Campaign generating big support to save Birmingham cinema
Steven Knight, the Osbournes, and Brian Cox are among the industry voices throwing their weight behind a campaign to save Birmingham’s iconic Electric cinema amidst uncertainty over 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 in February of this year. The 115 year old Art Deco building known as the UK’s oldest working cinema ceased trading due to development proposals intending to demolish a significant section of Birmingham’s Station Street and replace it with a 50-floor tower block.
Station Street, located near Birmingham’s New Street Station is also home to two Grade II listed buildings with great cultural significance; The Crown, the former pub often billed as 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. The Crown closed in 2014 and projects to restore it as a live music venue have been unsuccessful to date, whilst the Old Rep is currently operational it also faces an uncertain future as its current lease is due to expire.
Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight was one of the first names to lend this support to the campaign, saying; “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.”
Upon hearing that these famous Birmingham venues could be under threat, the legendary hellraiser and lead singer of Black Sabbath, Ozzy Osbourne, and his wife TV personality, Sharon Osbourne sent campaign organisers a video of support discussing the need to protect the culture and heritage of Birmingham and shared their concerns that developers would be; “Taking the soul from the city. Taking its history”. Ozzy and Sharon’s heartfelt message ended with them offering to come back to Birmingham to demonstrate.
Succession star, Brian Cox is one of many esteemed actors including Albert Finney and Sir Lawrence Olivier who began their theatre careers on stage at the Old Rep. As a patron of the venue, Cox recently spoke out on the issue; “What is really important is the historic significance of the Birmingham Old Rep… 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.”
As the campaign has gathered momentum in recent weeks further Birmingham celebrities have rallied to the cause including actor David Harewood, comedian Joe Lycett, TV personality Alison Hammond, and musician Toyah Willcox and over 20,000 people have signed an online petition, asking Birmingham leaders to ‘Designate Birmingham's Station Street a Historic, Cultural and Civic Asset’ and ensure the protection of these historic venues.
The petition was started by local resident Darren John who hopes the campaign will lead to the regeneration of the area as a cultural hub; “Station Street has had an incredible impact on global popular culture, so many superstars of the arts world have walked through the doors of these historic venues as unknowns and emerged as world-leading artists.
The fact that Ozzy and many others have spoken out in horror at potential plans to destroy what makes this street so special speaks volumes of its importance. Their voices join nearly 21,000 Brummies who are demanding Station Street be recognised for its incredible cultural impact and given new life again.”
More information on the campaign can be found here: https://savetheelectriccinema.com/
