Prince Charles cinema saved from potential closure

The Prince Charles cinema in Leicester Square has been saved from potential closure after signing a 25-year lease.

It has faced a lengthy period of uncertainty following difficulties with its landlord, Zedwell LSQ Ltd, whose parent company is Criterion Capital.

Now the Leicester Square cult cinema has secured the new lease with no break clause, offering it security so the "projectors will keep rolling for years to come".

Criterion Capital has been approached for comment.

The venue faced closure at the start of 2025 due to the potential addition of a six-month break clause in its contract. Prince Charles launched a petition to withdraw the break clause from its contract.

In May 2025, the cinema was declared an Asset of Community Value by Westminster City Council, which grants it additional protections from redevelopment.

Despite this, the cinema's boss, Ben Freedman, told the media in August that a resolution had still not been found.

However it seems that both parties have now reached an agreement, with the Prince Charles announcing the signing of the new lease on its Instagram earlier.

A spokesperson for the cinema thanked the 168,645 people who had signed the petition to save it and said: "The Prince Charles Cinema is thrilled to announce that we have signed a new 25-year lease with no break clause, ensuring our projectors will keep rolling for years to come.

"After 21 months of uncertainty, we're delighted to have secured the future of the cinema, and we couldn't have done it without the support, commitment and belief of many, many people.

"We are so incredibly thankful to each and every one of you. You have all placed your trust in us, and as we continue on for at least another 25 years, we promise to never forget that. We'll be right here…"

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