Robins Cinema in Burton-upon-Trent enters new era

The former Ritz Cinema is more than 70 years old

A Burton cinema that's been lying in state of decay for ten years has been taken on by new owners.

The Robins Cinema, a Grade 2 listed art deco building, opened as the Ritz Theatre in 1935 - but closed down when a multiplex opened in the town.

The identities of the new owners have not been revealed nor have their plans, but Burton Civic Society is optimistic.

Its chairman Richard Stone said he is hoping the sale will give the building a new lease of life.

The iconic robin logo is still on the side of the building

Architecture

Speaking to BBC Radio Derby's reporter Victoria Holland, Richard Stone said people in the town had a great sentimental attachment to the cinema.

But he explained that it also had historic significance:: "There's a great cinema architect, John Fairbrother. His work is in there, as well as some terrific plasterwork by a man called George Legge, who was the top man of the day".

Though the interior of the building has been falling into dereliction, many of the seats and the projector are still in place.

Art Deco was the novel style of decoration and outlook that characterised the 1920s and 1930s, and was popular especially in cinema building.