Extensions to Don Picture Theatre, Bramhall Lane, Stockport

The Don Cinema originally opened on 25 September 1913 by The Don Picture Palace Company Limited. It had seating for about 700 in stalls and balcony levels and had a 30 feet wide proscenium. By 1927 the cinema was operated by Rosendale Cinemas Limited which commissioned Gray and Evans of Liverpool to redesign and extend the building. Little is known about these changes although comparison of photographs before and after that date provide some information. The roof of the front part of the building was raised to line through with that of the main auditorium with a new gable created incorporating the original Dutch gable. The single storey wings were extended upwards to create additional first floor accommodation.

STOCKPORT EXTENSIONS - A scheme is at present in hand for the carrying out of large extensions to the Don Picture Theatre, Stockport, plans of which have already been approved by the Corporation. The architects for the scheme are Gray and Evans of 51, North John Street, Liverpool [Kinematograph Weekly - Thursday 6 September 1928 page 95]

Grey & Evans 51, North John Street, Liverpool, architects. will shortly invite tenders for the reconstruction of the Don Picture Theatre, Bramhall Lane, Stockport [Bioscope 7 November 1928 page 39]

The cinema closed on 29th June 1957 following which it was sold to John Blundell Ltd. for use as a furniture store, in recent years it has become a Majestic Wine Warehouse store.

Reference       Kinematograph Weekly - Thursday 06 September 1928 page 95]
Reference       Builder 7 September 1928 Page 403
Reference       Bioscope 7 November 1928 page 39
Images          Stockport Libraries