Town’s landmark cinema disappearing fast
IN its bustling heyday, it was THE place to go for kids in Stockport.
Half of it’s gone. What remains of the Grand Central cinema will soon be reduced to a pile of rubble.
It was an institution in the town, entertaining audiences for more than 25 years. From Space Jam to the Lion King, Toy Story to Jumanji, many a child spent a rainy Saturday afternoon enjoying the latest flick at Grand Central in the 1990s.
And with a bowling alley and a laser quest under the same roof, it was the perfect place to hang out with pals and spend a little pocket money.
But the cinema closed in November last year. It marked the end of an era.
It has already been replaced by the Light Cinema at the enormous new Redrock leisure development.
Work has started to demolish the old cinema building, just off the A6 in Stockport town centre.
The building was completely gutted before the bulldozers were brought in. It is now an empty shell and could become a temporary car park.
It’s all part of the council’s plan to transform Stockport town centre.
The new £45m picture house at the side of the M60 is just one piece of the £145m Stockport Exchange jigsaw.
A Holiday Inn Express hotel, a new public area outside the town centre train station and multistorey NCP car park have already been built.
Eventually, the area will boast 375,000sq ft of offices and 28,000sq ft of retail space.
The project is scheduled to finish in the next decade.
Caroline Simpson, corporate director for place at Stockport council, said: “I’m delighted that demolition work has begun making way for the next stage of development at Stockport Exchange.
“Stockport Exchange has already proven very popular with businesses.
“The development of the next, high quality office will mean even more companies have the opportunity to make the business district their home, benefitting from the opportunities Stockport offers to companies, whilst also creating many new jobs for local residents.”