Glenbrook is asking to be trusted with the future of cinema on Station Street… was Birmingham deceived?
Since the venue closed in 2024, Glenbrook Properties has promoted a vision for Station Street built around culture, heritage and a continued cinema presence.
On paper, it sounds like something the future of Birmingham should want for one of its most historic streets. However in reality, Glenbrook failed to bring that vision to life, allowing the buildings that gave Station Street its identity to wither away. We will be focusing on ‘The Electric’ cinema.
The Electric closed in February 2024. This ended its run as Birmingham’s first cinema and for years it had been celebrated as the UK’s oldest working cinema. It was a venue that carried cultural and historical value not just for Birmingham, but for British film history. That same cinema is now being described as abandoned when it should be being described as a treasured landmark.
Glenbrook has never positioned itself as a passive observer. They asked to be trusted with the future of Station Street by promoting redevelopment centred on preservation and culture. Birmingham was not told that The Electric would simply be left to fade into irrelevance while vague promises about the future were left on paper.
Now, campaigners are accusing Glenbrook of letting ‘The Electric’ die
Concerns over the condition of The Electric have grown louder in recent months. Campaigners are specifically accusing Glenbrook of failing to keep the building secure. They have pointed to visible deterioration and a lack of proper protection which has led to growing fire-risk concerns around the site.
The latest incident only furthered that anger.
On April 2, 2026, firefighters were called to prevent The Electric cinema sign from falling. A developer cannot promise something and then not deliver on that promise. It is not only morally wrong but could also potentially be a breach of contract. They cannot be allowed to sell Birmingham a future built on history/identity while neglecting the buildings that represent both.
Glenbrook Properties has refused to respond to campaigners complaining about the state of The Electric. They have ignored emails and letters leading to frustration. At a certain point, that silence stops looking like delay and starts looking like disregard. Making everyone question if Glenbrook even care about Birmingham (we personally think they don’t).
But where exactly is Birmingham City Council in all of this? If Glenbrook is unable or unwilling to protect the building that gave Station Street its cultural identity, why hasn’t there been intervention? A historic cinema should not be left to decay while responsibility is passed around leading nothing to change.
If The Electric is allowed to keep falling apart under their watch.
Birmingham has every right to question whether they were sold a false idea from the start.
Glenbrook Properties needs to be held accountable for letting a historic cinema, and a historic street, die.
