Repairs to the exterior seem to happen every few years to maintain basic appearance and waterproofing. The owner has given assurances that the inside of the building is in good order, but has not given access to the public as of yet. No images of the interior exist during this period of ownership that are circulating in the public domain. Following articles in the press, the owner stated that they were looking at potential suggestions for community use. This was re iterated again in 2018 following Trafford Councils declaration of intent to compulsorily purchase the building as part of the UA92 redevelopment. At present, the building appears in the big plan for Stretfords regeneration but with the building remaining in private ownership, no progress is in the public domain. No other information is available at present but we regularly receive emails from interested parties and messages of support. Sign up to this site to get the latest information.
Longford and Essoldo Cinema Stretford 
Used to drive past this daily back in the 90’s and wondered whether it would survive, so glad to see it has :o)
Hi, my brother is an ex projectionist of the Essoldo and Picturedrome, now living in Nz and still asks for news of the cinema, so any news I read I print and send to him as he is not computer savvy.
Cheers x
the front of the cinema has been painted blue looks fab, but hope they finish the bottom bit
Remember my sister and I going with Gran to see a stage production of Oaklaoma at the Essoldo in the late 50s as well as being scared out of my wits by Moby Dick. It was about to close or may have done just, when we moved to Blackrod and then Kenya. I am now retired and live in Sri Lanka (Matra) where we have a small hotel. I still visit Stretford at least twice a year, Sister lives on Barton Road now apart from the landlord of the Menville and the Vicar of the Church (All Saints) nowt seems to have changed much. Oh ! and the 5 ways garage.
Thinking on I remember the ‘torchee’ as we used to call him with all his medal ribbions along with a Mrs McAllister (a friend of Mums) who used to work in the restraunt/cafe. We used to be taken in the front entrance and up the stairs to the large piush vesitbule to sit in the large red velvit seats until the end of the first house, there always seems to be ‘March of Violins’ playing over the speaker system.
In my opinion, it should become a community arts centre, (with films shown, of course) and a programme to give young people a place to find out about useful skills. A community run venue for weddings, birthdays, art exhibitions, and a craft/boot market on Sundays for local folk to set up a stall.
Injecting life into this iconic building would change the character of that traffic junction immeasurably – in combination with the general rejuvenation, it would raise the tone, tie the room together, and make a statement.
And there should be an archival area, showing this building and the community over the years. Because history matters, or else it slips through our fingers too fast. This is too valuable a space to be left vacant when a community hub, smack bang in the middle of it all, could breathe new life into it.
I love that building, and I think many others do, too, for different reasons. It’s not traffic cones that are Stretford – it’s the gorgeous Deco Aztec head of the old Essoldo, and it’s unique.
Thank you to all involved in this blog – it’s really informative, cheers
(While we’re at it, could someone please save the Robin Hood? That also shouldn’t be left dead empty)