An iconic West End cinema has said its future is in jeopardy amid fears its landlord is planning to redevelop the site.The Prince Charles Cinema, one of the few independent cinemas in central London, has accused its landlord of “intimidation” over a proposed clause in its lease which would require it to leave within six months if the site were to be redeveloped.
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00:00The iconic Prince Charles Theatre is at risk of closure amid fears its landlord is planning
00:04to redevelop the site.
00:06The independent West End Cinema has accused its landlord of intimidation over a proposed
00:11clause in its lease, which would require it to leave within six months if the site were
00:15to be redeveloped.
00:17The cinema accused Criterion Capital of trying to bully it out of the building off Leicester
00:21Square when its lease runs out in September, and demanding an unreasonable rent cost.
00:25Criterion Capital and its subsidiaries own and manage properties in central London, including
00:30large chunks of the West End, and is ultimately controlled by millionaire developer Asif Aziz.
00:36The cinema has launched a petition online calling for the removal of the redevelopment
00:39break clause, and that has been signed by 6,000 people.
00:42We're losing the soul, the heart and soul of what makes London tick, and what makes
00:47Soho tick, so it's going to be a huge loss if this goes.
00:53It doesn't seem like London's got its mojo back to me, ever since Covid really.
00:57And so things like this closing, loads of clubs and bars closing, it's just London
01:03doesn't feel as brilliant a city as it used to feel.
01:07A spokesperson for Criterion Capital said it has initiated lease renewal proceedings
01:11on the Prince Charles Cinema, and said its landlord has acted in accordance with the
01:15Landlord and Tenant Act of 1954.
01:17The Standard has contacted Criterion for further comment.