Tiger Woods and Justin Timberlake have received planning permission to transform the New Picture House Cinema in St Andrews, Scotland, into their second T-Squared Social sports bar.
This approval from Fife Council marks the latest development in their entertainment venture, with the new venue expected to open in spring 2025.
The T-Squared Social sports bar will offer state-of-the-art golf swing simulators, duckpin bowling, darts, and premium sports viewing with large-format televisions. Additionally, the venue will retain two of the cinema’s three screens, continuing to show films to preserve part of the building’s original function.
Despite initial opposition from some residents, including a petition that garnered over 12,000 signatures, the proposal moved forward. Critics, like St Andrews University student Johann Curry-Machado, argued that converting the cinema into a sports bar would strip away a vital part of the town’s identity. St Andrews Community Council member Neil Dobson echoed these concerns, suggesting that the American-style bar would be out of place and diminish local amenities for children.
However, the cinema’s current owners supported the change, citing the venue’s unsustainable occupancy rate of under 10 percent. They believed the refurbishment would secure the future of cinema in the town. T-Squared Social’s CEO, Christopher Anand, emphasized that the new concept would enhance the range of entertainment options available to residents while maintaining the cinema’s heritage.
The renovation project is set to create 45 to 50 full-time jobs, contributing to the local economy.
Nexus Luxury, the real estate company in which Woods and Timberlake are shareholders, will oversee the project, ensuring it respects the conservation area’s character.
As the project progresses, Woods and Timberlake aim to blend modern entertainment with the historic charm of St Andrews, aiming to attract both locals and visitors while preserving the town’s unique identity.
