The Plaza is a Grade II* listed[1] art deco single-screen cinema and theatre in Stockport, Greater Manchester, England.

It is in the Art Deco style, and is of brick, with much internal structural steelwork, and with its front elevation clad in faience, a glazed architectural terracotta.

The auditorium is decorated with vaguely Greek and Egyptian plasterwork and mouldings, including a broad proscenium arch, pilasters with Corinthian capitals, and friezes of dancing maidens and musical instruments.

It is described as a "remarkably lavish exercise in the Art Deco style", and an "exceptionally complete example of a 1930s 'super' cinema, which survives little altered and retains its Compton organ".

It was the first Compton theatre organ to be built with sunburst decorative glass panels, which can be illuminated in a range of colours, and is now one of the very few that remains in its original location.

[5] Thornley, an architect originating from Bolton who had trained with Bradshaw Gass & Hope, was experienced in designing small-scale silent film cinemas.

10,000 tonnes of sandstone was excavated to a depth of 42 feet (13 m) to create The Plaza and the adjacent steps, leaving the building partially underground and secured by 111 rock bolts.

[b] During World War II (1939–1945), being cut into the rock face led to the Plaza being considered one of the safest to shelter during an air raid.

After the war, despite audiences declining nationally, the Plaza was in the 1950s refurbished with the entertainment tax relief incentive, and diversified into CinemaScope and 3D screenings.

The Plaza’s final show was on 31 December 1966 and featured Jerry Lewis in Three on a Couch and Audie Murphy in The Texican.

By the time of closure, it had been listed at Grade II was the last remaining building in the Borough of Stockport still capable of full-scale theatre and entertainment use.

Snape Circuit 1956-1965, Mecca Bingo 1965-1990; Rank Organisation 1990-1999..Current owners Stockport Plaza Trust 2000 - present.

1932 (Oct): The Plaza Super Cinema opens in Stockport 1933 (Sept) Death of Fred Read, Chairman of the Ambassador Cinema Circuit 1934 Remaining Ambassador Circuit Directors, Alfred Snape and Arthur Ward assume control under the Snape & Ward Cinema Circuit 1936 Death of Director Arthur Ward, son Harold succeeds to his share of the business 1937: Front Circle rake altered, balcony front raised, stage level raised 1947 Death of Director Alfred Snape, son Brian succeeds to his share of the business 1949: Seven day programme introduced (same film for seven days) 1953 (Aug): Large 48 ft.x 18 ft. projection screen installed 1953: Stockport's first 3D film presentation at – "Sangaree" 1954: First CinemaScope presentation 1955 Harold Ward exits the business to form the Ward Cinema Circuit 1956 Brian Snape took ownership of the Plaza and the remaining Snape & Ward cinemas, renaming the circuit as the G.B.

Snape Circuit 1960: First pantomime, Babes in the Wood featuring the Dallas Boys 1965 (July): Purchased by the Mecca Group 1966 (Dec): Closes as a cinema[10] 1967: Modifications to the auditorium to accommodate bingo; removal of roof tiling, loss of external verandah, neon lighting and signage.

1967 (Feb): Reopens as a bingo hall 1997 (Mar): Cinema listed Grade II by English Heritage 1999: Cinema closes as a Bingo Hall[10] 2000 (Aug): Listing upgraded to Grade II* by English Heritage 2000: Purchased by the Stockport Plaza Trust, first restorations started, and re-opened for live shows and vintage film presentations.

There was also a variety performance, and Nigel Ogden of BBC Radio 2's The Organist Entertains played the Compton Organ for a 1930s style singalong before the screening.