Future more ‘positive’ for landmark cinema after fans’ show of support

The operators of a cult London cinema have said they are “feeling more positive” about securing an agreement with its landlord after it was at risk of closure.

The Prince Charles Cinema, off Leicester Square, one of the last remaining independent cinemas in the capital, launched an online petition last month asking for supporters to help save the venue.

In the petition, the cinema called on its landlord, Zedwell LSQ Ltd, and its parent company, Criterion Capital, to “immediately withdraw the demand of a break clause in our new lease” and to come to the table to negotiate on “reasonable terms”.

After receiving more than 160,000 signatures, the cinema organisers have said they have been in discussions with its landlord for the first time in 18 months.

“Wow, we have been completely bowled over by your amazing support over the last few weeks”, Prince Charles Cinema operators wrote in an email update to supporters.

“It has been thanks to you that we have been able to speak to the landlord for the first time in 18 months and are now feeling more positive that we will be able to agree reasonable market terms for a lease without a break clause.

“We’ve still a long way to go but with all of you behind us we’re sure we’ll make it.”

The cinema organisers previously said that efforts to renew its lease, which is due to expire in September 2025, at a market rate, have been challenged by Zedwell LSQ Ltd and its ultimate parent company, Criterion Capital.

Criterion is owned by billionaire developer Asif Aziz and owns a number of hotels and other properties in the West End.

The cinema operators said the landlord had demanded a clause which, if triggered, would leave the cinema homeless with just six months’ notice.

They added that Criterion has continually rejected requests for negotiation.

In the petition, the organisers said they believe the landlord is seeking planning permission to redevelop the cinema site.

The cinema, which has been praised by the likes of filmmaker Quentin Tarantino, was founded in 1962 and attracts more than 250,000 customers a year.

In the petition, it said: “Losing the Prince Charles Cinema would mean losing not just an iconic cultural institution, but also an engine for the economy of the West End that brings people from all over London and the surrounding area to watch films, shop and eat and drink.

“This would have repercussions way beyond the building itself.”