Birmingham Conservatives Demand Urgent Action to Protect Historic Electric Cinema
The leader of the Birmingham Conservatives has issued a strong call for immediate and urgent action from Birmingham City Council and the West Midlands Fire Service to safeguard the historic Electric Cinema. This demand follows the circulation of alarming photographs online showing the building in a severe state of disrepair.
State of Disrepair Sparks Public Concern
The Electric Cinema, located on Station Street, was the oldest working cinema in the United Kingdom until its closure in 2024. Since then, leaseholder Glenbrook Property has boarded up the premises. A campaign to secure listed status for the building failed in March of last year, heightening fears for its future.
These concerns escalated dramatically this week when images of the interior were shared on social media by Darren John, a prominent campaigner with the Save Station Street initiative. The photographs reveal a distressing scene: bottles of alcohol stored on shelves, piles of cardboard and debris scattered about, and sections of the ceiling collapsing.
Official Calls for Enforcement
In response, Councillor Robert Alden, leader of the Birmingham Conservative Group and representative for Erdington Ward, has written a formal letter to both the council and the fire service. He emphasized the serious fire safety and building security failings at the 116-year-old venue.
The letter, dated with reference to evidence published on 23 March 2026, states that the photographs clearly demonstrate Glenbrook Property has failed to keep the cinema secure. It highlights inadequate boarding and open access points that present an obvious and immediate fire risk.
Risks to Public Safety and Heritage
Councillor Alden outlined the grave risks posed by the current condition of the building:
- Public safety: The lives of residents, workers, and visitors in the immediate vicinity of Station Street are at serious and imminent risk.
- Adjacent heritage assets: The nearby Grade II listed Repertory Theatre, the UK's first purpose-built repertory theatre, is endangered.
- Other cultural sites: Nearby heritage assets of major cultural significance, including the birthplace of the band Black Sabbath, are also threatened.
He stressed that this is not a theoretical concern but a clear and present fire hazard, especially given the building's age and construction in a busy city-centre location.
Demands for Immediate Action
In his letter, Councillor Alden has requested the following urgent steps:
- Immediate inspection of the site to assess the current level of fire risk and physical security.
- Urgent enforcement actions, including serving necessary notices to require the owners to secure the building and implement fire-safety measures without delay.
- Consideration of any related breaches of planning conditions, listed-building requirements, or building regulations.
- A written update on the actions taken and the timetable for resolution as soon as possible.
He concluded by stating that the people of Birmingham rightly expect their historic buildings and city-centre streets to be safe, and the current situation is unacceptable and must be rectified as a matter of the highest priority.
Awaiting Responses
BirminghamLive has contacted Birmingham City Council for a response and is awaiting further updates from the West Midlands Fire Service. A statement from the fire service is expected, but as of now, Glenbrook Property has not responded to requests for comment. Representatives for Glenbrook Property have been invited to provide their perspective.
The community and heritage advocates continue to monitor the situation closely, hoping for swift action to preserve this iconic piece of Birmingham's cultural history.
