º£½ÇÊÓÆµ

Oops.

Our website is temporarily unavailable in your location.

We are working hard to get it back online.

PRIVACY
Enterprise

Birmingham's historic Electric cinema set to reopen

The 112-year-old venue has been closed since mid-March due to the coronavirus pandemic

The Electric cinema in Birmingham(Image: BirminghamLive)

A historic cinema in Birmingham city centre is preparing to open under new ownership next month.

The Electric - said to be the º£½ÇÊÓÆµ's oldest working cinema - closed in March due to the coronavirus pandemic.

But now the 112-year-old Station Street cinema is being saved by Kevin Markwick who has pledged to reopen the venue before Christmas.

READ MORE: Birmingham office market continues to recover following exceptional property demand

In a statement sent to , Mr Markwick - who already runs the 104-year-old Picture House Cinema, in Uckfield, East Sussex - said: "This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to operate a cinema that is known around the world.

"I have visited The Electric many times and it has always been close to my heart, as it is to so many people across the city and º£½ÇÊÓÆµ. I am thrilled to now get the cinema back open in time for Christmas....I look forward to reopening this important cultural institution for the people of Birmingham and the º£½ÇÊÓÆµ."

Tom Lawes, who has owned The Electric since buying it at auction in 2004, confirmed that the cinema would keep its name but added that he would not be involved with the venue once it's reopened.

Tom said: "Kevin is definitely the best man for job as unlike me cinema exhibition is his full-time career.