Ritz Cinema
Middle Brook Street,
Winchester,
SO23 8BQ
Middle Brook Street,
Winchester,
SO23 8BQ
1 person
favorited this theater
Additional Info
Previously operated by: Associated British Cinemas Ltd., Union Cinema Co. Ltd.
Architects: Thomas Verity
Firms: Verity and Beverley
Functions: Church
Styles: Art Deco
Nearby Theaters
Opened 29th April 1940 with the Max Fleischer feature length cartoon “Gullivers Travels”, this was a proposed Union Cinemas building in 1937, which by the time of its opening had passed to Associated British Cinemas(ABC), but it was not renamed. The original architect employed by Union Cinemas was Thomas Verity, but the plans could have been redesigned by ABC’s in-house architect William R. Glen.
The exterior has a mellow brick finish with dwarf towers at each end. Seating was provided in stalls and circle levels. There was a deep stage, but no dressing rooms were provided. Original plans included an organ, but this was omitted in the final scheme.
The Ritz Cinema closed on 19th November 1960, one of the first closures by ABC and became a Ladbrooks Bingo Club and later a Top Rank Bingo Club. Many more UK cinemas would follow this path over the next few decades. The bingo club closed in 1986.
The building is now subdivided to form offices and meeting rooms and by 2015 had been converted into a church.
Contributed by
Ian Grundy
Want to be emailed when a new comment is posted about this theater?
Just login to your account and subscribe to this theater.
Recent comments (view all 3 comments)
March 2009 photo here:–
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/3364382647/
An older 1991 when it was operating as a bingo hall here:–
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/140436977/
Interesting to observe the changes made to the building during the years.
I remember going to the Ritz to see some films in the 50’s .It was my favourite cinema and i was sad that it closed.It was meant to be turned into a bowling alley but that never happened