Ritz Cinema

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

Nearby Theaters

Ritz Cinema

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

Recent comments (view all 2 comments)

Ian
Ian on July 13, 2013 at 8:35 am

“ .. the brick exterior was rather plain”

Masterful understatement Ken!

TONBRIDGE RITZ

Photographed circa 1990 as the Bejam supermarket.

rivest266
rivest266 on July 6, 2021 at 12:42 pm

Grand opening ad posted.

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