The Prince Charles repertory cinema in London's Leicester Square has announced that it has secured its future by signing a new 25-year lease with its landlords. The agreement ends 21 months of uncertainty regarding the central London venue.
The new lease includes no break clause, a key point of contention during the renewal process. In January 2025, the cinema launched a petition, stating that its landlord, Zedwell LSQ Ltd, was attempting to force a break clause into its lease, which was due for renewal in September 2025.
Ben Freedman, the owner of the Prince Charles, stated that this security provides confidence to invest in the cinema's future. Vaqas Farooq, CEO of Criterion Capital, expressed satisfaction with the agreed terms, noting that a 25-year commitment offers real security for the cinema and its fans. Criterion Capital also plans to develop a hotel on the building’s upper floors.
The cinema, which opened as a live theatre in 1962 and became a repertory cinema in 1991, received a designation as an asset of community value by Westminster City Council in May 2025.