Eyesore cinema to be made into retirement flats
PLANS FOR APARTMENTS AND SUPERMARKET AT BUILDING WHICH CLOSED IN 2001
AN HISTORIC cinema that has become an eyesore after closing nearly two decades ago is finally going to be transformed.
The dilapidated Tatton Cinema in Gatley, Stockport, has infuriated residents for 17 years.
It closed in 2001, a casualty of the huge Parrs Wood multiplex in neighbouring Didsbury.
Most of the 1930s building was bulldozed, but the protected art-deco facade was kept. A lack of action at the site has been a headache for local councillors, who have pushed developers to get things moving for years.
There have been numerous plans to transform the building but no work has started.
It has now been revealed that housing association Stockport Homes has bought the site – and work is set to begin next month.
It is understood more than 20 retirement apartments will be built, as well as a shop on the ground floor.
Co-op bosses are believed to be interested in taking up the space. The news has been hailed as ‘a real breakthrough’ by Gatley councillor Iain Roberts, following years of uncertainty.
“It is a really big step,” Coun Roberts said.
“This will make a big difference to Gatley as it has been huge eyesore for 17 years.
“It is a real opportunity to breathe new life into Gatley, have it looking like it should and have people living in the centre of the village.
“To get to this stage has been a real struggle, the planning application took two years to decide – one of the longest in Stockport council’s history.
“Finally, we are at the end of a long journey.”
Planning permission for the Gatley Road site was granted in 2017 – two years after the application was actually submitted. The landmark cinema facade will be kept.
Stockport Homes, which manages the town hall’s housing stock, bought the building last month from previous owner Dickens Property Group.
Bosses immediately appointed Rowlinson developer.
Coun Roberts added: “The shop will be a supermarket – with the Co-op believed to be the company involved – and this is seen as an anchor store to attract people to Gatley.”
There was a period where the building had four owners in four years, meaning little progress was made.
In 2009, Dickens tabled a planning application for a 44-bed care home, but it was rejected. A fire caused damage at the site last year. Construction as the