MEMBERS of the public will now have the opportunity to view revised proposals for a historic Scottish cinema.
Plans backed by golfer Tiger Woods and singer Justin Timberlake could see major changes made to the New Picture House in St Andrews.
In response to feedback, two out of the cinema’s three screens, including the main auditorium, are to be retained as part of T-Squared Social’s proposals for the cinema, which will maintain the same name.
Backed by Timberlake and Woods (above), T-Squared Social is aiming to deliver a “family-friendly, blended cinema, dining and entertainment offering”.
People are now able to view the proposed plans as it seeks to answer some frequently asked questions with a planning application to be submitted to Fife Council shortly.
T-Squared Social says the cinema has been in decline for a number of years as a result of the cost of living crisis and due to a change in viewing habits with content now directly available on streaming services such as Netflix.
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The managing director of the New Picture House David Morris is to stay and oversee the transition and commented: “This intervention by T-Squared not only allows a cinema offering to be retained for the town, but indeed the building itself.
“This was not a decision we took lightly, and we felt this was the right company to preserve what we have built up over almost 100 years.
“I am delighted to be working with T-Squared Social to support the transition of the business to the new venture.”
Working with a team of architects and contractors, much of the New Picture House, which is a listed building and dates back to the 1930s, will remain the same.
Any renovations and enhancements will primarily be made to the interior rather than the exterior.
One of the screens will be maintained in its present form (cinema three) with improvements made to the seating and technology to improve the viewing experience.
Meanwhile, seating in cinema two will be replaced with seat groupings to allow people to socialise while there will also be an area for electronic darts.
The main auditorium meanwhile will still retain the large screen, still showing films, while also serving as a space which will include a range of sports simulators including golf, rugby, lacrosse and football.
The existing ceiling, walls and stage features will be retained with over 300 seats for cinema goers.
Managing partner for T-Squared Social Christopher Anand said: “We have listened to the residents of St Andrews and are delighted to be announcing our intention to increase the number of screens, including retaining the main auditorium.
“With our new entertainment concept, sitting alongside the cinema, this will ensure that a cinema offering can remain in the town for this and for generations to come.
“In addition, the development will deliver a significant economic investment in the town, with 40-50 staff employed, an increase on the current 10, who will also be given the opportunity to stay with the new venture.
“We urge local people to view our website, which has a video on our proposals and to contact us should they have any questions.”
LibDem MP for North East Fife Wendy Chamberlain said: “I have met with representatives from both T-Squared Social and the managing director of the New Picture House to discuss their proposals for the cinema and to share community concerns in relation to initial reports.
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“The video provides information on the proposals for the future development of the cinema. I know that these have been revised to take into account feedback from the community, in particular the increase in screens being retained from one to two.
“Please do watch the video to find out more about what is being proposed.”
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