Entertainment · Film · 10 hrs ago
Prince Charles Cinema secures a 25-year lease in London
London’s Prince Charles Cinema has secured a 25-year lease with its landlord, Zedwell LSQ Ltd.
The new lease has no break clause, so neither side can end it early under that provision.
The cinema had faced uncertainty because its previous lease was due to expire in September 2025.
Its management feared a proposed clause could have allowed the landlord to end a new lease with six months’ notice to redevelop the site.
The cinema’s campaign attracted more than 168,000 petition signatures and support from film industry figures.
Westminster Council designated it an Asset of Community Value, a status the cinema’s supporters had sought.
The agreement ends 21 months of uncertainty for the independent West End venue, known for all-night screenings and repertory seasons.
The Prince Charles Cinema in London’s West End has secured its future with a new 25-year lease.
The lease with landlord Zedwell LSQ Ltd has no break clause, preventing either party from ending it early under such a clause.
The agreement ends an almost two-year public campaign to save the cinema.
The campaign began in early 2025 after the cinema said it was under serious threat of closure.
More than 168,000 people signed a petition supporting the venue.
- Who
- The Prince Charles Cinema and its landlord, Zedwell LSQ Ltd.
- What
- The cinema signed a new 25-year lease with no break clause.
- When
- Announced on October 15, 2026, after 21 months of uncertainty.
- Where
- The Prince Charles Cinema in London’s West End.
- Why
- The lease secures the cinema’s future after a public campaign against the risk of closure and redevelopment.
The Prince Charles Cinema
Zedwell LSQ Ltd
Lease terms
The Prince Charles Cinema
The cinema sought a new lease of at least 15 years on terms similar to its existing lease.
Zedwell LSQ Ltd
Zedwell sought a redevelopment break clause allowing it to terminate the lease with six months’ notice.
Redevelopment risk
The Prince Charles Cinema
The cinema’s management feared a break clause could leave the venue at risk of closure.
Zedwell LSQ Ltd
Zedwell’s stated position was that it wanted a clause tied to redevelopment; further reasons are not stated.
The cinema began its campaign after warning that it was under serious threat of closure.
The cinema’s long-standing lease with Zedwell was due to expire.
The cinema confirmed it was still at risk of closure.
The cinema announced that it had signed a new 25-year lease without a break clause.
- Lease term
- 25 years
- Landlord
- Zedwell LSQ Ltd
- Break clause
- None in the new lease
- Petition signatories
- More than 168,000
- Campaign duration
- 21 months
3 sources
What people are saying
After 21 months of uncertainty, we’re delighted to have secured the future of the cinema, and we couldn’t have done it without the support, commitment and belief of many, many people.
You have all placed your trust in us, and as we continue on for at least another 25 years, we promise to never forget that.
We are beyond disappointed that our landlords and their ultimate parent company, Criterion Capital, have demanded the inclusion of a break clause in our new lease