Electric Palace Cinema (EHER 26293)

The Electric Palace Cinema was built in 1911 to the designs of Harold Ridley Hooper of Ipswich for Charles Thurston, the East Anglian travelling showman. It is constructed from brick with a Welsh slate gabled roof with three metal ridge-line ventilators. The cinema comprises an auditorium, without balcony, entered via a small foyer. The Electric Palace is a rare survival from the early days of purpose-built cinemas following the introduction of the Cinematograph Act in 1910. It had a period of closure from 1956 to 1972 - when the cinema was 'rediscovered' and reopened by a charitable trust. Miraculously, it escaped demolition after closure in 1956 and the subsequent sixteen-year interregnum prevented drastic alterations.

Original HER entry merged with NRHE data import. The Electric Palace Cinema, Kings Quay Street was erected in 1911, and is brick-built with a Welsh slate roof with three metal ridge-line ventilators. The cinema comprises an auditorium without balcony entered via a small foyer. There is a recessed opening at ground level with a long horizontal panel above carrying the inscription 'Electric Palace'. A five sided timber kiosk stands inside the entrance and the interior is decorated with plaster framed panels <1>. The Electric Palace is a rare survival from the early days of purpose-built cinemas following the introduction of the Cinematograph Act in 1910. It had a period of closure from 1956 to 1972 - when the cinema was re-discovered and reopened by a charitable trust. Miraculously, it escaped demolition after closure in 1956 and the subsequent sixteen year interregnum prevented drastic alterations. <2-6>. Presently cared for by a local Trust but has suffered recently (2005-06) from structural problems Photographs <7> Additional reference <8>