The Palace Community Centre, Ibstock

The Story So Far....

Predating all of the Art-Deco style super cinemas of the 1920’s – 1930’s, the Palace is one of the earliest existing examples of a purpose-built cinema in the country. Built on the original 'fair field', where the travelling theatre would make an annual visit, as well as the fair, a weekend market, and the cricket field, the site has been the centre of popular entertainment in community for over one hundred years. In 1912, the Palace, designed by local architects Goddard & Wain of Coalville, was built by Baxter’s Builders. It opened its doors for business on Boxing Day. Unable to compete with the rise of home videos and large out of town cinemas, the last film to roll of the reel was Walt Disney’s “Jungle Book” in 1970. Still a provider of popular community entertainment, the Palace was used as a Bingo Hall, before finally closing for business in 1986. Bought by the Parish Council on 3 October 1995 the building was leased to the Palace Arts Centre Ltd in 2000.

During the years that the Management Committee worked on a strategy to secure the necessary funds to re-open The Palace doors through a complex mixture of funding bids, it was encouraging to receive reports such as the one from T.R. Projects (A local heritage group), who had these comments to make about The Palace;

“This building is a rare survival of a truly significant type of building of great social importance. It is in sound major structural state and can be clearly used again. There is a high rate of survival traces of the earlier uses of the building which will enable detailed historic study to be undertaken.
The austere exterior of the building does not automatically fit into the natural perception of entertainment architecture. The significance of its function was, however, the escapism of film.
This building is too early to have the drama of the Art-Deco super cinemas. It is a truly economical, local expression of a facility for the whole community.”

In 1994/5, the Civic Trust Regeneration Unit undertook a Study of Ibstock, worked with the community to identify issues that they faced and projects that could be developed to help improve the economic prospects of the village. The following key areas of work (amongst others) were identified in the study:
• To improve the village centre;
• To strengthen existing community facilities;
• To make the best of the opportunities presented by the Palace.
The Ibstock Market Towns Healthcheck undertaken in 2003 reinforced these findings. This identified the following key actions:
• The need for a community venue
• Feasibility study for an occasional market
• Creation of a culture group
The redevelopment of the Palace has been designed to address these issues. It has brought the Palace back into Community use. It has worked in partnership with Punch Taverns and Ibstock Brick plc to improve the car park area at the rear, creating an additional open space at the heart of the village is used for occasional markets, festivals and other activities. This being the exact site that originally hosted similar events in the community all those years ago! Markets are now held at The Palace every Month.
Since re-opening in September 2006 the venue has hosted a rock concert, theatrical productions, seminars, business promotions, public and private parties, classical concerts, brass band concerts, organ concerts, the Ibstock Christmas festival and much more. It is also the home to a regular yoga group, karate class, toddlers group, senior citizens group, exercise and fitness groups, salsa classes, monthly Ceilidhs, film nights, auctions and after a gap of 20 years very popular, weekly bingo sessions which regularly attract over 100 players.

The current project has undertaken the minimum amount of work necessary to bring the Palace back into use as a community facility. The second phase will hopefully allow some of the heritage of the building to be better understood. As the building has a historical and cultural value, a specialist Architect, DEK Architects, has been employed to ensure that the significant elements of the building are not lost in the refurbishment. Planning permission has been passed for Phase 2 and funding bids have been submitted.

The project attracted the attention of The Projected Picture Trust when it began to look as if all the planning and hard work of the volunteers who act as the Management Committee might actually become a reality. The Projected Picture Trust, based at Bletchley Park, Buckinghamshire, maintains vintage projection equipment. They have supplied the Palace with all the equipment, including a pair of restored and fully operational, vintage projectors. These projectors will be in regular use from August 2007. The trust intends to train 4 or 5 volunteer projectionists to allow The Palace to, once again, have regular projected film shows. One lady, who is a member of the Palace management committee and the daughter of a former projectionist at the Palace, is to be one of the first trainees to learn the art of film projection. The films will include a programme of both modern and vintage films. The Palace already has a very popular monthly DVD film night which regularly attracts over 200 film goers. Patrons are treated to a film show experience for as little as £3.00 for concessionary ticket. This includes a licensed bar, which enables patrons to enjoy a relaxing drink whilst watching the film, the opportunity to sit in the fully refurbished balcony area and ice cream and pop-corn served by an usherette!

The cost of the project has been £220,000 of capital spend to achieve Phase 1. The Palace Community Centre received funding from Leicester Shire Economic Partnership; Ibstock Cory Environmental Trust; North West Leicestershire District Council's Housing Renewal Area Funding; Leicestershire County Council; Ibstock Parish Council and David Wilson. The Palace Community Centre is continuing with its own fund raising efforts and is applying for additional funding to help with the costs of equipment and the like. Plans for phase 2 of the restoration have been passed. If funding is secured for phase 2 the plans include a heritage area focusing on Ibstock and the history of The Palace, improvements to the stage area, dressing rooms and a community radio station.

The Palace is managed by a committee of eleven volunteers who are assisted by a group of approximately 20 dedicated volunteers.

Cinema Revamp Wins Award!!

The Palace at Ibstock has been awarded the Best Social and Community Project in the East Midlands Market Towns Awards 2007. This was organised by Action for Market Towns. The Award is a tribute to the hard work of the many volunteers who have come together to help bring the Palace back into productive use as a community centre.