Heritage body considers bid to list 1909 cinema

The cinema still retains some Art Deco features

Historic England (HE) says it is considering applications for listing a cinema - thought to be the oldest working one in the UK - which has closed.

The Electric in Station Street, Birmingham, with its art-deco frontage and two screens, first opened in 1909.

News broke last week the cinema was shutting for the foreseeable future, after reopening in 2022 with Kevin Markwick and daughter Katie taking over. The Markwicks have been contacted for comment.

Responding to a question on X, saying it should be a Grade II listed building already, Historic England stated it was considering recently-received applications carefully.

On the social media platform, formerly Twitter, one post said this "should be a no brainer".

Another X user stated the independent cinema was "not only of unique historical significance but a vibrant current cultural asset for Birmingham and the UK".

One person said she was there only two weeks ago and the auditorium was "pretty much full".

She added it was "a great little place with such history".

The Electric has two screens which have shown 35mm films as well as digital

The two screens have shown 35mm films as well as digital.

Built in a converted taxi rank in Station Street, it showed its first film on 27 December 1909 and had silent films with piano backing.