first
opened its doors to the public on 6th October 1932, with a charity
show for Stockport Infirmary. The films shown were “Jailbird”, starring Laurel
and Hardy, and “Out of the Blue” with Gene Gerrard and Jessie Matthews. Ticket
prices ranged from 7d (3p) to 2/- (10p). Built at this time, stood on
the cusp between silent movies and the talkies; it looked both backwards and
forwards. It also created a luxurious escape for people accustomed to the hard
life of a Northern industrial town.
began a
programme of entertainment never seen before in Stockport with a mix of cinema
and live performance. Shows included a silent newsreel, accompanied by orchestra,
featuring the Compton organ played by resident organist, Mr Cecil Chadwick.
The history of
is not without controversy. The Stockport
Advertiser rallied against the new theatre, denouncing it as a bad influence on
the town’s youth and complaining that it had been constructed by “outside
labourers”, at the height of The Depression. Local newspapers initially refused
to take adverts.
As the pace of social change started to
accelerate, the heyday of The Super Cinema and Variety Theatre was brief. By
the mid 1930’s, cine-variety had ended and shows assumed the familiar pattern of one feature film and a supporting “B”
movie. By 1939, the success of had provoked competition and there were
two more Super Cinemas in Stockport’s town centre and two in the suburbs.
During the war, the town’s cinemas
remained popular with many residents taking the view that , being cut into a rock face, was one of the safest
places to be during an air raid. The opening brochure had, in fact, boasted
that nothing short of an earthquake could disturb the building.
was
refurbished in the 1950’s and continued to prosper in spite of the national
decline in audiences. The 1953 Coronation proved a watershed in the acquisition
of television sets and this, combined with the growth of other social pursuits,
sealed the fate of many cinemas. By the late 1950’s, some Super Cinemas,
barely 20 years old, were closing their doors and some were demolished.
However,
could cater
for Cinemascope and 3-D and many stars made personal appearances to promote
their films.
was
also a hit with younger audiences and had its own Saturday children’s club,
showing cartoons such as Flash Gordon and Zorro. Live entertainment took place
on Saturday evenings featuring local musicians and Sunday jazz concerts
followed. In 1960, staged its
first pantomime with the Dallas Boys in “Babes In The Wood”.
In
1965 was
sold to the Mecca Leisure Group for conversion to a Bingo hall. The switch to
bingo was fought by Stockport Council but Mecca appealed to the Government and
won their case. 's final show was on 31st December 1966 and featured Jerry Lee Lewis in “Three on a Coach” and Audie Murphy in “The Texican” and William Starr at the
organ. Rank Leisure sold to Stockport Plaza
Trust in March 2000 and, after massive community and volunteer effort, audiences
took their seats for the opening show on 7th October 2000.
| 1929 (April) |
First Planning application made to Stockport
Borough Council for the construction of Cinema,
Mersey Square, Stockport. |
| 1931 |
Construction of the Regal Cinema, Altrincham,
designed by Drury and Gomersall for the Snape Cinema Circuit. |
| 1932 (Oct) |
Cinema
opens in Stockport |
| 1933 (Sept) |
William Thornley architect
dies |
| 1933 (Sept) |
Fred Read, Chairman of dies |
| 1936 (Feb) |
Arthur Ward of the Snape and Ward circuit dies |
| 1947 (Jan) |
Alfred Snape of the Snape and Ward circuit dies |
| 1949 |
Seven day programme introduced (same film for 7 days) |
| 1953 (Aug) |
Large 48ft.x 18ft. projection screen installed |
| 1953 |
Stockport’s first 3D film presentation at -
“Sagaree” |
| 1954 |
first
‘Cinemascope’ presentation |
| 1950s |
Front Circle rake altered, balcony front raised, stage
level raised |
| 1965 (July) |
purchased
by the Mecca Group |
| 1966 (Dec) |
closes
as a cinema |
| 1967 |
Modifications to the auditorium to accommodate bingo;
removal of roof tiling, loss of external verandah, neon lighting & signage.
Flat floor insertion at rear of stalls, and alterations to foyer. Alterations
to café area. |
| 1967 (Feb) |
reopens
as a Bingo Hall |
| 1997 (Mar) |
Cinema
listed grade II by English Heritage |
| 1999 |
Cinema
closes as a Bingo Hall |
| 2000 (Aug) |
listing
upgraded to II* by English Heritage |
| 2000 |
Purchased
by the Stockport Plaza Trust |
| 2005 |
restoration
plans begin |
| 2007 |
The Heritage Lottery Fund approves a Stage 1 application
for funding of £1.9m towards Phase 1 of the restoration of |