Justin Timberlake And Tiger Woods Have St Andrews Sports Bar Plans Approved Ahead Of Proposed 2025 Opening
T-Squared Social is set to start building its second location in St Andrews at the site of the New Picture House Cinema after planning permission was approved by Fife Council
Tiger Woods and Justin Timberlake's T-Squared Social has been granted planning permission to turn the New Picture House Cinema in St Andrews, Scotland into a sports bar.
The pair first revealed plans to open an entertainment venue minutes away from the world-famous Old Course in October 2023, weeks after they had cut ribbon outside their very first bar in central Manhattan.
St Andrews' T-Squared Social sports bar - which will include The New Picture House as part of its name once it opens - is set to feature “state-of-the-art full swing simulators for golf and other interactive gameplay, duckpin bowling, darts, and premium sports-watching with large format televisions.”
And per the T-Squared Social website, its St Andrews location will also retain two of the three current cinema screens in order to continue showing films.
Fife Council, who approved the planning application, said that Nexus Luxury - the real estate company that Woods and Timberlake are shareholders in - would "protect and enhance the character and appearance of the conservation area."
Woods and Timberlake's proposal was not universally popular with the town's residents when it first arose, however, with a petition launched to 'save the New Picture House' passing 12,000 signatures.
St Andrews University student Johann Curry-Machado argued in the petition's description that the iconic duo's plans "threaten to strip away a vital part of our town's identity and history."
Get the Golf Monthly Newsletter
Subscribe to the Golf Monthly newsletter to stay up to date with all the latest tour news, equipment news, reviews, head-to-heads and buyer’s guides from our team of experienced experts.
Curry-Machado continued: "St Andrews is a town with a rich Scottish identity, and the New Picture House has played an indispensable role in preserving that heritage. Converting it into another sports bar is a grave mistake that will contribute to the ongoing gentrification of our beloved town."
Meanwhile, St Andrews Community Council member Neil Dobson also voiced his opposition to the idea of creating something "completely out of keeping" with the town in which Woods won the Open in 2000 and 2005.
Speaking to The Courier, Dobson said: “I find this very disrespectful and a bit cheeky, to be honest. This town has been very good to Tiger Woods and this is not the way to repay residents.
"St Andrews is unique and that building is iconic. An American bar is completely out of keeping. It will be full of American golfers with nothing left in the town for children at all."
Yet, the current owners of the cinema were completely on board with a fresh start for the building and admitted they would have been forced to close the New Picture House before long as it "currently runs at under 10 per cent occupancy and is no longer a viable stand-alone cinema operation."
Planning documents also stated that T-Squared Social St Andrews will allow residents to "experience a broader range of cinema, dining and entertainment" while also being "crucial in helping to secure a cinema offering" for the foreseeable future.
Christopher Anand, the CEO and managing partner of T-Squared Social, told The Courier: “We are delighted to have received planning permission for our exciting proposals.
A post shared by T-Squared Social (@tsquared.social)
A photo posted by on
"As a team, we listened to the residents of St Andrews, and taking account of this increased the number of screens, including retaining the main auditorium.
“With our new entertainment concept, sitting alongside the cinema, this will ensure that a cinema offering can remain in the town for this and for generations to come. We look forward to continuing to work with Fife Council and the local community as we seek to deliver our scheme.”
The entertainment venue - which is expected to offer between 45 and 50 full-time positions once fully operational - is planned to open "in the Spring of 2025," according to its website, with refurbishment work set to begin later this year.
Jonny Leighfield is our Staff News Writer who joined Golf Monthly just in time for the 2023 Solheim Cup and Ryder Cup. He graduated from the University of Brighton with a degree in Sport Journalism in 2017 and spent almost five years as the sole sports reporter at his local newspaper. An improving golfer who still classes himself as ‘one of the worst players on the Golf Monthly team’, Jonny enjoys playing as much as he can and is hoping to reach his Handicap goal of 18 at some stage. He attended both the 150th and 151st Opens and is keen to make it an annual pilgrimage.
-
I’ve Just Discovered I've Been Inadvertently Cheating For Years… Am I The Problem Or Do Golf's Handicap Rules Need To Change?
While I acknowledge I should have been more aware of iGolf’s regulations, there are certain rules around score attestation that could needlessly be stopping people attaining handicaps
By Nick Bonfield Published
-
‘One Of The Best Five Shots’ Of Rory McIlroy’s Career Honored Ahead Of Return At Scottish Open
Rory McIlroy will have a nice surprise waiting for him at the Renaissance as he returns from his US Open heartbreak at next week's Scottish open
By Paul Higham Published
-
Charlie Woods Ends Outside Top-100 As Future Masters Cut To 36 Holes
Tiger Woods' son made the cut on the number at Dothan Country Club before the long-running junior championship was truncated due to bad weather
By Jonny Leighfield Last updated
-
Charlie Woods Paired With Other Sons Of Major-Winning Dads At Future Masters
Tiger Woods' son Charlie is competing in the 15-18 age group at the Press Thornton Future Masters this week alongside a handful of other juniors with famous surnames
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
'We Wanted To Celebrate His Exceptionalism' - Jay Monahan Explains Tiger Woods' Special Exemption
The PGA Tour wanted to celebrate Tiger Woods by creating his own special exemption category - with Jay Monahan saying he makes every event he plays in bigger and better
By Paul Higham Published
-
PGA Tour Creates New Tiger Woods Exemption Category
According to a memo sent out to members on Tuesday night, the PGA Tour is recognizing Woods for his "exceptional lifetime achievement" in golf
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
'I Just Didn't Capitalize' - Tiger Woods Off To Slow Start At 2024 US Open
Woods admitted his iron play and putting let him down after posting an opening round of 74 at Pinehurst No.2
By Conor Keenan Published
-
Tiger Woods Gives Positive PIF Talks Update As Report Suggests Deal Is Close
Tiger Woods says New York talks between the PGA Tour and Saudi PIF were positive, as a renowned golf journalist reported a draft agreement was agreed
By Paul Higham Published
-
Charlie Woods…The Putting Coach? Tiger Explains How Son Is Helping Him Prep For US Open
Tiger Woods has revealed son Charlie has been helping him prepare for the US Open by giving him putting advice at Pinehurst No.2
By Mike Hall Published
-
Everything Tiger Woods Said In His 2024 US Open Press Conference
Tiger Woods was in good spirits on Tuesday at Pinehurst, where he discussed his game and body, having Charlie with him, the challenge of the course, last week's PIF meeting and more
By Elliott Heath Last updated