Lichfield Lib Dems' continued concern over Botanist funding

Last year, Lichfield District Council voted to give £1.7 million to the owners and operators of The Botanist chain of bars, in order to secure the presence of the premium food and beverage outlet in the Everyman cinema complex to occupy the former Debenhams building.

The seven Lib Dem District Councillors spoke and voted against this move, but were outvoted by members of the other political groups, who voted unanimously to donate this considerable sum of taxpayers’ money to a private equity-funded company.

In our Focus leaflets distributed last year to households in the wards represented by Lib Dem councillors, we made the following points:

• We do not feel that the other seven alternatives were properly explored and/or the results of the due diligence process were presented in a timely fashion to councillors
• The £1.7m is not for the cinema – it is demanded by the owners and private equity backers of the Botanist chain to set up business in Lichfield
• Though Evolve (owners of the shopping centre) and Everyman (cinema operators) felt that the Botanist would be a great fit for the new complex and for Lichfield, it appears that they were not prepared to pay this money themselves, but made it clear that this £1.7 million was to be paid by the Council

The Liberal Democrat councillors also made it clear that they were (and still are) not opposed to the cinema development as such, but wished to see more transparency and what they believe to be a more responsible use of council funds.

Councillor Paul Ray, leader of the Liberal Democrats in the District Council, has said “The Botanist has this week announced the closure of three Botanist-branded outlets in Coventry, Sheffield, and Chester. This does raise some concerns, especially considering the £1.7m Lichfield District Council is to pay The Botanist and we will be asking questions and closely monitoring.”

He concludes, “I can only repeat what we have previously said to the residents of Lichfield in our leaflets – we have been criticised for the way we voted, but we have no reservations when it comes to standing up and being counted when it comes to ensuring that your money is being wisely spent.”