Wellington Rooms, Liverpool

History

The Neo-classical building was designed by the architect Edmund Aikin and built between 1815–1816 as a subscription assembly room for the Wellington Club. It was originally used by high society for assemblies, dance balls and parties. The Wellington Club was wound up in 1922.

Between 1923 and 1940 it was the Embassy Club and was used for tea dances, classes and weddings. During WW2, the building became the first base for the Rodney Youth Centre though bomb damage in 1941 damaged all of the original ceilings with the exception of the ballroom.

The building officially opened as Liverpool Irish Centre on 1 February 1965 hosting ceilis, music, drama performances as well as serving as a base for clubs and societies.

The Wellington Rooms were designated a listed building (Grade II*) in the 1950s, but this official protection did not prevent the property becoming derelict after the Irish Centre closed in 1997.

Source:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wellington_Rooms,_Liverpool

Esoteric Eric

Claughton Centre, Dudley

History

Built in 1904, this Edwardian school building was first called Dudley Upper Standards School until 1957 when it was named after the Dudley town mayor, Sir Gilbert Claughton. It was closed in 1990 when local schools were merged, from this point on wards it was used as council offices, youth centre, and community meeting/conference use and was granted a new extension in 1993 of sports facilities and class rooms.

Source:

https://www.28dayslater.co.uk/threads/the-claughton-centre-dudley-march-2019.116849/

Esoteric Eric

The Ritz, Nuneaton

History

The Ritz opened in 1937 and was operated by the Union Cinemas circuit. The cinema was taken over by ABC later that year.

It underwent refurbishment in the 50's and was later renamed 'ABC', as with many other cinemas across the UK.

The cinema closed as the ABC on 29th October 1977 with the film "Exorcist II", and was reopened the next day as 'The Ritz'. Shortly after, the cinema was divided into two separate screens.

In the 80's, a small fire caused some damage to screen 2, but it was cleaned up and reopened shortly.

In 1984, The Ritz closed as a cinema, and was purchased by new owners, who then operated the building as a bingo hall, under the name - 'The Ritz Bingo Club'.

It remained as a bingo hall until its last days, when it was last operated as a 'Gala Bingo' branch.

Source:

https://www.28dayslater.co.uk/threads/the-ritz-nuneaton-february-2019.116506/

Esoteric Eric