The iconic Prince Charles Cinema has been saved from risk of closure after almost two years of uncertainty.
Film fans and supporters rallied around the cinema in Leicester Square after it faced being shut down despite 250,000 visitors a year and cult-like following from the likes of Quentin Tarantino and John Waters.
The independent venue previously accused its landlord of ‘intimidating’ them in a long-standing row over a break clause in the lease.
It would have required the cinema to move out with six months’ notice if the site had secured planning permission for redevelopment.
The battle appears to be over for now after Prince Charles Cinema announced it had signed a new lease without the controversial break clause.
Cinema management revealed in a statement it had signed a new 25-year lease with no break clause ‘ensuring our projectors will keep rolling for years to come.’
It said: ‘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.’
Film aficionados reacted to the announcement on social media.
One person said: ‘I’m so glad to see this awesome news, I don’t think Leicester Square would be the same without you there.’
Another one wrote: ‘As someone who just took out lifetime membership I’m really glad. Keep being your fabulous selves!’
‘Fantastic news. A staple of many people’s London trips,’ one supporter said.
Prince Charles Cinema opened in the heart of West End in 1962 as a theatre before a brief stint as a music hall.
It went from showing soft X-rated films in the 1970s to becoming a repertory cinema, one of the last of its kind in the capital showing runs of classic, older films.
The cinema has also regularly hosted screenings during the London Film Festival.
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