Justin Timberlake and Tiger Woods have received planning permission to transform an old cinema in St Andrews into a sports bar called T-Squared Social. The bar will feature sports simulators, duckpin bowling, and darts while still keeping two cinema screens intact. This redevelopment will create around 40 to 45 jobs in the area.
The owners of the cinema have stated that without these changes, the New Picture House Cinema would not be sustainable as it currently operates at under 10% occupancy. They believe that this new bar will help revitalize the cinema experience in St Andrews, offering a wider range of entertainment options for locals and tourists.
Tiger Woods and Justin Timberlake came up with the idea for this sports bar during a round of golf at their development in the Bahamas. Woods, who played at St Andrews for the 150th Open Championship in 2022, expressed his hope that T-Squared Social would become a welcoming place for the community.
Christopher Anand, the CEO and managing partner of the firm behind the project, stated that they are focused on preserving the historic architecture of the building while bringing new life to the site. The cinema, which first opened in 1930 and seats 700 people, will retain key features such as the ceiling, walls, and stage during the transformation.
Under the terms of approval, work on the project must begin within the next three years. The bar is set to be open seven days a week and will offer a unique entertainment experience in St Andrews.