The derelict former Ritz cinema on Easthampstead Road has entered a new chapter after the Wokingham Islamic Centre revealed it has exchanged contracts to acquire the three-storey building in the town centre.
Building set for conversion into mosque, classrooms and community facilities
The centre says it intends to turn the largely vacant property into a combined place of worship and a community hub offering educational and social facilities. The building, close to Peach Street shops and neighbouring public car parks, was listed on the open market with offers sought in excess of £999,999.
To complete the purchase the group has launched a public fundraising appeal of £700,000, and had reportedly raised almost £300,000 by the morning of Wednesday 22 July.
“Our vision is to create a vibrant community hub that benefits the whole town,”
The centre’s stated plans include using the auditorium space for a large prayer hall and creating dedicated classroom areas for religious education and other programmes.
Local reaction and planning considerations
Local politicians have offered cautious welcome. Reform UK leader Cllr Colin Wright said he hoped the reuse would bring more people into the town centre and improve the appearance of what he described as an “eyesore” that had been derelict for years.
Conservative leader Cllr Pauline Jorgensen said she had not seen detailed proposals and reminded that any conversion will be subject to the usual planning scrutiny, with factors such as parking and impacts on nearby residents taken into account.
Site history and current condition
The property occupies 20,403 sq ft and comprises a large open-plan auditorium, office space and a self-contained flat. When it opened in 1937 the cinema auditorium seated up to 716 people; later uses included a bingo hall and other leisure uses. The building has been unoccupied and deteriorating since bingo ceased in early 2019, and was previously granted planning permission for residential conversion that has since lapsed.
- Size: 20,403 sq ft
- Fundraising target: £700,000 (nearly £300,000 raised as of 22 July)
- Historic auditorium capacity: 716
The acquisition marks a significant proposal for the town centre: it would return a long-empty building to active use while introducing new community services. However, the scheme will require planning permission for a change of use from its current categorisation, and neighbours and councillors will have an opportunity to scrutinise detailed proposals as they emerge.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Address | Easthampstead Road, Wokingham |
| Footprint | 20,403 sq ft |
| Fundraising target | £700,000 |
Residents and businesses in the town centre will be watching the next steps closely: the conversion could address longstanding concerns about vandalism and anti-social behaviour at the vacant site, but it may also raise practical questions about parking, access and the intensity of use that the planning authority will need to resolve.
