Tiger Woods and Justin Timberlake have divided one of the most famous towns in Scotland with their proposal to transform a historic St. Andrews landmark into a sports bar. They face a strong rebellion from a large group of locals, while others — including nearby business owners — welcome the modernization plans from the international American superstars.
St. Andrews, a seaside town northeast of Edinburgh, is home to a population of about 18,410. It is also home to multiple long-standing golf courses, including the famous Old Course.
The area was first settled between 10,000 and 5,000 BCE. Establishment of the present town began around 1140 AD. Nearby University of St. Andrews is the third-oldest university in the English-speaking world, having first opened its doors in 1413.
All of this goes to say that St. Andrews is old and historic.
Right around the corner from the Old Course, next to the university, sits the New Picture House. It is an independent cinema built during the 1930s. It is the only movie theater in the town.
Justin Timberlake and Tiger Woods want to buy New Picture House in St. Andrews.
Woods and Timberlake aim to transform the cinema into a sports bar. They are backers of real estate firm Nexus Luxury Collection, which wants to open a “premium sports and entertainment” venue called “T-Squared Social” after a sister location recently opened in New York City.
The venue will have golf simulators, duckpin bowling and darts in addition to the classic sports bar and sports viewing experience. Purchase of the cinema also includes a promise to retain one cinema screen for theatrical releases.
Owners of New Picture House say that the “unique investment opportunity” will ensure that the historic building will continue to serve as an entertainment venue. Justin Timberlake says that it will be “so much more than a typical sports bar experience” and promised not to sacrifice quality or comfort. Tiger Woods reiterated Timberlake’s sentiments and pointed to the numerous special moments he has experienced at St. Andrews.
Stefano Pieraccini, 28, owns a seafood restaurant near the cinema. He is excited about the proposal and branded any opposition as “prehistoric.”
It’s fantastic. Two huge names such as Justin Timberlake and Tiger Woods. Something that would modernise St Andrews. I’m really excited about it.
— Stefano Pieraccini, via The Scottish Sun
67-year-old Phil Wishart owns a music-themed bar and restaurant in St. Andrews. He welcomes the competition.
I would imagine there will be a bit of opposition to it. But it wouldn’t bother me.
It’s a big project. I would say, ‘Good luck’’ We’ve been here for 40 years and we’ve said good luck to plenty before.
— Phil Wishart, via The Scottish Sun
21-year-old St. Andrews student Britton Mori looks forward to Timberlake and Woods’ arrival. She is not concerned about any potential noise.
I’m hoping both of them will come for the opening of the bar. This street is going to become a lot busier.
— Britton Mori, via The Scottish Sun
However, those in disagreement with the move content that it will wipe out “the heart and soul of St. Andrews.” A new petition, started by programme curator of the St Andrews Film Festival Ash Johann and signed by more than 8,500 people, hopes to stop Timberlake and Woods from buying the historic building.
The petition calls the purchase “deeply alarming” and worries that the revamp will “cater predominantly to wealthy tourists in the future.”
Such a development is out of touch with the needs and desires of the local community and the student population. It threatens to marginalise the very people who have nurtured and sustained the New Picture House for generations.
— Prevent the Conversion of New Picture House Cinema into a Luxury Sports Bar
There are still a few ts to be crossed and is to be dotted. However, assuming that the sale continues as planned, Woods and Timberlake aim to open T-Squared Social in St. Andrews in 2024.