Introduction

Welcome to our regular update on the Plaza’s exciting £3million restoration and refurbishment made possible with the support of the Heritage Lottery Fund providing a grant of £1.9 million, The North West Regional Development Agency providing £650,000 and Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council assisting with a pledge of £300,000 alongside the donations raised from the general public at events and during post show collections all of which have enabled us to save and restore your Plaza Super Cinema and Variety Theatre back to her former 1930’s art deco glory.

The Plaza is still fundraising to commence the next stages of our ongoing maintenance and restoration therefore if you could support us in any way, whether donating a £1 or more on just giving site to sponsoring a tile or seat plaque we will be eternally grateful

Keep visiting our site for regular updates and images as your Plaza is restored to her original glory and we look forward to welcoming you back for our exciting reopening season and also to our fully restored Café Lounge which will be open daily for light lunches and teas in an environment to evoke the glamour of this 1930’s gem.

Ted Doan
General Manager

Progress

RESTORATION UPDATE - DECEMBER 2009

With a roar of the mighty Compton Organ and a visual crescendo of light the Plaza has roared back into life. With the restored façade, internal décor, indulgent catering facilities in our Café Lounge and a programme of stage and screen events that promises to deliver an eclectic mix of presentations your Stockport Plaza has been returned to her former art deco glory….

Join us to experience in person the success story that is the Plaza, a venue much loved by those who are involved or visit this venue of international significance as her future unfolds serving the people of Stockport and beyond with the very finest experiences of today in the most glorious surroundings of yesterday….

Restoration Update – 17.12.09

With a crescendo from the Compton Organ and a fanfare from the Plaza Orchestra the newly restored Stockport Plaza Super Cinema and Variety Theatre in a glow of changing lights glowing a rainbow of colours around the auditorium and lighting up the exterior of the Plaza, threw open her doors and welcomed her first audience in to see a Cine Variety Gala show on the 11th December.

The restoration of this art deco gem has been a labour of love for all concerned and the finalisation of a dream held by a group of enthusiasts 10 years ago who refused to see the demise of one the United Kingdom’s greatest architectural icons from the glamorous 1930’s.

Though our hard work is not completed and there is still fundraising to do for the ongoing maintenance and restoration appeal for areas of the Plaza generally unseen by the general public, our guests today are stepping into a sumptuous enclave dedicated to the glamour of an era gone but now alive again and showing us the secrets of the past.

This section of our web site has taken you on a journey from the first day after our closure through the removal of the fixtures and fittings that had masked and hidden the beauty of this prestigious venue, through the trials and tribulations of restoring features last seen in the 1930’s through to the magnificent venue that echoes today to the screams of delight of a 1000 children watching this year’s pantomime Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.

A selection of photographs of the Plaza will be listed in due course showing you the newly restored venue however for the best impression of the completed works, join us on one of our venue tours, visit us for one of the many shows and cinema screenings in the near future or visit our Cafe Lounge reopened on the first floor for the very best of yesterday located in a venue which celebrates the very best of today.

The Stockport Plaza is a vision of art deco perfection nestling in the gateway of Stockport and the Peak District and is a blazing example of what can be achieved by a dedicated team of people who believe in making dreams come true....

 

Restoration Update - 25.11.09

With three week's to go until we reopen and the magic comes to life again on the stage  and screen with our opening Cine Variety show followed of course by this years family pantomime Snow White, our own bit of magic has been created with the installation of the LED Holophane system throughout the auditorium, staircases, Cafe Lounge and Entrance Foyer.

Originally created by banks of coloured light bulbs which would be dimmed and lit in a series of 'patterns' to create ambient lighting states to enhance the glamorous surrounding of the Super Cinema, technology advance have enabled us to recreate this wonderful effect using LED lighting concealed in the same locales as the original light fittings

 

Restoration update – 05.11.09

 ‘Remember, remember the 5th of November.....’ and we certainly will remember the first chance we have to unveil images of magnificent art deco auditorium as the original colour scheme of sparkling silver and rich and sumptuous gold are restored to the art deco interior of our two tier auditorium.

The stylish interior of the Plaza was originally designed to take the guests preparing to enjoy the latest cine releases into another world of an Egyptian style garden with murals depicting external scenes, blue and alternating colour washes of light which would evoke the brilliant skies up above leading towards the stage with its balustrade orchestra rail and proscenium curtains decorated with flowering plants which gave the impression of looking over a balcony to a beautiful garden beyond.

