Tiger Woods' plan to transform St Andrews cinema into sports bar sparks local backlash

Woods has great memories of the 'home of golf' after winning The Open at the Old Course in 2000 and then repeating the feat in 2005, and now Fife is on his radar for the expansion of the T-Squared Social business he recently co-founded with his friend Justin Timberlake. The flagship establishment opened in New York City last month.

Once renovated, the former 90-year-old triplex theatre near St Andrews will consist of live sports viewing tvs, Full Swing golf simulators, 10-pin bowling alleys, darts boards, and a restaurant.

"I have been fortunate enough to enjoy many special moments here at St Andrews. We all wanted to bring out the T-Squared Social concept to St Andrews to add to the local community and be a welcoming place for those living in St Andrews and visitors alike," Woods said in an announcement on Tuesday.

Timberlake added: "I'm honoured to be able to invest in the town and bring our second T-Squared Social here. Our new venue is so much more than a typical sports bar experience – it's a place you can go to be entertained without sacrificing quality or comfort."

While the plans for the venue would see one of the three existing cinema screens remain, some residents have still come out strongly against it.

"What's next, Trump buying the West Sands for a hotel? I find this very disrespectful and a bit cheeky, to be honest," St Andrews Community Council member Neil Dobson told The Courier.

"This town has been very good to Tiger Woods, and this is not the way to repay residents. St Andrews is unique, and that building is iconic. An American bar is completely out of keeping. It will be full of American golfers with nothing left in the town for children at all."

Other members like Callum MacLeod back the development plans, however.

"There has been a lot of strong reaction against this idea. But it's the old story – if you don't use it, you lose it. I've been to the cinema recently, and there was hardly anyone there. If it was a flourishing cinema, as it used to be, then it wouldn't be under threat," said MacLeod.

"St Andrews is a tourist destination, and the culture has changed. Things evolve, and St Andrews must evolve with it." The cinema's managing director, David Morris, is another endorsing the plans, claiming they secure the long-term future of the venue.

"The planned T-Squared Social investment will enable the local community, students and visitors, the opportunity to experience a broader range of cinema, dining and entertainment at the popular venue."

Woods said the idea for T-Squared Social came to him during a round of golf at Albany, the luxury resort he co-owns in The Bahamas.

"Justin and I thought it would be cool to create a place that combines our favourite things and bring people together to just have a great time. We always knew we wanted to do something together, and NEXUS gave us the platform to bring our idea to life in New York City and now St Andrews."

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