REFURBISHED AIR RAID SHELTERS LAUNCHED WITH AUTHENTIC WARTIME EXPERIENCE!

Guests attending the official launch of Stockport’s Air Raid Shelters in The Plaza Theatre experienced an authentic air raid and evacuation to the Shelters!

After extensive refurbishment, the Air Raid Shelters were re-opened on Friday 28 June with a wonderful event hosted in partnership with the nearby Plaza Theatre.

Launch guests were invited to The Plaza for a film screening of the refurbishment. The theme of the launch was designed to capture a moment in time and to give guests an insight in to what life was like during the Second World War when the threat of enemy bomb raids was ever present.

          Pictured left:
          Cllr Iain Roberts, middle, at the
          official re-opening, along with Air
          Raid Shelter staff, from left to right,
          Elaine Topham, Ruth Thompson,
          Gordon Watson, Helen Higgs and
          Kate Sharples.

The launch was attended by around 100 guests including The Mayor of Stockport, Councillor Chris Murphy, representatives of the local Armed Forces regiments, The Royal British Legion, Help for Heroes, and North West cultural and tourism professionals.

Councillor Iain Roberts, Executive Member for Economic Development and Regeneration, said:

“The launch event was very fitting for such an unusual visitor experience. Stockport Air Raid Shelters is one of the most poignant visitor experiences in the country, offering an unparalleled insight into life on the home front.  This is a museum I recommend that everyone visits to learn about a very important chapter in the history of our town and our country.”

Stockport Air Raid Shelters is open Tuesday-Friday 1pm-5pm, Saturdays 10am-5pm, Sundays and Bank Holidays 11am-5pm.  Admission which includes the brand new audio guide is: Adults £4.45, Concessions and under 16s £3.25, Leisure Key and Under 5s are free.

The launch coincided with national Armed Forces Day (29^th June) which marked the immense contribution made by the Armed Forces. Serving Armed Forces personnel and their families received free admission to the Air Raid Shelters on the day.

For more information please call 0161 474 1940 or visit www.stockport.gov.uk/airraidshelters 
You can also follow us on Twitter #SMBC_Museums and Facebook /Stockport Museums.

A series of images of the refurbished Shelters are available on request.