An eyesore welcoming visitors to Lichfield is set to be spruced up with the installation of new boards promoting attractions across the region.
Hoardings have surrounded the site earmarked for the doomed Friarsgate redevelopment scheme since the project bit the dust in 2018.
But now Lichfield District Council is intending to complete work this week on adding new Visit Lichfield artwork to the site in a bid to improve “this gateway to the city”.
Craig Jordan, head of economic growth and development at Lichfield District Council, said:
“We’re really pleased that visitors to the city will be welcomed by attractive artwork, displaying many of the highlights the city and district has to offer to our visitors.”
Craig Jordan, Lichfield District Council
The installation of the new artwork comes after part of the site was commandeered for a political protest.
Tweets from Conservative General Election candidate Michael Fabricant were printed out and dotted around the hoardings and other parts of the city.
But the official artwork going onto the Birmingham Road site will be the first stage of an attempt to improve the area while a longer term proposal is drawn up.
“A significant milestone”
Work is due to start in the new year on demolishing the police station and buildings around the bus station.
Mr Jordan added:
“It will be a significant milestone to see the demolition work get underway in the new year along with the other temporary improvements to the site.
“This will improve the look and feel of the area while we make progress on our long-term masterplan for the city centre.
“The masterplan will set out how we shape different parts of Lichfield city for the future and provide attractive places for people to live, work and visit.
“We will be consulting on the draft masterplan in January and encourage our community and stakeholders to get involved in this process and let us know what they think.
“We’re hoping to have the final masterplan agreed in the spring.”
Craig Jordan, Lichfield District Council
