Ritz Cinema
76B King Street,
Belper,
DE56 1QA
76B King Street,
Belper,
DE56 1QA
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On my visit in September, 2019 there was a big queue for the 10.30 am matinee of Downton Abbey and the bingo hall downstairs with separate entrance was still functioning.
The Kine Year Book of 1962 at that date Star Cinemas were running the Cinema. The Conversion was carried out by Modernisation Ltd.,
This cinema closed on June 13th and reopened on Sunday 19 June after a refurbishment
Photo here:–
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/4381687712/
Further details I have found on the history of the Ritz Cinema:
The building was built in 1882 and first showed film in 1919, but was not a full time cinema. It was converted into the Ritz Cinema in 1935 with seating for 720 in stalls and circle. In 1971 Star Cinemas took over the operation and converted the stalls into a bingo hall and split the balcony into two cinemas seating 75 seats each. It is this area which has now been re-opened as the Ritz Cinema. I believe bingo still operates in the former stalls area.
Originally built as the Town Hall & Law Court (the name Belper Public Hall is engraved in the stonework on top of the buildings facade). It opened as the Ritz Cinema (around 1939 I believe) with a seating capacity of 720 (later reduced to 555). It had rear projection with the projection box being located behind the screen.
In 1971 it was split into two screens, each seating 75 persons. The twin cinema operated until October 1991 when it was closed.
On 3rd November 2006, the Ritz Cinema re-opened as a single screen cinema following a £250,000 refurbishment. It boasts 100 luxury seats.