Friarsgate is absolutely not dead
Here is my official statement as well as David Clancy’s response to Michael Fabricants comments about Advantage West Midlands pulling out of the Friarsgate scheme.
Cllr David S. Smith, Leader of Lichfield District Council, said: "Friarsgate is absolutely not dead. Quite the contrary, Friarsgate is very much alive. The AWM funding was only ever going to pay for less than 5% of the overall costs of the development, and was being used to pay for part of the costs of moving the police station, rather than for the shopping centre itself. Whilst we are of course disappointed by AWM's decision, it will in no way stop Friarsgate from moving forward. As a council we are committed to Friarsgate, and whilst the current economic climate has slowed progress, we are still confident it will be one of the first developments of its kind to progress when the market picks up. Despite current conditions, interest from big name retailers is still very high and absolutely no retailers have pulled out."
Says David Clancy of developers S Harrison: "Retailer interest in Friarsgate remains high. It is the current banking situation that has delayed the project, not the lack of occupier interest. Indeed, we have spoken to many of the key retailers in the last month and they all remain committed to Friarsgate and want a store in the scheme as soon as possible."
Cllr David S. Smith, Leader of Lichfield District Council, said: "Friarsgate is absolutely not dead. Quite the contrary, Friarsgate is very much alive. The AWM funding was only ever going to pay for less than 5% of the overall costs of the development, and was being used to pay for part of the costs of moving the police station, rather than for the shopping centre itself. Whilst we are of course disappointed by AWM's decision, it will in no way stop Friarsgate from moving forward. As a council we are committed to Friarsgate, and whilst the current economic climate has slowed progress, we are still confident it will be one of the first developments of its kind to progress when the market picks up. Despite current conditions, interest from big name retailers is still very high and absolutely no retailers have pulled out."
Says David Clancy of developers S Harrison: "Retailer interest in Friarsgate remains high. It is the current banking situation that has delayed the project, not the lack of occupier interest. Indeed, we have spoken to many of the key retailers in the last month and they all remain committed to Friarsgate and want a store in the scheme as soon as possible."
Comments: 1 (view all comments)
Robert
(Homepage)
on
13 July 2009
at
19:50
Absolutely not dead. Alive then or just undead David ?
Has the shift in the economic situation nationally and internationally not killed this scheme off completely? David Clancy's comment about the banking situation being at the root of the problem is instructive. The banking crisis is the current reality. I might just as well explain my inability for unaided flight being down to the problem of gravity.
Given this reality, apparent to everyone except those who are blinded by the yet to be lit lights of Friars Gate. Wouldn't the resources of the council and the time and energy of it's councillors and employees be best directed at keeping open the businesses that are already here and employing people.
The reality as you well know is that while you might have 'interest' from retailers for the space in Friars Gate you have shops sitting empty in the city centre.
I know you have personally backed the development and even tied the fate of the Garrick theatre to it with predictions of it being a profitable corporate meeting venue when Friars Gate opens but don't you think it's time to wake up to the new reality?
Your refusal to do so is damaging to Lichfield people and to Lichfield businesses.
Has the shift in the economic situation nationally and internationally not killed this scheme off completely? David Clancy's comment about the banking situation being at the root of the problem is instructive. The banking crisis is the current reality. I might just as well explain my inability for unaided flight being down to the problem of gravity.
Given this reality, apparent to everyone except those who are blinded by the yet to be lit lights of Friars Gate. Wouldn't the resources of the council and the time and energy of it's councillors and employees be best directed at keeping open the businesses that are already here and employing people.
The reality as you well know is that while you might have 'interest' from retailers for the space in Friars Gate you have shops sitting empty in the city centre.
I know you have personally backed the development and even tied the fate of the Garrick theatre to it with predictions of it being a profitable corporate meeting venue when Friars Gate opens but don't you think it's time to wake up to the new reality?
Your refusal to do so is damaging to Lichfield people and to Lichfield businesses.
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