Electric cinema developer breaks silence on ‘highly sensitive’ real plans.

A property developer has denied rumors it plans to “bulldoze” The Electric cinema – but admitted the venue would need a major “reinvention” to “survive another century”. Glenbrook this week announced plans to redevelop the UK’s oldest working cinema, based on Birmingham’s historic Station Street.

Rumors have been circulating online that the Manchester-based developer may demolish the entire site after it closed in February. But Glenbrook yesterday denied the claims, saying it “recognizes” its “cultural value” and is committed to keeping it as an independent cinema.

Investment in the new cinema would be supported by the delivery of build-to-let homes in a tower block behind The Electric, the firm said. Glenbrook also revealed aspirations – with the support of key partners such as Birmingham City Council – to see Station Street radically transformed into a vibrant neighborhood and traffic-free public realm.

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Glenbrook is the tenant of 43-45, 47 and 51-55 Station Street. This covers The Electric and adjoining buildings, but not the recently Grade II-listed Crown pub or the Old Rep – neither of which is said to have any commercial interest.

If the plans go ahead, The Electric would like to transform and drastically change the interior. Additional screens could be added, Glenbrook said, along with creating a larger space for food and drink.

The developer said it would also like to host film festivals at the site and see a permanent exhibition celebrating Birmingham’s film history. That along with temporary spaces for “artistic expression, education and cultural celebration.”

Glenbrook said he could not commit to a full heritage-based restoration because The Electric had “already lost many of its original features”. The firm added: “The Electric has constantly evolved to survive, having been built, rebuilt and modified several times. This is part of its character and history. It might have to change again.”

We talk to the boss about the future of The Electric and Station Street

Glenbrook’s director of development Sunny Johal told us that any new cinema will remain “100%” independently operated. “We’re not interested in bringing a commercial (cinema) operator here,” he said when asked if Odeon or similar could move.

Mr Johal, from Birmingham, who also led the multibillion-pound Paradise City development, said his team asked: “How do we create, or revitalize, a historic asset and then open it up to a wider public? make it more inclusive?

“There aren’t many streets in the UK (unlike Station Street) that can really say they have that amount of cultural heritage assigned to them over 100 meters – it’s phenomenal. But you have to create the reason why people want to be there.

“Station Street already has that without us having to work, and we’re very sensitive to that. Cinema is fundamental to the whole process. Our commitment is that The Electric will be an independently operated cinema in the new regeneration – 100. per cent”.

The property boss added: “But we have to create an offer that is not just about the cinema. (Instead) it’s about the food, it’s about the film exhibition space, it’s about creating a place that hopefully the British Film Institute could use as a flagship. for film in the UK.

“To do that, of course, you need a good public domain. But we should work with other partners to make that happen.”

Mr Johal said he and his team believe Station Street has “much more potential” than what it currently offers. “The Spanish Steps on New Street should be a gateway to the city,” he said.

“But right now, it’s a back door. People go out to New Street, or the choir arena, in fact no one comes to this part of town. You have the Hippodrome, we have the Alexandra Theatre, all that. amazing locations but people don’t really know.

“What it has the potential to be is a real heartbeat for all those places to come together and give them a shot at life and an injection of energy. It’s about creating a night and day economy in Station Street.”

Asked about the public reaction amid fears The Electric would be demolished, Mr Johal said he understood the “big emotion” as he himself is a “born and bred” Brummie. “We were caught up in a lot of things that the city had to deal with,” he admitted.

“Audiences have been disappointed, whether it’s the cuts or The Crooked House. This comes at a time when there’s a lot of great emotion. We’re very sensitive to that and that’s why we’ve taken as long as we have we must show our ambition publicly.

“I knew when I did it it had to be right. We ask ourselves what is right for the city, culturally. Even though I have a personal bias towards the city, we see the potential that Birmingham still has. for the future.

“It will be a slow and steady journey, but one we are very passionate about. The key thing for us is to always deliver – we don’t give people a say.”

What do you think of Glenbrook’s plans? I want to hear from you – email [email protected]