LOCALS living near a landmark building inspired by Egypt’s pyramids says it’s made their town famous but it is a “mess inside.”
Stockport’s pyramid building was built in the early 1990s just off the busy M60 motorway.
Richard Dempsey said the latest venture was the last chance saloon for the famous building[/caption]
Amy Hughes said that she would probably visit the new restaurant inside the pyramid[/caption]
Linda Wild said that the building was part of Stockport’s identity[/caption]
Angela Redman said that everyone who has ever landed at Manchester Airport has seen the pyramid[/caption]
But the local landmark has been empty over recent years and locals fear it could become a white elephant.
A local man with knowledge of the building said: “It’s a bit of a mess inside. Not good at all and it needs a lot of work, to put it politely.”
Now Indian restaurant chain Royal Nawaab has confirmed they intend to transform the former call centre into a restaurant.
Local man Richard Dempsey said he thought the scheme might work. He said: “I think it will be a bit more than a restaurant. If it takes off in the Asian community it will be a winner.
“It’s local landmark that just off the motorway, so families could visit from all over. It could become a venue for Asian family events and parties – even weddings. They have decent sized car park too.”
Richard added that although he hoped the scheme succeeded, he would not be sitting down for a chicken Tikka Massala.
He said: “I don’t like fancy restaurants. They are for people with big money and all that. I rarely eat out and if I do its nothing fancy. But good luck to them I hope it works.”
Richard added a cautionary note in terms of the future of the building.
He added: “If the restaurant does not work I think that could bring the curtain down on the building. This is the last chance saloon.”
Amy Hughes, who works as a business analyst for a company on the neighbouring business park, said that she thought the arrival of an Indian restaurant was a good idea.
She said: “Yes I would visit it. I would probably go after work with some colleagues.”
Local woman Linda Wild said: “It’s such a famous building and it would a shame if it went. Yes the restaurant idea sounds
great and I would visit to give it a try.”
Linda’s sister Angela Redman said: “It’s such a famous building that we all fly over on our way back home.
“Yes I hope the restaurant works and it would be such a shame if it had to come down.”
It was envisaged that the pyramid would form part of a £20m scheme that would see five pyramids dotted along the River Mersey
known as the “Valley of the Kings” in a nod to ancient Egypt.
But the scheme soon became mired in difficulties and was labelled by some as the “Valley of Death.”
The pyramid was eventually occupied by the Co-op who used it as a call centre from 1995 to 2018.
In an Instagram post, Royal Nawaab said: “Unveiling the Grandeur: New Royal Nawaab Manchester Opening Summer 2024. Until we open, visit our two branches in Perivale and Ilford.”
The post featured alongside a video of the Stockport Pyramid telling followers “the icon is back”.
The Sun approached the owners of the building and Royal Nawaab for comment.
A new tenant is set to move into the building[/caption]
Locals dubbed the area the valley of death in the 90s[/caption]
The landmark is on the flight path to Manchester Airport[/caption]
September 09, 2023 at 07:47PM
from The Sun