Ritz Cinema site, Stockport Council, p. Google Earth

The redevelopment of the site has been in the pipeline for more than a decade. Credit: Google Earth

Stockport agrees Ritz Cinema site sale 

The council’s cabinet will meet next week to sign off the disposal of the Fletcher Street plot to Progressive Living, paving the way for around 300 homes.

The Manchester-based developer, which owns the adjacent Victoria House, is understood to have been selected by Stockport Council as the preferred bidder for the site of the former Ritz Cinema. 

Progressive is also delivering residential schemes in Chester, in partnership with Clarion Housing, and in the Greengate area of Salford.

Stockport Council’s cabinet is due to sign off the Ritz deal next week. Progressive and the council were contacted for comment. 

Spanning slightly more than half an acre and currently used as an 87-space council car park, the site has been earmarked for redevelopment for several years. 

CBRE was appointed to market the site in 2018 and in 2020 the council approved its sale as well as that of a nearby plot that used to be occupied by Greenhale House to a developer. However, that deal did not complete. 

Prior to that, the plot was the subject of proposals for a hotel as part of the original agreement that saw Stockport take ownership of the site from Elias Property. The hotel scheme did not progress. 

The council’s current aspiration for the site is for a “high-quality residential development”, according to a cabinet report. 

The report adds that the redevelopment of the site could contribute towards Stockport’s wider regeneration and aspiration “to become the most sustainable, liveable town centre in Greater Manchester”. 

Other large-scale developments in the town centre include Capital&Centric’s Weir Mill and Stockport 8, which will see English Cities Fund deliver more than 1,000 homes west of the viaduct. 

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Right at the end of the runway

By Anon

The development of this car park will no doubt have an impact on the Plaza. People come from far and wide to see performances at the Plaza and the nearest and most used car park is the one SMBC has chosen to build on. Where do these visitors park when it’s no longer available?

By Stocky TH

If built right, put a drop in centre for those who wish to gain a skill/job.

By Eve

@Stocky TH – there’s plenty of other car parking available not really that far away from the Plaza – at Heaton Lane, Merseyway and Redrock for example. And heaven forbid people might go there having travelled by train or bus. The Plaza (and the wider town centre economy) will benefit far more from having more potential customers on its doorstep living in developments like this than it ever would from having a relatively small car park a 5 minute walk away.

By Jon Scotney

Stockport council has a major shortage of social housing and a very large waiting list. They need to start improving this rather than prioritising luxury accommodation.

By 2008

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