Historic bingo hall's withdrawal from auction gives campaign group The New Ritz Collective hope for constructive conversations about its future
Community campaigners who are keen to repurpose a town’s old bingo hall say that its removal from auction has given them hope.
The Ritz on South Street, Ilkeston, which has been closed for eight years, was due to be auctioned this week. A spokesperson for auction house Savills said: “Unfortunately we aren’t able to disclose why the lot was withdrawn.”
Newly formed The New Ritz Collective, which is aiming to to turn the building into a multi-purpose space, has partnered with the Derbyshire Historic Buildings Trust in nominating The Ritz as an Asset of Community Value. If granted, the status would recognise The Ritz’s importance to the community and take into account the building’s value to the community in any future sale.
Imogen Connelly, who chairs The New Ritz Collective, said: “At this stage, we have not been informed of the reason why The Ritz has been withdrawn from auction, so we are unable to comment on the owner's intentions. “However, we are naturally hopeful that this development may create an opportunity for more constructive conversations about the building's future. As a group, our priority remains securing a sustainable future for The Ritz that preserves its heritage and brings it back into meaningful use for the benefit of the local community.
“The New Ritz Collective continues to progress its plans, including strengthening partnerships and exploring potential funding opportunities. We remain committed to working positively with stakeholders to discuss how The Ritz can be brought back into active use as a community asset.”
A long-term ambition for the building is to create a flexible space to support live performances, theatre, music, comedy, film screenings, exhibitions, workshops, markets, educational activity and private hire.
Further updates will be shared on the Facebook page The New Ritz Collective.
The Ritz opened as a cinema in 1938 when British film star Victor McLaglen, winner of an Academy Award for Best Actor for his role in The Informer, was guest of honour. Victor was the uncle of J.V. McLagen, the first manager of the Ritz Cinema, and went on to appear in films with John Wayne including She Wore A Yellow Ribbon, Rio Grande and The Quiet Man.
Designed in a modern Art Deco style, The Ritz had 922 seats in the stalls and 480 in the circle. The building housed a cinema until 1968 and was then converted into a bingo hall which closed in July 2018.