Holmeside, Ritz Cinema

Holmeside, Ritz Cinema

HER Number
13560
District
Sunderland
Site Name
Holmeside, Ritz Cinema
Place
Sunderland
Map Sheet
NZ35NE
Class
Recreational
Site Type: Broad
Cinema
Site Type: Specific
Cinema
General Period
20TH CENTURY
Specific Period
Mid 20th Century 1933 to 1966
Form of Evidence
Extant Building
Description
The Ritz opened on the 1st March 1937 as part of Union Cinemas. It was of art deco style designed by architect William Riddell Glen. It was taken over by Associated British Cinema and renamed ABC in 1961. In 1974 it was converted into a two screen cinema with the rear stalls area being converted into a Painted Wagon pub. It closed on 29th April 1999. The site has re-opened as The Point, a nightclub but has lost all of its original internal features. The exterior, however, remains unchanged.
Easting
439500
Northing
556770
Grid Reference
NZ439500556770
Sources
Anderson, A. (1995) A century of Sunderland Cinemas