The Electric Cinema opened all the way back in 1909 and was the UK’s oldest working cinema until it sadly closed its doors in 2024. Since then, campaigners have been working hard to save it from permanent closure, but the 117-year-old Art Deco building cannot catch a break.
While its neighbour, The Crown, was granted listed status in 2024, the legendary cinema hasn’t been so lucky. Denied the privilege that would protect it from developers, the historic interest of the building was deemed to be “primarily at the local rather than the national level.”
The building’s leaseholder, Glenbrook Property, has kept it boarded up since closure. But earlier this week, images of the cinema were shared online showing how the Electric has fallen into disrepair. We can see the ceiling caving in, cardboard piled up, and a general neglect of the place.
“We have clear evidence of Glenbrook Property failing to keep the 116 yr old Electric Cinema secure. This is a HUGE fire risk,” said Save Station Street campaigners. “It’s puts lives at risk. It puts the UK’s first Rep Theatre at risk. It puts the birthplace of Black Sabbath at risk. Maybe they’re hoping for a fire?”
Now, the leader of the Birmingham Conservatives has demanded “immediate and urgent action” to protect the Electric Cinema. In a letter to Birmingham City Council and West Midlands Fire Service, Councillor Robert Alden has asked both to “take immediate and urgent enforcement action in respect of serious fire safety and building security failings at the above historic premises.”
Public evidence published earlier this week (23 March 2026) by the Save Station Street campaign clearly demonstrates that the owners/leaseholders, Glenbrook Property, have failed to keep the 116-year-old Electric Cinema secure. Photographs accompanying the post show the building in a visibly derelict and vulnerable state, with inadequate boarding and open access points that present an obvious and immediate fire risk.
These failings place the following at serious and imminent risk:
- Public safety and the lives of residents, workers, and visitors in the immediate vicinity of Station Street.
- The adjacent Grade II listed Repertory Theatre (the UK’s first purpose-built repertory theatre).
- Other nearby heritage assets of major cultural significance, including the birthplace of Black Sabbath.
This is not a theoretical or long-term concern. A building left open and unsecured in a busy city-centre location constitutes a clear and present fire hazard, especially in a structure of this age and construction.
I therefore respectfully request that you:
1. Immediately inspect the site (jointly if possible) to assess the current level of fire risk and physical security;
2. Take urgent enforcement steps, including (but not limited to) the service of any necessary notices to require the owners/leaseholders to secure the building to an acceptable standard and implement appropriate fire-safety measures without further delay.
3. Consider any related breaches of planning conditions, listed-building requirements, or building regulations that may have contributed to the current unsafe state.
4. Provide me with a written update on the actions taken and the timetable for resolution as soon as possible.
The people of Birmingham rightly expect their historic buildings and city-centre streets to be safe. The current situation is unacceptable and must be rectified as a matter of the highest priority.
Thank you for your urgent attention to this critical public-safety matter.