Movies

London’s Prince Charles Cinema ‘Under Serious Threat’ of Closure, Launches Petition to Save Iconic Theater

London’s Prince Charles Cinema said on Tuesday that it is “under serious threat” of closing after a disagreement with its landlord over a new lease.

The cinema posted a petition on its social media accounts calling for help saving the iconic theater, which has been praised by the likes of Quentin Tarantino and Paul Thomas Anderson. In the first hour, the petition already has over 10,000 signatures.

“We are beyond disappointed that our landlords Zedwell LSQ Ltd and their ultimate parent company Criterion Capital have demanded the inclusion of a break clause in our new lease,” the petition reads. “This could leave us homeless with only 6 months’ notice should they receive planning permission to redevelop the cinema.”

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They continued: “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.”

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According to the Telegraph, the Prince Charles is the last independent cinema operating in London’s West End. It’s known for its unique programming, including all-night movie marathons dedicated to specific directors and franchises and 70mm screenings of classic and foreign films.

“We feel that this demand amounts to a clear attempt by Zedwell LSQ Ltd and their ultimate parent company Criterion Capital, to use their significant financial resources to disregard our legal entitlement to a new lease and bully us out of the building once the existing one ends in Sept 2025,” the petition states.

In a statement to Variety, Criterion Capital said: “We value Prince Charles Cinema and we work closely with our tenants to help best utilize the properties within our portfolio. We operate within the provisions of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954 and categorically deny any attempts to intimidate or disadvantage them. A break clause is standard commercial practice, reflecting long-term property planning, not unreasonable intent. Our rental expectations are based on a fair market assessment, and we remain open to constructive dialogue within legal frameworks to resolve disagreements. We are committed to curating a portfolio that balances community benefit with sustainable commercial arrangements, and mischaracterizing our position through public campaigns hinders resolution. We will continue to act responsibly, legally and in good faith with Bubble Chamber Ltd, operators of Prince Charles Cinema.”

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