Kathryn Magson

Thanks for an interesting read! Oh how I wish I'd kept all my old flyers.............

When we looked round The Ritz a couple of weeks ago, I think the person that showed us around was the owner (or co-owner). She told us that they had tried absolutely everything they could think of - the local council to see if any help was available - reduced rates etc - heritage funding had also been tried & refused - listed building status - but nothing was forthcoming. She seemed really frustrated & disappointed at the lack of response from the authorities - it must have cost the current owners a small fortune in rates & insurance alone to keep things going while they tried for help with funding & that they had now run out of options. It was costing too much to keep on flogging the proverbial "dead horse" & now - sadly - demolition seems to be the only option. The place is in such a sad, sorry state that I reckon the cost of restoration would be prohibitive anyway.

I've just been into Brighouse this aft & went past The Ritz. The bulldozers haven't moved in yet, but there's all sorts of stuff piled up in the car park - it looks as though they're gutting the place before demolition.

"Fraid not Andy - would be great if it was! I think The Ritz was considered for listing at some point, but for some reason it wasn't granted listed status.

Looking for support from some of the rich guys would be a great idea & has already crossed my mind. I've asked around, but nobody seems to know just who currently owns The Ritz, let alone their contact details. I thought it sounded on Friday that it won't be very long at all before the bulldozers move in.

Me neither - sadly it's all becoming way too commercialized for my liking

It certainly would Stephen - it would take a massive win! We could maybe do with a few rich mates willing to club together & bail it out......how many millionaires do you know? 'Fraid I don't think I know any unless they're keeping it secret lol.

It was so sad to see it in this state Stephen - I was expecting a building site but this was just beyond belief.

Yesterday a friend and I took up the invitation to have a last look around the iconic Ritz in Brighouse - sadly, only a small handful of us were there. We had no idea just what to expect - we thought the place would be something of a building site - but even then, we were both shocked & saddened by the sight that greeted us. From the outside, at first glance The Ritz doesn't really appear much different - a bit unloved & unkempt, run-down & in need of a bit of tlc - but otherwise no great change. However, on entering the foyer we were in for a huge shock, with dirt, litter & rubble strewn everywhere & an overpowering smell of damp. mould & decay. Once inside the room there was no lighting, so we found ourselves in total darkness & were shown around by flashlight. The current owner told us that they'd had very little interest from potential buyers, as both the business rates & insurance were so high that buyers were immediately put off. There have also been numerous burglaries, with lighting; sound system & copper piping all stripped out,. The most recent burglars had clearly spent quite some time there - helped themselves to drinks from the bar & left a few personal items - shoes etc - even a pair of nail clippers, so bizarrely someone must have found time for a bit of a pedicure! Even now, in a corner of the room there stands a boiler & more copper piping awaiting collection by the burglars (apparently the most recent burglary has resulted in 4 men in police custody - I'd already seen in the local paper a few days ago that they'd been arrested, all armed with machetes). It was so sad to see this once great venue reduced to this sorry state - I think many of us have fond memories of those storming nights at The Ritz & would love to see the place rise from the ashes, but any such hopes were thoroughly crushed as soon as we entered the building. I thought some of you might be interested to see a few photos that were taken yesterday.

"Oh, I and many others found the scene without any press, media or TV interference. If you want something different to what you are being fed in life you will find it." Well said Chalky - back in the day word of mouth was enough for those of us who wanted something a bit different to the norm! Flyers handed out to a few chosen mates brought in enough people to make for a good night without bringing in all the divs too. It's all becoming so popular & mainstream now that the bubble is bound to burst at some point - sadly at the mo the soul scene feels like it's become the new line dancing. It would be so good to return to the time when we had soul events without the div element, but sadly those days are long gone!

My thoughts exactly Paul-s - you hit the nail on the head!

I'll second that one - couldn't have put it better myself!

Happy birthday to your Mum Drew3 - hope you all have a lovely day xx

I'll second that one Leicester Boy