On Friday 11th December we reopen the doors to this astounding and internationally important art deco venue when you will have your chance to see the Plaza auditorium at her sumptuous best with our opening Cine Variety performance which celebrates the glorious age of the Big Screen with full orchestra, variety artistes, esteemed star of stage and regular radio shows Marilyn Hill Smith appearing on stage and a rare screening of the feature film ‘Gold Diggers of 1933’

Restoration update – 03.10.09

Occasional ‘up’s and down’s’ can often be met with trepidation but here at the Plaza this week’s examples certainly met with approval as the scaffold continues to come down to reveal the full extent of the restored neon with the side panels and ‘diamond’ shapes which draw the eye from the Plaza crown at the top of the venue down to the position of the soon to be installed canopy awning over our front entrance, whilst in the auditorium subject to contrary rumour we haven’t been invaded from creatures unleashed from our Quatermass pit which now houses our lower level Patrons Lounge and Art Gallery but by two large hydraulic ‘cherry pickers’ which have taken up residence as the painting of our beautiful auditorium commences.

 

Restoration Update – 26.10.09

As the clock ticks towards our Gala Cine Variety reopening performance on Friday 11th December it’s out with the old....and in with the even older!

In preparation for the painters to commence the redecoration of our auditorium in the original gold and silver colour scheme and for the specialist lighting engineers to install the LED lighting which will recreate the glorious holophane system it was time to say goodbye to the 1970’s Mecca Bingo ‘toblerone’ lights at the perimeter of the auditorium which are now heading off to a new home in the region.

The original window frames which have been restored alongside a handful of replicas expertly manufactured are on site and ready to be inserted once the scaffold at the front of the building has been removed.

The Cafe Lounge entrance is now ready to be glazed and have replica door fittings inserted in time for our daily opening for the finest dining experience in the Greater Manchester Region.

And finally the moment that makes us know we are on the homeward dash to open Stockport’s gem of an art deco Super Cinema and Variety Theatre ...the external neon’s are in place and the ‘Plaza Crown’ once again shines over the centre of Stockport welcoming visitors past and present to the hub of our great town and the North West’s premier arts and cinema venue.

Restoration Updates – 09.10.09

As if a switch has been thrown, colour in its kaleidoscope of beautiful sheens is appearing on the restored canvas of the Stockport Plaza prior to her reopening in 7 weeks.

The Cafe Lounge with its magnificent plaster work and restored light sconces is a heady mix of gold, copper and original paint effects in green and distressed gold that were invented originally by G F Holdings the original decorators of the venue in 1932 and our current decorators now therefore ensuring we have an exact replication of what promises to be Stockport’s premier place to meet and relax.

The entrance foyer tiles have been uncovered for the first time in over 60 years and are a beautiful addition to this gem of a building.

Where necessary replica tiles will be inserted to match the tiles that have survived, hidden under years of plaster and wallpaper and will ensure that the minute you enter the Plaza.

Next week the platforms move into the auditorium as the painting commences to restore the interior of the venue, followed by carpets, carpentry and the return of our stored seating.

Restoration Update – 29.09.10

With the completion date and reopening scheduled for the 11th December speeding toward us, the works are afoot as the beauty of the Plaza starts to shine through as restored plaster work, paintwork replicating the original colour scheme in our cafe lounge ceiling and the fabric of areas such as the raised walk way in the rear stalls and the base of the new lift shaft are put into place by our team of qualified master crafts people.

With oak surrounds, skirting boards and dado rails the scene is set in the cafe lounge for the reinstatement of period radiators, while the sumptuous gold, copper and greens of the paintwork enhance the repaired plaster mouldings of the ceiling.

The Lloyd Loom furniture has been ordered from Lloyd Loom of Spalding ensuring that the original creators of this style of furnishing which evokes the era have pride of place with their bespoke fittings.

Doors restored from originals or in some cases bespoke and recreated as pictured for the general office are appearing in previously empty frames adding the perfect finish.

