Local people are enthusiastic about the idea of a community theatre for Ilkeston.
Despite fears that Storm Eunice might deter people from attending a meeting this afternoon, they came to show their support.
It was agreed that an approach to the Ritz cinema owners should be made to start a conversation.
Restoration work has begun at the former bingo hall but is concentrated on three shops which face South Street.
The auditorium’s future was discussed at a meeting called by Ilkeston-born Caroline Greatorex and attended by 16 people today at the Ilkeston campus of Derby College.
Now she is going to write to Ritz owners HBW, who redeveloped the Ilkeston Co-op building nearby, turning it into flats with businesses on the ground floor.
HBW have emphasised that homes will not be provided on the upper floor, which housed a cinema when it opened in 1938 and was last used as a bingo hall. It has a sloping floor, a stage, balcony and two bars.
Ms Greatorex told the meeting that the Ritz could be the ideal place to begin the revival of Ilkeston’s cultural life.
More in the next Ilkeston Life newspaper.

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