This review describes a visit to Stockport Plaza in 2017. Some of the photographs show the Plaza at a later date.
Stockport isn’t always a place that gets the kindest reviews but there’s more to this town which was once the centre of the country’s hatting industry and by 1884 was exporting more than 6 million hats a year; the last hat works here closed in 1997.
Explore Buxton visited Stockport specifically to take a look at The Plaza. The venue reopened after major restoration in December 2009, with further work in the years that followed. With our own town home to the fantastic Frank Matcham creation Buxton Opera House, we were really interested to see The Plaza.
This superb Art Deco gem in the middle of Stockport is not only a theatre and cinema but houses the Plaza Cafe. As soon as you enter The Plaza and then the cafe upstairs, it’s immediately obvious that the restoration has been carried out with fine detail and the Art Deco design features and accompanying lighting look fabulous.
The menu was very varied but I decided to try the The Connaught Tea, consisting of finger sandwiches, plus a delicious freshly baked fruit scone, strawberry jam and clotted cream together with a pot of Earl Grey tea (or good ground coffee if preferred).
The waitresses, dressed appropriately in the 1930’s style, ensure that you are well looked after and I felt I stepped back in time when manners and good service was the norm.
So often I have been disappointed elsewhere and can happily report to our readers that the very versatile Afternoon Tea menu was delightful; freshly cut sandwiches, generous lashing of clotted cream for your scone, all accompanied by a pot of good quality tea – and this made my experience at the Plaza memorable and then priced at £8.50.
Upon leaving the cafe I enquired with a member of staff in the foyer to ask a few questions about the restoration – and I’m so glad I did; she took me inside the theatre for a quick look whilst pointing out various aspects of the absolutely fantastic auditorium – for any Art Deco fans this is a dream.
I do recommend a visit to the Plaza when you need a change of scenery from Buxton or a break from shopping (which is quite good in Stockport and often easier to negotiate than Manchester, despite what people might say).
Trains from Buxton to Stockport take around 50 minutes; allow extra time to reach the Plaza from the station. Check current train times.
Enjoy the atmosphere and revel in the Art Deco magic – there’s really no need to go to the Ritz or the Dorchester, come to the Plaza instead!
You will not be disappointed.
Reviewed by Christine Francis for Explore Buxton.
For the current programme and café details, visit Stockport Plaza.
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