The final part of our stage dressings are being built off site with the creation of a wonderful staircase by our in house Master Craftsman Roy Aspinal which will be in keeping with the Orchestra pit rail with end moulding’s designed to mirror the stair banisters on the main staircases and a lit panel that will be fitted with LED lighting to alter its colour in keeping with the Orchestra Rail’s lighting display.

 

Restoration Update – 11.09.09

Like a phoenix soaring from the ashes the Plaza is painstakingly being returned to the magnificent art deco beauty that will evoke the era of glamour and style for future generations to enjoy with her breathtaking facade, beautiful interior decor and the quality of offer of service.

Beautiful plaster work long since lost is being restored and none is more beautiful than the wonderful wall sconces in the Cafe Lounge which will enhance the ambience and atmosphere of Stockport’s finest cafe dining venue.

The repair and replacement works are undertaken by local professionals who have studied original images of the Cafe and internal decor around the building and have worked meticulously to recreate exact copies which this week have been installed into their original locations for you to enjoy when we open later this year.

 

Restoration Update – 01.09.09

The restoration of the Stockport Plaza is a voyage of discovery with long hidden gems being uncovered and discovered such as recessed light wells whilst in the Cafe Lounge along with remnants of the original ceiling light fittings which have enabled us to design exact replicas of the original lighting scheme. The main stair case which we had believed carpeted from the Cafe Lounge level upwards in fact was graced with the magnificent terrazzo flooring which is being brought back to life by expert craftsmen whilst at the back of the Stalls seating area we found a wonderful wall sconce that has been used as the template for the restoration of three more light wells that will be revealed to the public when we reopen later this year.

The large Quatermass style Pit at the back of the auditorium has finally gone and with a ceiling and walls our new Patrons Lounge and Art Gallery is taking a shape, an ideal place for pre show and interval drinks whilst looking at intimate and informal exhibitions by local artists.

The foundations are now in place for the installation of the lift mechanism that will be styled on an original 1930’s art deco lift to the instructions of our Vice Chairman Gary Trinder, a veritable guru on all things cinema and of the era when the Plaza came to life as Stockport’s premier Super Cinema and Variety Theatre.

 

Restoration Update 10.08.09

After months of removing the 1960’s and 1970’s additions to the Plaza’s facade and interior, we’ve turned the corner and the restoration and re-instatement has begun!
The ceilings and floors from the Patrons Lounge level on the lower ground floor, through what was once the General Managers office on the ground floor and into the Cafe Lounge on the first floor have been removed to make way for the lift shaft and lift which will benefit patrons and grant us far more accessibility to each part of the Plaza.
In the lower ground Patrons Lounge and Art Gallery, the walls are now going into place, the floors are down and next week the auditorium floor is reinstated defining the two levels.
The wonderful moulded ceilings in the Cafe Lounge are being brought to life by expert plasterers who are recreating exact replicas alongside the remaining sections of this beautiful feature of our home for Stockport finest cafe experience when we reopen.

 

Restoration update 16.07.09

The Plaza always one to be an imposing edifice keeping a watchful eye over Mersey Square currently has a certain look of mystery whilst she is shrouded in the large white wrappings to conceal the works taking place cleaning, restoring and repairing the faience tiled facade of this 1932 shrine to glamour and the magnificent design of the art deco period.

Every tile has been checked individually for its condition and expected long term life expectancy, whilst the steel work behind the facade has been checked to ensure that it is still in the very best of condition and ready to support the grand lady of Mersey Square for another lifetime...

Where necessary tiles have been replaced, steel work repaired and the entire building cleaned to restore her shimmering grey speckled white tiles to their magnificent former glory.

Window frames have been removed and are currently being restored as we aim to use all the original fittings where possible instead of replacing with new replicas.

At the top of the Plaza the door which lead on to external gantries installed by Mecca Bingo have been removed and will be filled in, whilst preparations are taking place for the installation of the neon power supply that will see the restoration of the building’s decorative neon strips and the ‘Plaza Crown’ at the very top of the building which will shine as a beacon welcoming people to Stockport for many years to come.

So for this update let’s go behind the curtains and unveil some of the emerging beauty which will be fully uncovered in time for our reopening on the 20th of November with especial thanks to Ben Wainwright who donned his safety helmet and high viz jacket and braved the heights by climbing the ladders to the varying levels leading up to the very top of the Plaza scaffold.

