London’s Prince Charles Cinema ‘under serious threat’ of closure
The venue has launched a petition after a disagreement with their landlord over a new lease
London’s iconic Prince Charles Cinema is “under serious threat” of closure after a disagreement with the landlord over a new lease, its operators have said.
The Soho venue, beloved by Quentin Tarantino among many others, have launched a new petition to help secure its future.
The petition reads: “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.
“This could leave us homeless with only 6 months’ notice should they receive planning permission to redevelop the cinema.”
It adds: “The Prince Charles Cinema was opened in 1962 as a live theatre before becoming a cinema in the mid-sixties. Under our stewardship, the cinema, which receives no public subsidy, has become known for its unique range of programming spanning the history of cinema. At a time when cinemas continue to close throughout the world, we are happy to buck the trend with our thriving and fiercely independent offer.
“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.”
Sign the petition here, with over 20,000 signatures already added in its first day.
When contacted for comment by Rolling Stone UK, Criterion Capital said: “We value Prince Charles Cinema and we work closely with our tenants to help best utilise 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.”
The statement added: “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 mischaracterising 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.”
On the petition, a quote was also shared from legendary filmmaker Paul Thomas Anderson when he shared of the venue in a 2021 interview with Time Out, writing: “The Prince Charles has a place in my heart. It’s the people, the programming, the accessibility, feeling, texture… you cannot go wrong. You also know that on any given day, you can close your eyes, press your finger to the programme, and you’ll hit something great. It’s like tuning into your favourite radio station.”