Tiger Woods is moving ahead with his proposed venture in St.Andrews amid fierce opposition from its residents. Woods and his business partner, Justin Timberlake unveiled plans to convert its historic independent New Picture House cinema into a sports bar. Despite a petition by the locals, garnering over 11,000 signatures, it appears Woods and Timberlake’s T-Squared Social may see the light of the day.
Woods has fond memories of the ‘home of golf’ after winning The Open at the Old Course in 2000 and then again in 2005. But the golfer has recently experienced backlash when he revealed plans to expand T-Squared Social business in Fife, Scotland.
Nexus Luxury Collection, backed by A-listers like Tiger Woods and Justin Timberlake wants to launch its T-Squared Social venture in St. Andrews after its first venture opened in New York last year. They aim to turn the New Picture House into a premium sports and entertainment gastro pub. So far, they have been met with stiff rebellion against these plans. But things are looking good for Woods now.
According to a report in Scotsman, Orbit Communications – speaking on behalf of Nexus Luxury – confirmed that plans are still moving forward. A statement by Orbit Communications read, “The New Picture House will be closing its doors as it is running at under 10% occupancy and is no longer viable. Without a serious and timely intervention, a cinema offering will be lost to the town.”
The statement further said, “Many do not realize that the delivery of this sports and entertainment concept will enable a cinema offering to be maintained in the town and the building retained.” The T-Squared Social is said to be a ray of hope for the dying legacy of the cinema. The statement also assured that the project team is “currently working towards the delivery of a planning application.” But in the meantime, it will inform the community about all the details.
The cinema’s managing director David Morris also released a statement. “The majority of cinemas are experiencing a financial crisis, and we have been hit by a perfect storm of factors, impacting our ability to continue to trade,” Morris explained.
New Picture House has been open since 1930, and it remains an independent cinema and an integral part of the university town’s entertainment and cultural heritage. Hence, when the idea to replace the cinema with a sports pub first came to light, St Andrews Community Council member Neil Dobson labeled the move as “disrespectful” and “cheeky.”
The recent stance of the managing organization of the New House Cinema could enrage the local community more. The online petition is gaining traction and the local community has hit back at the proposed development calling it “deeply alarming.” However, Woods’s idea was motivated by his love for St. Andrews and was not meant to hurt the locals.
Tiger Woods shares the origin story of a sports pub in St. Andrews
Tiger Woods revealed over a round of golf at Albany, Bahamas that he and Justin Timberlake decided that they wanted to bring their favorite things together in St. Andrews. Woods last played at St. Andrews in 2022 and reflected that it would be his last major there. Woods might have expected that he would never return to the place but as the plan of T-Squared Social, his name still echoes in the town. Talking about his rationale behind the pub idea, he said, “I have been fortunate enough to enjoy many special moments here at St. Andrews.”
“Something Got in [Tiger Woods’s] Brain”: Nike Fallout Gets a Clearer Picture as Former Employee Spills Insider Secrets
The 15x major champ wanted to build something that would “add to the local community and be a welcoming place for those living there and for visitors.” Woods is moving ahead with his plans and it may only be a matter of time before a new sports pub is established at the
site of the New Picture House.
Leave a Reply