'The response from the community already has been incredible. It’s clear that The Ritz means a huge amount to people'
A newly formed group launched with the vision of restoring and returning an historic building to community use has taken its first step towards securing its long-term future.
The Ritz in Ilkeston – which is scheduled for auction on May 20 – has been nominated to be listed as an Asset of Community Value. If granted, the status would ensure its community value is taken into account in any future sale.
mogen Connelly, who chairs The New Ritz Collective, said: “We believe The Ritz has the potential to become part of a really exciting new chapter for Ilkeston, something that brings life back into the town centre and gives people something to get behind.”
The long-term ambition for the building is to create a flexible, multi- purpose space capable of supporting a wide range of activity, including live performances, theatre, music, comedy, film screenings, exhibitions, workshops, markets, educational activity, community events and private hire.
Imogen said: “We know there is still a long way to go, but submitting the nomination feels like the first real step towards bringing the building back into community use and creating something people can genuinely feel proud of.
“The response from the community already has been incredible. It’s clear that The Ritz means a huge amount to people in Ilkeston, and that there is a real desire to see something positive happen within our town."
People in the area are being urged by The New Ritz Collective to help demonstrate the strength of support by getting behind the project, the next stages of which will involve community engagement, fundraising, exploring funding opportunities and developing a sustainable long-term vision for the building.
Peter Milner, a trustee of Derbyshire Historic Buildings Trust, said: “The Ritz is an important part of Ilkeston’s heritage and identity, and it’s incredibly encouraging to see local people coming together with such passion and ambition for its future.
“Derbyshire Historic Buildings Trust is fully supportive of this initiative and the ambition behind it. The Ritz is an important historic building within Ilkeston, and projects like this have the potential not only to remove
buildings from the ‘at risk’ register, but to secure sustainable and positive futures for them at the heart of their communities once again.
“Ilkeston is my hometown, so it is a great pleasure to be involved with a project to save and restore this iconic building, which I visited many times in my younger days. I understand the concerns of local people as they
have watched the building slowly deteriorate over the years. It needs bringing back to life and enjoyed once more.”
Further updates will be shared over the coming weeks via The New Ritz Collective’s page on Facebook.To stay updated, visit and follow ‘The New Ritz Collective’ on Facebook.