Cinema crowdfunder hopes to prevent permanent closure

The Electric Palace is facing permanent closure if a community appeal doesn't raise enough funds for it to reopen.

The independent cinema in Hastings received support from the BFI Cultural Support Fund at the start of the pandemic, but has since struggled with Covid related cancellations.

Co-Founder and Director Rebecca Marshall said it was forced to close through January as Omicron meant bookings and venue hire hit "an all time low".

A crowdfunding campaign hopes to generate enough funds to reopen the venue to reopen during its 20th anniversary year.

"We are a not-for-profit community interest company with a small team of part-time staff and 30 dedicated and brilliantly passionate volunteers… Without your support we will not be able to reopen the cinema," Marshall added.