Ashton cinema saved?

ASHTON’S iconic Metro Majestic cinema may reopen after being closed for almost 20 years.

Monopoly Events, headed by Andy Kleek, claim to have bought the Old Street structure and will bring it back as it was originally intended.

So far, Tameside Council has not heard anything regarding a new licence application or planning permission being sought.

However, the group behind it claims to be serious in its intentions.

It said: “We are proud to announce the Metro Majestic Cinema will be regenerated and refurbed back to, and as close to its original state as possible.

“We can officially confirm the building has been secured and purchased by a consortium with the preservation of the building and its rich history at its heart.

“We are having a structural survey done and health and safety officers have been down to confirm we can open the downstairs for small events. We will not be running any events that will damage the building until its restoration.”

As well as showing films, the group has aims to use the full area for other events.

It added: “The team behind this project have the perfect experience in running venues and putting on large scale events.

“Monopoly Events are the UK’s leading pop culture event organisers.

“We see the cinema as the centrepiece to the regeneration of Ashton and it will be a magnificent centrepiece to the town, which has been sadly missed over the last two decades.

“We want to keep it as close to its original state as possible but we are planning a roof terrace on the flat section of the roof overlooking the town centre.

“The venue will be used as a cinema, showing new and classic films with celebrity appearances at the classic screenings.

“It will also be used as a live music venue as the auditorium can house around 1,000 people, also for sports venue with boxing and MMA shows, an exhibition space and even a club.

“The space will also feature a World War II themed cafe.

“The cinema has finally found the right team to look after it, care for it, and bring it back to life and into sustainable use.”

The Metro Majestic name comes from the cinema’s first and last before its closure in 2003, with the adjoining amusement arcade eight years later and a small event is being planned for the end of next month

The cinema was the first to introduce sound films to Ashton in 1929 and was taken on in the 1980s by local businessman John Downs.

However, by the mid-1990s, it was on hard times and the building of the Cineworld at nearby Ashton Moss signalled its demise, with its last showing 12 weeks before that opened.

News of this apparent resurrection, with the group having been in the building already, has been greeted with huge enthusiasm by local people.

And The Correspondent understands even Tameside Council is eagerly awaiting news of developments of what was becoming a blot on the Ashton landscape.