THE green light has been given by Fife Council to proposals for the New Picture House in St Andrews, ensuring a cinema remains in the town.
With full planning permission received, subject to conditions, T-Squared Social’s proposals will see two out of three screens, including the main auditorium, retained.
Backed by Justin Timberlake and Tiger Woods, the project will retain the New Picture House name and deliver a family-friendly, blended cinema, dining, and entertainment offering.
This transformation aims to establish the New Picture House as a social hub for St Andrews while preserving the historic building and beloved cinema.
The cinema in St Andrews has struggled for viability in recent years, running at under 10% occupancy.
The New Picture House faced a choice between closure or adaptation, leading to the involvement of T-Squared Social.
Contributing factors to the decline include the cost-of-living crisis, rising energy prices, and changes in viewing habits as more content becomes available on streaming services such as Netflix.
Working with architects and contractors, much of the New Picture House, a listed building dating from the 1930s, will remain the same.
Renovations and enhancements will focus on the interior, preserving the building’s exterior and celebrating its history, including the iconic name above the door.
“We are delighted to have received planning permission for our exciting proposals,” said Christopher Anand, Managing Partner for T-Squared Social.
“As a team, we listened to the residents of St Andrews and increased the number of screens, including retaining the main auditorium.
“With our new entertainment concept alongside the cinema, this will ensure that a cinema offering can remain in the town for generations to come.
“We look forward to continuing to work with Fife Council and the local community to deliver our scheme.”
The development will bring significant economic investment to the town, with 40-50 staff employed, an increase from the current 10.
Existing staff will have the opportunity to stay with the new venture. One of the screens (cinema 3) will maintain its present form, with improvements to seating and technology to enhance the viewing experience.
Cinema 2 will feature comfortable seat groupings and an area for electronic darts to encourage socialising.
The main auditorium (cinema 1) will retain the large screen for films and serve as a multi-functional space with sports simulators for golf, rugby, lacrosse, and football.
The seating will be flexible, allowing changes based on the auditorium’s daily use whilst existing ceiling, walls, and stage features will be retained.
David Morris, Managing Director for New Picture House, will oversee the transition to the new venture.
He said: “It is fabulous to see the amazing support we have received from the community for these proposals and to see them getting the green light from Fife Council.
“The intervention by T-Squared not only allows a cinema offering to be retained for the town but indeed the building itself.
“This is the right company to maintain the family legacy that has been up for almost a century.”
