Stockport Plaza

The Stockport Plaza was built in the early 1930's in Greater Manchester, England. Architect, W Thornley designed the property in 1929, and it was opened in 1932.

In 1967, the Plaza was converted in to a bingo hall and finally closed in 1998. It is currently run by the Stockport Plaza Trust, the local authority having loaned the money for its acquisition. A programme of repairs and full restoration to its 1932 glory started in 2009 and it has now been restored as a cinema and theatre, showing classic films and staging live shows.

This distinctive art deco super cinema is listed Grade II* and its repair and restoration were heritage-based and conservation- driven. Architect Liz Mather of Brock Carmichael Architects, specialists in conversation work approached Brintons as she wanted to recreate the original art deco carpets, they had black and white photos of the interiors which showed the design details but not the colour used. The restoration team visited Brintons archive to view hand painted art deco design papers to identify what colours where used in carpet design during the period. Designer Jane Bradley-Bain recreated the carpet designs using the original photos and design papers from Brintons archive. Brintons supplied a purple geometric carpet for the basement, stairs, foyer and auditorium and a green carpet with an angular motif for the Cafe.

In August 2014 Brintons supplied further carpet for the circle and balcony areas using the design which was used in auditorium. During this part of the refurbishment the Plaza has also installed replica seating which is an exact match of those in situ on opening day, October 7th 1932.