Designed by the cinema specialist Percy L Browne, this Art Deco-style building has long been a feature of High Street West. The Ritz had seats for 1,636 patrons and first opened its doors on 15 May 1939, with a screening of The Gangster’s Boy, starring Jackie Cooper. The last film show at The Ritz was on 8 September 1962. The building soon reopened as a bingo hall – which eventually closed on 9 October 2011.
A photograph and print of Robert Stephenson.
A photograph and text about Sting.
The text reads: Rock star turned film star Sting was born in Wallsend. Autograph hunters besieged him when he returned to the North East to shoot scenes for his film Stormy Monday in and around Newcastle’s quayside.
A photograph of the filming of Get Carter at Wallsend in 1970, with actors George Sewell, Ian Hendry and Sir Michael Caine.
After the last showing at The Ritz in September 1962, the cinema reopened as a bingo hall.
Within the pub there is various bingo inspired artwork.
The pub still has the original cinema seating and features.
External photograph of the building – main entrance.
If you have information on the history of this pub, then we’d like you to share it with us. Please e-mail all information to: pubhistories@jdwetherspoon.co.uk