On Sunday 11 July 1965, York Gate Hall opened for the season as ‘York Gate Cinema’ with THE WIZARD OF OZ and full supporting programme.
The following Spring, after full conversion into a cinema, it opened full-time as The Windsor. Re-named The Palace since 2006, this year marks this unique little seaside cinema’s 60th anniversary.
Running June-August 2025, we present a special programme of 6 celebratory ways for everyone to join in!
Cinema memory recording drop ins
Fri 13, Sat 14, Fri 20, Sat 21 June
11:00-13:00 at the Palace
Come and share your memories of the cinema as the Palace and before, back to the puppet shows at York Gate Hall in the 1950s. Recordiongs go towards on-going research into the Palace and our local film heritage.
Huge cinema poster sale
Sun 29 June
12:00-14:00 at the Pavilion (next door to Palace)
Funds going towards the Palace’s new ‘People’s Palace Community Hires’ for local charities to use the cinema to fundraise for their good causes.
Launch: ‘Palace Pals’ Membership
Tues 1 July
On the Palace website
Special offers on tickets, snacks and more. 6 free annual memberships to be won.
Opening: ’60 Years a Cinema’ Exhibition
Tues 1 July
At the Palace until 31 August
An illustrated history of the building as a cinema and before.
Free talk: ’60 Years a Cinema’
Sat 12 July
13:00-14:00 at the Palace
The story of this Grade II listed building as a cinema and before, including images and film never shown before.
Special ‘Trip to the cinema in 1965’ event screenings: THE WIZARD OF OZ (1939)
Mon 7 – Sun 13 July
Various timings at the Palace (booking links to follow)
For schools*, access audiences and general public, the first film ever shown at York Gate Cinema on Sun 11 July 1965 plus full supporting programme, usher with tray and maybe even a singalong!
* For local teachers: Palace Cinema Resource for schools linking to History and Geography/Tourism available from June.
60 YEARS A CINEMA is supported by the National Lottery through the BFI Film Audience Network
