[smiffy]

The Ritz was opened in March, 1937 by none other than Jack Buchanan and featured such artists as Billy Cotton and his band, the famous organist Harry Ramsey on the Wurlitzer and even the Dagenham Girl Pipers! The first film shown was "My Man Godfrey" with William Powell and Carole Lombard.

[mad4amanda]

When did the "old" Ritz move from a cinema to a bingo hall or was it always dual purpose ?
I remember picking my mum up from her bingo nights there with my dad in his old morris 1000 prior to 1977.  If I remember rightly she used to win some weird stuff there.

[LouiseC]

There is a new(ish) one there now Jean. Not the same I know but another one all the same 

[Jean]

I went to the Ritz Restuarant with my boyfriend (now my husband) to a wedding reception in 1965. It seemed at the time very 'posh'
rather like going out to a London Theatre.  It was a lovely place to go, we are very sad that it has gone.

[Barrowboy]

The Ritz restaurant was certainly open in 1970. My wife worked in the pathology department of All Saints Hospital at that time and they all went there for their Christmas Dinner.

[Chas]

Yes, I too remember the restaurant at the Ritz, I don't think that I ever had a meal there though. Funnily enough, I think my grandmother worked there as well!

[smiffy]

The Ritz definitely had a restaurant on the first floor. I think I went there once but I would have been very young and only have vague memories of it. It would be nice to see some interior pictures of The Ritz, I seem to remember it was very plush before it was converted.

[CHANTALIAN]

How many of you out there remember the restaurant that was located on the first floor of the Ritz, at the front? The only reason I remember was because the manageress was a friend of my Grandmother, although grandma had been dead many years by this time, the early 1960's. I remember going to the restaurant for a meal with  my parents and then going into the cinema for a film. Memory has it the was 101 dalmatians. Boy is this site making the memories come up from the boots.

[man-of-kent]

I also remember one of the supporting acts were the Irish brother and sister singers, Elaine and Derek Thompson. He is the same Derek Thompson that now plays Charlie in Casualty.

[Merv]

Not sure of the Date, but I am sure one of them got attacked outside by an ex Highfield Pupil.

[man-of-kent]

Does anyone remember The Batchellors show at the Ritz? I was there with my parents but can't remember when it was.

[Chatham_Girl85]

the scaffolding holding the building up collapsed in the road????

[numanfan]

I think i know

But i'll let someone else get it...

It's ok, there's no prize

[merc]

I think i know

But i'll let someone else get it...

[numanfan]

What Happened Next?

The Ritz Bingo Hall (formerly the cinema) in 1984

What was the next 'disaster', in the same year?