Electric Cinema Update: Historic England Decision
A few days after the Electric Cinema marked the first anniversary of its sudden closure, Historic England have announced the decision not to recommend the building for listing. We understand that the news has come as a shock and a disappointment to many people, and we wanted to update you on where this leaves us.
Firstly, it was always a possibility that the building would be rejected for listing, although it is a surprise that the process has taken so long. As previously discussed, the Electric is something of a ‘Trigger’s broom’ – the result of accumulated modifications and sometimes clumsy bodges throughout the many chapters of its 115-year history. That is a big part of its appeal for people. As the HE report puts it:
“It is the history and the story of the Electric Cinema that gives it its real value; its story as one of the longest-running cinemas in the UK, in a city which played an important role in the history of cinema. The public response to the closing of the cinema in early 2024 demonstrates the value that the stories of a place like the Electric can hold for a community, and the importance that people place on their local heritage.”
However, in the end they conclude that the erosion of its historic elements and the building’s limited architectural significance do not make a sufficient case for listing. One finding that we would strongly challenge is their assertion that the cinema is of local significance only. Throughout this process we have seen the widespread public and media interest in the fate of this building.
In terms of next steps, we are continuing work on an independent feasibility study supported by the British Film Institute, the John Feeney Trust, the National Trust and many other stakeholders and partners, to help determine the best option for cinema on this site. The developer Glenbrook has made it clear that they want to maintain a film offer on Station Street as part of any redevelopment, and the big question is what form that offer might take. There were two main priorities for us when we got involved in this work last summer. Firstly, to ensure serious consideration of the benefits renewal of the existing cinema might bring, as against demolition. That work is more important than ever, now that we know the building will not be protected by listing.
Secondly, we want to ensure that Birmingham comes out of this with a film venue that lives up to its size and cultural ambitions. The Electric’s closure has left us with three dedicated independent screens totalling 300 seats, well under half the capacity of most comparable cities. Both MAC and the Mockingbird do brilliant work for the city’s film scene, and they and everyone else we’ve consulted during the first phase of the feasibility (including filmmakers, educators, pop-up exhibitors and many others) have made it clear that there is room for so much more here. This is echoed in the public response, with over a thousand submissions to our survey in November.
It was no surprise that ‘Save the Electric’ was a recurring and resounding message throughout the responses (which came from across the UK), but beyond that a clear picture emerged of the kind of film venue people would like to see. One that makes meaningful space for community engagement, at a time when filmgoing is increasingly perceived as a luxury. One that supports and develops emerging talent, in a city where we hope to see a flourishing in production activity and employment opportunities over the next few years. And one with diverse programming that offers a fertile home for partnerships and special events.
It also needs to be able to sustain itself, and that will be a big part of the next phase of our work. Cinema can only survive at 47 Station St if it is underpinned by a realistic business plan. There does need to be room for dreaming here too though, and one of the many things we’ve learnt over the past year is that dreams and symbols can be significant assets. The recent work being done at DCMS on Culture and Heritage Capital acknowledges this, and looks for smarter ways to measure the economic, social and health benefits that our cultural venues can bring beyond crude commercial metrics.
Based on our engagement with the developers, the local authority and the combined authority, there is an understanding of the Electric’s importance in the story this city tells about itself. There is also a recognition of the huge opportunity that Station Street presents as a cultural hub, a cluster of venues that has entertained generations of Brummies. The only way to make the most of this opportunity and to give this unique street a new lease of life is to build a genuine collaboration which encompasses public and private as well as cultural and heritage organisations.
In a city that can sometimes seem to be drowning in bad news, people’s anguish at this announcement is understandable. The reason we’re persisting with this work is because we feel there’s a real potential prize here - to demonstrate how intelligent redevelopment can showcase and protect the gems that make our city special.