Tiger Woods and Justin Timberlake given green light to turn historic cinema in St Andrews into sports bar
- Golf legend and pop star given permission to transform B-listed building
- Pair will install sports simulators to allow customers to play golf, cricket and NFL
- Council satisfied plans will 'protect and enhance character' of New Picture House
Tiger Woods and Justin Timberlake have been given the green light to transform a historic cinema into an entertainment venue.
The duo are set to turn the New Picture House in St Andrews, Fife, into a ‘unique’ bar and restaurant in the town famed for being the home of golf.
Woods and Timberlake, who already operate a bar under the T-Squared Social name in New York, had been keen to bring their brand to Scotland.
The category-B listed cinema venue sits close to the Old Course where Woods lifted the Claret Jug twice at The Open in 2000 and 2005.
Fife Council has now granted them planning permission for the project.
Woods and Timberlake have been given permission to transform the New Picture House in St Andrews into a sports bar
Tiger Woods won the Open Championship in 2000 and 2005 at the Old Course in St Andrews
Woods and Timberlake say their plans will keep one cinema screen but transform the rest of the building in an investment worth £2m to the town.
The pair believe the development will have ‘significant reach and interest’ from locals, students and visitors in St Andrews.
Plans submitted to the council, which were backed by the owner of the cinema, said T-Squared Social would bring a ‘fun, family-friendly’ destination to the area under one roof.
The pair plan to install sport simulators to allow guests to play 100 courses from around the world and turn their hand to football, NFL, rugby, cricket and lacrosse.
It is hoped the venue will provide 40-45 jobs.
Woods and Timberlake had been asked to preserve historic paintings by a Scots artist Ada Hill Walker whose watercolour panels inside the cinema building depict local scenes such as the castle, cathedral and the cinema itself.
Giving the plans the go-ahead, Fife Council said: ‘The proposal is considered acceptable in terms of design, detailing and choice of materials; and would protect and enhance the character and appearance of the conservation area.
‘As such, the proposal is considered to be in compliance with the relevant policies of the development plan and relevant guidelines.’
Work on the project must begin within the next three years and all ‘interior features of note’ must be protected.
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