Electric Palace, Broad Street, March, Cambridgeshire, PE15 8LA

The Electric Palace must have been a rather thrilling arrival in the Fenland market town of March when it opened in August 1912. There is an unmistakable air of exoticism in the semi-circular Diocletian windows and the arabesque-style cupola. According to news reports at the time, there was also a sign illuminated by electric light spelling “Palace” in letters four feet high.   Located on a prominent corner site at the northern end of Broad Street, it has been a local landmark for over 100 years.

While the Electric Palace in March has long since ceased to operate as a cinema and more recently has served as auction rooms, it is an important survivor of an increasingly limited number of other Electric Palaces. That in Harwich is Grade II* listed. March’s Electric Palace retains a number of original features. The shops around the outside are original to the design and some still have their tiling and other decorative details.  The “tower” above the entrance houses the projection room and retains its external metal light holders.  The projection room can be accessed from one of the shops.

It is surprising that a building of this historic interest and prominence in the town is not even locally listed and there is a real concern that the condition of the building could deteriorate or be unsympathetically developed without greater protection.  

*Update* January 2020 - We understand that there has been no change to this building.

*Update* July 2022 - The site is vulnerable to a proposal for demolition, being outside the conservation area and unlisted. It has just been nominated as an asset of local importance as part of the council's pilot scheme in partnership with Cambs CC and funded by the MHCLG (now Dept for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities). It could make a successful comeback as a cinema to boost the evening economy, with the right owner, as part of the Future High Streets Fund scheme for March.

*Update* September 2023 – As far as we can ascertain, there has been no update regarding the Electric Palace.

*Update* April 2024 - The Electric Palace continues to deteriorate gradually.  Broad Street on which it stands and the surrounding public realm is receiving a face lift thanks to help from Future High Streets Fund.  However, it appears that the Electric Palace did not benefit from any funding.  The work does however serve to highlight what a fabulous building this is and how much it would add to the town if it were restored to use.