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The Plaza photo galleries

From our fascinating heritage through to the regular news and events relating to our venue this photographic gallery provides you with a fascinating insight into the growth and life of our Art Deco Super Cinema and Variety Theatre.

Heritage Weddings Events

Plaza Super Cinema and Variety Theatre facade - Opening day - October 7th 1932

A beautiful colourised aerial shot of Mersey Square with the cottages in situe that would make way for The Plaza in 1932

Works commence on the creation of The Plaza Steps (originally called the Lawrence Street Steps) in 1928 with the cottages in place that would make way for the buidling of The Plaza in 1932.

The 'Cottages' on Rock Row being demolished to make way for the buidling of The Plaza

Building of the 'Plaza Steps' prior to the building of The Plaza

The newly built Plaza Steps prior to the building of The Plaza

Ariel shot of Mersey Square prior to 1932 with the location of The Plaza accomodating a row of low level workers cottages

The Plaza steel work structure taking shape prior to completion and grand opening day on Friday October 7th 1932

Approach to Lawrence Street, later known as Plaza Steps - Pre October 1932

Balcony Cantilever construction prior to opening on October 7th 1932

Extensive Framework of the Circle and Balcony under construction

Opening Day Advertisment - Friday 7th October 1932

Pencilled Image of The Plaza Super Cinema and Variety Theatre as detailed on opening brochure - October 7th 1932

The Plaza Facade in all its glory during the opening week in October 1932

Circle Foyer, Sweet Kiosk and Main Stairs on opening day - October 7th 1932

Pay Box on opening day - October 7th 1932

Main foyer pay box photographed from the entrance to the Circle Foyer on opening day - October 7th 1932

Plaza gilded proscenium with house tableaux and orchestra pit - Opening day - October 7th 1932

Cafe Restaurant on Opening Day - October 7th 1932

Cafe signage in situe on opening day October 7th 1932

Plaza Auditorium - Opening day - October 7th 1932

The Crastonians - The first variety act to appear on The Plaza stage.

Manchester press advertisement for The Plaza featuring Lew Grade, Anna Roth and Violet Carson

The Plaza's 'Six Belles' Dance Troupe on stage

An ariel photograph of Mersey Square with The Plaza in situe in 1933

The covering of the River Mersey

Plaza facade across from Mersey Square in 1933

Mr Cecil Chadwick playing The Mighty Compton Organ in 1933

Advertisement featuring Constance Bennett dated December 6th 1933

1935 and The Plaza is screening Lupino Lane in 'Who's Your Father?'

Bus Terminus crowds outside The Plaza on Mersey Square

Neon Facade in the 1930s prior to removal during WWII

Trams still running from Mersey Square with The Plaza in the background

Tram passing The Plaza Facade when Mersey Square was the hub of local transport

Cafe Order pad from October 20th 1937

The Plaza and Bus Terminus Building on the horizon prior to the River Mersey being covered.

The River Mersey coverage works taking place and the creation of 'The Bear Pit' opposite The Plaza

Mr Harry Speed at The Mighty Compton Organ - 1939

Brochure from February 1942 ensuring guests remembered to bring their Gas Masks

A festive party with Father Christmas in The Plaza Cafe in 1944

Stockport Boys Football Club reception - May 1948

An Aerial shot of The Plaza also showing The Essoldo Cinema directly behind her.

The Plaza viewed through The Wellington Bridge

Queues forming for the 1953 screening of Pinocchio

Queue's forming for what is believed to be the 1953 screening of Pinocchio due to the screening of 'Prowlers of The Everglades' advertised on the canopy boards

As the old saying goes you wait for one bus and then.....

