Mayor Demands Urgent Answers Over Electric Cinema's 'Declining' State
West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker has issued a forceful demand for urgent answers regarding the deteriorating condition of Birmingham's iconic Electric Cinema, following a concerning incident where firefighters had to intervene to prevent part of the venue's signage from falling.
Open Letter to Property Firm Glenbrook
In a joint open letter with council leader John Cotton, Mayor Parker has written to the cinema's leaseholder, property development firm Glenbrook, raising serious concerns about the current state of the building and how it is being managed. The letter specifically addresses Glenbrook's co-founder, Ian Sherry, reminding him of previous commitments to protect the venue's heritage.
The dramatic incident occurred in March when West Midlands Fire Service was called to the 116-year-old Station Street site after the cinema's signage was found in a precarious state. Firefighters had to remove part of the sign to ensure public safety, leaving another visible scar on the historic street, which is also home to the legendary Crown pub that campaigners are fighting to restore.
Heritage at Risk
Describing the Electric Cinema as nationally significant and a crucial part of Birmingham's cultural identity, Mayor Parker emphasized that Glenbrook has a duty to protect the site. The cinema, which closed in 2024 after years as the UK's oldest working cinema, holds a special place in the city's history.
The letter states: "The removal of part of the sign raises real concerns about the current state of the building and how it is being managed. It suggests deterioration has been allowed to reach a point where intervention is required for safety, rather than being proactively maintained."
Key Demands from City Leaders
Mayor Parker and Council Leader Cotton have called on Glenbrook for an urgent explanation on several critical points:
- The current state of the building
- What maintenance and inspection regime had been in place
- The developer's plan for restoring its key heritage features
They added: "Given the assurances you provided, it is important that there is now clear evidence of action to protect the building – not further decline. You are custodians of our heritage and we all expect you to do that duty."
Additional Concerns Emerge
Recent reports from urban explorers who accessed the building have compounded concerns, with one claiming that ceilings inside were crumbling. Glenbrook has provided very little clarity on what comes next for the venue, leaving its future uncertain.
The city leaders concluded their letter by stating: "This matters to us and it matters to the city. We would welcome a prompt response." BirminghamLive has contacted Glenbrook for comment, but no response has been received at this time.
