Electric Palace

Built 1911, the oldest unaltered purpose-built cinema in Britain.

Previously a furniture storehouse had stood on this site but was burnt down in 1910. In the early days of cinematography shows were given in booths and various existing halls but after a number of tragic fires, Parliament passed the Cinematography Act 1909 which specified structural fire precautions. The Electric Palace was therefore one of the earliest purpose made cinemas in the country.

It was built for Charles Thurston the well-known East Anglian showman. It was designed by Mr H R Hooper ARIBA of Ipswich and the original plans are still in existence. It was opened by the Mayor in November 1911 after which King's Quay St became the Mecca of Harwich nightlife. It closed as a cinema in 1956. The Harwich Electric Palace Trust, (a sister organisation of the Harwich Society), was founded in 1975 and has restored the cinema. It reopened to members in 1981. It is run by volunteers. The latest films on release are shown each weekend.

(Friese Greene, the inventor of cinematography lived at 8 Cliff Rd, Dovercourt, Harwich).

Visit The Electric Palace Cinema Web Site