Grade II* Listed Cinema Opens After Restoration Project

The historic Electric Palace cinema in Harwich, Essex, has reopened after an extensive restoration programme. The Braintree and Witham Times reports that the two-year renovation project included the repair of the ornate plaster ceiling. It was first opened in 1911, and is one of the oldest purpose-built cinemas in the UK.

The beautifully designed building still retains many of its original features, including the decorative front entrance, ceilings, and screen. However, it was placed on the Heritage at Risk register by Historic England, after an initial refurbishment project revealed that there were dangerous levels of asbestos in the roof cavity.

Fortunately, Historic England stepped in with a grant to fund the removal work, and The National Lottery Heritage Fund stepped in with an extra £1.5m funding to support the further restoration. The structural defects and a water leak have been repaired, the interior has been redecorated, and the auditorium flooring and seating refurbished.

David Looser, Chair of the Harwich Electric Palace Trust said: “We are delighted to announce that the long running repair and restoration project is now complete, and that we are reopening.”

He added: “We would like to thank our funding partners for their support, particularly Historic England, The National Lottery Heritage Fund and everyone who has contributed to our crowdfunding campaign, without which this vital community asset and heritage site would have been facing an extremely uncertain future.”

The cinema still retains the original projection room and silent screen, and a gas-powered generator is situated in the basement. It was designed by the architect Harold Hooper when he was just 25 years old. The proprietor of the Electric Palace was Charles Thurston, a celebrated showman who pioneered the fairground cinemas of the early twentieth century.

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