Major new venue and club to open on historic site

A landmark heritage building in the centre of Burton-on-Trent is to reopen as a live venue and club following a £100,000 renovation.

The Complex Burton, on the site of St George’s Hall, Burton Opera House, The Ritz, most recently best-known as Robins, launches on Saturday 21 December, 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.

The new venue has a capacity of 2,000 over three floors, including the 1,200-cap Complex Arena, one of the Midlands’ first 360 bars Mono, and the existing Lifestyle bar.

Venue owner and Burton native David Wain hopes the venue will act as a “cultural catalyst” for the town, driving more interest and investment in the night time economy.

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 two-year renovation.

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.”