Entrepreneur set to bring art deco-style cinema building back to life in Lichfield

Passeport Ltd has acquired the freehold of the ground floor of the brand-new, mixed-use development at the Old Picture House on Tamworth Street.

Alex Conti, a director of Passeport and a prominent businessman in the city, now plans to host tenants including a yoga studio, bakery and general store in the 3,972 sq ft space, split into three retail units.

James Mattin, managing director at Birmingham-based Bond Wolfe which sealed the deal, said the entire freehold of The Old Picture House had been sold to Passeport for an undisclosed sum.

He said the sale of the large ground floor space was on behalf of Lichfield Property Developments Ltd, which had already created 38 luxury apartments above the former cinema, and the deal includes ground rent income from the apartments.

Mr Mattin said: “Bond Wolfe is delighted to have secured a buyer for this iconic local building, and it is an added bonus that the buyer is local with a real vested interest in Lichfield.

“Work has already started in transforming the ground floor space and I look forward to soon seeing the finished product.

“This sale attracted a lot of local interest and we have buyers waiting for further opportunities in and around the area.”

DFA Law advised Lichfield Property Developments on the sale, while Keelys LLP acted for Passeport.