90th anniversary of Ritz Horsham

Ninety years ago today the Ritz Cinema in Horsham’s North Street was officially opened!

It was welcomed in 1936 with a fanfare from the Bach Trumpeters of the Royal Military School of Music.

The opening was performed by local dignitaries Mr and Mrs E.T. Neathercoat before a number of short films were shown, featuring the likes of Laurel and Hardy and Mickey Mouse.

The official programme reveals that local building materials had been used where possible and that between 95 and 100% local labour was used. It seated an impressive 1,086 people.

The programme goes on to say: “Every attention has been paid to the comfort of our patrons, with luxurious seating, carpeted floors, and elimination of draughts within the auditorium.

“The decorative scheme is based upon autumnal tints, in which rich browns, reds and gold, predominate, giving the whole a pleasant warm feeling.”

The “generous space allotted for car parking” is cited as a bonus, but “one of the most interesting features” was “the magnificent Compton Theatre Organ”.

The Ritz programme was continuous daily from 2pm until around 11pm and 8-10pm on Sundays.

Admission prices were from 6d in the stalls up to 2/6d in the circle

Union Cinemas, which owned the Horsham Ritz, along with several other cinemas and theatres, fell into financial troubles just a year later and was taken over by Associated British Cinemas (ABC).

However, the Ritz name was preserved in Horsham until 1967 when it was renamed the ABC to fall into line with the company’s other cinemas.

A fall in audiences during the 1970s meant that ABC decided to dispose of some of its buildings, including Horsham.

Horsham District Council eventually bought the site in January 1982 and it was a cinema up to November the following year.

In 1983 the old Capitol theatre in London Road was due to be pulled down as part of the town redevelopment, so the Ritz/ABC was changed into an arts centre the following year and renamed.

Since then, it has gone from strength to strength and is currently closed for a major refurbishment. It is due to re-open in November ready for the most popular part of the year – Panto time!