A LEGEND of stage and screen has urged movie buffs to head to an independent Tameside cinema when it reopens its doors next spring.
Before his cameo appearance with the Scissor Sisters at Glastonbury, Sir Ian McKellen gave his best wishes to the Metro Majestic Cinema in Ashton-under-Lyne, which is undergoing a major renovation after being closed for more than 20 years.
“I am absolutely thrilled that the Metro Majestic in Ashton-under-Lyne has come back to life, and I hope I can get up to have a look at it,” the six-time Olivier Award winner, 86, said in a video on social media.
“Go patronise it, go and see some movies there, and I hope there’s some stage shows as well.”
The Old Street cinema screened its last film in 2003, three months ahead of the opening of Cineworld at Ashton Moss.
However, part of the building carried on for another eight years as a Slotworld Amusements.
Developers Monopoly Events expect the multi-million-pound refit will restore the cinema to its Roaring Twenties heyday, with seating capacity for 1,000 customers in the auditorium that will double-up as a live theatre space.
Speaking to the Correspondent just after buying the venue in October 2022, Monopoly’s Events chief executive Andy Kleek said: “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.
@ggc_media LEGEND of stage and screen has urged movie buffs to head to an independent Tameside cinema when it reopens its doors next spring. Before his cameo appearance with the Scissor Sisters at Glastonbury, Sir Ian McKellen gave his best wishes to the Metro Majestic Cinema in Ashton-under-Lyne, which is undergoing a major renovation after being closed for more than 20 years. Read the full story now via the Tameside Correspondent
“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.”
Builders unearthed a series of hidden tunnels beneath the cinema earlier this year, with a tentative opening date set for April 2026.