The Prince Charles cinema in central London, long a site of pilgrimage for those interested in cult and hard-to-find films, has launched a petition saying its existence is under threat from its property developer landlords.
In a statement on petitions website 38degrees.org.uk, the cinema says that Zedwell LSQ Ltd (who are owned by developers Criterion Capital) are demanding a “break clause” in the building’s lease, which is currently being negotiated as the current lease ends in September. The cinema says this means they would be on six months’ notice to leave if Zedwell decides to redevelop the site.
Describing the developers as attempting to “bully us out of the building”, the Prince Charles says that its closure would mean losing “an iconic cultural institution … 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.”
The cinema has high profile international fans, including directors Paul Thomas Anderson, Quentin Tarantino and John Waters. It was opened as a live theatre in 1962, but converted to a cinema in 1969 after being purchased by the Star Cinema chain, and subsequently showed adult movies. In 1991 it was taken over as a repertory cinema with cut-price seats.
The cinema added: “We believe that these tactics amount to an attempt by the landlord and Criterion Capital to use their significant financial resources to intimidate us, regardless of our legal entitlement.”
Phil Clapp, chief executive of the UK Cinema Association, said in a statement: “The Prince Charles is unique in a lot of ways and it has a symbolism and a value that goes beyond even the fantastic service it provides to its audiences. It’s an institution and I think its loss would be keenly felt not just by its audiences but by the broader London and national cinema ecology.”
Criterion Capital, whose CEO is billionaire Asif Aziz, is a major landowner in London, with sites including the Trocadero in Piccadilly Circus and the Criterion theatre. In 2024 it purchased London’s Central YMCA building, which is due to close in February.
In a statement to the Guardian, the company 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 company added: “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.”
