The iconic Electric Cinema in Birmingham – the oldest working cinema in the country – hits another setback. Its future remains bleak.
In February 2024, Birmingham’s oldest working cinema closed its doors after the latest attempt to revive it hit the buffers. The Electric had been under new ownership since January 2022 (with significant funds put in by its new owner), but the challenges of running an independent cinema in the current climate are hardly a surprise.
For the last year, a campaign has tried to save the two-screen Electric Cinema, against the backdrop of redevelopment threats. The Station Street area of Birmingham, as reported last year, is rumoured to be earmarked for a new apartment block, which would lead to the Electric Cinema being demolished.
This wasn’t officially confirmed, and things like that rarely are until it’s too late. A campaign quickly launched to save the Electric, and one of the hopes was the government Department Of Digital Culture, Media and Sport, the DCMS, would grant listed status on the building. The Old Rep theatre, also in the area, is protected by such a status.
The Electric isn’t, and the bid was rejected yesterday. “After considering all the evidence presented, it was decided that the Electric Cinema venue in Birmingham did not meet the criteria for listing”, wrote the DCMS. Over 24,000 people had supported the campaign, and the fight to secure some kind of cultural future for the Electric now continues.
Lee Nabbs, of Reel Brum, is one of those campaigning. He told Film Stories that it was “a heartbreaking decision for those who value independent cinema and cultural heritage in our city. Birmingham deserves to protect and preserve its cinematic landmarks. We stand with all those fighting to keep The Electric alive.”
He added, “let’s keep pushing, keep raising awareness, and do whatever we can to ensure it has a future.”
That future looks a little bleaker today. The campaign and the fight, however, is not over.
