Tiger Woods and Justin Timberlake’s sports bar set for St Andrews

Justin Timberlake and Tiger Woods have been granted planning permission to convert an old cinema in St Andrews into a sports bar.

T-Squared Social is transforming the New Picture House Cinema into a luxury bar with sports simulators, duckpin bowling and darts, while retaining two cinema screens.

Fife Council said the application by property company Nexus Luxury Collection, of which Woods and Timberlake are shareholders, would “protect and enhance the character and appearance of the conservation area.”

The redevelopment will create approximately 40 to 45 jobs.

Justin Timberlake and Tiger Woods have been granted planning permission to convert an old cinema in St Andrews into a sports bar.

T-Squared Social is transforming the New Picture House Cinema into a luxury bar with sports simulators, duckpin bowling and darts, while retaining two cinema screens.

Fife Council said the application by property company Nexus Luxury Collection, of which Woods and Timberlake are shareholders, would “protect and enhance the character and appearance of the conservation area.”

The redevelopment will create approximately 40 to 45 jobs.

In planning documents, the cinema’s owners, who welcomed the bar proposal, said they would have to close the New Picture House if changes were not made to the site, as the cinema “currently has an occupancy rate of less than 10 per cent and is no longer a viable, stand-alone cinema.”

The documents also state that the bar plan will ensure people in St Andrews can “experience a wider range of cinemas, restaurants and entertainment” and will be “critical to securing a future cinema offer” in the region.

Woods previously said he and Timberlake came up with the idea during a round of golf at their property in the Bahamas.

The former world number one played at the 150th Open Championship in St Andrews in 2022, which he said “felt like the last time”.

The 15-time major winner said he had experienced “a lot of special moments” at St Andrews and hoped T-Squared Social would be a “welcoming place” for locals and tourists alike.

Pop star Timberlake, who made headlines in New York last month after being arrested for drink driving, has played golf at St Andrews in the past, including at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship in 2019.

Christopher Anand, the company’s CEO and managing partner, said, “We are committed to preserving and honoring the theater’s historic architecture and design and continuing the tradition of showing great films.”

He added that the proposal would give “new life and longevity” to the venue as the bar would be open seven days a week.

The cinema first opened in 1930 and seats 700 people. Key features of the building, including the ceiling, walls and stage, have been retained in the change of use.

According to the project approval conditions, work must begin within the next three years.