Electric Palace Cinema
King's Quay Street,
Harwich,
C012 3ER
King's Quay Street,
Harwich,
C012 3ER
3 people
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One of the oldest operating cinemas in the United Kingdom, the Electric Palace opened on 29th November 1911 with a seating capacity of 380, all on a single floor. The paybox is centrally located in the entrance on the street and is flanked by doors which lead straight into the auditorium, there is no foyer. Originally, there was a seperate entrance located down an alley at the side of the building for the cheap seats in the front stalls. There was a stage and dressing rooms.
It was re-named Palace Cinema in 1913, but by the mid-1930’s had reverted back to the name Electric Palace Cinema. It closed in 1956, after television nearly killed off this venerable picture palace. It then sat empty, unused and virtually forgotten.
The Electric Palace was nearly demolished in 1975, but was spared and volunteers reopened it in 1981.
It is open today thanks to the generosity of public and private funds and its dedicated group of volunteers. Performances are held on Friday evenings, and matinee & evenings on Saturday and Sunday.
The Electric Palace Cinema is a Grade II* Listed building.
Contributed by
Cinema Treasures, Ken Roe
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Recent comments (view all 8 comments)
Here is a photo of the Electric Palace Cinema.
This is a recent photo of the Electric Palace Cinema and a close-up of the entrance is here.
A 2007 photo can be seen here.
Here is a 2008 photo.
This is another photo of the Electric Palace Cinema.
An interior photo is here.