Save the Electric Palace Cinema, Hastings

Hi wonderful people of Hastings and beyond,

 

We're here asking for your help to save the Electric Palace from permanent closure. Unfortunately, we've had to close our doors at the start of 2022, our twentieth anniversary.

 

At the start of the pandemic we were carried through by funding from the BFI Cultural Support Fund, but it did not cater for such a terrible December in which we made huge losses due to all the booking cancellations. Now we are left in a disastrous situation. Due to the understandable concerns that affect us all regarding the ongoing Covid Omicron variant, January film bookings and venue hire were at an all-time low. It has not proved financially viable for us to open our doors for film screenings. Even standing closed has substantial outgoings, and we are under threat of permanent closure. To screen a film incurs licence fees and staffing costs that only generate further loss if badly attended.

 

We are a not for profit 'Community Interest Company' with a small team of part-time staff and 30 dedicated and brilliantly passionate volunteers. Our running costs rely on ticket sales and bar profits.

 

Many people mention one of the things they love about the Electric Palace is our programming. Our broad spectrum of films and events delight, entertain and challenge our audience. We know many of you feel passionately about having somewhere you can come to see independent, art house, world cinema, classic and local filmmakers' films work alongside a programme of live music, comedy, theatre and club events.

 

An important part of our intimate venue is the opportunities it gives for conversations, laughter and debate with our friends. We are proud that for more than 19 years The Electric Palace has played a role in providing a platform for political and social discussions around issues from climate change to women's rights. Using films and documentaries as starting points we have plugged in to Hastings' annual cultural and community calendar.

 

Covid has changed the way our venue can work. We will use your donations to keep the venue operational in these challenging times and to help support the cinema during such an uncertain year ahead. We have learnt particularly in the past year how much you love our film events that include special guests, live music, and even cabaret. We hope to programme more of these extra activities. We would also like to hold more brunch-time clubs, and community use events. Do get in contact if your group or club could use our beautiful venue.

 

We don’t want to lose this amazing asset. The Electric Palace is a very special place with a rich and colourful history, and it has brought so many people together.

 

If you feel able to donate to us during this time, we would be hugely grateful.

Now is your chance to play a part in saving your well-loved cinema.

Thank you.

 

Rebecca and all the staff and volunteers of the Electric Palace cinema x