The former Debenhams store in Lichfield could be converted into a cinema after a deal was struck on the future of the site.
Lichfield District Council and Evolve Estates – the new owners of the Three Spires Shopping Centre – have agreed to embark on a joint venture to convert the Baker’s Lane unit.
The building – which has been empty since Debenhams closed in May 2021 – had previously been home to TJ Hughes.
But the agreement could see it eventually reopen as a multi-screen cinema.
Cllr Doug Pullen, leader of Lichfield District Council, said:
“We are excited about the prospect of working with Evolve to understand the potential for the development of a cinema in the Three Spires Shopping Centre.
“It would be fantastic to have a cinema in the centre of Lichfield to further enhance our leisure and entertainment offering.
“It would undoubtedly attract more people into the city centre in the daytime, evenings and weekends which is great for the future prosperity of retail and hospitality businesses.”
Lichfield District Council
The development of a new cinema has long been on the agenda for Lichfield city centre, with the facility being earmarked as a key part of the failed Friarsgate redevelopment.
The conversion of the Debenhams store would open up more opportunities for the local authority as part of the Birmingham Road site project.
A cinema had been a part of the plans for a mixed-use redevelopment of the land currently occupied by the multi-storey car park, bus station, former police station and one-time Tempest Ford site.
Cllr Pullen said he hoped the agreement would accelerate plans to develop a city centre cinema.
“Both Lichfield District Council and Evolve Estates are committed to considering the options for making the cinema a reality.
“We want to do this quickly and hope to have completed the considerations by the end of the summer.
“Many people have called for a cinema in the city and the former Debenhams premises could prove to be a most suitable and successful location.”
Cllr Doug Pullen, Lichfield District Council
Lichfield’s last city centre cinema – The Regal on Tamworth Street – closed its doors in July 1974 with a screening of Bruce Lee’s The Big Boss.
At one stage, a local group had sought to develop plans to restore the site so films could be shown once more, but the building, which originally opened in 1932, has since been converted into retirement apartments after a spell as a nightclub and supermarket.
