Plaza sign

For a potted history of the Stockport Plaza see yesterday's post.

A contribution to signs, signs.

P is for Plaza

The Plaza first opened its doors to the public on 7th 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.

It was refurbished in the 1950s and could cater for Cinemascope and 3-D. Live entertainment took place on Saturday evenings featuring local musicians and Sunday jazz concerts followed. In 1960, the Plaza staged its first pantomime with the Dallas Boys in "Babes In The Wood".

In 1965 the Plaza was sold to the Mecca Leisure Group for conversion to a bingo hall. Its final show was on 31st December 1966 and featured Jerry Lee Lewis in "Three on a Coach" and Audie Murphy in "The Texican" with William Starr at the organ. In February 1967 it reopened as Mecca Bingo.

In the 1970s the Café Lounge was converted into "Samantha's" nightclub but this later converted into extra bingo seating.

It closed in 1998 and Rank Leisure sold the Plaza 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.

In 2009 a £3.2 million pound restoration and refurbishment programme was started. It was closed from February until December.

This photograph was taken in January 2010 shortly after it reopened.

More information can be found on the Plaza's own website.

A contribution to ABC Wednesday.

Betting shop windows

The windows above the betting shop on the corner of Princes Street and Deanery Way.

A contribution to Whimsical Windows, Delirious Doors and Ruby Tuesday

O is for the Old King

The Old King public house was built in c.1828, and remodelled in 1973. The building was constructed of red brick laid in Flemish bond, to the original phase, the 1970s phase was built of brown stretcher bond brick. The 2-storey, 4-bay frontage retained early 19th century fabric to the right hand bay only, the rest was re-fronted and all windows were 20th century. To the rear was a late 19th century single-storey function room, and a mono-pitch 19th century outbuilding, possibly a brew house or store.

Standing on the corner of Great Portwood Street and Lancaster Street it was a listed building pictured here "for sale" in 2008.

In 2011 it was still waiting for a buyer.

In April 2012 I happened to walk into Lancaster Street and found this scene.

Despite being listed it was demolished to make way for a branch of Nando's.

A contribution to ABC Wednesday and signs, signs.

Norbury Viaduct & Bridges

This bridge over Macclesfield Road leads on to the Norbury viaduct. Just beyond the bridge on the left is the terminus of the 192 bus service to Manchester. It carries over nine million passengers each year, and is considered by many to be the busiest bus route in the country - see Wikipedia.

Established under the arches of the viaduct since 1982 is the used-car salerooms of the Midland Garage.

The viaduct was built by the Midland Railway as part of the New Mills to Heaton Mersey line, which formed part of its main line between Manchester Central and London St Pancras.

At the end of the viaduct is the bridge over the A6, Buxton Road.

Like all railway bridges in the UK it carries a notice detailing who to contact in the event of any damage caused to the bridge by striking vehicles.

A final look back at Buxton Road bridge from the other side.

For more bridges, visit Sunday Bridges at San Francisco Bay Daily Photo.

N is for Norbury Parish Church and burial ground

Dedicated to St Thomas, the present church dates mainly from 1833. There are some 4000 graves in the churchyard which was first opened for burials in 1834 and has continued in use right up to the present day. All the spaces available for new burials have now been used.

More information on the Church website.

A contribution to Outdoor Wednesday and ABC Wednesday.

Cheadle Bridge

Cheadle Bridge was built in 1861 across the river Mersey connecting Cheadle in Cheshire with Didsbury in Lancashire.


Nowadays both sides are in the modern county of Greater Manchester and the boundary is between the Metropolitan Borough of Stockport and the City of Manchester.



A contribution to Sunday Bridges at San Francisco Bay Daily Photo.

M is for Mottram Towers

One of a group of tower blocks in the Millbrook area of Stockport. In the foreground is a decorated open space with benches.

A contribution to ABC Wednesday.

Sign of the Golden Lion

The former Golden Lion public house on the corner of Middle Hillgate and Higher Barlow Row has been converted by architects Cartwright and Gross into their own offices.

A contribution to signs, signs.

L is for Lynn's Café

Inside the Market Hall.

50p for a cup of tea; 50p for a toasted teacake!

This photograph was taken 24th December 2011.

A contribution to ABC Wednesday.

Doorway Details: St Peter's Chambers

In July I posted about St Peter's Chambers.

Today I'm showing the round-headed doorway to #39, the first-floor chambers. It has an elaborate carved stone surround of curved inner arch encased in cable-moulding, with segmental indents to the arch voussiors and console keystone surmounted by a bust of St Peter in an outer arch. Crossed keys below bust and incised gothic lettering to each side stating St Peter's Chambers.

A contribution to the City Daily Photo Blogs October 1st theme - details and also to Whimsical Windows, Delirious Doors!.