The Ritz

Opened in 1868 as St George’s Hall, essentially a concert hall with two levels of seating. Enlarged 1886 to become the St George’s Hall and Theatre and rebuilt as a theatre in 1902. Remaining in theatrical use until 1930. Again rebuilt in 1935, in enlarged form, as a cinema. Tripled in 1974. All that remains of the former theatre buildings are a section of wall of the 1860s on the right flank and the former front of 1902, now at the rear and of little interest. The latter is in two storeys, originally described as ‘in Jacobean style’, brick and terra cotta in three main bays, each of three small arched windows at first floor level. It was operated for a number of years by the Robins cinema chain but closed at the end of 1999. In June 2014 it reopened as The Ritz, with a restaurant downstairs and venue room upstairs, accessed from George St. The cinema’s Art Deco features have been restored where possible.