Projects - Friarsgate, Lichfield

New plans for Friarsgate 

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There's still time to let us have your views

- respond by 23rd January 2012 

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Proposed changes to the £100 million Friarsgate development were on display to the public on 13th and 14th January.

The two-day exhibition displayed plans and illustrations to show how the revised scheme will look, if the proposed changes get the backing of the council’s planning committee.

Jobs boost

With work scheduled to start on site within the next 18 months, subject to planning, Friarsgate will bring hundreds of new jobs to the city and provide a real economic boost.

Market changes

This is our third consultation since we first put forward the mixed use, retail led scheme. Whilst the scheme remains largely as originally proposed there have been changes to some aspects of the design and it is important that the people of Lichfield have the opportunity to have their say.

The retail market has changed significantly in the past 18 months. The changes we have now made to the scheme reflect those developments. As we now have it configured, Friarsgate will better serve the people and the economy of Lichfield.

The main shape of the mixed-use scheme remains the same and will be anchored by a major department store. We have improved the links between Friarsgate and the existing shopping area of the city which will provide a real boost for all retailers and help attract shoppers from further afield to spend their money in Lichfield.

The hotel, which was included in the original designs, has been omitted from the new plans making more space for shops and the new digital cinema.

New cinema – better parking

Within the new design we have improved the parking layout and created an even better mix of retail units. The cinema has attracted interest from all of the major operators and an announcement is expected later this year about who will operate what will be one of the region’s first purpose-built, fully digital cinema complexes.

New independent research has highlighted the positive impact that Friarsgate will have on the economy of the city by 2016, moving it up 108 places in the town centre retail rankings from 184th to 76th and ranking it above places like Banbury, Winchester, Worcester and Woking.

In their study, Oxford Retail Consultants say that there is a pent up demand for the kind of shops that Friarsgate will provide and that the commercial benefits will be enjoyed by existing retailers in the city.

Interest amongst major High Street retailers and restaurants remains very strong, despite generally tough trading conditions. It is an indication of the appeal of the city that so many brand-leading and specialist retailers and restaurant chains are confirming their desire to be a part of the exciting Friarsgate scheme. They will complement what is already on offer in Three Spires and the rest of the city centre.

Download a brochure

If you were not able to attend the exhibition, but would like to see more details about our proposals, you can click here to download a brochure.

We want your views

Let us know what you think. Simply click on the link below and let us have your views. We will take account of all the comments we receive before we submit our revised proposals to the planning authority.

info@s-harrison.co.uk

 

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Friarsgate, Birmingham Road, Lichfield

Lichfield District Council and Lichfield District Venture 

Harrison was appointed against a strong field of competitors, to deliver a bespoke £100 million scheme to revitalise the Birmingham Road area and complement other areas of the city. The scheme includes enhanced retailing, revitalising residential use, cultural and social amenity, including a new hotel, embraced by a design which is both in sympathy with the existing architecture and which moves the city forward to new levels of excellence.

Working closely with Lichfield District Council and Lichfield District Venture, Harrison has demonstrated its consultative and inclusive approach to development, staging two major exhibition events to canvass the views of local people and special interest groups.

Harrison's proposals won approval from the local planning authority and has since undergone a successful CPO process.

The quality of the scheme concept and design has already attracted many brand leading High Street retailers to the city.

Harrison has entered into a joint venture agreement with Development Securities PLC to deliver the scheme.  For more information, click here..

To read what Lichfield District Council think of working with Harrison, click here

Agents working with Harrison on the scheme are Nicholas Robinson & Partners - contact Nick Robinson (01347 825600), Fawley Watson Booth - contact Mike Fawley (0113 234 7900) and Christie & Co - contact Jon Patrick (0113 389 2700).

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