It is official, St Andrews’ historic and only existing cinema closed its doors on 19 September 2024, making way for the proposed transformations set about by new owner and entertainment chain T-Squared Social. The company, whose shareholders include Tiger Woods and Justin Timberlake, caused a local stir regarding the New Picture House’s (NPH) fate almost exactly a year ago, in a press release last autumn. Attempting to respect the tight-knit St Andrews community while, at the same time, expressing excitement in making changes to the town, Woods stated, “I have been fortunate enough to enjoy many special moments here at St. Andrews. We all wanted to bring our T-Squared Social concept to St. Andrews to add to the local community and be a welcoming place for those living in St. Andrews and for visitors alike.” However, the St Andrews community – including film enthusiasts and avid golfers alike – viewed T-Squared’s plans to turn the ninety-year old cinema into a luxury sports bar as disrespectful to the town’s history, even as the home of golf. Yet, despite the Fife Council’s approval of the project since then, one should not assume the all-too familiar “Save Your Cinema” posters and petitions went completely ignored.
What to expect now
On their new website ‘T-Squared St Andrews,’ T-Squared Social emphasizes they are open to hear and satisfy local concerns regarding their intended changes. The website includes a four-minute video which opens with Managing Director of NPH David Morris addressing the looming questions “Will we lose our cinema?” and “Why are you changing the cinema?” He confirms two of the three screens will remain and explains NPH had no feasible way to continue running with an attendance rate falling below 10 percent.
In terms of what to expect, the signature, outside features of the New Picture House (including its posted name at the front of the building) will be preserved. Whether Timberlake and Woods like it or not, the architecture of NPH must be respected as an officially listed building under Historic Environment Scotland. Inside, however, is fair-game. The main entrance will now include a renovated bar area, Cinema 1 will turn into a dart bay and eating area, Cinema 2’s screen will include swing simulators as the main lounge/bar area, and Cinema 3 will present daily movie screenings (thus remaining relatively the same). Cinema 2’s screen – on the other hand – will serve a new purpose by presenting current blockbusters and sports matches depending on the occasion. The introductory video to T-Squared St Andrews closes with David Morris’ reassurance of his intention to oversee the entire transition as a continuing manager.
Recommendations
Even if Woods, Timberlake, and Morris promise daily screenings will continue, it remains unclear just how accessible these will be, especially since T-Squared’s marketing promises a luxury and upscale experience. Thus, for many everyday uni students and St Andrews locals, a casual movie night with friends, family, or even on one’s lonesome, is unlikely to be the same. Nevertheless, NPH’s closure presents the St Andrews community to look to other, similar opportunities available.
The controversy stirred by T-Squared’s presence in St Andrews and the unfortunate closure of NPH makes clear the importance of supporting local films and film venues. As Morris explains, “Due to the shift in the way people watch movies, the cinema industry has been in steep decline… We were faced with the decision to close or adapt.” Indeed, the cinema industry’s decline is due only in part to streaming and equally has to do with the ongoing impacts of Covid-19, Hollywood strikes, and growing reliance on Artificial Intelligence. As such, local support for the Byre Theatre and its annual Sands Fest, St Andrews Film Festival, St Andrews Green Film Festival, and – yes, even if they are tedious to reach – Dundee’s cinemas (especially Dundee Contemporary Arts) are needed now more than ever.
Additionally, a cozier option would be to host movie nights with friends, family, or even on one’s lonesome. While this alternative does not provide the exact feeling of being hit with the front-door waft of buttery popcorn at NPH or sitting in its worn yet nostalgic theater seats, movie nights with friends offer a similar excitement and communal retreat that we ultimately appreciate from the cinema-going experience. If you want to go all-out, you can invest in a mini-projector to connect to your laptop or other portable devices. Ranging from £50 – £100, however, this option is definitely an investment. No matter how one sets up a movie night, the main point is to touch on the appeal of a cinema-going experience which, at its core, is a dedicated time for community engagement and healthy escapism from the stresses of everyday life.
Celebrating the Cinema
Especially as I, the author, alongside most readers, are St Andrews students, the fact one of our limited resources for relaxation and entertainment is going away makes a year’s worth of uproar understandable. Yet, if anything, the reaction of St Andrews goes to show the New Picture House cinema has served its community and student body well. Continuing to be met with deep, communal sadness, the closure also proves just how close-knit the town really is. Each coffee shop, bookstore, pub, and – yes, even the chains and tourist traps – has its role to play in fuelling the nostalgia of St Andrews. As individuals, we are also part of this social fabric. As such, all we can do now is celebrate the memories and history NPH and St Andrews’ wonderful venues provide, make way for the new, and further our legacy as a welcoming and diverse community that – for many of us students – has become our home away from home.