Horden
The Ritz, Horden
Last Updated:
12 May 2025
Horden
This is a
Cinema
54.767183, -1.321053
Founded in
Current status is
Extant
Designer (if known):
Most recently a fishing tackle shop
This building at Horden is a pretty exceptional survivor. There's not too many of these about in pit villages now - an interwar cinema!
This was the Ritz, opened just before the Christmas of 1937. The film industry had undergone a massive boom for two decades prior, further kindled by the advent of talkies in the late 20s and early 30s. This one was the third in the village, which only goes to show what little catchment area was required to support a picture house in them days.
The Ritz had a capacity of 850 upon opening, with a full stage in case of performances also. All the big films were held here, some in technicolour, and like many was an important source of domestic joy during wartime.
For a decade it was repurposed into a bingo club from the early 60s, but was promptly reverted and modernised by Durham company Fairworld Ltd. This new look house had 370 seats, providing wider aisles and a great feeling of space. £15000 was spent on the work, with an impression of the frontage seen below.
Surprisingly it trundled on to the 90s, finally ceasing in 1993. It became a factory, a warehouse, a fishing tackle shop and pet shop before reaching this sad period of its life. Hopefully there's still some life in it.
Listing Description (if available)
The Ordnance Survey plans depicted here give us a great insight into the growth of Horden in the interwar period. The village was still very young by 1919, only about 20 years old and all built around the colliery. As such, the area was still expanding as employment figures continued to rise at the pit. From 1915 to 1925 about 2,500 more men were added to the book after the war, meaning suburbia expanded northwards as did the infrastructure.
These maps reflect the northern growth which such amenities as this one, the Labour club and the pubs. Horden Welfare Park was opening, turning an old reservoir into a swimming pool alongside tennis courts, cricket & football grounds and a band stand for community use.
It is incredible the scale of change across these few fields. In the matter of 20 years a village (and a full population) found itself here, with residents from across the North East and places like Scotland for work that was readily available. Beforehand, there were a number of farms and quarries, alongside Eden Hall and the deserted Yoden medieval village.
The Ritz today, retaining its recognisable facade. Taken in April 2025.
An illustration of the Ritz as it was in the 1970s. Source: Hartlepool Northern Daily Mail - Thursday 06 April 1972