Restoration update 13.07.09

And let there be light!.....with the foundation works and preparations for installation of the lift, new staircases and restoration of the internal works at the Plaza cracking along on schedule the exciting rebuild of the orchestra pit rail has reached its penultimate stage with each of the hand turned pillars that are topped by the light box erected in place and the LED lighting installed in the Perspex boxes which will glow a changing display of colour.

The work on this beautiful piece of pure craftsmanship are lead by Roy Aspinall with a team including Brian Thurling and David Poole (pictured) who have spent many hours on this labour of love which will be one of the many WOW factors of your newly restored Stockport Plaza

Restoration update – 10.06.09

As well as the works talking place on schedule inside your Plaza Super Cinema and Variety Theatre, many aspects of the refurbishment are taking place off site ready for installation when we re-open this November in time for our family pantomime Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.

The Orchestra Pit rail was one of the wonderful original features of the Plaza that complimented the mighty Compton Organ, which has been rewired and renovated just prior to and during the restoration, the rail originally stood in front of the organ, enclosing the orchestra pit and was another outstanding feature that evoked the glamour and status of the Super Cinema to patrons settling down ready to enjoy a presentation.

The rail with its classic colonnaded frontage and glazed top section which had changing lights to compliment the changing internal light displays of the organ is being recreated by Roy Aspinal and his team off site and caught on camera by our resident photographer and all round video guru John Graham

 

 

26th May 2009

Almost the end of May and the excavation works for the lower stalls ‘Patrons Bar and Gallery’ are coming along famously with the Gallery space, which will exhibit the works of local artists in this magnificent town centre location, taking shape from the tons of sandstone being hewn out of the bedrock under the Plaza.

The General Managers office on the ground floor has disappeared in a resounding crash to make way for one of the three staircases that will lead down to the Patrons Bar and Gallery whilst the main foyer has now tripled in size back to its former layout with the removal of the modern box office, admin office and sweet kiosk area.

On the first floor leading from the Lounge Cafe Bar towards the Gents toilets and Projection Room the full head height of the ‘back’ staircase has been uncovered along with a colydoscope of colours and patterns in the various wall paper samples that have graced the wall of this public area which during its incarnations was a silver service restaurant, an annexe of the bingo hall and at one time Samantha’s Night Club.

The Plaza during this restoration will see the overhaul of our heating system with the installation of new boiler equipment in the red boiler room and the restoration of slate roofing in keeping with the original slate tiling.

 

 

11th May 2009

With the removal of all the fixtures and fittings that have been added in the decades since the Plaza was first opened we’re now getting to grips with the preparation works of restoration and also creating the new lower level ‘Patrons Bar’ which will named in honour of our illustrious patrons who support the Plaza.

Remote controlled diggers work around the clock removing the tons of sandstone the Plaza is built on to create the space that will accommodate the new Stalls toilets, Patrons Bar and Gallery which will be an intimate gallery space leading from the bar for displays by local artists along with a new corridor that will grant access to both sides of the Stalls seating area and of course to the Patrons Bar..

The Lounge Bar on the first floor is coming along apace with the original bar storage rooms gone to make way for our new industrial kitchen which will enable us to open daily from Monday to Saturday and prior to shows for light snacks and lunches and also to cater for any private bookings, wedding receptions, birthday parties or corporate events.

As with all projects as the works progress we discover areas that require unplanned attention such as some areas of plaster work in the Lounge ceiling and also on the staircases throughout the Plaza therefore these have been removed where necessary ready for replacement and restoration.

The original kitchens have been removed to make way for our new administration office and the restoration of the original usherettes corridor which originally enabled staff to reach both sides of the circle without interrupting customers has been reopened during which we unearthed the original cloakroom door, which though not to be reinstated was a great find!

 

30th April 2009

The month of May is upon us and works are on schedule throughout the building with the entire facade of the Plaza now wrapped in a giant white cocoon whilst the tile repairs, the cleaning and the installation of the fittings to enable us to reinstate the missing canopy and neon lighting are put into place.

