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Listing: Late C18. Interesting survival of late C18 shops, surviving
re-development of Lichfield Street area in 1870s
Comment: The addresses given in the official listing are rather
obscure but it refers to this corner building facing Wulfruna Street and its
return down Lichfield Passage.
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When Lichfield Street was redeveloped these were
probably the only buildings between Lichfield Street and Wulfruna
Street that were not either tumbling down or directly in the path of
the road widening. They are now surrounded by new buildings from the
late 19th century rebuilding - Royal Assurance, Midland Bank, Art
Gallery. They make an attractive contribution to the townscape and
Lichfield Passage can be a pleasant little discovery to those
exploring the town. About ten years ago the exterior of the
buildings was renovated, mainly, as I recollect, at the expense of
the Borough. They became run down again and another, more
thorough going, renovation was started in 2001 and completed in late
2003. Apart from the corner shop the buildings are intended to
be used by artists and craftspeople. |
In 2005 the city council started building new galleries for the Art
Gallery which stands behind these buildings. This will leave the backs
of these buildings facing the new galleries and the opportunity will be
taken to make them more accessible from and better integrated with the Art
Gallery.
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