A formal community bid has now been launched to help secure the future of The Ritz in Ilkeston.
Derbyshire Historic Buildings Trust and The New Ritz Collective have confirmed that an application has officially been submitted for the building to be listed as an Asset of Community Value (ACV), ahead of the building’s scheduled auction on 20 May.
The application is being described as an important first step in wider efforts to help secure a long-term future for the prominent town centre building.
If approved by Erewash Borough Council, the status would formally recognise the building’s importance to the community and ensure its community value is taken into account in any future sale.
The New Ritz Collective is a newly formed community group made up of local residents hoping to see the building restored and returned to meaningful community use.
According to the group, the long-term ambition is to create a flexible multi-purpose venue capable of supporting a wide range of activities, including live performances, theatre, music, comedy, film screenings, exhibitions, workshops, indoor markets, educational activity and community events.
Peter Milner, trustee of Derbyshire Historic Buildings Trust, said the project had the potential to protect an important part of Ilkeston’s heritage while giving the building a sustainable future.
“The Ritz is an important part of Ilkeston’s heritage and identity, and it’s incredibly encouraging to see local people coming together with such passion and ambition for its future,” he said.
Mr Milner, who said he visited the venue many times growing up in Ilkeston, added:
“It needs bringing back to life and enjoyed once more.”
Imogen Connelly, chair of The New Ritz Collective, said the response from residents had already shown how much affection remained for the building.
“It’s clear that The Ritz means a huge amount to people in Ilkeston, and that there is a real desire to see something positive happen within our town,” she said.
She added that submitting the nomination felt like “the first real step” towards bringing the building back into community use and creating something local people could “genuinely feel proud of.”
The group says the next stages of the project will involve community engagement, fundraising, exploring funding opportunities and developing a sustainable long-term vision for the building.
For the latest updates on the project, follow “The New Ritz Collective” on Facebook.
