The Prince Charles Cinema, one of the last remaining independent cinemas in central London, is at risk of having to close following a break clause in their new lease requiring them to vacate the premises at 6 months’ notice; sign the petition to help save them.
The Prince Charles Cinema is not only a popular and successful local independent business with a large, loyal community of fans, but culturally important as perhaps the UK’s most famous cinema. We are renowned throughout the industry for our programme of over 850 films a year, spanning the history of cinema, across just two screens.
We are one of the last remaining independent cinemas in central London, receiving no public funding and attracting over 250,000 customers a year at a time when the industry is struggling. As a significant local landmark, we act as an anchor institution for the Leicester Square community, as well as the wider film and creative sectors.
Under Section 26 of the 1954 Landlord and Tenants Act we are legally entitled to a new lease at market rates unless our landlord can prove certain very specific conditions. We applied for a new lease at the earliest possible opportunity with a reasonable rental offer based on the market analysis of two highly reputable specialist cinema surveyors, acting independently of each other.
We are disappointed that our landlords Zedwell LSQ Ltd and their parent company Criterion Capital have demanded the inclusion of a break clause that would require us to vacate the premises at 6 months’ notice, should they receive planning permission to redevelop the building, which we interpret as a clear intention to do so.
Moreover, they are also demanding a rent far above market rates, at a level which no cinema proprietor would consider reasonable and refusing to supply any information to back this up.
We believe that these tactics amount to an attempt by Criterion Capital and its subsidiaries to use their significant financial resources to intimidate us, regardless of our legal entitlement.
We will be raising legal proceedings to contest their valuation of the lease in the strongest possible terms. We are confident that in doing so we will be allowed to renew at market rate, but we urge them to come to the table and settle on reasonable terms without the need for a protracted legal process.
Please sign and share the petition here: https://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/save-the-prince-charles-cinema
Share your memories of the cinema using #SaveThePCC on X, Instagram and other social media platforms.
If you wish to write us to offer your support, please email: savethepcc@princecharlescinema.com
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