Praise for town's visitor attractions
Unknown to staff at Staircase House and the Air Raid Shelters, the Visitor Attraction Quality Assurance Service (VAQAS) sent an assessor to test both attractions and excellent findings have been reported.
The VAQASA assessor commented on the "very high standard of restoration" of the historic building and said the "rare tactile quality of the visitor experience is a refreshing change from sites where do not touch signs are common."
And the assessor added: "Standards of exhibition, interpretation and design are stat-of-the-art and the audio guide was a s good as any that the assessor has heard."
And the mystery visitor was equally complimentary of the Air Raid Shelters on Chestergate and said, "the experience was very authentic" and "there is a sense of marvel at the extent of the tunnels."
Mobile cinema is reeled into town
From Friday 10th to Sunday 12th February, the Cinemobile will be in St. Petersgate car park, to the rear of St. Peter’s Church. Supported by Stockport Council, Future Stockport and Imagine FM and organised by Kinofilm, the event marks the start of a month long celebration tour of Greater Manchester.
The sleek, hi-tech mobile cinema comes with the latest screening and studio equipment, complete with Dolby surround sound. It looks and feels like a standard cinema, is heated, air-conditioned and can accommodate up to 100 people, including space for three wheelchairs.
A diverse and interesting three-day family film programme includes animation courtesy of the puppeteers at Cosgrove Hall, digital shorts from North West Vision, and rare film footage of Stockport in by-gone days from the North West Film Archive.
Films made in Stockport by students from Stockport College will also feature and Saturday and Sunday’s programmes conclude with a special presentation of ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’, starring Johnny Depp.
Entry to the Cinemobile is free of charge.
Timepiece restored to past gloryA landmark clock has been restored by the developers of a new apartment complex in Marple Bridge. The Multibuild firm has repaired the old drum clock as part of the redevelopment on Lower Fold.
Ancestors can be traced at a family history for beginners session at Stockport Central Library, Tuesday February 14 from 9.30am-12.30pm.
See STOCKPORT EXPRESS for the full stories.
‘Eyesore’ could tumble in regeneration planONE of Stockport’s most loathed buildings could be pulled down because Asda plans to build a huge new supermarket in the town centre.
Asda’s current supermarket was named as one of the buildings Stockport Express readers would most like to be demolished in a poll last year. And with Stockport Council announcing plans to work with the supermarket to develop an 8.5 acre site nearby, readers’ wishes may come true.
Multi-million scheme for education unveiled
AN innovative £50 million scheme to transform further education for Stockport in the 21st century has gone out to public consultation.
The scheme will combine the best in architectural design with the creation of a mini-town inside of a new Stockport College which will boast shops, library, purpose built classrooms, information technology suites, workshops set among landscaped gardens, tree lined avenues, piazzas, fountain and large glass atrium.
The two phased five year plan will open up a large area including the former St Thomas Hospital, behind the college. It will include the demolition of parts of the former hospital, creating one of the largest green spaces close to the town centre.
Alan Davidge, the director of external relations said it was hoped that the bulldozers would move into to start demolition in the autumn and would take out most of the old wards. but leave the Grade II clock tower and former waiting room buildings intact.
