BENEATH masses of scaffolding lies a hidden gem known as Harwich’s Electric Palace Cinema.

With a £750,000 restoration project to prevent the cinema’s ceiling from collapsing, the Standard was able to get a unique view through the keyhole to see the work underway.

The historic building, in King’s Quay Street, has stood as one of Britain’s oldest surviving purpose-built cinemas for more than a century.

The venue opened in 1911 and has seen acrobats, comedians, signers and hypnotists grace its stage.

It’s been visited by the Queen, Madness’ frontman Graham McPherson and has screened countless films for the past 108 years.

But David Looser, a trustee and chairman of the palace, said the partial collapse of the Apollo Theatre’s roof in London in 2013 triggered the renovation.

The incident alerted the industry to the dangers of old plaster ceiling and as a result of a 2014 inspection of the palace, the trustees were informed the ceiling needed to be strengthened.

Mr Looser added: “It should all be finished next May.

“We are beginning to talk about the programme for the grand reopening and we hope to have a week of celebrations.

“We will have been closed for a year and want to make a big splash about it.”

The building is currently covered in scaffolding from top to bottom while ceiling work is underway so it will last for at least another 50 years to come.

The auditorium, stage and toilets are also being renovated, and the electrical switchgear will be replaced.