Birmingham’s Electric Cinema locally listed amid heritage concerns
Council acknowledges listing offers no additional protection to historic site
Birmingham's iconic Electric Cinema, the UK's oldest working cinema until its closure in 2024, is set to be locally listed among five historic city sites, though the council clarifies this status provides no particular protection.
The Station Street venue's future remains uncertain, prompting concerns from local advocates, including West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker, regarding the building's condition.
At a council meeting today, planning committee chair Cllr Martin Brooks discussed the perceived heritage attention gap in Birmingham and emphasized enhancements underway in conservation efforts.
Despite being added to the Local Heritage List, Brooks remarked that the listing itself does not safeguard the building but signals its cultural significance as a local asset.
The council noted that local listing ensures the site's heritage value is a material consideration in any planning decisions affecting it, following Historic England's identification of The Electric's significance to Birmingham’s cinema history.
The cinema served as an essential entertainment hub for Birmingham over a century, contributing to cultural life and generating strong public reactions upon its closure, underscoring its community value.
Developer Glenbrook envisions reinventing The Electric for modern times, potentially embedding it within broader cultural development that includes new residential spaces.
Under the latest listing additions also included are Cherry Reds, The Gazette Buildings, Yardley Ridge and Furrow Earthworks, and The Windmill Pub, reflecting Birmingham’s diverse architectural and cultural heritage.
Councillor Deborah Harries expressed pleasure at the site's inclusion, emphasizing the city's cultural heritage commitment.