Historic building to be homes and store
WORK will finally start on a historic building that has been a ‘huge eyesore for 17 years’ to return it to its former glory.
Tatton Cinema in Gatley has stood empty since closing in 2001, but workers will be on site within the next month to begin its redevelopment, according to a local councillor.
The news has been hailed ‘a real breakthrough’ by Iain Roberts, following years of uncertainty over the dilapidated structure.
Planning permission was granted in 2017 for 26 retirement apartments and a ground floor shop, two years after the application was actually submitted.
This was just one reason why work on the building, a 1930s art deco cinema on Gatley Road, has taken so long to come to fruition.
But Stockport Homes acquired the building last month from previous owner Dickens Property Group and almost immediately appointed Rowlinson Construction as the developer.
Gatley councillor Iain Roberts said the work is due to start next month, adding: “It is a really big step and a real breakthrough. 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.”
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.
Tatton Cinema closed in 2001 and then went through a period of having four owners in four years, meaning little progress was made with redevelopment.
Dickens then bought the property and had a planning application turned down in 2009 for a 44-bed care home.
A successful planning application was submitted but before 2017’s approval a fire caused damage at the site.
The art-deco facade will be kept as part of the new development.
Stockport Homes have been able to bring the development forward with the help of a sizable grant from Homes England.
Coun Roberts added: “It is right in the centre of the village, we will have two supermarkets and it is important to have anchor stores.”