Alison Hammond says 'I'm gutted' as she issues statement on major change to 'hometown Brum'

One of Britain's biggest TV stars has issued a statement over the closure of Birmingham's Electric Cinema, revealing she was "gutted" to see it close. The UK's oldest working cinema, located on Station Street, shut for good at the end of February.

A petition, since signed by more than 20,000 people, was launched to 'save Station Street', with a campaign against proposals for redevelopment with a 50-floor tower. Now This Morning host Alison Hammond has pitched in, offering her "Brummie heart on her sleeve" and adding her voice to the change.org petition.

She said: "I was so sad to hear about the closure of the electric cinema in Brum. The whole of Station Street has such cultural significance and I'm gutted to see yet another arts venue in my hometown close. This can't keep happening!"

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Her three-sentence statement was shared by @OldStationSt, an X account to save the Electric Cinema, The Crown and Station Street from demolition. They wrote: "Always wearing her Brummie heart on her sleeve @AlisonHammond has been at the forefront of representing the city on TV for 20+ yrs.

"She knows how important arts venues like The Electric & The Old Rep are in giving Brummies opportunities in the arts:"

Proposals to create a 50-floor tower of apartments and hotel are among the potential future uses of the area. The street is also home to The Crown, a former pub now derelict which hosted Black Sabbath's first gig.

The petition said: "It should be restored from it's current delict state. Given life as a small music venue, music education centre and bar for experimental and interesting music to thrive.

"Several healthy and successful businesses in hospitality. Not currently at risk but in danger of being a victim of this cultural vandalism is The Old Rep. A Grade II listed theatre and Britain's oldest Rep theatre.

"Ideally Station Street should be pedestrianised and turned into Birmingham's small venues cultural offer and the beating heart of a city proud of its heritage, cutting edge in its arts outlook and bold in its vision. Complimented by the recent John Bright Street regeneration.

"Birmingham has been down this path before. Destroying historic and beautiful architecture of national cultural significance only to regret it shortly after. Do not repeat the mistakes of the past."