“What we need are smaller shopping units. When we had Kwik Save and the market we had all the smaller stalls that people used. But of course all that went and here we are now with hardly anything.”
But Cllr Wilcox insisted that the town was high on the council’s agenda.
“We are talking to Staffordshire County Council about getting a deal for Burntwood as we need to make sure the town isn’t left out,” he said.
“It won’t be a Friarsgate, but it will be a retail offering.
“Burntwood is an important part of a district and we need to make sure it isn’t forgotten.”
