In its bustling heyday, one cinema was 'the' place to be for kids in Stockport.
An institution in the area, Grand Central, off the A6 in the town centre, first opened in 1991 and shared a site with a bowling alley, laser quest and a nearby swimming pool. Trading under different names over the years, many will remember it began life as an MGM - Metro Goldwyn Mayer cinema - over 30 years ago.
At the time, the American film, television production, distribution and media company had a number of cinema in the UK. And its Stockport branch welcomed generations to see the latest flicks, from visits on a rainy Saturday to birthday treats and more.
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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."
Do you remember this cinema? Let us know in the comments section below.
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 cinema in all its forms still live on.
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