In early 2025, the future of London's legendary Prince Charles Cinema was thrown into uncertainty. There was an ominous statement from management ann
In early 2025, the future of London’s legendary Prince Charles Cinema was thrown into uncertainty. There was an ominous statement from management announcing the multiplex was under “serious threat of closure”, a looming September 2025 lease expiry, and concerning talk of leaseholder Zedwell’s desire for a redevelopment clause in any recent contract, potentially putting the cinema at risk of being randomly closed at any given time with just six months’ notice. But, happily, today The Prince Charles Cinema has announced that following a major campaign to save the cult picturehouse, the cinema has officially been saved, with a recent 25-year lease having been signed with no break clause, guaranteeing the lights will stay on — and the reels will continue to spin — for another quarter of a century at least, undisturbed. Check out the official announcement below;
As the only independent cinema in the West End, The Prince Charles Cinema — championed by the likes of Quentin Tarantino, Christopher Nolan, Emerald Fennell, and Edgar Wright among many others — has been at the beating heart of the bricks-and-mortar moviegoing experience in the UK. As such, to see its future affirmed so emphatically at a moment where widespread anxiety about the state of cinema has come up against Hollywood’s best year at the box office since records began is a real vote of confidence in the theatrical experience and its preservation for generations to come.
For the full official statement on The PCC’s future, read below;
“The Prince Charles Cinema is thrilled to announce that we have signed a new 25-year lease with no break clause, ensuring our projectors will keep rolling for years to come. 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. To every one of the 168,645 people (and counting) who signed the petition and ensured we never felt outnumbered. To the Soho Society who recommended that Westminster Council officially designate us an Asset of Community Value, and the Council who did so. To the members of the media who championed our cause in such a positive way, often including their own experiences, acting as a welcome reminder as to why we exist. To the global community of filmmakers, producers, actors, writers and everyone else in between. And above all, to our phenomenal staff who have kept things going without missing a beat, and the army of film-lovers who keep coming through our doors, proving that the magic of a cinema is truly the community that shares the movies it presents. We are so incredibly thankful to each and every one of you. 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’ll be right here… Prince Charles Cinema.”
So there we have it. The Prince Charles Cinema has been saved. Long live The Prince Charles Cinema. And long live singalong screenings of Rocky Horror, spoon-throwing screenings of The Room, and quote-along screenings of the Scooby-Doo duology!