A Queen is Crowned on screen in 1953 celebrating the coronation of HM Queen Elizabeth II

The Plaza during the 1953 Coronation Year in a photograph taken by W.Rhodes Marriott

1954 Screening of 'Genevieve' as the main feature alongside 'Doctor in The House'

End of a children's Matinee performance in 1954

Bus Terminus with Plaza Facade

The Plaza screening 'The Solid Gold Cadillac' in 1956

Mr William Starr at The Mighty Comton Organ in 1957

Bus Terminus outside The Plaza

Bus Terminus and Plaza Facade with slanted Plaza signage

Head Librarian leaving reception in The Plaza Cafe - 1959

The Plaza with her 'itallic' style sign

The iconic Plaza slanting signage overlooking the bus terminals on Mersey Square

The bus terminus in the late 1950s

John Danworth and Band on stage with Comedia inspired House Tabs in situe

The No.16 heading from Stockport Bus Terminus to Parrs Wood & Chorlton with The Plaza watching on in the background

The Plaza screening 'That Certain Feeling' in 1956

The Bus terminus with three classic buses awaiting their passengers with Elvis Presely appearing on screen at The Plaza

1959 Facade advertising a screening of 'The Horse Soldiers' starring John Wayne

All aboard the Route 75X to Stockport Green End from the Mersey Square Bus Terminus

1964 and The Plaza is screening 'Send Me No Flowers' starring Rock Hudson and Doris Day whilst the Plaza Cafe has been converted into Stanneylands Steak House

The Plaza advertising it's Cabaret Night

Wellington Road with The Plaza nestling the background with her distinctive slanted signage

The Plaza during her Mecca Bingo Years nestling amongst the buildings on the edge of Mersey Square

The Plaza during her Mecca Bingo years with the bus terminus outside her front doors.

Classic orange livery on local buses at the Bus Terminus outside The Plaza with the last PLAZA signage prior to our change to Mecca

The Plaza with a busy time at the Bus Terminus outside her front doors

All aboard the bus for Altrincham parked outside the Mecca Social Club

Film Programme for 1966 Easter season

Cover of 1966 Easter Film Season brochure.

Mecca Bingo and Samanthas Nightclub located in what previously had been The Plaza Cafe

Regional buses heading off from the terminus outside The Plaza during her Mecca Bingo days

Samanthas Discotheque complementary admission ticket

Samantha's Discotheque Flyer for Thursday 18th January 1973 advertising the perfect night out in Stockport

Mecca Bingo and Samanthas Nightclub during the 1970s

Plaza Facade with promiment entrance to Samanthas night club.

The Plaza during her Mecca Bingo days taken from a ginel beside a tripe shop where Debenhamds Department Store now stands

The Mecca Bingo entrance with new signage

Police Patrol on Wellington Road South with The Plaza/Mecca in the background

The Plaza trading as Mecca Bingo overlooking Mersey Square Bus Terminus

Mecca Bingo Facade in the early 1980's with The Chestergate public house opposite The Plaza renamed 'Mr Chips'

The Plaza during her Mecca Bingo years in 1983

The Plaza trading as Mecca Bingo

The Plaza trading as Mecca Bingo with bus terminus on Mersey Square

Early doors during Mecca Bingo Years

The Mighty Compton Organ during her Bingo Years following damage to her glass panels which were replaced with orange and red perspex.

The Mighty Compton Organ with boarded front following an incident which broke the glass surround, painted and not at its glorious restored best

The Plaza trading as Mecca Bingo taken from above Wellington Road South

The Plaza auditorium during her Mecca Bingo years

Mecca Bingo facade undertaking repair work

The Plaza with her Mecca Bingo signage in situe

Plaza auditorium with Mecca bingo seating in situe pre restoration

The Plaza after Mecca Bingo closed in a derelict condition

The Plaza from beyond Wellington Bridge boarded up

A magnificent image from March 2000 which is copyright of David Yates Studio was the final images of The Plaza in her Bingo guise

March 2000 and the end of the Bingo Era - Photo Kindly shared and Copyright of David Yates Studio

The Rear Stalls in March 2000 just after the venue was saved and prior to conversion back into a Super Cinema and Variety Theatre

Pre Restoration Auditorium in March 2000 still fitted as a Mecca Bingo Hall

The Plaza in 2006 prior to our restoration.

The Plaza Facade during her 2009 Restoration

Plaza auditorium following restoration of Circle and replica seating in 2014

Plaza Auditorium following the restoration of the side murals depicting musical instruments

The Plaza facade restored to its opening day glory

March 2023 and the building of the new Bus Station opposite The Plaza on Mersey Square. Photograph courtesy of Willmott Dixon who are the contractors working on the new build.