A much-loved cinema that has now been confined to the history books was once the place where a generation of Stockport kids went "all the time."
The Manchester Evening News recently took a look back at the MGM - Metro Goldwyn Mayer cinema - at Grand Central, which was rebranded a number of times before the demolition of the site in 2018. An institution in the area, Grand Central first opened in 1991 and shared a site with a bowling alley, laser quest and a nearby swimming pool.
When MGM opened over 30 years ago, the American film, television production, distribution and media company had a number of cinemas in the UK. And its Stockport branch welcomed generations to see the latest flicks, from visits on a rainy Saturday to first dates, birthday treats and more.
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On our My Stockport Facebook page, readers were quick to share their memories of the lost site. And here are just a few of them.
On Facebook, David Haslam said: "Still have vivid memories of sneaking in as a kid watching the first Jurassic Park lol." David Hancock said: "I used to go there a lot. I got an Unlimited card in it's last couple of years."
Emma Barclay wrote: "Me and my husband used to go here all the time when we first got together in 1998/99 have some great memories." Marie Beswick posted: "I met my husband there , back 1994 . When we worked there. I was behind the counter, he was an usher."
Ronald T Harris posted: "And I was the Chief Projectionist when the MGM Opened at Grand Central." Cat Leigh commented: "That sweet shop that was opposite Pizza Hut with much cheaper sweets than the cinema, trying to smuggle them in. I also used to love hiding in those random wall gaps."
Brian Hopwood wrote: "I remember when Star Trek VI cane out going to see all 6 films in one showing here. Happy times !."Kate Tom Banister wrote: "This place was awesome as a kid growing up. Still can picture it inside. Feels like a relatively short lifespan for that whole complex though."
Louise Bramley said: "Good times." Adele Richards posted: "Saturday mornings as a kid watching the child friendly movie and I'm sure I remember a magician being there?."
Matthew Cuss posted: "Getting the monthly tickets and watching the same movies back to back! Getting posters and soundtrack cds once I was earning. Spent a lot of time and money there in my mid to late teens." Matthew Connaughton wrote: "I think I lived here in 2000-2001!."
David Comer said: "I remember seeing Batman Returns here, amongst many others, when I was 13. Feels like a lifetime ago." Michael McDermott said: "Great place to work too."
Karen Downey said: "Me and my friends went most Saturday." Wendy Maher commented: "I used to go all the time."
Elaine Salt wrote: "Every cinema in Stockport was the place to be the Tatton, cannon on the a6, Devonport, even my mum has memories of cinema's and the lovely stories she tells about them.xx." Simon Heard said: "The last film I saw there was Ironman 3."
Laura Jones said: "Ohh lived there as a teen lol."
Do you remember this cinema? Let us know in the comments section below.
In September 1991, the Stockport Express wrote how the town's newest 10-screen cinema boasted "state of the art technology, combined with luxurious surroundings." It read: "The box-office is fully computerized and features an advance booking facility which accepts Visa and Access cards.
"Now a great night out is only a phone call away. Auditoriums are fitted with luxury seating and there is wheel chair access and facilities in every one.
"They are equipped with the latest sound and projection technology. Metro Goldwyn Mayer Cinemas are the first to bring the advanced Bose speaker system to the North West, producing unrivalled sound quality.
"Seasoned cinema-goers will not be disappointed with the well-stocked kiosk, selling major brand sweets as well as the more traditional popcorn, ice-cream and hot-dogs."
One image, unearthed by our archives, Mirrorpix, shows The Multiplex Cinema at Grand Central Square on October 16, 1991. If you look closely, you can see screenings at the time were Edward Scissorhands, Terminator 2, Only the Lonely, New Jack City and more.
But as residents and cinema-goers from Stockport will know, the cinema was rebranded through the years. In the mid-1990s, it was purchased by Virgin Cinemas in 1996, later being taken over and rebranded by UGC before the millennium.
The last 13 years of its life, the cinema was a Cineworld, after another rebrand in 2005. Over two decades, thousands came through its doors.
Over the years, the cinema also supported local film makers. Stormbreaker - a film based on a story by Stockport author Anthony Horowitz - was shown there.
School kids were also invited for free showings through the years. But at one point the cinema also hit the headlines.
In 2008, customer Adam Glennon staged a peaceful one-man protest where he handed out sweets in front of the building. He demonstrated after being refused entry to a film after he tried to take his own treats in.
But 2018 marked the end of an era for the big screen in Stockport, as it was announced that the Grand Central Cinema was set to be demolished after more than 25 years entertaining audiences. The cinema itself closed November the year before to be replaced by the Light Cinema at the enormous new Redrock leisure development.
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In May 2018, the M.E.N. reported how work had started to demolish the old cinema building, which was completely gutted before the bulldozers were brought in. This was part of the council’s plan to transform Stockport town centre and at the time a Holiday Inn Express hotel, a new public area outside the town centre train station, and multi-storey NCP carpark were being built.
Cinema-lovers soon saw the site reduced to rubble. But many memories of the venue in all its forms still live on.
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