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Cinema Saved: 25-Year Lease Secured!
24 Oct
Summary
- A 25-year lease was signed on October 15, 2026.
- Over 168,000 signatures supported the campaign.
- Landlord plans hotel development on upper floors.
The Prince Charles Cinema has secured a vital 25-year lease, bringing an end to 21 months of uncertainty about its future. This new agreement, finalized on October 15, 2026, was achieved following an extensive public campaign that garnered more than 168,000 petition signatures from supporters.
The independent cinema, a beloved fixture near London's Leicester Square, had faced the threat of eviction due to landlord redevelopment plans. The proposed lease included a break clause that could have forced its closure with short notice, jeopardizing its ability to invest in its specialized screening facilities.
Criterion Capital, the landlord, plans to develop a hotel on the building's upper floors. The newly signed lease, which notably lacks a break clause, allows the cinema to continue operating while these developments proceed, providing significant long-term security for the venue.
The campaign to save the Prince Charles Cinema attracted widespread support, including from prominent filmmakers like Christopher Nolan and Danny Boyle. Westminster Council also designated the cinema an Asset of Community Value, recognizing its cultural importance to London's film landscape.
