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 will turn the New Picture House Cinema into a luxury bar with sports simulators, duckpin bowling and darts, while retaining two cinema screens.

Fife Council said that the application from real estate company Nexus Luxury Collection – which Woods and Timberlake are shareholders in – would “protect and enhance the character and appearance of the conservation area.”

Around 40 to 45 jobs will be created as a result of the redevelopment.

In planning documents the cinema’s owners, who have welcomed the bar proposal, stated they would have to close the New Picture House if there was no change to the site, as it “currently runs at under 10 per cent occupancy and is no longer a viable stand-alone cinema operation.”

The documents also state that the bar plan will let people in St Andrews “experience a broader range of cinema, dining and entertainment” and will be “crucial in helping to secure a cinema offering going forward” in the area.

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

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

The 15-time major winner said he had enjoyed “many special moments” in St Andrews and that he hoped T-Squared Social would be a “welcoming place” for locals and tourists.

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

Christopher Anand, the firm’s CEO and managing partner, said: “We are taking great care to preserve and celebrate the historic architecture and design of the theatre and continue its tradition of showcasing great films.”

He added that the proposal would bring “new life and longevity” to the site, with the bar open seven days a week.

The cinema first opened in 1930 and seats 700 people. Key features in the building, including the ceiling, walls and stage, will be kept in the change of use.

Under the terms of approval for the project, work must begin within the next three years.