The Plaza Super Cinema and Variety Theatre in Stockport

A look at The Plaza Super Cinema and Variety Theatre in Stockport, Greater Manchester.

The Plaza opened in 1932.

It has had closures over the years, but has been open fully since 2009 and is still going strong.

It's well worth a visit and there are regular theatre shows, pantos, comedy performances and more.

We've also watched some excellent new and classic films on the big screen there.

To watch a film or show there is a superb experience from start to finish - with much more to it than your average multiplex.

The Plaza's original Compton theatre organ is still in situ, and rises out of the floor before performances and during intervals.

The Compton organ being played before a showing of Jaws at The Plaza in July 2024

Find out more on The Plaza website.

Art Deco in Lichfield, Staffordshire

A look at The former Regal Cinema in Lichfield, Staffordshire.

The Regal Cinema opened on Tamworth Street in Lichfield in 1932. It closed in 1972, later becoming a Kwik Save supermarket.

The building now consists of residential apartments and retail units.

Art Deco - The Majestic Reel Cinema in Bridgnorth, Shropshire

A look at an Art Deco cinema in Bridgnorth, Shropshire.

The Majestic in Bridgnorth, Shropshire opened in 1937.

The Majestic in 2022

Find out more on the Reel Cinema website.

Art Deco - The Picturedrome in Macclesfield, Cheshire

A look at an Art Deco building in Macclesfield, Cheshire.

The Picturedrome in Macclesfield, Cheshire opened in 1911.

The Picturedrome in Macclesfield in 2016

It is now home to the Picturedrome Macclesfield food hall.

Art Deco - The Odeon cinema in Worcester

A look at the Odeon cinema in Worcester, Worcestershire.

The Odeon cinema in Worcester was built in the Art Deco style and opened in 1935.

Check out the Odeon website for more information.

The Regal Cinema in Kettering, Northamptonshire

This Art Deco building in Kettering, Northamptonshire opened as The Regal Cinema in December 1936.

It had been a bingo club since 1975, most recently as a Gala Bingo. It closed in 2018.

What are the 7 Dimensions?

What are the 7Ds of this 7D Cinema?

The 7D Cinema at Coney Beach in Porthcawl, Wales on the 13th May 2019

Art Deco - The Plaza in Port Talbot, Wales

This was the Plaza in Port Talbot, Wales in May 2019.

It was built in 1939 and opened in April 1940.

Thankfully the building was reopened as The New Plaza and retained the Modern & Art Deco influenced frontage.

Check it out on The New Plaza website.

Art Deco - The former Odeon Cinema in Chorley, Lancashire.

A look at the former Odeon Cinema in Chorley, Lancashire.

The Art Deco building opened in February 1938.

This was how it looked in August 2020 when it had most recently been a Buzz Bingo.

The business (and building) never re-opened after the Coronavirus pandemic.

Sadly the building was demolished and there is now a car park where it once stood.

Art Deco - The Old Savoy in Northampton

A look at The Old Savoy in Northampton, Northamptonshire.

It opened in 1936.

Check out The Old Savoy website for more information.

Urban exploration - Anglia Square shopping centre in Norwich

A look at a lost shopping centre in Norwich, Norfolk.

Anglia Square shopping centre in Norwich opened in 1970.

Anglia Square shopping centre has now closed and been partly demolished, with plans to build new housing, offices and retail space on the site.

The Hollywood Cinema closed in 2019

Photos of Anglia Square shopping centre in Norwich (May 2022).

The Hollywood Cinema was previously an ODEON

We visited Anglia Square shopping centre several times when in the city. Mostly to go to Sutton Toys, an excellent retro and vintage toy and videogame shop - which has now relocated to Reepham Road in Norwich.

Stafford Cinema on Newport Road

A look at Stafford Cinema.

Stafford Cinema on Newport Road in Stafford, Staffordshire opened as an Odeon in 1936 and closed in 2021.

This is how the Art Deco building looked in November 2024.

Art Deco former cinema in Worthing, West Sussex

A look at an Art Deco building in Worthing, West Sussex.

This Art Deco building in Worthing opened as The Plaza in 1933 and was a theatre and cinema.

Buzz Bingo permanently closed in 2025.

The building had been a bingo hall since the 1970s.

Art Deco - Lost cinema in Gloucester

A look at The Top Rank Club in Gloucester, Gloucestershire.

It opened as a Plaza Super Cinema in 1935 and later became an Odeon.

After its life as a cinema it became a Mecca Bingo Hall until it closed in 2022.

Back to the Future is 40 years old

Back to the Future was released on the big screen 40 years ago today.

Back to the Future was released on the 3rd July 1985.

Cinema audiences in the USA were treated to the first screenings of Back to the Future 40 years ago today!

I got to see a DeLorean time machine at MediaCity in Salford in March 2020

We found a (now lost) video rental shop in Little Lever, Bolton in October 2020. It was stocked with loads of VHS tapes - including Back to the Future Part II. It was like stepping back in time!

I got to see my first DeLorean in real life at the Didsbury & South Manchester Car Show in Didsbury Park in July 2019

Gremlins

The hit film Gremlins was released in the USA on this day in 1984.

What a day at the cinema that must've been - with Ghostbusters out on the same day!

Gremlins causing a scene at the Totally Stockport Comic Con a few years ago

Gizmo's in Morecambe, Lancashire is open from 4pm to late - I hope it closes before midnight

Have you seen Final Destination: Bloodlines yet?

We were lucky enough to see a special double-bill screening alongside the original Final Destination from the year 2000 last week.

It was superb to see both films, and the new one lived up to my expectations - and more!

While we haven't had anywhere near as much outdoor or experiential advertising or marketing for the film here in the UK as there has been in the USA - there's been a real-life logging truck rolling along the roads over there with promos for the movie for example! - I've seen a lot of buzz for the film online and on social media.

We've spotted two pieces of outdoor advertising for Final Destination: Bloodlines at the Trafford Centre in Manchester, and there was one poster at The Light cinema where we saw the film.

Is there any other advertising for the film I've missed?

Movie Theatre Day

Today (23rd April) is Movie Theatre Day.

Movie Theatre Day is celebrated on the 23rd April each year.

Gremlins causing a scene at the Totally Stockport Comic Con in 2022

When was the last time you visited the cinema?

Luckily for us, here in Stockport town centre we've got The Plaza Art Deco super cinema and theatre, as well as The Light. There's also The Savoy in Heaton Moor and the Regent Cinema in Marple.

There are also several former and abandoned cinemas across the town.