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News Release 2nd July 2009AWM WITHDRAWS FUNDING FOR FRIARSGATE CENTREAdvantage West Midlands has withdrawn financial support from the proposed Friarsgate Gate Centre in Lichfield City centre. Mick Laverty, Chief Executive of Advantage West Midlands, has told Michael:- "Unfortunately we will not now be providing funding to the redevelopment of Friarsgate in Lichfield City Centre. "As you will appreciate, these have not been easy decisions to make and had circumstances been different and our budgets not been affected we would have been able to progress these projects as originally envisaged. "Rest assured, we have adopted a systematic, thorough and consistent approach to our review to ensure that we have prioritised those projects that deliver the largest possible impact to the regional economy." Michael Fabricant responds by saying: "This is disappointing news though with the economic downturn, I am not surprised. I have known for some time that the shopping centre developer has been experiencing difficulties finding stores willing to expand into Lichfield and elsewhere. This is a national problem and I fear this means that Friarsgate is dead in its planned form for the foreseeable future. "While some who have objected to the development will rejoice, I am now keen to encourage Lichfield District Council to have a total rethink and examine alternative schemes which will provide the shops we need without having a negative impact on the character of our Cathedral City. I hope the Council will treat this unfortunate set-back as an opportunity. 'Friarsgate Mark 2' could be a real and quality asset to our City and be built in keeping with our historic City heart. A few similar towns and cities have achieved this - we could too. "Meanwhile, and on a parallel track, I have already encouraged the Council to make contact with John Lewis who are now launching up to 30 smaller 'stand alone' department stores in the UK - despite the recession. These stores are like their larger cousins, but will not stock clothing so will not damage local traders. Nor will they be dependent on being part of some huge development. I have given the names of key John Lewis personnel to the Council and I know they are making contact with the employee-owned company who already have a successful track-record of trading in Lichfield with their Waitrose supermarket." |
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