Backstage works have commenced on refurbishing and upgrading the facilities for our visiting artistes with the dressing rooms having electrical installations upgraded, ceiling heights increased in our main under stage corridor and the electrical intake throughout the stage area upgraded, whilst for the benefit of our patrons, visiting companies and personnel the old gas boilers have been removed from the red boiler room sub stage ready for replacement along with the installation of radiators in all the original positions throughout the Plaza which will enable us to maintain the temperature to a comfortable level throughout the year.

The front facia of the stage has been replaced and the stalls floor around the boxed in Compton Organ has been prepared for the installation of a replica of the original orchestra pit rail which will light up in conjunction with the auditorium lighting, whilst repair works to the floor boards and removal of a section in the orchestra pit for a lift which will assist getting show equipment onto the stage are all under way.

 

14th APRIL 2009

As we head into Spring, the season of rebirth and renewal the Plaza always one to be in touch with what’s new, currant and vibrant has shed her old winter coat and steps into the season ahead continuing her preparations for her transformation by losing the bar fixture and fittings installed in the 1970’s, the top floor cloakrooms installed in the 1950’s and layer upon layer of wall and floor coverings which have graced the interior of the Plaza during many incarnations and style trends since her incarnation in the 1930’s.

The Lounge Cafe/Bar on the first floor which will once again be open in the day time for light lunches and refreshments offering the very best quality dining experience in Stockport and the South Manchester region when we reopen is well under way with the removal of the suspended ceilings to reveal ceilings which thankfully are in much better condition than we believed whilst also exposing original light fittings which will be used as templates for their replacements.

The bar counter and store areas are gone to reveal wonderful parts of the steel structure and long unseen hidden areas above and behind the auditorium whilst with the removal of the 1990’s deco style carpet we have uncovered the original terrazzo carpets on the main staircase which will once again create a wonderful approach to the Circle, Balcony and Cafe Lounge.

Industrial diggers are now in place at the rear of the stalls digging out the space that will accommodate a modern bar and gallery area, whilst the final sections of the old box office have been removed providing us with a glimpse of the size of the original foyer space which has been lacking for so long.

 

27th March 2009

Well here we are a couple of weeks into the restoration and Plaza is starting to uncover her secrets to us that she’s hidden away for decades.

First things first and our wonderful contracting team have built their own version of the Berlin wall across the auditorium to ensure that dust and debris from the works when we commence excavating under the stalls for the creation of the new Stalls Bar.

The Berlin Wall or ‘Swansea Wall’ as we’ve dubbed it as the experts building it hale from across the border, is a masterpiece of engineering in its own right as it needed to be built and without being physically attached to any of the ornamental plaster work but strong and sturdy enough to create a solid barrier. With the wall in place works could commence on removing the inner foyer, rear stalls sales area, box office and admin offices along with the basement toilets, whilst externally the enormous scaffold was erected which will enable access to the facade for its full restoration and preparation for the installation of a canopy that will stretch the full width of the building.

As the room divides that were erected over the last few decades were removed, plasterwork mouldings and intricate paint schemes from previous refurbishments have been unearthed and are seeing the light of day after years under false ceilings, whilst in the gents toilets earlier tiling again from previous refurbishments have been uncovered all of which will either be restored back to their 1930’s splendour or recorded for posterity as the works progress.

 

9th March 2009

Its now finally sinking in that after 8 years of hard work and commitment the Plaza Super Cinema and Variety Theatre has shut her doors for 10 short months and is preparing to take centre stage with an extensive restoration and refurbishment.

The team of dedicated volunteers rolled up their sleeves and waded in the day after Jimmy Carr had officially closed down the venue with 2 sell out shows of his fantastic stand up evening of comedy and commenced stripping the bars, kiosks and admin offices of all fixture and fittings.

One of the first priorities was to protect the magnificent Compton Organ for which the Plaza is so famous therefore Roy and his team entombed this wonderful instrument so that she can be played and raised from her bed under the stage during our closure to keep her in tip top condition.

Next it was the teams task lead by our Technical Manager Brian Smith to remove all 599 seats in the stalls ready for the diggers to move in and excavate the tons of sandstone that will make way for our new Stalls Bar, Foyer, Toilets and Lift Shaft.

Removing the stalls carpet has enabled us discover the original location of the wonderful orchestra pit rail that was dismantled and removed at some point in the Plaza’s history which is currently under construction to enhance the orchestra pit which will also be improved by the reinstatement of the original pit entrance door sealed up many years ago.