Since The Electric Cinema in Birmingham showed its first silent film just a few days after Christmas in 1909, the country’s been in two world wars, won one World Cup, and joined and left the EU. It’s seen a lot. So it was a sad day when the UK’s oldest working cinema closed at the end of February.
But this might not be the end of The Electric just yet. A swell of support to save cinema has seen a growing petition hit nearly 21,000 signatures. Now several industry voices – including Steven Knight, the Osbournes, and Brian Cox – have thrown their weight behind the campaign. Which also hopes to secure the future of Station Street, home to some of the city’s most famous cultural venues.
The ‘Save Station Street’ campaign was mounted upon the sudden closure of the much-loved Electric Cinema. The 115-year-old Art Deco building ceased trading due to proposals to demolish a section of Birmingham’s Station Street and replace it with a 50-floor tower block. The street is also home to The Crown, the ‘birthplace of heavy metal’ where Black Sabbath played their first gig, and The Old Rep, Britain’s oldest rep theatre which opened in 1913.
Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight said: “It would be reckless vandalisation to destroy Station Street. This is a jewel in the crown of Birmingham’s history… These heritage places are not a luxury, a city is identified by its cultural history and historical landmarks. When you think of Paris you think of the Eiffel Tower, not a block of flats. Birmingham must stop disrespecting itself and selling itself to the highest bidder.”
While The Crown closed in 2014, it has recently secured listed status. There’s also an ongoing attempt to revive it as a music venue, which hasn’t proven fruitful yet. The Old Rep is also a Grade II building and is currently operational, but faces an uncertain future as its current lease is due to expire. Darren John, who started the petition, hopes the campaign leads to the regeneration of an area that “has had an incredible impact on global popular culture.”
Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne have recorded a video of support and shared concerns that developers would be “taking the soul from the city. Taking its history”. Meanwhile, Succession star, Brian Cox, who began his theatre career at the Old Rep, said, “It was designed beautifully, with the raking such that there is no bad seat in the house and it would be tragic to lose such a wonderful and historically important venue.”
Other Birmingham celebrities to get behind the campaign include David Harewood, Joe Lycett, Alison Hammond, and Toyah Willcox. The online petition asks Birmingham leaders to ‘Designate Birmingham’s Station Street a Historic, Cultural and Civic Asset’. To learn more about the campaign head here.