Built in 1911, The Electric Palace cinema in Harwich is one of the world’s oldest and least altered purpose-built cinemas, it is a site with heritage of national significance and is Grade II* Listed. Having been initially restored in the 1970s it was extensively renovated between 2018 and 2022 with the cinema being reopened in April 2022.
The Harwich Electric Palace Trust is the Charitable Incorporated Organisation that has been set up to ensure the preservation of this historic building and to support the local community in terms of the provision of film, theatre and music.
Following significant financial support from the National Lottery Heritage Fund and Historic England in renovating and reopening the building, we are seeking to appoint new Trustees to join the Board of Trustees in order to support and plan our ongoing and future operations. It is currently a challenging time for independent cinemas such as the Electric Palace, with issues ranging from a change in audience viewing habits to increased energy and other costs.
We are particularly keen to hear from interested individuals who are passionate for film and cinema, but also have skills and experience in the following areas:
- Fund raising via grant applications, corporate sponsorship, donations and membership programmes.
- The management and development of the large and diverse volunteer team that supports our operations.
- People Management and Career Development for our paid employees.
- Recent Commercial and Strategic Business planning and leadership.
The role of trustee is not a paid role and purely voluntary – we are looking for any successful applicants to be able to commit their experience, energy and time in the development and long term preservation of both the building and its commercial and charitable activities.
The Harwich Electric Palace Trust is committed to encouraging equality, diversity and inclusion amongst our trustees, volunteer team and in the community that we serve.
If you are interested in learning more about becoming a trustee, please either contact us directly at info@electricpalace.com or join us for an open evening at the cinema on the 11th December 2023 from 7.30pm.