ALMOST half a million pounds has been teed up for plans for a sports bar at the home of golf.
Golf legend Tiger Woods and singer Justin Timberlake want to convert St Andrews’ New Picture House into a two-screen cinema plus bar, sports simulators, bowling and darts.
Tiger Woods and Justin Timberlake have teamed up on the project[/caption]
Critics warned they will “destroy a piece of history” but students can’t wait for the venue to start pouring pints.
Fife Council granted permission in July to revamp the 1930s cinema.
And a building standards warrant lodged last month shows the work is worth £450,000.
A source said: “The fact that such a huge amount of money is being ploughed into this shows the developers are serious.
“It won’t sit well with everyone. Some are unhappy that such an historic building is being tinkered with.
“But with this sort of cash involved it is likely to be a huge draw for golfers who visit the home of golf.”
The celebrities’ T-Squared Social partnership said in August it was delighted work can begin this year.
Students and business owners previously backed Woods and Timberlake’s plans for a US-style sports bar at the Home of Golf.
Britton Mori, 21, from Annapolis, Maryland, US, said: “It seems like it’s going to be something unique.
“I’ve grown up knowing about Tiger Woods. My dad is one of the biggest golf fans.
“I called him and said, ‘You’ve no idea who my neighbour is dad!’ Justin Timberlake is his favourite singer too. He is well chuffed.”
Britton, who is in the fourth year of her English literature degree course, isn’t worried about any noise from the proposed pub.
And she hopes to one day meet sporting icon Woods and Cry Me a River star Timberlake before she graduates.
She added: “I’m hoping both of them will come for the opening of the bar. This street is going to become a lot busier.”
Local businessman Stefano Pieraccini, 28, who owns the nearby Seafood Ristorante, branded the opposition from some neighbours to the plans as “prehistoric”.
He said: “It’s fantastic. Two huge names such as Justin Timberlake and Tiger Woods. Something that would modernise St Andrews. I’m really excited about it.”
Phil Wishart, 67, owner of the music-themed Ziggy’s restaurant, also welcomed the competition.
He said: “I would imagine there will be a bit of opposition to it. But it wouldn’t bother me.
“It’s a big project. I would say, ‘Good luck’. We’ve been here for 40 years and we’ve said good luck to plenty before.”
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