COUNCILLORS have approved an additional £5.5million of funding for a new cinema development in Lichfield.
Work has been taking place to convert the former Debenhams store in the Three Spires Shopping Centre since 2024.
But a meeting of Lichfield District Council was told the additional funding was required to compete the joint venture project with Evolve Estates – and then allow the local authority to take sole ownership of the site.
Cllr Doug Pullen, Leader of Lichfield District Council, said:
“Tonight, councillors have made their decision on the future of this redevelopment.
“Throughout this project we’ve committed to being open about both the progress we’ve made and the challenges we’ve faced.
“Our focus now is clear. We will complete construction, work with Everyman Cinema and our other occupiers as they prepare to open, and deliver a development that strengthens Lichfield city centre for years to come.
“This building has stood vacant for too long. We now have a clear path forward, and my commitment is that we will see this project through, keep residents updated as construction progresses and ensure this becomes a destination the district can be proud of.”
The redevelopment has involved demolition, structural alterations and engineering works at the former department store.
The council said construction was expected to be completed later this year before Everyman Cinema and the other occupiers begin their fit-out.
Cllr Russ Bragger, leader of the Labour opposition group, said that closer checks were needed on the development going forward.
He said:
“We support regeneration of the Debenhams site, but we also want regeneration in other areas of the district.
“What we have difficulty supporting is the mis-management and lack of oversight of such a major project that we have agreed to, which leads to more resource being allocated to the city rather than the rest of the district.
“Back in 2023, we would not have agreed to this scheme if we realised that there would be no oversight.
“It is essential that there is all-party oversight of the progress and financial details of the project.
“It seems clear that the council’s involvement in the joint venture was not adequate – and it now seems negligent that the project was allowed to overspend the agreed budget by so much when only now are the details known.”
Cllr Paul Ray said councillors had been left in a difficult position.
The leader of the Liberal Democrat group – which abstained from the vote – explained:
“We wish to see the project move forward at pace. Stopping work on the project, temporarily or permanently, is not an economic option. The only viable option is to carry on.
“However, we strongly condemn the way in which the project has been mis-managed so far.
“There has been a lack of transparency at different levels and a lack of engagement by the council’s representatives to discover what has been going on behind the scenes.
“Their claim that only in February were they informed of the fact that there were irregularities – and that it has taken until now to discover the full facts – beggars belief.”
