Purpose built as a cinema in the early 1930's by P. Birch & Sons of Ashbourne, the Elite Cinema had and still does have a prominent position in the small market town of Ashbourne, Derbyshire. The well known Frank S. Bromwich was proprietor of the Elite Cinema from 1943 to 1962 and his photograph still sits proudly in the premises today.

The façade was simple classical red brick with a stone parapet and a series of tall arched windows. To date the exterior has changed very little since it was built.

Internally there was a small lobby with a tiny box office window; there were doors into the stalls, and a staircase with metal handrails which led up to a mezzanine floor and then to the balcony. The auditorium had an appealing barrel ceiling, and an arched proscenium with ornate mouldings and a small stage. It is believed that there was little other decoration apart from Art Deco style glass wall lights in keeping with the period.

The premises also operated as a bingo hall for a number of years.

Closing its doors in 1976, the Elite Cinema lay empty for a number of years before being acquired and converted by its current owners. The ground floor of the building was converted into a small shopping arcade in the stall areas. A nightclub was created in the balcony with a maple dancefloor (reclaimed from Normanton Barracks when it was demolished); this was implemented across from the bottom of the balcony cutting the auditorium in two horizontally. The upper of the proscenium arch and some ceiling decoration still remained.

After much deliberation and changing times, the nightclub closed and sadly lay empty for several years.

The ground floor was converted into a large retail unit which was occupied for many years until works began converting the premises. 

Plans were approved to convert the former balcony area into an independent cinema and theatre. Unprecedented times approached shortly after and we experienced the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic which resulted in delays to the renovations! With a lot of support, goodwill and perseverance, work finally began on the conversion in January 2022 and the cinema and theatre re-opened its doors in May 2023!

A lot of the original features still remain in the building today including the original barrel ceiling, the upper of the proscenium arch and some of the original tiers which were uncovered during renovations and still remain under the new tiers. The layout has changed very little, the projector room still remains in situ and is back being used for the same job today!

During renovations on the downstairs, we located the original organ pit which still remains. The terrazzo staircase and detailed art deco metal railings are all original.

On the exterior of the building, the classical red bricks, stone parapet and tall arched windows still remain. There are shop units either side of the cinema/theatre entrance and the neon 'Elite' sign has been reinstated proudly in its original position. 

LONG LIVE THE ELITE!