Lichfield needs to improve “unpleasant” public toilets, a new draft city centre masterplan has claimed.
The document, drawn up by Richard Lock Associates, has looked at widespread improvements which could be made to the city, including the creation of four new quarters.
Headlines within the document also include the aim to bring a cinema in as part of the scheme, as well as the addition of a courtyard area on the Bird Street car park site.
But the planners have also said more bog-standard issues need to be addressed.
“Existing facilities, such as public toilets, are not considered adequate to serve the city’s population and its visitors.
“There are too few facilities, and the existing are often unpleasant.
“Public facilities should be clean, attractive and convenient to use to enhance the visitor’s overall experience and to encourage repeat visits.”
The Lichfield city centre draft masterplan
“The gateway into the city is unattractive”
The draft masterplan also says more needs to be done to make the city visitor-friendly.
“Lichfield city centre has a strong tourism-based economy.
“However, parts of the city centre can feel disjointed due to poor legibility and signage, particularly between Lichfield City train station and the cathedral.
“The gateway into the city is unattractive, and visitors may miss out on some of the city’s attractions, due to difficulties in navigating their way around the centre.
“For a cathedral city with such a range of attractions, Lichfield is not as widely known as a visitor destination as it might be.
“There should be a drive towards raising the profile of Lichfield as a destination, highlighting what the city has to offer to encourage a greater number of visitors.
“This could be linked with other major attractors in the nearby area, such as Drayton Manor Theme Park and the National Memorial Arboretum, to encourage visitors to spend longer periods of time in Lichfield.”
The Lichfield city centre draft masterplan
The draft document will be debated at an overview and scrutiny committee meeting at Lichfield District Council next week.
