§ 11. Mr. Andrew F. Bennett (Denton and Reddish)What recent discussions he has had about preserving examples of 1930s cinemas. [62138]
§ The Minister for Arts (Mr. Alan Howarth)I have regular meetings with English Heritage and other bodies on the subject. Last week, I met the Twentieth Century Society, which started its life as the Thirties Society.
§ Mr. BennettMay I commend the Plaza cinema in Stockport, which is a listed building and a good example of a 1930s cinema? For the past 20 years, it has been hidden to most of my constituents behind the trappings of a bingo hall. Now that that business has ceased and the building is again available as a cinema and theatre, will my hon. Friend give the Stockport local authority and, perhaps, the National Trust every encouragement to consider buying the building and returning it to its original use?
§ Mr. HowarthI congratulate my hon. Friend and also my hon. Friend the Member for Stockport (Ms Coffey) on their campaign to preserve that important building. Indeed, the campaign has all-party support. I understand that it is an exceptionally fine art deco building, with an impressive exterior and an even more impressive interior, which has successfully survived its incarnation as a bingo hall. English Heritage has advised me that it has a Compton organ with jelly-mould glass surround and large plaster friezes of dancing maidens. It is a listed building and I am pleased that Stockport borough council's development brief fully recognises the importance of the cinema's external appearance and unaltered art deco interior, and supports future use of the building as a cinema or arts performance centre. I will certainly consider what my hon. Friend suggests about the National Trust.