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.”
Tiger Woods and Justin Timberlake pictured together in 2012
(Image credit: Getty Images)
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.”
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…
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