Ritz Cinema
73 Bradford Road,
Brighouse,
HD6 4AD
73 Bradford Road,
Brighouse,
HD6 4AD
1 person
favorited this theater
Additional Info
Previously operated by: Associated British Cinemas Ltd., Union Cinema Co. Ltd.
Architects: J.H. Freer
Firms: G.H. Haig & Co.
Styles: Art Deco
Previous Names: Ritz Ballroom, Venue 73
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Located in the small West Yorkshire town of Brighouse at the corner of Bonegate Road and Bradford Road. The Ritz Cinema was built for and operated by the Union Cinemas chain. It opened on 15th March 1937. Designed by architect J.H. Freer of architectural firm G.H. Haig & Co. of Huddersfield. The frontage was in Yorkshire stone, with the entrance facade in faiance and white cement. Seating in the auditorium was on a stadium plan, with a raised stepped section at the rear. There was an oramental rock garden in front of the main entrance and the cinema car park was provided with space for 100-cars.
Union Cinemas were taken over by the Associated British Cinemas(ABC) chain in October 1937. They closed the Ritz Cinema on 24th June 1961.
It was converted into a bingo club, which only lasted for ten weeks. It then became the New Ritz Ballroom. A 3Manual/10Ranks Wurlitzer organ was installed. The instrument was originally installed in the Gaumont Oldham, prior to its removal in 1961. The Wurlitzer was a popular feature of the Ritz Ballroom for many years, but it was removed around 2009? to the Victoria Hall, Saltaire.
In 2017, due to a naming dispute with the Ritz Hotel, London, the Ritz Ballroom was closed. It reopened later in 2017 renamed Venue 73 and closed in February 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The building remained closed and in August 2025 a planning application was submitted to Calderdale Council to demolish the former cinema and build a Starbuck’s drive-through on the site. It was destroyed by a late-afternoon fire on 6th December 2025 (thought to be arson). Only the front and foyer section of the building remains.
Contributed by
Ken Roe
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Recent comments (view all 4 comments)
In 2017 the Ritz was forced to close by the Ritz Hotel in London who threatened legal action if the 70+ year old name was not changed. It reopened later the same year as Venue 73.
https://www.halifaxcourier.co.uk/news/ritz-ballroom-forced-close-all-future-events-cancelled-1108386
Interior shot from 2002 here:–
RITZ BALLROOM AUDITORIUM
The architect was J.H. Freer who was a partner in G.H. Haigh Co. Ltd. of Huddersfield. The cinema was built on the site of ‘Brooklands’, the home of Dr. William Skeels and his wife Ethel.
Engulfed by fire today, 6th December 2025. This follows a planning application submitted to Calderdale Council in August to demolish the building and replace it with a Starbucks drive-thru.