Rapid building created new cinema on former club site

IT remains an iconic building in Burton, and despite being closed, is still widely known as “The Ritz”.

The Ritz Cinema was officially opened on Monday, March 11, 1935.

A reception for nearly 250 guests was held in the afternoon before the public were admitted to the formal opening in early evening.

Mr C. E Orton, the chairman of the Burton Picturedome Company, recalled how the old St George’s Hall, which formerly stood on that site, used to be the centre of entertainment and he hoped the new Ritz would do the same.

He said the new building bore little similarity with the old St George’s Hall, but his company had always endeavoured to provide the best entertainment for the Burton public and he thanked them for their support.

He said with the Ritz they planned to carry on the same tradition as at the town’s other cinemas, the Picturedome and the Regent.

He paid tribute to the work of John Fairweather, the associated architect, and to all the contractors who had worked together to create the building.

It had taken just 26 weeks from when contractors Lowe started to demolish the old building until the completion of the new.

Declaring the Ritz officially open, the Mayor of Burton, Alderman Jenkins said the new building had been provided by Burton people and Burton money, and the bulk of the work had been done by Burton men.

The mayor said it was up to the general public to make sure the venture was a success.

In appreciation of the work of so many Burton people, including Miss Annie Orton who was responsible for all of the building’s decorative schemes and furnishings, each person was presented with a silver salver to mark appreciation of their work.

Architect John Fairweather admitted that he had only visited the site twice adding that he had a very capable associate who made sure the work was carried out to plan.

He complimented the town on having such competent tradespeople to carry out such a building in such an expeditious manner and with such finish.

Some people, he said, thought there were too many cinemas but he said the supply sometimes created the demand and he thought it would do in this case,

He said “all work and no play made Jack a dull boy” and going to the cinema was a good form of play.

A very early picture of the Ritz Cinema. The Richard Tauber film previewed was released in 1934 which helps to date the image to around the cinema’s official opening date of March 1935. Below shows the introduction of computerised ticketing in November 1988 and the foyer in January 1987.