A landmark heritage building in the centre of Burton-on-Trent is to reopen as a large multigenre live venue and club following a £100,000 renovation, sparking hopes for a cultural renaissance in the East Staffordshire market town known as the ‘brewing capital’ of the UK.
The Complex Burton, located on the site of St George’s Hall, Burton Opera House, The Ritz, most recently best-known as Robins, launches to the community on Saturday 21 December 2024, with the Chapter 1 event headlined by British electronic stars Fabio & Grooverider, as well as DJ Luck and MC Neat, K Klass, Dillinja, and Nicky Blackmarket.
Featuring a total capacity of 2,000 over three floors, including the 1,200-cap Complex Arena, one of the Midlands’ first 360 bars Mono, and the already existing Lifestyle bar, the Guild and George Street venue represents an exciting new development for events, culture, music and nightlife in the town and region.
Venue owner and Burton native David Wain, who has spent years building up local businesses before taking on The Complex renovation as a major project, hopes the venue will act as a ‘cultural catalyst’ for the town, driving more interest and investment in the night time economy.
Mr Wain said: “Being a local lad and watching first-hand the steady decline of nightlife in Burton, has compelled me to do something about it.
“I am very proud of what we have achieved here, a true cultural venue for everyone to enjoy, with all the history The Complex has inside its walls.
“We have carefully and sympathetically kept and restored the venue’s history and listed status, with keeping the art deco detailing throughout.
“We have worked very hard to appeal to all generations, and will carefully construct each and every chapter we launch. There is lots to look forward to and plans for the future ahead.”
Existing features of the Grade-II listed building, which has hosted tens of thousands of theatre shows, musicals, film screenings, club nights, and community events to date, have been preserved as part of a sympathetic and sensitive renovation since July 2022.
The building’s impressive Art Deco frontage and interior, as well as an original film projector, paintings and plasterwork throughout feature as part of The Complex’s efforts to bring the 157-year-old site back to life, and encourage national artists, agents, promoters and managers to re-engage with the culture and music fans across Burton and Staffordshire.
Welcoming the news, East Staffordshire Borough Councillor Kim Smith said: “Burton people have some great memories of the historic building formally known by many as ‘the pictures’ or the Ritz, watching all the new films or attending the Saturday morning picture show.
“It now needs to be back on the map – Burton is in need of a multi use large venue, that can not only be used in the daytime, but can also bring some much-needed life back to our town’s nightlife.
“We have some great talent in Burton and The Complex is a fantastic place and platform to get them started on their journey to success.”
The Complex Burton has benefitted from the installation of all new graphics, parquet and demi-gloss epoxy resin flooring, as well as additional dressing room and production facilities, a stage extension, addition of a new bar and VIP area, as well as the introduction of a high end L’Acoustics sound system and LED lighting array in the main Arena space.
Originally built in 1867 as St George’s Hall, taking on before being converted to The Ritz in 1935 in order to capitalise on the international boom in cinema, the heritage site has long played an important role in the lives and hearts of Burtonians.
The role of the East Staffordshire market town of Burton-on-Trent in the development of industrial and post-industrial Britain has long been documented, particularly through its brewing industry.
Owing to a proliferation of landowners and major beer producers choosing to locate their operations in the town over the past 300 years – thanks in part to its canal and rail transport links across the UK, Burton has become associated worldwide with brewing.
It is believed that at one point in the nineteenth century, one in four pints drank in England was produced in Burton, with London progressively favouring Burton-style pale ales eventually leading to Midlands Railway investing in the St Pancras Goods Yard to ensure adequate transport and storage facilities met demand.
The UK headquarters of Molson Coors Brewing Company, a major employer and manufacturer which originated from Bass Brewers Limited, is based in Burton upon Trent, employing thousands of workers producing some of the most consumed beer in the UK.
The Complex Burton opens to the public on Saturday 21 December with Fabio & Grooverider, as well as DJ Luck and MC Neat, K Klass, Dillinja, and Nicky Blackmarket.
Tickets are available via Skiddle here.
For more information, sign up to The Complex Burton’s official website, or follow The Complex Burton on Facebook and Instagram.