Page 626 - Reading Mercury

Today (Saturday) “Union
Cinemas’ Ritz “will be
opened to the public, and
the Mayor of Wokingham
(Alderman F.J. Barrett) J.P.
will preside at the opening
ceremony, which will take
place at 2.30 p.m.
Union Cinemas have set a
unique standard in the
furnishing and equipping of
their theatre, incorporating
the most modern ideas in
design, combined with the
ideal comfort for patrons.
The new “Union Cinema’ Ritz, Wokingham has been erected and equipped under the
direction of Mr. J.H. Lundy of Union Cinemas Ltd., the architect being Norman
Bailey; F.R.I.B.A. who has worked in consultation with Mr. Eric F. Tully L.R.L.B.A.
the company’s staff architect.
The new cinema is the most imposing building and occupies a commanding position
a short distance down Easthampstead Road after turning out of Peach Street, the main
thoroughfare of Wokingham. It affords a new car park with separate entrance and exit
doorways and an exit into Denton Road for pedestrians
The main elevation to Easthampstead Road is carried out in red sand-faced bricks
with stone dressings and is of light modern design. The entrance doors are featured on
the corner facing towards the main street and are surmounted by a broad canopy,
lighted on the underside by Neon tube lighting, whilst the opposite corner runs
upwards in the form of an imposing tower and is in turn featured by tall projecting
vanes to the front and side. These vanes serve the purpose of displaying the theatre
name and are picked out in Neon lighting.

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