Palace Cinema Broadstairs
Palace Cinema, Harbour Street, Broadstairs, Kent, CT10 1ET
The Palace Cinema in Broadstairs has operated full-time since 1966, currently with its fourth owners. There are lots of stories about the films, cinema staff and visitors that the cinema has welcomed over those busy decades, as well as the previous lives of the building as a museum, dance hall, summer home for puppet theatres, wheelwrights and much more!
For Heritage Open Days we look forward to welcoming visitors 11:00-14:00 on Fri 18 and Sat 19 Sept, with free 45min illustrated talks both days at 13:00. Talks cover the history of the cinema and also this year’s Heritage Open Days theme of ‘Everyday Histories’.
The Palace takes the opportunity of ‘Everyday Histories’ to shine an usher torch on the un-sung, and often young, cinema staff like usherettes, rewind boys, assistant relief cashiers and other junior roles essential for all local cinemas from the 1930s-‘70s. Where were their jobs advertised? What was the training, and the uniform? What were the best and worst parts of the job? All will be revealed, including memories and photos from some local residents who contributed to the smooth running of the Palace and many of the other much-loved dreamhouses and flea pits of our corner of Kent.
Timings
- Friday 18 September:
- 1100-1400 (free 45min talk at 1300)
- Saturday 19 September:
- 1100-1400 (free 45min talk at 1300)
Location & directions
Palace Cinema, Harbour Street, Broadstairs, Kent, CT10 1ET
- Directions:
- Walking: We’re a 10-minute walk from Broadstairs rail station and two minutes from the beach. Public transport: As well as train, the ‘Loop’ bus is a circular shuttle service between Broadstairs, Ramsgate, Westwood Cross shopping centre and Margate. It runs approx. every 10min throughout the day. The nearest stop to the cinema is a 5min walk away on Queens Road. Driving: The closest car parks to us are Albion St (81 spaces) and Broadstairs Harbour (69 spaces), both a 2-min walk away. Also nearby are Chandos Square and Crofts Place. All include disabled bays.
- Contact on day:
- Corinna Downing
- Telephone number:
- +441843865726
Booking information
- Pre-booking requirement:
- Pre-booking not required
Accessibility details
The Palace is on two floors and has two entrances. Harbour Street entrance: 2 steps up from the pavement into the small foyer. 2-3 steps up from the foyer to the balcony. 13 steps with handrail both sides down from the foyer to the stalls. The stalls can also be accessed from our step-free side entrance – see below. Step-free side entrance (to left hand side of building): Please let staff in box office if you would like to use this. At the rear door, turn right into the stalls. The width of doorframe into the stalls is 74cm.
