Hastings' "Electric Palace" Cinema Appeals For Friends To Help Survive Lockdown

Tuesday, 28 July 2020 11:12

By John Warburton @Warblefly

Hastings' The Electric Palace Cinema (Photo: The Electric Palace)

A not-for-profit award-winning cinema in Hastings is appealing for 'friends' to help it survive the loss of audience revenue during the pandemic lockdown.

According to the cinema's staff, The Electric Palace in the High Street of the Old Town has operated as a non-profit Community Interest Company for eighteen years, founded on what its members called "an empty white room, a pot of red paint... and the tireless help and enthusiasm of friends, family and volunteers".

Its new 'Friends' scheme offers perks for subscribers who give £10 per month to the scheme — and brings some financial certainty to the velvet-seated cinema.

In 2016, The Electric Palace won the "Best Programming" award in the Cinema For All competition, and claims it offers a "broad spectrum of films and events" including independent, art house, world cinema, classic film and local film-makers' work.

There's also a programme of live music, comedy, theatre and club events.

The venue has taken its place in events covering the whole town, including the Coastal Currents festival, the Jack In The Green celebrations, Fat Tuesday and the Old Town Week.

The cinema's team said the new 'Friends' scheme offers benefits for subscribers — with the underlying purpose of helping the picture-house to survive under unusual circumstances that reduce income.

Director of the Electric Palace Rebecca E. Marshall said:

"As we face a good few months to come of opening with only 15 tickets for sale per event, we are looking at ways to broaden our income to help us keep our doors open.

"As an unfunded Community Interest Company, we rely on our supporters and ticket sales.

"We are also not selling snacks at the moment — another usual good income for us — so that masks worn in the venue remain effective.

"The Friends Scheme will become a vital part of our income."

More information about The Electric Palace in Hastings can be found by clicking here.