THE developers of a long-standing Fife cinema have said it is set to reopen as a mixed-use venue combining sport, drink, food and film in the summer of 2025.
T-Squared Social, which is working with the owners of the 94-year-old New Picture House in St Andrews, have announced that works to adapt the property will start before the end of the year.
Further, they said Fife Council has approved an alcohol licence for the venue, giving a green light to the sport-centric dining and entertainment offering the developers are planning.
The cinema was facing closure last year, but Justin Timberlake and Tiger Woods stepped in with their restaurant company T-Squared Social in hopes of saving it.
The celebrities are planning to transform it into a "blended" space, mixing cinema functions with dining and entertainment.
It is expected to close in September, with a re-opening planned in the summer of 2025.
One of the theatres in the B-listing building will be kept as-is, with seating improvements made, while a second theatre will become an area for socialisation with groups of seats.
The main theatre will be kept, with the screen continuing to be used for showing films.
The area inside the theatre will be used as a "multi-functional space", hosting a range of sports simulators and being able to adapt to different seating setups as required.
The developers say that most of the structure's changes will be internal, with the building's exterior being preserved.
Planning permission was received by the developers on July 1.
Christopher Anand, managing partner for T-Squared Social, said: “We are delighted to be announcing our intention to commence works later this year on this exciting new entertainment concept, including the cinema.
"It will ensure that a cinema offering can remain in the town for this and for generations to come.
“As we progress with the construction works, we look forward to continuing to engage with the local community and Council on our ongoing activity."
The New Picture House's current managing director, David Morris, will manage the transition to the new venue.
He said: “I am delighted to be personally working with T-Squared Social to support the transition of the business to the new venture.
“While inevitably the cinema has had to close to make way for the forthcoming renovation, this is an exciting time for both the cinema and for St Andrews.”
