Manchester’s Ritz Ballroom to re-launch as the hmv RITZ music venue

20 August 2011

Historic venue to officially re-open in early September under new hmv ownership and identity following multi-million restoration refurbishment.

Manchester’s historic venue on Whitworth Street, The Ritz, which has been closed for refurbishment since May 2011, is set to open its doors again early next month under the new name of the hmv RITZ.
The re-opening follows a £2m refurbishment that has seen many original features restored as well as a major state-of-the-art upgrade to the venue facilities including the installation of full in-house production, new sound and lighting systems and high-spec backstage and artist services.
In addition, a secondary, smaller room in the basement has now been opened up to complement the main ballroom by way of creating a new and versatile space offering a choice of musical genres on club nights as well as a modern interior for alternative events and other functions.
The relaunched venue will offer a high-quality, eclectic and vibrant programme of live music, club nights and special events across all genres of entertainment. A month of high profile launch gigs including by the likes of Dan Le Sac Vs Scroobius Pip (6/9), Public Enemy (7/9) and Hard-Fi (30/9) are already exciting considerable attention, while October visits by Enter Shikari (7/10) and Miles Kane (22/10) are a sell-out. For full event listings (see also Notes to Editors) and ticket purchase visit: www.hmvritz.com <http://www.hmvritz.com>, www.hmvtickets.com <http://www.hmvtickets.com> or www.ticketmaster.com <http://www.ticketmaster.com>.

The hmv RITZ - which is part of the HMV-owned MAMA Group that also includes the renowned hmvapollo Hammersmith, the Jazz Cafe and hmvforum in London, the hmv Picture House in Edinburgh and the hmvInstitute in Birmingham, was originally built in the 1920s and has become an important part of Manchester's unrivalled music heritage - playing host to many famous UK bands including the likes of The Stone Roses, Arctic Monkeys, The Smiths, Snow Patrol, Happy Mondays during the 1980s and Nineties.
With a capacity of 1500, the hmv RITZ has always been an important venue on the UK tour circuit and, now fully restored, will continue to attract a broad spectrum of artists and musical styles to the city ranging from household names to leftfield and exciting new talent. The hmv RITZ will also put on regular Club nights and is available for local hire.
David Laing, MAMA’s Managing Director of Regional Venues, comments: “Manchester has a remarkable music heritage that’s not only produced some of our greatest-ever artists but a renowned club scene as well, so it’s wonderful to be able to return to the city, now fully restored and with state-of-the-art facilities, a great venue that’s played its full part in this rich history.”