Ritz Cinema
1 Botany,
Tonbridge,
TN9 1SA
1 Botany,
Tonbridge,
TN9 1SA
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Additional Info
Previously operated by: Associated British Cinemas Ltd., Shipman & King Cinemas Ltd., Union Cinema Co. Ltd.
Architects: Samuel Beverley, Francis Thomas Verity
Firms: Verity and Beverley
Styles: Art Deco
Previous Names: Carlton Cinema
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Located in Tonbridge, Kent. The Ritz Cinema was built by the Union Cinemas chain, and opened and on 30th July 1937 with Sydney Howard in “Splinters in the Air” and Margaret Lindsey in “Isle of Fury”. Designed by architectural firm Verity & Beverley, the brick exterior was rather plain. Inside the auditorium seating was provided in stalls and circle levels. There was a restaurant for the convenience of its patrons.
In October 1937, the Union Cinemas chain was taken over by the Associated British Cinemas chain. They only operated it for a short time and it was taken over by an independent operator on 21st February 1939.
In August 1955 the Ritz Cinema was taken over by the Shipman & King circuit. It was closed on 14th March 1978. The stalls seating area was converted into a Bejam freezer store. A 98-seat cinema was created in the former restaurant area, which opened as the Carlton Cinema in August 1978, operated by an independent. It was closed on 25th September 1981. The Bejam store operated for many years, eventually becoming an Iceland store, but was closed in the 2000’s, and the building was demolished.
Contributed by
Ken Roe
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Recent comments (view all 2 comments)
“ .. the brick exterior was rather plain”
Masterful understatement Ken!
TONBRIDGE RITZ
Photographed circa 1990 as the Bejam supermarket.
Grand opening ad posted.