Friarsgate Shopping Centre, Lichfield
In partnership with Lichfield District Council, U+I Group are creating a natural extension to Lichfield town centre, connecting the council offices, town centre and Three Spires Shopping Centre to encourage shoppers to spend more time in the historic town.
The aim is that the mix of shops, restaurants and homes will increase retail activity, footfall and dwell time in the city centre. This will help retain existing shoppers and also attract new visitors, which will benefit the existing retail units, on Bakers Lane along with the wider retail and leisure offer in Lichfield.
The Friarsgate development will include:
- A new bus station.
- 500 space secure and accessible car park.
- 5-7 screen cinema.
- Up to 10 new restaurants.
- 25 shops.
- 3,191 sq. ft of office space.
- 81 apartments.
- 11 townhouses.
- Landscaped open space for visitors.
The scheme has been provisionally awarded a grant of £2.66 million from Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP), will create 600 jobs and help to boost sales and footfall to the city as a whole.
U+I held a public consultation over summer 2015 and submitted the planning application in December 2015.
- Development partners: Lichfield District Council
- Value: £75.34m
- Architect: Group Ginger
--U and I
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