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# Councillors told new cinema is being “delivered responsibly”
- URL: https://lichfieldlive.co.uk/councillors-told-new-cinema-is-being-delivered-responsibly/
- Published: 2022-10-24T06:10:00.000Z
- Updated: 2022-10-22T17:17:24.000Z
- Description: A new cinema in Lichfield city centre is being “delivered responsibly” councillors have been told.
- Author: Lichfield Live
- Tags: Politics, #wp, #wp-post, #Import 2026-07-22 19:07, News

A new cinema in Lichfield city centre is being “delivered responsibly” councillors have been told.

A £5.3million funding plan for the development in the former Debenhams store [was approved by Lichfield District Council this week](https://lichfieldlive.co.uk/councillors-approve-5-3million-plan-to-convert-empty-lichfield-shop-into-new-cinema/).

Cllr Rob Strachan, cabinet member for finance at the local authority, told a meeting last week that while the sums were large, he believed it was the right decision to commit the money to the scheme.

> “This is a resilient project – far more resilient than many we’ve seen across the council previously.  
>  
> “It has invested partners, both as prospective tenants via direct funding and via the landowner themselves being a part of it.  
>  
> “It avoids a need to borrow as it’s funded via existing earmarked reserves we no longer need and the disposal of an item of property.  
>  
> “It’s also been long demanded and long promised by this authority.  
>  
> “It is an element of spending which, while large, is being delivered responsibly, properly and locally, and with considerable consultation and discussion with external partners and the public.”  
>  
> Cllr Rob Strachan, Lichfield District Council

Cllr Doug Pullen, leader of the council, said he was “proud” that the cinema project was becoming a reality after previous false dawns during the Friarsgate years.

> “Not only have we made some progress, we’ve made fantastic progress.  
>  
> “We have a partner in place, funding in place, we have an operator very keen to sign – we should all be really proud of the fact we’ve got this far.  
>  
> “It is a tremendous success for the district council.”  
>  
> Cllr Doug Pullen, Lichfield District Council