ABC Tunbridge Wells

Mount Pleasant Road,
Tunbridge Wells, TN1 1PT

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Additional Info

Previously operated by: Associated British Cinemas Ltd., Classic Cinemas (UK), Essoldo Circuit (Contol) Ltd., MGM Theatres, Union Cinema Co. Ltd., Virgin Cinemas

Architects: Robert Cromie

Styles: Art Deco

Previous Names: Ritz Cinema, Essoldo, Classic, Cannon, MGM, Virgin

Nearby Theaters

ABC Tunbridge Wells

The Ritz Cinema opened on 3rd December 1934 with Gracie Fields in “Sing As We Go” and Matheson Lang in “The Great Defender”, with film actress Margaret Bannerman, a star of the “The Great Defender” appearing in person. It was the first cinema to be specifically built from the ground up for the Union Cinemas circuit, here in Tunbridge Wells in association with Tunbridge Wells Entertainments Ltd.

A 50 feet tall glass tower originally stood over the entrance but this was removed in the 1950’s. The layout of the cinema was rather extraordinary in that the foyer was offset at a 45 degree angle to the main auditorium block and almost separate to it. A parade of shops were attached to the foyer block but again these were not attached to the main building. A small café and a ballroom were also included in the design.

The Ritz Cinema was equipped with a 3Manual/6Rank Compton organ, with an illuminated console on a lift, which was opened by Alex Taylor. Sunday concerts were held on the stage in the early years, with Elsie & Doris Waters ‘Gert & Daisy’ topping the bill on 23rd December 1934. When the Union Cinemas chain went into receivership and were taken over by the Associated British Cinemas (ABC) chain in 1937, the head of Union Cinemas Fred Bernhard, retained their four cinemas in Tunbridge Wells until he died in February 1949. The four cinemas including the Ritz Cinema then passed to H.H. Wingate.

Taken over by the Essoldo chain in February 1954, on 18th July 1970 it reopened after they had twinned the cinema, using the stalls as the main number one cinema seating 450 with the original screen, and the circle blocked off to make screen 2 which seated 366. The Compton organ was removed at this time.

Classic Cinemas Ltd. acquired the cinema on 2nd April 1972 and they added a 125 seat third screen in the former café area, using periscope projection. The Cannon Group took over the Classic Cinemas chain in 1982 and it was re-named Cannon in 1985. Then it was known as the MGM from 1993, briefly became the Virgin, then in 1996 with the management buyout of non multiplex cinemas - the ABC.

By 2000, even though the ABC was still commercially viable, as the Odeon & ABC chains had merged, the ABC became obsolete as Odeon had by this time opened an out of town multiplex and the final films were shown on Sunday 29th October 2000.

Even with its many name changes, a faded ‘Ritz’ sign could be seen on the rear of the building. In 2008, the vacant building was sitting empty and unused, awaiting its fate. In October 2009, the building was being prepared for demolition, but it was delayed and finally demolished in late-summer 2014. In May 2019,it remains a vacant site awaiting redevelopment.

Contributed by Richard Roper (abcman), Ken Roe

Recent comments (view all 7 comments)

Ken Roe
Ken Roe on July 29, 2010 at 11:47 am

A vintage photograph from the 1970’s as the Classic:
http://www.mawgrim.co.uk/projection/twellsc.jpg

Celeste
Celeste on August 16, 2011 at 11:59 am

I went to School in England for 2 years. I had friends in Royal Tunbridge Wells and we would go to the Classic Theater together after grabbing some Lunch at The Pantilles nearby. The Classic was always packed lots of people having a good time. That is a bummer that it’s fate was the wrecking ball.

ODEONesque
ODEONesque on July 25, 2013 at 6:02 am

Ive seen the interior of this on various urban exploration sites and its a total wreck, pity.

eggplant_casserole
eggplant_casserole on March 7, 2014 at 7:24 pm

It was in a sad state, but still standing, when I went past it yesterday. However, it would appear the council are forcing the owners to demolish it:

http://www.courier.co.uk/Latest-ABC-cinema-site-Tunbridge-Wells/story-20529060-detail/story.html

rivest266
rivest266 on July 6, 2021 at 3:00 pm

Grand opening ad posted.

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