Afternoon All,
Firstly - are you enjoying our testimonials? Steven Knight and Brian Cox really got the internet talking. Thanks to everyone who has contributed so far. We still have a few surprises up our sleeves for you.
Glenbrook Property issued a position statement on 10th April 2024 which you can read here.
If you aren't on twitter (good choice!) you can find our response below:
Our response to the statement by Glenbrook Property on 10/4/2023 regarding Station Street & The Electric Cinema, Birmingham. We appreciate warm words, have many outstanding Q's & are underwhelmed by no explicit commitment to keeping The Electric #SaveTheElectric #SaveStationStreet
Dear Glenbrook Property,
I am replying on behalf of the ‘Save Station Street’ Campaign, backed by 20,500 petition signatures and ‘Save The Electric’, a community of 1,300 members.
Thank you for your position statement issued on 10/4/24 regarding Station Street. While we would have preferred more detail, we do appreciate many of the sentiments regarding improved public realms, working collaboratively and the promise to include an ‘independent cinema’ is a positive move. Having taken feedback from our community there are some significant questions the city would like answers to. As we go forward, we would appreciate answers to the following:
The Electric:
How long will The Electric be closed for? What is your timeline?
Will Vyse/Glenbrook support The Electric Grade II listing application?
Any redevelopment of The Electric should be a heritage led restoration of the building to enhance The Electric Cinema offer while retaining its spirit and ability to be known as The UK’s oldest cinema. We ask you to commit to that publicly.
If not, will Vyse/Glenbrook support calls for an independent feasibility study to provide the best solution for The Electric?
Will Vyse/Glenbrook make any agreed cinema plans legally binding and if any development takes place offer long term 30+yr leases to any provider taking the site on?
Residential Plans in Relation to The Crown:
Any residential/hotel developments must be properly sound proofed and can you guarantee that no noise complaints will be made against The Crown by residents/guests if it is revived as a music venue?
Two Post-War Grey Buildings:
Will Vyse/Glenbrook work to incorporate the ground levels to match the historic WHSmith frontages that existed there before the Brum Blitz in 1940 as a gesture of good will & trust building if development happens here?
Trust:
Will you provide a full Town Hall meeting?
Note: We need a specific timeframe for this, and it needs to be in the very near future.
Previous draft plans/discussions have included demolition of some/all heritage assets inc. The Electric to facilitate a 45-50 floor tower. Sources have confirmed this. The residents of Birmingham need clarity on the exact land intended to be used. Will you provide this publicly before the Town Hall meeting?
Do you still intend to build a large-scale apartment tower on Station or Hinckley Street? The streetscape of Station Street is a cohesive unit that tells the story of our city, how will your development respect this?
PR:
We also ask for a direct public apology for the hurt and anger Vyse/Glenbrook have caused by closure of The Electric, public silence for 40+ days, denial of meetings the public now know happened and attempts to disassociate yourselves from draft architectural plans that were shown to various parties.
While we welcome your statement it falls below meeting our concerns publicly. Our community are hugely concerned by the ambiguity of your words around the cinema and exclusion of The Electric by name after its first paragraph. We welcome the promise of an ‘independent cinema’, but carefully crafted words do not at any point commit to keeping The Electric or refurbishing/developing it in a sensitive heritage led way and Birmingham still wants to know how much of The Electric are you planning to demolish and rebuild?
Darren John
Founder
Save Station Street
on Behalf of Save Station Street & Save The Electric Campaigns