Tiger Woods facing wrath of St Andrews as plan to take over old building gets green light

Jul 04, 2024 23:00

Tiger Woods and Justin Timberlake face the wrath of the people of St Andrews (Image: Andrew Redington/Getty Images)

Golf legend Tiger Woods and pop icon Justin Timberlake have been granted permission to transform an old cinema in St Andrews into a high-end sports bar.

The duo, who are shareholders in the Nexus Luxury Collection, have received approval from Fife Council to convert the New Picture House Cinema.

St Andrews, often referred to as the 'home of golf', has hosted the Open Championship 30 times, with the most recent event in 2022 won by Cameron Smith. The New Picture House is conveniently located near the golf course.

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In their statement, the council said: "The proposal is considered acceptable in terms of design, detailing and choice of materials; and would protect and enhance the character and appearance of the conservation area.

"As such, the proposal is considered to be in compliance with the relevant policies of the development plan and relevant guidelines."

The project is expected to create between 40 and 45 jobs. The current owners of the cinema revealed in planning documents that the New Picture House 'currently runs at under 10 per cent occupancy and is no longer a viable stand-alone cinema operation.'

Last year, Woods and Timberlake launched a luxury T-Squared Social bar in New York, a concept born after a round of golf in the Bahamas, reports the Mirror.

The new venue in St Andrews will bear the same name.

A local petition, amassing over 12,000 signatures last year, fiercely opposed the proposed changes by Woods and Timberlake, claiming it would "strip away a vital part of our town's identity and history".

The cinema was described as the "heart and soul of St Andrews", with the redevelopment plans labelled "deeply alarming".

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However, following significant public pressure, the original redevelopment plans were altered.

The petition organisers later revealed they had engaged in discussions with T-Squared Social, stating: "We believe that their business plans align with our desire to make the cinema a thriving establishment and a pillar of the St Andrews community."

They added: "After an incredible 12,000 signatures and a successful campaign, they've listened to all our concerns, so we have arrived at a position where we are comfortable to work closely together with them for the good of the cinema."

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Tiger Woods facing wrath of St Andrews as plan to take over old building gets green light