Electric Cinema Update

Our feasibility work exploring the best option for cinema on Station Street is close to completion, and we're looking forward to sharing the results in the new year. In the meantime, Birmingham City Council are inviting feedback on planning proposals that could have a material impact on this part of the city centre.

We welcome the plans for a cultural quarter growth zone, and particularly the focus on young people. Station Street sits in the heart of the proposed zone, and it’s great to see the planners recognise the unique nature of the cultural assets on this street. However, it's concerning that the Electric Cinema has been omitted from the document’s list of assets, and does not merit a mention anywhere in the plans.

As you may know, the Electric closed last spring. It was Birmingham’s first full-time cinema when it opened in late 1909, and one of the very first in the country. Films have been screened in this building for 115 years, and the cinema’s many chapters help to tell the story of filmgoing itself. Whatever its future, it’s clear that the venue means a great deal to many in Birmingham and beyond. In its current form this plan makes it very easy for the Electric to be forgotten.

In our response to the consultation we will be making a case for the inclusion of the Electric alongside the area’s other assets. We’ll also express the view that thoughtful, organic renewal and investment will be vital to ensuring that Station Street can thrive again. If you want to submit a response, here’s how:

Step 1:
Go the BCC consultation page for the ‘Birmingham Local Plan Focused Preferred Options Document’. Under the ‘About this Consultation’ tab you can view the PDF of the full proposal. The Cultural Growth Zone is covered on p23-25, with further detail in Appendix A (p98-104).

Step 2:
Under the ‘Proposal’ tab on the same webpage, you can click on the pink tabs to find areas asking for comments, then click "add comment" to the top right of the green box. You will need to create an account to do so.

The questions related to the Cultural Growth Zone are in section 11, and they are as follows:

• Do you agree with the vision for the Central Cultural Quarter Growth Zone?
• Are there any other ways the policy can look to support and protect culture in this part of the city?
• Are there any other ways the policy can support the Gay Village and Chinatown?
• Are there any further comments you would like to make about this policy?

You can probably think of more fun things to do with your time, but feedback from the public will help to shape the future direction of this plan.

The deadline for responses is Thursday 4th December.

For more information visit the Birmingham City Council website.